A Couple of Fine Style Sestertii

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Curtisimo, Jan 15, 2021.

  1. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    That Diana / Hound AR Sestertius is just PLAIN-as COOL, Aidan!

    Mine is the more plain variety... here, it compared to the AE version...

    [​IMG]
    Roman Republic Silver Sestertius compared with a Empire Bronze Sestertius...
     
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  3. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

  4. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Internet must had burped. I got posted 3 times!
     
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  5. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Wow, Curtis, that Faustina II is simply stunning, and beautifully photographed. I enjoyed your other photos as well. I don't have much to add, but for comparison, here's a rather more youthful looking Faustina on a dupondius struck during her father's reign.

    faustina jr pudicitia400.jpg
    FAUSTINA II
    AE Dupondius. 11.56g, 26.7mm. Rome mint, AD 147-150. Sear 4731; RIC III 1403 (Antoninus); BMCRE 1086; Cohen 179. O: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, diademed and draped bust right. R: PVDICITIA, Pudicitia standing left, holding out cloak in both hands; S-C in fields.
    With old ticket noting Ex Seaby dated June 1962 (price 32s 6d)
     
  6. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    ...and this is as usual a wonderful contribution post from the much treasured leader of CT's Team France! I love all these coins as usual from you. The Marcus Aurelius sestertius is, of course, right up my alley but that Pupienus denarius has a stunning portrait!

    ...and ACH saves the day being the first with the VOTA! Nice addition. I really like the patina on this coin. It looks like it has some really nice color and the centering is great.

    Thanks Brian! I love how no matter the subject you always have a coin that you can contribute that adds interest to the thread. I just spent a decent amount of time reading up on Lares... cool!

    Very nice! I like how you posted a divine couple. I was looking for some coins to do the same and realized that my collection is quite deficient in female Olympian deities. :oops:

    Thanks for the kind words as well!

    I really like you denarius @Tony1982 . Great color and toning and an interesting type for all the same reasons I wrote about in the OP. Thank you for sharing!
     
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  7. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    I have basically the same sestertius Marcus Aurelius Ae Sestertius 170-171 AD obv Head right laureate. Rv. Inscription within wreath RIC 1006 30.57 grms 33 mm Photo by W. Hansen. maureliuss5.jpg This coin helped launch me towards the collecting of sestertii. I like sestertii with great portraits and interesting historic reverses. I have always liked the type and at one time owned a denarius of the same type. That one had many issues and is long gone. So it was so great to find the same type but in a more impressive coin and unfortunately a much more impressive price tag. Afterwards I did stray a bit (a mistake) but now I am right back into it.
    Planchet archives at: https://edmontoncoinclub.com/the-planchet/the-planchet-archived/
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2021
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  8. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Great post and fantastic portrait.

    This is actually really interesting. At the top of the reverse I think I can actually make out "PRIMI" which might mean this was struck in imitation of this very decennales type. I wonder how common in is for barbarous coins to get the legends right but still have that heavy stylized barbarous style. Presumably the people copying these would often not have spoken Latin.

    Thanks!

    This relief is actually in a very awkward place in the museum. It is situated way above your head as you walk up the large main staircase.
    scalone.jpg
    So to capture the photo in the OP you have to imagine me... standing in the middle of the main staircase with people going up and down... holding my DSLR camera up over my head as high as I could to try to get the best straight on shot. Yes people often look at me funny in museums. I still couldn't get it dead centered and had to adjust it on my computer later. Not to mention I didn't focus it as well as I would have liked but the shot turned out okay and I was able to use it to get a better idea of the scene.

    If there was a plaque I must have missed it (it was in a main staircase). I usually take photos of the plaques too so I can re-read about my photos later but I don't have one for this. I looked online again and the Capitoline Museum site mentions a date between AD 176-180 so possibly related to the Germanic wars. Now that I have looked again a bit closer and in context with the other reliefs on the staircase I think this may be thought to be the end of a Triumphal procession.

