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I just received my first ever Denarii in the mail... these are probably not truly worthy of their own thread, but I figured we should celebrate as these are my first "real" coin purchase (i.e. not cheap lots of late roman bronzes). First is a Trajan with Victory holding wreath and palm on the reverse (101-102 AD), second is a Hadrian with Salus lounging and feeding her snake on reverse (119-122 AD) 🙂 I am extremely excited about the coins. Ordered from Tom Vossen on Vcoins and while his photos were extremely accurate/representative of the coins' true appearance, they look even better in hand. Neither his photos nor mine truly do them justice. The Trajan has just the faintest hint of iridescent toning which doesn't show up in the pics... very cool. Pictures and full descriptions below - please let me know what you think!!! Not sure why the pictures are so large - my apologies! Trajan, 98-117 AD. AR Denarius (3.26 gm, 18.5mm). Rome mint. Struck 101/2 AD. Obv.: IMP CAES NERVA TRA-IAN AVG GERM, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Rev.: P M TR P COS IIII P P, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm. RIC II 60; BMCRE 121; RSC 242a. Hadrian. 117-138 AD. AR Denarius (3.16 gm, 20mm). Rome mint. Struck 119-122 AD. Obv.: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right, with drapery on far shoulder. Rev.: P M TR P COS III, Salus seated left, holding patera, feeding snake rising from altar, SALVS AVG in exergue. BMC 207. Cohen 1151. RIC 98. RIC II, Part 3, 231

This is great input thanks guys! Makes sense to me that the reference books are kind of substitutable with wildwinds, etc. - I will probably order a couple of the Sayles books and 1 or 2 others I really wish the Vagi books were more reasonable, but I can't shell out $200 on books. Would rather buy more coins... 😄

Hi All, @rNumis's recent thread on numismatic literature got me thinking... If you could recommend just 1 (ok... maybe 2) book(s) for a beginner focused on Roman Imperial coins - what would it be? I've been pretty content thus far to rely on the internet, and I do think there's a wealth of information available these days. Seems to me a numismatic library isn't necessary like it used to be. But, I imagine it's still valuable to have extra resources handy, and probably a bit "nicer" to browse a book-in-hand Thanks in advance for the recommendations! John

Good suggestion Steve - I'll get a thread going.

Good to hear! I've only heard good things. Speak of the devil actually, just got a good update this morning! Does this mean it's through customs already? Great news if so - should be here Wed or Thurs at the latest I'd think Processed Through FacilityISC NEW YORK NY(USPS) Your item has been processed through our facility in ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS) at 7:40 pm on June 5, 2022.

Can some of you book lovers recommend your #1 top (or maybe top 2) books for a beginner in Roman Imperial coins?

I'm in the same boat @NathanB. As an American, it's hard to even imagine what the thrill of finding an ancient coin in the ground would be like, not to mention 161 of them...

Man, so many cross-border shipping horror stories. Definitely a bit scary

I have my first 2 denarii coming from Tom Vossen in the Netherlands (I'm in Chicago). Ordered on May 30th, shipped the 31st, and one tracking update so far on June 4th ("Processed through facility" in Frankfurt and now "Origin post is preparing shipment"). So everything is more or less on track, but doesn't make it any easier to wait! Especially since these are my first moderately expensive coins... first silver coins as well. Hoping they'll show up by early next week, like the 13th/14th. Ugh. I want to see them so bad!!!

Not a Domitian, but couldn't help but share my Trajan Victory from 101/102 AD Ordered from Tom Vossen on Vcoins and currently in transit... so these are the seller's photos and I haven't actually seen the coin yet! But I'm VERY excited, I think it's beautiful and the condition of the obverse is really outstanding for the price i paid

Very cool! Would be really interesting to do the same thing with Vcoins dealers

Damn @DonnaML this is some really incredible stuff. Museum grade (to my untrained eye at least... but really!) It would be a dream to own a collection like this when I'm older and have more money. Just graduating with my MBA this year so the ol' net worth is a bit thin at the moment... this stuff must be quite expensive I'd imagine.

holy crap! What an incredible collection... I'm jealous When I'm older and have more money, I'd love to start accumulating artifacts like this (and more coins of course)

So my avatar is the cover art of The Way of Kings, the first in a fantasy literature series called The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. Nothing to do with coins, really, although I have always associated my love of fantasy books with my interest in history. Seems those hobbies scratch a similar type of itch. Also, the artwork is just beautiful, and I figured it would make a recognizable icon for me on the forum!

I purchased this hadrian denarius from Tom Vossen on vcoins Would love some honest feedback on the coin - I think it's beautiful but does have some deep looking cracks along the edge. It was 75 dollars so I think it's a nice example at that price point! One of 2 denarii I purchased - my first real additions to my collection (i.e., not $5-$20 late empire bronze, uncleaned lot type stuff) I'll post my own pics once I receive the coin - it should arrive in a couple weeks!

It looks so good! great work on the logo and overall design Feels cool to be a part of a new, thriving community right as I'm getting into ancient coins in the first place

awesome coin and thanks for linking so much of your previous writing! I'm still new to ancient coins and currently working on beginning my collection with Roman Imperial coins -- but some of these republican coins are absolutely beautiful. Definitely plan to add some to my collection as time goes on, and your posts will be a great resource

beautiful coin! I'm a new collector so owning an aureus is like a dream... maybe one day 🙂 congrats on the birth of your daughter as well. Hopefully she will inherit your interest in history!

Hi All - I'm new to ancient coins and was a brand new CT member (same name and avator) when I saw this mass exodus take place... Disappointed to see a good community like CT fall apart but happy to join here as well! Hoping to learn a lot from you all, and planning to make my first real purchase (2 nice denarii from Hadrian and Trajan) which I'll share when I get them