Jay GT4

As fellow Flavian fanatics, both @David Athertonand @Orfew wanted to see my top 10 coins of 2022.  Although not intentional, my acquisitions were heavily weighted this year towards Titus and the list bears that out.  One non-Flavian I just had to buy because I always wanted one and why not?.  Some real rarities in the list and some historically important coins.  One submitted for the RIC addenda.  I hope you enjoy.  Thanks for looking. 

#10  Titus RPC 1968 McAlle plate coin

ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΤΙΤΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ ΟΥΕΣΠ
Laureate head right with aegis

ΕΤΟΥΣ Γ ΙΕΡΟΥ
Eagle standing left with wreath in beak on palm branch; club in left field

Caesarea Maritima
70 CE (Group 6, year3)
14.25g
RPC 1968/2 (this coin); McAlee 380 (this coin) noted as "MC" (My coin) from his own collection; Prieur 141,
A rare coin!

Ex-CGB: Ex-McAlee plate coin from his own collection; Ex-Empire 3, May 5th 1985; ex-Schulten, Nov 8, 1982, lot 301)

Part of a small series of tetradrachms struck in Caesarea Maritima shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
After its fall, Titus spent three days outside the city handing out rewards and spoils to his troops.

"Then descending with his army to Caesarea Maritima, he there deposited the bulk of his spoils and directed that his prisoners should be kept in custody; for the winter season prevented his sailing for Italy" (Josephus)

It has been suggested this series of tetradrachms was struck during Titus' time in Caesaera. The style is fairly crude and is similar to other bronze coins attributed to Caesarea Maritima. Silver quality is not standardized, which gives evidence of a military issue. Being stuck just days or weeks after the fall of Jerusalem, surely these were part of the rewards Titus distributed to the troops.

#9 Vespasian RPC 1965

The companion to the above Titus

ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙΣ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝ
Laureate bust of Vespasian right with aegis

ETOYΣ Γ IEPOY
Eagle standing left with wreath in beak on palm branch; club in left field

Caesarea Maritima mint, 70-71 CE
13.63g
RPC 1965 (1 spec.). Prieur 129.

Ex-Cgb
Rare. Only two others in Forum galleries (Atherton, Alberto)

Part of a small series of tetradrachms struck in Caesarea Maritima shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.

#8 Ionia Phokaia Hekte Electrum

I've always wanted an electrum piece and this year I was finally able to acquire one!

Female head to left; below neck, seal swimming left.

Quadripartite incuse square.

Hekte, Electrum 2.48g
Circa 478-387 BCE
Bodenstedt 90. Boston 1922. SNG von Aulock 2127

Ex-Calgary coin
A nicely centered late electrum piece

#7  Vespasian and Titus Year One Alexandrian Tetradrachm

AYT TIT ΦΛAYI OYEΣΠAΣIAN KAIΣ
Head of Vespasian, laureate, right, date LA before neck

ΦΛΑΥΙ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ
Laureate and cuirassed bust of Titus right with gorgoneion on breast plate

Alexandria, Egypt
1 July - 28 Aug 69 CE
11.77g
RPC 2405 (6 spec.) Rare!

Ex-CNG e-auction 514, lot 335

The Roman legions in Alexandria proclaimed Vespasian emperor on 1 July 69 CE. This coin was struck within the two months before the Egyptian new year began on 29 August 69 CE. A fairly rare type that doesn't come to market often compared with year 2 coins.

#6  Vespasian "O" Mint AE Very rare!

IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVGVST
Laureate head right

PON MAX TR P P P COS VIII CENS; S C low in field
Caduceus, winged, between crossed cornucopiae

Uncertain Asia Minor; "O" mint? Ephesus?
77-78 CE
3.75g; 20mm

RIC 1508 (R2); RPC 1477A (3 specimens)
Ex-Pavlos S. Pavlou

An incredible series from an unknown Eastern mint. Even the denominations are uncertain and classified in RIC as 1. (Large) 11g; 2 (Medium) 8g; 3 (Medium-small)3.5-4g; 4 (Small) 2.5g. RIC simply calls them Mint(s) of Asia Minor (uncertain: Ephesus?) While M. Grant links them to the mysterious "O" mint. Either way, all the bronze coins from this issue are fairly rare. Only 3 specimens in RPC online and 1 in the David Atherton collection of this type.

