I just thought I list my favourite coins of the year so far. Perhaps some of these will not be on the list in January, but some definitely will be. They are in no particular order. Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD Denarius Lugdunum circa 13-14, 18mm., 3.56g. Obv: Laureate head r. Rev. Tiberius in triumphal quadriga r., holding laurel branch and eagle-tipped sceptre. RSC 301. RIC 224. Ex: Naville Numismatics Live auction 50 Lot 439 June 23, 2019 Just acquired last week but will look great next to my Tiberius quadriga. Galba, 68-69 Denarius Tarraco (?) April to late 68, AR 19mm., 3.33g. Obv: SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG PM TR P; Laureate head r. Rev. SPQR / OB / C-S within oak wreath. C 288. RIC 62.(R2) RSC 288 From the M.J. Collection. Ex: Naville Numismatics Live auction 49 Lot 439 May 12, 2019. Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database I love the Spanish mint coins of Galba. The portraits are amazing. Vitellius AR Denarius 69 CE 17 mm 3.32 g Obv: A.VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG. TR P.: Head of Vitellius, laureate, right Rev: L VITELLIVS COS III CENSOR: Bust of Lucius Vitellius, laureate and draped, right; eagle-tipped sceptre in front Very rare RIC 99 RSC 2 Silbury coins January 27, 2019. I could not pass on this one when I saw it. I really like having Vitellius and his father on one coin. Vespasian AR Denarius. Rome, AD 70. 3.18g, 18mm, 6h. Obv: IMP CAESAR V[ESPASIANV]S AVG, laureate head right Rev: COS ITER TR POT, Pax standing left, holding olive branch and caduceus. RIC 27. RSC 94g Roma Numismatics E-Sale 57 Lot 840 May 30, 2019 This one was an easy purchase. I love the Vitellian portrait on this coin. When I found it as an unsold lot on Roma, I could not believe that other had passed it by. Titus as Caesar 75 CE AR Denarius 20 mm 3.30 g Obv: Head laureate r; T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN Rev: Securitas seated l; head resting on raised arm; PONTIF TR P COS IIII Ric 784 (R2) [Vespasian] BMC--, RSC-- Purchased from Zurqieh on vcoins; April 18, 2019 I had to have this rare appearance of Secvritas on a Flavian coin. TITUS Auguste (79-81), AR denier, 80, Rome. 3,23g. Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM· T. l. à d. Rev: TR P IX IMP XV- COS VIII PP Siège carré dr., avec un dossier triangulaire, décoré de cinq palmettes. BMC 233, 61; RIC 124A. RSC 313a Beau à Très Beau/Beau (Fine - Very Fine/Fine) Purchased from Jean Elsen ltd; April 18, 2019 The five palmettes with litmus make this Titus a rarity. This is perhaps the second one known. David has the other one. It has been designated as R3 (so far) for the addenda to RIC. Domitian. Denarius. Rome 82-83 CE . Obv: head laureate r; IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG PM Rev: Salvs std l with corn ears and poppy; SALVS AVGVST. RIC-145. BMC 54 RSC 412 Jesus Vico Mail bid auction # 153 Lot 3135 March 7, 2019 Though not the rarest coin I could not pass up an interesting reverse like this one. The usual appearance of SALVS on coins of Domitian sees here feeding a snake while leaning on a column. Domitian. Denarius. Rome 85 CE. (Fifth Issue) Obv: Head laureate r; IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P V Rev: Minvera advancing r with spear and shield; IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT PP RIC-342 (R2). BMC – Jesus Vico Mail bid auction # 153 Lot 3136 March 7, 2019 Coin depicted on the Wildwinds database I was lucky to get this one. Domitian coins with CENS POT in the reverse legend are difficult to find. DOMITIAN, (A.D. 81-96), silver denarius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 86, Second Issue (3.47 g), Obv. laureate head of Domitian to right, around IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V, Rev. around IMP XII COS XII CENS P P P, Minerva standing to right, fighting, holding javelin and shield, RIC 435, RSC 201b BMC 93. Attractive blue and gold patina, extremely fine. Ex Dr V.J.A. Flynn Collection. With old dealer's ticket. Noble Numismatics Auction 120 Lot 3217 April 4, 2019. This one was simply a matter of the portrait speaking to me. Yes it is a rare dating combination but that portrait captured me. Domitian AR Denarius. Rome 88 CE (Group 2) Obv: Head laureate r; IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERMANIC COS XIII Rev: Minerva Minerva stg l with thunderbolt and spear; CENS P.P.P. RIC-568 (R2) BMC 139 RSC 27 Jesus Vico Mail bid auction # 153 Lot 3133 March 7, 2019 Coin depicted on the Wildwinds database Las but certainly not least this rare minerva with only CENS PPP. I wish they had experimented more with this type. I would love to have more like this but they are scarce.
Love the Octavian and also the 2nd Domitian from the bottom. The others are great too, of course... But those 2 really stand out to me. Thanks for sharing!
Nicely done for the half way point! My favourite is the Tiberius in quadriga ... and of the Flavians the Vitellian-like Vespasian denarius.
I have only got 2 Flavians so far this year 1. Titus denarius Antioch Rv Neptune stg l. RIC1561 3.32 grms 2. Domitian denarius Rv. Minerva adv r. RIC 552 3.52 grms
@Terence Cheesman Those are just lovely examples. I am actively on the hunt for that COS XIIII reverse type.
Lovely coins, @Orfew ! My favorite is the Octavian as Augustus because of the horses. Artistic and historically important.
I know the first five would be in my top ten. From me, Domitian gets no respect: Last of the twelve, least of the Flavians, fixated on one goddess, vain enough to change his portraits when he got on top --- not the kind of role model Rome needed. Vote Nerva in 96! Bring you own dagger.
Well done! A very nice selection! The Vitellius is my favorite because of its unusual reverse. I also like the last Domitians, they have beautiful portraits.
Great coins so far @Orfew . Can't wait to see what else you get the remainder of this year. Here's my only Flavian this year so far.... Domitian AR denarius Minerva reverse 88-89 CE
