Caracalla and Plautilla together, and: 3,055? Hard to believe.

I realized this morning that I joined Coin Talk one year ago today, on January 29, 2020. This is my 3,055th "message," almost all of them in the Ancients Forum. Which means I've posted an average of 8.346 times per day for the last 366 days. It really is difficult to believe I've posted that much, as well as somewhat embarrassing, since it seems unlikely that anyone has posted more over that time period! If anyone's wondering what I've been doing during the pandemic to pass the time while being mostly home alone with my cat, there's your answer. Although I have to admit that I was probably posting almost as much during my first month here, before the pandemic.

Anyway, I hope my net contributions to this forum have been positive, even if some people seem to think I'm too argumentative, and too confrontational when I believe people are being unkind -- or are simply wrong! (It comes with the territory of being a lawyer from New York, I think, never mind being a woman who isn't deferential. It isn't easy for me to relinquish the last word in any dispute. That's who I am, and I'm not about to change at my age. But I do try to be nice most of the time!)

Purely coincidentally, I'm marking this anniversary by getting my first COVID vaccination tonight at the Javits Center downtown. Fingers crossed that it goes OK and that I can get the second shot in a few weeks, on schedule.

Now to my new coin:

Plautilla (wife of Caracalla; issued under Septimius Severus), AR Denarius, 203-204 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right, hair in horizontal waves and drawn into large bun at back, PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE / Rev. Caracalla standing left, holding volumen with left hand and clasping right hands with Plautilla standing right, PROPAGO IMPERI. Short hairline flan crack. RIC IV (Caracalla) 362, RSC III (Plautilla) 21, Sear RCV II 7073 (ill.). 18 mm., 3.30 g., 6 h.



I like the fact that one can actually see something of Plautilla's and Caracalla's faces on the reverse, unlike many other examples of this type I've seen. I also like Plautilla's hairstyle on the reverse, mostly because it reminds me of Elsa Lanchester's in Bride of Frankenstein!

This is apparently the first appearance of the reverse legend PROPAGO IMPERI, celebrating the hoped-for continuation of the Severan house through the union of Caracalla and Plautilla. Cf. RIC IV 367, RSC III 16, showing Pietas (representing Plautilla) on the reverse holding an infant, a coin believed to have been issued to celebrate the 204 AD birth of a child who died in infancy:



Please post your ancient coins showing a married couple together on the same side, whether to celebrate a marriage or hoped-for child, or for any other reason.

As for me, I'm making this vow publicly so it's harder to break: I went way overboard in January with spending money on ancient coins, so I really need to cut down severely in February, and limit my purchases both in number and in individual cost. I should still have some new coins to post, since I'm awaiting the arrival of a number of coins I've already ordered but haven't received yet. Besides, I have to save up for an ancient Egyptian artifact I plan to buy around the end of February, a type I won't identify but which I've wanted for decades. It's been reserved for me (with no commitment to buy on my part), while a professional conservator works on the spots and blotches of bronze disease I noticed in the dealer's posted photos and pointed out to him. Apparently, that kind of thing sometimes happens with bronze artifacts just as it does with bronze coins. (The dealer told me that he was aware of the BD, but that his plans to have it taken care of fell by the wayside after he bought the object last year. I do have to wonder if he would have just sold the object without conservation to a customer who didn't notice the BD.) I'll see what it looks like at the end of the process, which should be finished in about a month.

 

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For a collector who only has one (1) ancient in his collection (hopefully not for long) I for one, love to read your posts (and other experts') and try to educate myself. The sheer volume of impressive experience & knowledge you all have of these intriguing coins is mind-boggling to me. Congrats on the CT anniversary.

So, keep it up! This has been better than watching the History Channel for me.

 

Thank you for your posts, you put a interesting spin on some of the coinage, like Mrs. Frankensteins hair. Your nice to me and It is always better to be nice.

 

Good job Donna, I am recovering from back surgery and like your posts. This site has helped me, as you have.

