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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Curtisimo, post: 2702211, member: 83845&quot;]Hello and welcome to the first round of the 2017 CoinTalk Coin Imperator Tournament.&nbsp; If you aren’t aware of the tournament then you can read about it here.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-announcing-the-first-annual-cointalk-coin-imperator-tournament-2017.293824/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-announcing-the-first-annual-cointalk-coin-imperator-tournament-2017.293824/">https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-announcing-the-first-annual-cointalk-coin-imperator-tournament-2017.293824/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]608449[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Please take a minute to appreciate the excellent coins shown below and cast your votes.&nbsp; A <b>BIG</b> thanks to both our contestants for sharing these cool examples!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><font size="6">#6 [USER=82616]@David Atherton[/USER] </font></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]608450[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Titus</p><p><b>AR Denarius</b>, 2.87g</p><p>Rome mint, 80 AD</p><p>RIC 112 (C2), BMC 72, RSC 309</p><p>Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.</p><p>Rev: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P; Dolphin coiled around anchor</p><p>Ex Berk </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Price:</u></b> $400 (Purchased in 2005: Inflation adjusted to 2017 = $499) </p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Why It’s Cool:</u></b></p><p>This denarius was part of a series struck for the lectisternium (religious ceremony) celebrating the opening of the Colosseum in 80 AD.</p><p><br /></p><p>Each god had its own sacred couch, in Latin they are known as &#039;pulvinaria&#039;, brought out in pairs, probably in the Forum. The coins commemorate the sacred couches which were set out with &#039;exuviae&#039; (emblems) representing the gods. This dolphin and anchor type is most likely the &#039;pulvinar&#039; of Neptune.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><font size="6">#11 [USER=39084]@IdesOfMarch01[/USER] </font></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]608451[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>CLAUDIUS 10 B.C. - 54 A.D.</p><p><b>AV Aureus</b>, (7.79 g.) Rome 44 - 45 A.D. RIC 25</p><p>Obv. TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG P M TR P IIII laureate head r.</p><p>Rev. Battlemented wall IMPER RECEPT enclosing praetorian camp, Fides Praetorianorum left.</p><p>Ex. Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection. Lustrous.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Price:</u></b> $24,000 (Purchased 2008: Inflation adjusted 2017 = $27,155)</p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Why It’s Cool:</u></b></p><p>With this coin, Claudius honored the Praetorian Guard, who elevated him to emperor immediately after the assassination of Claudius&#039; nephew, the emperor Caligula. Claudius, having heard about the assassination and fearing for his life, was found cowering behind a curtain by the Praetorians. Because Claudius had a reputation as a half-wit and stammerer, the Praetorians considered him a harmless member of the royal family. Claudius became the first emperor to be raised to Caesar by the Praetorians.</p><p><br /></p><p>Despite commemorating one of the most significant historical events of the first century AD, Berk oddly does not include this coin in his <i>100 Greatest Ancient Coins</i>. </p><p><br /></p><p>Claudius went on to be a highly successful emperor, building the Port at Ostia, establish London as a civilian Roman city, and undertaking a large number of public projects. </p><p><br /></p><p>One of my favorite quotes from the BBC series <i>I, Claudius </i>when Claudius was asking the senate to confirm him as emperor:</p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;As for being half-witted: well, what can I say, except that I have survived to middle age with half my wits, while thousands have died with all of theirs intact. Evidently, quality of wits is more important than quantity.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The comment section of this thread will be open for shameless lobbying, good natured discussion and for anyone to explain their voting logic if they choose. </p><p><br /></p><p>I know that I don’t have to tell you fine, upstanding ladies and gentlemen this but remember to keep the banter civil, respectful and POSITIVE lest the mods become upset with us.&nbsp; Remember this is all in fun and will benefit a good cause no matter who wins <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>…and of course <span style="color: #ff0000">PLEASE post your relevant examples pile on style!</span>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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