Better elephants

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by jamesicus, Jan 13, 2019.

  1. jamesicus

    jamesicus Well-Known Member

    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.

    [​IMG][​IMG]
    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
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

  4. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    A lovely coin. I would love to have one like that.
     
    jamesicus likes this.
  5. jamesicus

    jamesicus Well-Known Member

    Thank you gentlemen. I should have posted a photo of my original coin for comparison. Here it is:
    2D4688A7-ED37-4537-B512-FB9F77335948.jpeg B84FBAA4-C401-4E55-B8B9-42502A0132F1.jpeg
    Please excuse the split image - the photo was taken in haste.
     
  6. spirityoda

    spirityoda Coin Junky

    cool. I like elephants.
     
    jamesicus likes this.
  7. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Much better elephants, for sure

    Well done James

    Q
     
    jamesicus likes this.
  8. IdesOfMarch01

    IdesOfMarch01 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    jamesicus likes this.
  9. Jochen1

    Jochen1 Well-Known Member

    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!
    nikaia_gallienus_RecGen836.jpg
    There is a similar type for Gordian III. The rev. shows the triumph of Dionysos in India.
     
  10. jamesicus

    jamesicus Well-Known Member

    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).
     
    Paul M. likes this.
  11. Finn235

    Finn235 Well-Known Member

    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

    Caligula as vesta.jpg
    Nero claudius drusus sestertius.jpg
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page