Before they get any more stale, I'll toss out there a few more from the recent Robinson auction. As is my general practice, I do not offer these to help others get out of researching their similar coins but prefer to discuss what made them appeal to me enough to place a bid or what caused none of you to outbid me. Years ago I bought a rather worn coin of Vetranio of the HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS type. I always wanted to upgrade it and finally found a really good looking one at a price that seemed fair. On receipt and researching it online, I returned it for refund as a fake. It was a good fake but appeared in the fake reports. I had already sold the older, worn coin so I was left with no Vetranio. Frank offered this one of the other common AE2 type so I bid on it. It could have better reverse detail on the head but I find it quite acceptable. I still don't have the HOC SIGNO type. Maybe someday. Now I tend to be a little slower to sell off coins I upgrade. This coin of Thessalonika had the laurel wreath option. They alo come with a pearl diadem on the portrait. Next is a coin of Aurelian which Frank described quite accurately as far as I am concerned both for its faults and the reason I bid. The surface is not a particularly pleasing, dull mix of brown, 'hints' of green and 'vestiges' of silvering. The left facing portrait is special for being a lefty but I agree with Frank's observation. Don't look up lot 317 until you have tried to guess what we saw that is a bit 'different'. The question is whether the good features offset the confusing surfaces. Possibly, I like lefties.
I like both those coins @dougsmit but I particularly like that lefty Aurelian. I am going to do some research as to why you found it interesting. If you found it interesting, I'm sure there is something good there. I didn't win a single coin that I bid on in that auction but I'm glad to see that some of them went to good homes
For comparison, this is a coin I have had for years (and cost less than half as much). I see two differences of interest to me, one on each side.
All the coins of Vetranio are actually laureate, but due to peculiar engraving style, some do look pearl diademed. All coins of Constantius issued by Vetranio are pearl diademed...this headwear arrangement is Vetranio showing that Constantius II is senior. You can compare the pearl diadem of an issue for Constantius-- note the forehead jewel which is lacking on the laurel types. There are other coins from various years that have the same issue of laurel leaves looking like pearls. Below is a Constantine II which looks more like pearls than laurels; but Caesars only had laurels at this time, noting junior status; which is why Vetranio did the same. RIC VII even notes that some busts have wreaths resembling pearl diadem.
Still waiting on my wins. I really like that grizzled, Claudius-like portrait of the pre-reform Aurelian. Not a leftie, but there's a bit of Claudius on this one too. AURELIAN Scarce. AE Antoninianus. 3.13g, 22.4mm. Cyzicus mint, early AD 271. RIC 334 (scarce); New RIC Online #2866 (6 spec.). O: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate bust, cuirassed and draped with paludamentum, seen from rear. R: MINERVA AVG, Minerva standing left, holding shield which rests on ground in right hand and spear in left hand.
The portrait does have Claudius flavor which was mentioned in the write-up for the lot. The plain exergue (not KA) but well made broad flan suggests to me that this was very early in the well known effort of Aurelian to clean up the act at the mint following the Moneyers' revolt. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/lateromancoinage/aurelian.html The new online RIC gives my new coin to the first issue from Tripolis. The second issue (my older one) added the KA (and lessened the Claudius look). Temp №: 3215 Reign: Aurelianus Person: Aurelianus Mint: Tripolis Issue 1 Datation: spring – summer 273 Denomination: Antoniniani Titulature: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG Bust: B1l Legend: SOLI INVICTO Reverse Mark: */–//– Reverse: Sol 2c Temp №: 3219 Reign: Aurelianus Person: Aurelianus Mint: Tripolis Issue 2 Datation: spring 274 Denomination: Aureliani Titulature: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG Bust: B1l Legend: SOLI INVICTO Reverse Mark: */–//KA Reverse: Sol 2c
Very nice Vetranio doug, I do not know to what the letters A and B designated in the reverse field? I have Vetranio HOC SIGNO, but I'm not pleased with the patina, it has remnants of the silvering (I have the impression that it was burning, it was in the fire.), it definitely need to be replaced.
I assume the A B refers to a weight standard matter but I do not have a reference that explains the system details. My final two FSR wins from this sale are just common coins which I have not owned before and seemed pleasing enough to rate a bid. The Massalia obol is worn more than many people can tolerate explaining how I won that one. I consider the style attractive and have wanted more coins from the West. Masslia Gaul, AR obol 380-336 BC head of youth (who?) / MA wheel Finding a Nabataean bronze that balances eye appeal and cost has been hard for me. This one works. Aretas IV & Shaqilath, AE 18 9 BC-40 AD
Both are really nice in my eyes. I appreciate the wear on your Massalia coin, it has a nice softness to it. And your Nabataean has such detail and is nicely contrasted with the sand. Great coins!
