Edessa

Roman Republic. Mn. Fonteius C.f. 85 BC. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.78g, 1h). Rome mint. Obv: Laureate head of Vejovis (or Apollo) right; MN•FONTEI downwards behind; C•F below chin; thunderbolt below head. Rev: Infant winged Genius (or Cupid) seated on goat, which is standing right; pilei of the Dioscuri above; thyrsus with fillet in exergue; all within laurel wreath. Ref: Crawford 353/1c; Sydenham 724a; Fonteia 10; RBW 1351. About Very Fine, nicely toned, adjustment mark on reverse.

Link: Elagabalus Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Elagabalus, AD 218-222. Billon Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.86g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 218/219). Obv: A KAICAP MA AVP ANTωNINOC EVCEB; Laureate head right. Rev: Zeus Ammon bust right with horn and disc; L-B (date) across field. Ref: Geissen 2309; Dattari 4148; Milne 2753; Emmett 2961.2 (R3); RPC VI Online 10022 (temporary, 18 examples). About Very Fine, nice thick flan, chocolate patina. Ex Stacks Nov 2011 Baltimore Auction (16 Nov 2011), Lot 20902 (part of multiple coin lot).

This is the common Art Medal that Wyon provided for the Science and Art Department. Such beautiful, detailed engraving.

Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Marcus Aurelius, as Caesar, AD 139-161. Billon Tetradrachm (23mm, 14.18g, 12h). Dated RY 15 of Antoninus Pius (AD 151/152). Obv: M AV PHΛIC KAICAP; Bareheaded bust right, short beard, slight drapery. Rev: Dikaiosyne standing facing, head left, holding scales and cornucopia; IЄ/L (date) to upper and lower left. Ref: Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3149; K&G 37.50; Emmett 1838.15 (R3); RPC IV.4 1332 (9 examples, this coin 1332.9 illustrated). Toned, Very Fine. Very Rare. From the New Orleans Collection. Ex CNG 47 (16 Sept 1998), Lot 1024. Ex CNG e447 (7 Mar 2019), Lot 229. Next: More Roman Egypt

Shown this before, but just love the patina. Carausius. Romano-British Emperor, AD 286-293. Æ Antoninianus (24x22mm, 2.25g, ). Uncertain mint, possibly irregular. Obv: IMP CARAVSI[VS P] AVG; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: PA-X AVG; Pax standing left, holding branch and scepter. Ref: RIC V 881. About Very Fine, nice hard apple green patina. Slightly crude style and an irregular flan so may be a barbaric imitation or irregular mint. Ex Barry & Darling, March 2004.

Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Vitellius, AD 69. Billon Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.35g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 69). Obv: ΩΛOY OYIT KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEPM AYT; Laureate head right. Rev: Nike walking right, holding wreath and palm frond; L-A (date) in field to right. Ref: Köln 259; Dattari 339; K&G 19.2; RPC I 5373; Emmett 195.1 (R3). Near Very Fine, grayish toning, light porosity, rare. Ex Barry Murphy, April 2011. .

Hadrian, AD 117-138. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.34g, 6h). Rome mint, struck circa AD 124-125. Obv: HADRIANVS–AVGVSTVS; Laureate bust right, slight drapery. Rev: COS–III; Spes advancing left, holding flower and raising hem of dress. Ref: RIC II.3 714; RIC II 181; RSC 390. Next: Hadrian

Link: Shield(s) Augustus, 27 BC-14 AD. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.66g, 1h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, struck 2 BC-4 AD. Obv: CAESAR AVGVSTVS-[DIVI F] PATER PATRIAE; Laureate head right. Rev: C L CAESARES (in exergue): AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT; Gaius and Lucius Caesar, on left and right, standing facing, each togate and resting a hand on one of two shields set on ground between them; behind the shields, two crossed spears; above, on the left, lituus right, and on right, simpulum left. Rev: RIC I 210; RSC 43c. Toned Very Fine, banker's mark on cheek.

Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Diocletian, AD 284-305. Potin Tetradrachm (18mm, 6.67g, ). Dated year 9 (AD 292/293). Obv: ΔIOKΛHTIANOC CEB; Laureate head right. Rev: Elpis advancing left, holding flower and hem; Δ in exergue, L ENATOV (date) around. Rev: Köln 3262; Dattari 5675; Milne 5086; Emmett 4046.

This was my "grail" coin for the year. Always wanted one. Celtic, Dobunni. Bodvoc. Circa 15-10 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 5.50g, 3h). Boduoc Bold type (Dobunnic C). Obv: BODVOC on plain field. Rev: Disjointed horse right with triple tail; wheel below, two pellet-in-annulets and crescent above; pellets and small crosses around. Ref: ABC 2039; Van Arsdell 1052-1; SCBC 388. Lustrous. Extremely Fine. Ex CNG 123 (23 May 2023), Lot 925.

My only Anastasius is a blast from the past, Ex Art Noot, June 1995. Anastasius I, AD 491-518. Æ Follis (35mm, 16.23g, 7h). Constantinople mint, 4th officina. Struck AD 498-518. Obv: D N ANASTA SIVS PP AVG; Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Large M; cross above, six-rayed stars to left and right; Δ//CON. Ref: DOC 23f; MIBE 27; SB 19.

I know we have said it before, but as a reminder an excellent discussion is in Gannon, Anna. The Iconography of Early Anglo-Saxon Coinage, Sixth to Eight Centuries. (Oxford, 2003). From the Numiswiki description: ix, 230 pages, numerous illustrations. This is the first scholarly art-historical appraisal of Anglo-Saxon coinage, from its inception in the late sixth century to Offa 's second reform of the penny c.792. Outside numismatic circles, this material has largely been ignored because of its complexity, yet artistically this is the most vibrant period of English coinage, with die-cutters showing flair and innovation and employing hundreds of different designs in their work. By analyzing the iconography of the early coinage, this book intends to introduce its rich legacy to a wide audience. Anna Gannon divides the designs of the coins into four main categories: busts (including attributes and drapery), human figures, animals and geometrical patterns, presenting prototypes, sources of the repertoire and parallels with contemporary visual arts for each motif. The comparisons demonstrate the central role of coins in the eclectic visual culture of the time, with the advantages of official sanctioning and wide circulation to support and diffuse new ideas and images. The sources of the motifs clarify the relationship between the many designs of the complex Secondary phase (c.710-50). Contemporary literature and theological writings often offer the key to the interpretation of motifs, hinting at a universal preoccupation with religious themes. The richness of designs and display of learning point to a sophisticated patronage with access to exotic prototypes, excellent craftsmanship and wealth; it is likely that minsters, as rich, learned, and well-organized institutions, were behind some of the coinage. After the economic crises of the mid-eighth century this flamboyant iconography was swept away: with the notable exception of the coins of Offa, still displaying exciting designs of high quality and inventiveness, reformed issues bore royal names and titles, and strove towards uniformity. It's really interesting that any coin with copies the motifs of 4th century Roman thru Byzantine coinage could certainly include a cross.

Link: Eagle Kings of Mauretania. Juba II, 25 BC-AD 24. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.22g, 5h). Caesarea mint. Obv: Diademed head right. Rev: Eagle, with wings spread, standing right on thunderbolt; scepter to right. Ref: Mazard 205; MAA 87; SNG Copenhagen 583. Iridescent tone, minor cleaning marks, deposits on reverse. Near Extremely Fine. Well centered. From the Weise Collection, purchased from Freeman & Sear, 17 January 2003. Ex CNG 124 (20 Sept 2023), Lot 351.

Trajan, AD 98-117. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.03g, 7h). Rome mint, struck AD 107-108. Obv: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P; Laureate head right, with drapery on far shoulder. Rev: COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC; Dacian trophy of arms, at base of which shields, spears and sword. Ref: RIC 147; BMCRE 359; RSC 100. Good Very Fine. Ex Berk, Jan 97.

Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Nerva, AD 96-98. Billon Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.99g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 96/97). Obv: ΑΥΤ ΝΕΡΟΥΑⳞ ΚΑΙⳞ ⳞΕΒ; Laureate head right. Rev: Eagle standing right, wings gathered; L A (date) across field. Ref: Köln 429-30; Dattari (Savio) 639; K&G 26.1; RPC III 4113 (27 specimens); Emmett 361.1 (R1). Near Very Fine. Red-brown toning. Ex CNG e514 (20 Apr 2022), Lot 337.

Kings of Numidia. Massinissa or Micipsa, 203-148 BC or 148-118 BC. Æ Unit (26mm, 12.72g, 12h). Obv: Laureate head left. Rev: Horse galloping left; pellet below. Ref: MAA 18a; Mazard 50; SNG Copenhagen 505.

Link: Lion Germany, Lower Saxony. Braunschweig (Brunswick) City coinage. Circa AD 1266-1498. AR Bracteate (21mm, 0.5g). Obv: Lion to the right, bottom feather hat. Berger 921-923. Very Fine.

Iberia. Iltirta. After 104 BC. Æ As (25mm, 9.72g, 3h). Obv: Male head right; dolphin behind, two dolphins before. Rev: Horseman riding right, holding palm frond. Iltirta in Iberian script below. Ref: ACIP 1256; CNH 33; SNG BM Spain 625-8.

North Arabia, Lihyan(?) Æ Tetradrachm (19mm, 8.77g, 10h). Circa 2nd-1st centuries BC. Imitating Athens. Obv: Schematic head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet. Rev: Stylised owl standing to right, head facing; olive sprig to left, [A]ΘE downwards to right. Ref: Huth 40 = Huth, Athenian, fig. 5, e. Near Very Fine. Ex Roma e111 (24 Aug 2023), Lot 489.

Crusader States, Principality of Antioch. Bohemund IV or V, AD 1201-1251. BI Denier (18mm, 1.07g, xh). Obv: Helmeted and mailed head left; crescent before, star behind. Rev: Cross pattée; crescent in second quarter. Ref: CCS 126. Good Very Fine. Ex Numis Naumann 124 (8 Jan 2023), Lot 790. Next: Medieval Denier

Lycia, Lycian League. Masikytes. 1st Century BC. AR Hemidrachm (16mm, 1.80g, 12h). Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rev: Lyre; MA, winged kerykeion to right; all within incuse square. Ref: Troxell, Lycian (NNM 162), Period 4, 105.5-9; RPC 3305. Good Very Fine, toned. Ex CNG XV (5 June 1991), Lot 201. Ex CNG eAuction 35 (13 Aug 2001), Lot 63741.

Hadrian, AD 117-138. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.33g, 7h). "Travel series" issue. Rome mint, struck circa AD 130-133. Obv: HADRIANVS-AVG COS III P P; Bare head of Hadrian right, seen from behind. Rev: AFRICA; Africa reclining left, leaning on rock, wearing elephant-skin headdress, holding scorpion and cornucopia; basket of fruit and grain ears to left. Ref: RIC II.3 1495; RIC II 299; RSC 138. Ex Berk, Nov 1996, with ticket marked at $250.

Roman Thrace, Hadrianopolis. Septimius Severus, AD 193-211. Ӕ18 (3.35g, 6h). Obv: AY K Λ CЄΠ-CЄY(HP)O[C]; Laureate head right. Rev: AΔΡIAN-O-ΠOΛЄIT; Nike advancing left with wreath and palm branch. Ref: Jurukova 219, one specimen (attribution courtesy of Curtis Clay via Forvm). About Very Fine, nice green patina, obverse slightly off-center. Same obverse die as NN Auction 73, Lot 274. Next: Another Septimius Severus Provincial

Aurelian, AD 270-275. Silvered Æ Antoninianus (22mm, 4.77g, 12h). Siscia mint, 2nd officina, 9th emission, struck AD 274-275. Obv: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG; Radiate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: CONCORDIA MILITVM; Emperor standing right, clasping right hands with Concordia standing left; XXIS in exergue. Ref: RIC V 244; BN 901. Good Extra Fine, nearly full silvering. Ex Freeman and Sear, March 2004.