Hello All! I have been reading and enjoying the top of 2019 lists that everyone has been doing. After some procrastination, I finally looked at my purchases for the year. I tried to do ten, but then I found so much that I liked and had fun doing that I just decided to post them all. All of my coins are nicer in hand, but these pictures give you an idea. I just have limited patience with photography. By the way, if you really hate Septimius Severus, Julia Domna and Probus, I suggest you skip this post. #1 Number one is for certain this denarius of Septimius Severus. Not a common coin and usually at the top of or over my price range. I felt really lucky to get this coin from a good seller at a good price. Septimius Severus, Denarius, CONCORDIAE MILITVM AR Denarius Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 197 - 198AD 18.48mm 2.58gr 0h O: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP X; Laureate head, right. R: CONCORDI-AE MILITVM; Concordia, standing facing, head left, holding standard in each hand. Rome Mint RIC IV Rome 108; Aorta: 674: B3, O59, R62, T35, M4. #2 This coin is special to me as a collector of Probus. With Philippe Gysen selling off his collection, I really wanted to add a piece of Gysen's collection to my own. Not that my collection compares to his, but maybe a little luster from his collection will rub off on mine by association. Probus, Antoninianus, CLEMENTIA TEMP, P, XXI BI Antoninianus Probus Augustus: 276 - 282AD Issued: 276AD 22.5 x 21.5mm 4.00gr 6h O: IMP CM AVR PROBVS AVG; Radiate, cuirassed bust, right. R: CLEMENTIA TEMP; Probus standing right on left, holding eagle-tipped scepter, receiving globe from Jupiter, standing left on right, holding scepter. Exergue: P, above line; XXI, below line. Cyzicus Mint Ex. Phillippe Gysen Collection RIC V-2 Cyzicus 905, P, var. (cuirassed, not draped) Aorta: B72, O25, R13, T94, M2. Paul Francois Jacquier Auction 46, Lot 581. #3 One of TWO coins that are ex @dougsmit which I consider pretty great. Also purchased through our friend JAZ which is a nice touch. Septimius Severus, Denarius, BONA SPES AR Denarius Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 194 - 195AD 18.0mm 3.20gr 1h O: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PER[T AVG COS II]; Laureate head, right. R: BONA SPES; Spes, advancing left, holding flower and raising skirt. Emesa Mint RIC IV-1 Emesa 364; BMC 340; Sear 6266; RSC 58. Aorta: 340: B3, O20, R41, T198, M2. Ex. Doug Smith Collection JAZ Numismatics/John Zielinski Auction 149, Lot 4 #4 The second of two coins that are ex @dougsmit, this one coming via the lovely AMCC @2. A scarcer type which wasn't represented in my collection prior to the purchase. Provincial, Drachm, Caesarea, Cappadocia, ΜΗΤΡΟ ΚΑΙCΑΡΙΑC AR Drachm Roman Provincial: Caesarea, Cappadocia Julia Domna B. ca. 170 - D. 217AD Augusta: 193 - 217AD Issued: 197AD 19.0mm 2.40gr 0h O: ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ Cε; Draped bust, right. R: ΜΗΤΡΟ ΚΑΙCΑΡΙΑC; Aphrodite standing right, drawing robe over shoulder and holding an apple. Exergue: εΤ, left field; ε, right field. (RY = 5) Caesarea, Cappadocia Mint Sydenham 440; SNG von Aulock 6472. Ex. Doug Smith, purchased in 1996 from Andy Singer. Ancient and Medieval Coins Canada Auction 2, Lot 431. #5 This is another Julia Domna, with a rougher than I wish obverse but the color is not as off as it appears in the photo. Still, a tougher provincial town which made me happy to pick it up. Provincial, Phocaea, Ionia, AE30, εΠΙ CΤΡ ΜΑΥΡ εΥΤΧΟΥ AE30 Roman Provincial: Phocaea, Ionia Julia Domna Born: ca. 170AD - Died: 217AD Augusta: 193 - 217AD Magistrate: M. Aur. Eutuchos Issued: O: IOΥ ΔΟΜΝΑ CεΒACTH; Draped bust, right. R: εΠΙ CΤΡ ΜΑΥΡ εΥΤΧΟΥ Exergue: ΦΩΚΑΙ, below line. Phocaea, Ionia Mint With original tag. SNG Lewis 1437; SNG von Aulock 2145 var. (CTR