Collection Aims for 2019?

I got an early start with this Nero from Ken Dorney:


RIC Vol. I, NERO, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 356, 66-67AD, (36mm, 24.8gm)
BMCRE Vol. I, NERO, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 114, 66-67AD,
Obverse depiction: Nero, laureate head facing right
Inscription: IMP NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM PM TRP XIII PP
Reverse depiction: Personification of Roma seated left on cuirass
resting elbow on shield and holding spear, helmet behind
Inscription: ROMA - in exergue S C left and right

 

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Perfectly centered with full, clear legends and good detail. Those strengths compensate for the surface porosity. Very nice addition.

 

Thank you Gavin - just the way I like ‘em!

 

I'm surprised so many people have commented on general goals or a sense of randomness. It's how I collect for the most part. I buy what speaks to me. I am however still looking for sestertii or large bronzes of the 12 Caesars. In particular I would like to find a Caligula sisters sestertius that I can afford. If only I had more money!

 

I am of the opinion that if the population of genuine and decent looking three sisters sestertii were to increase tenfold that the demand would keep the price at current levels. Many coins we see are defective, ugly, fake or tooled and many of us have written off the possibility of ever owning one. If all in that status were encouraged to begin an active hunt for a coin, the price would not go down. I'd like one. I don't see it happening.

 

I agree. There have been a few this year, but none that fit my criteria which include many factors including eye appeal (which is certainly a very personal thing). I refuse tooling. Smoothing is slightly acceptable, but is entirely dependent on each situation. The main problem is that tooling and smoothing has become fairly acceptable these days, and I prefer them as they really were originally. I am always amazed at such coins which command huge prices, often with neither modification mentioned. Unadulterated base metal coins are becoming harder to find.

 

What do you think?

 

I will include some of my existing sestertii ……………


RIC Vol. I, CAIUS (CALIGULA), SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 51, 40-41AD, (35mm, 26.2gm)
Obverse depiction: Personification of Pietas, seated left
Obverse Inscription: C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG PM TRP IIII PP In exergue: PIETAS
Reverse depiction: Caligula standing left holding patera over altar - attendants (victimarius) on either side holding bull for sacrifice - hexastyle temple of Divus Augustus festooned
with garlands in background (Temple Dedication commemoration)
Reverse Horizontal Inscription: {small lettering} DIVO AVG and below: S C (left and right)

 

RIC Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 112, 50-54AD (36mm, 28.2gm)
Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right
Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP PP
Reverse depiction: Civic Oak Wreath
Inscription in four lines:
EX SC
P P
OB CIVES
SERVATOS
By decree of the Senate - the title of Pater Patriae (Father of the Country) - and for recalling from exile and restoring the civil liberties and property of those Citizens banished by Caligula.

 

Looks fake

 

I will include some of my existing sestertii ……………


RIC VOl. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome No. 99, 41-50 AD, (36mm, 25.3gm)
Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right
Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP
Reverse depiction: Personification of Spes (Goddess of hope)
holding flower in right hand and demurely raising skirt with left hand
Inscription: SPES AVGVSTA - S C (exergue)

 

This year was all about reinventorying everything. Now that I know what I have, I think that someone else will get more enjoyment out of some of the coins than I do. To that end I'll be giving away about a third of my collection. Should be fun.

 

If you are looking for serious feedback on this coin, you will have better luck cropping and combining better photos and posting it in a completely new thread. Also:

1. What do you mean by "What do you think?" Are you asking about whether the coin is real or fake? Or if the Cubs have a chance to win the World Series? I assume the former, but be specific in your query.
2. What is the weight? Often weight can help determine authenticity.
3. Where did you get it? At what price? This particular coin is rare and highly desirable. If you got it for $24.99 on eBay, you probably have your answer.

Giving readers a bit more about the coin will likely result in some helpful feedback for you.

My initial reaction is that the coin does not look ancient to my eyes, but I'm not an expert in first-century denarii, and the photos aren't particularly good.

 

British Imitative Claudius Sestertius


Imitating BMCRE, Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 120, 41-45AD (38mm, 29.2gm)
Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right
Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP
Countermarked PROB
Mattingly note - Cmk. in oblong incuse in front of neck and face; end of legend obliterated
Reverse depiction: Civic Oak Wreath
Inscription in four lines:
EX SC
O B
C I V E S
SERVATOS
(within Civic Oak Wreath)

Enlargement of PROB countermark:



PROB (Probatum = approved) countermark. An irregular issue coin (struck from locally made unofficial dies). Note the flattened and bulged area on the reverse resulting from the very heavily struck countermark on the obverse which was carelessly positioned almost off the flan. The inscriptional lettering on the reverse is somewhat uneven and not very well formed.

 

Nero countermarked and issued Claudius aes coinage in order to extend the supply of money in Britain after the death of Claudius.


BMCRE, Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 123, 41-45AD (35mm, 22.3gm)
Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right
Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP
Countermarked NCAPR in oblong incuse rectangle behind head (unknown mark on head)
Reverse depiction: Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue of Nero Claudius Drusus
Inscription: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP

Enlargement of NCAPR countermark:



This coinage was usually countermarked NCAPR - which is interpreted different ways by collectors and researchers, with the most popular and frequently used interpretations being Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit or Nero Caesar Augustus Populo Romano. Countermarked coins usually show much wear for they were widely circulated for considerable lengths of time.

 

British imitative Claudius Spes sestertius:


Pangeri 85d, (30mm, 15.2gm)
Countermarked DV (denoting half value) on obverse.

Enlargement of DV countermark:



This is a devaluation countermark indicating this coin is re-valued as a Dupondius (half value) due to its very low weight. Note edge chisel mark on the obverse at approx. 3 o'clock which is always present on DV countermarked coins.

And with this posting I have now completed the depictions of my Julio-Claudian sestertius collection as it exists now at the end of the year 2018. I am now ready to start off 2019 with a few more sestertius additions.

 

100% confident that it's a FAKE.

 

Sometimes I get depressed by the spammers and drop in 'what is it worth' crowd but then someone comes along and teaches me something I find interesting that makes it all worthwhile. I did not know that!

 

Oops, I forgot one (old age fog, sorry)!


RIC Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 109, 42-43AD (38mm, 28.0gm)
Obverse depiction: Nero Claudius Drusus (father of Claudius), bare head facing left
Inscription: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP
Reverse depiction: Claudius seated left on curule chair holding olive branch,
panoply of weapons and armor beneath (Claudius attempting to show he was a warrior just like his father?).
Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP PP - S C -

(Really great inscriptional lettering on this coin - that is one reason I wanted to own it)

 

Well that goes a little way toward making up for all the things I have learned from @dougsmit!