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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ardatirion, post: 810265, member: 9204&quot;]Ah, so you have come into the realm of Imperial portraiture. I should give a warning to everyone - it takes a good deal of connoisseurship to truly recognize and appreciate an exceptional portrait. THIS is by far the most difficult skill to cultivate as a collector. Its also something I specialize in.</p><p><br /></p><p>Randy - I hate to do it, but I&#039;m gonna call you out on this one - your favorite comment seems to be &quot;Good portrait.&quot; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> Two of the three coins you posted are average quality for their issues. (I feel bad now, I promise to send you some coins in penance!)</p><p><br /></p><p>There a number of factors . A good portrait may have a fine, unique style that is generally not seen in the rest of the issue. Or it may capture something, a particular essence or aspect of the emperor that reveals both the artist and the subject to the viewer. </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/Septimius%20Severus%20sestertius%2C%20196%20AD%2C%20Rome.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>This sestertius of Septimius Severus is like that. See the sallowness of the face? The sunken eyes, looking just a little too far into the distance? In 196, Severus was just mopping up the last of the Civil Wars, having gained supremacy over the others by betraying his Caesar, Clodius Albinus. </p><p><br /></p><p>Most of the portraits that I prize are simply exceptional for their issues. I encourage you all to look at these and then find other coin portraits of these emperors. You&#039;ll see the difference!</p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/Aurelian_AE_antoninianus%2C__270-275_AD%2C_Mediolanum.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Aurelian antoninianus, Mediolanum, 270-275 AD</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/Gallienus_AR_antoninianus%2C_254-256_AD%2C_Antioch.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Gallienus antoninianus, Antioch, 255-256 AD</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/geta_of_Nikaea.JPG" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Geta provincial, 198-209 AD, Nikaea, Bithynia</p><p><br /></p><p>And the coup de grace:</p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/Licinius%20I%20AE3%2C%20Siscia%2C%20319-320%20AD.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Licinius, Siscia, 319-320 AD[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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