M?); BMC 146 var. (ΦΩΚΑE [sic] and two lions at feet). About VF Savoca Auctions Munich/Claudia Savoca 20th Blue Auction, Lot 943 #6 Another more scarce provincial town is Etenna. This coin came out of nowhere for a cheap price. I'll take it. Provincial, Etenna, Pisidia, AE24, εΤεΝΝεΩΝ AE24 Roman Provincial: Etenna, Pisidia Julia Domna B. ca. 170 - D. 217AD Augusta: 193 - 217AD 24.0mm 6.19gr 6h O: IΟΥΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ CεΒACTH; Draped bust, right. R: εΤεΝ-ΝεΩΝ; Hera standing left, holding scepter and holding hand on hip. Etenna, Pisidia Mint von Aulock Pisidien II 545ff Romae Aeternae Numismatics/Edward Beck #7 A coin that is featured on Wildwinds from Pautalia. I get excited every time I add a new provincial town like playing the license plate game in the car with the kids and seeing something like "Wyoming". Provincial, Pautalia, Thrace, AE24, ΟΥΛΠΙΑC ΠΑΥΤΑΛΙΑC AE24 Roman Provincial: Pautalia, Thrace Julia Domna B. ca. 170 - D. 217AD Augusta: 193 - 217AD Issued: 24.0mm 9.18gr 1h O: IΟΥΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ CεΒ; Draped bust, right. R: ΟΥΛΠΙΑC ΠΑΥΤΑΛΙΑC; Homonoia standing left, holding patera over lighted altar and cornucopia. Pautalia, Thrace Mint Mionnet II, 1073; Vienna 8805; Ruzicka 488; Varbanov 4889. Naville Numismatics/Mattia Torre Auction #51, Lot 174. #8 I enjoy these little bronzes of Sardes, Lydia. I like the Apollo obverse and the monograms on the reverse. This is featured on Wildwinds which makes it even better in my book. Sardes, Lydia, Civic Issue, AE14, ΣΑΡΔΙΑΝΩΝ AE14 Civic Issue Issued: 133 - 100BC 14.5 x 13.0mm 4.70gr 8h O: NO LEGEND; Head of Apollo, right; beaded border. R: ΣΑΡΔΙ, above club; ΑΝΩΝ, below club; legend above and below club and monogram at club head, all within an oak wreath. Monogram: AP over B Sardes, Lydia Mint Unlisted in major references. Kurth AE Lydia Supplement 2A; Zacny Collection 10127 10128 Featured on Wildwinds, October, 2019 #9 I also have enjoyed picking up legend variants of Antioch. This is another I had not seen before. I believe it has been added to Wildwinds as well. Provincial, Antioch, Pisidia, AE21, ANTIOCH FORTVNA COLONI AE21 Roman Provincial: Antioch, Pisidia Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: ? 21.5mm 4.52gr 7h O: SEPT SEV P-ERT AVG V; Radiate head, right. R: ANTIOCH FOR-TVNA COLONI; Tyche as city genius, standing left, holding branch in right hand and cornucopia on left arm. Antioch, Pisidia Mint Krzy -; SNG Munich -; Milne -; SNG Cop -; Hill -; Imhoof -; SNG Tuebingen 4359. Savoca London/Philipp Eckhert 4th Blue Auction, Lot 500. #10 I love these big temple coins. This is also the first coin of Komana for me. Provincial, Comana, Pontus, AE30, ΙεΡΟ ΚΑΙCΑΡ ΚΟΜΑΝε AE30 Roman Provincial: Comana, Pontus Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 205 - 206AD 30.0mm 12.65gr 0h O: ΑΥΚ Λ CεΠ CεΥΟΠΡΟC; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. R: ΙεΡΟ ΚΑΙCΑΡ ΚΟΜΑΝε; Tetrastyle temple, circle in pediment, statue of Enyo on pedestal. Exergue: εΤ ΒΟΡ (RY = 172 Comana Era) Comana, Pontus Mint Rec Gen 14; SGI 2156. Naville Numismatics/Mattia Torre Auction 53, Lot 169. #11 @Mat turned me on to the coins of Caesarea years ago when he sold me a coin from there. Since then, I always keep my eyes out for Mt. Argaeus. This time was no different. Provincial, Caesarea, Cappadocia, Drachm, MHTPO KAICAPI AR Drachm Roman Provincial: Caesarea-Eusebia, Cappadocia Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 207AD 19.5 x 18.5mm 2.28gr 0h O: AY KAI Λ CεΠΤΙ CεΟΥΗΡΟC; Laureate bust right; beaded border. R: MHTPO KAICAPI; Mt. Argaeus, surmounted by star; beaded border. Exergue: εΤΙε (Regnal year = 15) VF Sydenham 400; BMC 228; Mionnet IV-; Mionnet Supp. II, -; Sydenham Sale -. Savoca Auctions Munich/Claudia Savoca 21st Blue, Lot 859. 