So an auction closed yesterday. There were two things I really wanted, so of course did not get those, (got some others but not the prizes I was eyeing). However, I kept getting drawn back to this one group lot, I don't know why. @Mat might like this one. I was simply mesmerized by the Sabina middle second row. IDK why, but the artistry on the issue simply looks haunting to me, like I can read her thoughts 1900 years later. I do also like the two Faustina issues. The left top row has fantastic hair detail and drapery, (also has a fantastic reverse), but the bottom right I find interesting in that its the same portrait effectively but a big difference in closer up portrait and how it changes the dynamic of the coin. Anyway, after buying it, got to thinking of why we buy what we buy. I do not normally collect Roman silver, not finding it compelling, but for some reason wanted to buy this particular Sabina like it was haunting me. Btw @Mat, what empress is middle top? I don't know her off the top of my head.
I'm not surprised the coin appealed to you - it's beautifully artistic and well-struck! I believe the top middle is Faustina II (wife of Marcus Aurelius). However that's just going off the portrait so I may be wrong.
I have totally had coins speak loudly to me. I completely get it and hope you enjoy this group of lovely Romans.
LUCILLA AVGUSTA head r. VENUS VICTRIX ( an other Venus type ), same head Venus standing l., holding Victory , leaning on shield standing on helmet A.D. 180 - 182 , 2.88 gr , 18.32 mm RIC III 787
As the others have replied with, it's Lucilla. One of her most common reverse types. The portrait is unremarkable. The Geta on the lower left and the Faustina on the upper right are the best, to me. The Sabina is a common type for her too. Nice group overall though.
Thanks for your opinion. Did you mean the Faustina upper left or lower right? Like I said, I like the contrast, with lower right not technically as perfect as upper left, but artistically interesting. The Geta and Trajan I pretty much ignored. To you, the Sabina might be a common reverse type, and I do own maybe 10 others of hers, but for a weird reason, (maybe she reminded me of my mother?), I simply kept on going back to that listing and looking at it over and over. Idk. I get that way sometimes with a certain coin for some reason.
When a student I bought some day in the Near East a similar Sabina denarius, but much more worn by circulation... What I liked in this cheap specimen was its "ancient coin" look with flan cracks.
I tend to go down these over-analytical rabbit holes sometimes, and they typically end in something akin to Reductio ad absurdum. Not particularly useful, but does help in keeping things in perspective. Ancient coins are special because people utilized them 2000 years ago! I utilize coins everyday, does that make them special? Would it be reasonable for a person 2000 years from now to apply that status? A coin is just a hunk of metal smacked into a particular shape. Nothing special about metal, or the shape.... Does it matter if is was smacked yesterday or thousands of years ago? Why? Nothing special about a toothbrush.... Would I care about a toothbrush if Elvis Pressley brushed his teeth with it? Why? Etc, etc, etc, until I stop due to pointlessness. I then go back to appreciating my coins and purchasing the ones that I like because..... well, just because!
