Showability

Man, I'm really envious of those Julius Caesar denarii that folks have posted. I despair of ever being able to afford one. Maybe when the kids get out of college I can treat myself. But I fear how much they might be then.

 

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Great showy coins guys and gals!

From my collection, the most 'showable' coin (I'm assuming this is an 'in person' thing) would be a big old hunk of silver like this one.


Vespasian
AR Tetradrachm, 14.95g
Antioch mint, 69-70 AD
RPC 1944 (4 spec.)
Obv: AYTOKPAT KAIΣA OYEΣΠAΣIANOY; Small bust of Vespasian, laureate, l., with drapery on far shoulder, above eagle standing l., l. wing extended
Rev: T ΦΛAYI OYEΣΠ KAIΣ ETOYΣ NEOY IEPOY; Head of Titus, laureate, r.; in l. field, lituus; in r. field, B
Ex CNG E354, 1 July 2015, lot 367.

 

Ah, do not despair Gavin -- I just know you will own one eventually -- I feel it in my bones. I finally got one quite recently -- by accident really for I was negotiating for a Tetrarchic follis. Anyway, here is mine:



JULIUS CAESAR

Denarius, Crawford, Roman Republican Coins (RRC), No. 480/8 (March 44 BC - Alföldi)

Coin obverse depiction: Julius Caesar laureate bust facing right
Inscription clockwise from right: CAESAR DICT PERPETVO

Coin reverse depiction: Venus standing, facing left, holding statuette of victory on palm of right hand and supporting vertical scepter with left hand. Inscription vertical to right: L BVCA (Moneyer)

Rough surfaces: lifetime Julius Caesar portrait coins are frequently in not very good condition

 

Good to see that DICT PERPETVO on the obverse, Jamesicus. I think that's the title that got Caesar killed, along with rex he flirted with.

 

Agreed. I sided more for the Brutus camp.

 

Interesting question. Depending upon the 'audience', I find a slight majority seem to be most fascinated by the largest bronzes I have....metals and familiar historical figures a close second.

 

Gold sure does catch the eye and everyone seems to appreciate it. It doesn't take a history lesson to appreciate a solidus or aureus.

Right. A sestertius is larger than the largest US coin (Have you seen a half dollar coin lately? I haven't.) and that is impressive. No history lesson required.

What makes a coin especially interesting to me is in my head--years of learning. If you don't know what I know about x then my coin of x will not interest you the way it interests me. It takes quite a bit of learning to get beyond "It's old" or "It's gold" or "It's large".