Saturday Night Free For All

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Orange Julius, Dec 1, 2019.

  1. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    212044303_10226613713389276_995307098886042835_n.jpg

    This one was misidentified as a coin of Faustina II at auction, but I knew it was Plautilla. It's from an obscure Phrygian city that issued coins only intermittently.

    Plautilla Otrus Demeter Zeus.jpg
    Plautilla, AD 202-205.
    Roman provincial Æ 20.0 mm, 4.15 g, 7 h.
    Phrygia, Otrus, AD 202-205.
    Obv: ΦOVΛ ΠΛ-AVTIΛΛAC, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
    Rev: OTP-O-HNΩN, Demeter standing left, holding grain ears and long torch.
    Refs: BMC 25.344,7; Von Aulock Phrygiens, 802-8; cf. SNG Cop 633.
     
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  3. seth77

    seth77 Well-Known Member

    A full flan and full weight AE1 (28x26mm 9.43g) of Magnentius from Ambianum, very early in the series - December 352 or early 353, a pre-pandemic Northamptonshire find with a glowing green but brittle patina:

    mag ae11.jpg
     
  4. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    It is getting hot here again and i got my AC running. Hopefully my bill won't make me regret what I have been doing. However I finally got a coin. This has to be the fifth coin I have gotten at auction and the tenth overall. This is a pretty dismal year for me thus far.
    Claudius and Agrippina Junior Denarius Lugdunum Mint 50-54 AD Obv Head of Claudius right laureate. Rv. Bust of Agrippina right draped wearing wreath of barley. RIC 81 3.50 grams 18 mm ex-nomos-sale-4-2011-7126302.jpg This is the second time that Agrippina has appeared on an Roman Imperial coin, the first time was on the reverse of a sestertius minted during the reign of Caligula. This coin was probably struck as a part of a series honoring Nero's accession becoming the heir presumptive to Claudius.
     
  5. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    I spent the morning monitoring the AMCC3 Auction this morning, as I needed to observe how the coins from the JB collection as well as a few from my own collection fared. Overall I have to say that I am pleased. However I couldn't help noticing a coin looking something like this one. Lot 28 from Dyrrhachion
    Korkyra Ar Stater 350-290 BC. Obv Cow standing right head reverted suckling calf. Rv, Double stellate pattern. Like the AMCC coin this one also has a Meadows reference CH 236 forthcoming This coin illustrated. HGC 36 10.53 grams 22 mm Photo by W. Hansen korcyra2.jpeg Does anyone know if this article has been published?
     
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  6. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Saturday night...

    In today's mail, Julia Soaemias, of all ancient Roman personages, the one I have the hardest time spelling correctly - all those vowels confuse me.

    Julia Soaemias - Den. Venus Caels July 2021 (0).jpg
    Julia Soaemias Denarius
    (218-222 A.D.)
    Rome Mint

    IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG, draped bust right / VENVS CAELESTIS, Venus seated left, holding apple and scepter; at her feet, child standing right.
    RIC 243; BMC 55-60; RSC 14.
    (2.72 grams / 18 mm)
    eBay July 2021

    Notes: "...the coin’s reverse depicts Venus Caelestis, the Roman equivalent of Carthaginian goddess Dea Caelesis, who was wedded to Elagabal (courtesy of Elagabalus) as part of a parallel ritual wherein the young Augustus married the noblewoman Annia Faustina. This ceremony intended – and failed - to ameliorate the chaotic imperial situation." (collectors-society)

    Not ancient, but working on it tonight - part of my burgeoning obsession with Indian coins. My ignorance is near-complete, so these things take me hours of squinting to figure out.

    This one had me worried because it is too heavy for a typical rupee of the period. However, I found several online examples of KM 99 that were similarly "fat" - part of an increase in weight (but decrease in silver content) that the British were working on in those days. Heavy ones are scarce, at least according to online Indian auctions I found. It has "oblique" edge reeding, so I don't think it is a jewelry copy, but what do I know?

    India EIC - Bengal Pres. Yr 19 Rupee Jul 2021 (0).jpg
    British India (East India Co.) "Murshidabad" Rupee
    Bengal Presidency / Shah Alam II
    RY 29 (1777 A.D.)
    Struck 1793-1818
    Calcutta Mint

    Couplet in name of Shah Alam II / Murshidabad (false mint name) ...year ١٩
    KM 99 (heavy type not noted).
    (12.16 grams / 27 mm)
    eBay July 2021

    Notes: This rupee is heavier than KM 99 is normally. The 1819 issue, KM 109, was heavier, but had an extra rosette and mint master initial S. This one does not have these; other examples do occur like this one, per auctions, etc.
     
  7. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Engraving the letters backwards onto a die is hard.

    ƧABINA AVGVSTA -- this is "Sabina-1" in my collection, purchased at a brick and mortar coin shop in 1998.

    Sabina Concordia seated denarius.jpg
     
  8. seth77

    seth77 Well-Known Member

    Is mail getting delivered on Saturdays and Sundays in the US?
     
