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<p>[QUOTE="Cicero12, post: 5179704, member: 114838"]While I have spent much of 2020 selling coins that no longer fit my collecting interests and/or goals, I did have an opportunity to acquire seven new pieces this year. I would have been happy to acquire just one of the below, but am absolutely thrilled to have gotten all of them! A few are still with my dealer, but should arrive by year-end, giving me one last photo session to obsess over.</p><p><br /></p><p>7. <b>Domitian Aureus.</b> This was my first purchase of the year at NYINC. I already have a Titus and a Vespasian with a Vesta reverse, and am very excited to have completed the set. While I originally passed by the coin at the dealer's table, after discovering it in Evans, I contacted the dealer and was pleased to find it was still available.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Domitian_Vesta.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p>Obverse: CAES AVG F – DOMIT COS II laureate head of Domitian to right</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse: VES – TA Round temple of Vesta with four columns; statue of Vesta standing l. within the temple. In l. and r. field, two statues.</p><p><br /></p><p>References: C 614 var. (DOMITIAN). BMC Vespasian 412. RIC Vespasian 559. CBN –. Calicó 940 (this coin)</p><p><br /></p><p>Provenance: Privately purchased in January 2020. Ex Ernst Ploil Collection, NAC 101, 2017, 216; European Nobleman, NAC 24, 2002, 56 ; Astarte 1, 1998, 235; Triton II, 1998, 866; Vicomte de Sartiges Collection (Ars Classica XVIII, 10 October 1938; Sir John Evans Collection (Rollin & Feuardent, 26 May 1909).</p><p><br /></p><p>6. <b>Caracalla Aureus.</b> I was the underbidder on this piece in 2019. It eventually sold to a dealer and has gone unsold in a few auctions since then, being estimated above the purchase price. While flipping through Biaggi, I happened to see the coin and immediately recognized it. Fortunately, the coin was still available, and I managed to acquire it for just slightly above what I would have paid in 2019. I have been fortunate enough to track the piece back to the collection of the Dukes of Saxony-Gotha prior to Biaggi.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Cara.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust</p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse: Rev. P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P Caracalla in military attire, standing l., sacrificing over lighted altar before domed temple of Vesta, behind him pontifex, wearing apex, and a child; before him, two Vestales and a child</p><p><br /></p><p>References: C.350 var. (not draped). BMC 101 (misdescribed). RIC 249. Calicó 2715 (this coin). Biaggi 1190 (this coin), monuments pp 23 f.</p><p><br /></p><p>Provenance: Privately Purchased, November 17, 2020; ex Heritage Auctions, Inc., 3071 (January 2019), lot 34110; ex NAC 7, 1994, 767; Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 324 (purchased from Ratto for 1500 francs); ex Dukes of Saxony-Gotha Collection, Hess, auction 240, Lucerne, (May 1951), lot 206 (purchased by Ratto for 350 francs); probably acquired by Duke Frederick II (1676-1732) from Count Anton Günther II of Schwarzburg-Sonderhausen-Arnstad (1653-1716).</p><p><br /></p><p>5. <b>Galba Aureus.</b> Another piece I missed at auction that thankfully found its way into the inventory of a dealer. After finding the piece in Montagu and Ryan, I decided to jump on it. </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Capture.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse: IMP SER GALBA AVG, bare head right</p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse: S P Q R/ OB C S in two lines within oak wreath</p><p><br /></p><p>References: RIC I 164; Calicó 509; BMCRE 29-30; BN 72-4; Biaggi 265; Jameson 53; Mazzini 286.</p><p><br /></p><p>Provenance: Privately purchased, October 16, 2020. Ex Provence/Brexit Collection Triton XXIII (January 2020), lot 679; V. J. E. Ryan Collection (Part IV, Glendining, 20 February 1951), lot 1669; Sir Hyman Montagu (Rollin & Feuardent, 20 April 1896), lot 172.