CPK

Absolutely beautiful coins and well worth the wait! That portrait of Octavian, in particular - stunning! 🤩

Oh I see. I think you are right - the bronzes do seem to more consistently show higher levels of artistic quality. Perhaps the production of antoniniani were more rushed because of need (e.g., to pay soldiers.) Those are some fantastic coins! Here is my only Decius, a bronze, but too worn to show off much artistry: TRAJAN DECIUS, AD 249-251 AE As (28.92mm, 12.00g, 1h) Struck AD 250-251. Rome mint Obverse: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius right Reverse: DACIA, Dacia standing left, draped in long robe, holding Dacian standard (draco) with wolf's head, S C across fields References: RIC IV 112c, RCV 9422 A scarce type with attractive earthen highlights. Double-struck on reverse.

According to Suetonius, Augustus was moved to tears when he was given this title of Pater Patriae. (Aug. 58) AUGUSTUS, 27 BC-AD 14 AR Denarius (20.36mm, 3.77g, 7h) Struck 19 BC. Colonia Patricia mint Obverse: CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head of Augustus right Reverse: OB CIVIS SERVATOS in straight lines above and below oak wreath References: OCRE I 75a, RCV 1625 var. Toned with deposits on reverse. Good metal and surfaces. A fine portrait of Caesar Augustus.

Wow. I would not have even thought of that! Looks nothing like a real one.

That's a nice portrait, and a cool reverse too. It is an antoninianus - you can tell by the radiate crown. A denarius would be laureate - not that they were striking silver denarii that late in the Roman empire. The last good silver circulation denarii were issued under Phillip I, I believe, and those are extremely rare.

A beautiful piece. I just finished reading Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts (excellent book.) I'd like to get a silver franc of Napoleon, but I think I'd like one from the time he was First Consul, after the coup of 18 Brumaire but before his coronation as Emperor in 1804. In many ways, I think this period saw Napoleon at his greatest. However, those are even more expensive (especially in good condition) than the subsequent issues as Emperor.

Wow, congratulations on obtaining such a rarity! The coin itself is quite nice, as well.

I didn't place any bids this time. One thing that dampens my enthusiasm with his auctions is that the photo quality is so poor that it's hard to tell exactly what the coin will look like in hand. I don't want to risk high bids on a coin that might turn out to be a disappointment.

I can definitely identify with the dreamer. 😆

Very nice!

That's hilarious @Kali! Thanks for posting. 😆

Purchased from them twice and never had any issues.

That's amazing. It's always interesting to learn about other collecting worlds. I've sometimes watched Natural History auctions from Heritage - put some bids on some fossils, etc. but always got smoked.

Can't wait to see what's underneath!

Very interesting! Where do you sell specimens like that? I suppose there are auction houses which sell such collections?

Very nice!

I've got one ex-Salton coin. The paper envelope originated with whoever owned the coin before Salton (who then added his own notes in blue pen on the front.) The coin was purchased in Istanbul in 1946 before Salton acquired it. SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS, AD 193-211 AR Denarius (19.71mm, 3.70g, 12h) Struck AD 209. Rome mint Obverse: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head of Septimius Severus right Reverse: P M TR P XVII COS III P P, Neptune standing left, foot on rock, right hand resting on upper leg, left hand holding long trident References: RIC IV 228, RCV 6346 A beautiful specimen, choice EF with lustrous fields, perfectly centered on a large and heavy flan. From the Mark Salton Collection (1914-2005)

Sorry! Those little Greek AE's must be among the most difficult to properly attribute - tiny, spare, and often in rough shape. I am still impressed with the research you did, even if it didn't turn out to be what you thought. The hunt continues, I suppose! 🙂

Congratulations on such a fantastic acquisition, and also great detective work! You earned it. 😉

Too bad! But it was worth the chance. At least, as you say, it wasn't very expensive. I'll admit I once put a bid on what probably should have been an obvious fake, but thankfully (for me, anyway) I was outbid at the last moment. Described thus by the auction house: DOMITIAN (Caesar, 69-81). Sestertius. Rome. Weight : 19.03 gr Diameter : 32 mm

Interesting! I just started listening to the first of Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe novels - Sharpe's Tiger. Set during the British war against Tipu Sultan.

Wow, great to hear! Can't wait to see what you've got @kirispupis.

Very cool!

Very nice! A good example of how grade isn't everything. That coin has a lot of eye appeal despite the wear.

I see what you mean about the second one - it has a slight edge, perhaps, in eye appeal...but I think I'd prefer the first. Not only are the surfaces more uniform and intact, but BD, while treatable, is a pain to deal with (at least it was for me.) If there was some way to have a professional conservator take care of the BD, I'd go for the second. It does seem to have more character than the first. Either way, they're great-looking medals!