  9. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Saturdays yes; it has never been delivered on Sundays as long as I can remember.
     
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  10. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    A few days ago I was talking to another CTer about what I would generally think of as relativity common coins which of late appear to commanding rather hefty prices. I mentioned this coin.
    Severus Alexander Ar Denarius 232 AD Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed. Rv. Spes advancing left RIC 254 3.49 grms 20mm Photo by W. Hansen. sevalexd5.jpg It seems that so much has changed since I bought this coin roughly three years ago. At the time this coin actually failed to get a bid, it was remaindered and I ended up buying it.
     
  11. Orange Julius

    Orange Julius Well-Known Member

    That's a beauty Terence! It's about as nice as they come. All these collecting years later, it's still hard to believe that coins in this condition are nearly 2000 years old.

    I have one of these. It's nice. Not as nice as yours and waaaay off center but also illustrates your point on the recent high costs for even common coins. I bought this coin on ebay for $26 including shipping in 2018 (which was probably a bit of a steal even at the time). Even for something as off center as this... you'd expect to pay probably at least double now.
    SeverusAlexanderRomeRICIV254.JPG
     
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  12. Orange Julius

    Orange Julius Well-Known Member

    PS: Throw back to this earlier post.... the coin is a replica! It's a very good fake/replica with some softness on the transitions between fields and devices on the obverse and a small mark on the edges of being the giveaways. Die-matched examples on FORVM show similar examples. I was given this coin as a gift, so nothing lost. The giver believed it authentic and I'd never mention the opposite. I did have one CT member immediately privately guess "what was interesting about it." Congrats to that well-known poster!
     
    Roman Collector likes this.
  13. Limes

    Limes Well-Known Member

    That's a real beauty! I like how this portrait shows his face a bit longer, and the hair looks combed to the front.

    35.1.png
     
  14. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    I'm enjoying this sestertius of Herennia Etruscilla I got from @Justin Lee. It was double struck on the reverse, turning "PVDICITIA AVG" into "DICITIA AVG," squishing Pudicitia in the midriff, and giving her a low-rider throne! It features her later hairstyle.

    Etruscilla PVDICITIA AVG S C sestertius later coiffure.jpg

    Compare it to this one featuring her earlier hairstyle:

    Etruscilla PVDICITIA AVG S C sestertius earlier coiffure.jpg
     
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  15. H8_modern

    H8_modern Attracted to small round-ish art

    Stretching the definition of Saturday night but I’ve been wanting to show this one but think it’s common enough that a thread of its own isn’t warranted. Just realized the close up pic isn’t great so here’s the small one with the flip.

    upload_2021-8-1_9-33-22.jpeg

    upload_2021-8-1_9-33-40.jpeg
     
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  16. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Very lovely coin that can be dated to AD 148-March, 149.
     
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  17. juris klavins

    juris klavins Well-Known Member


    U.S. Postal Service Weekend Delivery Hours

    The USPS delivers all mail on Saturdays. ... On Sundays, the U.S. Postal Service delivers some Priority Mail Express and Amazon packages in select regions. However, Priority Mail and First Class Mail will not be delivered on Sunday. And, no pickups are scheduled on Sundays.
     
  18. Romancollector

    Romancollector Well-Known Member

    Just wanted to share my new Severan sestertii, both of which I acquired in CNG 117.

    Domna's late portraiture has always struck me as regal and dignified, and I've admired other members' examples for a while. I liked this particular coin when it appeared in an earlier feature auction, but I did not prioritize it at the time. When it reappeared in CNG 117 it was not my first choice but rather my backup. My first choice was an earlier sestertius, but the bidding was very aggressive. I ended up being the underbidder as I felt that a further increment was unwarranted. Needless to say, I ended up winning my backup and I'm very happy with it.

    Julia Domna (Augusta, AD 193-217)
    AE Sestertius
    Julia Domna sestertius.jpg
    Date: AD 215, struck under Caracalla.
    Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, diademed and draped bust right.
    Rev: SAECVLI FELICITAS S C, Felicitas standing left, sacrificing out of patera over altar and holding sceptre.
    Diameter: 31mm
    Weight: 26.52 grams
    Mint: Rome
    RIC IV 590


    Ex Jack A. Frazer Collection.
    Ex Classical Numismatic Group 117 (19 May 2021), lot 577.
    Ex Classical Numismatic Group Triton XXIII (14 Jan 2020), lot 797.
    Ex James Fox Collection.
    Ex Classical Numismatic Group 40 with Numismatica Ars Classica (14 Dec 1996), lot 1573.
    Ex Leu 50 (25 April 1990), lot 335.



    I previously owned 2 sestertii of Severus Alexander but wasn't happy with either. I sold them earlier last year and have been on the hunt for a solid replacement. I did not set out with a specific reverse in mind, but when I saw this example in CNG's coin shop I knew that I had to have it. The reverse commemorates Alexander's assumption of his third consulship. As far as his sestertii go, the reverse is interesting and less frequently encountered. However, I did not initially pursue it for a number of reasons and chose to wait. A few months later I noticed it was pulled from the shop and I correctly assumed it would be placed in an auction. Sure enough it popped up in auction 117 and I won it.

