Fine Style Can Overcome Almost Anything

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Jan 22, 2019.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Many months ago when I first laid eyes on this coin in Vcoins I fell in love and placed it as the number one coin on my personal want list. One thing or another delayed the purchase, plus, the seller is in Europe and I didn't want the hassle of an overseas shipment during the holidays. In the meantime, I crossed my fingers and hoped no one else noticed it sitting in the seller's store. Luckily, no one did!

    The coin arrived speedily from Europe last week.

    T155.jpg Titus
    Æ Sestertius, 22.74g
    Rome mint, 80-81 AD
    RIC 155 (C). BMC 171.
    Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
    Rev: PAX AVGVST; S C in field; Pax stg. l., with branch and cornucopiae
    Acquired from Marti Numismatics, January 2019.

    Pax was a fairly common reverse type struck for Titus. This particular Pax with branch and cornucopiae is a carry-over from Vespasian's coinage. Apparently, the propaganda value of peace was quite limitless. Admittedly, the piece is quite worn but despite the wear it features one of the most magnificent coin portraits of Titus I have come across in either silver or bronze. Truly the work of a master engraver! There is one peculiar thing I have noticed about Titus' bronze coinage, the left facing portraits tend to be in a finer style than the right facing ones. Perhaps a talented engraver at the mint preferred his portraits facing left?

    Feel free to share your worn beauties!
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2019
    Cucumbor, dlhill132, Paul M. and 16 others like this.
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  3. Julius Germanicus

    Julius Germanicus Well-Known Member

    I have a worn (and corroded) left facing Titus Sestertius, too:

    Bildschirmfoto 2019-01-22 um 12.41.50.png

    IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P PP COS VIII / ANNONA AVG
    Sestertius, Rome 80
    33 mm / 18,91 gr
    RIC 86, C 16
     
  4. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    Looks great, and thank you for the short explanation about the coin. Some days ago I wanted to bid on 4 Roman coins, and then I resisted myself, since I really need to focus my budget on Greek coins. However, the Roman coins keep attracting me, both historical wise and coin wise. I think I need to stop looking at Roman coins here on this forum :D.

    This were the 4 coins I wanted to go for, please don't tell I made a big mistake not going for one of them.

    [​IMG]
    Arcadius. AD 383-408. AE Maiorina. Constantinople mint. (RIC IX 53b)

    [​IMG]
    Constantius I. As Caesar, A.D. 293-305. Lugdunum mint, struck A.D. 294.
    (RIC VI 1).


    [​IMG]
    Pontos. Amisos . Antoninus Pius AD 138-161. Drachm AR.

    [​IMG]
    Diva Faustina I AD 140-141. Rome. Denarius AR
     
  5. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Well-worn Titus with a misshapen flan. It's not attractive in spite of its faults; it's attractive because of its faults.

    Titus COS V Eagle denarius.jpg
     
  6. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    I love the Faustina I denarius and I hope it was one you bid on. It has lovely toning.
     
  7. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Wonderful new Titus! Here's my lefty:

    CollageMaker Plus_201845212811744.png
     
  8. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Here is a worn coin with a portrait I like very much.

    Julius casear

    JC new.jpg
     
  9. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    Great new, warm-colored Titus, David! I bet it feels great in hand!

    My fave is a Titus issue as well... But a restoration issue of Augustus. I just love the portrait on it, so much so that it's my avatar. And, though it's corroded, I'm surprised at how nicely the bust survived, and is one of my favorites to just oogle at.
    CollageMaker_20181230_082436517.jpg

    There were some very skilled celators in that era!
     
  10. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    David Atherton, I agree with the title of your thread Fine Style Can Overcome Almost Anything, however, I like coins in choice condition, E.F. or better ;).
     
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  11. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Here's my worn Aurelius (as Caesar) drachm of Alexandria. Type is supposedly quite rare due to the reverse (Elpis).

    aurelius.jpg
     
  12. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    I love me some Elpis/Spes! Very nice drachm with completely recognizable profile of the young MA!
     
    ancient coin hunter likes this.
  13. PeteB

    PeteB Well-Known Member

    Pavlos:
    I have seen and owned Hadrian and Faustina silver coins of Amisos, but I have never seen an Antoninus Pius! It must be exceedingly rare.
     
  14. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Great portrait of Titus David. I bought this Antoninus Pius Sestertius a few years back because although worn it is a very hard coin to get in good condition and has the temple of Roma in fine style. Roma.jpg
    ANTONINUS PIUS Scarce. AE Sestertius. 24.09g, 32.3mm. Rome mint, AD 141-143
     
  15. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    My Titus sestertius had to overcome bronze disease on the reverse but the obverse is my favorite Titus.
    rb1380bb0170.jpg
     
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  16. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    Unfortunately I don't have any of the 4, I wanted to go for them but on the other side my focus is mainly in Greek coins, and resisted myself on bidding. I would have loved to own both the Faustina one and the Antoninus, maybe I should have bid on them after all. Makes a nice pair as well, husband and wife.

    I read that the Constantius I coin is rare as well, first emission if i'm not wrong.

    @PeteB Indeed, I can only find very few examples on the web, I should have went for it, especially because the city Amisos has a special place in my collection. The coin does is quite scratched unfortunately.
     
  17. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Ah yes, the age old question - style versus condition. Personally, I'll choose style every time. The perfect solution is a fine style EF, but I fear such a coin would be too expensive for me to worry about!
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2019
  18. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    I am in complete agreement:happy:
     
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