#5 Titus quadriga denarius

T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS
Laureate head left

TR POT VIII COS VII
Quadriga left with flower

Rome, 79 CE to June 24
3.07g
RIC 1074V (R)

Ex-Classic World Coins (Switzerland)

Although only rated as Rare, this coin with the left facing portrait has been elusive in the market place. Only one example in Forum galleries (Atherton, ex-Sneh). One other example on acsearch, die matched to this specimen.

#4 Titus Judaea Capta triumph denarius

T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT
Laureate head right

Titus standing right, with branch and sceptre in quadriga right

Rome, 72-73 CE before CENS
3.15g
RIC 371V (R2)
Ex-Kolner

The reverse depicts Titus in Quadriga during the Judaea Capta Triumph held in 71 CE. Issued both in Rome and Antioch, this is a much rarer Rome mint example. Only 3 others in Forum Galleries (1 Atherton, 2 Nemo)

#3 Titus quinarius very rare!

T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN
Laureate head right

VICTORIA AVGVST
Victory seated left with wreath and palm

Rome, 75 CE?
1.47g
RIC 809 (R3) die matched to the Sneh coin
Legends begin from high left.

Ex-ANE
From RIC:
"Assigned to this year because there are no dated quinarii of 75, and the appearance of either AVGVST or AVGVSTI on the reverse suggests transition between the earlier series, up to 74 (with AVGVSTI) and later series, 76 onwards (with AVGVST).

#2 Titus sestertius second known

T CAESAR VESPASIAN IMP IIII PON TR POT II COS II
Laureate head right

PAX AVGVSTI SC
Pax standing left with branch and cornucopiae

Rome
1 July 72-June 30, 73 CE
21.57g
RIC 496 (R3) Submitted to Ian Carradice and will be included in the upcoming Addenda

Ex-Incitatus

An extremely rare coin not illustrated in the RIC plates, only citing one example in the Museo Nazionale Roma. None on acsearch or in Forum's galleries. Dare I say second known example? The entire series from 72 is very rare, this perhaps being the rarest.

#1 Titus Gold aureus 

I've always wanted an aureus and this year I was able to afford this decent example.  Not my rarest or best preserved coin, but it is my favorite from 2022.

T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN
Laureate head of Titus right

COS V
Cow (heifer)standing right

Rome, 76 CE
6.84g
RIC 857 (C)

EX-Stephen Album Auction 43 lot 69

It has been proposed that the cow depicted on this type is one of the famous statues by the fifth century BCE Greek sculptor Myron. Myron's statues were brought to Rome by Augustus and were placed in the temple of Apollo on the Palatine in 28 BCE. Vespasian moved them to the new Temple of Pax that he began constructing in 71 CE, to celebrate the end of the Jewish War.

I may add some honorable mentions if anyone is interested...

Thanks for looking.

Fantastic group David!  I've seen all your additions for the year. Glad it wasn't up to me to pick the top 10.  

I've never had an issue with CNG shipping to Canada.  Depending on the type of shipping you might get dinged with duty and brokrage fees.

There's a cheaper way to get an ex-Hendin coin, especially if you're just after a prutah.   Buy directly from him on ebay.  Amphoracoins.  All his listings are "Buy it Now" and you don't have to outbid someone else or pay the commission!

If you buy a book he'll even sign it for you if you ask!😀

@HipShot Photography Great results! 

You mentioned your aperture and shutter speed are always the same.  Would you mind sharing?  What size lens?

Thanks!

I also love the coins with Titus' name spelled out in full, but that portrait of Vespasian is fantastic!  I may be out of line here, but I'll offer you $7.00 for it.  That's double the 1986 price!😁

Here's a common one with Titus spelled out

IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M
Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, right

TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P
Dolphin coiled around anchor

Rome mint, 80 AD
3.09g

RIC 112 (C2), BMCRE 72, RSC 309

Ex-Londinium Coins

I love shooting deeply toned silver.  The key is diffused lighting and then just experiment for the best place to put it.  You can get very different results depending on where you place the light

AYTOKPAT KAIΣA OVEΣΠAΣIANOY
Laureate head right

ETOYΣ Δ IEPOY
Eagle standing to left on club; palm branch in field.

