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<p>[QUOTE="Orfew, post: 2954220, member: 74968"][ATTACH=full]722105[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>GALBA, A.D. 68-69. AR Denarius</p><p><br /></p><p>(3.38 gms),</p><p><br /></p><p>Rome Mint, ca. A.D. July 68-January 69..</p><p><br /></p><p>Obv: "IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG PM" Laureate bust of Galba facing right;</p><p><br /></p><p>Rev:: Virtus standing facing, holding parazonium upwards and leaning on vertical spear.</p><p>NGC Ch F, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5.</p><p>RIC-236</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Provenance: From the Graywood Collection.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>Stack’s Bowers Galleries Auction August 8 2017 Lot 24114</p><p><br /></p><p>Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Galba promised to elevate Otho to Augustus but instead chose someone else. This angered Otho who caught up with Galba and had him murdered. Around the same time Vitellius was also declared emperor. Otho ruled for three months before committing suicide instead of prolonging the war with Vitellius. Otho is for many 12 Caesars collectors, the last one they acquire. As mentioned earlier, Otho minted no imperial base coinage. Collectors have the choice of adding a provincial issue or choosing between the silver and gold imperial issues. One surprising fact about his denarii is just how many are available. They are sought after and expensive, but they are surprisingly available given his short reign. Of course this only applies to some types of his denarii. Other types are only known from a handful of examples.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]722106[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Otho AR Denarius. Rome Mint. ( 17.89 mm, 3.08 g)</p><p><br /></p><p>Obv: IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bewigged head right</p><p><br /></p><p>Rev: SECVRITAS P R, Securitas standing left, holding wreath & scepter.</p><p><br /></p><p>RIC I, 8 (R2), RSC 17. SRCV I (2000) 2162</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>After the suicide of Otho, Vitellus took over sole rule of the empire. He also only ruled for a few months. He was unpopular among the people. He apparently was a glutton and a generally excessive person. His coins are readily available though there are some very scarce types. This is true for both the base and precious metal coinage. Among the denarii there are several reverse types that occur quite frequently while one might go years without seeing other scarcer types. Still, there is some interesting variation in reverse types though definitely not to the extent of the following emperors.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]722107[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Vitellius Denarius. 69 AD (19.61 mm, 3.09 g)</p><p><br /></p><p>Obv: A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head right</p><p><br /></p><p>Rev: PONT MAXIM, Vesta seated right, holding sceptre and patera.</p><p><br /></p><p>RIC 107 (S), RSC 72, BMC 34. SRCV I (2000) 2200</p><p><br /></p><p>Ex: Frank Robinson.</p><p><br /></p><p>Paid: 151.00 USD</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Vespasian was declared emperor by his soldiers and Vitellus was murdered in the street ignominiously. Vespasian was the first of the three Flavian emperors which included the sons of Vespasian Domitian and Titus. The coinage of Vespasian was very extensive. Because he ruled for 10 years there is much variety in his coinage. He was responsible for the sacking of Jerusalem. He paid for the colosseum from the proceeds of the looting of Judea. You can still see scenes of the looting on the arch of Titus in Rome. I find the reverse types on Vespasian’s denarii very interesting. They include depictions of a subjugated Judean people, depictions of war trophies, references to his children and to peace among many others. If you are collecting the 12 Caesars in silver, the good news is that there are many denarii available. While it is true that some are very scarce, there are always interesting examples available to choose amongst.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]722108[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Vespasian, 69-79 A.D. AR Denarius, 3.16g. 21.41mm. Rome, 73 A.D.</p><p><br /></p><p>Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS. Laureate head of Vespasian to right.</p><p><br /></p><p>Rev: MAXIM PONTIF. Nemesis walking to right holding caduceus over snake.</p><p><br /></p><p>C 385, RIC 544. SRCV I (2000) 2304</p><p><br /></p><p>Ex: E. E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica - Auction 92 Part 2, Lot 2133 May 24, 2016 275 CHF ; Ex: Ed waddell September 7, 2016</p><p><br /></p><p>Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]722109[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Roman Empire, Vespasian 69-79, Denarius,</p><p><br /></p><p>(17.49 mm 3.24g)</p><p><br /></p><p>Obv: Laureate head of Vespasian right "IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TRPPP" Rev: "AVG" within an wreath, Phi-Alpha monogram above ties. "AVG" in the center. RIC 1414. Ephesos mint, Some roughness on the reverse.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ex Savoca Auction #9, lot 533 8/21/16, realized 350 Euro + buyer's fee</p><p><br /></p><p>Lot 152 Aegean Nuismatics Agora Auctions July 20. 