So far this year, I have failed to add a new emperor in my «silver collection». I’ve done two nice upgrades, though. This one came home on Tuesday: Diocletian AR Argenteus. Siscia, AD 294-295. Obverse: DIOCLETIANVS AVG, laureate head to right Reverse: VIRTVS MILITVM, four tetrarchs sacrificing over tripod before city enclosure with eight turrets; pellet in doorway. Reference: RIC VI 32a. Weight: 2.64g 6h. Diameter: 17,7mm If I have to asess the coin myself, I would call this a real gem. It was also a real bargain. I bought another Diocletian argentus less than a year ago, but just couldn’t turn this one down. Here’s the «old» Diocletian in AR coin, which even made my top 10 list last year: Diocletian, 284-305 AD. Argenteus. Nicomedia. Obverse: DIOCLETIANVS AVG. Laureate head right. Reverse: VICTORIAE SARMATICAE / SMNΓ. Camp gate, with four towers and star above open door. Reference: RIC 25a, RCV 12616 Weight: 3.21 g. Diameter: 18 mm. I’ll probably keep both, at least for a while, as they represent the two major types of argenteii. The next upgrade was my Valentinian I silver coin. I’ve never been very happy with this one, typical bottom feeding purchase many years ago: Valentinian I, Siliqua, Rome, A.D. 364 - A.D. 367 Obverse: D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG: Bust of Valentinian I, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right Reverse: VOT/V/MVLT/X within wreath Mint mark: L B Reference: RIV IX Rome 10b The new upgrade makes me smile every time I look at it, however: Valentinian I. AD 364-375. AR Siliqua, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 2nd officina. Struck AD 364-367. Obverse: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right Reverse: Valentinian standing right, holding labarum with plain shaft and Victory on globe; SLVG. Reference: RIC IX 6a; Lyon 12; RSC 18-19†c. Size: 17.5mm, 1.96 g, 6h. Conservation: Toned, attached lamination flaw on reverse. Good VF. I’m still hoping to add one or two of the remaining emperors in the silver set this year, but I really enjoy these upgrades too. What about you? Have you had any upgrades on areas you are collecting so far in 2021?
Ironically I actually like the "bottom feeder" ones more than the upgrades. Especially the Valentinian I. I find the chipped edge distracting over the better round flan of the first even though it's more worn. To each their own.
Great upgrades! The same for me as well, I rather have a beautiful portrait with an clipped edge or a non-distracting test cut than a complete coin with a worn/less-artistic portrait (if that is what my budget allows). For the Diocletian I like both coins equally actually (But I guess it is because it is another type). The new Valentinian is a definite upgrade of the emperor, nice portrait.
What I like very much about the new Diocletian, is that it is an early issue of the argentus. Perhaps it’s even among the first ones made who knows? And it is truly in mint state, there is no sign of wear or bag marks. The patina is very light and thin, looking more like 1700 years of dust than 1700 years of sand. I imagine that it’s a coin that has been picked right out of production and taken care of, perhaps sent to a supervisor for inspection, or perhaps to the emperor himself? Yeah, that’s a fun thing about this hobby. It feeds the imagination.
@svessien Those are all excellent coins. Eventually I will buy myself an argentus from Diocletian with the tetrarchy. I hope to find as nice of one as either of yours. I’m very lacking in late silver. Cheers.
@svessian, I think all of those coins are great. I would very much like to own a silver argenteus. I recently attempted to buy one of Maximian I, but it turned out to be already sold, according to the dealer. One of these days!
Donna and Nicholas: When I started collecting ancient coins, back in 2003-04, I remember being very fascinated by the argenteii that I saw for sale. They would usually sell for about 4000 NOK, about 400€ or 475$ (plus premium). I never imagined paying that much for a coin, but I remember thinking that perhaps it would be worth it to own an argentus like the first one in the thread. Interestingly, those two coins were 360€ and 220€, bought in a market that has been described as «crazy». Some times, following auctions with patience and self control pays off. The money spent on the new Diocletian was meant for Constantius I, though. The only original tetrarch that I still haven’t got. So now I need to find another way to fund that
@svessien I hear what you are saying. I try to keep an eye on many items even if they don’t fall in my current specialty in case opportunity presents itself. Unfortunately it seems to be the thing now for many of us so even if a lot is sleeping for weeks on end before the auction it seems that everyone tries to pull the trigger a day before. Still, I am lucky in finding some good coins that are undervalued. Or at least under what I think I would pay it up against a wall.
Nicely done! CNG had a nice selection of Valentinian-era siliqua in this past auction (I'm more of a "bottom-feeder"!). Your siliqua is of particularly fine style.