David Atherton's Top Ten of 2021

If for nothing else, 2021 will personally be remembered as a great coin year. Some of my absolute favourite pieces in my collection were acquired during the calendar year making this a very difficult list to put together! I'm still waiting on one coin that certainly would've made the cut, but apparently it will have to be included in my 2022 list.

So, without further adieu, here is my Top Ten Coin list for 2021 (roughly in order).


10. Titus Honours His Daughter


Titus
Æ Quadrans, 3.29g
Eastern Mint (Thrace?), 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES DIVI VES F AVG; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IVLIA AVGVSTA; Julia std. l., with patera and sceptre
RIC 506 (R2). BMC -. BNC -. RPC p. 137.
Acquired from Praefectus Coins, July 2021.

An unidentified Eastern mint struck coins for Titus sometime between 80-81. The style, fabric, and unique obverse legends (DIVI VES F in this case) all suggest a mint other than Rome. Attributing exactly where these coins were struck has historically been a moving target - Mattingly in BMCRE thought Lugdunum, H.A. Cahn believed somewhere in Bithynia. More recent scholarship has looked towards Thrace as a possible location for production based on the Balkan distribution pattern of found specimens. Although the region of mintage has been narrowed down, the city itself remains elusive. RPC has suggested possibly Perinthus. Presumably a shortage of bronze coins in the region during Titus' reign prompted a localised imperial issue.

This extremely rare orichalcum quadrans featuring Titus's teenage daughter Julia Titi on the reverse is unique to this mint. It is also the only time both father and daughter appeared jointly on an imperial coin. Julia was granted the title Augusta sometime in 80 or 81 which may have prompted her presence on the coinage. Missing from both the BM and Paris collections and only referenced in RPC (p. 137) as possibly from Rome with no specimen in the plates. Attractive dark patina with golden highlights.



9. Dattari Plate Coin

Domitian
Æ Diobol, 6.38g
Alexandria mint, 90-91 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
Rev: LΙ; Serpent on back of horse, r.
RPC 2584. Emmett 277.10. Dattari-Savio 6801 (this coin).
Ex Naville 67, 1 August 2021, lot 188.

The Alexandrian mint under Domitian around regnal year 10 or 11 experienced a 'dramatic improvement in style' and the 'adoption of a wide range of new types' (Milne). One of those new types features an Agathadaemon serpent (the 'Good Spirit' of grain fields and vineyards) riding a horse. The 'Good Spirit' was venerated in both Greek and Roman religions, depicted as a serpent on Roman shrines and lararia and honoured as an omen of good luck among the Greeks. The Agathadaemon serpent's most developed form flourished in Roman Egypt where it became an exalted deity, far beyond the status of a mere household god. Emmett says of this unusual type 'The horse represents the changing of the seasons, and the serpent represents rebirth and regeneration of the crops upon which Egyptian life and prosperity depended.' Domitian's regnal year 10/11 was the first appearance of this incredible reverse - truly one of the more memorable types from the Roman world!


8. An Official Fourrée?

Vespasian
Fourrée Denarius, 2.75g
Unknown mint, After 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG TR P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IVDAEA DEVICTA; Palm tree; to l., Judaea stg. l., hands bound in front
RIC 1120 (R). BMC 388. RSC 243. BNC 423. Hendin 1488.
Acquired from NumisCorner, June 2021.

Fourrées are ancient counterfeits composed of a copper core coated with a thin silver plating. The IVDAEA DEVICTA Flavian denarius type from Lugdunum is commonly found as a fourrée, so much so that the auctioneer Ira Goldberg states 'Of the 12-15 specimens of this IVDAEA DEVICTA type that this cataloguer has examined, all have been fourrées!' Personally, I have observed that nearly 60% of these denarii seen in trade are fourrées. Why this is so remains a mystery. Could the plated examples be the work of unscrupulous Lugdunese mint workers skimming profits? Or, did a talented forger in Gaul have a fondness for this one reverse type? The fact that there are no known die links between plated and solid specimens lends credence to the latter theory.

