Nerva-Antonines: A Huge Milestone for my Collection

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Curtisimo, Nov 6, 2020.

?

Just for fun. Which one is your favorite? Pick 2.

  1. Nerva – SALVS PVBLICA

  2. Trajan – Crossing the Danube

  3. Hadrian – Travel Series to AFRICA

  4. Aelius – Lady Luck (Felicitas)

  5. Antoninus Pius – Purple AEQVITAS

  6. Marcus Aurelius – Conqueror of the Macromanni

  7. Lucius Verus – Victory over Parthia

  8. Commodus – Full blown crazy for Hercules

Multiple votes are allowed.
Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    This is a great group and I especially enjoyed reading your point of interest with each. That Trajan is very cool.

    I’d also love to see your other coins of the dynasty. Might give me some ideas on the ones I don’t have yet. In fact I think I’ll post a few not shown yet myself.

    Love this set of bronzes! You may call them “low end” but I have noticed you have a knack for finding interesting coins that punch above their weight in terms of interest per dollar. Good stuff.
     
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  3. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Thank Doug that means a lot.

    Great set of coins and commentaries, as always. I have had my eye out for a nice Hadrian with ship reverse and yours is a nice example. As I branch out more into other denominations I might try to cover this type with a middle Bronze. There are no shortages of interesting sub-collections possible within the Nerva Antonine dynasty.
     
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  4. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Thank you hotwheelsearl

    Thanks TypeCoin

    Fantastic group photo. Thanks for sharing Nemo.

    I agree. The sharp portraits make him look like a venerable old Senator. Your example is excellent.
     
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  5. Marsman

    Marsman Well-Known Member

    That’s a beautiful and envious set Curtisimo !
    My favourite is Aelius. Still looking for a nice example.
    As most of the contributors like the Commodus coin best, this seems to be a good moment to show my coin of this type (again) :)


    92825A59-A7DF-4864-8555-7544C63018AC.png


    Commodus, denarius

    Rome mint, 191-192 A.D.
    2,53 g. 17 mm.
    Obv. L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, head right wearing lionskin headdress.
    Rev. HER-CVL RO-MAN AV-GV either side of club of Hercules, all in wreath.
    RIC 251.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2020
  6. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    I would have voted twice for Commodus....Hadrian is my second choice (thank you Secret Santa !!! :D)

    Here's my selection, thanks to Trajan Decius :

    Nerva :
    [​IMG]


    Trajan :
    [​IMG]


    Hadrian :
    [​IMG]


    Antoninus Pius :
    [​IMG]


    Marcus Aurelius :
    [​IMG]


    Commodus :
    [​IMG]

    Q
     
  7. Limes

    Limes Well-Known Member

    All of your coins are splendid @Curtisimo, congratulations on such a fine subcollection. The Commodus denarius really stands out. Amazing specimen of the type!
    Your chosing of the coins is well considered. One can imagine that if you'd like to further your subcollection however, you could look for a Nerva with clasped hands reverse type, which symbolizes the the good terms between the senate and army, accomplished via de adoption of Trajan. Also, Antoninius Pius has some very interesting reverse types. An obvious one is the types with the young Marcus Aurelius on the reverse. It's of course also a matter of how much one can and is willing to spend. The more popular the type, the higher the price obviously.

    Below you can find my subcollection of the adoptive emperors. I, too, lack a Nerva denarius refering to the adoption of Trajan, and for now settled with a lovely portrait obverse with the Libertas reverse (refering to Nerva's intention to restore civil liberties curtailed by the reign of Domitian). About my Commodus, I fell in love with the portrait of this one. I do have the same type as yours, but in much lesser grade. I'd love to upgrade it one day, but these types are scarce and tend to generate a very high premium... Well, maybe one day ... :happy:

    Adoptive emperors 3.png
     
  8. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    WOW, Great set and CONGRATS assembling the collection, @Curtisimo ! NICE!

    Here is my Dog's Breakfast:

    NERVA

    upload_2020-11-7_9-15-47.png
    RI Nerva AE Dupondius 96-98 CE LIBERTAS PVBLICA -pileus TIF


    TRAJAN

    upload_2020-11-7_9-16-55.png
    RI AE As Trajan CE 98-117 26mm 11.0g Rome Laureate Draped - SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS Victory R wreath palm S-C RIC 675


    HADRIAN
    upload_2020-11-7_9-18-4.png
    RI Hadrian AR Quinarius 1.3g, 14mm Rome, AD 119-122 cuirassed laureate COS III Victory seated wreath palm RIC 108a