Dated "New Holy Year" 4, AD 71-72
Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria
10.47g
Prieur 116; McAlee 338; RPC 1950

ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙΣ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝ
Laureate bust of Vespasian right with aegis

ETOYΣ Γ IEPOY
Eagle standing left with wreath in beak on palm branch; club in left field

Caesarea Maritima mint, 70-71 CE

13.63g
RPC 1965 (1 spec.). Prieur 129.

Ex-Cgb

Rare. Only two others in Forum galleries (Atherton, Alberto)

Outstanding collection

Superb rarity!

The Eastern portraits for Domitian are great, especially the Judaean ones.  Here's a similar look from Ephesus

DOMITIANVS CAESAR AVG

Bare-headed and cuirassed bust of Domitian to right, wearing aegis.

AVG and mint mark EPE within oak wreath.

Ephesus 71 AD
3.28g
RIC 1445 Vespasian (R). RPC 846.

Great addition!  Congratulations! 

These are very rare.  I came across one many years ago on ebay listed simply as an "ancient coin."  I recognized it and immediately purchased it.  I've since sold it but see my write up below.

Marcus Antonius Fleet coinage (Light Series)

M ANT IMP TERT COS DESIG ITER ET TERT III VIR RPC
Conjoined heads of Marcus Antonius and Octavia right

M OPPIVS CAPITO PRO PR PRAEF CLASS FC
Galley under sail right

Tarentum (?) summer 37 BC
4.13g

Sear 1497, RPC 1470, CRI 296,

Very rare in any condition

The legendary Fleet coinage of Antony belongs to two series, heavy and light. The "light series" is thought to have been minted at a later date, possibly just after Antony returned from his conference with Octavian in 37 BC. The meeting saw the Pact of Tarentum. Part of that agreement saw Antony loan 120 ships to Octavian along with his Admirals Altratinus and Capito.

A fine insight into Antony's administrative abilities can be seen by his fleet coinage that came in sestertius, dupondius and as denominations. Of note is that Antony's "Fleet Coinage" shows the appearance of the first sestertius in bronze rather than silver. When Octavian (Augustus) reformed the coinage 20 years later he maintained the exact same denominations; sestertius, dupondius and as. After Actium Octavian also kept many if not all of the client Kings in their positions and territories. A strong case for Antony's capabilities as an administrator.

M. Oppius Capito occupied an important position in Antony's inner circle although little is known of him. Capito's coins are more abundant than those of his colleagues and only Capito's coins include the title "Praefectus classis" (Prefect of the fleet). Most of his coins are found in Greece and were probably minted in Piraeus, the harbor complex of Athens. Athens at this time was the home of Antony and Octavia so it is likely that Capito's mint would be located here.

Except that the so-called bubbles are not round but appear to be jagged and sharp in areas which tends to lean more towards corrosion than casting.  Nobody asked, what's the weight?

Nice one!  I agree, I'll take a worn coin over a pitted coin any day.  

Tetradrachm

IVLIA AVGVSTA DIVI TITI F
Draped bust of Julia right

VESTA
Vesta seated left, holding Palladium and sceptre

Rome mint for Eastern circulation, 82 CE

10.60g

RIC II 848 (Domitian) (R), RPC II 871

Over the past few years I've sold most of my later Roman coins, but I kept this one for the incredibly dynamic reverse.  I love how it takes up the entire reverse flan and it's an iconic reverse for Probus...

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=98391

Probus Silvered Antoninianus

IMP C M AVR PROBVS P AVG
Radiate, mantled bust left holding eagle tipped scepter

SOL INVICTO
Sol in spread Quadriga holding whip KAΓ in ex

Serdica 277 AD
RIC 864 Bust type H
3.84g
Scarce
This coin published on Probuscoins.fr

I had my doubts originally but the new pics are much more convincing!  I don't think you have anything to worry about.

T CAES VESPASIAN IMP P TR P COS II
Laureate head right

VICTORIA NAVALIS SC
Victory standing right on prow, with wreath and palm

Second issue

Rome, 72 CE
9.54g
RIC 454 Vespasian (R)
Ex-Heiler AE-Collections

Nice green patina and not as rough in hand

Ah, I didn't realize that was you!

