Limes

As others have noted, Commodus is an interesting figure in Roman history. One would think he is quite popular due to the successful hollywood movie in which he was the 'star' (Ironically, if only he would know, how big of a theatre he would be acting in...!). But on the other hand, his coins are overall scarcer in comparison to the other emperors of his dynasty (I always add Commodus to the nerva antonine dynasty) and of lesser quality. And maybe, the again, he's not a favorite guy in the collection, because by some he is blamed for the rapid demise of the golden age of the Roman empire (currently reading in a book by Sydenham, Historical References to coins of the Roman Empire, who states that "The weak son of Marcus was the worst possible successor to the principate and no one has yet arisen who attempted to whitewash his caracter, fouled by all that is loathsome and despicable".... Ouch!). Nevertheless, his coinage is interesting as they are references to various events during his rule. And some of these events must have been traumatic to him, maybe even causing his behaviour to further deteriorate: the plague ravished the empire (already starting during the rule of Marcus), there were several conspiracies even by his own sister and one of his ministers almost caused a civil war due to his colossal corruption. An absolute must have in my opinion, is a coin showing him dressed as Hercules. A very interesting reference to his crazy, and last years of his reign. A sestertius, not in RIC, probably a hybdrid of some sort (BRIT in the legend and pax on the reverse refer to victory in Britain): There are some gems to be found. I personally love this denarius, which, although the strike is somewhat weak, shows a splendid portrait:

Great coins, congratulations on a great coin collecting year! Always difficult to pick favorites, but no's 7 and 10 stood out for me. The scene on the reverse is not only interesting, but brutal too! You can see the legs of the bull on your coin, pointing upwards, as if it were a small puppy playing around...! And no. 10, overall quality is very nice, but the reverse scene is action packed as well, I like it!

Amazing additions, from a historical perspective but also quality wise; all are magnificent coins. Congratulations on such a good year. To keep up with tradition, I picked 3 favorites, being the Sikyon Stater, the Ptolemy I Tetradrachm and the Seleucus Nikator Tetradrachm, although I doubted between the latter one and the drachm of Larissa. But the elephants pushed me in their direction, so ... 😉 My favorite of the lot is your Sikyon stater (contrary to popular opinion). I'm simply drawn to the rendering of the Chimaera on the obverse. Such a beautiful design, and your specimen is of great quality, making all the lovely details visible. I also really enjoy the dove on the reverse, the feathers are beautifully engraved. I wish I will be able to add a specimen to my collection one day.

Did you happen to find a sponsian coin? Much to do about it these days 😄

What are the rules by the way, if one thinks one knows the identity of ones Secret Santa? Send that person a pm? Or never speak of it, and keep your secret to your grave? 😁

With an exceptional piece like that medaillon I wonder how it came to light. Was it dug up a long time ago? I have no idea. There should be more info right? I mean, if you dig up this piece, you at least go to the local press or museum? The earlier GM sale mentions a purchase in 1972 at munzen medaillen in Basel, Switzerland. Wonder why NAC did not mention this.

Great selection of coins, it's been a great year for you. I have the same Hadrian denarius, and like you, I got it because of the interesting reverse. I did not vote for that one however, but went for your Caesar, which is an lovely, and also historically interesting piece!

Shopping ended, and hopefully found a gift my recipient will enjoy! Funny thing is, that at the specific shopping venue, I missed out on my targets, but I am nevertheless pleased to score the gift I wanted for my giftee. Its part of the fun, and its interesting to go deeper into the persons coin interest and find something that matches that interest. Yes, its the first time I join the Saturnalia festivities, and happy I did!

great coin, strong portrait! Be sure to weigh it 😉 By the way, I saw a typo in my description. Since I'm not an English speaker, it's easy for me to make those mistakes. I fixed it though, who can spot it? 😄

I'm missing the celebratory-fireworks-like, as I think it would be appropriate for the birth of your son 🙂 Goes for your penny of 'Cnut' too, by the way (I wonder how one should pronounce it...). It's a lovely coin, with attractive (golden?) patina. There are a few coins that are top on my wishlist, that I've been hoping to acquire for a long time. I've missed out one a few of those this year, but mainly due to my own doing because the aureus I got earlier this years ate most of my budget away. But I was lucky to strip off a few nevertheless, one of them being a Galba with an attractive portrait "that does it for me". Ironically, I've been on the look out for a Caracalla denarius and a Hadrian sestertius for a long time. I have a very, very personal requirements; an interesting reverse, and an appealing portrait. Both the denarius and the sestertius are not rare, but finding the right one has proven difficult. In time, I will find one. By the way, while typing this, I found out how to pronounce the name: 'kəˈnjuː' with the 'u' as in goose. Thank you wikipedia 🙂

That makes sense!

Yours as well! And for the same reasons you mention. So, good choice, and hopefully you had a nice dinner 🙂

Thanks everyone for the replies and sharing your coins, I really appreciate it and enjoy looking at them! I'll toss in my two other coins of Galba, because.. why not? 🙂 I really like the reverse of his one, Galba on his horse fanatically rallying the troops (or, according to some description, merely saluting them)! I haven't seen this type a lot.