    Your comments on the children are interesting. If the above dates are correct Commodus would have been between 15 and 19. If not Commodus then I wonder who it could be and who the girl is. I'll looks some more into it and report back if I find more of interest.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2021
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  9. ambr0zie

    ambr0zie Dacian Taraboste

    One of my favourite 4th century coins:
    upload_2021-1-16_13-15-47.png

    Constantine I (306-337 AD) for Constantinus II Caesar. AE Nummus (18 mm, 2.83 g), Treveri, c. 322.
    Obv. CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, Laureate bust to left, wearing ornate trabea, holding Victory on globe in right hand and parazonium in left.
    Rev. BEATA TRANQVILLITAS, Large globe on an altar inscribed VO/TIS/XX; three stars above, dot STR dot in exergue.
    RIC 382
     
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  10. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    :D ... Thank you. And, don't forget the PENATES! They need love too...
     
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  11. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Thanks Al and thanks for sharing these portraits. Philip I and family have some really nice and artistic portraits from all over the empire. I wonder if that was a conscious effort on his part during his reign.

    Nice Sestertius and very relevant to the discussion on multiple levels. :D I am happy to have this type as well. I don’t own very many “message within wreath” types but I do like them, especially when they refer to specific historical events. Thanks for sharing.

    I don’t have any of the earlier small silver sestertii but I think they are neat and I like the juxtaposition with the big bronze! Thanks for sharing these!

    My largest Sestertius is only slightly larger than my OP coins but is at least tangentially related since it shows the son of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina II. The poster child for underachieving your parents accomplishments... Commodus.
    3B3BD5F7-A54B-43C4-AB37-B15F9C0E1CA5.jpeg

    Thanks @Marsyas Mike ! I like your example a great deal. Very readable legend, nicely centered portrait, even circulation wear and an interesting shaped flan! Lots to like there. Thanks for sharing and for the kind words.

    Thanks RC! I knew you had some nice examples of the Faustina II and I enjoyed reading your linked thread (which I also linked in my OP as well :D). I don’t have nearly the same amount of knowledge or specialization but I do share your appreciation for these interesting Antonine ladies.

    Your MA is great too. I like the symbolism of Italy holding the world and Marcus raising up Italy. Even moderate and relatively humble emperors like MA weren’t above this kind of “pat yourself on the back” type of message. :cool:
     
  12. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    A great picture of that lovely relief. I think the child playing the flute does so in order to drown out any noise that would ruin the sacrifice.

    My MA sestertius:

    964E9B55-48B1-4E4F-B203-7AB40C0AF7C2.jpeg
     
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  13. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    Curtis,

    A really interesting write up, very nice. It is great that you can illustrate your threads with photos you took yourself of ancient art and locations.

    It is interesting how much Faustina II's portrait looks like her mother's portrait. I think you are correct and the engraver was familiar with Faustina I and just carved another likeness. Once the die was finished they probably did not want to waste it so they went ahead and used it.

    I have one coin ticket that looks very similar to yours:
    upload_2021-1-16_22-12-33.png

    Aside from the similar capitalizations and colors, look at the 3s and 6s. They could easily have been created by the same person. My coin came from Empire Coins, run by Dennis Kroh. I bought many coins from Dennis, who was very helpful to me as a noob collector, and is a very interesting person. Rumor has it, he played a ninja in some Hollywood martial arts movies. For the curious, here is the coin that came with this ticket:
    upload_2021-1-16_22-18-54.png
    Euboea, Chalkis
    AR Drachm, 338-308 BC, 17mm, 3.61g.
    Obverse: Head of nymph right.
    Reverse: X-AΛ, eagle flying right, carrying snake in talons and beak; to right, monogram.
    References: BCD Euboia 140, Sear 2484
    August 30, 1994, Empire Coins, $75

    John
     
  14. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Curtis, You're right about the high level of portraiture during the reign of Philip I. I don't it was for any love of him or family, although Otacilia seems to have been held in higher regard than him. The general population was certainly aware of the shameful peace treaty he negotiated with Shapur I. I'm sure all Roman citizens were aware that Rome would probably celebrate its 1,000 year anniversary during the reign of Philip I too. For the occasion mints throughout the empire seemed to be "strutting their stuff" as a show of pride.
     
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  15. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    I wish there was a “super like” button for this post. Thank you John! Great lead!
     
