Two Random Denarii, Julius Caesar, Titus

Just a couple of recent pick-ups. The JC is quite circulated, but just honest wear and no damage. I don't mind saying, "Nice for the grade," since it only grades G (or Ch VF+ if you're going by NGC standards), but it's nicely centered and the toning highlights the devices rather well. Thanks to @Mat for the heads-up on this one.

Elephant with emblems of the pontificate, one of the three denarii types minted by JC...



And this Titus with curule chair and wreath. Also "nice for the grade," which is Fine, but centering, surfaces, detail, complete lettering, etc. Couldn't pass it up...



Post JC, or Titus, or anything you consider "Nice for the grade." I know some of you hate that term, but you can go play in different sandbox.

 

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For the few that enjoy LRBs, here's a Valens that is easily one of the best I've seen (and owned).



(edit: I think I misread "nice for the grade" but I think my coin is too nice to remove from my post)

 

I would definitely say this Alexander III is nice for the grade of XF. The oval flan, deep relief, and artistry of the engraver make this one stand out in what's otherwise a crowded field of Alexanders out there. I would say this one is my 3rd favorite coin in my collection.

Oh yeah, NGC would probably grade this as MS




This is probably my second most favorite coin (yes, I place it above my Alexander tetradrachm). If I were to clean it, it would probably be a rather average and plain VF+ denarius of Septimius Severus, but if you are a big fan of toned silver, this is as good as it gets,

The toning turns a rather average and common Severus into something special, and which I would easily describe as "nice for the grade".

In NGC grades this would be an MS too probably.




The next one is an M. Scaurus denari, in VF condition. Its probably my 5th or 6th most favorite coin. What makes it special for its grade is that it has just about everything you would want to see in one of these coins: full camel, scorpion, most of the legends are present, etc. If you know these coins, you'd know just how hard it is too get one with this much on it.

NGC grade, well...XF+?

 

Your pics are of course much better, that Titus was good grab. I liked the reverse of it.





Titus (79 - 81 A.D.)
AR Denarius
O: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M•, laureate head right.
R: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P, facing empty throne of a deity (pulvinar) with a triangular back, back ornamented with uncertain objects and a cross at the peak, seat draped with a fringed cover.
Rome Mint, 80 A.D.
3.34g
17.8mm
RIC II, part 1, 124; RSC II 313a; BMCRE II 61; BnF III 50; SRCV I 2515

 

Nice elephant JA. I also like the Titus.

Here is my quite worn JC denarius (which you have all seen before). I love it because even though it is worn I believe the portrait is very nice.



Here is my favourite coin of Titus.



Here is my other "good for the grade" coin. This was my first Claudius denarius.

 

I'm not a fan of bronze coins, but I'd make an exception for that one any day. I'm speechless when it comes to that one. The wow factor is huge.

 

@John Anthony I really like that Titus (hint, hint).

Nice for the grade:

TITUS
Billon Tetradrachm
OBVERSE: AVTOK TITOY - laureate head right
REVERSE: Bust of Serapis right, LB before
Struck at Alexandria, Egypt, Year 2 = 79-80 AD
12.7g, 25mm
Dattari 426, BMC 2741, RPC 2464

 

Oh, one more random denarius, Antoninus Pius and Virtus. Not rare, but it has wonderful detail (and a somewhat typically ragged flan, but we don't have to dwell on that folks, let's be positive).

 

Okay, lets be positive. I'm positive it's a ragged flan. (he,he)

 

I wonder if it's a coincidence, but I notice a higher occurrence of ragged flans around the period of COS III. Maybe the slaves got lazy for a bit, until they were whipped back into shape?

 

Just to improve morale... THE BEATINGS SHALL NOW BEGIN!!!

 

I hate when that happens.

 

Ugh...the last three weeks. Morale finally improved though.

 

"Iacta Alea Est" crossing the Rubicon...


Titus... destruction of Jerusalem

 

Valens ... molded chocolate cookie...


Alexander III Tet... Lifetime

 

Septimus Severus ... Genius


Scaurus ... scorpion

 

Antoninus Pius ... split flan


Antoninus Pius Tet... NO split flan

 

IMHO Orfew's Caesar is the definition of 'nice for the grade'. I'll show one coin that combines the original two: Titus with elephant. Nice for VG. Wishy-washy if Fine.

 

My best JC portrait: