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<p>[QUOTE="Julius Germanicus, post: 5339329, member: 80783"]This might be my final top 10 list (dominated by imperial ladies this time), because there might not be many more purchases in the future as my collection of all Roman Emperors in Sestertius denomination is now finally complete <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>1) Paulina</p><p><br /></p><p>My most expensive coin this year, but one of the few in my collection that I find practically unimproveable. Graded “a most attractive VF with smooth brown patina, struck on a full, thick flan” by David Sear, who added that this was one of the finest of the type that he has seen.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225952[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>PAVLINA - Veiled and draped bust right.</p><p>CONSECRATIO - Paulina, raising hand and holding scepter, seated l. on peacock flying upward to right. In field, S – C.</p><p>Sestertius, Rome ca. September-December 236.</p><p>31,98 mm / 23.46 gr</p><p>MIR 38-5; RIC 3 plate XI (same dies); BMCRE 129-34 and pl. 37; Cohen 3; Sear (<i>Roman Coins & Their Values III</i>) 8401, Banti 1 (same dies)</p><p>Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Spring Auction 2020, lot 1181; ex Diana Numismatica, Rome</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>2) Otacilia Severa</p><p><br /></p><p>When I decided to upgrade my Otacilia Severa, this was the only type that was in consideration. This was the finest specimen available and I do love that hippo so much that I wrote a little history of Hippos in Ancient Rome:</p><p><a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-otacilia-severa-sestertius-hippos-in-ancient-rome.365708/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-otacilia-severa-sestertius-hippos-in-ancient-rome.365708/">https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-otacilia-severa-sestertius-hippos-in-ancient-rome.365708/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225960[/ATTACH]</p><p>MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG - Draped bust of Otacilia Severa right, seen three quarters from front, wearing Stephane</p><p>SAECVLARES AVGG, S C in exergue - Hippopotamus walking right, head raised</p><p>Sestertius, Rome, 4th officina, 9th emission of Philip I, AD 248</p><p>30 mm / 18,37 g / 6 h</p><p>RIC (Philip I) 200a; Cohen 65, Banti 13, Hunter 26</p><p>Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 474 (12.08.2020), ex Jack A. Frazer collection, purchased from John Aiello, March 1976</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>3) Aquilia Severa</p><p><br /></p><p>This is my rarest Sestertius so far. I do not think another one has been shown on this forum yet. Of the three wives of Elagabalus, Aquilia Severa, the second and fourth, was by far the most interesting and historically relevant figure and moreover the only female consort he found acceptable. Therefore if have to settle on one of them, she would be my first choice. Her Sestertii are again twice as rare as those of his first wife Julia Paula. I even find this coin quite attractive in it´s own right with it´s golden tone and lovely portrait of the young Vestal Virgin.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225964[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>IVLIA AQVILIA SEVERA AVG – diademed and draped bust right</p><p>CONCORDIA AVG – Concordia standing left, sacrificing over lighted altar and holding double cornucopiae, star in right field</p><p>Sestertius, Rome mint, early 221 A.D.</p><p>18.92 g / 30,0 mm / 12 h</p><p>RIC IV 390 (Elagabalus), pl. VII.3 (same reverse die); Cohen 4 (same dies); BMCRE 433, plate 96.8 (same obverse die), Banti 4 (same obverse die), Sear RCV II, 7681 (same dies), Hunter 3, plate 41 (same dies).</p><p>ex Roma Numismatics E-Sale 76, lot 1088, ex Zeno Pop collection</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>4) Plotina</p><p><br /></p><p>As any collector of the “Five good Emperors” has to experience, Plotina will cost you a multitude of the price you will have to pay for all other Antonine wives together (especially in Sestertius form).</p><p>Trajan´s sister and niece Marciana and Matidia are just as rare and expensive, but lack, for me, the historical relevance and collectability of Plotina. If you must restrict yourself to one of the ladies of Trajan (and most collectors have to), Plotina is the obvious choice.