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Tiberius Ar Denarius Lugdunum 15-18 AD Obv Head right laureate Rv Pax seated right on chair with plain legs. RIC 26 3.74 grms 18 mm Photo by W. Hansen It looks like @Octavius and me get our Tiberius denarii from the same source. His however is one of the later issues with the ornate legs on the chair and the footstool. Mine is one of the earlier issues The portrait of Tiberius depicts a younger man with a large eye hooked nose a strong chin and a firm mouth. He as a full head of hair. What is puzzling is the reverse. While the staff is firmly planted on the exergue the chair is not It is on a second line. It does not seem to be representing a low pedestal or perhaps even a sedan chair.

In answer to @DonnaML there are two The first is the inscription seen below the eagle on the reverse. It reads MON VRB (Moneta Urbana) or Money of the City. Some of the contemporary tetradrachm minted during the reign of Philip I carry the legend ANTIOXIA or of Antioch. This is an example that was at one time in my collection Philip I Ar Tetradrachm Antioch Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed. four pellets below bust Rv Eagle standing slightly to the left wings spread. 10.5 grms 24 mm Prieur 494 THIS IS NO LONGER MY COIN The second is style. If you examine the portrait on the coin above and compare it with the example I cited from the mint of Rome you will see a very distinctive difference in style. The issue labeled ANTIOXIA all have a style quite different from that of the MON VRB coins. In fact it is this consistency in style that allows us to identify a number of issues of antoninianii stuck during the reigns of Gordian III, Philip Decius and Gallus as being products of the mint of Antioch. The MON VRB coins have a style more consistent with that of Rome. When comparing these coins to contemporary coins of similar diameter from the mint of Rome one can clearly see the similarity My coin as noted above Dupondius of Philip I RIC 162 c 12,37 grms Photo CNG Triton XI Lot 974 January 7 2008 THIS IS NOT MY COIN You can see the close similarity in the style of portraits of Philip between the Mon VRB Coin and the dupondius minted in Rome.

Philip I Ar Tetradrachm Rome 244 AD Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed seen from back. Rv eagle standing facing head left with wreath in beak and with wings open. Prieur 310 10.58 grms 24 mm Photo by W. Hansen This coin helps illustrate the complexity and interdependence of Roman mint operations in the mid third century AD Not only do you have eastern style tetradrachms minted at Rome but Roman style antoninianii minted at Antioch.

Nomos of Kroton 530-520 BC Spread fabric Obv Tripod with legs terminating with lions feet two snakes in bowl. Rv The same but incuse. SNG ANS 227 HGC 1444 8.13 grms 28 mm Photo by W. Hansen This coin does not have as illustrious a pedigree as the one cited by @Curtisimo So far the best I have been able to do is a Sternburg Auction back in 1985. Kroton is one of the more important mints striking coins using this rather novel minting technique.

Hadrian Ar Denarius 119-122 AD Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed Rv Roma standing left holding Victory . RIC 76 RICII/3 598 3.40 grms 20 mm Photo by W. Hansen The first obverse portraits of Hadrian a very reminiscent to the way the emperor is depicted employed by his predecessor Trajan, however by 119 AD the imagery had begun tp change. One thing that can be clearly seen is that the head becomes larger and a great deal of care is taken to depict the facial features of the emperor. Moreover the hair and the beard is given a great deal of attention.

Diaduminian as Caesar Ar Denarius 217-218 AD Obv bare headed bust right draped and cuirassed Rv. Caesar standing facing head right holding a military standard in each hand to right second military standard 3.10 grms 19 mm Photo by W. Hansen This coin is another example of a "Hidden pedigree" found while looking through the RNumis site. It was at one time part of the HC Levis collection which was auctioned off by the firm of Ars Classica & Cie Auction 11 Lot 775 June 19 1925. Prior to that discover I was aware of this coin being part of the Jack A. Frazer Collection. I purchased it at a CNG E Auction 456 Lot 421. I do now own a number of "Frazer's" though this is only my second "Levis"

Tetradrachm of Euthydemos I Balkh? 210/208-206 BC Obv Head right diademed Rv Herakles seated on a rock outcropping left holding club before him. HGC 40 Bopearachchi Series 5 16.58 grms 28 mm Photo by W. Hansen This tetradrachm has a far more nuanced image than the one I had featured previously and does give a hint to the technical brilliance of some of the Baktrian artists. In this image we see the portrait of the king as a slightly more affable individual than the one I posted before. The double chin and the soft rounded features gives the impression of soft easy going person that is until you look at the eye. He has the hard expressionless eyes of a killer. He is a man not to be taken lightly.