</p><p><br /></p><p>4. <b>Geta Aureus. </b>While Geta's aurei have not commanded a huge premium in the last few years, they remain remarkably rare. I have always liked this type for the artistic, idealized reverse portrait who is either Geta, or more likely, Caracalla, with the aspect of Sol.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Geta.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse: P SEPT GETA – CAES PONT Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right</p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse: SEVERI INVICTI AVG PII FIL Half-length and radiate bust (Caracalla?) l., draped and cuirassed wearing aegis right, hand raised</p><p><br /></p><p>References: 1. BMC S. Severus 244 var. (bust seen from behind). RIC 21 var. (bust seen from behind and misdescribed legend). Calicó 2930 and 2930b (the latter, this obverse die).</p><p><br /></p><p>Provenance: Ex MDC Monaco (October, 2020), lot 231; NGSA 4 (November 2006), lot 204; Münzhandlung Basel 10, 1938, lot 690</p><p><br /></p><p>3. <b>Vitellius Aureus.</b> After being the underbidder on another Vitellius just a few months prior, I did not expect to have another chance to cross the Emperor off my list so soon. While the reverse is a touch off-center, the coin is in remarkable condition, and has a portrait of very interesting style. As a bonus, I was able to track it to Du Chastel!</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Vitellius_edited.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse: A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P Laureate head right</p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse: [L VI]TELLIVS COS III CENSOR Lucius Vitellius, togate, seated l. on curule chair, feet on stool, holding eagle-tipped scepter in l. hand and extending </p><p><br /></p><p>References: BMC 23. RIC 95. CBN 54. Faces of Power 44. Calicó 565a (this coin). This coin illustrated in David R. Sear's, Roman Coins and Their Value: Vol. I (2236).</p><p><br /></p><p>Provenance: Ex collection of a Spanish Gentleman Numismatica Ars Classica 119 (in association with Jesus Vico), October 2020, 23; NFA sale XXX, 1992, 227; Comte Du Chastel, Rollin & Feuardent, 26-27 May 1889, 279.</p><p><br /></p><p>2. <b>Nero Aureus.</b> While by no means the rarest coin on this list (in fact, it is the most common by a fairly wide margin), I am in love with the artistry of the piece. The spectacular Boscoreale toning doesn't hurt either. The auction-house's images do not do the coin justice, and this is undoubtedly the piece I am most excited to photograph.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Nero_edited.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse: NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Nero to right.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse: ROMA Roma seated on cuirass to left, holding Victory in her right hand and parazonium in her left; behind, greaves and shields</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>References: Biaggi 238 (this coin). BMC 81. BN 223. Calicó 439 (this coin). C. 257. Hurter 6 (this coin). Morgan 65 (this coin). RIC 54.</p><p><br /></p><p>Provenance: Ex collection of an attorney, Kunker 341, October 2020, 5797; Götz Grabert Collection; LHS 97, Zürich 2006, 7, ("European Scholar"); Leu Numismatik 83, Zürich 2002, 727; Bank Leu 25, Zürich 1980, Nr. 252; J.P. Morgan Collection, Hans Schulmann, New York 26.-28. April 1951, 3048; Prof. Carlo Stiavelli Collection, P. & P. Santamaria, Rome 6. April 1908, 400. From the Biaggi collection (238). From the Boscoreale Hoard of 1895.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>1. <b>Vespasian Aureus. </b>It could never be another coin for me in the top spot, and if this were the only one I got all year, or even all decade, I would be satisfied. By far my favorite type, with a lovely portrait and rich Boscoreale toning on the reverse. It did not hurt I found it in Biaggi and tracked it back to 1952 after purchasing it, helping it fit in my pedigreed collection. I am still in disbelief.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Vesp.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG laureate bust of Vespasian to right.</p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse: IVDAEA in exergue; Mourning Jewess seated right, head resting on hand in attitude of mourning; behind, tropaion.