There's nothing quite like a large First Century bronze coin, even if it's a fairly worn and a bit beat up. They are such amazing coins in hand! This latest addition is just such a piece. Vespasian Æ Sestertius, 26.01g Rome mint, 76 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: FORTVNAE REDVCI; S C in field; Fortuna stg. l., with branch and rudder on globe, and cornucopiae RIC 878 (R2). BMC -. BNC 744. Acquired from Savoca Coins, April 2022. The Rome mint produced its largest issue of bronze coinage under Vespasian in 71. Afterwards, with each passing year the issues became smaller and smaller. By 76 the bronze issues were minuscule, as this extremely rare variant of the normally common Fortuna reverse type demonstrates. It carries an important propaganda message concerning the safe return (REDVCI) of the imperial household which can be translated as 'Fortune the home-bringer'. This 76 variant is missing from the BM. Feel free to post your big bronzes! Thanks for looking.
I too love the heft of a sestertius in hand, @David Atherton. Here's a chonky Fortuna sestertius from my collection: Faustina I, AD 138-141. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 24.12 g, 32.6 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 150. Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, Bust of Faustina I, draped and veiled, right. Rev: AETERNITAS S C, Fortuna, draped, standing left, holding globe on extended right hand and long rudder, vertical in left hand. Refs: RIC 1107b; BMCRE 1499-1500; Cohen 8; Strack 1267; RCV 4608 var. Notes: Obverse die-match to BMCRE 1499.
I agree, the size and weight of 1st century sestertii are amazing in hand. Even worn they command respect. Here's one that's beat up but still has that eye appeal. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM TR P P P COS IIII Laureate head right T IMP AVG F COS II CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG F COS DESG II SC Titus and Domitian standing front, each with spear and parazonium Lugdunum (Lyons); 72 CE 25.00g RIC 1185 (R2) very rare, only 2 on acsearch. Ex-Roma e-Sale 87 lot 729 From the Antonio Carmona Collection. Improperly attributed to RIC 1186 Old cleaning scratches not as pronounced in hand. The lighting makes them appear deeper than they are.
Very nice @David Atherton ... Here's my biggest... ANTONINUS PIUS. 138-161 AD. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 26.75 g.) Struck 159/160 AD. Obverse..ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXIII, laureate head right Rev. PIETATI AVG COS IIII SC, Pietas standing left holding globe, Faustina Junior as Pietas standing left, between Faustina Minima, Lucilla & holding baby Fadilla. RIC III 1031
Maximus as Caesar, AD 236-238. Rome Mint. AE Sestertius: 31 mm, 12 h. RIC 13. Ex Munzen & Medaillen GmbH, Auction 9, lot 638, 2001.
big chunky..... 30.75 grams Domitian, 81 - 96 AD AE Sestertius, Rome Mint, 35mm, 30.75 grams Obverse: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GER M COS XIII CENS PER P P, Laureate head of Domitian right. Reverse: IOVI VICTORI S C, Jupiter seated left holding Victory and scepter
I have only one sestertius from 1st century. Also worn but this is my favorite sestertius from my collection. Posted it in the past but I think it's relevant for the thread.
Nice coins! Yes, the heft of a large bronze coin, be it a sestertius, Ptolemaic "hockey puck" or a cast Roman Republic bronze, provides a gratifying experience every time it is handled. It sort reminds me, in a general way, of the old Chunky ad from the 50s-60s, not that I am about to open wide for a sestertius! Here's one of my heavier sestertii, of Lucilla. Roman Empire, 164-169 AD Lucilla (daughter of M. Aurelius) Æ Sestertius Rome LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, draped bust to right / HILARITAS, Hilaritas standing to left holding long palm and cornucopia; S-C across fields. Nice portrait. RIC III 1742 (Aurelius); C. 31; BMCRE 1147. 29.17g, 30mm, 11h. Lot 1393, Roma E-Sale 82 Very Fine From the Vitangelo Collection.
My Domitian Sestertius is a good size as well. Common type but I like Flavian sestertii. Unrequited love as they tend to be hard to get. Domitian Sestertius 95-96 AD. Obv Head right laureate Rv Jupiter seated left holding Victory in outstretched right hand. RIC 794 28.42 grms 34 mm Photo by W. Hansen
Great Vespasian sestertius, @David Atherton. Here is my large size Trajan sestertius. A 34mm piece. Seller's photo. Trajan Æ Sestertius. Rome, circa AD 103-111. Obv: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust to right, drapery on far shoulder Rev: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Victory standing right, fastening shield inscribed VIC DAC to a palm tree; S-C across fields. RIC II 527; C. 452; Woytek 204b; BMCRE 812. 26.70g, 34mm, 6h ex-ROMA.
Great coin David, and all. Not especially heavy, but exceptionnally large for a third century bronze : Otacilia Severa, Sestertius struck in Rome on a medallic flan, 244-245 AD MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG, Diademed and draped bust of Otacilia right PVDICITIA AVG. Pudicitia seated left holding sceptre 22.70 gr, 35 mm Ref : Cohen # 55, RC #9169 Q
Here's my favorite chunky sestertius. This thing looks amazing in hand, much better than the pics. A beautiful dark, forest green patina, glossy, with amazing details. Almost too good to be true...?
