I haven't been posting here lately, but I can't resist sharing a coin I won in Triton XXII: lot 852, Crawford 394/1a, a denarius struck by C. Postumius in 73 BC. This is a common enough coin and I have a couple of perfectly acceptable examples of the variety already, so, although I'd noted it in my catalogue as being exceptionally nice, I hadn't really considered bidding on it. I seldom have an opportunity to upgrade a coin in my collection and my mind doesn't generally work that way. This time though... I was sitting at the auction between two Coin Talk members (whose secret identities are safe with me, but who can reveal themselves if they care to, lol.) They were a bit bored and eager for activity in their neighborhood, so they twisted my arm (not quite literally, but close enough!) until I agreed to try for it. Let's just say I’m very very glad I did. The obverse is certainly nice enough, problem-free and perfectly struck from a very fresh die, but the engraving itself is pretty pedestrian. The reverse is what makes the coin truly special. I’ve never seen this kind of detail on the type; you can count the dog’s ribs, trace the muscles in its legs, comb the hair on its back and rump and take a nail-clippers to its claws. Really quite astonishing; you could use this coin in a class on dog anatomy. Honestly, I didn’t know a coin like this existed or even could exist. CNG's photo follows. Phil Davis
Neither did I. The detail on that hound is absolutely amazing. Any chance you have a picture to share of the example it upgraded? I'm sure there was already a pretty high bar there.
Amazing coin, which I later drooled-over like a bulldog when Phil showed it to me in person. I was not one of the arm twisters. My mutt, by comparison, is below. My dog has a pedigree: ex Student and Mentor Collection [NAC 83 (20 May 2015) Lot 347]: ex Sternberg Auction VII (1977) Lot 390.
That is a truly phenomenal piece, Phil! Are you going to take your own photo? It looks like there's even more detail hidden in the shadows and a fair amount of luster throughout.
Heh, more evidence of codependency in the ancient coin collecting world! I'm sure they didn't have to twist too hard . Wonderful coin! Mine: Roman Republic, C. Postumius 73 BCE, Rome AR denarius, 18.74 mm, 3.6 gm Obv: bust of Diana right, bow and quiver over shoulder Rev: hound running right, spear below; C. POSTVMI, TA in exergue Ref: Crawford 394/1a
Here's the closest thing I have to this type, an Eravisci imitation of it. I don't think my hound has any ribs, hair or muscles. Imitations of Roman Republic, Eravisci, AR Denarius(18.6mm, 3.31g, 6h), circa 50-20 B.C., mint in modern-day Hungary. Imitating types of C. Postumius. Bust of diana right, bow and quiver on shoulder / Hound running right, spear below. POSTVMI TA(in ligature) in exergue. Freeman 24(this coin), dies 17/P; Davis Class B, Group II Pannonian, Eraviscan E15(these dies); cf. Crawford 394/1a for prototype Ex RBW Collection, Agora 69, 26 September 2017, lot 1. From a hoard partially published in 1998 in "A group of Eraviscan denarii" by Robert Freeman in "Coins of Macedonia and Rome: Essays in Honour of Charles Hersh".
Amazing coin. Congrats on an artistic piece. This is one of the first Republicans I ever purchased over 20 years ago. Always looking for an upgrade
Whoa. That's got FDL written all over it. I recently picked one of these up inspired by @ancientcoinguru's avatar. Mine, thoughnot even in the same ball park, has some fun quirks. Such as the test cuts and the remarkable resemblance to Santa's little helper (the Simpson's dog). C. Postumius At or Ta, Denarius, Rome, 74 BC; AR (g3,56; mm 18; h 5); Draped bust of Diana r., with bow and quiver over shoulder, Rv. Hound running r.; below, spear; in ex. C POSTVMI / AT (or TA). Crawford 394/1a; Postumia 9; Sydenham 785
Realistically, probably not. Even though I have something of a professional background in photography, I've never really tried to hone my currently nonexistent skills in shooting coins.
I'll look, but I don't think I have one. I might be able to find a pic of my example of the scarcer 394/1b, sans monogram; I'll post that if I can.
Putting aside the contentious issue of whether "best style" is required to properly describe a coin as FDC, the present piece falls short because of the weak monogram.
@red_spork Dealer photo of my 394/1b without monogram. I won this in Peus 374, 23 April 2003, lot 419. It's ex Banti's personal collection, sold in Peus 322 in 1988, lot 416; one of the reasons I wanted it:
Exceptional detail and wonderful coin. I've wanted to add one of these to my collection for a while - I guess I will need a little friendly arm twisting the next time. Congratulations! I like the puzzle of the TA/AT monogram of this Postumius and as I don't have a Postumia 9 to share - I'll post a coin with a monogram that is possibly connected to your coin: Tituria 1 AR Denarius L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus 89 BC Obv: Head of Tatius right; SABIN behind, TA before Rev: Two Roman soldiers, each carrying a woman; L. TITVRI in exergue The TA on this coin being unambiguous and linked with the obverse portrait of Sabine King Titus Tatius who was joint ruler of Rome for a brief period with Romulus. His daughter Tatia married Romulus' successor, the second king of Rome.
I've always admired the very distinctive obverse die of your coin TIF. Almost certainly, that die (or another from the same hand, anyway) served as the model for Red Spork's Eraviscan imitation. The model can hardly be the obverse on my OP coin or one like it.
I was wondering if that might be the case! Thanks The Eraviscan coin's hairstyle very closely matches my coin. The hound is also very similar.
Truly fantastic coin @Volodya Mine, which isn't mine actually but my wife's ! No, she doesn't collect ancients but as we've had a greyhound for 15 years that she cherished immensely, I felt I should gift her with such a coin C. Postumius, Denarius Rome mint, 74 BC Bust of Diana right, bow and quiver above shoulder Hound running right, C POSTVMI and TA (ligate) at exergue 4.0 gr Ref : RCV # 330, RSC, Postumia # 9 Q
I'm willing to admit that I was the one of the book ends sitting by you encouraging you to bid! It's the finest I think I've ever seen and perfect for your collection. Mine is somewhat pedestrian in comparison but I'll show it anyway.
