Surprisingly I didn't acquire too many Roman Imperials like I normally do, only 12. Here are my favorite imperial additions for 2017. Mainly bought it for the portrait. Just something about this Ant. of Valerian I caught my eye. Plus it was under $25 so that sealed it for me. Valerian I (253 - 260 A.D.) AR Antoninianus O: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, radiate, draped bust right. R: CONCORDIA EXERCIT, Concordia standing left holding patera and double cornucopiae. 21mm 3g RIC 81, Cohen 39; Sear 9929. Not a winner by condition, but more for my cheapest score of the year as it was listed as Sept. Severus and of course, it isn't. So for less then $20, Clodius Albinus had to come home. Clodius Albinus (193 - 195 A.D.) AR Denarius O: D CL SEPT ALBIN CAES, bare head right. R: PROVID AVG COS, Providentia standing left holding wand over globe and sceptre. Rome Mint 2.95g 19mm RIC IV 1(c), BMCRE V 42, Cohen III 55, SRCV II Agonized about buying this "Roach" for a time, but decided since I like overweight ancients, he had to join the rest of my small roach hoard. Gordian III (238 - 244 A.D.) AR Antoninianus O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; radiate draped bust right. R: SECVRIT PERP; Securitas standing left with scepter, leaning on column. Rome Mint 25mm 6.2g RIC IV Rome 151 Long neglected emperor I needed as a whole. Liked the look & price so I finally got him off my list. Honorius (392 - 395 A.D.) Æ2 O: DN HONORIVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: GLORIA ROMANORVM; Emperor standing, facing head right, holding standard and globe. ANTΓ in ex. Antioch Mint 22mm 5.8g RIC IX Antioch 68e This has been a bust type of Marcus I have wanted for awhile. Finally got one under $23. It's got a "zombie" looking tone to it, but otherwise I was glad to get one finally. Marcus Aurelius (161 - 180 A.D.) AR Denarius O: M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R:TR P XXXIIII IMP X COS III P P, Victory standing left on globe, holding wreath with her right hand, cradling trophy with her left arm. Rome mint. Struck 180 A.D. 3.14g 19mm RIC III 411 var. (bust type); BMCRE 808; MIR 18, 463-4/37; RSC 975a. Saw this reverse look on one of Randy's FH posts and had wanted one. As one commenter said in my thread said, it looked like the "michelin man". Never thought of that, but it does. Constantius II (337 - 361 A.D.) Æ3 O: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: FEL TEMP REPARATIO (happy times restored), soldier rushing left spearing fallen horseman, soldier in military garb with helmet and shield on left arm, soldiers right foot on shield on the ground, horseman laying across his stumbled mount, bare-headed, without beard, raising left hand in helpless defense. Nocomedia Mint 2.01g 16.9mm RIC Nocomedia 96 variant
WOW, @Mat , just WOW. Great job on these scores at an incredible VALUE. The Clod at $20??? Nice! I would have any and all in my collection, expecially for the right prices you capture! My ClodAlb: RI Clodius Albinus 193-197 CE AR Denarius ROMAE AETERNAE Roma seated
Some sweet coins for sure! My faves are the Valerian (personally I think he marks the last gasp for truly realistic portraiture on the coinage, and yours is a great example), the roach (6.2g!!!), and the Honorius (I love everything about this: the awesome portrait, the artistic reverse, and the sweet desert patina). Well picked cherries!!
Great coins @Mat and that Valerian was a steal. I agree that the portraiture begins to degrade right after Valerian's demise, happening in the reign of Gallienus, where we start getting cartoonish styles.
Great scores!! I'm always amazed at some of the bargains CT members manage to find. I especially love the Valerian and the 'Michelin man'
One hell of a bargain hunter for sure. The Valerian is sweet at under $25 and the Constantius II, I love the reverse.
Indeed! Never ceases to amaze me how you pull these bargains off. I'd be proud to get any ancient silver for twenty bucks or less. Yes, "roaches", too - I likes me some nice cheap, roachy ants- but "Clod" in that pricerange? Amazing! Of course a keen eye has more to do with it than pure luck, I'm sure.
Marcus Aurelius (161 - 180 A.D.) AR Denarius O: M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R:TR P XXXIIII IMP X COS III P P, Victory standing left on globe, holding wreath with her right hand, cradling trophy with her left arm. Rome mint. Struck 180 A.D. 3.14g 19mm RIC III 411 var. (bust type); BMCRE 808; MIR 18, 463-4/37; RSC 975a. i like this one
Those are some nice picks that (unsurprisingly) also happen to be great bargains. I especially like the Valerian, Clod A, and MA. Good stuff!
