Limes

Personally, the whole process of slabbing and grading feels off when it comes to ancient coins. I can somewhat understand it when it comes to more modern coins. Slabs are for grading and maintaining the value of a coin (or, for some people, make a profit) which is related purely to the grade mentioned on that plastic case. But no ancient coin is the same in design, strike, style, wear and so on. So the 'grading' is absolutely useless in comparison to mass production coin that came out of a machine. I wonder why people buy ancients in slabs. First, I can imagine that for buyers who collect of collected US and modern coins in slabs, buying ancient coins in slabs is 'just the way to do it'. Second, it may give an extra feel of protection that the coin is genuine (even though its purely about the grade) and an imagined extra handling protection for the coin. Third, in connection with no. 1, perhaps for them its a way to hold on to the coins value. for future selling. And fourth, like Berk mentioned in his podcasts, there are buyers who simply go for that 'star' or 'Choice' on the label. Also, I do think there's a big difference between European, and American auction houses when it comes to slabs. There are almost no slabbed ancients in European auctions, unlike some US based auctioneers. Maybe its also a cultural thing? Like @sand, I don't mind buying a coin in a slab per se, if the price is right. I have mentioned before, that I bought a Hadrian Germania denarius from US Heritage. It came in a slab, but the price was right. It goes without saying I freed the coin. Like you, I want to hold it in hand. Unfortunately, the fees from Heritage were absurd, so it's very unlikely I will ever buy from them again. Another coin in a slab came from a retailer, based in Europe. The price was again great, and I cracked it open. The Hadrian was low graded, somewhere VF, and the other coin was XF, but who cares, not me. (I do care about Heritage's 'handling costs' and it still annoys me. A lot.)

What is great collections? Is it something similar to heritage? Add: American customers, as I understand from Berk, its mainly to attract US customers who are more familiar with slabbing of US coins. Whatever it is, downside is it has an effect on the entire market, when even low grade coins get slabbed to attract higher prices.

I am having a hard time to think of any interesting reverses of these short lived rulers... But I'd love to see some, and be proven wrong!

I must say I cant relate to the list, from the perspective of my collecting preferences. Maybe because the 'raw' list is a sort of 'anti-slab' list, and maybe because it mainly applies to the higher end collectors (also because of the prices of the examples of coins he uses in the presentation). My list would basically be: do I like it and can I pay for it. The reason I got into collecting (mainly) Roman coins is because they provide a solid, hand held window to the past, and for some reason Im really interested in our 'ancient' Roman history. And I don't want that window to be in a plastic tomb, nor I am looking for a profit when it comes to my interest (although I wont deny that when I sell a coin, or think about my heirs, I do hope for at least a break-even, or even a little profit). My interest doesn't care about a star, or something being 'choice', and even if I had the money, I still wouldn't join the slabpeople, who only collect because of what some third party guy says about grade, thinking only about the profit they might gain. So empty, so sad. I think that many 'raw' collectors are like this. So why Berk doesn't mention this, puzzles me. To me, its the main difference between the collector, and investor, and, the slab/no-slab issue shows that difference. So, is it just me? Or is Berk not really in touch with some of the 'raw' collectors out there? And I really love that Gordian sestertius, fantastic patina! And your original question; I also enjoy listening to other podcast or videos or whatever, on youtube, about ancient and Roman history. E.g., told in stone, episodes from the series Time Team on bbc, and anything from Mary Beard. Also, a fantastic series of videos on ancient Egypt, but I cant seem to find it at the moment.

Congratz! I really like the reverse design. Your example is really nice! Some (or all?) Roman emperors were quite.... eeeh... sadistic. Ill just ease my mind with the thought of happiness that occurred with the people of Carthage for the newly established water supply. Or at least, thats how the rest of the story goes, if I remember correctly. I have dad, with the same reverse.

Great find! The description of he reverse leaves much to speculate (and research): figure standing r., holding branch; uncertain object at feet to r. A Note is added: 2 is from a different reverse die from 1, but is perhaps from the same obverse die. Butcher suggests an attribution to Tiberius, but he notes that the style is very different from that of other coins of the Julio-Claudian period. He identifies the figure on the reverse as Amphilochus. Never heard of Amphilochus before!

Nice AP! Congratulations! Ill add this COS IIII denar of AP.

Difficulty with provincials is that the portraits can be anything from Augustus to one of the many so called soldier emperors.... But I dont think that is Vespasian. Maybe Claudius, or indeed Hadrian. The reverse could be Marsyas, but Ive never seen him without hand and head raised or the flutes. So either the arm is worn off, or its some variety, or it isnt Marsyas. Im thinking of the latter, also because the head of Marsyas seems to be not looking upwards. I also cant find coins from Aeolis Aigai with Marsyas on the reverse on a ACsearch. Sorry, cant help any further with the pee pee mystery unfortunately.