    Severus Alexander (AD 222-235)
    AE Sestertius
    Severus Alexander sestertius.jpg

    Date: AD 229, special emission. Issue struck in commemoration of Alexander’s assumption of his third consulship.
    Obv: IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG, laureate bust right, drapery on left shoulder.
    Rev: P M TR P VIII COS III P P S C, Severus Alexander in quadriga right holding eagle-tipped sceptre.
    Diameter: 29mm
    Weight: 19.64 grams
    Mint: Rome
    RIC IV 495

    Ex CNG 117 (19 May 2021), lot 585.
    Ex CNG Inventory 793918 (June 2007).

     
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  19. akeady

    akeady Well-Known Member

    Here's a recent arrival from a Kuenker auction. Due to some recent problems with Tantalus, I haven't uploaded it yet, but soon - Tantalus is back working.

    Denarius, 51 BC.
    Moneyer: C. Coelius Caldus;
    Weight: 3.95 g.

    Obv.: C·COEL·CALDVS COS L·D; Head of C. Coelius Caldus right; behind, tablet inscribed L·D. Border of dots.
    Rev.: CALDVS·IIIVIR; Head of Sol right; behind, oval shield decorated with thunderbolt; before, Macedonian shield. Border of dots.
    References: RSC 5 (Coelia); BMC 3835; Crawford 437/1 b; Sydenham 892.


    OI000022.JPG
    OI000023.JPG

    ATB,
    Aidan.
     
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  20. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Earlier this week I commented on a thread involving a denarius of Augustus with the reverse of a butting bull. As a result I got into a very enjoyable debate with @cmerzner over the messaging on this coin. What was particularly fascinating is that much of our debate was centered on this book 61gDXPTyLQL.jpg Which is a book that i would highly recommend. If there was to be a final book kept in my library, this on would be a very strong contender. It is because of this book that I came to the conclusion that where ever possible if one is trying to determine the message on any one Roman Imperial coin, they should also studied the coins that were minted contemporaneously. Zanker does examine the IMP X issue minted by Augustus in some detail. The main focus of the issue is the subjugation of Raetia by Tiberius and his brother Drusus. Two coins depict the brothers offering the laurels of victory to Augustus who is dressed not as a military man but as a civilian magistrate.
    Denarius of Augustus Lugdunum 15 BC Obv Head right bare headed Rv Augustus togate seated on a curule chair left receiving laurel branches from two soldiers. RIC 165a 3.68 grms 18 mm Photo from CNG THIS IS NOT MY COIN 10100458.jpg
    Two other coins advertise that the success in Raetia was the fruit of previous victories by Augustus in Sicily This coin celebrates his successes there
    Denarius of Augustus Ar Denarius Lugdunum 15 BC Obv Head left Bare headed Rv Diana standing RIC 173b Photo CNG THIS IS NOT MY COIN 85000838 (1).jpg
    and at the Battle of Actium.
    Denarius of Augustus Lugdunum 15 BC Obv. Head right bare Rv. Apollo standing left cradling lyre. RIC 171a 3.88 grms 18 mm Photo by W. Hansen augustusd38.jpeg This is the issue that celebrates the victory at Actium which effectively put an end to the long nightmare of the Roman Civil Wars and began the Pax Romana. The last coin is the famous 'Butting Bull"
    Ar Denarius of Augustus Lugdunum 15 BC Obv Head of Augustus Right Bare headed. Rv Bull butting right. RIC 167a 3.69 grms 18mm Photo by W. Hansen augustusd44.jpeg This image is the most contentious, however when looking at the message being conveyed by the rest of the issue the meaning becomes more clear. If Tiberius and Drusus owe their success to Augustus, he in turn owes his to Julius Caesar. The Bull was a prominent symbol used by the Legions raised by Caesar for the conquest of Gaul. Thus the bull and the implied reference to Caesar on the obverse (DIVI F) links this coin too the other three. It must be noted that there are numerous varieties within this issue and I have only illustrated four.
     
  21. Orange Julius

    Orange Julius Well-Known Member

    @Roman Collector those are some beautiful coins congratulations. Those would be fun to hold in-hand. I like the Julia Domna for the condition but the Severus Alexander for the reverse.

    As for me... not many new coins. Things are slow and will be slow for awhile. However, I was able to capture this Trebonianus Gallus Tetradrachm from Alexandria. I've always had a gap between Gordian III and Gallienus... although, I wouldn't call the tetradrachms rare from this period, but they seem to be harder to come by. Anyway, this one is a welcome time-gap filler in my Alexandrian collection.
    TrebonianusGallusAlexandriaEmmett3674.JPG
    Trebonianus Gallus
    EGYPT, Alexandria
    Dated RY 3 (AD 252/253)
    Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
    Reverse: Serapis standing facing, head left, holding scepter and raising hand; L Γ (date) across field.
    Köln 2838-9; Dattari (Savio) 5118; K&G 83.10; Emmett 3674.3.
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2021
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