Either plated or solid the type is fairly scarce, so much so the as yet unpublished Flavian A&C changed the frequency rating from 'common' to 'rare'. It also must be noted that many of the specimens in major museum collections are fourrées. http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.2_1(2).ves.1120
My plated specimen is an obverse die match with the Berlin coin.


7. Unique Vespasian


Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.29g
Uncertain mint, 69-71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: S P Q R / OB C S in two lines within oak wreath
RIC 1361A (R3, this coin cited in the A&C). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex NAC 125, 24 June 2021, lot 505. Privately purchased from Klassische Münzen 2008.

Many mints were operating during the civil war of 68/69 in the west and it is sometimes difficult to pin down certain issues to a specific one. A small military issue was struck at an uncertain mint somewhere in the western empire - Mattingly thought perhaps Aquileia. The issue contains some stylistic affinities with the Spanish series, but more importantly, recent metal analysis by K. Butcher and M. Ponting show the silver content is almost identical to that of the Spanish coins. It is very likely these early military denarii were also struck in Spain in late 69 soon after the province went over to Vespasian. The SPQR wreath reverse type symbolises the corona civica which was awarded to Vespasian by the Senate for rescuing the Roman people from civil war and bringing about peace. It echoes a similar reverse formerly struck for Galba.

Although this unique piece was recently assigned in the RIC Addenda & Corrigenda to uncertain/military mint group 3, stylistically the portrait has much more in common with the denarii of group 4 (heavy brow, upward gaze, crude style) and probably should be reassigned there.


6. The Great Sphinx

Domitian
Æ Obol, 4.26g
Alexandria mint, 91-92 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
Rev: LΙΑ; Sphinx, r.
RPC 2645 (11 spec.). Emmett 326.11. Dattari-Savio 570.
Acquired from Athena, February 2021.

In Domitian's 11th regnal year at Alexandria the city's mint struck a most fascinating obol featuring the Great Sphinx of Giza on the reverse. The monolith of a mythical beast with a pharaoh's head and lion's body was carved out of solid limestone during the reign of pharaoh Khafre (c. 2558–2532 BC) and sits on the west bank of the Nile in front of the Great Pyramid. During the Roman era the monument was a source of wonderment and awe. Pliny the Elder in the late first century wrote - 'In front of these pyramids is the Sphinx, a still more wondrous object of art, but one upon which silence has been observed, as it is looked upon as a divinity by the people of the neighbourhood. It is their belief that King Harmaïs was buried in it, and they will have it that it was brought there from a distance. The truth is, however, that it was hewn from the solid rock; and, from a feeling of veneration, the face of the monster is coloured red. The circumference of the head, measured round the forehead, is one hundred and two feet, the length of the feet being one hundred and forty-three, and the height, from the belly to the summit of the asp on the head, sixty-two.' A stela was erected by the people of the nearby village of Busiris during the reign of Nero and it commemorates the Sphinx being completely freed from the sand. At this time it served as a romantic backdrop to local theatrical performances.

This rare obol was struck in the early 90's soon after the Alexandrian mint was overhauled and new types were introduced. Traditional Sphinxes from Greek myth with a winged lion's body and woman's head had been depicted on coins before, but this is the first instance of the Great Sphinx being shown on any coin. The reclining position, lack of wings, and pharaoh's head leave no doubt that the Giza monolith is indeed what we see on the reverse. The Sphinx obol along with the Pharos hemidrachm serve as a sort of first century travelogue for the ancient traveller of what to see when visiting Roman Egypt.


5. Important Provincial Mule

Vespasian
AR Tetradrachm, 11.99g
Antioch mint, 70-71 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ, LΓ (in right field); Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: ΕΤΟΥΣ Γ ΙΕΡΟΥ; Eagle standing, l., on club; in field, palm branch
RPC 1949 (0 spec.). Prieur 115 (this coin).
Acquired from CGB.fr, April 2021. Ex Banias Hoard.

