Limes

Thanks for the voting in the poll, and digital love for my list 🙂 Interesting to see your favorites! Its also good to see the Caligula sestertius is appreciated, despite its flaws! 

On 1/5/2024 at 11:09 PM, singig said:

Also , the Hadrian sestertius from the last photo is very attractive.

Thanks! He's a bit shy but after some thoughts he decided to show himself a bit more up close 😄 

On 1/6/2024 at 12:20 AM, ambr0zie said:

Note - I am not a Trajan specialist, but I have witnessed some discussions about this type (Trajan coinage related to Dacia is very popular in my country so many collectors would like a coin with a Danube bridge). But the general opinion is that it displays the bridge over Tiber, not Apollodor's bridge over Danube. Of course in the end these are speculations as nobody can confirm, especially with a legend that doesn't clarify much.

Thanks! One of the reasons Philip Hill doubts the bridge on the coin is the Danube bridge, is that the bridge shown on Trajan's column look very different. He also mentions that as other architectural pictures on the reverses of coins struck under Trajan shows a large amount of realism, it's unlikely that this bridge is an artistical recreation. 

However, personally, (and I really need to do more reading before making this statement but I will allow myself to do it anyway) I think it might very well be the Danube bridge. At that time, it was the largest bridge in existence, and remained so over 1000 years (not that Trajan knew this). The engineering involved must have been unlike anything before, and I cannot imagine Trajan not wanting to boost his already splendid image by showing of this fantastic craftmanship. So why does this bridge look different compared to the bridge on the column? Well, first, I think looking at the pictures, the difference in not that big. E.g. the underside of the bridge on the coin shows several 'crossbeams' which are also clearly seen on the picture of the bridge on the column. Second, the bridge was over 1.100 meters long, 19 meters high, and 15 meters wide. Let that sink in. The size of this bridge would even be very impressive in todays standards, let alone in ancient times. How to put a bridge over 1100 meters long on a coin? Imagine this: if you are an artist, stand at the foot of the bridge at the rivers' edge, looking soemthing about 19 meters upwards: I think this is the perspective you see on the coin. 

On 1/5/2024 at 11:25 PM, DonnaML said:

Regarding the Caligula sestertius, what motive do you think would lead someone to file off the top surfaces of the devices like that? The same thing appears to have happened to Salus (especially her head) on the reverse of my Maximinus Thrax sestertius, and I don't really get it.

Thanks Donna! I don't think I'll be able to solve the mystery. The seller described it as follows: "Usure importante mais régulière"; i.e. "Significant but regular wear". It surely is regular... 😄 But also, the coins has been filed around the edges, to make the coin more rounded. That could imply that the piece was put into something and which was to appear round(ed) altogether. The filing is of later date I believe, there's no coloration whatsoever. Also, note the green stuff around the devices. Ive been able to gently pick some of it away with a toothpick. I have no idea what it is, but is seems some kind of wax like substance. I don't think that's it was used as a juwelry piece. Maybe there was a case of serious pitting on some of the higher parts of the devices, and someone in the past decided the file it all away? But that does not explain the wax like stuff. 

Your filing on the reverse seems to have taken on similar coloration / patination as the lower parts of the reverse (like in the fields). That would imply that the filing was done quite early. Also, it seems to be focussed on mainly the face and upper part of the body of Salus. Maybe a Roman got a bit angry, and was upset with his life of poverty and sickness, in stead of health and prosperity? 😁 Lot's to speculate on, but also much unanswered. 

The runner-uppers

With the arrival of my last two coins of 2023 this week, I can complete my top 10 of 2023. In total, I added 22 coins and sold 5 coins. The list consists of Roman imperials only, and I chose these 10 not because of the quality of the coins but because of the reverses and the fantastic stories they tell. There’s lots of construction work involved, be warned! Without further ado, here is my top 10. I’ll also show a group photo of the 12 coins that did not make it in the list.

 No. 10 - Constantine I nummus - Milvian bridge reverse

The reverse of this little coin is believed to show the Milvian bridge. This is the bridge where Constantine defeated Maxentius and became sole ruler of the western half of the Roman empire. It was my first ‘bridge’ coin, but would prove to be my second bridge coin added this year to my collection.