But it is only a Sestertius of Philip I Philip I Ae Sestertius 245-247 AD Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed seen from back Rv Annona standing facing head left holding grain ears and cornucopia. To left modius RIC 168a 19.24 grms 27 mm Photo by W. Hansen I probably would not have paid too much attention to this coin had I not seen it "in the flesh" at an auction. After all it is just a Philip I sestertius with a fairly standard reverse. However having seen it and thinking that the coin had a great strike and a beautiful patina I bid on the coin in an attempt to purchase it. I failed someone wanted it more than me, I was very disappointed but there was hope as the coin reappeared shortly after on a dealer website. They wanted a lot more than I was willing to pay and so after about an eight month hiatus I decided to negotiate. I did mention that I was the underbidder so I got the coin for about what I was willing to pay at the auction.

@Octavius I love the style of your coin. Your image has really delicate features. Mine on the other hand looks somewhat more formidable. Mine actually reminds me of one of my elementary school teachers who was very strict. Antonia Minor Dupondius Minted during the reign of Claudius 41-44 AD Obv Bust right draped Rv. Claudius veiled and togate standing facing head left holding simpulium. RIC 92 14.26 grms 17 mm Photo by W. Hansen She was of course the wife of Nero Claudius Drusus and the mother of both Germanicus and Claudius. Her husband and her eldest son are two of the great "what ifs" in the history of the Julio Claudian Dynasty. It is likely that had either survived both would have become Roman emperors.

Tetradrachm of Eukratides Megas Baktra? 170-145 BC Obv. Bust right right diademed and draped wearing Boiotian helmet decorated with bull horns Rv Dioskouroi on horseback charging right with couched spears. HGC 131 16.93 grms 31 mm Photo by W Hansen The history of the Baktrian Kingdom is not well understood though some of the coins minted while this kingdom was flourishing are some of the most impressive ever struck. While I would not consider this coin to be brilliant artistically the composition is extremely competent. The image of the king has a strong chin firm mouth large fleshy cheek, large nose and a piercing eye surmounted by a strong upper orbital ridge. Though the image appears to have been hastily done, the image still has a sense of strength which is rather compelling.

Talk about Big Eyes. I realize that this coin is somewhat off topic and I do apologies but it is rather interesting to see. THIS IS NO LONGER MY COIN. Contantine I Ae Follis Alexandria 325-6 AD Obv Laureate head right. Rv Camp gate RIC 34 3,20 grms 20 mm This coin has a rather interesting retro look. Not only does the image feature a very large eye but it is full face and not a profile eye which would be expected on a coin minted at this time. It rather looks a bit like some of the very archaic images found on coins minted during the fifth century BC. It is unclear as to why the die cutters from this mint would adopt this rather novel approach. As the image of the emperors moved from the veristic to the ideal the thought of having the emperor look upon the viewer may have seemed to be a good idea.

Another coin of Mazaios featuring the food chain in action Ar Stater or Double Siglos of Mazaios Tarsos 361/0-334 BC Obv Baaltars seated left Rv Lion left attacking stag from behind. SNG France 318 10.85 grms 24 mm Photo by W. Hansen As Satrap of Cilicia Mazaios mints a vast number of coins some of which were probably used to pay for the troops fighting the Macedonian invasion. Later he is moved to Babylon where he continues minting coins first for the Persians and later for Alexander III.

I break my own rules rather too frequently for my liking. Kos Ar Tetradrachm 280-250 BC Obv Beardless head of Herakles right wearing lions skin headdress. Rv. Crab seen from above. Below bow in bow case all within rectangular dotted border. Requier Group III 40 HGC 1308 15.16 grms 28 mm Photo by W. HansenBack in 2020 I vowed that would not purchase any coin that did not have a pedigree prior to 2020. Since then I have broken this rule at least 3 times. On of the coins was this one. Back in 2005 I saw a group of these coins being auctioned by a firm in Europe. I wanted to bid on one of these coins but was unable to do so. Since then I wanted one. This coin was on the CNG Coin Shop and I tried ignoring it. However after getting beaten like a drum in Triton XXIV I elected to buy this coin. What is interesting about this particular series from the mint of Kos is that while the obverse looks very similar to the Attic tetradrachms in the name of Alexander III this coin is minted on the older and lighter Chian standard. While it is true that some of the other mints such as Ephesos also continued with the Chian standard, this coin with its virtually identical obverse and its overall fabric seems to be trying to look like the contemporary Alexander coinage.

