Over a week ago I posted my Top Ten Favourites Poll. The 'Germania Capta' denarius handily got the most votes. However, since that poll was created I acquired a coin which comes very close to being my all time favourite. So, just out of curiosity, I thought I would re-run an abbreviated version with the new coin included: My Top 5 coins. Please vote! 1. Vespasian AR Denarius, 2.84g Rome mint, 74 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR in exergue; Vespasian stg. r., with branch and sceptre, in quadriga r. Rev: VESP AVG across field; Victory on prow r., with wreath and palm RIC 688 (R). BMC 147. RSC 569. BNC 121. Ex Nomos Obolos 4, 21 February 2016, lot 575. Ex GH Collection. Ex Superior Galleries, The Moreira sale, Part II, 10-11 December 1988, lot 2374. 2. Vespasian Æ Sestertius, 26.69g Rome mint, 71 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to l. Captive stg. r.; to r., Judaea std. r. on cuirass; both figures surrounded by arms RIC 159 (C3). BMC 532. BNC 490, pl. XLIV (same dies). Acquired from Witter Coins, eBay, October 2019. Ex Triton V, 15-16 January 2002, lot 1913 (From the Robert Schonwalter Collection). Ex Worner List 1, January 1951, no. 394. Formerly in NGC holder #4683650-005, with grade 'F', strike 5/5, surface 3/5. 3. Vespasian Æ Sestertius, 24.45g Lyon mint, 71 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust Rev: CAESAR AVG F DES IMP AVG F COS DES II; S C in exergue; Titus and Domitian stg. front, each with spear and parazonium RIC 1132 (R). BMC 799. BNC -. Acquired from Romae Aeternae, June 2019. 4. Titus AR Cistophorus, 10.64g Rome mint (for Asia), 80-81 AD Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M•; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: CAPIT across field, RESTIT in exergue; Temple of Capitoline Jupiter with 4 columns enclosing figures of Juno, seated Jupiter and Minverva RIC 515 (R). BMC spec. acquired 1948. RSC -. RPC 860 (3 spec.). BNC 111. Acquired from Calgary Coin, 30 November 2015. Ex MS collection. Ex Berk 124, 3 January 2002, lot 448. 5. Domitian AR Denarius, 3.20g Rome mint, 85 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Bust of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r., with aegis Rev: IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POTES P P; Germania seated r. on shield; below, broken spear RIC 331 (R2). BMC 82. RSC 181. BNC 84. Ex Roma Auction V, 23 March 2013, lot 728.
I voted for the Judea Capta. Beautiful coin with amazing history. I wish I could've voted for multiples. My next favorite would have to be the Germania reverse Domitian.
From the Department of Redundancy Department: That #1 vote is me again. (They are ALL fantastic though! )
The Judea Capta is the one that I would most like to own, because of the huge historic event tied to it. The Germania Capta is my second, being the son of German immigrants, it amuses me. The Cistophorus is next, because I like to see architecture on coins The Titus and Domitian reverse is interesting. The quadriga is my least favorite, but I would still gladly own it. Thanks for sharing these.
I love the Ivdea Capta, but I had to vote for the Germania Capta. There is just something very special about this coin.
The sestertius is fantastic but I had to go with the Germania Capta. The die workmanship on the reverse (particularly the 3D shield) is remarkable.
Thanks everyone who took the time to vote again. Interesting to see a virtual tie between the 'Judaea Capta' and 'Germania Capta'.