2017.</p><p><br /></p><p>Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Titus only ruled for 2 years. Like his father he was credited for victory in Judea, and this appears on his coins. He completed the building of the colosseum and in general was considered a good and popular ruler. Many of his coins continued the themes from his father’s coinage. However, there are some interesting denarii which are unique to Titus. His coins are in general not as easy to find as those of Vespasian or those of Titus’ brother Domitian.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]722110[/ATTACH]</p><p>Titus. AR Denarius as Caesar, AD 69-79. Rome, under Vespasian, Struck AD 77/8.</p><p><br /></p><p>(19.04 mm, 3.25 g),</p><p><br /></p><p>Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Titus right.</p><p><br /></p><p>Rev: COS VI, prow of galley right, sides ornameted with intricate cross-hatch and maeander patterns; above, star with sixteen rays. RIC 950 (R); BN 202; BMC 226; RSC 68. SRCV I (2000) 2441</p><p><br /></p><p>Ex: Incitatus Coins</p><p><br /></p><p>Paid 205.00 USD</p><p><br /></p><p>Purchased February 22, 2016 from Incitatus coins</p><p><br /></p><p>Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Domitian was not as popular as Titus. He carried on some of the same reverse themes as Titus. However, he was also responsible for many reverse types that differed from those of his brother. In my opinion Domitian’s coins will be known for the ubiquitous Minerva reverses. Though there are several types of Minerva reverse, and some examples are very scarce, I personally like the reverses without Minerva.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]722111[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Domitian. AR denarius (18.15 mm, 3.36 g, 7 h). Rome mint, struck A.D. 81.</p><p><br /></p><p>Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG, laureate head right</p><p><br /></p><p>Rev: TR P COS VII, draped throne, back decorated with grain ears. RIC 3; BMCRE 2; RSC 554a.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ex: William Rosenblum Coins Ex:Agora Auctions March 22, 2016 lot 52-174</p><p><br /></p><p>Purchased from Agora Auctions March 22, 2016.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Domitian was the last ruler in the Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius. I hope you will agree that no matter how arbitrary the selection of rulers might have been by Suetonius, this period was anything but dull. Instead I hope you will agree that it is a fascinating period of time to investigate. One of the best ways to investigate this period of time is by collecting and researching the coins issued by these rulers. I want to emphasize one more point. There is no correct nor incorrect way to collect the 12 Caesars. You can collect them in different denominations and metals, you can collect imperial or provincial issues, and you can collect common or scarce type. There is much variety and interest to be had in this pursuit. If you decide to collect this group of rulers I wish you both fun and luck in tracking down coinage of some of the most interesting rulers that ever lived. Pursuing a 12 Caesars set is challenging, interesting, and a great way to feed one’s appetite for history.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Orfew, post: 2954220, member: 74968"][ATTACH=full]722105[/ATTACH] GALBA, A.D. 68-69. AR Denarius (3.38 gms), Rome Mint, ca. A.D. July 68-January 69.. Obv: "IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG PM" Laureate bust of Galba facing right; Rev:: Virtus standing facing, holding parazonium upwards and leaning on vertical spear. NGC Ch F, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. RIC-236 [I]Provenance: From the Graywood Collection.[/I] Stack’s Bowers Galleries Auction August 8 2017 Lot 24114 Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database. Galba promised to elevate Otho to Augustus but instead chose someone else. This angered Otho who caught up with Galba and had him murdered. Around the same time Vitellius was also declared emperor. Otho ruled for three months before committing suicide instead of prolonging the war with Vitellius. Otho is for many 12 Caesars collectors, the last one they acquire. As mentioned earlier, Otho minted no imperial base coinage. Collectors have the choice of adding a provincial issue or choosing between the silver and gold imperial issues. One surprising fact about his denarii is just how many are available. They are sought after and expensive, but they are surprisingly available given his short reign. Of course this only applies to some types of his denarii. Other types are only known from a handful of examples. [ATTACH=full]722106[/ATTACH] Otho AR Denarius. Rome Mint. ( 17.89 mm, 3.08 g) Obv: IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bewigged head right Rev: SECVRITAS P R, Securitas standing left, holding wreath & scepter. RIC I, 8 (R2), RSC 17. SRCV I (2000) 2162 After the suicide of Otho, Vitellus took over sole rule of the empire. He also only ruled for a few months. He was unpopular among the people. He apparently was a glutton and a generally excessive person. His coins are readily available though there are some very scarce types. This is true for both the base and precious metal coinage. Among the denarii there are several reverse types that occur quite frequently while one might go years without seeing other scarcer types. Still, there is some interesting variation in reverse types though definitely not to the extent of the following emperors. [ATTACH=full]722107[/ATTACH] Vitellius Denarius. 