Since joining CT, my interest in Roman coinage has increased, from a secondary consideration to a higher level of interest. Normally I don't actively collect denarii, but on occasion a coin does come by warranting a purchase. This is one of those instances. The coin is not particularly rare or even scarce, but this example, with its uncleaned surfaces, is a break from the norm of cleaned, silvery ancients. In terms of condition, I agree with the NGC designation of choice VF. The strike is generally well centered, though a bit off on the reverse. The design elements are clear and the portrait of Julia Domna is lovely. I am not sure of the RIC # for this coin. Van Meter shows this coin as Cohen 123.
This was an educational thread about this a few years ago. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/matri-devm-cybele-or-julia-domna.327229/
I'm not sure what it is about this one that attracts a non-denarius collector but it is a nice coin to me (very much a denarius collector). However, it should be mentioned that the type is available as a sestertius.
Nice sestertius, Doug. Yes, I've seen this type of reverse on sestertii of Julia Domna. The denarius was one of four offered for $90 on eBay, which I assume is the going price for this type of denarius in mid-grade. Of the four, this one caught my attention, so I guess you could call this an impulse purchase, but, who knows? It might become the start of more denarii purchases in the future. So far, I am all the way up to four. As charming and plentiful are the owls in today's market, one must set limits and look for different horizons.
Here's mine: Julia Domna, AD 193-211 Roman AR denarius, 3.43 gm, 18.8 mm Rome, AD 198 Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right Rev: MATER DEVM, Cybele enthroned left, flanked by two lions, holding a branch and scepter, resting on drum Refs: RIC 564; Sear 6593; BMCRE 51; Cohen 123; Hill 340; CRE 306.
Very nice! I notice differences in the treatment of design elements between the two coins, such as hair style and throne. Both are Cohen 123 coins. Does RIC note these differences, or are they generally classified under one RIC number? I'm considering removing the coin from the slab, to get weight information.
There is a separate catalog entry also for one without a scepter. See here for more info. Note that stylistically, this one better matches @dougsmit's sestertius. Julia Domna, AD 193-211. Roman AR denarius, 2.84 gm, 17.5 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 198, issue 1. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: MATER DEVM, Cybele enthroned left, flanked by two lions, holding branch and resting elbow on drum; no scepter. Refs: RIC 565; BMCRE 54-55; RCV --; RSC 126a; Hill 340; CRE --.
Those interested in the type might also want to seek out any of several Provincials using the reverse. This one is from Marcianopolis and features Julia with Septimius.
When we call a coin uncleaned, we usually mean covered in earthen deposits or still in the condition it was in when it was first dug up from the ground. Your coin has already been cleaned. It is just heavily toned. The price seems about in line with what a dealer would charge for a coin like that. We would expect eBay prices to be lower, however. I think part of the cost of your coin is due to the NGC holder. Even though we tend to loathe them here at CT, many collectors, especially collectors who mainly collect modern coins, are willing to pay a premium to have a coin certified and encapsulated. Personally, I like to hold an ancient coin in my hand. But just be aware that, if you decide a year or two from now that you want to sell/trade the coin, you will have a harder time recouping your investment if you remove it from the slab. Doesn't the slab already include the weight?
Nice coin @robinjojo. Nice coins from the others as well. @Roman Collector quite the detail in the hair.
No, this coin was slabbed without weight noted. I think NGC offers a lower cost slab without this information and their surface/strike grading, which suits me well. Yes, there is a premium when buying a slabbed coin, but I don't buy for the slab, only for the coin. Removed from the slab, I think it would do well with many collectors, but I probably will never know, nor do I particularly care; I haven't sold a coin of my collection for many years. Yes, all coins are cleaned to some degree, as they emerge from the ground. For me, a coin that still retains some appearance of its original state, and not cleaned to a bright, shiny state, is quite desirable, provided that it is without problems, such as corrosion, thick uneven patina, or, in the case of bronze coins, bronze disease, to name a few. However, I will make exceptions for coins that are unusual or rare. When dealing with objects thousands of years old, sometimes one cannot be choosey. I think, of all the coins that I have purchased over the years, I can count the number that I had slabbed on one hand, and of those coins, only one ancient. I have "liberated" several from their plastic encasements, but many still remain. I do have a couple of coins that have shifted out the prongs holding them in place, so I need to crack those slabs, once I have the motivation to do so.
