[ancients] more from TIF's Folly mixed lot

Halfway through a detailed attributing the whole lot, spreadsheet filling up nicely, stopped to take a group shot of some of the better Roman imperials. I also took individual shots of these, some of which I may edit and post later in this thread or elsewhere if warranted.

Some are pretty nice, some are dogs, most are very common, and none are coins I would have bought individually. Attributing them is fun as is reading about them but I do not feel any long term attachment to any of this group.

There's undoubtedly more to learn about all of them.

I really need to stop looking at these because I'm so far behind with other responsibilities... can't seem to stop this... must have a problem... need a 12 step group for coinaholics.




I'm searching for comparable coins which have sold and which are for sale to help understand the potential value. All over the map for each of them. One for which I've found no prior sales is the Postumus Providentia. It's rated as common, wonder why I'm seeing no prior sales. Perhaps it's the type of coin that is more often sold in a group? Didn't find any on eBay, completed sales or ongoing. Didn't find any currently for sale on vcoins.

 

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I can see loads on ebay TIF??
maybe the coins are getting to you.......

 

I like the Severus Alexander denarius with Victory on the reverse. I find meetings are much more enjoyable when I split my focus and spend most of my time looking at old auction prices realized. You aren't the only one in need of a twelve-step solution!

 

Of this same reverse? Can you post the search link? I found a bunch of Postumus Providentias but not this particular reverse.

Here's the coin and my attribution.



Posthumus, 259-268 AD
antoninianus, 20 x 22 mm, 3.0 gm
struck 263 AD in Cologne
Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate bust right
Rev: PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing left, legs crossed, leaning on column, holding cornucopiae, and pointing with baton at globe at foot
Ref: RIC VII 81, Cologne

The old manilla envelope holding the coin simple said "Rome?" on the outside, with "1.50" on the inside. Most of the other Imperials in the same hand, same type of envelope, and same type of writing indicate that the previous owner (or some previous owner) was likely American and bought most of them in 1958, with the price written under the flap for many of them. So I guess that person paid $1.50 for it. Many of the others say "Kramer, May 1958" under the flap. Wonder if Kramer was an individual or a coin store.

The wildwinds entry listed it as a Lyons mint but the info for the coin shown said Cologne. From what I can tell based on hairstyle, mine was minted in Cologne so that's what I'm putting down. Maybe the RIC number doesn't change for the mint, you just indicate which mint? (obviously I'm not a RIC pro)

Ah yes, multitasking Yeah, but I'm sitting here on my day off, following a weekend off, in a home that is bearing a great resemblance to a pig sty. Not to mention the loads of other things I should be doing, like a responsible adult...

I'll edit the Sev. Alex picture and post it shortly. Instead of doing the dishes and laundry. Thanks for the excuse!

 

Thats a nice lot. Couple I would unload myself but most would be keeps in my collection.

 

1. Admitted we were powerless over Heritage and our collections had become unmanageable.

 

OK, AJ, here's that Sev Alex. For you, a special low introductory price

Not a great picture. I'm being to hasty with the photo setup. Plus, my good light died and much to my consternation I cannot figure out how to get the old bulb out! I'm a very handy person and it is causing much vexation. Using cheapo utility light with incandescent bulb now and having to desaturate the yellow in post. Guess I could at least see if I have a fluoroscent bulb for it somewhere in the house.



Severus AlexanderRome, 225 AD
AR denarius, 20 mm, 3.2 gm
Obv: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, Laureate head right
Rev: VICTORIA AVG - Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm
Ref: RIC IVii, 180a, p.84 - Cohen 563 - SEAR RCV II (2002) #7931 p.649

At the moment my favorite of the group is the Caracalla although the reverse is not particularly exciting. Nice mean Caracalla-y portrait though. The Gallienus is not horrible, considering his usual low quality.

 

It's a damn fine lot of Romans, TIF. I'd be having as much fun with them as you are.

 

Yeah, i like all of those too!

 

Here's a solo shot of the Caracalla.



Caracalla, 198-217 AD
Rome, struck 215 AD
AR denarius, 19 mm, 3.8 gm
Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head right (looks like GURM instead of GERM)
Rev: PM TRP XVIII COS IIII, Fides standing left holding two standards
Ref: RIC 266, RSC 315, BMC 143

The envelope says $30 in pencil. Looks like the same person's writing and most of the others have a date in the late 1950's, of the ones which have any such info on the envelope. Different paper (aged/yellowed white paper), maybe collected at a later time?

 

My name is stevex6 and I too am a coinaholic ... I have been coin-sober for approximately one month, but I feel a wagon-tumble comin' on, big-time!!

 

Jupiter handing Victory to the emperor seems to have been a popular type on the coins of Maximian. And most of the coins I've seen from Antioch have very attractive, rusty desert patinas. Mine is a radiate fraction as opposed to an ant. (Just sharing a new pic of an old coin)...

 

Stay with me little brother. Stay with me.

 

30 for the Caracalla sounds about right for the 50's. I wouldn't expect to pay less than a Franklin for that coin today.

 

After looking at similar prior sales and current offerings, Ben Franklin is exactly what I wrote in my estimated value column. Perhaps I could get more if selling. Perhaps not.

Will probably keep this one unless someone really wants it and makes a good offer.

 

That's a sweet Caracalla, TIF ...


Ummm, am I allowed to post any of my examples? (TIF, you have so many in your initial post, but you just posted your sweet new Caracalla, so I smelt an opportunity!!)

 

Oh, I LOVE that one! Super duper cool reverse, wonderful coin!

 

I like the gal and max, I really like the sev alex, posth, and gord iii, I REALLY like the Trajan and sep srv, I REALLY REALLY like the Caracalla.

 

And the Septimius, which upon seeing the photos seems to have some kind of plaster-like schmutz in the interstices. I'm terrible at cleaning so I'll just leave it alone.

I wonder if someone made a mold of this? Sure like like plaster or jeweler's investment.



Septimius Severus, 193-211 AD
AR denarius,Rome
20 mm, 3.3 gm
Obv: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, laureate head right
Rev: VIRT AVG TR P COS, Virtus standing left holding Victory and spear
Ref: RIC 24, RSC 752, BMC 33

 

The Trajan. Some nice old 'cabinet' toning. Or envelope toning, I guess. Trajan looks uncharacteristically malevolent in this portrait.



Trajan, 98-117 AD
AR denarius, Rome, 101-102 AD
18 mm, 3.7 gm
Obv: [IMP CA]ES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head right
Rev: P M TR P COS IIII P P, statue of Hercules standing facing, draped in lion skin, holding club and apple
Ref: RIC II 49, BMC 86, RSC 234?, Cohen 236?