Dafydd

I wasn't looking for an Aemilian but found two. A dealer in the UK called Copperbark Ltd gave up and sold their inventory in more or less a fire sale. After purchasing the Antoninianus they offered me the Sestertius which I also purchased. Aemilian (Jul-Oct 253) Antoninianus, Rome Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Rev: ERCVL VICTORI, Hercules standing r., resting on club and holding bow and lion's skin on left arm. 3.06g, 21-22mm dia. RCV 9832, RSC 13. Good Very Fine and rare. Ex Baldwin, October 2005. Lot 2167. As an aside, the hammer price in 2005 was £150 and I bought if in 2021 for £125. As someone more erudite than I mentioned, prices move up and down over the years so best not to pursue this hobby as an investment. This is the Sestertius. Aemilian (Jul-Oct 253) Sestertius, Rome Obv: IMP CAES AEMILIANVS P F AVG Rev: VOTIS / DECENNA / LIBVS / S C in four lines within laurel wreath. 14.11g, 25-27mm dia. RCV 9862, RIC 54(a). I'm following the same journey as @Nerosmyfavorite68 and have had a reasonable couple of years finalising my year of the five Emperors in July when I found an affordable Didius Julianus at the FUN show.

I have an office two miles from the Royal Mint in Llantrisant Wales and purely by coincidence know some of their people. A good friend of mine, the late Joe Cussen was in charge of the logistics of introducing decimal coins in the 1970's and the relocation of the Royal Mint from London to Wales. Joe told me in the 1980's that the Royal Mint was "missing a trick" as private mints were making commemorative coins for any subject and event they could think of and he felt they could do better. We once laughed over the fact that sooner or later we would see Mickey Mouse on a coin and it was sooner rather than later! The Royal Mint produces coins globally for numerous nations and also has a marketing department producing and selling anything they can make a profit on. I'm all for this in a society heading towards cashless. Someone once told me, "if you can't hold it, you don't own it". The Rolling Stones aren't to my taste other than a few of their numbers, my taste is more David Bowie and I bought the RM's Bowie coin as soon as it was released. This is the extent that the Royal Mint now goes to in respect of marketing. A coin in space no less! Below is an image of the coin I bought. I guess I am too traditional to want a coloured coin. Not so off topic when you consider the commemoratives issued by the Romans right through to the Constantinian era. In some tenuous way commemorating Rock Stars is similar to commemorating the Secular games, each can relate to generational changes. I was fortunate to see Roxy Music in Concert in October, a hugely underrated band in my opinion. I saw them 50 years ago and doubt if I will have the chance again in my lifetime. If the Royal Mint make a Roxy coin I will probably buy one for the sake of posterity and leave it to my children along with some footage I took of the concert.

I was so pleased to receive my Saturnalia today, a beautiful and interesting coin that fills a gap in my collection. Thank you to my Secret Saturnalia! Not sure if I should name my Secret Saturnalia but he knows who he is. It was posted from France on 8th December and although it missed Saturnalia, as indeed so did the coins I sent, it turned up despite the postal strikes in the UK. Severus Alexander (222-235), AR Denarius, issued 226. Rome, 3.01g, 19mm. Obv: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG; Laureate and draped bust right, seen from behind. Obv: Annona standing left, holding grain ears over modius and cornucopia. RIC IV 133; RSC 23. Excellent example of a die clash; the ghostly image of Severus Alexander’s profile is very clear, upside down and to the right of Annona. The coin raises the point for me that I should be considering die clashes in future when examining coins and I will be looking at my coins over Christmas. Thank you and Io Saturnalia !

£640 so the equivalent of around 730 Euros or 780 Dollars. Not so inexpensive that you would imagine it could not possibly be real but expensive enough to be considered a bargain backed up with the comment " a reasonable portrait". The dealer does not have a website and advertises low cost rarities. I guess that without access to a forum such as this , many people could have been duped over the years and of course offering a money back guarantee does lend a sense of security. At my age I should knwo better and if it sounds ( or reads) too good to be true then it probably isn't.

Thanks all, you confirmed my fears , I was convinced but part of me wanted to dream on.......... It's heading back and that is the last time I contemplate having any dealings with that dealer. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!

Could I please ask for help with this coin? A portrait Julius Caesar has been on my bucket list for sometime but I have been thwarted by a multitude of issues including timing and diverting monies to other "must haves". I acquired this one recently and my concerns are about its low weight. It weighs 2.25 g and the diameter is 18.4 mm. It came from a dealer who accepts returns and it was an impulse purchase without viewing. I considered I might be a disgruntled Roman citizen to receive this one as payment! I have checked the Forum fake coin site and cannot find a match. Roman Empire - Julius Caesar with L. Livineius Regulus, moneyer, silver denarius. Minted in Rome, 42 B.C. Wreathed head of Caesar right; laurel branch behind, winged caduceus before./ Bull charging right; L • LIVINEIVS above, REGVLVS below. Crawford 494/24; CRI 115; Sydenham 1106; Kestner 3729-30; BMCRR Rome 4274-6; RSC 27. My thought is that it is a Fourrée , but that is not what it was described as and I have no experience of them . I had a disappointment with this dealer some time ago when I bought a Claudius denarius as part of my 12 Caesars to find it had a pronounced flan split that was not mentioned. The dealer does not have a website and offers money back guarantees although I kept the Claudius because the price reflected the split although it wasn't mentioned. Yes, I know I should have learnt a lesson but the allure of a portrait Julius Caesar at a reasonable price was too good to miss. I have not found this coin as a Fourrée although I am still looking. I would be very grateful for opinions. Fourrée or not, in the hand it is very attractive ( to me ).