6/22/19 7/8/19 Featured on Wildwinds, June, 2019. #12-15 I was able to sneak away to the ANA in Chicago this summer which was super fun. I just wish I would have had more time to be there. Even still, I spent a good portion of my time at the table of Musa Numismatic Art and found ten coins from Nikopolis that I did not have. I was able to sort through a bag of about 100 coins which just can not be beat. I also picked up some other coins over the year from Nikopolis and I couldn't decide which of these to post, hence the "top 15." Provincial, Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior, AE18, ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙ ΠΡΟC AE18 Roman Provincial: Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD 18.0 x 17.0mm 2.99gr 0h O: AY K CεΥΗΡΟC; Laureate head, right; beaded border. R: ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙ ΠΡΟC; Lion advancing, right. Exergue: [ICTPO] Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior Mint VF Moushmov 972; AMNG I 1404; Varbanov 2324. Savoca Auctions Munich/Claudia Savoca 21st Blue, Lot 620. 6/22/19 7/8/19 Featured on Wildwinds, June, 2019. Provincial, Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior, AE27, ΝεΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ AE27 Roman Provincial: Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 201 -203AD Magistrate: Aurelius Gallus 27.0mm 11.68gr 8h O: AYK Λ Cε CεΥΗΡΟC Π; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. R: ΥΠΑ ΑΥΡ ΓΑΛΛOΥ ΝεΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ; Tyche, standing left, holding rudder in right hand and cornucopia in left hand. Exergue: ΠΡΟCI Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior Mint AMNG I 1310 var. (NEIKO) Savoca Auctions Munich/Claudia Savoca 21st Blue Auction, Lot 616. 6/22/19 7/8/19 Featured on Wildwinds, June, 2019. Provincial, Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior, AE18, ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟC ICT AE18 Roman Provincial: Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: ? 18.5 x 17.5mm 1.91gr 1h O: AY KA CεΥΗΡΟC; Laureate head, right. R: ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟC ICT; Laurel wreath, star in center. Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior Mint Varbanov 2485 Savoca Auctions Munich/Claudia Savoca 21st Blue Auction, Lot 613 6/22/19 7/8/19 Featured on Wildwinds, June, 2019. Provincial, Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior, AE15, ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟC ΙCΤΡΟΝ AE15 Roman Provincial: Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 15.0mm 2.80gr 8h O: AΥ ΚΑΙ Cε CεΥΗΡΟC; Laureate head, right. R: ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟC [ΙCΤΡΟΝ]; Vase with two handles. Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior Mint Varbanov 2495; Tachella 58 in RN 1903; Obverse legend variety of Brunsmid 52 in AMNG Additions (NZ 35). tiberius/Barry & Darling/Kevin Barry Thanks for your patience. If you are interested in Septimius Severus, Julia Domna or Probus, check out these links to my collection. Feel free to add to this thread anything of fun or pm me if you want to talk Severans or Probus. Severus: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6295 Julia Domna: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6296 Probus: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6322
How can one possibly hate S. Severus and J. Domna when they were responsible for bestowing this sweet angelic prince upon the Roman people? Caracalla Doesn't he look like an angel, folks? Just ask the people of Alexandria how benevolent he was when he found out there was a play making fun of him being hosted in the city. He was so sweet he rewarded over 10,000 people with a free instant trip to the afterlife. Wasn't that thoughtful of him?