 No. 9 - Commodus sestertius - FIDES EXERCITUM

This lovely green patinated sestertius shows a great portrait of Commodus, with the typical elongated head and expressionless gaze. At least, that’s what I make of it. The reverse shows Commodus on a platform and celebrates the loyalty of the army. I purchased this coin quite early in 2023, and its one of my favorites of the year.

 No. 8 - Domitian AE As - games issue

This somewhat rough coin has two interesting aspects. First, it celebrates the Ludi Saeculares (Secular Games) of 88 AD. And second, the reverse shows a pious scene of Domitian, in front of the temple of Divus Augustus. It’s not pretty, but the interesting reverse makes up for that!

 No. 7 - Marcus Aurelius sestertius - temple of Mercury

I’ve been on the look for this type, ever since Andres showed his on CT. Somehow an affordable issue eluded me for some time, untill this year I was able to buy not one, but two. I was happy with the first coin, however, the second coin had a better reverse and more even patina. I could buy it for a fair price and was able to sell the first. Anyway, the coin shows the fantastic temple of Mercury on the reverse. This is one of if not the, oldest temple(s) of Rome. The pillars are not simply pillars, but Telamones. Also note the peculiar shaped roof, which appears on this coin as a semi-circular pediment with the animals and objects associated with Mercury. Marvin Tameanko dedicates an entire chapter of his book ‘Monumental Coins’ to this temple, and purports it’s actually not a temple but a shrine that would have stood inside a temple. And as a bonus, the reverse refers to the rain miracle as well. Read more about it here (which also shows the coin that I sold).

 No. 6 - Caligula sestertius - temple of Divus Augustus

Despite the horrible condition I was as happy as a kid in a candy store after I was able to win this coin. The top of the various devices appear to be filed off, but the coin nevertheless shows quite a few details. The reverse is where the action takes places. The coin commemorates the completion of the temple of Divus Augustus built on the Palatine Hill. On the reverse we can see Caligula, as Pontifex Maximus, leading the sacrificial ceremonies. Better examples of this type demand high prices, but I have a feeling some day, in the future, I might get a better one. It’s a fantastic type, with a magnificent reverse.

 No. 5 - Trajan sestertius - bridge over the Danube river (or is it...?)

This is one of my two latest arrivals, having been stuck in some German DHL parcel centre for over a month. I think the coin is quite well known, the reverse showing either the bridge over the Danube river built by Trajan (actually Apollodorus of Damascus) in relation to the second Dacian campaigns. Philip Hill however purports that this coin shows the Pons Sublicius. This was the first bridge that spanned the TIber river, and by displaying it on the reverse of this coin, Trajan’s work was linked with ancient tradition. I absolutely want to do more research on this coin. And it deserves better photo’s too, because it now looks like it’s been hit by a truck. It’s not, its a bit corroded, but the green patina is quite unevenly green which my camera shows like the ball pit in IKEA.

 No. 4 - Trajan sestertius - AQUA TRAIANA

Romans were magnificent engineers. Using ideas from other civilizations and perfecting it to the very last detail. So was the case with the aquaduct. It’s my second ‘aquaduct’ coin acquired this year (see the group shot below). I decided to add this to the list, because the reverse is fantastic. It shows the statue of the genius of the Aqua Traiana that surmounted the terminal castellum of the aquaduct (the final basin form which the water of the aquaduct was channelled to public users). I’m working on a write up on Roman aquaducts for Numisforums, using this and the other coin. Stay tuned...!

 No. 3 - Hadrian cistophorus - temple of Diana

The temple of Artemis, also known as the Temple of Diana, was a Greek temple dedicated to an ancient local form of the goddess Artemis. The temple stood in Ephesus, and was considered one of the seven ancient world wonders. I visited the site a long time ago (when I was a younger guy, having a blast at the Turkish riviera, and ancient history was not considered ‘cool’) and at that time it already impressed me, together with the ancient ruins of Ephesus. I would really like to visit it again some day. It’s a fantastic and impressive coin, and the first cistophorus in my collection.

 No. 2 - Vespasian sestertius - IVDAEA CAPTA

End of 2022 I sold 11 coins and with the proceeds of that sale, I bought this coin. The historical relevance of this coin does not need an explanation. In hand the coin is a beauty.

 No. 1 - Domitian sestertius - lararium of Minerva

My number 1 arrived this week, together with the no. 5 Trajan sestertius. I simply had to wait with this list untill it’s arrival. This coin is absolutely fantastic and demands better photo’s. But with short time this will do for now. The obverse shows a brilliant portrait of Domitian, and the reverse shows a very detailed shrine and statue (even though it’s a bit pitted). It’s quite scarce, and I’m very happy to have been able to add this to my collection. It needs more research, and maybe I’ll give it its own write up.