    AELIUS

    upload_2020-11-7_9-19-21.png
    RI Aelius Caesar 138 CE AE As 26mm Rome mint Fortuna-Spes cornucopia and rudder


    ANTONINUS PIUS

    upload_2020-11-7_9-20-31.png
    RI Antoninus Pius 138-161 CE BI Tetradrachm Alexandria Egypt Dikaiosyne Scale


    MARCUS AURELIUS

    upload_2020-11-7_9-22-3.png
    RI MARCUS AURELIUS AR Denarius as Caesar TR POT VI COS II - Genius stg at altar hldg standard


    LUCIUS VERUS

    upload_2020-11-7_9-23-26.png
    RI Lucius Verus 161-169 CE AR Denarius Providentia globe cornucopiae RIC 253


    COMMODUS

    upload_2020-11-7_9-24-47.png
    RI Commodus 177-192 CE AR Denarius 17.7mm 2.42g Apollo Plectrum Lyre RIC 218 RSC 25 BMCRE 292 Scarce Type
     
  9. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Fantastic coins Al. I always enjoy looking at selections from your collection. Your coins always have great style (especially the portraits!) and the large diameter tetradrachms you seem to favor really allow a nice canvas for the die cutter to show his skill. Thanks for sharing and for the nice words!

    These are all great Ryan! You were really good at choosing circulated coins with just the right amount of detail to have some nice eye appeal. Your Nerva especially is nice because you get a very strong portrait outline that accentuates his unique profile (*cough* big nose *cough*).

    Your Marcus Aurelius bronze is also great, and great style too. On coins of Marcus and Lucius it seems (to me) you can judge the style by the detail in the bottom tip of the beard. Some of the engravers spent a lot of time detailing the individual locks of beard and that usually transfers into attention to detail in other parts of the portrait.

    These are all great Bing. I especially like that Dacia Capta reveres on your Trajan.
     
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  10. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Great set of Sestertii Justin. I especially like your Trajan, Commodus and Divi A-Pi with the funeral monument. One with that reverse type of each of the dynasty members who had it struck for them is on my list.

    Great set Donna! I especially like your Trajan for the interesting reverse (Trajan struck a lot of great reverse types didn't he!). I also like the youthful Marcus Aurelius and Commodus.

    I would be very interested to see your bronzes you might substitute as well. I do collect the occasional bronze in this dynasty and will probably start picking up more as time goes on.

    Thank you Everett!

    Great group there Randy! I especially like the Hadrian and Commodus.
     
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  11. Romancollector

    Romancollector Well-Known Member

    Great coins @Curtisimo !!! Indeed, you have definitely reached a milestone in my eyes. I'm certainly not there yet....:hilarious:...at least not for the Nerva-Antonines

    I especially like your denarii of Antoninus and Commodus. They are well struck and have beautiful toning!
     
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  12. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    Here's my crazy Commodus!
    IMG_E7044.JPG
     
  13. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Congratulations on completing your set of the adoptive emperors! You've chosen some very interesting and historical reverse types. I love collecting the coins of this period.
     
    Curtisimo likes this.
  14. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    Yes, Trajan had a lot of great reverses. Including among his provincials, like this one:

    Trajan - Drachm, Arabia Bostra, Camel reverse - jpg version.jpg

    In terms of bronzes, I might have posted my Antoninus Pius as with an elephant reverse, which I posted the other day in my "elephant coins" thread. Or my Marcus Aurelius sestertius showing him raising Italia on the reverse:

    Marcus Aurelius sestertius jpg version (Marcus Aurelius & Italia on reverse).jpg

    And I certainly would have posted my Hadrian dupondius with Virtus on the reverse, complete with her foot on helmet, bare right breast, and rather suggestive parazonium:

    Hadrian dupondius, Virtus reverse with parazonium.jpg
     
  15. Shea19

    Shea19 Well-Known Member

    That’s a great set, @Curtisimo! Since I’m a little late to this thread, I’ll mix it up and share my favorite Nerva-Antonine provincials.

    3A5035FE-413D-4449-9244-C3EA76EB4E67.png
    Nerva, Antioch, circa 96-98, AE “As” (25.5mm., 14.34g). Laureate head right/ Rev. Large S C; below, Θ ; all within wreath

    8F735313-3957-414D-8F63-AE3F1293F11A.jpeg
    Trajan, Alexandria, BI Tetradrachm (24.4mm., 12.72g). 116-117 AD, Radiate bust r., with aegis, in front, star./ Rev. Dikaiosyne standing facing, head l., holding scales and cornucopia;in l. field, LK. RPC 4916.

