This iconic type from Macedonia has always been on my provincial want list, recently I was able to acquire one. Vespasian Æ25, 10.84g Koinon of Macedonia, undated Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΩΡ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΟΥΕΣΡΑΣΙΑΝΟΣ; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l. Rev: ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΩΝ; Macedonian shield RPC 333 (7 spec.). Acquired from Forvm Ancient Coins, November 2021. The Koinon of Macedonia struck a small undated issue of bronze coinage under the Flavians. The reverse on the Æ25 depicts the famous ethnic type of a Macedonian shield. The shield is likely copied from the tetradrachms depicting the one Alexander the Great's army used during their conquests. Hundreds of years later the shield remained a potent and proud symbol for the region. Show off your shields!
I like the shield and the portrait on that coin, @David Atherton. The shield has some similarity to the one on this coin of Herod the Great. Judaea, Herodian Kingdom. Herod I (The Great). 40 BC – 4 AD. Æ 4 Prutot (5.08 g). Uncertain mint in Samaria (perhaps Sebaste), RY 3 (40/39 as Tetrarch of Samaria or 38/7 BCE as King of Judaea*). Macedonian shield with decorated rim. / BAΣIΛEΩΣ HPΩΔOY (of King Herod); crested helmet with cheek protection flanked by date LΓ (year 3) and monogram TP. Dotted border on both sides. Hendin 1170; TJC 45; Meshorer 45. Earthen green desert patina. *Herod was appointed Tetrarch of Samaria in 42 BC by Mark Antony, and King of Judaea in 40 BC by the Roman Senate with approval of Octavian.
Excellent detail on that shield! These types are usually in pretty shabby shape and you've done exceedingly well! My incredible Hulk-spasian is a fav: And in no particular order the rest of the gang: An extremely rare Nero And him with a laughably long neck Vespasians boy Domitian Antoninus Pius The ever hard to find Vitellius A recent Claudius upgrade Marcus Aurelius And Hadrian And one that's exact date is still up for debate. I think it's from the time of Nero:
Interesting thread and great coins. I too have a Flavian shield from Macedon, not nearly as nice as the OP - this one is pretty ghastly: Domitian Æ 23 Koinon of Macedon n.d. (c. 81-96 A. D.) [AVT K]AIΣA[Ρ] ΔOMITAI[NOΣ ΣEB], laureate head right / [KOINON MA]KEΔONΩN, Macedonian shield. RPC II 336; Moushmov 5881; SNG Cop 1337; AMNG 252. (7.51 grams / 23 mm) eBay Jan. 2021 Lot @ $0.86