Roman Imperial Coinage, Commodus (as Cæsar), As, Rome, 175-6, draped bust right, rev. priestly implements, 11.08g (RIC Marcus Aurelius 1539; BMC Marcus Aurelius 1533).

And another Britannia this time standing and representative of some Roman reverses. 1903 Florin.

Some great coins here and no need to add anything to my Pansa.

A great year, congratulations and I love your eclectic taste, I have a rose farthing but learnt more about it today. Thank you.

Absolutely fantastic creation @Julius Germanicus Sadly Hamburg is not possible for me but here is my Augustus Arch. Augustus Denarius. Colonia Patricia mint, 18-16 BC.. SPQR IMP CAESARI AVG COS XI TR POT VI, bare head of Augustus right / CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PART RECVPER, triumphal arch with three portals, Augustus in quadriga between two Parthians on top. RSC 84. NRCV 1606 Ex-Lodge AntiquitiesAugustus Denarius. Colonia Patricia mint, 18-16 BC.. SPQR IMP CAESARI AVG COS XI TR POT VI, bare head of Augustus right / CIVIB ET SIGN MILIT A PART RECVPER, triumphal arch with three portals, Augustus in quadriga between two Parthians on top. RSC 84. NRCV 1606 Ex-Lodge Antiquitie

Interesting thread Leeshiel and welcome. I haven't posted anything in weeks because of work and home issues but back again. Interesting link re thorns, thank you. Here is my Stephen. CROSS MALINE "WATFORD" TYPE PENNY ON NON NORWICH SEE ALLEN BNJ 2012 PAGE 113 S.2178.

Another Lyre Augustus Ar. denarius, AVGVSTVS DIVI F, bare hd. r., rev., the Actian Apollo stg. l., holding plectrum and lyre, IMP X across fields, ACT in ex., Lugdunum mint (Sear, 1611; RIC 171a; Seaby 144). ACTIUM VICTORY RSC 1442

That was the conclusion I reached too Donna so I am pleased I made an advance in quality.

This coin arrived today from Artemide Kunstauktionen after only three days in transit by post from Germany which was a pleasant surprise. A. Postumius Albinus. Denarius serratus, 81 BC. Obv. HISPAN.Veiled head of Hispania right, with dishevelled hair. Rev. A·POST·A·F·S·N·ALBIN (AL ligate). Togate figure standing left, raising right hand; on left, legionary eagle; on right, fasces with axe. Cr. 372/2; B. (Postumia) 8. AR. 3.80 g. 19.50 mm. This was somewhat of an embarrassing "senior moment" after I placed the bid as I quickly realised I had hit the wrong key and already had the coin and was seeking the first Postumius denarius. I didn't try to retract the bid as I hoped I would be outbid.... Needless to say, I wasn't. Here is my original coin and I now have to consider which one to convert to something else? Any views apart from my idiocy?

I just saw this amazing post so thought I would post the translation as not many of our members speak Welsh! Yma o Hyd lyrics in full Dwyt ti'm yn cofio Macsen Does neb yn ei nabod o Mae mil a chwe chant o flynyddoedd Yn amser rhy hir i'r co' Pan aeth Magnus Maximus o Gymru Yn y flwyddyn tri-chant-wyth-tri A'n gadael yn genedl gyfan A heddiw: wele ni! (You don't remember Macsen, nobody knows him. One thousand and six hundred years, a time too long to remember. When Magnus Maximus left Wales, in the year 383, leaving us a whole nation, and today - look at us!) Ry'n ni yma o hyd Ry'n ni yma o hyd Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth Ry'n ni yma o hyd Ry'n ni yma o hyd Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth Ry'n ni yma o hyd (We are still here, we are still here, in spite of everyone and everything, in spite of everyone and everything, in spite of everyone and everything. We are still here, we are still here, in spite of everyone and everything, in spite of everyone and everything, in spite of everyone and everything. We are still here.) Chwythed y gwynt o'r Dwyrain Rhued y storm o'r môr Hollted y mellt yr wybren A gwaedded y daran encôr Llifed dagrau'r gwangalon A llyfed y taeog y llawr Er dued yw'r fagddu o'n cwmpas Ry'n ni'n barod am doriad y wawr! (Let the wind blow from the East, let the storm roar from the sea, let the lightning split the heavens, and the thunder shout "encore!" Let the tears of the faint-hearted flow, and the servile lick the floor. Despite the blackness around us, we are ready for the breaking of the dawn!) Cofiwn i Facsen Wledig Adael ein gwlad yn un darn A bloeddiwn gerbron y gwledydd Mi fyddwn yma tan Ddydd y Farn! Er gwaetha pob Dic Siôn Dafydd Er gwaetha 'rhen Fagi a'i chriw Byddwn yma hyd ddiwedd amser A bydd yr iaith Gymraeg yn fyw! (We remember that Macsen the Emperor left our country in one whole piece. And we shall shout before the nations, "We'll be here until Judgement Day!" Despite every Dic Siôn Dafydd, despite old Maggie and her crew, we'll be here until the end of time, and the Welsh language will be alive!) Maggie refers to Margaret Thatcher who was the Nemesis of Welsh Coal Mining.