 Hill purports that the shrine shown on the reverse of this sestertius is the lararium in Domitian's palace. The lararium is a private chapel in a house and was dedicated to the Lares and Penatas, the household gods or to the owner's patron deity. As Minerva was Domitian's patroness, the lararium in his palace on the Palatine would have been dedicated to her. (Philip Hill, The Monuments of Ancient Rome as Coin Types, 1989, p. 30-31). But not everyone agrees however... Stay tuned!

 That concludes the list. Below you may find a group shot of the coins that did not make it in the list.

 Thanks for voting and looking. I have you all have a great 2024!

My wife asked what I was crying about. I stopped reading/looking after yiur coin no. 1. Can't handle this. 

But on a serious note, next level coins, beyond amazing. I voted for the Agathokles Tetradrachm, the Hannibal half shekel and the Larissa drachm. 

I absolutely love this list! Is this your usual collecting preference? Lot's of imperials and with architecture on the reverse, or otherwise reverses referring to interesting historical events. Hard to pick favorites, but those Faustina sestertii are beautiful, the Trajan AE is, despite the pitting, fantastic, and you even added a scarce Caligula sestertius with the temple of Divus Augustus, and a Domitian Ludes issue to the list. In fact, there are quite a few resemblances between your list and my, yet to be posted, list 😁

Fantastic coins! I voted for Caesar, the lovely Titus from Antioch and the more then interesting Elagabalus denarius. The latter happens to be in my collection too, and I really like the type. Have a great 2024!

thanks for sharing your list, great coins! Wishing you a great 2024 as well! 

I'm happy you didn't add a poll; it would be impossible to pick a favorite from this amazing list! Have a great 2024!

Very impressive coins, had a hard time picking one favorite. I decided to go for the Himera tetradrachm, but I also really like the portraits of the Marcus Aurelius sestertius and the Agrippina Senior. Glad to also read that your Faustina sestertius arrived safe and sound after all those months. Have a great 2024!

Looking at your list, I get the feeling you like cithoporic tets 😁I have little to no experience/knowledge with/of these, but I like the reverse of the first and second, with the temple between the snakes and the DIana Ephesus. And you coin of the year is  fantastic coin, well done! Have a great 2024!

Fantastic list, and a lovely mix between Greek and Roman. I chose 5, 3 and 2, but was in doubt between these, and 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 4 and 1. It's nearly impossible to pick favorites...! 😁

A poll isn't  must I think, members tell their favorites anyway. So will I: I just love that Claudius sestertius, and the coin from James Bond's octopussy. But a fantastic list overall, coingratulations! Have great 2024! 

Great list @Ursus, thanks for sharing. I have to agree with you, there's something very appealing about your tetradrachm of Alexander, from Cyprus. The portrait is somewhat different then normal, but very refined. I also for the good old pig oath scene, and the bracteate from Ravensburg (I cant help but enjoy architecture on coins!). 

Have a great 2024, with your expanded family 🙂

Fantastic coins you've added this year! Roman imperial is my favorite era and your types are what I fancy most. I think I like your first and third Trajan issues most of your list, because of the historical context (and who doesn't like a piece of engineering on a coin!). What stood out for me outerwise; I'm in doubt between the Caligula denarius with Germanicus on the reverse which is just a fantastic type (and your piece is of great quality!), and the Domitian sestertius with an amazing portrait. And don't get me wrong, all your additions would be the crown jewels of my collection 🙂 have a great 2024!

20 minutes ago, Salomons Cat said:

Elagabalus

(Source)

This even includes the famous 'horn'!

Nice additions @David Atherton, I'm looking forward to your list 🙂 My end years list may include two or three Flavians, depending on the arrival of one Flavian that's been stuck in some german DHL export center since December 1st.... I hope it will arrive safe and soon, because it's a fantastic coin (if I may say so). 

Welcome! Thats a nice AS, well done! Its good to see the coin of @lordmarcovan found a new home!

Going through that album would make me feel like a kid in a candy store (or a grown up collector of ancient coins going through a map full of fantastic coins 😂) 

20 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

My wife and son gave me four interesting coins for Christmas this year! They knew what I wanted because of my wish list at VCoins, so the coins fit right in with my collecting interests. 

