Yet another reason to invest in print references

In this case, the seller got the attribution right. However, also in this case, it was important to double-check the reference.

This is my first Flavian coin with this Eagle on altar reverse type. A couple of these are very common and show up in many auctions from week to week. However, there are some rarities sprinkled in amongst the more common types, and my coin is one of the rarest types with this reverse. In fact, RIC calls this coin R3 (only one example known at the time of publication). I know of 3 others. There are 2 on acsearch and the RIC reference coin (there is no plate for this coin). If you know of others please post them to this thread.

Although the coin is quite worn, sometimes it is a matter of having a rough example or no example at all. You can see the choice I made below. Having said that, I actually like the portrait of Titus very much.

Please post your examples of obscure rarities you were able to add to your collection.





Titus as Caesar AR Denarius 76 CE
(18mm 2.8g)
Obv: Head laureate left; T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS
Rev: Eagle standing front on garlanded altar, wings open, head right; COS V across field.
RIC 871 (R2)
Purchased from Ebay September 9 2021

 

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Congrats with that rare Titus / Eagle Orfew

Not obscure or rare, but I think it fits this thread:

 

Thanks for posting this. I really like this type because of how the eagle is rendered

 

Nice one, @Orfew

Here is one of the common Flavian eagles:

Vespasian Denarius
(76 A.D.)
Rome Mint
IMP [CAESAR V]ESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right / COS V[II], eagle standing front on altar, head left.
RIC 847; RSC 121; BMC 180.
(3.22 grams / 17 mm)
eBay Nov. 2014

 

Thanks for the kind words. Yours is a type I have yet to add. I like it very much

 

Well, your post has put Flavian eagles in my head!

This has the portrait left, like the OP. It appears to be rare, but too bad it is in such wretched condition:

Vespasian Æ As
(77-78 A.D.)
Lugdunum Mint
[IMP C]AES VESPASIAN AVG COS VII[I P P], laureate head left, globe at point of neck / S-C, eagle standing on globe, head turned left.
RIC 1238 (head left rare)
(8.07 grams / 26 mm)
eBay Nov. 2017

I had a lot of CT help attributing this one a few years back (thanks again, folks):

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/vespasian-as-bust-left-eagle-on-globe.306819/

 

Spotted this rare Baduila monogram coin in an unattributed 3-coin lot being sold for cheap. Here’s my original thread on it: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/not-pretty-but-im-not-complaining.277708/#post-2402691

Baduila, Ostrogothic Kingdom
AE 2.5 nummi
Obv: Pearl-diademed, draped bust of Anastasius right
Rev: Monogram of Baduila
Mint: Ticinum; struck 541-552 AD
Ref: MIB 87; Kraus 69; Metlich 94

 

Just reread your original opening post-very interesting

 

A super rarity indeed Andrew! A lengthy discussion about the reverse type (with or without thunderbolts) between Ted Buttrey and myself several years ago prompted him to change the reverse description and add a footnote for the type in the Addenda. Hopefully to be added to any future editions.

NB: The subtitle to this thread should be 'and only cite references you own!'.

 

Thanks David. I was not sure about the thunderbolt so I used RICs description. I did not see one and wondered if it had one at all. I will change the description in my database and will edit the attribution posted above.

Oh yes, I have learned the wisdom of this particular piece of advice.