If you continue to collect ancient coins long enough, you can complete some mini-theme collections of special interest to you. Some day in the distant future you might write to us something about a set it took you thirty years to complete. Thirty years ago, in 1986, I got this coin: CONSTANTINOPOLIS Female bust right. P R either side of Pax standing left holding branch in right and long scepter in left. No mintmark. 16 mm. RIC VIII Rome 106. This type is only from Rome with only two varieties, head laureate and head pearl-diademed. Both are listed as "R4", which is extremely rare (2-3 known in 1981). Failmezger 402. I have looked for a better one and not found one because it is so very rare. More significantly, I have looked for its very rare companion piece and not acquired one until this month: RO-MA Helmeted bust of Roma right P R either side of helmeted soldier standing right holding spear in right and resting left on shield. No mintmark. 16-15 mm. 2.61 grams. RIC VIII Rome 104. This type is only from Rome and only this issue, with no officina number. It is listed as "R4", which is extremely rare (2-3 known in 1981). Failmezger 403 Finally, with this coin I was able to complete my mini-theme of regular-issue commemorative AE coins commemorating the foundation of Constantinople. Here is my new website on the event and its coins: http://esty.ancients.info/CON/Founding.html There are a virtually unlimited number of potential "mini-themes" to collect. They can keep you interested for decades. Show us your CONSTANTINOPOLIS and VRBS ROMA commemoratives.
That is an amazing set Warren. Simply amazing. Many of the ones on your site I've never seen. Congratulations.
Warren is an amazing collector! He has some pretty awesome stuff for sale too. I have spent many an hour cruising his website and picking off cool coins from him.
Like everyone else, I LOVE your web-site and that fabulous collection you have amassed....so many I can't recall seeing for many years anywhere else. Like most of us, I have the usual reduced follis of the Rome and Constantinople commemoratives, but in relatively low grade....sheeh, so many coins still to buy and nearly as many to up-grade. Congrat @Valentinian !!! LOVE that rarity!!! Although I would have easily confused it for just another Constantine of some sort
That is really encouraging to notice this great attachment to rare historical coins. Great effort and support Val.. For the time being, I chose 3 Victories and a VRBS ROMA. The latter was unusually struck under Honorius.
Heres a very very rare URBS ROMA, initially people thought it may have been unofficial, but three have turned up in a recent hoard discovery, full of authentic pieces and many Arles mint coins. It would make sense for there to be a star in centre type for this series as the Constantinople commem has a star in left field and the Gloria exercitus a star between standards. I know of 4 of this type.... 2,4g 19mm
what the hell, while I am in my gallery, heres a Constantinople commemorative, but much more common than Val's coins. 1.9g 18mm
Warren => congrats on completing your project! Uh-oh, it looks like somebody opened the commemorative flood-gates ...
Loving the commems Steve! love it when the floodgates open..... I never tire of seeing nice commemorative issues, especially the URBS. So much so, that another 5 have just dropped through the letterbox today!! I'll post them soon.