</p><p>This coin is worn and has a die crack, but I find it more than acceptable due to the characteristic portrait and yellow orichalcum tone.</p><p>My Plotina is still waiting for it´s export license, so all I can offer so far are the seller´s pictures:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225965[/ATTACH]</p><p> </p><p>PLOTINA AVG IMP TRAIANI - draped bust of Plotina right, hair elaborately dressed in two tiers over brow, above which is a stephane, and elaborately waved at the back, falling down her neck in plait /</p><p>FIDES AVGVST S C - Fides standing right, holding grain ears in right hand, basket of fruits in left</p><p>Sestertius, Rome mint 112 A.D.</p><p>RIC 740 (Trajan), BMCRE 1080 (Trajan), Cohen 12, Woytek Nr.711 (48 specimens), Banti 1 (30 specimens)</p><p>Ex Jesus Vico Online Auction 157 (26.11.2020), lot 3038</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>5) Octavian and Julius Caesar</p><p><br /></p><p>Upgrading my old specimen of this proto-Sestertius (featuring the only portrait of Julius Caesar on the bronze coinage) has long been a goal for me.</p><p>This coin is still not of high grade, but great in hand: struck well centered on a thick, round flan of goof metal with readable legends and characteristic (and in the case of Octavian, naturalistic) portraits in a light brown tone compatible with my Sestertius gallery.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225966[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>CAESAR DIVI F - bare head of Octavian right</p><p>DIVOS IVLIVS - wreathed head of Julius Caesar right</p><p>Sestertius (?), southern Italy, 38 b.C.</p><p>30,21 mm / 19,73 gr</p><p>RPC 620; Crawford 535/1; Sear (<i>Roman Imperators</i>) 308; FITA, pp. 49-50 and pl. i, 14; Sydenham 1335; BMCRR Gaul 106; Babelon Julia 98-9; Cohen I, p. 22, 3</p><p>Ex Roma Numismatics E-Sale 69, 16.04.2020, Lot 877</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>6) Vitellius</p><p><br /></p><p>I discovered that this Sestertius with Mars carrying an Aquila is unlisted in all published sources.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225967[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP AVG PM TR P - Laureate, draped bust of Vitellius right</p><p>S C - Mars, helmeted and naked but for cloak, advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and Aquila standard in left hand over left shoulder.</p><p>Sestertius, Rome July/August 69 aD</p><p>35,64 mm / 24,29 gr</p><p>RIC 141 var. (trophy instead of <i>aquila</i> over Mars’ shoulder) = BMCRE 58 = RCTV I 2208; CBN 108 var. (trophy) = Cohen 79; CBN 104 var. (trophy and legend ends P M TR) = Cohen 79; Mazzini 80 var. (Mars holds <i>aquila</i>, but obv. legend ends P M TR) = Cayon (<i>Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano</i>) 29.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>7) Aemilianus</p><p><br /></p><p>Last Emperor that was missing in my portrait Sestertius collection.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225973[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>IMP CAES AEMILIANVS P F AVG - laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right /</p><p>VOTIS DECENNALIBVS SC in four lines within laurel wreath</p><p>Orichalcum Sestertius, Rome mint, struck ca. August 253 AD</p><p>29mm / 11,28 g</p><p>RIC IV 54a (RRR), Cohen 67, Hunter 25, Sear 9862, Banti 18 (23 specimens, same obverse die as illustrated)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>8) Augustus</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225980[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>AVGVSTVS - bare head of Augustus right / CA (within laurel wreath)</p><p>Orichalcum Sestertius, Pergamum 27-23 BC</p><p>34 mm / 24,91 gr</p><p>RIC 501; Cohen 791; BMCRE 713; RPC 2233; Howgego, “Coinage and Military Finance: the Imperial Bronze Coinage of the Augustan East”, in NC 1982, p. 7, Class 2a, pl. 1, 9</p><p>ex Savoca Silver Auction 88, 25.10.2020, lot 228</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>9) Julia Maesa</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225981[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>IVLIA MAESA AVGVSTA – diademed and draped bust of Julia Maesa right</p><p>PIETAS AVG S C – veiled Pietas standing left, holding incense-box and sacrificing on adorned lighted altar</p><p>Sestertius, Rome 218-220 a.D.