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  16. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Philip I Ae Sestertius Rome 245-247 AD Obv bust right laureate draped and cuirassed. Rv Annona standing facing head left. RIC 168a 19.24 28 mm Photo by W. Hansen philipsnrs4.jpg I do like his portraits. For such a dubious man becoming emperor under such dubious conditions it sounds like he actually tried to do a decent job. Problem was that at this time in Roman history getting assassinated was a natural death for a Roman Emperor. It is interesting how this image really foreshadows the type of image created by and for the tetrarchy. On this coin in particular. I saw it on auction and tried to bid on it. I was outbid but later managed to purchase it at a bit more than my top bid. In hand it is truly a magnificent coin.
    Planchet archives at: https://edmontoncoinclub.com/the-planchet/the-planchet-archived/
     
  17. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    :D
    Simply... wow. These are some of the most artistic Sestertii of Marcus Aurelius I have seen! Absolutely wonderful!

    Thank you also for the kind words about my photos. I have been to Rome three times over the past eight years and each time I have been very sad to leave.

    Thanks @Clavdivs . Great Sestertii. The Commodus decannales is especially cool with a very interesting reverse.

    Thank you for the kind words! Your newest Sestertius has quite a nice portrait. Not to mention Felicitas looks rather nonchalant doesn’t she. :cigar::D
     
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  18. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    That is quite a nice coin with a great provenance to boot!

    Wonderful coin Terrance! You have an eye for wonderfully artistic coins!

    Interesting. So the children might be associated with the temple and not the royal family?

    Perhaps the music can partly explain how that bull is so calm looking despite his rather unenviable situation. :singing::headphone::facepalm:

    ...also nice coin!

    Wow to that Philip Terence That is quite the portrait.

    My favorite Philip isn’t so impressive as the wonderful coins you have both shown from a grade perspective (I like it for the tone, type and provenance) but even it has a nice style in my opinion.
    0FBED3E2-12D0-4826-AD06-9E3E2B9603B0.jpeg
    Roman Empire
    Philip I the Arab (AD 244-249)
    AR Antoninianus, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 245
    Dia.: 23 mm
    Wt.: 4.36 g
    Obv.: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
    Rev.: ADVENTVS AVGG; Philip on horseback left, raising right hand and holding spear
    Ref.: RIC IV 26b
    Ex David Kallai (ca. 1908-1924); Ex AMCC 2, lot 194 (Nov. 9, 2019)


    A8539BA8-B867-4B56-8496-5C3D2A9D2601.png
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2021
  19. Archeocultura

    Archeocultura Well-Known Member

    As I only collect coins issued under Antoninus < I chose two 'greenies' III Faustina Jr 1383 (2).jpg III Marcus Aurelius Caesar 1337 Felicitas sest.jpg
     
  20. Agricantus

    Agricantus Allium aflatunense

    Excellent OP, Curtisimo!

    Here is my dupondius featuring MA and an ancient couple from Sarmatia. Photo from cng.

    43898ED1-105A-4564-AE40-0EFA3AE2E9F0.jpeg
     
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  21. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    WoWiE!!! A couple of stunners and an outstanding thread Curtisimo :artist::bookworm:
    My favorite is no longer in the ryro collection as it's now in the Dado collection:
    share6658015938215512636.png
    But I recently made up for it by lucking into these two (thanks @dougsmit , they both are MA):
    1612623_1609765818.l.jpg
    Marcus Aurelius

    AE Sestertius, Rome, A.D. 153/4, 31 mm, 20,01 g, as Caesar under Antoninus Pius, bare-headed, draped bust right, with light beard, AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG P[II FIL], rev. TR POT [VIII] COS II, S-C, Minerva standing half right, holding reversed spear and owl (BMC 1955)
    Jan 2021 Elkowicz


    1612627_1609765820.l.jpg
    Marcus Aurelius

    AD 161-180. Æ Dupondius (24 mm, 10.77 g,). Rome mint. Struck AD 177. Radiate head right / German male and female captive seated at base of trophy; DE GERM in exergue. RIC I 1179a. 2021 Elkowicz
     
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