Featured Sometimes You Can't Resist a Great Portrait

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Feb 13, 2020.

  1. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Some portraits of great artistry to be sure

    The third century CE had some great celators, should one take time to select them carefully enough

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    Q
     
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  3. Andrew McMenamin

    Andrew McMenamin Nerva You Mind

    One of the first things that rings my eye appeal bell is a good portrait. Although, not the greatest condition, the portrait on this sestertius spoke to me and I bought it:

    Trajan; Æ Sestertius; Rome; Æ33, 24.31; RIC II 401 Struck 98/9AD

    OBV: Laureate bust r.; IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM P M
    REV: Pax seated l. holding olive branch and scepter; TR POT COS II P; SC in ex.
    AWESOME.png
     
  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Cucumbor and Deacon Ray like this.
  5. Romancollector

    Romancollector Well-Known Member

    @David Atherton Terrific coin and write up! Turns out we have the same coin!

    Your write up is quite informative! Up until now, I knew practically nothing about the die engravers of Vespasian's reign. Now, I certainly see similarities to my Galba sestertius in terms of the quality of the portraiture.

    I won the sestertius at a CNG e-auction back in December but I never posted it! Also thought I'd share by As from CNG from my top 15 of 2019 list, which I finally got around to photographing.

    Vespasian (69-79 AD)
    AE Sestertius

    Date: 71 AD
    Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head right.
    Rev: SALVS AVGVSTA, SC in exergue, Salus seated left holding patera and sceptre.
    Diameter: 33mm
    Weight: 25.13 grams
    Mint: Rome
    RIC II 245

    Vespasian sestertius.png

    Vespasian (69-79 AD)
    AE As

    Date: 74 AD
    Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG, laureate head right.
    Rev: PON MAX TR POT P P COS V CENS, winged caduceus between two crossed cornucopiae.
    Diameter: 27mm
    Weight: 13.17 grams
    Mint: Rome
    RIC II 756

    Vespasian as.png
     
  6. eparch

    eparch Well-Known Member

    My best Vespasian portrait ( with an "Amazonian" Roma reverse)

    upload_2020-2-15_12-33-24.png



    Vespasian Æ Dupondius. Rome, AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, radiate head right / ROMA, Roma seated left on cuirass set before a pair of shields, wearing helmet and drapery exposing right breast, holding wreath and parazonium; SC in exergue. RIC 476;
     
  7. Sulla80

    Sulla80 Well-Known Member

    @David Atherton - an enjoyable post and very nice Vespasian. I bought this coin for its exceptional portrait of Probus. While it is far from the "full magnificence of portraiture" on a Vespasian Ae, for the time it was done with unusual care, attention to detail and has been unusually well preserved:
    Probus Felicitas Blu.jpg
    Roman Empire, Probus, AE Antoninianus, AD 276, Siscia, Emission 1, Officine 2
    Obv: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, Buste radié, drapé et cuirassé de Probus à droite vu de 3/4 en arrière. (Code buste Bastien : A2)
    Rev: FELICITAS AVG /-/B//XXI, Em. 1 (phase b), 2e off., Felicitas debout à gauche, tenant un caducée long de la main gauche et une patère de la main droite au dessus d'un autel. (Type C)
    Ref: RIC 675
     
  8. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    When I saw this portrait I just had to have it

    DomitianTet.jpg

    IMP CAES DOMITIANVS
    Laureate head of Domitian right

    AVG GERM
    Six ears of corn; P in exergue

    Possibly minted in Rome for circulation in Asia

    circa 95 AD

    10.17g

    RPC 874/1, RIC 853 (R)

    RPC lists 9 examples but only one with the P in exergue

    Ex-Pars Coins
    Ex-Calgary Coins

    Wildwinds example
     
  9. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    That is indeed a wonderful Vespasian portrait! And I'm pleased to see Bob Reis has a new website for us to peruse.

