Social War, Marius, Sulla, emerging Imperators... all amazing Historical times after the Gracchii Brothers... Feces was a-flyin'!!!
You and I both had a similar idea for a good thread. Just saw this thread after I posted a post your favorite denarius. Anyway, it’s tough choice for me to decide as well. However, I think this Nero tips the scale for me given its color, fitting for the “Artist Emperor” Nero (AD 54-68). AR denarius (3.42 gm). Rome. Obv. Nero facing right Nero Caesar Augustus. Rev. Jupiter seated facing left; holding thunderbolt and sceptre. RSC 119.
Some very covetable denarii in this thread ! I have several "most cherished/beautiful denarii". Here are some of them. Nothing to compare to the list though... My most expensive, and most expensive ancient in the same time, is this one (sorry, there's only one galley on the reverse )
..wow! ..some dandy denarii here....one of my favorites in my collection that comes to mind is L. Rubrius Dossenus...
I’m not sure anyone will be surprised: Septimius Severus, Denarius, VOTIS DECENNALIBVS AR Denarius Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 202AD 19.0mm 2.38gr 5h O: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX; Laureate head, right. R: NO LEGEND; Wreath with badge atop; VOTIS/DECEN/NALI/BVS within. Laodicea ad Mare Mint RIC 520a (S); RSC 897; BMCRE 681. Aorta: 526: B3, O45, R386, T250, M3. Ex: Tom Cederlind Sphinx Numismatics/Youssef Mishriki 361905128664 5/5/18 7/5/18 From Gemini Numismatic Auctions, LLC, Auction XIV, Lot 537, April 18-19, 2018, by Harlan J. Berk, “Cohen and RIC underestimated the value and rarity of this denarius, only one specimen of which occurred in the Reka Devnia hoard.” I’ll spare everyone more than that.
Most of the coins in my collection are early denarii, and I haven't a favorite but I have some favorites. Some are very expensive and high grade, but I've posted most of these at some time or another. I have a few that were relatively inexpensive that I'm very fond of. Here are a few: This was an unsold lot in a Tintinna auction 10 years ago. I purchased it for the opening bid price plus commission. Crawford 44/5, one of the varieties with unbound hair. Quite common, but this is a prototypical example of the type. "C" mint(?) mark denarius RRC 107/1a. For some reason, I'm enamored with the crude but distinctive style of these obscure series with C and staff symbol coins. These are RRC 106 and 107 which are seemingly related by style. A relatively low hammer price for the RBW collection NAC 61 sale. Another crude early denarius related to the above as the two different styles both appear with "C" and staff. This was obtained for a relatively low hammer price in CNG 297. Another crude early denarius variation with a moneyer's insignia. RRC 172/1 199-170BC with MA monogram. This comes in a few style variations. This is one of the scarcest. Purchased from Aureo & Calico, Dec. 2014. Very typical of this style. I love it.
My Gordian II Africanus is my favourite denarius. It has a nice style about it: Gordian II, 1st – 22nd April 238 A.D. Silver Denarius April 238 A.D., 2.35 g. Very Rare. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Virtus standing l., resting on shield and holding reverted spear. Reference: C 14. RIC 3. Pedigree: Ex CGB sale 34, 2008, 653
I fell in love with this early (c. 211 BC) denarius. I know most regard the ubiquitous Roma portrait as boring, by I find a simple beauty in the style and particularly the subtle expression on her face. This RR servillius denarios also appealed to me for similar reasons. I was alwats partial to the story of the Gorgan and Perseus as a child... thus Plancus, (I named my cat Percy) This RR denarius of Licinius is sentimentally my favorite, since it was the first type denarius I ever bought back when I was fourteen.
Probably this one, just because I like the style. C. Vibius C.f. C.n. Pansa Caetronianus, 48 B.C. AR Denarius (19mm, 4.04g, xh). Rome mint. Obv: PANSA, below; Diademed mask of bearded Pan right. Rev: IOVIS · AXVR · upward on left, C · VIBIVS C F · C N downward on right; Jupiter Auxurus seated three-quarters left, holding patera and scepter. Ref: Crawford 449/1a; HCRI 20; Sydenham 947; Vibia 18.
Some great coins here. I’ve shown all these before but these are some my favorites. Ask me again tomorrow and I’d probably show a different set. Denarii might be my favorite denomination. Edit to add: My most expensive is probably the Commodus. It’s an interesting coin with an interesting provenance too (Ex Stoecklin purchased in the 60s)
I really cannot say which is my most expensive denarius. I think this might be it but there is one other contender. Nero Ar Denarius 60-61 A.D. Obv. Head right bare Rv. Roma standing right inscribing shield. RIC 28 3.67 grms 18 mm Photo by W. Hansen
There are only four denarii out of eight Roman coins in my present collection, so it is quite easy for me to choose my favorite: And the runner-up: Both have been posted far too often, perhaps, but so it goes with ancients being such a relatively small subset of my relatively small collection.
Most expensive? Likely one of my Augustus, Tiberius or Caesar/Elephant denarii. I suppose that they're also treasured, as they're all coins minted under historically important figures. However, my favorite is changing often these days; as I'm still a fairly new collector. While this coin isn't in the best condition of the denarii that I own; nor is it much of a unique type/theme. For some reason, I simply like the way it looks. Finely aged. Sol's spikey head reminds me of 'Pinhead' in the movie series "Hellraiser". M. Aburius M.f. Geminus 132 BC AR Denarius Rome mint O: Helmeted head of Roma right; mark of value below chin R: Sol driving galloping quadriga right, holding reins and whip Crawford 250/1; Sydenham 487; Aburia 6; RBW 1027
Some beautiful denarii on here , it’s so hard to find four of my favourites out of my collection but these are probably some that I favour more than others , (I know ones an argenteus ! )