The more I look at the variety of coins, designs and artistic dies, the clearer it has become to me how values are placed relative to technical grades. I am trying to stay the course with purchasing coins that I really like and which I believe others would appreciate if it is ever time to sell. This is not my core set and therefore I have decided to pursue coins upto a certain price point. The Roman pieces were what one would call "value" purchases relative to their truly superb quality in hand. The Eastern Roman Empire Theodosius Solidus is an AWESOME artistic piece - Never really looked at these prior and the reverse made the purchase. Pardon my poor images on a few - will post better images when available. SELEUCID KINGDOM. Seleucus I Nicator. 312–281 BC. AR Tetradrachm, 26mm, 17.14gr. Minted at Seleuceia on the Tigris I Mint with the types of Alexander III the Great, ca. 300-295 BC. Obv. Head of young Heracles right wearing the lion skin. Rev. Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, NO in left field. SC 117.6a; ESM 24 (A25/P81); HGC 9, 12i. Wonderful high relief strike. NGC graded CHOICE AU* Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, Fine Style. EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE. THEODOSIUS II, AD 408-450. Gold Solidus. 21 mm, 4.49gr. Minted at Constantinople. Obv. D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Theodosius three quarters right, holding spear and shield with horseman device. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGG E, Constantinopolis enthroned facing with head right, holding Victory on globe and scepter, her foot on prow of galley, star in left field, CONOB in exergue. RIC X 202; Hahn 12b; Depeyrot 73/2. Lustrous, rich in detail and just simply beautiful. NGC MS Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, Fine Style. Roman Empire. Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. Rome mint. AR Denarius. 18mm, 3.01gr. Obv: Laureate and draped bust right, seen from behind. Rev: Severus standing left, sacrificing from patera over tripod. RIC IV 55; BMCRE 373; RSC 289. NGC MS 4/5, 5/5. Roman Empire. Caracalla AR Denarius. Rome, 198-217 AD. 18mm, 3.28g. Obv: Laureate head right. Rev: Fides standing left, holding two standards. RIC IV 267; RSC 316. Superbly struck coin, immaculate state of preservation. NGC Ch MS 5/5, 5/5. Roman Empire. Caracalla 198-217 AD. Rome Mint. AR Double Denarius. 23mm, 6.12gr. Obv: Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right. Rev: Serapis standing facing, head left, extending hand and holding scepter. RIC 263d; BMC 128; RSC 295b. In hand this coins looks as it was struck today. Superb detail and style. MS 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style.
All of the coins are beautiful with great detail. I like them all, but if I had to choose one as my favorite (not considering gold vs silver or Greek vs Roman), I like the first Caracalla, RIC IV 267.
You really need to collect the solidi of the Theodosian dynasty if you want any of the types in impeccable condition. They were generally very sloppy with the bronzes. This is nicest one of Constantinopolis seated that I've come across in AE.
Occasionally one can find a nice AE3 of Theodosius II, but it won't be as nice as a good solidus. Here is one from my Late Roman Bronze site http://esty.ancients.info/ricix/ where it is type 47. 16 mm. 6:00. 2.25 grams. SMKA. Cyzicus. RIC X, 96 Theodosius I is much easier to find in nice grade.
