Just a few lots I got in the last auction. I liked this one, I don't know why, just liked the horse: MOESIA INFERIOR. Istrus. Gordian III with Tranquillina (238-244). Ae Pentassarion. Obv: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΑΒ ΤΡΑΝΚΥΛΙΝΑ. Laureate and draped bust of Gordian right, facing diademed bust of Tranquillina left. Rev: ΙϹΤΡΙΗΝΩΝ / E. Theos Megas on horseback riding right; in front, altar; behind, eagle standing right, on candelabrum. RPC VII.2 online - (unassigned; ID 28736); AMNG 525–6. Condition: Fine. Weight: 10.75 g. Diameter: 25 mm. Here is a type I already own a few copies of. I simply love the reverse artistry of Melqart on this one! SELEUCIS & PIERIA. Antioch. Trajan (98-117). Tetradrachm. Obv: ΑVΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙС ΝЄΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС СЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚ. Laureate head of Trajan right; below club and eagle standing right. Rev: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ VΠΑΤ Є. Laureate head of Melqart-Herakles right, wearing lion skin. RPC III 3533; McAlee 458; Prieur 1496. Condition: Very fine. Weight: 13.92 g. Diameter: 25 mm. Of course I had to get a group lot. I really like green patinas on coins. I also really love coins with the centration divots and nearly all of these have them. I find them fascinating. @dougsmit , how many of these do you think constitutes a roll? I really do not know much about them. Gives me an excuse to read up on them.
What a great group lot! I love those big chunky provincials. A lot of them have beautiful deep green patinas not to mention interesting reverses.
Lol! Like his wife is nagging him. "You're always out conquering some Nabotooians or whatever. You never take me out. At least let me see that mall. And for Zeus' sake take off your boots before you come into the palace."
Yeah, I agree. You can feel the years of military campaigns on his face. The celator who created these dies were the best I have seen. Melqart on the reverse usually looks somewhat cartoonish. Here is a very high style in my view of a god with very human features. Like I said, one of my favorite types so literally seen a couple of hundred for sale over the years. My eye stopped when I saw this example, (how I can tell a coin is special). I wish a couple of flaws were not present on it, but I could not resist the style. If it were normal style, I would have bid half as much on it.