69 AD (19.61 mm, 3.09 g) Obv: A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head right Rev: PONT MAXIM, Vesta seated right, holding sceptre and patera. RIC 107 (S), RSC 72, BMC 34. SRCV I (2000) 2200 Ex: Frank Robinson. Paid: 151.00 USD Vespasian was declared emperor by his soldiers and Vitellus was murdered in the street ignominiously. Vespasian was the first of the three Flavian emperors which included the sons of Vespasian Domitian and Titus. The coinage of Vespasian was very extensive. Because he ruled for 10 years there is much variety in his coinage. He was responsible for the sacking of Jerusalem. He paid for the colosseum from the proceeds of the looting of Judea. You can still see scenes of the looting on the arch of Titus in Rome. I find the reverse types on Vespasian’s denarii very interesting. They include depictions of a subjugated Judean people, depictions of war trophies, references to his children and to peace among many others. If you are collecting the 12 Caesars in silver, the good news is that there are many denarii available. While it is true that some are very scarce, there are always interesting examples available to choose amongst. [ATTACH=full]722108[/ATTACH] Vespasian, 69-79 A.D. AR Denarius, 3.16g. 21.41mm. Rome, 73 A.D. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS. Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev: MAXIM PONTIF. Nemesis walking to right holding caduceus over snake. C 385, RIC 544. SRCV I (2000) 2304 Ex: E. E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica - Auction 92 Part 2, Lot 2133 May 24, 2016 275 CHF ; Ex: Ed waddell September 7, 2016 Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database. [ATTACH=full]722109[/ATTACH] Roman Empire, Vespasian 69-79, Denarius, (17.49 mm 3.24g) Obv: Laureate head of Vespasian right "IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TRPPP" Rev: "AVG" within an wreath, Phi-Alpha monogram above ties. "AVG" in the center. RIC 1414. Ephesos mint, Some roughness on the reverse. Ex Savoca Auction #9, lot 533 8/21/16, realized 350 Euro + buyer's fee Lot 152 Aegean Nuismatics Agora Auctions July 20. 2017. Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database Titus only ruled for 2 years. Like his father he was credited for victory in Judea, and this appears on his coins. He completed the building of the colosseum and in general was considered a good and popular ruler. Many of his coins continued the themes from his father’s coinage. However, there are some interesting denarii which are unique to Titus. His coins are in general not as easy to find as those of Vespasian or those of Titus’ brother Domitian. [ATTACH=full]722110[/ATTACH] Titus. AR Denarius as Caesar, AD 69-79. Rome, under Vespasian, Struck AD 77/8. (19.04 mm, 3.25 g), Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Titus right. Rev: COS VI, prow of galley right, sides ornameted with intricate cross-hatch and maeander patterns; above, star with sixteen rays. RIC 950 (R); BN 202; BMC 226; RSC 68. SRCV I (2000) 2441 Ex: Incitatus Coins Paid 205.00 USD Purchased February 22, 2016 from Incitatus coins Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database. Domitian was not as popular as Titus. He carried on some of the same reverse themes as Titus. However, he was also responsible for many reverse types that differed from those of his brother. In my opinion Domitian’s coins will be known for the ubiquitous Minerva reverses. Though there are several types of Minerva reverse, and some examples are very scarce, I personally like the reverses without Minerva. [ATTACH=full]722111[/ATTACH] Domitian. AR denarius (18.15 mm, 3.36 g, 7 h). Rome mint, struck A.D. 81. Obv: IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG, laureate head right Rev: TR P COS VII, draped throne, back decorated with grain ears. RIC 3; BMCRE 2; RSC 554a. Ex: William Rosenblum Coins Ex:Agora Auctions March 22, 2016 lot 52-174 Purchased from Agora Auctions March 22, 2016. Domitian was the last ruler in the Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius. I hope you will agree that no matter how arbitrary the selection of rulers might have been by Suetonius, this period was anything but dull. Instead I hope you will agree that it is a fascinating period of time to investigate. One of the best ways to investigate this period of time is by collecting and researching the coins issued by these rulers. I want to emphasize one more point. There is no correct nor incorrect way to collect the 12 Caesars. You can collect them in different denominations and metals, you can collect imperial or provincial issues, and you can collect common or scarce type. There is much variety and interest to be had in this pursuit. If you decide to collect this group of rulers I wish you both fun and luck in tracking down coinage of some of the most interesting rulers that ever lived. Pursuing a 12 Caesars set is challenging, interesting, and a great way to feed one’s appetite for history.[/QUOTE]
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