</p><p>30 mm / 20,30 gr</p><p>RIC 414, Cohen 31, BMCRE 389, Sear 7763, Banti 6 (38 specimens + 8 in Guelma hoard)</p><p>Ex Künker eLive Auction 63, 30.11.2020, lot 375</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>10) Julia Mamaea</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1225982[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA - draped bust right, wavy hair with stephane /</p><p>VENERI FELICI S C - Venus standing right, holding long sceptre in right hand and winged and naked cupid in left</p><p>Sestertius, Rome AD 224</p><p>30 mm / 17,85 g</p><p>RIC 694 (Sev. Alexander), BMCRE 190, Cohen 62, Sear 8232, Banti 16 (43 Specimens)</p><p>Ex Savoca Silver Auction 88, 25.10.2020, lot 269</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Please choose your favourites and have a good start into a hopefully happy New Year!!![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Julius Germanicus, post: 5339329, member: 80783"]This might be my final top 10 list (dominated by imperial ladies this time), because there might not be many more purchases in the future as my collection of all Roman Emperors in Sestertius denomination is now finally complete :). 1) Paulina My most expensive coin this year, but one of the few in my collection that I find practically unimproveable. Graded “a most attractive VF with smooth brown patina, struck on a full, thick flan” by David Sear, who added that this was one of the finest of the type that he has seen. [ATTACH=full]1225952[/ATTACH] PAVLINA - Veiled and draped bust right. CONSECRATIO - Paulina, raising hand and holding scepter, seated l. on peacock flying upward to right. In field, S – C. Sestertius, Rome ca. September-December 236. 31,98 mm / 23.46 gr MIR 38-5; RIC 3 plate XI (same dies); BMCRE 129-34 and pl. 37; Cohen 3; Sear ([I]Roman Coins & Their Values III[/I]) 8401, Banti 1 (same dies) Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Spring Auction 2020, lot 1181; ex Diana Numismatica, Rome 2) Otacilia Severa When I decided to upgrade my Otacilia Severa, this was the only type that was in consideration. This was the finest specimen available and I do love that hippo so much that I wrote a little history of Hippos in Ancient Rome: [URL]https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-otacilia-severa-sestertius-hippos-in-ancient-rome.365708/[/URL] [ATTACH=full]1225960[/ATTACH] MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG - Draped bust of Otacilia Severa right, seen three quarters from front, wearing Stephane SAECVLARES AVGG, S C in exergue - Hippopotamus walking right, head raised Sestertius, Rome, 4th officina, 9th emission of Philip I, AD 248 30 mm / 18,37 g / 6 h RIC (Philip I) 200a; Cohen 65, Banti 13, Hunter 26 Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 474 (12.08.2020), ex Jack A. Frazer collection, purchased from John Aiello, March 1976 3) Aquilia Severa This is my rarest Sestertius so far. I do not think another one has been shown on this forum yet. Of the three wives of Elagabalus, Aquilia Severa, the second and fourth, was by far the most interesting and historically relevant figure and moreover the only female consort he found acceptable. Therefore if have to settle on one of them, she would be my first choice. Her Sestertii are again twice as rare as those of his first wife Julia Paula. I even find this coin quite attractive in it´s own right with it´s golden tone and lovely portrait of the young Vestal Virgin. [ATTACH=full]1225964[/ATTACH] IVLIA AQVILIA SEVERA AVG – diademed and draped bust right CONCORDIA AVG – Concordia standing left, sacrificing over lighted altar and holding double cornucopiae, star in right field Sestertius, Rome mint, early 221 A.D. 18.92 g / 30,0 mm / 12 h RIC IV 390 (Elagabalus), pl. VII.3 (same reverse die); Cohen 4 (same dies); BMCRE 433, plate 96.8 (same obverse die), Banti 4 (same obverse die), Sear RCV II, 7681 (same dies), Hunter 3, plate 41 (same dies). ex Roma Numismatics E-Sale 76, lot 1088, ex Zeno Pop collection 4) Plotina As any collector of the “Five good Emperors” has to experience, Plotina will cost you a multitude of the price you will have to pay for all other Antonine wives together (especially in Sestertius form). Trajan´s sister and niece Marciana and Matidia are just as rare and expensive, but