The modeling and strike of the top coin are much better. The centering is about the same between the two, but between the two the top coin is tops. With the second coin, Septimius Severus looks like he had a bad day at the office.
Last time I got into a wee bit of trouble. I don't think any of my coins are my worst. Every coin from my most expensive to my least is there because I believe they have something to say about their time and place. This one is interesting because even though it is an extremely common coin it managed to evade being referenced in HGC. I like this coin as it speaks of the wars between the Macedonian Kingdom and the Roman Republic and it belongs within that rash of Pseudo- Rhodian coins minted at about that time. Perseus Ar pseudo-Rhodian drachm Hermias Magistrate 171-170 BC Obv Head of Helios 3/4 facing slightly right. I like to call it "Doll Face". Rv Rose 2.63 grms 15 mm Photo by W. Hansen Planchet archives at: https://edmontoncoinclub.com/the-planchet/the-planchet-archived/
That's a beauty @Terence Cheesman ! As for the other coin, you're in a safe space here on Saturday Night Free for All. Any take on coins is loved here! I think there are many of us here that are attached to our "bought it from a bad photo" or "ugly... but super rare" coin-children and have a lot of dogs in our collections that we keep (me). So, worst coin to many (also me) is a fire-damaged, DB infested, nearly worn flat coin... that in some way has something special about it. Others are more efficient at curating a collection, are able to be more objective and break free of some of those coins. This objectivity leaves their lower-rung coins still really great. (I wish I was one of these people but I hold onto things too long and married a hoarder too (haha)) Anyway, that SS coin is terrific (even if common), your posts are fabulous and your coins make me envious. Keep it up and keep those honest reports coming. Thanks.
I prefer to liken it to his having been kept up all night with that drum beating all the time. It is good to see not everyone judges a coin only by grade. There are often little things that separate a common and an upgrade in coins. In this case the drum is about as much an upgrade as VDB is on a 1909 Lincoln (for those here who know what a Lincoln cent is - not all do). I would expect most people would pick up on what was different about the coin below but wonder if anyone has an example without scepter (a variation I lack). For the record, these also come as asses but all I have is this 'Cast in Gaul'. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/tw...ghtweight-whats-going-on.362072/#post-4580961
There must be a lot of die variations on these Dea Caelestis reverses? Here she is with a thunderbolt that looks like a big hot dog, and her arm almost stretched out: Here she is facing, and riding the lion rather casually: I have a tendency towards not being able to limit myself when it comes to collecting. Die variations never was my cup of tea, and probably never will. The difference between a drum and a thunderbolt is more than a die variation, though. That’s two different symbols, and pretty interesting.
I've put in some strong bids on these coin types and have not yet won one. Great coins posters. I've wanted a lion or tiger to ride since.... forever until now. But let's all admit that Tigers are cooler than lions... yeah?
Really? I didn’t realize that these were hard to get, as they are fairly common, at least Severus. They’re pretty popular though. I have had mine for quite a long time.
That's the thing though! As they are common, you don't bid too strong. But.. animals always sell better than "someone standing there" reverses. Someone riding a Lion! ... take my money. Edit... the only thing cooler than riding something as majestic/crazy as a panther/lion/tiger is riding an ostrich or horse/snake combo.
I finally decided to change the RIC numbers of the coins of Hadrian that I own. Last January in New York I purchased the new RIC ll part 3 which covers the Imperial coinage of Hadrian. I kept putting it off but I finally decided to do something about it. So for the last couple of days, I have been checking out my coins and looking up the reference so that my tags are now up to date. As usual by doing so I have become reacquainted with some of the coins in my collection. Hadrian Ar Denarius Rome 117 AD Obv. Bust right laureate drapery on far shoulder. Rv. Pax standing slightly left. RIC 12 RIC II/3 64 3.35 grms 18 mm Photo by W. Hansen What I like about the coins of Hadrian during this period is the "Heroic" obverse image something that we can be thankful that our current politicians do not try to emulate. At least Hadrian and his immediate predecessor Trajan could actually pull this off. Another feature is that the reverse is actually quite well engraved. I decided to keep both the "old" and the "new" RIC numbers on my tags. Planchet archives at: https://edmontoncoinclub.com/the-planchet/the-planchet-archived/
No matter what the number is, that’s a great looking denarius, and a good photo by Mr. Hansen, as always. I’ve been taking a lot of pics with my old Sony Alpha 800 this Covid-year. I’m happy to see some progress, but it’s still ways to go. I could use RAW and edit in Lightroom, for example. But that takes a little more time, and I have shot over 600 obverses and reverses since I picked up coin photography last March. Today it was a few Byzantine and some moderns.
Since Parthians aren't a big draw in their own threads, here is a new purchase that too took a while to arrive. Sinatrukes (Gotarzes I) (95 - 87 B.C.) AR Drachm O: Bust of Sinatrukes left wearing tiara ornamented with horn and row of stags. R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΡΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border; five-line Greek inscription. Rhagai mint 20mm 3.79g Sellwood 33.4, Shore 113-115, Sunrise 302
Really nice bust and reverse too. What I find interesting with these compared to the more close up busts of Hadrian is that the silhouette is different he also looks thinner, perhaps younger on the heroic ones.
As for me, I haven't bought much in the way of ancient coins recently. Among the few coins that I have acquired recently was this silvered antoninianus of Claudius II from @Victor_Clark's eBay store. Regardless, I couldn't help but notice the irony of the reverse design in light of his death due to the plague and his brother's extremely brief reign as Emperor. Claudius II AE Antoninianus 268-270 A.D. Obverse: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG; Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Reverse: FELICITAS AVG; Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia. Diameter: 20x21mm Weight: 2.9g
I'll hide the attribution for anyone who wants to guess: which emperor? Spoiler: Reveal Attribution Galerius, As Caesar, 293-305 AD, AR Argenteus, Rome mint, struck circa AD 294 Obv: MAXIMIANVS CAES, laureate head right Rev: VIRTVS MILITVM, tetrarchs: Diocletian, Maximian, Constantius Chlorus, and Galerius, draped, sacrificing over tripod; behind, gate in a six-turreted enclosure Ref: RIC VI 29b
Nice one, Sulla. As it is «MAXIMINVS CAES», I guess it’s Galerius. When I quoted your post it was revealed too... Removed the quote.
Beautiful coin. Do you leave the obsolete RIC numberd in your descriptions? When I know both numbers, I include both (I call them "RIC" and "old RIC" to distinguish them), since many sources (and dealers) still list the old numbers.
In response to DonnaML, I do keep the old reference number. I suspect that most sources will use these numbers for some time until the new RIC becomes more established. My method is to place the two side by side with the older reference simply labeled RIC and the newer RIC II/3 Thus Hadrian Ae Sestertius 119 AD Obv bust right laureate "heroic" drpery on far shoulder. Rv Annona standing left RIC 564 RIC II/3 233.(this one is a bit odd as the newer reference has a lower number than the older.) 26.37 grms 34mm Photo by W. Hansen Planchet archives at: https://edmontoncoinclub.com/the-planchet/the-planchet-archived/