</p><p><br /></p><p>References: BN 89 no. 20-22; Calicò no. 643b; Hendin no. 1464; RIC² no. 1. Overbeck – Meshorer no. 300.</p><p><br /></p><p>Provenance: Ex Samel Collection, Kunker 334, March 2020, 2285; Leu 22, May 1979, 225; ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 324; privately purchased from Ratto in 1952. Almost certainly from the Boscoreale Hoard of 1895.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Cicero12, post: 5179704, member: 114838"]While I have spent much of 2020 selling coins that no longer fit my collecting interests and/or goals, I did have an opportunity to acquire seven new pieces this year. I would have been happy to acquire just one of the below, but am absolutely thrilled to have gotten all of them! A few are still with my dealer, but should arrive by year-end, giving me one last photo session to obsess over. 7. [B]Domitian Aureus.[/B] This was my first purchase of the year at NYINC. I already have a Titus and a Vespasian with a Vesta reverse, and am very excited to have completed the set. While I originally passed by the coin at the dealer's table, after discovering it in Evans, I contacted the dealer and was pleased to find it was still available. [IMG]https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Domitian_Vesta.JPG[/IMG] Obverse: CAES AVG F – DOMIT COS II laureate head of Domitian to right Reverse: VES – TA Round temple of Vesta with four columns; statue of Vesta standing l. within the temple. In l. and r. field, two statues. References: C 614 var. (DOMITIAN). BMC Vespasian 412. RIC Vespasian 559. CBN –. Calicó 940 (this coin) Provenance: Privately purchased in January 2020. Ex Ernst Ploil Collection, NAC 101, 2017, 216; European Nobleman, NAC 24, 2002, 56 ; Astarte 1, 1998, 235; Triton II, 1998, 866; Vicomte de Sartiges Collection (Ars Classica XVIII, 10 October 1938; Sir John Evans Collection (Rollin & Feuardent, 26 May 1909). 6. [B]Caracalla Aureus.[/B] I was the underbidder on this piece in 2019. It eventually sold to a dealer and has gone unsold in a few auctions since then, being estimated above the purchase price. While flipping through Biaggi, I happened to see the coin and immediately recognized it. Fortunately, the coin was still available, and I managed to acquire it for just slightly above what I would have paid in 2019. I have been fortunate enough to track the piece back to the collection of the Dukes of Saxony-Gotha prior to Biaggi. [IMG]https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Cara.JPG[/IMG] Obverse: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust Reverse: Rev. P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P Caracalla in military attire, standing l., sacrificing over lighted altar before domed temple of Vesta, behind him pontifex, wearing apex, and a child; before him, two Vestales and a child References: C.350 var. (not draped). BMC 101 (misdescribed). RIC 249. Calicó 2715 (this coin). Biaggi 1190 (this coin), monuments pp 23 f. Provenance: Privately Purchased, November 17, 2020; ex Heritage Auctions, Inc., 3071 (January 2019), lot 34110; ex NAC 7, 1994, 767; Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 324 (purchased from Ratto for 1500 francs); ex Dukes of Saxony-Gotha Collection, Hess, auction 240, Lucerne, (May 1951), lot 206 (purchased by Ratto for 350 francs); probably acquired by Duke Frederick II (1676-1732) from Count Anton Günther II of Schwarzburg-Sonderhausen-Arnstad (1653-1716). 5. [B]Galba Aureus.[/B] Another piece I missed at auction that thankfully found its way into the inventory of a dealer. After finding the piece in Montagu and Ryan, I decided to jump on it. [IMG]https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Capture.JPG[/IMG] Obverse: IMP SER GALBA AVG, bare head right Reverse: S P Q R/ OB C S in two lines within oak wreath References: RIC I 164; Calicó 509; BMCRE 29-30; BN 72-4; Biaggi 265; Jameson 53; Mazzini 286. Provenance: Privately purchased, October 16, 2020. Ex Provence/Brexit Collection Triton XXIII (January 2020), lot 679; V. J. E. Ryan Collection (Part IV, Glendining, 20 February 1951), lot 1669; Sir Hyman Montagu (Rollin & Feuardent, 20 April 1896), lot 172. 