A medium bronze of Sabina with an anepigraphic reverse:

Sabina, 128-136 CE.
Roman Æ as or dupondius, 11.76 g, 26.2 mm, 6 h.
Rome, 128-129 CE.
Obv: SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P, draped bust, right, hair coiled and piled on top of head above a double stephane.
Rev: S C, Ceres, veiled, draped, seated facing left on a modius, holding poppy and corn-ears upwards in her right hand and a torch in her left hand.
Refs: RIC II.3, 2494; BMCRE 1900-01; Cohen 70; Strack 869; RCV 3949; Hill UCR 362.

A lovely sestertius of Faustina II, which is an upgrade of the specimen in my collection:

Faustina II, 147-175 CE.
Roman orichalum sestertius, 24.94 g, 32.2 mm, 6 h.
Rome, early 148 - March 149 CE.
Obv: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, bare-headed and draped bust, right (Beckmann Type 1 hairstyle).
Rev: VENVS S C, Venus standing left, holding apple and rudder, about which a dolphin is entwined.
Refs: RIC 1388c; BMCRE 2148-50; Cohen 268; Strack 1305; RCV 4720.
Notes: RIC uses obsolete terminology to describe the bust types. The "band of pearls" is really a braid of hair. The so-called "bare-headed" busts (RIC 1388a, nominative case and RIC 1388b, dative case) feature the Beckmann type 2 hairstyle.

An as-sized provincial of Faustina II from Docimeum in Phrygia:

Faustina II, 147-175 CE.
Roman provincial Æ 25.1 mm, 10.04 g, 5 h.
Phrygia, Docimeum, c. 163-165 CE.
Obv: ΦΑVСΤЄΙΝΑ СЄΒΑСTH, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: ΜΑΚЄ-ΔΟΝΩΝ, hexastyle temple with phiale in pediment, the cornice of which is adorned with numerous antefixa, and with acroteria at the angles; ΔΟΚΙΜЄ/ΩΝ in exergue.
Refs: RPC IV.2, 1975; BMC 25.192, 22; RG 5958-59; SNG Cop 357.
Notes: Docimeum was a Macedonian colony in Phrygia.

A beautiful centenionalis of Crispus with the BEATA TRANQVILLITAS reverse and an interesting bust type:

Crispus, 316-326 CE.
Roman billion centenionalis, 2.83 g, 19.1 mm, 1 h.
Trier, 322-323 CE.
Obv: IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate bust, right, wearing trabea, holding eagle-tipped scepter.
Rev: BEATA TRAN-QVILLITAS, globe set on altar inscribed VO/TIS/XX; above, three stars; in exergue, •PTR•.
Refs: RIC vii, p. 198, 376.

Those are very nice and interesting gifts @Roman Collector! I really like to temple reverse of provincial Faustina II issue (of course ;-)) 

Yes @panzerman, this is what I'm talking about! The Gallineus aureus is my favorite, great coin! 

Fanastic issues, that's some amazing quality put together. I agree with David above; my absolute favorites are your Nero and Titus denarii, those portraits are simply amazing. Have a great 2024!

Fantastic list, great coins overall. And a nice mix between Roman and Greek. You had a great year. Difficult to pick favorites, but Ill go for no. 1 and 2. The Manlius Torquatus is Avery good coin, very well struck. And Ive always liked the design of your second coin, with the chimaera. Have a great 2024!

Here's another coin, I don't believe I've posted before. It's a well known issue struck under the rule of Pontius Pilate. To me personally, a very interesting issue and a must have for my collection. This issue shows the simpulum on the obverse and the grain ears on the reverse. The other type shows a wreath and a Lituus. 

Here's one of my latest additions, and I'll show another next.

This one probably wont end up in my 2023 list - provided two coins that have been stuck in DHL purgatory since December 2, ultimately will show up in my mailbox... 

Its a neatly toned denarius of Manlius Torquatus for Sulla, struck during one of the many, many, many military campaigns at that time. The flan is quite small, 16 mm, and on the reverse some of the devices are not on the flan. Nevertheless, the 'SVLLA' is legible, which is a 'must' for me. The devices that are present on the coin are well struck, with lots of detail remaining. In all: a perfect coin for my collection 🙂

Simply fantastic coins, all of them. Thanks for sharing the list. Have a great 2024.