TIF, Thanks for the information. Needless to say I'm disappointed knowing it's a fake but I'm glad it was outed. They sure did a good job on the patina. I guess it's no longer my favorite. Lol
Empire Sestertii: RI Paulina w Maximinus I D before CE 235 AE sestertius 30.77mm 19.66g 2nd emission of Maximinus I CE 236 Consecratio Peacock RIC IV 3 RI Pertinax 193 BC AE Sestertius rome mint LAETITIA RIC 17 C 21 RI Maximus 236-238 AE Sestertius Rome mint priestly emblems RI Didius Julianus 193 CE - 9 weeks - AE Sestertius RI Galba AE Sestertius SPQR - O.B - CIV.SER in Wreath.jpg
Republic Sesterius: RR Anon AR Sestertius 211-208 BC Roma Dioscuri Sear 46 Craw 44/7 Republic Compared to Empire Sesterius (Marcus Aurelius):
Thanks stevex6! Yeah I was excited to finally pull the trigger on one of the big bronzes. I'm not sure if it's the larger size or if it's just because it's a new coin type for me but this one is definitely one of my favorites in my collection now! Nice coin! The reverse is especially cool and has great detail. Thanks! Yep that's me.
Thanks @TIF! After looking back at the photo I think you might be right about the ripple effect. I will run some experiments that leave the ripple under the obverse and try to map out a pattern for the rest that matches the perspective of the ripples (a bit tricky but should be fun!) I'll post a couple of side by side examples in the next few days. Your Nero is absolutely amazing! I see that you had the courage to bust yours out of its slab. I have not been as courageous with my Athenian Tetradrachm...
I don't own many, but I guess I would pick this since it got published on wildwinds. Crispina (178 - 182 A.D.) Æ Sestertius O: CRISPINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right. R: HILARTAS S-C, Hilaritas standing left, holding long palm and cornucopiae. Rome 18.8g 33mm RIC III 668 (Commodus) Published on Wildwinds!
Hadrian's Villa had a specially built, below-ground road and entrance (through the tunnel arch shown below) for the Roman troops, so as not to disturb the emperor when he was in residence at the villa:
Like this one for its Multi colour patina: And I Like this one because its funny , Hadrian looking kind of suspicious when Salus is putting the snake on the BBQ.
I've always been a fan of bronzes. I typically do not collect silver. As such I cant really pick just one, so here is a shot of one of my trays:
My favorite sestertius is the Three Sisters coin issued by Caligula. AE sestertius 27.63g, 6h, 34.5mm. Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, Caligula laureate head left Rx: AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA, The three sisters of Caligula standing side by side to front, each draped with hair knotted at back; on the left, Agrippina Junior; in center, Druscilla; on right side, Julia, SC in ex.
NAC 94: The Roman Empire Gaius, 37 – 41, Sestertius 37-38, Æ 28.56 g. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Laureate bust l. Rev. AGRIPPINA – DRVSILLA – IVLIA The sisters of Gaius standing facing: Agrippina, as Securitas, holds cornucopiae in r . hand resting on column, with l. hand on shoulder of Drusilla, as Concordia, who holds patera and cornucopiae; Julia, as Fortuna, holds rudder and cornucopiae. In exergue, S·C. C 4. BMC 36. RIC 33. CBN 47. Berk 36 (this coin).
Since my first submission to this thread turned out to be a fake I thought I would add my new favorite. This is a sesterstius of Hadrian with obverse legend of HADRIAN VS AVGVSTVS and a reverse legend of IVSTITIA AVG COS III P P with SC in ex.. I attribute it as RIC 710.
Similar (but not exactly a sestertium): Æ medallion. Weight 30.15 g; diameter 39 mm. From the Münzkabinett of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin Collection (reg. no. 18200726):