Yes it is 100% Titus, not only because of the "T" but also because the reverse, COS VI.

You can't always rely on the portrait alone, but in this case the portrait is clearly Titus.

The dealer had it listed as Vespasian, but I pointed out the mistake to them last week and they promptly changed it.

I'm glad it arrived safe and sound!  I knew you'd appreciate it.  It has a lovely patina in hand.

19 hours ago, shanxi said:

Bautiful coins !

A Titus with a specific date

Titus
Alexandria
Billon-Tetradrachm
Obv.: AVTOK TITOV KAIΣ OYEΣΠAΣIANOY ΣEBA, laureate head right
Rev.: [NIΛOΣ], bust of Nilus with lotus flower, LΓ=year 3 (80/81).
Billon, 13.36g, 21x23.7mm
Ref.: Geißen 324 var., Dattari 425

 

That's a lovely Alexandrian!

11 hours ago, Al Kowsky said:

Pictured below are coins struck at the Caesarea Maritima Mint from my collection 😊.

 

Caesarea Maritima, Titus, AD 79-81 (dated Year 3 of Vespasian). AR Tetradrachm: 14.25 gm, 25 mm, 12 h. Prieur 141; McAlee 380. Ex Dr. Jay M. Galst Collection. This is a more common type than the coin pictured above.

 

The two coins pictured below were also struck at the Caesarea Maritima Mint under the reign of Caracalla, to pay soldiers for his purposed war against the Parthian/Persian Empire.

 

Great coins everyone.  Al, I think our Titus tetradrachms are die matched!

You had a fantastic year

It's not often you can pinpoint the exact time of minting, the exact people who received the payment and the reason why payment was given. The following 3 coins are part of a small series of tetradrachms struck in Caesarea Maritima shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.  After its fall, Titus spent three days outside the city handing out rewards and spoils to his troops.
"Then descending with his army to Caesarea Maritima, he there deposited the bulk of his spoils and directed that his prisoners should be kept in custody; for the winter season prevented his sailing for Italy" (Josephus)

It has been suggested this series of tetradrachms was struck during Titus' time in Caesaera. The style is fairly crude and is similar to other bronze coins attributed to Caesarea Maritima. The Silver quality is not consistant, which gives evidence of a military issue. Being stuck just days or a week after the fall of Jerusalem, surely these were part of the rewards Titus distributed to the troops.  As always, thanks to David for additional info.

RPC 1965 Vespasian Tetradrachm

ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙΣ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝ
Laureate bust of Vespasian right with aegis

ETOYΣ Γ IEPOY
Eagle standing left with wreath in beak on palm branch; club in left field

Caesarea Maritima mint, 70-71 CE

13.63g
RPC 1965 (1 spec.). Prieur 129.
Ex-Cgb

RPC 1968 Titus

ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΤΙΤΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ ΟΥΕΣΠ
Laureate head right with aegis

ΕΤΟΥΣ Γ ΙΕΡΟΥ
Eagle standing left with wreath in beak on palm branch; club in left field

Caesarea Maritima
70 CE (Group 6, year3)
14.25g

Ex-Cgb

RPC 1968/2 (this coin); McAlee 380 (this coin) noted as "MC" (My coin) from his own collection; Prieur 141,

A rare coin!

RPC 1969 Titus tetradrachm

ΑΥΤΟΚΡ • ΤΙΤΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ ΟΥΕΣΠ
Laureate head of Titus right with Aegis

ΕΤΟΥΣ Γ ΙΕΡΟΥ
eagle standing, left with wreath in beak on caduceus; quiver (?) and bow to r. of eagle's head

Caesarea Maritima
70 CE (Group 6, year3)
14.75g

RPC 1969; McAlee 34, Prieur 142
Rare (5 specimens RPC online) die matched to #5

Ex-Denarius Ringsrud (Norway); Ex. Münzzentrum Köln, auction 43 lot 188, plate p. 32 (27 April 1981).

Thanks for looking. 

Feel free to post any coins with very specific dates or recipients...

Very nice David

Fantastic.  Congrats!

Her books are just as good