Although this dupondius has considerable wear, I find it quite attractive. One can almost argue that its worn state gives the piece 'character'. The beautiful emerald green patina is like icing on the cake too. I think the combination of these two elements elevates the eye appeal of an other wise common coin. A true FDC (fleur de circulation). And of course it didn't break the bank! Vespasian Æ Dupondius, 12.31g Rome mint, 77-78 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN COS VIII; Head of Vespasian, radiate, l. Rev: CERES AVGVST; S C in field; Ceres stg. l., with corn ears and poppy and sceptre RIC 999 (C). BMC 735. BNC 772. Acquired from Dr. Boris Kaczynski, October 2019. During the last several years of Vespasian's reign both the precious metal and bronze coinage featured reverse types with agrarian themes. It is not known why there was a special emphasis on such types, perhaps it was an effort to advertise a new agricultural programme. This dupondius features the popular standing Ceres reverse, which was shared with Titus and Domitian and also struck on the gold and the silver. It is one of the most common types from this issue. Share your beautifully worn coins!
I love this phrase! I've shown this coin frequently lately in other "show your worn coins" threads but here it is again: SYRIA, Laodicea ad Mare. Septimius Severus & Julia Domna CE 193-211 Æ, 31 mm 18.8 gm Obv: jugate draped busts right of Septimius Severus, radiate and cuirassed and Julia Domna, set on crescent; countermarks: 1) C(AΓ) within rectangular incuse; 2) COL within rectangular incuse Rev: Marsyas standing left, right hand raised, holding wineskin over his left shoulder Ref: SNG Righetti 2114; Howgego 581 and 586 Ex E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection Dozens of my Egyptian drachms fall into the new Ancient FDC definition. EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius Regnal year 8, CE 144/5 AE drachm, 33 mm, 23.2 gm Obv: [legend]; laureate draped bust right Rev: Serapis, wearing modius, standing facing; flanked by the Dioscuri who are also standing facing, heads turned towards Serapis, and each holding a flagellum ; [L] H in exergue Ref: Dattari 2864 (RY2); Dattari-Savio plate 148 coins 2864 and 8724; Emmett 1670.8; Not listed in Milne. Ex X6 Collection EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius Regnal year 17 AE drachm, 33mm Obv: laureate bust right Rev: Serapis-Agathodaemon standing erect right Ref: Dattari 2829; Emmett 1678.17 Ex Robert L. Grover Collection of Roman Egyptian Coinage, previously held by the Art Institute of Chicago (1982.1988, G.781) EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius year 5, CE 141/2 AE drachm, 20 gm Obv: Laureate draped bust of Antoninus Pius right Rev: Radiate and draped bust of Serapis-Pantheos right, wearing calathus and horn of Ammon; trident and cornucopia behind; L-Є in right field Ref: Emmett 1676.5, R1 EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius year 8, 144/5 CE AE drachm, 33 mm, 22.9 gm, Zodiac series, "Venus in Taurus" Obv: Laureate draped bust of Antoninus Pius right Rev: bull butting left; above, diademed and draped bust of Aphrodite left; star before her; L H (date) in exergue Ref: Emmett 1450.8 EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius year 8, 144/5 CE AE drachm, 32 mm, 22.43 gm, Zodiac series, Helios in Leo Obv: Laureate draped bust of Antoninus Pius right Rev: Helios (Sun) in Leo: Lion leaping right; above, radiate and draped bust of Helios and six-pointed star; [L H below] Ref: Köln 1495-6; Dattari (Savio) 2968; K&G 35.278; Emmett 1530.8 Ex Thomas Bentley Cederlind etc
I do like "Fleur De Circulation" too Excellent Vespasian @David Atherton I love that worn Lucilla sestertius, despite its wear, because of a wonderful portrait style, and the fading, almost vanishing Venus on reverse Q
I, too, love a circulated coin with a smooth, glossy patina. I'll show off a couple of sestertii from this husband/wife duo:
Most of my collection falls into your FDC classification. Here is one that I wasn't sure about buying but am so glad I did, the bust & river god stand out in a lovely chocolate colour - Macrinus - Nikopolis ad Istrum
Absolutely, a well-worn coin can still be very attractive. A couple of examples from my collection: A Vespasian bronze from Alexandria: Lucilla sestertius:
There are two kinds of worn, patinated coins. We prefer coins with wear that got that wear in antiquity and were iced by time with a smooth green. This Claudius as was too worn to convince me to keep it and too pretty on the obverse to give it away. Caligula is the more worn of my two Vesta asses but by far the best due to the surfaces. On the other hand, Nero lost much of its patina from the high spots to wear in recent times. Was this from cleaning, use as a pocket piece or something else? I like the coin because it illustrates red copper used in asses and how patina can obscure the metal color.
