But why?? I almost never buy group lots. There have been times that I wished I had bought group lots (some of the A.K. lots come to mind). Recently, I pre-bid and won this small group of Diocletian and Maximian coins. Upon receipt of the group, I was sirprised by the number of tags included with each coin - all were ex Chris Rudd Collection and all included prior provenance info. Two of the coins will likely be sold or traded; the third will certainly be kept and was my target for bidding in the first place. Can you guess which coin will be kept and why?
I do not know why you aimed at the coin you did, but my choice would be the Diocletian in the centre. I love the reverse on that coin. Here is the only group lot I have ever bought. BRITISH COINS, Anglo-Gallic Coins, Richard I, Deniers for Poitou (2), no extra marks, 1.04g/1h, annulet in third quarter, 1.09g/5h (Elias 8, 8b; W 343; S 8008); Eleanor, Denier, Aquitaine, 0.69g/12h (E 11; W 9; S 8011); Edward I, Deniers (2), as heir to the throne, 0.92g/10h, as King, 0.88g/3h (E 13, 15; W 11, 13; S 8013, 8015) [5].Fine or better, last rare. Coins and historical medals from the collection formed by the late Revd. Charles Campbell. Dix Noonan Webb Online Auction September 13, 2017 Lot 163
Both stunning group lots, and very appealing in how well matched they are. @Carausius - I love your avatar picture, too, though one has to click to the full size to appreciate it.
We have a winner!! Well done @KIWITI. The center coin is a London Mint antoninianus struck in the name of Diocletion by Carausius. AVGGG (triple plural) in the reverse inscription alludes to three equal emperors - Diocletion, Maximian and Carausius. This is a nice condition example, with full legends, clear London mint mark and decent surfaces. The provenance was an added bonus that I didn't expect. Carausius struck similar coins in the name of Maximian. Of course, the coin was described as a Diocletion in the sales catalogue.
So I guess carausius was trying to curry favor with Diocletian and maximian. A strategy that didn't really work.
I suspect the goals of the emission were two-fold: curry favor with the big boys by acknowledging their positions, and legitimize his own usurped position to the populace by lumping himself with the big boys via the third G in AVGGG.
Nice lot and interesting AVGGG. Have you received your lot? My lot from Chris Rudd is waiting for an export license (at least according to the web site).
Yes, I received my coins. Nothing in my lot is likely subject to any export controls. I didnt buy from Chris Rudd. I bought at auction from another firm.
Considering the number of times jamesicus and I have posted on this series, it saddens me a bit that not everyone got it but I really applaud your recognizing a great coin where a dealer didn't. Of course I'd keep the other two also because they are a bit special also. What this really shows IMHO is that someone between Chris Rudd and you made a poor choice in selecting a dealer to handle their sale. I assume it is one of those sellers who considers all coins after Domitian to be trash. Others:
My lot of Pb weights was from an auction house, ex CR. I posted it earlier, but here it is again. I am not sure why this lot needed a license. The paperwork called it a Medieval Weight Group, found in Downham Market, Norfolk, exact findspot unknown. The bottom of the form notes the application is under European Union Legislation. I guess the form has not changed since Brexit.
To be honest, I have yet to research the other two coins in the lot. I certainly will research them before any final decision is made as to their fate!
Interesting. I know they would not be covered by PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme) because they're lead. PAS only applies to silver and gold. I was not aware of any EU legislation that requires an export license from U.K.
