CPK

I don't know, to me it would hardly be Vespasian without that constipated look! 😆

Thank you everyone! Lots of beautiful coins posted here! 🤩 I do all of my editing using GIMP - a free image editing program. Basically, I cut the coin out of the original photo and paste it onto a different background. I've not found a satisfactory way to do this automatically so it takes a bit of time carefully tracing around the edge, but it works for me. It takes a little time to get familiarized with using GIMP, but IMO it's worth it for those who don't want to spend $$$ on other programs like Photoshop.

Thanks! A like that Annona. That's a beautiful coin! What a great first anicent. 😉 Incredible detail on Mars, and it's also a nice full weight! Thank you!

Ah, I remember that coin! It's a type I'd never seen before. A great pick-up!

Denarii of Severus Alexander are not hard to find in excellent condition, but even so this one struck me as something special. - crisply and evenly struck on a wide flan of good quality metal, allowing full dotted borders on both sides - very heavy, too, at nearly 4 (!) grams in weight - a very fine, high-relief portrait - the reverse is sharp as well (look at the detail in Sol's face!) with lustrous fields - and to top it off, the coin is beautifully toned, highlighting the design and relief. It may not command much attention among the EF aureii in a high-profile auction, but it's about as good as you'll get IMO! 😉 Thanks for looking, and feel free to post your own quality favorites, coins of Severus Alexander, or anything else! SEVERUS ALEXANDER, AD 222-235 AR Denarius (20.28mm, 3.95g, 6h) Struck AD 233. Rome mint Obverse: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust of Severus Alexander right Reverse: P M TR P XII COS III P P, Sol, radiate with cloak over left shoulder, advancing left, holding whip in left hand and raising right hand References: RIC IV 120, RCV 7915 A superb specimen, with lovely old cabinet toning, sharply struck on a broad and heavy flan.

Wow, that is a fascinating coin! Congratulations!

I know what you mean. I have only one ancient gold coin and it is tough to get the right balance. Either it's too pale, or too neon, or too orangey. Since I've got only one, I can't offer much helpful advice except that in my case a lower light angle helped highlight the coin's design without reflecting too much light. I'm still not 100% satisfied, it might be a little dark, but it's probably about the best I'll be able to do: JUSTINIAN I, AD 527-565 AV Solidus (20.95mm, 4.32g, 6h) Struck 542-565. Constantinople mint, 5th officina Obverse: D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing, holding globus cruciger in his right hand and with a shield over his left shoulder Reverse: VICTORIA AVGGG E, angel standing facing, holding long staff surmounted by a staurogram in right hand and a globus cruciger in left; star in right field, CONOB in exergue References: DOC 9e, MIB 7, SB 140 For comparison, here are two different auction house photos of the same coin:

Going with @DonnaML's theme of appealing portrait coins, here is one of my latest purchases - a scarce denarius of Geta as Augustus, complete with a very fine mature portrait. He really looks like a younger version of his dad on this coin! GETA as Augustus, AD 209-211 AR Denarius (19.14mm, 3.39g, 7h) Struck AD 211. Rome mint Obverse: P SEPT GETA PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate and bearded bust of Geta right Reverse: TR P II-I COS II P P, Providentia (?), standing facing, head left, holding torch in right hand and globe in left References: RIC IV 81 (S), RCV 7252 Lightly toned. A scarce type, featuring an outstanding mature portrait of the ill-fated young Augustus.

Nice! I especially like the first one.

Looks like a nice portrait (although the picture is sideways for me.) Congrats!

I, Claudius is great. Have you read the sequel, Claudius the God?

Nice coins. Here are a couple of my favorite Constantine coins: CONSTANTINE I, AD 306-337 AE3 (21.05mm, 3.61g, 12h) Struck AD 320. Treveri mint Obverse: CONSTA-NTINVS AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Constantine I right Reverse: VIRTVS EXERCIT, trophy, with two captives seated back to back at base; T|F in fields, STR in exergue References: RIC VII 279, RCV 16313 Dark patina with areas of flat strike. Good style and details. From the Dieter Alten Collection. CONSTANTINE I, AD 306-337 AE3 (19.92mm, 3.34g, 1h) Struck AD 320-321. Treveri mint Obverse: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Constantine I right Reverse: VIRTVS EXERCIT, vexillum inscribed VOT/XX in two lines, with two captives seated back-to-back at base; T|F in fields, •PTR in exergue References: RIC VII 291, RCV 16318 (corr.) Excellent portrait and reverse detail. From the Adrian Lang Collection.

From where we live it's a 3-4 hour drive southeast. We will be leaving shortly. Safe travels everyone! VESPASIAN, AD 69-79 AR Denarius (19.05mm, 3.59g, 12h) Struck AD 73. Rome mint Obverse: IMP CAES VESP AVG CEN, laureate head of Vespasian right Reverse: SALVS AVG, Salus seated left, holding patera in extended right hand and resting left hand at side References: RIC II 513, RCV 2307 var. (obv. leg.) Lightly toned. A well-struck specimen of good weight, with a fine portrait and underlying luster. Formerly in NGC holder (2119234-002), graded Ch VF.

Very nice coin, with a great portrait!

If they are fakes (which seems the most likely) then probably no more than $10 - $20 as interesting replicas. Perhaps slightly more, if they're struck from real silver.

@Coinmaster That is a beautiful coin, and as you say it is always worth buying quality when you can!

Nice coin @rasiel. I love well-toned silver. I don't think I have any real iridescent-toned coins...but here is a bronze issue of Constantine I with toned silvering which is one of my favorite coins: CONSTANTINE I, AD 306-337 AE3 (20.86mm, 2.66g, 6h) Struck AD 329-330. Rome mint Obverse: CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG, rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Constantine I right Reverse: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG around edge, VOT • XXX in two lines within laurel wreath; RFP below References: RIC VII 322, RCV 16226 Well-centered and struck. Area of flatness on reverse. A magnificent portrait with toned silvering.

Very nice Galba! The portrait is strong, and the reverse is an interesting type. Congrats! FWIW, Sear narrows the date of this issue to Oct. - Nov., AD 68.

@Victrix Well done!

I also didn't know anything about the meme's origin, nor do I care. The OP's meme is hilarious and most of us are content to laugh about it and move on. I find it puzzling why some should feel the need to stop, dissect and analyze in order to come up with reasons we should find it objectionable.

Interesting coin!

Lovely coin!

🤩 That is a stunner! Wonderful style on the portrait, perfectly centered and crisply struck. Congratulations!

Great coin! I've yet to add any Bactrian/Indo-Greek coins to my collection, but I would like to soon.

Nice coin, and in good condition, especially the reverse.