Competition: Roman Imperial Sestertius - SIZE MATTERS!

Here's the competition:

Largest (mm) and heaviest (g) Imperial sestertius .. yes there can be two winners..
For largest - measure the widest part of the flan (of course!)...
I just ask that you re-measure and re-weigh prior to posting.. don't rely on those flips!! (this one said 35mm.. but it's 34.54)

I know I have seen larger and heavier on here .. but I will start it off.
Let's see who takes the crown!!

34.54 mm - 30.75 g


Domitian, 81 - 96 AD
AE Sestertius, Rome Mint, 34.54 mm - 30.75 g
Obverse: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GER M COS XIII CENS PER P P, Laureate head of Domitian right.
Reverse: IOVI VICTORI S C, Jupiter seated left holding Victory and scepter.
RIC526

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Bummer, after searching my archives, I don't have any that beat yours' in either category. This Faustina II is the closest at 34mm just about on the button.

Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius
AE Sestertius, Struck 161-176 AD, Rome mint
Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bust of Faustina II, draped, hair elaborately waved in nearly vertical lines and fastened in a low chignon at back of head, down cheek, curls, right.
Reverse: FECVND AVGVSTAE, Fecunditas, draped, standing left, between two children and holding two infants in her arms, S-C across field.
References: RIC III 1635
Size: 34mm, 24.2g

Cool idea, though, Sean!

 

Nice one Justin - great coin! I am sure I have seen one larger here a few weeks ago.. so my title will be short lived. Very interested to see how this goes...

 

Nice big chunky coin Clavdivs, my heavy weights are mostly Antoninus Pius Sestertius's with this one at 33mm and just under 29g.
Antoninus Pius Sestertius temple of Augustus and Livia 28.6 gm RIC 1004.

 

I can't compete on weight, but this Nero is 37.1 mm wide





Nero Æ Sestertius. Lugdunum, circa AD 65. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head right, globe at point of bust / DECVRSIO, Nero riding right, holding spear in right hand, soldier riding behind, holding vexillum over his right shoulder; S-C across fields. RIC 436; WCN 418; BMCRE 311; BN 71; C. 86. 27.00g, 37mm, 6h.

The decursio was a military exercise of mock combat or a display of equestrian skill made by horse-riders and charioteers at public games. Despite Nero’s provision of regular games, the presence of the vexillum on this type suggests a more military character to the scene. It has been suggested that the reverse refers to Nero’s institution of cavalry manoeuvres for the Praetorian Guard. An alternative interpretation is that there is a link to Nero’s fondness of racing horses, although Stevenson (DRC) disregards this. He explains that “the speed of the horses is not sufficiently rapid”.

 

I'm out. LOL

This is possibly the largest sestertius I have.

Titus
Æ Sestertius, 24.63g, 35mm
Eastern Mint (Thrace?), 80-81 AD
RIC 499 (C). BMC 310. RPC 502.
Obv: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: S C in field; Mars, with cloak over shoulders, adv. r., with spear and trophy
Acquired from Ken Dorney, December 2018.

I have one or two that I believe are slightly larger - perhaps 36mm, but cannot check them because they are currently in the safe deposit box.

 

I don't have anything that challenges some of the ones posted above, but here's my heaviest sestertius. 29.44g.


MARCUS AURELIUS
AE Sestertius. 29.44g, 31mm, Rome mint, AD 173. RIC 1075; Cohen 535. O: M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVII, laureate head right. R: IMP VI - COS III, Mercury standing left on pedestal, holding caduceus and purse, within a tetrastyle temple with telamons as columns; semicircular pediment containing, from left to right, tortoise, cockerel, ram, winged helmet, caduceus, and purse; S - C in field, RELIG AVG in exergue.

 

My heaviest sestertius doesn't come close, weighing in at only 27.6 gm. It is large in diameter, though, at 34.75 mm:

 

Very cool idea for a thread!

Unfortunately, I really do not focus on Imperials, so without looking, my Sestertii will probly all be average.

I have to post one from the Republic... the real FOUNDATION on the Imperial Era.

SMALL SESTERTIUS

RR AR Sestertius After 211 BCE 12mm 1.0g Rome mint Roma r IIS - Dioscuri riding stars in ex ROMA Sear 46 Craw 44-7 RSC 4

 

I don't have anything close to those examples...

 

Leaders so far:

@eparch - Nero 37.1 mm
Clavdivs - Domitian 30.75 g

 

My paltry 22g Sestertius of Maximus can’t compete, but I’m happy to have the chance to post it:

 

With the following 34.5mm and 25.73g sestertius, I can't top the leaders for weight or diameter:

Hadrian (117-138), Sestertius, Rome, AD 118 AE
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right, drapery on left shoulder
Rev: PONT MAX TR - POT COS II, Annona standing right, holding cornucopiae in front of her, modius and corn-ears and high prow of ship, in field S - C, in exegue ANNONA AVG
Ref: RIC 549

 

I think some of those may need to go on the Gordian III diet. 32mm weighing in at a slim 18.5g.

 

You guys have smoked mine!

Faustina the Younger, Rome, AD 128-175
AE, 31mm, 23.72g; Rome mint
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA; draped bust right wearing circlet of pearls
Rev: IVNONI REGINAE S-C; Juno, veiled, standing left, holding patera & scepter; peacock standing left at feet, head reverted


Maximinus Thrax, Rome, AD 235-238
AE, sestertius, 31mm, 20g; 12h; AD 235-236
Obv.: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG; laureate, draped bust right
Rev.: PROVIDENTIA AVG; Providence standing left with cornucopiae and wand over globe at feet, S-C across field


Gordian III, AD 238-244
AE, sestertius, 25.46g, 32.5mm; 12h; Rome, AD 238-239
Obv.: IMP CAES MANT GORDIANVS AVG; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: VICTORIA AVG; Victory advancing left, carrying wreath and palm; S-C

I just wanted to share my coins anyway

 

When it comes to size, the sestertii of Trajan are usually the biggest. They are also among my favorite.
Sestertius Rv Roma Vixtrix stg l. 106-107 A.D. RIC 485 Woytek 250b
Sestertius Rv. Bridge 107-110 A.D. RIC 569 Woytek 314cC

 

Beautiful, size, weight?

 

Would you actually ask that of your wife?

 

Both coins 35 mm First Coin Rv Roma 26.44 grams Second Coin Bridge 25.80 grams

 

5th Amendment time...