Lovely set @LONGINUS! And a lot of nice coins posted in this thread, I enjoy looking at them. In accordance with this thread, here's two Athena style helmets on the reverse. This topic made me wonder though, is the lion head, a helmet, or a 'hat', or a hairdress?

Funny thing is though, those prices are so extraordinary (for me at least...) that I dont know if those prices realised are 'doofus' (dit I type this right?) prices, normal market prices, or bargains...! Berk in their latest podacst commented on the estimates in the NAC sales, saying the previous buyer sold them at insane prices, hence the estimates are absurd as well. I dont know if these decadrachms were from the sjeik too, but the estimates turned out okay, a bit on the low side even.

The first one in this list appears to be better quality than the one I bought in 2016 and later sold via AMCC. I got mine 'cheap' as well. Ergo: it pays off to look around, there are possibilities out there, not per se slugs like mine, but somewhat better types can go for okay prices.

Hello everyone, My latest addition is this lovely coin of Galba. I had been looking for a coin with a decent portrait for a while and when it comes to portraits of Galba, there's the choice to be made between the funky and cartoonish provincial portraits, or a Roman mint one with the stern, elderly, imperial portrait. But when I saw this one, I was attracted to the portrait immediately. Maybe I'll ad that funky one to the collection another day... Anyway, the reverse is interesting as well. Here's a few words about it. After his recognition by the Senate of his imperial authority in July 68 AD, Galba struck coinage bearing the honory title 'SPQR OB S C' within an oak wreath (corona civica). SPQR OB C S stands for awarding Galba with the corona civica by the Senate and the Roman people (SPQR) for saving the citizens (Ob Cives Servatos). Originally, the corona civica was given to a citizen who saved another citizen's life. The saved citizen was expected to testify of this. Together with various other honours, the corona civica was given to Augustus by the Senate, for returning standards from Parthia and captured soldiers. Literally for saving citizens. But after the reign of Augustus, the title was given anyway. Although Tiberius refused the title, it was quickly picked up by Caligula, and Claudius after him. I have two more coins with the 'corona civica' reverse, of Caligula and Claudius. You may find them below. Allegedly, Claudius was given the title and crown for saving the citizens from Caligula. Now that I can understand...! Please show your Galba's, and/or coins with the corona civica! Thanks for reading!

Nice addition! Why is it called a demi pistole? I couldnt find the answer online 🙂 Here's one of my two out-of-jail-coins:

Horrible, that it happened! I dont think this is a coincidence, and as @ambr0ziementions, it seems your coins have been stolen, as it seems very unlikely that what happened, happened accidentally. Because normally, when I receive coins, they are packed in a square, flat cardboard package, that is "glued" tight shut (I dont know how to say it in English). It's impossible for coins themselves to fall out. Even if the coin arrives in an envelop and not a box, the coin itself is always secured. I don't see how it can 'fall out' through a small hole. Impossible, uneless the coins were packed horrible manner, which I dont believe seeing one of your shipments was from Roma and I have experienced myself how they pack their coins. Therefore, some advice / thoughts: 1) Indeed, see if shipments can be organised in another manner, not via your local post office. 2) File a claim at the local office, and DHL, stating your package was delivered open and the content is missing. Say you will file a claim at the local police. If one of their staff is stealing coins, its a bad sign for all the other staff as well. 3) File a claim at the local police, and notify the postal office/ DHL. I would do this here, as it might speed up the process at the local office / DHL to investigate the matter too, and prevent it from happening again. And may help with an insurance claim. 4) And of course, but you will have done so, contact the seller.

Great design again (and great coin too)! I see you've kept your other designs in the background? If you keep building, you can turn your home into a Lego Rome museum 🙂 To add a coin, here's Mars:

hi, well, Brutus is very popular, and his coins fetch a high price. Some suggestions: if youre not an expert, dont go on Ebay. Coins there are either way overpriced, or fake. If you want to go for a Brutus coin, you could try an issue when Brutus was moneyer, before the murder of Caesar. Coins after the murder (Brutus as one of the tyrannicides) fetch a higher fee, but the exception may be his Libertas issue (54 BC), which for some reason sells for insane prices. Take a look on acsearch (simply search using 'Brutus') for available types. I'd go for an auction house. You can add search terms for your want list, on numisbids to help your search. It can also be done for biddr (think they are called 'searches'). I don't know your budget, but if youre in the 3.400 dollar range, it wont be difficult to find a coin.... 🙂 Here are my two coins, both after the murder. Both I got via auctions.

still brakes my heart reading this! Glad you found a nice replacement coin. Here is my one sestertius of Verus.

Well, I do have lower back pain, so... 😉

Yup. Quoting ancient sources as pure facts. I didnt like the look of the actors playing Titus and Domitianus either ... Ah well, its entertaining nevertheless.

@robinjojobeat you to it 😉 Its a great discovery nevertheless. Its all over the news here too.