This is a little ethereal. Iulius Caesar. Denarius Spain 46-45, AR 18mm., 3.68g. Diademed head of Venus r.; behind, Cupid. Rev. Two captives seated at sides of trophy with oval shield and carnyx in each hand; in exergue, CAESAR. Babelon Julia 11. C. 13. Sydenham 1014. Sear Imperators 58. RBW 1639. Crawford 468/1. So we have Venus and Cupid and two slaves on the reverse. I met Bryan Ferry 48 years ago and I am attending a 50th anniversary concert in Manchester UK on October 12th. Where did all those years go.......... Enjoy.

Unfortunately I just deleted my Vesta reverse! Ref Nero Denarius, RIC 62, RSC 335, BMC 104 Nero Denarius. NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS, laureate head right / VESTA, hexastyle temple of Vesta with domed roof & statue of Vesta within. RSC 335. Next Nero Sestertius

Scottish Monarch. KINGDOM_EMPIRE SCOTLAND TITLE ALEXANDER III PENNY DENOMINATION PENNY UNIT PENNY DATE 1249-1286 MATERIAL SILVER RULER ALEXANDER III REGION MINT BERWICK

COUNTRY GREAT BRITAIN TITLE EDWARD VII FLORIN DENOMINATION FLORIN UNIT YEAR 1903 MATERIAL SILVER MINT LONDON MINTMARK VARIETY CATALOG SPINK 3981

George II COUNTRY GREAT BRITAIN TITLE GEORGE II SHILLING 1758 DENOMINATION SHILLING UNIT SHILLING YEAR 1758 MATERIAL SILVER MINT LONDON MINTMARK VARIETY SHILLING

Here are some later coins. The L'Abbaye Collection | William III (1694-1702), Shilling, 1700, smaller 0s, fifth bust, rev. stop after HIB, five strings to harp, seven billets, small lions, edge obliquely milled, 5.90g, 5h (Bull 1151; ESC 1121; Spink 3516), COUNTRY GREAT BRITAIN TITLE WILLIAM IV SHILLING 1836 DENOMINATION SHILLING UNIT SHILLING YEAR 1836 MATERIAL SILVER MINT LONDON MINTMARK VARIETY CATALOG S.3835 And the first year of the reign of HRH Queen Elizabeth. COUNTRY GREAT BRITAIN TITLE ELIZABETH II SHILLING 1953 DENOMINATION SHILLING UNIT YEAR 1953 MATERIAL MINT MINTMARK VARIETY SCOTTISH REVERSE CATALOG S-4140 CONDITION MS 65 PROOF As she passed in Scotland I thought this reverse appropriate.

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius (4.00 g, 10h). Rome mint. L. Aquillius Florus, moneyer. Struck 19/8 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head right / RIC I 309; RSC 364; BMCRE 46-8 = BMCRR Rome 4553-5; L # AQVILLIVS # FLORVS # III # VIR #, open flower, displaying six petals, stamen, and pistil.

Caracalla and Geta GIC 2716 Obv: AV K M AV ANTONINOC AV K ? CE? GETAC Laureate, cuirassed and draped busts of Caracalla & Geta facing. (Sear GIC 2716v / Moushmov 469) Rev: V F? OV??IANOV-MAPKIANO?O?[ITON?] Tyche standing left with rudder and cornucopia. E in left field. I purchased this as a curiosity in consideration of the fact that Caracalla murdered his brother and ordered the Senate to issue a "damnatio memoriae" It appeared ironic to me that they would appear on the same coin given the enmity that existed between them.

Here is my reduced Sestertius REDUCED SESTERTIUS OF AURELIAN: CONCORDIA. ROME, AD 274-5. RIC: 80 Obverse: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, Laureate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian facing right. Reverse: CONCORDIA AVG, Aurelian, in military attire, standing left, holding sceptre in left hand and clasping hands with Severina standing right, radiate bust of Sol facing right between them. No officina mark. RIC: 80. Sear: 11646. [Rome, AD 274-5]. Diameter: 25 mm. Weight: 9.6 g.