I thought the Divo Augusto sestertius I posted earlier was not too bad, but the elephants were not well depicted. I recently purchased the following specimen which I think has better Elephants. I have always admired this commemorative coin issued by Tiberius. Sestertius, RIC, Vol. I, Tiberius, No. 68, AD 36-37 (35mm, 22.6gm) Cataloged in Wildwinds under Augustus - Sear 1784 Coin obverse depiction: Augustus, radiate, togate, holding laurel branch in r. hand and long sceptre in l., seated on throne, placed on a car, drawn l. by four elephants, each bearing a mahout on its neck. The side of the car is ornamented with shields (?) Inscription across top in three lines DIVO AVGVSTO SPQR Coin reverse depiction: Large, centered S C Inscription clockwise from top: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST PM TR POT XXXIIX
Thank you gentlemen. I should have posted a photo of my original coin for comparison. Here it is: Please excuse the split image - the photo was taken in haste.
I've always loved this type. The elephants on your latest coin are well rendered and the artistry is excellent -- the procession looks quite regal, befitting an emperor. Plus, you have the cool XXXIIX numbering for 38 on the reverse.
Bithynia, Nikaia, Gallienus, AD 253-286 AE 24, 7.6g obv. ΠOV ΛI EΓ- Γ[AΛΛIHN CEB] Bust, draped and cuirassed, radiate, r. rev. [NIKAI]E - ΩN Dionysos, in long clothes, holding tyrsos and kantharos, std. l. in quadriga of elephants, advancing l. ref. Reg. Gen. 836; BMC 154 rare, good F/about VF, provincial style! There is a similar type for Gordian III. The rev. shows the triumph of Dionysos in India.
Thank you @IdesOfMarch01. Yes, that TR POT date is unusual in that it is rendered as a subtractive: XXX (thirty) X minus II (eight) = XXXIIX, instead of the usual XXXVIII. Mattingly makes special note of that in BMCRE (Vol 1).
I wondered how long it would be before I saw him again Glad it's in a good home! And now I get to keep these two bad boys