Thought I would share my new sestertius with you all. It has a nice highlight but makes it a little more difficult for me to photograph. Antoninus Pius AE Sestertius. 142 AD. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head right / CONCORDIA EX-ERCITVVM S-C, Concordia standing left, holding Victory & and legionary standard. Cohen 139. RIC 600, Cohen 139, BMC 1232
Agreed, cool pickup. I always wish these coins had stronger reverses. It seems the Romans weren't as talented striking large bronzes as the Ptolemy's were. I find nice obverses frequently with weak or non-existent reverses.
Thanks all. The dirt on it makes it look a little more flat in my photo than in hand. The only pic that showed relief was with lighting from the bottom and wasn't flattering. The rev. is a little darker, but it is pretty flat. Heres another A. Pius sestertius with a bit more relief on both sides. I think this was the cheaper coin of the 2 for me :hail: and the heaviest roman coin I have ( 27.7 g)
That is a better struck reverse! I wasn't trying to pick on your first coin Randy, I see weaker reverses on these all of the time, many times worst than that. I was just making a general observation. Chris
It is a good point. As a challenge: Try to find an example of a bronze with a better strike on the reverse than on the obverse. I have several I'd call equal but none 'better'.