A most remarkable regnal year 3 Antiochene tetradrachm struck with an obverse die intended for an Alexandrian tetradrachm. The regnal year on the obverse combined with the Alexandrian legend and style is proof beyond doubt that this obverse die was intended for an Alexandrian billon tetradrachm, but how could this be? The RPC Antiochene groups 1-3 tetradrachms are all struck in 'Alexandrian' style. Many scholarly theories abound as to why: either the coins were struck at the Alexandria mint and then sent to Syria for circulation or, at the very least, the dies were engraved there. It's also possible (but unlikely) that Alexandrian mint workers were sent to Antioch to help set up the mint or bolster its production. This Alexandrian/Antiochene hybrid strongly hints that these Alexandrian style coins were indeed struck at Alexandria. In this case a die intended for a domestic tetradrachm somehow got mixed up with their Syrian work order. It must be said however that Antiochene silver is of a different composition than that used at Alexandria, so it is possible the dies were engraved in Alexandria and then shipped to the Antioch mint, in which case an Alexandrian die got mixed up with the shipment. Only two specimens have been recorded of this rare hybrid, surprisingly both are from different die pairs. This example is illustrated in Michel and Karin Prieur's type corpus The Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms.

Is this coin the Rosetta Stone needed to solve the complicated questions surrounding the mintage of these Vespasianic tetradrachms? Perhaps, but I fear it raises more questions than answers. A fascinating coin nonetheless!


4. A New Discovery!

Titus as Caesar
AR Denarius, 3.22g
Rome Mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIANVS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XIII across field; Modius, standing on three legs, containing five ears of corn upright and two hanging over the sides
RIC 985A. BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex CNG eAuction 487, 10 March 2021, lot 515.

A unique and unpublished new type for Titus Caesar. In RIC II.1, page 129, note 186 reads as follows: 'A plated example of this coin with rev IMP XIII (Budapest) suggests the possibility that the parallel issue for Titus might have used this modius reverse type (if such a coin was the prototype for the ancient imitation), though no examples have yet been attested.' Dr. Lucia Carbone, Assistant Curator for Roman Coins, at the American Numismatic Society has confirmed this coin as 'the prototype for the silver-plated fourrée in the Budapest museum.... The T preceding CAESAR on the obverse is absolutely clear and there is no doubt about the identification of the obverse.' The small denarius issue from which this coin was struck consists of three reverse types: goatherd, modius, and sow with piglets. Previously, all three were known for Vespasian, but only the goatherd and sow types had been attested for Titus Caesar. In hand there is the faintest trace of the reading IMP XIII on the reverse. We can now confidently add the modius for Titus to complete our picture of the series - a tremendous discovery!


3. A Vespasian Military Denarius

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.23g
Uncertain mint, 69-71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: CONSEN EXERCIT (in two upright parallel lines); soldiers, two, each holding aquila and clasping hands
RIC 1382 (R3, this coin?). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex NAC 125, 24 June 2021, lot 507. Ex DNW A11, 27 September 2011, lot 2198 (part). Ex John Quinn Collection.

This iconic reverse type of two soldiers clasping hands with the legend CONSEN EXERCIT (in two vertical lines!) symbolises the harmony of the legions coming together for Vespasian during the Year of the Four Emperors. The propaganda value of such a reverse type cannot be underestimated. The coin likely would have circulated amongst the troops newly won over or the Vitellian forces that were wavering just after the second battle of Cremona in October 69. Oddly, the type is very rare and was not struck in any large quantities, probably because the window of time for such an appropriate issue was very narrow, perhaps only a few weeks.

The type is listed as unique in RIC uncertain military issue group 5 (distinguished from group 4 by superior style). This may be the coin RIC actually cites, but I do not have access to Spink Numismatic Circular 100.8 to be certain. Either way an extremely rare piece. Formerly from the John Quinn Collection. Quinn (1870-1924) was an attorney, patron, and art collector from NYC whose legendary modern art collection is still heralded today as one of the finest ever assembled and help shaped American tastes in the arts.


2. An Ephesian Bull RIC Plate Coin


Titus as Caesar
AR Denarius, 3.33g
Ephesus (?) mint, 76 AD
Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESP CENS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. 'o' mint mark below neck
Rev: COS V; Bull, stg. r.
RIC 1483n (R2, this coin). BMC 486. RSC 56. RPC 1458 (3 spec.). BNC 374.
Ex NAC 125, 24 June 2021, lot 583. Ex Harry N Sneh Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch 142, 10 October 2005, lot 2398.