    As it happens I recently bought a Flavian for the portrait too. This Titus as is a bit rough, but the portrait captivated me:

    Screen Shot 2020-02-15 at 5.19.46 PM.jpg

    And here's my Vespasian sestertius (I need to take my own photo):

    Screen Shot 2020-02-15 at 5.21.11 PM.jpg
     
  10. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    Even though I've posted it before in a different thread, I'm going to post this Caracalla again, simply because I'm particularly fond of the scowl on his face and the glare in his eye:

    Caracalla - adult.jpg

    Caracalla AR Denarius 210 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head of Caracalla right, ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT/ Rev. Virtus, helmeted, draped, standing right, left foot on helmet, holding spear in right hand and parazonium in left hand, PONTIF TR P XIII COS III. (Thirteenth anniversary as ordained heir.) RIC IV-1 117B, RSC III 478. 19 mm., 3.01 g.
     
  11. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    I was captivated by the portrait of the young Faustina II on one of the first asses issued by her father.

    Faustina Jr Hilaritas As.jpg
    Faustina II, AD 147-175/6.
    Roman Æ as, 9.72 g, 25.7 mm, 5 h.
    Rome, AD 147-150.
    Obv: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust wearing band of pearls around the head, right.
    Rev: HILARITAS S C, Hilaritas standing right, adjusting veil and holding long palm.
    Refs: RIC 1396b; BMCRE 2151-52; Cohen 115; RCV 4725.

    Faustina Jr statue Musei Capitolini di Roma.jpg
     
  12. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    it might just be me, but I have serious concerns about the authenticity of your coin. The reverse seems to have an as-struck lumpiness that is out-of-character for these coins. The complete lack of a patina, mushiness, and disjointed style make this coin feel really bad to me. I keep coming back hoping I would feel better, but all the alarm bells in my mind keep screaming fake.
     
  13. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    I have the coin in hand and have no such reservations. The style is correct for the issue. Also, the presence of flow lines indicate it is struck and not cast.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  14. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    If one suspects a coin is false I recommend the following course of action. Contact the owner by PM. To throw suspicion on a coin in an open forum is to condemn that coin. Sometimes the condemnation is warranted and other times it is not. Also, if you are going to cast doubt on a coin use some evidence. Is the seller on the NFSL? Did you find a die match to a known fake? This information would be useful. Feelings of general unease with a coin are not evidence.
     
  15. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    I said it was struck.

    I gave very specific things that I saw.
     
  16. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    Let me get more specific then. In red are the raised bumps I was referring to. In blue are areas that lack definition (aka mushy) and make the reverse appear to be struck that way. The complete and utter lack of an ancient patina does not help.

    In all of the areas I specialize in, these indicators would be an absolute sign of inauthenticity.

    5E100890-67BF-4B00-A927-D4008F617CB0.jpeg
     
    Johndakerftw and Bing like this.
  17. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Thank you for sharing your concerns; however, I absolutely do not agree with them and have the added benefit of the coin in hand.

    The piece has ancient encrustations that are not visible in the photo, does indeed have a patina, is correct in weight and style, and comes from a reputable dealer.

    I have zero issues with it. I'm sorry you do not agree.
     
    Jay GT4 likes this.
  18. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    I will take your word for it. I will assume @Barry Murphy will agree with you
     
  19. Tony1982

    Tony1982 Well-Known Member

    Some nice portrait coins on here , this is my latest purchase AB0DCC9E-2D6F-408D-A537-0B7911B6DC7B.jpeg
    Hadrian Sestertius - Victory over Bar Kochba revolt
    136 AD
    Rome mint

    Obverse: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head right

    Reverse: S-C, Pax-Nemesis advancing right, holding out fold of dress in apotropaic gesture & holding olive branch
    References: RIC II 779; Sear II 3646
     
  20. Carausius

    Carausius Brother, can you spare a sestertius?

    So packed because it's a smokin' coin, David! :smuggrin:
     
  21. museumguy

    museumguy Member

    Mithradates_II_(5).jpg The coins of Mithradates II of Parthia are always entertaining. This is a very interesting and detailed portrait of the "older" king. The tiara and beard are very detailed and the bulbous nose goes without saying. I can look at this coin all day.

    Steve S.
     
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