The reasons coins 'jump off the screen' for any of us are as varied as the interests that drive our collecting habits. Since I have a fondness for large coins with multiple portraits, this Billon Tet encouraged a closer look. Generally listed as struck from a 'unknown Syrian mint', this Provincial coin appears to be of 'fine artistry' with life-like/expressive portraits of the Emperors Nero and the Deified Claudius. And you'll note that the 'retrograde' legends----read right to left--- are written in Latin not Greek!! I noticed that this variety is often listed as struck in "Seleucis and Pieria or Antioch (?)". Others include that question mark and suggest mints further north and south, a vast geographical area stretching from the Levant (Decapolis) to modern day Turkey. This is best summarized by the following: "The mint location for this large series of tetradrachms with Latin legends has long puzzled numismatists, with speculation ranging from Caesarea in Cappadocia to Tyre in Phoenicia. The style and fabric conform to the major Syrian mint of Antioch, but Latin legends are usually found only on bronzes struck in the city. Prieur tentatively assigns the issue to a 'second mint' of Antioch." Regrettably, the coin is struck a bit off-center and missing a large segment of the legend. Regardless, I love the overall toned appearance, the artistry of the dual portraits and the unsolved mystery. SYRIA. Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch? Nero, with Divus Claudius (54-68). Tetradrachm. Obv: NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVDI CAESAR AVG GER. Laureate head of Nero right star to left. Rev: DIVOS CLAVD AVG GERMANIC PATER AVG. Laureate head of Divus Claudius right. McAlee 270 Prieur 48. Condition: Good very fine. Weight: 14.13 g. Diameter: 26 mm.
Wow! What a fantastic coin! Butcher and Ponting write 'the stylistic similarities between the tetradrachms and the Caesarean coins have proved hard to ignore.' They also add that both the fineness and metallic trace elements are more aligned with the contemporary Caesarean coinage as well. The average fineness for these pieces is 46%.
I can see why you picked it. I like it too. Something I would like to get some day. I have a baby brother to hold me over though. Nero & Divo Claudius (54 - 69 A.D.) AR Drachm CAESAREA CAPPADOCIA O: NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GERM, laureate head of Nero. R: DIVOS CLAVD AVGVST GERMANIC PATER AVG, Claudius' laureate head right. 19mm 3.47g RIC 621, RSC 3, RPC 3648
Great coins everyone. Out of all the coins I bought this year, can you see why this Folis of Maximianus caught my eyes? Not only is it an early one (ie. a large and hefty coin) but it has an amazing portrait of Maximianus.
Ooh, nice one! I especially like the doleful expression on the Claudius portrait. Nero's doesn't look particularly mournful, does it.
I have been on the hunt for this one for about few months now, I saw one I liked - Roma Numismatics, but it was way above what I was willing to pay: But here are my other 4 favorites from double-portrait series:
@Svarog have you noticed the upper lip of your Trajan tet? It almost looks like he has a sweet Tom Selleck mustache
They'd be my favorites too!!! I'll throw in two more of my 'doubles'---- a JC combo with Mark Anthony and Augustus
