Here is an ancient I have had for a month now. Just getting around to sharing it. For sure my best didrachm with Mt. Argaeus. Caesarea, Cappadocia AR Didrachm O: AYTOKR OYHPOC CEBACTOC Bare-headed and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. R: YPA TOS B ,Mt. Argaeus surmounted by Helios standing left. Struck 161-166 A.D. (as COS II) Caesarea, Cappadocia Mint 6.3g 20mm Metcalf, Caesarea 131d; Sydenham, Caesarea
There's nothing about this coin not to like. Great portrait, full legends, smooth surfaces, and plenty of detail on Mt. Argaeus. As Steve says, "Winner winner, chicken dinner!"
Man I like the Didrachm, 6.3 grams good silver, I would say it reminds me of a denarius on 'roids. The details and reverse all appealing.
Very nice and large. Caesarea dropped the weight of didrachms under Commodus to about 4.5g. Don't let anyone sell you one of these as a tridrachm. The TPI under the mountain completes 'Pat Patri' from the right edge. Septimius did issue some tridrachms but I'm probably never going to have one. http://www.acsearch.info/search.htm...1&ot=1&images=1¤cy=usd&order=0&company= After that, it seems coins larger than drachms are scarce. I have a friend who specializes in Caesarea and tells of buying them in quantity in the 50's at less than a dollar a coin. They get more respect now.
Nice!! => wow Mat, that's a fantastic new score (congrats) very cool reverse (I don't have any examples with Mt. Argaeus ... *sigh*) Ummm, I only have one example of Lucius Verus ... it's big, bright and bronzy!! Lucius Verus AE Sestertius 164 AD Diameter: 33 mm Weight: 26.69 grams Obverse: L AVREL VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS, laureate head right Reverse: TR P IIII IMP II COS II S-C, Victory standing right, placing a shield inscribed VIC/AVG in two lines on palm Reference: RIC 1396, Cohen 249
Thanks for the comments, everyone. Ive had my eye on one similar in a bit lower grade, just havent pulled the trigger yet.
I like it, randygeki!! ... Hey, one man's puny is another man's trophy, my friend!! => having a 2000 year old bit o' silver => priceless!! Cheers