When it comes to Commodus, the most interesting reverses I think, are the ones showing Commodus thinking he's the new Hercules. Here's mine: And a different theme, but nevertheless lovely reverse scene:

Additional thoughts, although they may have came up with you already. If some idiot stole the coins, he probably wouldnt have an idea what to do except for going to a local coin shop or cash for goods shop (dont know how to call these in English). Maybe contact a few of those? And what are the chances of the postal service knowing the postal car which had your package and the postal driver and contacting the driver of the postal car?

Thats terrible,.and the attitude of the postal service is not helpful at all. Of course Im hoping for you that they will show up, but it looks bad indeed.

Nice catch! Is there a specific reason thats its rare (e.g. different legend, reverse type, or just a rare issue overall)? I dont have any tets, so Im not familiar with these coins at all....

I sometimes find the portraits of Marcus Aurelius a bit flat, mediocre engraved, and sometimes cartoonesque even with the big bulbous eyes and pointy beard. But these sestertii are exceptional! Especially the portrait on your Kunker coin, with the Salus reverse. Beautiful!

Fantastic coins to drool at.... Neptune was not only associated with the ocean/sea, but could also be associated with fresh water, rivers, springs. And also horses and horse racing. Earlier, sextus pompey was associated with Neptune, and called son of Neptune, after a couple of victorious sea battles. Like @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix says, there are various explanations to the occasion of this fantastic issue. Its always interesting to think that to us, it takes some investigation and maybe even some guessing, what the reverse of a coin means. But to the romans, legionairs, and other peoples at that time, the meaning of the reverse would probably have been evident. Then again, some coins were in circulation for a long time. Would an ordinary citizen know the meaning of the reverse, say, 50 years later? Anyway, here's my only postumus. A 'double sesterius', but seeing the weight, the 'double' is misplaced. A long time ago, the reverse would have shown Mars. Now it s an alien and the reverse made the coin affordable for me. I love the portrait though!

Marcus Aurelius and Verus, lots of captives! Same reverse: Another captive: And always pay tribute to your Gods; referring to the rain miracle:

This coin was issued to mark the suppression of the British uprising circa AD 143 by his governor of Britannia, Q. Lollius Urbicus, which led to Antoninus being acclaimed Imperator (victorious general) for the second time IMPERATOR II). It also occasioned the building of the Antonine Wall. Temple of DIVVS AGVSTVS With his heir Showing Italia on a sphere

Thanks for the write up, and @Steppenfoolfor the additional info. Im still having trouble wrapping my head around all these events, augusti, Caesars, mints, and so on. Let alone being able to identify a legend to a particular augustus/Caesar. I tip my hat to you, Sir! I have only just begun with a few coins, and some research, on the tetrarchy. Much more remains to explore....! Here is a lovely nummus of Constantius.

Overall, the quality of coins of Commodus is a bit so so. So i imagine the weight may vary too. Personally, I wouldnt worry, (although im no expert). This is my lightest coin. I dont know what the average weight is of these issues. This is one of, if not the, lightest I have seen. I do not make a study of it though.

Lovely Hadrians! My most interesting reverse is yet to arrive from Switzerland. But for now, I will post this one. Most of my coins of Hadrian are travel issues, but I found this reverse to be quite interesting and appealing as well.

Thanks ! The article I use is from 2005, I’ll update my information.

Lovely coin @LONGINUS! And it goes without saying, that the art is fantastic! When it comes to the death of he emperors, i enjoy reading this article: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/actat/article/view/52565/41170 The article makes a distinction between death by soldiers, and deaths on he battlefield. According to it, 5 died in the battlefield: Gordian II, Philip the Arab, Decius, Constantine II, and Julian. Overall, it was dangerous being an emperor, about half of the total 77 emperors were murdered in some fashion. anyway, here's my Philip. Apparently, my only emperor that died on the battlefield.

When it comes to Trajan, there are so many interesting reverses. My favorites in my collection are these: Perhaps his most interesting reverse? Still standing today. Not only a beautiful artwork, but and its an important historical document too. A more rare reverse. Its like a comic book in stone. I love the set up of the reverse figures. Trajan is huge, dominating the submissive regions, in the personification of local gods/figure, a beautiful picture boosting his conquests. According to Hill, the reverse was a statue at some point in history.

Looks ok! Mentioned by @Salomons Cat already, it looks broken and likely glued indeed. The surface could either be uncleaned, or corroded. Maybe gentle try some picking with a wooden toothpick? Be careful, because the coin can be very fragile.

Thanks! There are some more interesting Nerva bronzes: the 'fisci Ivdaici' sestertius and the 'frumento constituto' sesterius. They are all quite rare/scarce, but, I think, the most interesting issues of Nerva.

Eehhhh... What? What kind of shipping is this? Or did you buy a Roman statue or something?