Great coin, David! I appreciate some healthy wear too. The slight darkness on the patina and brightness of the wear on this Commodus help highlight its devices. Commodus, Ruled 177-192 AD AE Sestertius, Struck 179-180 AD, Rome Mint Obverse: L AVREL COMMODVS AVG TR P V, Bust of Commodus, laureate, cuirassed, right. Reverse: IOVI VICTORI IMP III COS II P P S C, Jupiter, half draped, seated left, holding Victory in extended right hand and sceptre in left hand. References: RIC III 291f, Cohen 264, BMC 1720 Size: 31mm, 27g
I was just examining this coin a few days ago. It's attractive, but quite worn, especially the reverse. SATRAPS OF CARIA, MAUSSOLLOS AR Drachm OBVERSE: Head of Apollo facing slightly to the right REVERSE: Zeus standing right, holding labrys and spear Struck at Caria 377-353 BC 3.50g, 14mm Sear 4956
I love a coin like this because the face is so distinct. I can live with the rest of the head being worn if the face is still as clear and expressive as it is on your coin here. The whole draw for me is a coin having been handled in ancient times as it was meant to be - that's the connection to the common people - and it's a big plus if the coin still retains the expression in the emperor's face. I love the clearly readable legend, too. I've seen a lot of Lucilla coins that are the same - very worn, but her facial expression is still clear, and I love those (and used to have one):
First sestertius I ever bought... worn to a pretty pleasing Good Fine. ANTONINUS PIUS AE Sestertius. 27.24g, 32mm. Rome mint, AD 158-159. RIC III 1002; Cohen 620. O: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXII, laureate head right. R: PIETATI AVG COS IIII, Pietas standing facing, head left, globe extended in right, child in left arm, flanked by a child on each side at her feet; S - C across field.
Each Christmas I give each of my five grandchildren an ancient coin. This year they are receiving a sestertius of Hadrian. This is the last one I purchased of the five. Enough green highlights for you? Hadrian (117-138). AE Sestertius, 134-138. D/ Head right, laureate. R/ Providentia standing left, holding wand over globe and scepter and resting on column. RIC 772. AE. g. 25.46 mm. 32.00 Green patina. About VF/Good F.
I REALLY LIKE FDC / Fleur-de-Circulation coins! Makes you appreciate where they had been and what were they spent on. Big fun. A few of my FDC Sestertii: RR Anon AR Sestertius 211-208 BCE Roma Dioscuri Sear 46 Craw 44-7 RI Maximinus Thrax JUNIOR 236-238 AE Sestertius Rome mint priestly emblems RI Didius Julianus 193 CE - 9 weeks - AE Sestertius RI Aurelius Marcus 161-180 AE Sestertius S-C RI Pertinax 193 BC AE Sestertius rome mint LAETITIA RIC 17 C 21 RI Paulina w Maximinus I D before CE 235 AE sestertius 30.77mm 19.66g 2nd emiss of Maximinus I CE 236 Peacock RIC IV 3 R
Another nice pick up David, my giant FDC an Pius Ephesos, three temples centre Artemis. Ephesus Antoninus Pius with three temples and Artemis central. 35.6mm, 19gm, RPC Online, Volume IV, 8474. Rare. Obverse inscription Τ ΑΙΛ ΚΑΙСΑΡ ΑΝΤΩΝƐΙΝΟС Obverse design laureate head of Antoninus Pius, r. Reverse inscription ƐΦƐСΙΩΝ ΔΙС ΝƐΩΚΟΡΩΝ Reverse design temple with four columns enclosing statue of Artemis of Ephesus standing, facing, wearing kalathos, having supports; between two temples, each in perspective, with two frontal columns and an enclosed imperial statue
That's an attractive portrait on your Vespasian dupondius. I don't mind a bit of fleur de circulation either, especially on larger bronzes: Caligula, Roman Empire, As, 37–38 AD, Rome mint. Obv: C CAESAR GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, bare-headed head left. Rev: VESTA, Vesta seated left holding patera and sceptre. S–C. 28 mm, 10.18 g. Ref: RIC I, 38. Faustina I "the Elder," Roman Empire, AE sestertius, 141 AD, Rome mint. Obv: DIVA AVGUSTA FAVSTINA; draped bust of Faustina I r. Rev: AETERNITAS; Providentia standing l. holding globe and sceptre; in fields flanking, S-C. 31mm, 21.11g. Ref: RIC III Antoninus Pius 1108a. Faustina II "the Younger," Roman Empire, sestertius, ca. 161–164 AD, Rome mint. Obv: [F]AVSTINA AVGV[STA], diademed portrait right. Rev: IV[NONI] REGINAE, S-C, Iuno standing left with patera and sceptre, peacock left. 30mm, 27g. Ref: RIC III, 1651. Otacilia Severa, Roman Empire, AE sestertius, 244–249 AD, Rome mint. Obv: MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG; bust of Otacilia Severa, diademed, draped, r. Rev: PVDICITIA AVG; Pudicitia, draped, veiled, seated l., r. hand drawing veil and holding sceptre in l. hand; in exergue, SC. 31mm, 17.62g. Ref: RIC IV, Philip I 209.
...ahh...David has 'coined' a phrase to me own (and most of us's) liking...^^..nice coin(s) David and all..... Caracalla provincial
Wonderful coins!....I must admit when I first started collecting ancients I went purely for detail money allowing. This was probably a knock-over from many years of collecting British colonial coinage...But know I find that nice wear with a good patina or tone much more drawing... ANTONINUS PIUS. 138-161 AD. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 26.75 g.) Struck 159/160 AD. Obverse..ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXIII, laureate head right Rev. PIETATI AVG COS IIII SC, Pietas standing left holding globe, Faustina Junior as Pietas standing left, between Faustina Minima, Lucilla & holding baby Fadilla. RIC III 1031 Sabina AR Denarius 18/19mm..3.21gr Obverse- SABINA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust right, hair in queue down neck Reverse- IVNONI REGINAE, Juno standing left holding patera and sceptre. RIC 395a, RSC 43.