This coin represents the end of the line for this longed lived and interesting coinage. Drachm or half Shekel of Taras minted during the Hannibalic Alliance 212-209 BC Obv Jocley crowning prancing horse left Rv. Taras holding Nike riding dolphin left. Vlasto 977 HGC 931 3.56 grms 20 mm Photo by W. Hansen With the defeat of their ally Pyrrhus in 275 BC the Romans captured Taras (272 BC) However the coinage did not end. Sometime circa 228 BC ?? the coinage in Taras ceased production. In 212 BC the Tarantines ended their alliance with Rome choosing to side with Hannibal. There was an almost immediate change to the coinage. The nomos was either discontinued or was reduced to a standard of 3.1 grms. After Rome recaptured Taras their coinage was finally discontinued.

Neapolis Ar Nomos 300-275 BC Obv Head of Nymph right To left astagalus Rv Man headed bull advancing right head facing being crowned by Nike HN 579 HGC 453 7.19 grms 19 mm Photo by W. HansenThis coin was minted sometime after the city was captured by the Romans from Samnite occupation. The city became a close ally to the Romans thereafter. This coin was minted towards the end of the series of nomoi minted at this city which ended circa 250 BC.

As of Germanicus Rome Restitution issue minted during the reign of Titus. Obv, Head of Germanicus left bare Rv Large SC surrounded by inscription honoring Titus RIC 228 9.20 grms 26 mm Photo by W. Hansen It is interesting that this restitution as copies the coin struck by Caligula honoring his father Germanicus and not the one issued by Claudius. I understand that these coins were struck at Rome and at a eastern mint possibly Perinthos. However the site of the eastern mint is still under some debate. I have not examined these coins very closely however I believe my coin is a product from the mint of Rome.

Tetradrachm of Kyme 165-160 BC Obv. Head of the Amazon Kyme right wearing taenia Rv Horse walking left foreleg raised over one handed cup Metrophanes |Magistrate All within laurel wreath Oakley 3 16.74 grms 30 mm Photo by W. Hansen These Stephanophorii appear to have commenced at about the same time the Kings of Pergamon adopted the cistophoric tetradrachms. Like the cistophorii the stephanophorii appear to have been started at multiple mints and at roughly the same time. The one principle difference is that these coins used local types however sharing a laurel wreath on the reverse and employing very similar flans. Their purpose is rather more difficult to assess. Some think that they were used as a conversion coin, converting the cistophorii into an Attic weight tetradrachm. However a lot of these coins are found in Syria, perhaps indicationg that the Kings of Pergamon were adding their two-bits worth into the increasingly fraction world of Seleukid politics. These coins would be perfect as they would add what would be called today "Plausible deniability".

I have always loved the story about Taras. Saved by a dolphin who drops him off at the only real good harbor in southern Italy. Dolphins is so smart. Taras Ar Nomos 240-228 BC Obv Warrior in full armor holding Nike on horse rearing right. Rv Phalanthos (Taras) holding Nike and cradling trident riding dolphin left. Vlasto 963 6.51 grms 19 mm Photo by W. Hansen I really do enjoy the long and extensive series of coins minted by the Tarentines displaying their fascination with their horse culture. This coin is somewhat different than the norm. Most of the coins appear to depict some event within an equestrian event where the skill of the Tarentine cavalry is depicted. This one suggest some kind of procession after a successful military campaign.

This could be a depiction of a triumphal possession on a coin. Gordian III Ae 32 mm Antioch in Pisidia Obv Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed Rv. Gordian driving a quadriga left being crowned by Victory. To left soldier facing right saluting him. in the background two other soldiers advancing left carrying palm fronds. Kryzanowska X/34 25.31 grms 32 mm Photo by CNG THIS USED TO BE MY COIN As the coin was minted in Antioch in Pisidia and should most likely have depicted a scene which occurred prior to Gordian joining the army to conduct a campaign against Persia. Sources do describe that before he reached the army, the Romans had defeated the Persians at the Battle of Resaena (243 AD) and that he had staged a triumph. Whether this event was staged at Rome or at Antioch ( or even somewhere else) is unclear. However the reverse of this coin MIGHT be a depiction of a triumphal procession.

