A few years ago now I downloaded a spreadsheet that likely a CT'er created. It analyzed available auction records and statistically rated the frequency of each emperor, usurper, wife, sister, mistress, etc. that appeared in the auctions. Now, if you look up this spreadsheet, which should still be available online somewhere, you may see a lot of negative responses. In my humble opinion these are not well deserved as this person put in some effort, and in turn they came up with something that was accurate enough to give a very close analysis of the rarity of Roman coins. Whilst it may not be accurate between individual rarer emperors I believe overall at a high level it has some relevance. I've attached a pdf of a simplified version of this analysis, it has two columns that I've added. The first one is 'All Required', the second column is 'All Required Realistic'. The first column meaning coins that a person can reasonably acquire, the second column meaning coins that are likely to only be in museums:;. The below is my latest addition, what I would consider a worthy museum coin (some may disagree). *Auction Photo As I've only received it in the mail today I haven't had a chance to properly photograph it, therefore I'm using the auction photo. The Auction photo is typical, photoshopped to make it monochrome which assists in assessing imperfections. In hand this coin is 10 x nicer than this photo in my opinion. Martinian BI Nummus. Nicomedia, AD 324. D N M MARTINIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing facing, head to left, holding Victory on globe and eagle-tipped sceptre, on left, eagle standing to left, holding wreath in beak, on right, captive seated to right on ground; X above IIΓ in right field, SMNΓ in exergue. RIC VII 45. 2.23g, 22mm, 12h Only honest opinions on the analysis sheet. Otherwise, please share any Roman rarities you may have.
Amazing coin, and interesting resource! Thanks for sharing! I would say that, as the resource "only" looked at auction records, some of the statistics may be a little off if common coins don't turn up in auction very much (e.g. Tetricus I probably isn't rarer than Tacitus.) My rarest emperor from the sheet is Quietus However, my rarest person depicted on the obverse of a coin is a Usurper - my sole reign antoninianus of Vabalathus
Yes, I agree that as it probably only considered auction results it makes the order of rarity a bit out. However, in my opinion it’s a great ‘ball park’ resource. Very nice Vabalathus without the portrait of Aurelian. This is definitely on my bucket list.
Great looking coin op! Interesting thread!....Looking forward to seeing what's posted...Here's some of my slightly scarcer caricatures..Macrianus, Gauis Caesar and Domitia.
Very good catch. You do enjoy the old thread about him : https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-truth-about-martinian.355840/
I do not focus on the Roman Empire, rather I enjoy the Roman Republic. However, I have a bunch of the Roman Rulers, around 151 different. They may not be the purdiest, but they are markers in history. Here are a few harder to gets... Judaea Claudius w-Britannicus CE 41-54 Æ Prutah 17mm 2.8g Antonius Felix-procurator Dated RY 14 54 CE 2-crossed shields spears - Palm tree BPIT K AI L IΔ date Hendin 1348 RI Prv Thrace Deultum Tranquillina 241-244 CE Æ 22mm 6.6 g Hermes purse caduceus SNG Bulgaria 1504-8 RI Verina w Leo I AE2 20mm 457-475 Victory inscribing CHI RHO - RIC X 656 R3 RARE RI Aelia GALLA PLACIDIA Augusta Regent for Valentinian III 423-437 CE mo of Theodosius Æ4 Bust E - cross CID visible ex FSR 102 RI Agrippina II 50-59 BCE AE 26mm Egypt Bust of Euthenia w Corn in Hair RPC 5188 RI Laelianus CE 269 AE Ant 19mm 3.4g Moguntiacum mint Radiate cuirassed Victory RIC Vb 9 p373 RProv Domitia Lydia Philadelphia AE 16 Grape Bunch RPC 1336 RI Romulus 310-311 CE AE25 DIVO Rome Domed Shrine doors ajar with sm Eagle R E Q RI Johannes 423-425 CE AE4 Nummus Victory RARE RI Eugenius 392-394 CE AE 12mm 1.0g Aquileia SPES wreath palm Victory RIC59