lack, for me, the historical relevance and collectability of Plotina. If you must restrict yourself to one of the ladies of Trajan (and most collectors have to), Plotina is the obvious choice. This coin is worn and has a die crack, but I find it more than acceptable due to the characteristic portrait and yellow orichalcum tone. My Plotina is still waiting for it´s export license, so all I can offer so far are the seller´s pictures: [ATTACH=full]1225965[/ATTACH] PLOTINA AVG IMP TRAIANI - draped bust of Plotina right, hair elaborately dressed in two tiers over brow, above which is a stephane, and elaborately waved at the back, falling down her neck in plait / FIDES AVGVST S C - Fides standing right, holding grain ears in right hand, basket of fruits in left Sestertius, Rome mint 112 A.D. RIC 740 (Trajan), BMCRE 1080 (Trajan), Cohen 12, Woytek Nr.711 (48 specimens), Banti 1 (30 specimens) Ex Jesus Vico Online Auction 157 (26.11.2020), lot 3038 5) Octavian and Julius Caesar Upgrading my old specimen of this proto-Sestertius (featuring the only portrait of Julius Caesar on the bronze coinage) has long been a goal for me. This coin is still not of high grade, but great in hand: struck well centered on a thick, round flan of goof metal with readable legends and characteristic (and in the case of Octavian, naturalistic) portraits in a light brown tone compatible with my Sestertius gallery. [ATTACH=full]1225966[/ATTACH] CAESAR DIVI F - bare head of Octavian right DIVOS IVLIVS - wreathed head of Julius Caesar right Sestertius (?), southern Italy, 38 b.C. 30,21 mm / 19,73 gr RPC 620; Crawford 535/1; Sear ([I]Roman Imperators[/I]) 308; FITA, pp. 49-50 and pl. i, 14; Sydenham 1335; BMCRR Gaul 106; Babelon Julia 98-9; Cohen I, p. 22, 3 Ex Roma Numismatics E-Sale 69, 16.04.2020, Lot 877 6) Vitellius I discovered that this Sestertius with Mars carrying an Aquila is unlisted in all published sources. [ATTACH=full]1225967[/ATTACH] A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP AVG PM TR P - Laureate, draped bust of Vitellius right S C - Mars, helmeted and naked but for cloak, advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and Aquila standard in left hand over left shoulder. Sestertius, Rome July/August 69 aD 35,64 mm / 24,29 gr RIC 141 var. (trophy instead of [I]aquila[/I] over Mars’ shoulder) = BMCRE 58 = RCTV I 2208; CBN 108 var. (trophy) = Cohen 79; CBN 104 var. (trophy and legend ends P M TR) = Cohen 79; Mazzini 80 var. (Mars holds [I]aquila[/I], but obv. legend ends P M TR) = Cayon ([I]Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano[/I]) 29. 7) Aemilianus Last Emperor that was missing in my portrait Sestertius collection. [ATTACH=full]1225973[/ATTACH] IMP CAES AEMILIANVS P F AVG - laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VOTIS DECENNALIBVS SC in four lines within laurel wreath Orichalcum Sestertius, Rome mint, struck ca. August 253 AD 29mm / 11,28 g RIC IV 54a (RRR), Cohen 67, Hunter 25, Sear 9862, Banti 18 (23 specimens, same obverse die as illustrated) 8) Augustus [ATTACH=full]1225980[/ATTACH] AVGVSTVS - bare head of Augustus right / CA (within laurel wreath) Orichalcum Sestertius, Pergamum 27-23 BC 34 mm / 24,91 gr RIC 501; Cohen 791; BMCRE 713; RPC 2233; Howgego, “Coinage and Military Finance: the Imperial Bronze Coinage of the Augustan East”, in NC 1982, p. 7, Class 2a, pl. 1, 9 ex Savoca Silver Auction 88, 25.10.2020, lot 228 9) Julia Maesa [ATTACH=full]1225981[/ATTACH] IVLIA MAESA AVGVSTA – diademed and draped bust of Julia Maesa right PIETAS AVG S C – veiled Pietas standing left, holding incense-box and sacrificing on adorned lighted altar Sestertius, Rome 218-220 a.D. 30 mm / 20,30 gr RIC 414, Cohen 31, BMCRE 389, Sear 7763, Banti 6 (38 specimens + 8 in Guelma hoard) Ex Künker eLive Auction 63, 30.11.2020, lot 375 10) Julia Mamaea [ATTACH=full]1225982[/ATTACH] IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA - draped bust right, wavy hair with stephane / VENERI FELICI S C - Venus standing right, holding long sceptre in right hand and winged and naked cupid in left Sestertius, Rome AD 224 30 mm / 17,85 g RIC 694 (Sev. Alexander), BMCRE 190, Cohen 62, Sear 8232, Banti 16 (43 Specimens) Ex Savoca Silver Auction 88, 25.10.2020, lot 269 Please choose your favourites and have a good start into a hopefully happy New Year!!![/QUOTE]
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