    6863A8C1-D300-4034-95D7-3F07E60E6486.jpeg
    Hadrian, Alexandria, BI Tetradrachm (24 mm, 12.68 g), 137/8 AD. Laureate head r./ Rev. Pronoia standing front, head to l., holding Phoenix in her right hand and scepter in her left. RPC III 6252.
    11FB79AD-165A-4AF9-80EE-A8707F15C3FC.jpeg
    Hadrian, Alexandria, BI Tetradrachm, 136-137 AD (24.5mm., 13.20g). Laureate head of Hadrian r./ Rev. Demeter wearing peplos standing l. holding corn-ears and sceptre.

    47A5A44C-B5BD-45AD-8FFE-B4875788F93C.jpeg
    Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, Laodicea ad Mare, AE Diassarion (25 mm, 9.08 g), Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius r./ Rev. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Lucius Verus r., RPC IV 9010.

    4A43CB68-1FE7-4FE9-89A2-A048A2A2D4EF.jpeg
    Commodus, Alexandria, BI Tetradrachm,(24.2mm., 10.19g), 183-184 A.D., Laureate head of Commodus r./ Rev. Commodus, in priestly attire, standing l. before bust of Serapis set on low cippus, sacrificing and dropping incense over lighted altar, L-K-Δ. RPC 16005.
    From the Dattari Collection.
     
  16. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Thank you Z. You have acquired some beautiful and interesting types in this time period as well. I love the young Hadrian / Oceanus and the Marcus Aurelius referencing Germania!
     
  17. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    That is an incredible example of Commodus as Hercules, Marsman!

    I never fail to be amazed when you show a coin from your Trajan Decius CONSECRATIO collection. Truly an amazing accomplishment to put together a complete set of excellent examples. Thanks for posting these Q!

    Thank you for the compliment Limes :). I will return it full heartedly in admiration of your sub-collection of these emperors. Thanks for sharing!

    I especially like your Armenia reverse Lucius Verus. That is one of the types I was on the lookout for but ended up going with the VIC PAR. I will still be on the lookout for one of these. I also like your A-Pi with young Marcus. As you suggest that is another that is on my want list. Are you actively going for all the members of the dynasty as well or are you sticking to the emperors?
     
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  18. Finn235

    Finn235 Well-Known Member

    Thanks!

    Gotta break it up into two because there's a lot more than 10...

    Plotina, wife of Trajan (Gordos-Julia because imperial Plotinas are extremely hard to find!)
    Plotina ae gordos julia zeus seated.jpg

    Divus Trajan Pater (Portraits exist but are very rare)
    Trajan denarius divvs traian pater.jpg

    Marciana, sister of Trajan
    Diva Marciana denarius.jpg

    Matidia, niece of Trajan and mother of Sabina
    Diva Matidia AR denarius.jpg

    Sabina, wife of Hadrian
    Sabina denarius concordia.jpg

    Faustina I, wife of Antoninus Pius
    Faustina I denarius Juno seated RIC 363.jpg
     
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  19. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    It's statements like this that make you the second funniest coin talker:hilarious:
    Aaand you forgot to mention the excellent old cabinet toning;):troll:
    Anyway, I skipped the coin assessment earlier and just took it now... HOW DARE THEM!
    Yes, I'd crushed on your bat Smit crazy Commodus. But that Nerva:wideyed: Stone cold masterpiece!!!:artist:
    How did it not get more votes:jawdrop:
    Ps, here's my MA and Comedian :clown: denarius to complete the circle:
    share1627842722373929883.png share1654138852320949667.png
     
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  20. Finn235

    Finn235 Well-Known Member

    Antoninus Pius with grandchildren Lucilla(?) And Aelius(?) Pius sestertius temporvm felicitas lucilla and aelius.jpg

    Faustina II, wife of Marcus Aurelius, with babies! (I forget which these are)
    Faustina AR denarius FECVND AVGVSTAE.jpg

    Faustina II with infant Commodus and Titus Antoninus Faustina II SAECVLI FELICIT.jpg

    Lucilla wife of Lucius Verus
    Lucilla augusta concordia.jpg

    Commodus and Annius Verus Caesars (Tarsus, cilicia)
    Commodus and Annius Verus .jpg

    Crispina, wife of Commodus
    Crispina denarius venvs felix.jpg

    Annia Faustina, great-grand niece of Marcus Aurelius and 3rd wife of Elagabalus
    Annia Faustina AE Hieropolis Phrygia Actian Games.jpg

    Gordian III, claimed to be great-great grandson of Aelius Caesar
    Gordian III Antoninianus VIRTVS AVG.jpg
     
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  21. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    Wonderful coins! FYI, Annia Faustina was actually a great-granddaughter of Marcus Aurelius.
     
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