The infamous 'o' mint denarii (the 'o' is often not visible but is quite bold on this specimen!) struck for Vespasian, Titus Caesar, and Domitian Caesar are thought to have been minted at Ephesus due to a similar 'o' mint mark previously used at that mint. The types are the same as those struck somewhat contemporaneously at Rome. Mules are a hallmark of the series, perhaps indicating a lack of care in their production. This bull reverse copies a much more common Rome mint 'Cow of Myron' proto-type. The exact sex of the bovine is in doubt - some catalogues call it a cow, others a bull. RIC also makes a distinction between 'humped' and 'non-humped' bulls and uses the above coin in the plates to illustrate the 'non-humped' variant. Very rare, only a handful of specimens known.


1. The Great Lighthouse of Alexandria

Domitian
Æ Hemidrachm, 12.15g
Alexandria mint, 92-93 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΘƐΟ(Υ) ΥΙΟϹ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, l.
Rev: LΙΒ; Pharos
RPC 2677 (0 spec.). Emmett 273f.12. Dattari-Savio 6784.
Ex CNG eAuction 484, 27 January 2021, lot 559.

The great lighthouse of Alexandria (or Pharos) was first depicted on the city's coinage during Domitian's reign. The structure was built on Pharos Island circa 300-283 BC under the Ptolemaic dynasty and was roughly 375 years old when these coins were struck. It was one of the most famous buildings in the ancient world and would later be considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World by early Medieval chroniclers. Standing at an estimated 300-450 ft. high it inspired awe and admiration from many Roman era writers including Strabo, Pliny, Josephus, and Lucian. Strabo records the Pharos was built of white stone and Pliny relates it cost nearly 800 talents to construct and that its light could sometimes be mistaken for a distant star on the horizon by mariners approaching the city. Josephus says the tower's shining light could be seen 34 miles away, a day's sale from Alexandria. Lucian took detailed measurements and described a building of three storeys - the bottom being square, the middle octagonal and the top circular with a total height of 436 feet (!). It was crowned by a 30 ft. statue of Zeus Soter or Neptune which can clearly be seen on the coins. Sculptures of Tritons blowing conch shells adorned the octagonal section were used to represent each of the eight winds and can clearly be seen on the coins as well. In 1117 AD Al-Andalusi travelled to Alexandria and wrote 'the entrance to the Lighthouse is very high. It is accessed by a long 600 ft. ramp. This is based on a series of arches [...]'. This high doorway is also accurately depicted on the coins. Early in the second century Achilles Tatius of Alexandria poetically described the Pharos in his novel The Adventures of Leucippe and Clitophon as 'the most remarkable and extraordinary structure upon which it rested; it was like a mountain, almost reaching the clouds, in the middle of the sea. Below the building flowed the waters; it seemed to be as it were suspended above their surface, while at the top of this mountain rose a second sun to be a guide for ships'. The great Pharos was rendered inoperable and slowly destroyed by a series of earthquakes between 796 and 1323 AD. The coins, however, remain as a powerful testament to this most remarkable structure's enduring legacy.

The hemidrachms struck under Domitian with their wonderful numismatic depiction of the Pharos are extremely rare. This superb example from regnal year 12 is the third known and finest specimen of the even rarer left facing portrait variant. Struck in very fine style.



Thank you for taking the time to view my list!


Happy New Year!!

 

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A fabulous selection of Flavians! The 'o' mint bull is my favourite... what a great coin. That's followed closely by the three Alexandrians. That said, having read your descriptions of the rest, I think they're all wonderful additions to your collection. Congrats!

 

Wow David you added some amazing coins! Plate coins, unique coins, newly discovered coin types and those amazing Alexandrians including a snake cowboy a sphinx and a pharos! You have had an amazing year. I love everyone of your acquisitions. Congrats my friend.

 

Great looking coins. Hard to pick a favorite. OK, maybe 2, The Sphinx piece
and the Light House. Wonderful write ups. Thanks!!

 

2021 being a good coin year was no joke! Well done on assembling such fascinating and important pieces. If you held my feet to the fire and made me choose I'd probably pick number four as my favourite but they're all great!!