4. [B]Geta Aureus. [/B]While Geta's aurei have not commanded a huge premium in the last few years, they remain remarkably rare. I have always liked this type for the artistic, idealized reverse portrait who is either Geta, or more likely, Caracalla, with the aspect of Sol. [IMG]https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Geta.JPG[/IMG] Obverse: P SEPT GETA – CAES PONT Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right Reverse: SEVERI INVICTI AVG PII FIL Half-length and radiate bust (Caracalla?) l., draped and cuirassed wearing aegis right, hand raised References: 1. BMC S. Severus 244 var. (bust seen from behind). RIC 21 var. (bust seen from behind and misdescribed legend). Calicó 2930 and 2930b (the latter, this obverse die). Provenance: Ex MDC Monaco (October, 2020), lot 231; NGSA 4 (November 2006), lot 204; Münzhandlung Basel 10, 1938, lot 690 3. [B]Vitellius Aureus.[/B] After being the underbidder on another Vitellius just a few months prior, I did not expect to have another chance to cross the Emperor off my list so soon. While the reverse is a touch off-center, the coin is in remarkable condition, and has a portrait of very interesting style. As a bonus, I was able to track it to Du Chastel! [IMG]https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Vitellius_edited.JPG[/IMG] Obverse: A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P Laureate head right Reverse: [L VI]TELLIVS COS III CENSOR Lucius Vitellius, togate, seated l. on curule chair, feet on stool, holding eagle-tipped scepter in l. hand and extending References: BMC 23. RIC 95. CBN 54. Faces of Power 44. Calicó 565a (this coin). This coin illustrated in David R. Sear's, Roman Coins and Their Value: Vol. I (2236). Provenance: Ex collection of a Spanish Gentleman Numismatica Ars Classica 119 (in association with Jesus Vico), October 2020, 23; NFA sale XXX, 1992, 227; Comte Du Chastel, Rollin & Feuardent, 26-27 May 1889, 279. 2. [B]Nero Aureus.[/B] While by no means the rarest coin on this list (in fact, it is the most common by a fairly wide margin), I am in love with the artistry of the piece. The spectacular Boscoreale toning doesn't hurt either. The auction-house's images do not do the coin justice, and this is undoubtedly the piece I am most excited to photograph. [IMG]https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Nero_edited.JPG[/IMG] Obverse: NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Nero to right. Reverse: ROMA Roma seated on cuirass to left, holding Victory in her right hand and parazonium in her left; behind, greaves and shields References: Biaggi 238 (this coin). BMC 81. BN 223. Calicó 439 (this coin). C. 257. Hurter 6 (this coin). Morgan 65 (this coin). RIC 54. Provenance: Ex collection of an attorney, Kunker 341, October 2020, 5797; Götz Grabert Collection; LHS 97, Zürich 2006, 7, ("European Scholar"); Leu Numismatik 83, Zürich 2002, 727; Bank Leu 25, Zürich 1980, Nr. 252; J.P. Morgan Collection, Hans Schulmann, New York 26.-28. April 1951, 3048; Prof. Carlo Stiavelli Collection, P. & P. Santamaria, Rome 6. April 1908, 400. From the Biaggi collection (238). From the Boscoreale Hoard of 1895. 1. [B]Vespasian Aureus. [/B]It could never be another coin for me in the top spot, and if this were the only one I got all year, or even all decade, I would be satisfied. By far my favorite type, with a lovely portrait and rich Boscoreale toning on the reverse. It did not hurt I found it in Biaggi and tracked it back to 1952 after purchasing it, helping it fit in my pedigreed collection. I am still in disbelief. [IMG]https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/Cicero1212/Vesp.JPG[/IMG] Obverse: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG laureate bust of Vespasian to right. Reverse: IVDAEA in exergue; Mourning Jewess seated right, head resting on hand in attitude of mourning; behind, tropaion. References: BN 89 no. 20-22; Calicò no. 643b; Hendin no. 1464; RIC² no. 1. Overbeck – Meshorer no. 300. Provenance: Ex Samel Collection, Kunker 334, March 2020, 2285; Leu 22, May 1979, 225; ex Leo Biaggi de Blasys Collection, 324; privately purchased from Ratto in 1952. Almost certainly from the Boscoreale Hoard of 1895.[/QUOTE]
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