Boy do I love Roman Republican coins, I think I prefer Republican coinage to Imperial but it's all subjective I guess. IMO, Republican had more depictions of Greco-Roman deities and interesting engraving/designs but Imperial coinage had more inscriptions and symbolisms. What do you prefer? Mid/Late Republican Coinage or Imperial Coinage? Note: There are CNG's Auction photos. M. Furius L.f. Philus. 120 BC Obv: Laureate head of bearded Janus Rev: Roma standing left, holding wreath and scepter; to left, trophy of Gallic arms flanked by a carnyx and shield on each side; star above. D. Silanus L.f. 91 BC Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right Rev: H to left / Victory, holding reins, driving galloping biga right. L. Censorinus. 82 BC Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right Rev: Marsyas standing left, raising hand and holding wineskin over shoulder; to right, column surmounted by statue of Minerva standing right. L. Cossutius C.f. Sabula. 72 BC Obv: Winged head of Medusa left Rev: Bellerophon hurling spear, riding Pegasus right.
Great coins indeed, I especially find the Censorinus appealing. Not quite sure, objectively speaking, which 'coin category' has more deities, inscriptions, symbols, etc. It doesn't realy matter though, I think what matters is what you find appealing and like to collect. I enjoy the fact that this hobby offers so many different ways to collect. From a 'I collect only new style owls' way, to a 'I focus on hairstyles of Faustina'. So much to see, and so much to learn when people share their interests.
Beautiful coins! I agree with you that Republican coins are more interesting than Imperial. That being said, I have ~60 Imperial coins and 0 Republican. It's a combination of not knowing much about the coinage and being daunted by another collection focus. Here are my two pickups from the same auction. I've wanted a coin from the time of Batis of Gaza for some time. This one is off center with the Gaza "m" mostly worn off, but I picked it up for a far lower price. This was a bit of an impulse buy. It's a 5th-4th century Egyptian imitation. I picked it up because it's the closest thing I'll ever get to a Nektanebo II attribution. There are a number of iffy points, but IMHO it's close enough for me. - Nektanebo reigned from 358-340 BCE, while these were issued ~415-340 BCE. - In a paper I was reading, the author was of the belief that these were issued by warlords along the Nile, on the basis that Nektanebo signed all of this coinage. I'm doubtful of that claim, since the mintage was so vast and skilled that it seems more likely to have been directed by a state.
I agree that Roman Republican reverses -- apart from the "Dioscuri galloping in same direction" and "Victory in biga or quadriga" types -- tend to be more varied and interesting than Imperial reverses. There also tends to be much more to say about each type. (See all the lengthy write-ups I've posted for many of my 70+ Republican denarii.) On the other hand, Imperial portraits of the different emperors and empresses can be more interesting and artistic than yet another helmeted head of Roma. And there are so many thousands of different types that there are plenty of interesting reverses among them as well. So I like both!
Any chance you'll create and post virtual trays of your (Roman) Republicans, illustrating the range of reverses that drew you to these coins? Even without any accompanying theme or text, I personally would love to view them collectively!
I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to create a "virtual" tray combining all the photos of my Roman Republican reverses. My skills aren't remotely up to that task! But here's an actual photo of my Roman Republican tray with the reverses facing up, as of four or five months ago. Obviously it's missing all the additional coins I've acquired since then, but perhaps if you click on it to zoom in, it will give you at least some idea. As you can see, I like reverses with animals (real or mythical), and Roman Republican coins offer plenty of them.
I don't have much to add other than that virtual trays are great! Physical trays do the job though. Great collection @DonnaML
Thanks. I wish I could have done a better job getting the natural light (I took it by a window) to fall evenly on the whole tray. The coins towards the bottom are way too dark. And I wish I did know how to create a virtual tray. But I did what I could.
Do I detect a couple of Sphinx reverses? Row 7, column 7 and row 8, column 6? Just FYI, creating virtual trays can be a relaxing, even peaceful activity (albeit time-consuming) with software like Photoshop Elements... but probably not as rewarding as doing extensive research information on your coins.
