The MB, middle bronze, second brass, Æ II, "as or dupondius" is the Rodney Dangerfield of Roman numismatics. They have neither the luster of gold or silver, nor the diameter and heft of a sestertius. But these quarter-sized coins performed the bulk of commercial transactions in Rome. No collection is complete without them! Let's see your favorite middle bronzes! Faustina I, AD 138-140. Roman Æ as or dupondius, 13.79 g, 28 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 150. Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: AETERNITAS S C, Aeternitas standing facing, head left, holding phoenix (nimbate right) on globe in right hand and with left hand drawing out fold of skirt. Refs: RIC 1157; BMCRE 1544-47; Cohen 13; Strack 1261; RCV 4638. Faustina I, AD 138-140. Roman Æ as or dupondius, 9.87 g, 28 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 145-147. Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: AVGVSTA S C, Vesta standing left, holding palladium in extended right hand and long torch in left hand. Refs: RIC 1178; BMCRE 1581; Cohen 114; Strack 1295; RCV 4648. Julia Mamaea, AD 222-235. Roman Æ as, 11.14 g, 25.6 mm, 7 h. Rome, 4th emission, AD 224. Obv: IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust, right. Rev: VENERI FELICI S C, Venus standing right, holding vertical scepter in right hand and Cupid in extended left hand. Refs: RIC 695; BMCRE 195; Cohen 63; RCV 8247.
Just curious RC but do female issues of dupondii have a crescent under the bust like the antoninianus?
Nice bronze coins, RC. I just started collected these, and noticed that good ones on Faustina are not easy to find. Maybe I haven't looked hard enough. Here is one I recently won. Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 170-175/6. AE As (24mm, 13.61g). Rome Mint. Obv: Draped bust right Rev: Cybele seated right, holding drum on knee, between 2 lions. Ref: RIC III 1664 (Aurelius); MIR 18, 25-7c.
Absolutely lovely! Here's mine: Faustina II, AD 147-175/6. Roman copper alloy as or dupondius, 12.24 g, 26.1 mm, 1 h. Rome, AD ca. 174-176. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: MATRI MAGNAE S C, Cybele seated right, holding drum in left hand on left knee; to left and right of throne, lions, seated right. Refs: RIC 1664, BMCRE 990; Cohen 170; RCV 5301; MIR 25; ERIC II 205.
Great topic! These coins definitely deserve more luv! Agrippa, died 12 BC. Æ As (10.32g). Rome mint, Posthumous issue struck under Gaius Caligula, AD 37-41. Obv: M AGRIPPA L F COS III; Head of Agrippa left, wearing rostral crown. Rev: S-C across field; Neptune standing facing, head left, holding small dolphin and trident. Ref: RIC 58; BMC 161.
Totally agree about the Rodney Dangerfield point. I think you know I share your love for these. Here are some of my faves: Agrippa: Caligula: Titus: Sabina: Commodus: Julia Domna: Sev Alex: Maximinus: Gallienus:
My two most recent middle AEs. I guessed the Faustina was a dupondius based on size and a somewhat yellowish color. Aelius (Caesar) Æ As (137 A.D.) Rome Mint [L A]ELIVS CAE[SAR], bare head right / TR P[OT COS II] S C, Spes walking left, holding flower and raising hem of skirt. RIC II.3 2700 (RIC 1067a (as)). (9.73 grams / 25 mm) Faustina I Æ Dupondius 3rd Phase, part 2: wedding of Faustina II to M. Aurelius (c. 145-150 A.D.) Rome Mint DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust right / AVGVSTA S-C, Ceres standing left holding short torch in raised right hand and corn-ears in lowered left hand. RIC III, 1171 type 1; Cohen 89; (12.71 grams / 26 mm)
Though I don't purchase as many asses and dupondii as I do sestertii. I actually do think they are good value for the money. They give you a pretty good sized image and in the case of some individuals are less expensive than even denarii. The only drawback is that the reverses can be more limited in range than sestertii. Trajan Ae Dupondius 101-102 AD Obv Head right radiate. Rv. Abundantia seated left. RIC 428 Woytek 96a 13.52 grms 26 mm Photo by W. Hansen
Most of my 2ndC aes coinage is made up of asses and dupondii for this very reason. My budget doesn't often stretch to sestertii, especially not in very fine condition, but I've found some beautiful middle bronze pieces for affordable prices.
Nice pick ups @Roman Collector......My pocket prefers the AS and Dupondius denominations..... Antoninus Pius Dupondius..11.76 gm, 25.3mm..RIC 933 Antoninus Pius AS 9.86 gm, 25.5mm....RIC III 675
The As below is my favorite. I’ve always thought it was curious that this special reverse type was not issued on sestertii (or perhaps they just haven’t been found yet?). Not that I’m complaining, since I think the fact makes my coin a little bit less Rodney Dangerfieldish. ANTONINUS PIUS AE As. 11.34g, 27.8mm. Rome mint, AD 140 AD. RIC 694a. O: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate head right. R: TR POT COS III SC, Mars right, holding spear and shield, descending through the air toward sleeping Rhea Silvia.
I agree, although some interesting reverses do exist. Nero Æ Dupondius. Rome, circa AD 64. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, radiate head right / Façade of the Macellum Magnum; MAC AVG above, II (mark of value) in exergue. RIC 184; WCN 203. 14.38g, 29mm, 6h. Built by Nero in AD 59, the Macellum Magnum on the Caelian Hill was a large market of shops arranged around an indoor courtyard that likely stood on the site now occupied by the church of S. Stefano Rotondo.
Nice coins shown here! I have only 7, I'm guilty of preferring the shiny silver... Below are few. The Nero AS is (in my opinion) especially interesting, as it is part of failed coin reform of Nero.
