Hello ladies and gentlemen, Finally received my (most likely) last auction win for 2021, as I was minding my own business, browsing through an auction without serious thoughts, but there were a few coins that made me jump from my chair and shout "yep, this one is needed". I wasn't very optimistic in regards to this one as I was suspecting the price will increase. But it was lower than I was prepared to offer so quite happy to add this Titus denarius in my collection and it will make my top 10 Imperials this year. What I liked the most about this coin - the good Titus portrait and the reverse where the engraver made sure Venus is depicted in all the details (and I don't mean just the first thing we see in this type of reverse) - the engraver was surely talented. The only down side for me is the bad shape of the reverse legend (quite unusual as checking several examples I found with more extensive wear, the legends were readable). After consulting one of our Flavian specialists @David Atherton my attribution was correct (was unsure if it is COS VII PP or COS VII but appear to be the more common PP variety). The fact that it's not extremely rare is not important for me as I simply like it. Another interesting thing about this coin, mentioned by David, is that it was issued prior to eruption of Vesuvius RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Titus 34; Old RIC II Titus 9; RSC 268 Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, head of Titus, laureate, right / Rev: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P, Venus standing right, resting on column, holding helmet and spear Please post - Venus coins - newly acquired coins that made you happy - Flavian coins - whatever you feel relevant
Gotta have a bare-bottomed Venus Victrix!!! You might enjoy this very entertaining and informative thread that featured @TIF's infamous Playboy parody. It just so happens I have a newly-acquired coin that makes me happy and which features Venus ... but you'll have to wait for Faustina Friday! In the meantime, enjoy this Julia Domna Venus Victrix sestertius. Julia Domna, AD 193-217 Roman oricalchum sestertius, 21.41 g, 28.8 mm. Rome, AD 194, issue 4. Obv: JULIA DOMNA AVG, bare-headed and draped bust, r. Rev: VENERI VICTR SC, Venus, naked to waist, standing r., holding apple and palm, resting l. elbow on column. Refs: RIC-842; BMCRE-488; Cohen-195; Sear-6631; Hill-113.
Venus' bottom seems to be a perennial crowd pleaser, then as now, so enjoy a similar pose (but not Venus) on this mosaic floor from the famous Villa Romana del Casale in Sicily. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Romana_del_Casale
That is one bodacious backside right there! Very glad that you got it and for less than you thought My Titus lacks the detail of yours but I like it still: His poor daughter: Domna does it best:
Great-looking coin @ambr0zie - I have a poor specimen: Titus Denarius (79 A.D.) Rome Mint IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head rt. / TR P VIIII [IMP] XIIII COS VII P P Venus standing rt. leaning on cippus, holding helmet & spear. RIC 34; RSC 268; BMC 9 (2.35 grams / 19 mm) eBay Aug. 2018
I don't find it poor at all. I have great respect for coins that did their job and thousands of years later we can analyze them and discuss. Especially when the coin is fully attributable. Interesting fact about your coin, Mike, is that the legend is more visible than on mine. Very strange - I can only assume my coin was in an acid soil or perhaps somebody ruined it in an attempt to clean it?! However I think it is a good addition for me and, as mentioned, I think it will make it in my top 10. Speaking of, I should start compiling a list, however I think this year will be 2 - Roman Imperial and non Roman Imperial (I hope this will not be an issue)
Thank you for the kind words @ambr0zie Given the price (under $20!), I'm quite happy with it, but it does seem a bit "off" to me in ways beyond the condition - the weight is a bit low for a Flavian denarius, there's what almost looks like a jewelry solder blob on the bust, and the Venus is not rendered with great skill (her head is too small). The rendering of Venus on your new coin is spectacular; my coin was made by the apprentice, yours made by the Master. She is well-proportioned (no small head) - you can even see her calf muscle. Nice portrait of Titus too. And yes, I agree with you - I like coins that look like they worked for a living.
That’s a great coin, @ambr0zie — the expression on the Emperor’s face opposite the image of Venus when arranged side by side is very expressive. Here is my favorite Julia Domna.
i'll have to show my gift coin from my & your good friend @Ryro of this bare bottomed goddess...great coins all! Julia Domna, Venus 16.7mm 3.05gms
C NORBANUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS NORBANA AR Denarius OBVERSE: C• NORBANVS, head of Venus right, wearing stephane, earring, and necklace; XVIIII behind REVERSE: Prow-stem, fasces, caduceus and grain ear. Rome 83 BC 3.9g, 18mm Crawford 357/1a. Sydenham 740. Norbana 1 JULIUS CAESAR AR Denarius OBVERSE: Diademed head of Venus right. REVERSE: CAESAR - Aeneas advancing left, carrying Anchises and palladium Carthage or military mint with Caesar in North Africa, 47 to 46 BC 4.0g, 17mm CRI 55, Sydenham 1013, RRC 458/1, S 1402 L JULIUS CAESAR ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS JULIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: CAESAR Head of Mars left in crested helmet REVERSE: Venus Genettris with scepter, in biga drawn by two Cupids left, lyre in field, contolmark above, L IVLI L F in ex. Struck at Rome, 103BC 3.85g, 17mm Cr320/1, Syd 593a. L. MUSSIDIUS LONGUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: CONCORDIA, diademed and veiled bust of Concordia right, crescent below chin REVERSE: Shrine of Venus Cloacina: Circular platform surmounted by two statues of the goddess, each resting right hand on cippus, the platform inscribed CLOACIN and ornamented with trellis-pattern balustrade, flight of steps and portico on left; L • MVSSIDIVS • LONGVS around above Rome 42BC 3.5g, 19mm Crawford 494/42C; CRI 188; Sydenham 1093b; Kestner 3753-4; BMCRR Rome 4242-3, Mussidia 6a
