Featured Roman Province of Antioch in Syria, Emperor by Emperor (Pile On Thread)

And here is a freshly new Vespasian ( not mine ) directly from the RPC supplement #5 of spring 2019 :

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

VESPASIAN
My understanding is that these tetradrachms were struck for the primary purpose of paying the Roman soldiers who were in Judea during the multi-year siege against Jerusalem. This specific coin was struck in year 2 of Vespasian's reign, which was the last year that Vespasian's name and portrait appeared on the Roman tets of Antioch. Beginning the next year the tets featured Titus.

This example is McAlee 334, is 27 mm., and weighs 14.54 gr. Also, it was double-struck on the reverse -- most visibly at the eagle's head and beak.

 

TITUS
This is one of my favorite coins. I have grown to like the characteristic portraits on Eastern mint Flavian denarii. See notes in the numismatic data below.

 

The big letters SC on reverse of this bronze coin hint that it was struck in Antioch. Still there is no wreath. Vespasian is head -right on obverse. The date is in exergue ETKS(year 26 of that era). There's a possibility that it could belong to Agrippa II, the last Herodian king, thus being struck in Judaea. Hope some generous and clever fellow could attribute this semi mysterious coin. Weight : 5.9 g.

 

Brothers in Arms:

 

Some have called me generous; few have called me clever. Nonetheless, I think this is your coin's type:
https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/ho...__caesarea_maritima_mint/1080960/Default.aspx

 

How about Vespasian and Titus on one coin?



26-24 mm. 14.91 grams.
Prier 108, 3 examples.
RPC II 1942, 31 examples from 5 obverse dies.
McAlee 331 "Group 2"
AVTOKPAT KAIΣA OYEΣΠAΣIANOY
ΦΛAVI OYEΣΠ KAIΖ ETOΥΣ NEOY IEPOY, B before neck (year 2)
Struck 70.

 

Justin Lee, You must have an impressive group of these counterstamped bronze coins ! What's the body count now ?

 

Thanks! Only 4 so far: Claudius (1), Otho (1), Domitian (2)... But I'm always on the lookout for more!! But that Otho I just had to have when I saw it. Also, I've been outbid a couple times in CNG auctions this year on more of these c/m coins from the Richard Baker countermark collection.

 

Finally made it to Vespasian! I’ve been waiting to join in this thread for a couple weeks now.


Vespasian, 69-79, Antioch, 'Dupondius' (Bronze, 26 mm, 15.71 g). IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG Laureate head of Vespasian to left. Rev. Large S C within laurel wreath. McAlee 362b. RPC II 2009.

 

Here we are at Domitian. So here goes:

Domitian, A.D. 81-96

AE 25, 11.7 grams - SYRIA, Antioch ad Orontem

Obverse: DOMITIANVS CAESAR, Laureate head left

Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath

Reference: RPC 2016, BMC 246

Ex-Eng, Ex-JAZ, Ex-JB Good, Ex-Ira Ettinger Collection

 

So, after the Flavian dynasty, lasting a solid 17 years from 69-96 AD (Vespasian, 69-79 AD; Titus, 79-81 AD; Domitian, 81-96 AD), comes...

-- Nerva ------------------------
On the same day of Domitian's assassination, Nerva was elected in 96 AD by the Senate to succeed him as emperor (evidently, the first time that happened). His rule was cut short after Nerva died from natural causes in early 98 AD, only three months after naming his heir (who's next? ). Oh, and he had a big nose.


