Almost 2 months ago I parted with over 40 ancient coins for $ and part trade, one of the coins was this Diadumenian Denarius. I've gone through a few that turned out to be faked, even fooling the likes of Frank Robinson. I eventually got a Tetradrachm I have been happy with but I saw this denarius & knowing it was OK, I had it included in the deal. Diadumenian (218 A.D.) AR Denarius O:M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: PRINC IVVENTVTVS Prince standing facing, head r., holding standard and sceptre; two standards to right. Rome Mint 218 A.D. 3.35g 20mm R
Every time I see a portrait of Diadumenian, I think about how sad it is that children were put in this position. Lovely coin, though. Congratulations
Here is my Tet. Diadumenian (217 - 218 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm CYRRHESTICA, Cyrrhus O: AVT K M ΟΠЄ ANTΩNINOC, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: Δ[HMAP]X ЄΞ VΠATOC, eagle standing facing on filleted thyrsus, head left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak. 13.16g 26mm Prieur 923; Bellinger 127 Ex. Savoca Coins London, Monthly London Auction #4, Lot 643, 1/12/2020
He looks rather diabolical on the tet -- and like a nice little boy on the denarius. Both are great coins, though!
Those are two great coins @Mat! Like Donna mentioned, what a difference in portraits. I don’t know if I’ve seen a Diadumenian denarius that nice and the tetradrachm like all of yours is pretty great. Super pair to have.
Very desirable coin, @Mat ! I only have Diadumenian in provincial form: Diadumenian, Caesar AD 217-218. Roman provincial Æ 16.5 mm, 4.63 g, 11:00. Syria: Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch ad Orontem. Obv: ΚΑΙ Μ Ο ΔΙA ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC CЄ, bare-headed and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Large SC, Δ/Є above and beneath; all within laurel wreath interrupted by star above. Refs: Sear 3017; BMC 20. 201,408; SNG Cop. 235; McAlee 745a. Notes: Reverse die match to McAlee plate coin.
Diadumenian Ar Denarius 217-218 A.D. Obv. Bare headed bust right draped and cuirassed. Rv. Prince standing facing head right holding two standards A further standard to right. RIC 102 3.10 grams 18 mm Photo by W. Hansen
Two great coins @Mat - I don't have a Diadumenian yet. It's on my wishlist along with Romulus, Maxentius' son.
Cool stuff! Regarding the denarius, what has to jump out at me first is the reverse. With the obvious prototype of the common mid 4th century AE type, with two soldiers. ...It's fun to think about how people at various points in history viewed their own past. Where late Roman is concerned, my vote goes to the 'FEL.TEMP.REPARATIO' legend. "Make Rome Great Again!" ...Yeah, Good Luck with that.
Both your Den and Tet are great coins! Cannot tell which is better, so I would had done what you did: get them both! All I can do is scrape up a used AE, driven well beyond the expected lifetime of this coin. RI Diadumenian 217-218 AE26 Nikopolis-Nicopolis ad Istrum Homonoia stdg