2021 is off to a good start (numismatically). While I have not had an opportunity to cross off any rarer types, I have been fortunate enough to acquire some nice coins with interesting pedigrees (my latest purchase, from Triton, below). I have also spent much of my isolation over the last couple of months working on a website which I hope some of you will find interesting: www.cicerocollection.com While many of the images have been shared here before, I think the provenance information I have included may be of interest to some of the readers here. The website is far from finished and is certainly in rough shape (including some of the images), but if I do not share it soon, I will spend eternity tinkering. Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, bareheaded and cuirassed bust right Reverse: TR PO T COS IIII, Roma, helmeted and draped, seated left on throne, holding palladium in right hand and vertical spear in left; round shield at right side References: RIC III 147 corr. (palladium not Victory); Strack 143κo; Calicó 1654a (same obv. die as illustration); BMCRE 556 (same obv. die); Adda 215 (same obv. die); Biaggi 766 (same obv. die); Mazzini 936 var. (bust type) Provenance: Ex the Grand Haven Collection, Triton XXIV, January 19-20, 2021, lot 1091; Heritage 3064, April 20, 2018) lot 30301; Santa Barbara Museum of Art Collection, Numismatic Fine Arts , March 20, 1975, lot 341; Dr. Friedrich Imhoof-Blumer Collection, Dr. Jacob Hirsch Auction XVIII, May 27, 1907, lot 923 Description: The fourth of the "Five Good Emperors," Antoninus was born into a wealthy senatorial family and held numerous offices during the reign of Hadrian. When Hadrian's favorite Aelius died, Antoninus was chosen as Hadrian's heir, and was adopted near Hadrian's death on condition that he in turn adopt Lucius Verus, Aelius' son. Antoninus acquired the cognomen Pius after his accession to the throne, possibly because of his steadfast insistence that his adoptive father be deified, despite the fact that Hadrian had become quite unpopular in the Senate, largely as a result of numerous politically motivated prosecutions, and authoritative actions. During his reign, Antoninus never had reason to leave Italy as the Empire was mercifully free from significant insurrection and invasion. Antoninus was an able and impactful administrator. Under his reign, the treasury swelled, public works projects were expanded and freedman received the franchise. After an exceedingly long reign, Antoninus would die of illness, leaving the Empire in the hands of his two adopted sons, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. The present piece was no doubt struck from dies carved by a skilled engraver. Antoninus' portrait in particularly is finely rendered, demonstrating none of the "bug-eyed" intensity that characterizes many of Antoninus' laureled portraits. The Reverse depicts the personification of Roma holding palladium, a popular motif in the imperial coinage.
Congrats on your website @Cicero12 ! A website is certainly warranted for a collection of stunning aurei like yours! Also, the Pius is gorgeous....you're making me want to upgrade mine .
I really enjoy your AV collection featured on your site. Wonderful. Did you include your two first denarii? And, I would enjoy seeing your Carthage...
Thank you! I didn’t include my denarii as they don’t really fit my new collecting goals, but I still have them and will post them here eventually!
I’ll admit, even though many of these emperors met grisly ends, I’ve always felt particularly bad for Geta. The circumstances surrounding his demise are suitable for a Greek tragedy.
Great website, and truly stunning coins! I have to ask, what was the driving factor behind choosing the name "Cicero" for a collection of amazing roman imperials?
A great question. Cicero has always been a favorite of mine for being one of history's most noteworthy lawyers. Of course, many important Roman statesmen were lawyers, but most are more memorable for other pursuits.
This Pius aureus is superb and the Geta on your website is my favorite picture of yours yet! Outside of a few auction catalogs, very few resources have this depth of context for pedigrees. Your website will soon become the go-to resource for deep biographical data about the famous collectors of the past.
Thank you! Most of the credit must go to Hadrien Rambach and the late John Spring. It’s my favorite picture too. It was one of the few coins I purchased without seeing in person and I was incredibly pleasantly surprised when it came.