Yes, your coins are much better than your photos. They deserve better. Are you sure this one is fourree or cast? I see nothing out of the ordinary for an early Eastern mint denarius. Had I seen it, I would have bought it from what I see here. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-157779
Nice collection of Severan coinage plus the Probus. The Domna coin referenced by @dougsmit has a young and beautiful portrait. I always wonder what they looked like in real life. Certainly close enough to true characteristics, but perhaps enhanced beauty and strength much like magazines shoots today.
@dougsmit I am not 100% sure. I bought it from a reputable seller but once I had it in hand I was concerned about the misspellings in the legend mostly. I labeled it a fouree as a matter of precaution. Hearing you say it is genuine gives me third thoughts now. Do you think the bumbling of the legend is in line for coins from Emesa? The monet on the reverse also appears to have an extra letter after the m. I wasn’t comfortable calling it real because I don’t know enough.
You certainly did well in 2019, congratulations! Beautifull coins, exceptional historical writeups. Thanks for sharing
To Sallents point, son (Caracalla) turned out exactly as Dad. Historians rate Septimus Severus as one of Rome 10 most evil Emperors. Gotta wonder why Julia married him.....
Very nice selection, I like your focus on Septimius Severus, especially your number one and ten Pontus (a favourite type of mine) all up it looks like you had a great year of collecting. Congrats.
It's always a bit dodgy to judge leaders of the past using modern moral standards. How would Titus 'the delight and darling of the human race' fair if we did so? I fear the destroyer of Jerusalem would not do so well.
Really interesting provincials here! I like the Phocaea bronze with the two turreted goddesses, each holding a patera and tympanum. I also like those small lion coins of Nicopolis ad Istrum. Here's one of Caracalla in my collection. Caracalla, AD 198-217. Roman provincial Æ assarion, 1.92 g, 15.4 mm, 2 h. Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis ad Istrum. Obv: MAP AV K ANTΩNIN, bare head, right. Rev: NIKOΠOΛITΩ / ΠPOC IC, lion advancing right. Refs: Varbanov 3007; Moushmov 1111; AMNG 1599.
How did I miss this one?!? Great bunch of coins... I particularly like the Nikopolis lion & urn as well as the ex Gysen Probus. I'm no Probus expert so I could be totally wrong, but the armour (scale armour?) looks unusual to me. Very similar to the armour normally shown on late Antioch Gordian III ants. I hope you followed up with Doug via pm on the Domna. If it looks normal to him, it's normal. (It adds less than nothing for me to say it looks normal to me too.)
I can accept this coin as normal for a mint not known for being too normal. Fourree is a very specific term for a plated coin with a base metal core and precious skin. It does not mean just any variation of strange. What you see as an extra letter after the M is the balance scales held by Moneta. This one shows it more clearly but is a bit less common with IVLA on the obverse and two dots on the reverse. There are hundreds of flyspeck level variations from 'Emesa' which Martin and I occasionally give in to boring those of you who don't obsess on Severans. He prefers what was once termed "Laodicea" while I find it the least appealing of the Eastern mints but now fear that the mint ID picture is much more complicated than we thought. Those scholars who think they can pontificate and call everything 'Antioch' just don't understand the question. I prefer to explain away things by fantasizing a mobile mint travelling with the emperor rather than a fixed unit in some city but my fantasies are nothing more than that. Those who need neatly packaged answers should collect something else.
@dougsmit and @Severus Alexander and @Al Kowsky Thank you for the compliments and input. I don’t have the knowledge or experience with the Eastern Mints (wherever they may be) that Doug has, so the knowledge that Doug brings to the discussion is really helpful. I just wasn’t sure about the denarius because I felt like it was too blundered if that is a thing. But after reading Doug’s responses, I’ll happily move the coin to the okay column. The whole world of the late second century fascinated me and the provincials paint a more elaborate picture of the Roman Empire for me... and they are just fun.
My feelings too. One of the great things about ancient coin is how seldom we can find an "exact" match. Knucklebone shell aes grave, but not the same.