Monumental Minutiae

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Apr 23, 2021.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    The Altar of Providence was a reoccurring minor monumental type struck throughout Vespasian's reign. Recently, I was very pleased to land a rare variant of this common type!



    V1201.jpg
    Vespasian
    Æ As, 9.59g
    Lyon mint, 72 AD
    Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust
    Rev: PROVIDENT in exergue; S C in field; Garlanded Altar
    RIC 1201 (R). BMC spec. acquired 1936. BNC -.
    Acquired from CGB.fr, April 2021.

    Originally, Tiberius struck the Provident altar type for Divus Augustus. The altar depicted is dedicated to Providentia, the personification of the emperor's divine providence. Although the type is commonly described as an altar, Marvin Tameanko has convincingly argued it is actually a sacellum, or small shrine. This popular type was later revived during the Civil War by Galba and Vitellius. Vespasian began striking it early in his reign both at Rome and Lyon. This rare ornate variant depicts the altar as garlanded.

    Show off your rare or unusual minutiae!
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2021
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Limes

    Limes Well-Known Member

    You're landing quite a few Flavian's these days @David Atherton!

    How about the coin cited in your post? That's all that I can contribute...
    1.1.png
     
  4. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    I love flyspecking, @David Atherton! You do too!

    No pearls in Faustina's hair.

    [​IMG]
    Faustina II, AD 147-175.
    Roman Æ As, 8.35 g, 25.0 mm, 6 h.
    Rome, AD 161-164.
    Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
    Rev: HILARITAS S C, Hilaritas standing left, holding long palm-branch in right hand and cornucopia in left hand.
    Refs: RIC 1643 var.; BMCRE 982 var.; Cohen 113 var.; RCV 5296; MIR 15-7/10b.
    Notes: This coin is a variety of the RIC, BMCRE and Cohen specimens in that Faustina wears no strands of pearls in the hair.
     
  5. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    Struck under Vespasian's son Titus:

    Augustus Providentbb.jpg
     
  6. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Oh, that's splendid! Nice tie in.
     
    Limes and +VGO.DVCKS like this.
  7. Orielensis

    Orielensis Well-Known Member

    That's a very ttractive example of this type, @David Atherton !

    Here is a coin with some very interesting monumental minutiae that will almost certainly make it to my "top 10 below $25" this year.

    The reverse of this denarius shows the temple of Divus Augustus with a tiny double statue of Livia and Augustus. Construction on the temple started shortly after Augustus's death in 14 AD. This coin was minted when the temple was restored under Antoninus Pius:
    Rom – Antoninus Pius, Denar, Tempelrevers.png
    Antoninus Pius, Roman Empire, denarius, 145–161 AD, Rome mint. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP, laureate head of Antoninus Pius r. Rev: TEMPLVM DIV AVG REST COS IIII; front view of octastyle temple, containing statues of Divus Augustus and Livia. 17mm, 2.62g. Ref: RIC III Antoninus Pius 143 (denarius).
     
  8. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Nice one David, I have this type issued just prior. Vespasian (800x396).jpg
     
  9. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    A very cool reverse type.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page