 

I'm always in awe of how interesting a spcecialized collection can be when I see your refined specimens @David Atherton. Many people would notice the pharos has something unusual, but the vast majority (including me when it comes to flavians) would overlook those exceptional coins : astounding, all of them

Congrats, and thanks for sharing
Q

 

Wow! I am in complete awe. I don't know whether to pick favorites based on historical importance, numismatic importance, or sheer aesthetic appeal. Or all of the above. But if I had to single out a few, they would be the sphinx, the agathodaemon on horse a/k/a snake cowboy, the "o" bull (definitely not a cow from what I see), and the unique Vespasian OB CS. Even though it's very hard to omit the Pharos!

Congratulations on a fantastic year.

 

You had a very productive year of collecting, @David Atherton! Some exceptional coins there. My very favorite is the quadrans with Juli Titi; it's one of those unappreciated rarities that would be passed over by the slab-crazy condition cranks that dominate the auctions these days. I really like the Sphinx and the ex-Dattari snake cowboy, too! May your collection continue to expand in 2022!

 

All terrific, but to actually see a depiction of the lighthouse of Alexandria on a coin, such an important, historical monument, sends shivers down my spine! By the way, #2 is definitely a bull! (and absolutely stunning).

 

David, An impressive group of coins for 2021 ! The Vespasian Tet, #5, steals the show . Both Prieur & McAlee write about the Alexandria Mint supplying finished dies for Antioch, & this coin is solid evidence for that theory . The purity of metal in Antiochene Tets should be higher than an Alexandrian Tet, & by eye your coin looks like it is. The Titus & bull denarius is a great catch too .

 

Congrats and thanks for sharing. Your collection makes a pretty good zoo: plate coins, snakes, mules, Sphinx, bulls and a light house.

 

A snake riding horseback

 

Wonderful list @David Atherton ! All are great, but my favourite has to be number 1.

 

I love number 6, the Sphinx. Congratulations on a great year.

 

I’m nowhere near being an expert but I can safely assume that if it’s in your collection, it must be unique.

Awesome bull !

 

Nice selection of Flavian Emperors! I like # 2/ #5/ #6 the best Thanks for sharing, Happy 2022!
John

 

The Lighthouse of Alexandria cannot be beaten, I think. Happy New Year 2022.

 

Great collection David, all fantastic coins, but your Ephesian bull and Alexandrian lighthouse are absolute stunners, congrats.

 

I knew you'd appreciate the Alexandrian Lighthouse hemidrachm! It's been one of my dream coins for many years!

 

Wow, @David Atherton ... you had the most fantastic year! Really great, all of them. There is no way at all to pick just three favorites.

I agree with the #1 position and it's a reverse type I've tried for several times... always the bridesmaid . A terrific rendition of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world .

Your Titus discovery coin, #4... congratulations on that!! Very exciting

The Ephesian o mint bull RIC plate coin... just wow.

I love #10, Titus honoring his daughter .

Your Great Sphinx is very robust.


EGYPT, Alexandria. Domitian
Æ obol; 17.5 mm, 3.40 gm
RY 11 (91/92 CE)
Obv: laureate head right
Rev: Andro-Sphinx seated right; L A in exergue
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 570-1 var. (same); K&G 24.181 var. (same); RPC II 2645; Emmett 326.11; Köln 395 var. (position of date)
ex Rocky Mountain Collection of Alexandrian, purchased from William M. Rosenblum


I love the snake cowboy and will refrain from showing my Domitian for the fourth time this week but instead I'll show an A-Pi I hadn't shown before, but my second of the type. The twist is that Agathodaemon has the head of Serapis.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius
RY 23 (159/60 CE)
AE drachm; 31 mm, 16.59 gm, 12 h
Obv: [ΤI ΑΙ Α]ΔΡI [ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC CЄΒ ЄΥ]; laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right
Rev: [L] KΓ; Agathodaemon serpent with head of Serapis riding horse to right Ref: Dattari (Savio) 2831. Emmett 1444.23. K&G 35.820. RPC IV.4 online 14989
ex Rhakotis Collection