 

I have enjoyed your posts, @DonnaML, and I hope you remain a prolific member of our community for years to come.

 

Noting the frequency of reply, 8X/day isn't that much if you enjoy it and, believe me, everyone enjoys you. I'll take one more look at @SensibleSal66 who I have teased in the past about the frequency of his responses (sorry Sal, all in good fun) and note that over 119 days of membership he has 5215 responses for about 44 per day. Nothing wrong about that!

 

I've always liked Plautilla coins. That's a great addition, Donna.


Plautilla (202 - 205 A.D.)
AR Denarius
O: PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE, Draped bust right, hair in bun behind.
R: HILARITAS, Hilaritas standing, holding palm branch and cornucopia.
Laodicea Mint
3.3g
18mm
RIC IV 371 (Caracalla) RSC 14


Plautilla (202 - 205 A.D)
AR Denarius
O: PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA, Draped bust right.
R: PIETAS AVGG, Pietas standing front, head right, holding a child.
Rome
3.4g
18.5mm
RIC 367 RSC 16

 

That's a relief to know!

 

Your enthousiasm is enjoyable, and your posts informative. But at least evenly important is that YOU enjoy this board and the hobby, and consider posting as a good way to spend you time in this pandemic. So, congratulations on that many posts, and hopefully many more will come.

Unfortunately no coins of Plautilla to toss in. But perhaps this Caracalla on a horse (knight in shining armor... NOT!) will be allowed as a contribution to your thread.

 

Happy coin-talk anniversary @DonnaML , let me add myself to the rest of the members that really enjoy your posts! I do enjoy them even though most are about an area that I don't really collect, Roman republicans. Perhaps this year you will buy more Greek coins? I can only try to put this thought in your mind

Your post quantity is impressive, but the quality is the one that counts. Another interesting statistic is your post to like ratio. It is 4.59, so more than 4 likes per post which shows that your posts are appreciated. This is more impressive considering that you make lots of casual posts with no coins attached.

That reminds me, my one year anniversary is about a month away. What I really hope is that this year will bring even more new collectors that are really active in Cointalk Ancients.

 

Poor Plautilla for having a father who was besties with Septimius Severus... but lucky for us to get a bestie like you on this board.
Thanks so much for all the fun and knowledge you share Here's to many more years of posting!
Here's my much more beat up version:


And here's one man with two different wives:

 

Donna, congrats on the milestone! I feel like you've been here much longer than that (that's a good thing)...

Oh no, your not even close to the max. (& I'm not even counting the modern coins forum)

Absolutely!!! (Especially your antiquities; can't wait to see the new one)

You don't need a coin to post (although in your case, you never disappoint).

 

The casual, but intelligent tone of this forum, combined with frequent posting is what makes this place appealing IMO. I would hope that no one decides they need to post less based on an arbitrary average post number if their posts are informative, interesting, fun, and/or encouraging.

 

Unlike the coin budget, I don’t think there’s an upper limit to coin posts. Keep em coming!

It’s good to have a cooldown from time to time. I didn’t buy any coins between august and december. I’ll be more critical with regards to buying in 2021 too. I think. Perhaps.

Nice Plautilla! I picked up one last year. Hoping to add a Roman woman or two this year too.

 

Congrats on reaching a year on cointalk Donna - and your posts are uniformly very interesting and well-written. I hope you stick around for the long haul. Good luck with the vaccination - my mother had hers yesterday (Moderna) with no side effects so far.

 

Am i the only one struggling with the math's here ?

29-01-2019 to 29-01-2021 = 1 year

Maybe it's just me

 

Congrats Donna with your 1 year membership, I love your messages and pics.
You make me think of member TIF from the Virgin Islands (now in Texas)
She used to visited the forum everyday, but is now busy with her relocation in Texas.
Keep up your postings , they are much appreciated.

Bought this Plautilla last week:

 

I always highly enjoy your posts, @DonnaML ... very thoughtful, researched, and informative. I hope you are doing well in seclusion.
Best,
Brian