Domitian Ar Denarius 88 AD Obv Head right laureate Rv. Cippus inscribed in five lines COS/ XIIII/ LVD / SAEC/ FEC to right herald standing left holding wand and shield. candelabrum between RIC 601 3.53 grms 20 mm Photo by W. Hansen Though the Saecular games have been advertised on coins issued by other emperors it is Domitian that has the most extensive series of coins illustrating many of the ceremonies associated with this event. An interesting feature of this coin is that the shield carried by the herald features a tiny bust of the goddess Minerva. This poses an interesting question. Is this feature part of the regular panoply of the herald and would be seen all games or is this something unique to the games sponsored by Domitian. His devotion to the goddess Minerva is well known and is well documented on the coinage.

Octavian Ar Denarius Rome or Brundisium 28 BC Obv Head right bare lituus behind Rv Crocodile standing right RIC 275a CRI 430 3.71 grms 20 mm Photo by W. Hansen Octavian appears to have minted this type during 28 BC though part way through this issue he had his obverse legend changed from CAESAR COS VI to CAESAR DIVI F COS VI as seen by the example posted by @jdmKYas seen above. The image presented on this obverse still shows something of the image of Octavian before he became Augustus. He is clearly seen as a young man clean shaven with a confident look. It is interesting that at this time he does not advertise his relationship with Julius Caesar something that he had done many times before (though he does that later). Also he very carefully emphasizes his consulship as well as his membership in the college of Augurs (Roman priestly class) . This coin representative of the careful dance embarked on by Octavian as he proceeded to strengthen and solidify his position within the Roman political system.

Trajan Ae Sestertius 107-110 AD Obv Bust right laureate drapery on far shoulder. Rv "Dabube" bridge depicted as a single arch with a tower at each end. Below river craft RIC 569 Woytek 314cC 25.80 grms 33 mm Photo by W. Hansen It is interesting how much the image of the Danube bridge posted above by @Restitutoris based on interpretations from this coin. One can see how on the image seen above that the structure holding up the deck of the bridges is fairly close to that seen on the coin. However there has been a fairly long scholarly debate a to whether or not the bridge seen on the coin is the famous Danube Bridge. One big problem is that all other buildings seen on the coins of Trajan can be identified as structures built in Rome. However despite his massive building program there is no reference linking Trajan with a bridge within Rome. While it is true that absence of evidence does not necessarily prove a point, it can be noted that in Woytek "Die Reichspragung Des Kaisers Traianus (98-117) this reverse is linked with other coins celebrating Trajan's success in Dacia. If correct this reverse would be seen as a part of a larger message celebrating Trajan's success over the Dacians

Hadrian Ae Drachm Alexandria 131-132 AD Obv, Bust right laureate draped and cuirassed Rv River god Nilus reclining left on rocks holding reed and cornucopia . Crocodile below RPC 5791/ 68 This coin illustrated Datarri-Savio 1794 This coin illustrated. 25.83 grms 34 mm Photo by W. Hansen I have always thought that the composition on the reverse of this coin to be superb. I remember seeing on like it about almost 30 years ago and wishing own one like it. I got my chance a few years ago. The reverse of this coin always reminds me of the statue of the Tiber which is at the Louvre in Paris I took this picture on my first trip to Paris. I enjpyed that trip though I wish my pics were better.

I like these staters as well. Av Stater of Rhoemetalkes131-132 AD Obv Bust of Rhoemetalkes right diademed and draped. Rv. Head of Hadrian right laureate Below date MacDonald 437/2 RPC 908 This coin illustrated 7.77 grms 20 mm Photo by W. Hansen When I acquired the coin back in 2004 it was described as being Hadrian with Cotys II When I started to process the coin I noticed a problem. The legend did not match up. Most of the now standard references on this coinage were unavailable to me at this time however I was able to identify the king as Rhoemetalkes. This is where things remained until about the summer of 2019. I was involved in creating new computer generated identification cards to be placed in the flips housing my coins. Thus I had to revisit all my old work. I was looking for the likely mint attribution for this coin and could not find one in MacDonald. I then checked RPC and found that my coin was now the plate specimen. They also corrected the error as well.

Aurelianus of Aurelian Serdica 274-275 AD, Obv Bust right radiate draped and cuirassed Rv. Female presenting wreath to Aurelian RIC 310 Estiot 1049 4.24 grms 22 mm Photo by W. HansenThis coin features the title of "Invictus". I am sometimes curious about these large hoards that show up at this time. There is some debate as to the value of the Aurelianus hover one intriguing theory is that they were basically 1/20 of an silver antoninianus of roughly the same weight.