Hi Everyone! After finally learning how to add images on here I wanted to share my two recent acquisitions The first is an Augustus Tetradrachm. I was immediately drawn to this coin given the strong portrait of Augustus. I have not yet come across another Augustus portrait I like so much! Additionally the reverse made me laugh due to how casually it appears Tyche is drowning Orontes, so I knew I had to have this one! SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 14.90 g, 12h). Dated year 30 of the Actian Era and Cos. XIII (2/1 BC). Laureate head right / ETOVΣ Λ (Actian era date) NIKHΣ, Tyche seated right on rocky outcropping, holding palm frond; below, half-length figure of river-god Orontes swimming right; in right field, monogram (=ΥΠΑTOY) and IΓ (consular iteration) above monogram (=ANTIOXIEΩN?). McAlee 185; Prieur 55; RPC I 4156. Lightly toned, some light roughness. EF. From the Benito Collection. The second is a Trajan Denarius, celebrating the construction of the Via Traiana. I originally had no intention of buying this one but after seeing a different Trajan I like far exceed my price range I snagged this one in the last few minutes, officially becoming my first Trajan. Outside of the connection with the road I like that you can clearly read 'Optimo Prinicipi' on the reverse. Trajan. AD 98-117. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.25 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 112-113. Laureate bust right, slight drapery / VIA TRAIANA in exergue, the Via Traiana reclining left on rock outcropping, head right, supporting wheel set on knee and holding branch. RIC II 266; Woytek 398b; RSC 648. Lightly toned, some faint hairlines. VF. From the Benito Collection. What are your favorite coin portraits or your first coins of a certain emperor/empress?
Those are some nice coins. The first coin of Trajan I purchased is a far more humble denarius of the Via Traiana issue.
Thank you! That’s a great version you have there, the Traiana and Principi especially really really pop!
I've seen a number of coins with Tyche and Orontes on the reverse, but never one before where Tyche appears to be using her foot to shove Orontes down under the water!
Same here! I have tried to find any bit of info as to why this is and while I have learned there was an actual statue depicting this scene. still no info as to why Orontes is beneath her foot!