If I'm counting correctly, the first coin you mention depicts an eagle. But the second one does portray a sphinx: Roman Republic, T. Carisius, AR Denarius, 46 BCE, Rome mint. Obv. Head of Sibyl (or Sphinx) right, her hair elaborately decorated with jewels and enclosed in a sling, tied with bands / Rev. Human-headed Sphinx seated right with open wings, wearing cap, T•CARISIVS above,; in exergue, III•VIR. Crawford 464/1, RSC I Carisia 11 (ill.), Sear RCV I 446 (ill.), Sear Roman Imperators 69 (ill. p. 46), Sydenham 983a, BMCRR 4061. 19 mm., 3.87 g.* *The head on the obverse is described simply as a “Sibyl” in Crawford, “Sibyl Herophile” in Sear, and “Aphrodisian Sibyl” (i.e., Sibyl relating to Aphrodite/Venus) in RSC and BMCRR. The Sibyl Herophile was the name of a Sibyl at Erythae in Ionia opposite Chios, also associated with Samos. Crawford notes at p. 476 that the combination of a Sibyl on the obverse and a sphinx on the reverse “recall those of Gergis in the Troad [citing BMC Troas, pp. xxx and 55], perhaps allud[ing] to Caesar’s Trojan origin,” the moneyer being a supporter of Caesar. See the examples of these coins of Gergis at https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/troas/gergis/i.html and https://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=79 . On each such coin, the Sibyl is characterized as “Sibyl Herophile.” Characterizing her as the “Aphrodisian” Sibyl would relate to the gens Julia’s legendary descent from Venus. The theory that the obverse instead portrays the head of the Sphinx on the reverse is presented in an article by D. Woods, “Carisius, Acisculus, and the Riddle of the Sphinx,” American Journal of Numismatics Vol. 25 (2013). The “IIIVIR” in the exergue on the reverse refers to the moneyer’s position at the mint. See https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=IIIVIR, defining the term as a “Latin abbreviation: Triumvir. On coins of the Roman Republic IIIVIR is used as a shortened abbreviation for IIIVIR AAAFF, which abbreviates ‘III viri aere argento auro flando feiundo’ or ‘Three men for the casting and striking of bronze, silver and gold,’ a moneyer or mint magistrate.”
On the topic of virtual trays and I suppose RR coins too, here are a few of my pickups this year. This tray is focused on promagisterial cistophori. Lots of room left over...
My guess is that making a virtual tray would be similar to how I combine my mediocre attempts at coin photography; create a giant canvas, and then copy and paste in individual pictures, using the hand tool to move them and line the images up. There's probably a much better, easier way that I haven't yet learned.
What do you prefer? Mid/Late Republican Coinage or Imperial Coinage? No contest from my perspective: a virtual pile of RR denarii from the 80s BC.
Agreed. Hands down...The Republic! RR M Furius LF Philus AR Denarius 119 BCE Janus Trophy Carnyx Cr 281-1 Sear 156 Even the Republic’s boo-boo’s... RR M Furius ERROR DOUBLE-STRIKE AR Denarius 119 BCE Janus x 2 Trophy Carnyx S 156 Cr 281-
I collect both Roman Republic and Roman Imperial denarii. Roman Imperial coins tend to have superior artistic style compared to Roman Republic coins. I’m amazed at how realistic the portraits look on Imperial coinage. In comparison, the Roma heads on some Republican coins can look cartoonish. Republican coins are hit or miss in regards to artistic style. However, Roman Imperial coins tend to have quite boring and uninspired designs. The generic Imperial coin consists of the emperor’s portrait on the obverse and a deity on the reverse. Augustus, Nero, Trajan, and Hadrian are some of the few emperors to issue coins with interesting reverse types. In contrast, the Roman Republic has a lot of diversity in regards to coin designs. Republican denarii often depict themes such as religious practices, the daily life of citizens, architecture, historical events, the founding myths of Rome, and the accomplishments of the moneyer’s senatorial ancestors. Collectors can learn so much about Rome’s history by examining the designs on Republican coins. Overall, my main collecting focus is on Republican coins, followed closely by early Imperial coins. I merely dabble with Greek coins as some types can be quite expensive and difficult to study. Here is my L. Censorinus denarius: L. Marcius Censorinus. 82 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.9 g). Rome mint. Laureate head of Apollo right / Marsyas standing left, holding wineskin over shoulder; to right, column surmounted by statue of Minerva(?) standing left. Crawford 363/1d; Sydenham 737; Marcia 24. Ex. H.D.Rauch auction 75
great coins all. @DonnaML your collection of republic denarii has really grown! I especially love the later republic. I find the history and allure of the later republic most interesting; however, if I had to live back then I would probable prefer the 2nd century CE.( more conveniences , running water, hot baths, toilets - If I were fortunate enough to be wealthy) here is a recent denarius I got from Odysseus - Brutus... two of my favorite designs... Plancus and A. Licinius Nerva...