Nerva, Ruled 96-98 AD
AE27, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IMP CAESAR NERVA AVG III COS, Laureate head of Nerva right.
Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath of eight leaves, pellet or Θ below.
References: RPC III 3487, McAlee 421(i)
Size: 28mm, 14.93g


Nerva, Ruled 96-98 AD
AE30, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IMP CAESAR NERVA AVG III COS, Laureate head of Nerva right.
Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath of eight leaves, pellet or Θ (or horizontal R?) below.
References: RPC III 3487, McAlee 421(i)
Size: 30mm, 13.26g


Nerva, Ruled 96-98 AD
AE27, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IMP CAESAR NERVA AVG III COS, Laureate head of Nerva right.
Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath of eight leaves, I below.
References: Butcher 193, McAlee 421(j), BMC 264
Size: 27mm, 15.08g

 

It's been one heck of a busy and GRRREAT summer!

First, I appreciate everyone who has contributed to this thread so far, and those just following along, too!

Second, I apologize for the delay/pause that happened with this thread (big things happened in my life ) and I sooo appreciate everyone's patience.

​

Okay, okay... On to the next Emperor!
​

-- Trajan ------------------------
It was Trajan who succeeded Nerva as Emperor after he died in 98 AD. Trajan was the first Roman emperor born outside of Italy, rather was born in Italica in Hispania (though his family was Roman, he too was born as a Roman citizen). Trajan became a successful leader in the military, first serving in Hispania, then later in Germania. Some hint at the choice of Trajan by Nerva was to overcome a dislike of him by the soldiers.

Trajan spent the early days of his rule remaining in Germania to protect and secure the borders there. Later in his reign, Trajan battled the Dacians twice, with the final win occuring in 105 AD and Dacia was then absorbed into the empire. Additionally, in 113/114 AD Trajan battled against Parthia in Armenia and Mesopotamia, adding them to the empire. During this campaign in the east, Trajan (and Hadrian) had set up base the winter of 115 AD in Antioch in Syria, when on December 13th an earthquake struck the Orontes valley, causing much devastation to the city and those around it. It even caused a tsunami that smashed into the harbor in Caesarea Maritima in Judea badly damaging it. Antioch at the time had a population of about 500,000 people. Trajan and Hadrian escaped the earthquake with minor injuries, while the consul Marcus Pedo Vergilianus was killed. After the earthquake, Trajan set up a program to rebuild the city.

Trajan remained in the East trying to ensure a tighter, stronger Roman presence and life in the area. In early 117 AD, Trajan became ill and began the journey back to Rome. On August 8 117 AD, Trajan died in Selinus in Cilicia, what would later be called Trajanopolis in his honor.

Due to the fact that Trajan spent many years in the Near East of the empire and as he enjoyed a long rule, there were many coins struck in his name in Antioch.

Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD
AE27 (orchalcum), Struck 102-114 AD, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙС ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС СΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚ, laureate head right.
Reverse: S•C, BI below, all within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened with pellet at top.
References: McAlee 487m, RPC III 3595
Size: 27mm, 19.5g


Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD
AE27, Struck 114-116 AD, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙС ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС ΑΡΙСΤ СΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚ, laureate head right with drapery on left shoulder.
Reverse: S•C, A (H?) below, all within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened with pellet at top.
References: McAlee 490a, RPC III 3617
Size: 27mm, 13.9g


Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD
AE27, Syria, Antioch Mint, Struck 102-114 AD
Obverse: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙС ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС СΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚ, laureate head right.
Reverse: S•C, BI below, all within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened with pellet at top.
References: McAlee 487m, RPC III 3595
Size: 27mm, 19.0g​

It is also believed, and equally disputed, that there were coins struck in Rome that may have accompanied Trajan on his journey into the East in 113 AD or was requested of Rome to send these when beginning his next eastern campaign in 115/116 AD. (This belief of "Struck in Rome for use in Syria" applies to many other emperors, including the previously mentioned Flavians, and the emperor to come.)

Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD
Orichalcum As, Struck 115-116 AD
Speculated to be struck in Rome for circulation in Syria/Antioch.
Obverse: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GERM, radiate bust of Trajan right, with slight drapery.
Reverse: DAC PARTHICO P M TR POT XX COS VI P P, S C within laurel wreath.
References: RIC 647, McAlee 509
Size: 23mm, 7.05g


Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD
Orichalcum As, Struck 115-116 AD
Speculated to be struck in Rome for circulation in Syria/Antioch.
Obverse: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GERM, radiate bust of Trajan right, with slight drapery.
Reverse: DAC PARTHICO P M TR POT XX COS VI P P, S C within laurel wreath.
References: RIC 647, McAlee 509
Size: 23mm, 7.97g


Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD,
Orichalcum Semis, Struck 115-116 AD
Speculated to be struck in Rome for circulation in Syria/Antioch.
Obverse: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIM AVG GERM, radiate bust of Trajan right, with slight drapery.
Reverse: DAC PARTHICO P M TR POT XX COS VI P P, S C within laurel wreath.
References: McAlee 519


Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD,
Orichalcum Semis, Struck 115-116 AD
Speculated to be struck in Rome for circulation in Syria/Antioch.
Obverse: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIM AVG GERM, radiate bust of Trajan right, with slight drapery.
Reverse: DAC PARTHICO P M TR POT XX COS VI P P, S C within laurel wreath.
References: McAlee 519


Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD
AE, Syria, Antioch
Struck 98-99 AD (Consul II)
Speculated to be struck in Rome for circulation in Syria/Antioch. (?)
Obverse: AΥTOKΡ KAIΣ NEΡ TΡAIANOΣ ΣEB ΓEΡM, laureate head right.
Reverse: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ / ЄΞ YΠΑΤ Β (Triumphal Power, consul for the second time), in two lines within laurel wreath.
References: McAlee 498, BMC 91 (Caesarea)​

So, let's see your Trajan Antiochene coins!​

 

I just picked up this coin of Trajan from my old folders. It was struck at Antioch. Large SC on reverse. Thickly sandy.

 

I sold the handsome Tet pictured below at a Heritage auction in January of 2018. Despite the scratches on the obverse it sold for $480.00 !

 

Here is my NERON


Antioch, Syria
Nero Regnal year 8, Caesarian year 110, (AD 61/62)
AR Tetradrachm 25 mm x 14.05 grams
Obverse: NERWNOS KAISAROS SEBASTOU, Laureate bust right, wearing aegis.
Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, palm branch before, H/IP behind.
Ref: RPC4182
Ex: @Ancientnoob hoard

 

Trajan SC Antioch with a Hadrian countermark:


Trajan/Hadrian Æ 27
(c. 102-114 A.D. / cm see note)
Syria, Seleucis & Pieria
Antiochia ad Orontem
[ΑΥΤΟΚΡ] ΚΑΙϹ ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑ[ΝΟϹ] ϹΕΒ[ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚ] laureate head left / SC within laurel wreath, BI below.
RPC III, 3595; McAlee 487(m).
(12.98 grams / 27 x 25 mm)

Countermark Notes:
Laurel branch incuse in 5 x 4 mm rectangle, Howgego 378.

According to Howgego, the laurel branch countermark appears as an undertype on a Bar Kochba bronze, indicating that it was applied prior to 132-135 AD.
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=930871

 

Here's a Trajan from Antioch, quite like @Marsyas Mike's example, with a laurel branch countermark and everything!


Trajan, AD 98-117.
Roman Provincial Æ 29 mm, 15.86 g, 12 h.
Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch, AD 115-116.
Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙϹ ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ΑΡΙϹΤ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚ, laureate head, right. Countermark: laurel branch in incuse rectangle, Howgego 378 (69 sp.).
Rev: S·C in laurel wreath; Є below.
Refs: RPC III 3616; cf. BMC 20, p. 185, 286 (with same countermark); Wruck 196; McAlee 489(e).

 

Today's latest -
Claudius AE26 Antioch, Seleucis & Pieria, rev. large S C, 41-54AD

mint: Antioch
composition: AE
max.diameter: 27mm
weight: 13.6g
reference: RPC I 4277, McAlee 245d