Two Sestertius--Budget Style

Among the last purchases from this months 'coin budget' are the following posted examples (and a few more pending confirmation of winning bids just prior to X-mas). I have a SPECIAL fondness for the 'King of Bronzes' and both have aspects/devices I find particularly appealing, despite some wear, weak strike and so-on. As a combined lot, they cost me about $200.00 shipped---a price I suspect many would find excessive and others reasonable...IMHO, it is a fair price (if a tad higher than I preferred to pay) for the type and grade and complements those I have of different metals and denominations.

Trajan Decius, Orichalcum Sestertius, Rome mint, 249-251 AD; 14.89 grams, 31.0 mm
IMP C N Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG; laureate, cuirassed bust right.
PAX AVGVSTI; Pax standing, facing head left, raising olive branch in right, tranverse long scepter in left; S C flanking fields.
RIC IV 125a; Cohen V 93


Gordian III, Orichalcum Sestertius, Rome mint, July 238 AD; 16.67 grams, 30.1 mm
IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; laureate, cuirassed bust right.
AETERNITATI AVG, Sol standing slightly left, radiate, nude, chalmys over shoulder;
Raising hand, commanding the sun to rise.
RIC IV 297a, Cohen V 43



Please post ANY Sestertius or any coin(s) of Trajan Decius or Gordianus that you may have.

 

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Nice portrait on both, I prefer Gordian the most though. The price doesn't seem excessive to my eye.


Gordian III, Sestertius minted in Rome, AD 241/243
IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate and draped bust right, seen from behind
IOVI STATORI, Jupiter standing, looking right, holding thuderbolt and sceptre. S C in field
20,18 gr
Ref : Cohen #111, RCV # 8710, RIC # 298a


Sorry for the poor pic on that one, due to a thick, bright and glossy patina :

Trajan Decius, Sestertius Rome mint, AD 251
IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right
DACIA, Dacia standing left, holding roman standard, S|C in field
20,98 gr
Cohen # 28, RCV # 9400

Q

 

I love the details on the Trajan D., Mikey - very nice!

 

'Q' I ABSOLUTELY LOVE those portraits!!! Just terrific examples!! And that 'glossy patina' WOW!

 

Not sure if I would have paid that much for both but they are a bit better then usual. I own very few. Hope to get more as one of the goals for 2016.

 

What a great portrait! Beautiful coin, Mikey.

 

Both are amazing portraits, Mikey. I think they are well worth what you paid for them.

 

Great pick ups!

 

I would have paid that for those 2 coins. I absolutely love the portraits. Very nice pickups.

 

My only sestertius. Budget style as well, but a really cool coin, made even better by the fact that it was actually free. My first Roman coin that wasn't a fourth century bronze actually. Gordian III Æ Sestertius. 240 AD. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right / P M TR P III COS P P, SC in ex, emperor seated left holding globe & scepter. Cohen 231. RIC 294a

 

I don't yet have a sestertius. I'm going to have to remedy that in 2016.

 

Two of each, one rare.
Gordian III as Caesar under Balbinus and Pupienus


Gordian III Libertas showing a flan cut with two square sides but otherwise rounded


Decius Victory


Decius Pannoniae

 

Like the Gordian iii best, but both are awesome.

 

Fantastic examples Doug!!!

I'm occupied with football and I'm wondering which is the 'rare' coin?? Without googling etc, I'd guess the Gordian III as Caesar???

 

Priorities will have to put off that quest until halftime.

https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=76775
It offends me how much cheaper these are than the coins of Balbinus and Pupienus.

 

Great portraits on both!

Here's most of mine

 

Great coins

 

Free??? May I have the address of your benefactor???

 

Great posts!!!

I know how expensive those rulers can be (I only have 'flawed' budget examples), but I have to refresh my memory by comparing how much more a similar sestertius is compared to the $1,000.00 purchase on your link.

 

WOW! @Mikey Zee those are lovely.

Roman Empire
Gordian III (r.238-244)
Antioch, Syria (AD 243/44)
AR Double Denarius 23 mm x 4.13 grams
Obverse: Radiant, Cuirassed Bust of Gordian III right. Latin legend- IMP GORDIANVSPIVS FEL AVG.
Reverse: Sol standing left, right hand raised in salute and left hand holding out globe. Latin Legend - ORIENS AVG
Ref: RIC 213, Cohen 167
Note: Rare type of Eastern mint.