A recent eBay win ... rare (but that's really beside the point) with an exquisite obverse. The reverse ... not so much. Titus as Caesar [Vespasian] Æ Dupondius, 11.37g Rome mint, 76 AD Obv: T CAESAR IMP COS V; Head of Titus, radiate, bearded, r. Rev: FELICITAS PVBLICA; S C in field; Felicitas stg. l., with caduceus and cornucopiae RIC 909 (R). BMC -. BNC 761. Ex eBay, 27 May 2021. Ex CNG Triton X, 7 January 2007, lot 1565 (part). Ex Henry Chitwood Collection. This Felicitas reverse was one of the more common types struck on the middle bronze of Vespasian's reign. Struck for all the three Flavians, it symbolises the abundance and prosperity the Flavian house has brought to the empire. This Titus Caesar dupondius was produced at a time when Vespasian's bronze production was winding down at Rome. Missing from the BM's collection. I was attracted by the obverse, a great example of mid Vespasianic engraving. If the reverse was in better shape the piece would have been prohibitively more expensive. As is, I'm very happy with it. Please share your lopsided coins.
@David Atherton.....Nice portrait! I do have this Drachm with a wonderful obverse coupled with its rough reverse, which is quite common for this type... Hephthalites. Nezak Huns.. AR drachm. "Napki Malka" series. . Circa 515.680 A.D. Obverse..Bust right wearing winged-bull head-dress. Pahlavi legends nycky MLK-A Reverse:Fire altar with attendants, Solar wheels above. 3.41 grams....24.64 mm. Vondrovec [G bl] 198
With rare coins, you have to take what you can get, as you know, @David Atherton! But sometimes, you're just so taken with the obverse that you get the coin, even though the reverse has issues, even though the coin is far from uncommon. Such was the case with this Gallienus tet. The reverse leaves a lot to be desired, but I've never seen such an exquisite portrait of Gallienus!! Gallienus, AD 253-268. Roman billon tetradrachm, 8.70 g, 23 mm. Egypt, Alexandria, AD 266/7.Obv: AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Homonoia standing left, raising hand and holding double cornucopia; L IΔ (= regnal year 14) before, palm frond behind. Refs: Dattari (Savio) 5246; BMCG 2186; Cologne 2937; Milne 4136; RCV 10580; Emmett 3816.14; K&G 90.93.
This reverse has some issues. Not even sure if I'd be able to identify it without knowing the obverse. But I liked the portrait.
Big contrast between the obverse and reverse. However, as long as Faustina II's hairstyle is clear, it is ok with me.
Though I have sent this coin to CNG to be auctioned it is still technically my coin. Antoninianus of Victorinus. Obv bust right radiate draped, Rv blank RIC 18mm
I have a bull headdress, too. I certainly didn't buy it for the reverse. I use it for inspiration when I cannot find my baseball cap.
Constantine from Antioch with the reverse smoothed and some graffiti Theoderic. Æ Decanummium Converted to Weight (17mm 2.9 gm). Municipal issue. Ravenna mint. Struck A.D. 493-518. FELIX RAVENNA; Draped bust of Ravenna right, wearing mural crown / [Ravenna monogram in wreath; X (mark of value) at point of wreath ties]. COI 78a; MEC 145-9. converted to a two tremissis weight with the reverse removed and blank surface inscribed IS (16) in series of points to denote weight. Constantinopolis A.D. 332- 333 18mm 2.5gm Obv: uniface—striking error Rev. Victory stg. on prow, holding long scepter in r. hand, and resting l. hand on shield. in ex. TRP✶ RIC VII Trier 548 Ex 1989 Nether Compton Hoard unofficial Constantine I VLPP from Siscia with no reverse
Interesting coins. Here's a Crispina with a nice obverse (one of the reasons for getting it), but the reverse seems from a different coin
Hi @Victor_Clark, To me the graffiti looks like ΛX, or turn it 180 degrees to get XV. Maybe XX? No idea if it's fact or fancy. - Broucheion
Lopsided isn't unusual for this coin - obverse outstanding - reverse, "not so much" Kings of Elymais, Uncertain King (successor to Kamnaskires V? Early Arsakid Kings?), Late 1st century BC-early 1st century AD, Billon Tetradrachm Obv: Diademed bust left; behind, four-pointed star in crescent above pellet and anchor symbol Rev: Crude diademed bust left, degraded legend Notes: more on Ugly Coins
