So I’m happily taking photos of my modest collection when I come to this coin: Titus AR Denarius Rome Struck after July 1 79CE 18.5mm 3gm Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M Laureate head of Titus right. Rev: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P Capricorn left over globe Ref: RIC II 19; BMCRE 22; BN 16; RSC 280 Nothing particularly remarkable about this coin, except the nagging suspicion that I’ve seen this coin somewhere before. After searching everywhere I can think of online in vain, I conclude I was mistaken. Fast forward to today, and I’m photographing, and I come to this coin: The same coin, in the same condition, bought years apart, from different dealers on different continents. I have no idea how this happened, or why it took me so long to notice. This isn’t the first surprise I’ve had while reinventorying my collection, and I doubt it will be the last. Post your own duplicates, inadvertent or otherwise.
Poor record keeping led me to purchase both of these coins years apart: The only reason I keep both is that the coin on the bottom has its obverse inscription broken H ADRIANVS, which makes it BMCRE 170-172, whereas the coin on the top has no such break, making it BMCRE 173.
On purpose: PHILIP I AE24 OBVERSE: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: ANTIO-C H-ICOL to left and right of vexilium surmounted by eagle, between two legionary eagles, SR in exergue Struck at Pisidia, Antiochia, 244-249 AD 6.91g, 24mm SNG France 1259/1262 PHILIP I AE25 OBVERSE: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: ANTIO-C H-ICOL to left and right of vexilium surmounted by eagle, between two legionary eagles, SR in exergue Struck at Pisidia, Antiochia, 244-249 AD 6.91g, 24mm SNG France 1259/1262
My favorite on purpose pair are these two Julia Domna denarii from the 'Emesa' mint. Both were purchased as part of two group lots so you could say I bought 60 coins to get them but I am happy to have about 20 of those 60 still in my collection so it was not as bad as it sounds. I wanted the first one because it was a reverse legend special to me in my Septimius Severus collection. The second one (a ie duplicate) was an upgrade in some respects but not others. The BnF in Paris is supposed to have one (Cohen 250) but they have not released photos of that part of their collection so I do not know if it still exists. I don't know how many others exist. I know the coin can't be unique. I have two. I repeatedly ask to be shown others but I have seen none. Julia Domna, AR denarius 'Emesa' mint / Victory seated VICTOR IVST AVG
I have NEVER bought a coin duplicate ever. But then I only have 900 coins, so i kinda got to know them all However, if one has a huge collection, I can definately see that happen. Also I keep a precise list of my stuff on the computer, so if I ever have doubts I look it up. John
I have these duplicate Alexius III trachys, bout in a lot so not on purpose. I usually don't keep duplicated unless there is quite a difference between the coins. These two are very different.
@Silverlock your first coin could be IMP XV (hard to tell because of the wear). The second is definitely IMP XIIII. Perhaps not duplicates after all! Not accidental duplicates: Judaea with bent knees. Judaea with outstretched legs. Both are RIC 2.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll take a closer look at it when I get home. I’ll feel slightly less silly if they aren’t exact duplicates.
I thought I could make a whole collection of AR denarii of P. Clodius M.f. Turrinus, Rome 42 B.C. How else can you compare side by side... Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right, Lyre behind Rev: Diana Lucifera standing right, holding two long torches, MF in left field, P CLODIVS in right field
Very interesting post, @Silverlock ! I managed to collect three Seleukos I with bull reverse denominations during my Seleucid/Seleukid roundup this past summer.
