CPK

There are several different types that are very similar. Mine most closely matches RPC I 4002a, which RPC lists as struck during the reign of Tiberius. The types RPC dates to Domitian's reign have a distinctive, almost Flavian style portrait; unlike my coin, IMO. Plus, the reverse differs. And of course not all references agree with RPC's dating of these types, and this ambiguity is reflected in most auction listings - this most recent one for example, from CNG, who labels it as 66-27 BC: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=12107741 "Roman Provincial CILICIA, Pompeiopolis. Cnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great). 66-27 BC. Æ (19mm, 4.96 g, 11h). Bare head right / Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm; monogram over POV ΔH in right field. RPC I 4002A var. (controls); SNG BN 1217; SNG Levante 880-882 var. (same). Red-brown patina, light roughness. VF. Ex Tom Cederlind." I tried to take the safest view, and labeled my coin simply as "struck after 66 BC."

That Titus was a beauty. Actually I believe it is RIC II 1 - the first issue for Titus as Augustus? It's rarer than my coin's type, which was struck later. Also, fantastic Republican coin as well! A nice consolation prize. 🙂

Great eye appeal! And in great condition too, for an Alexandrian issue. Congrats!

Thanks! It does seem that there's been a lot of lower-end stuff coming onto the market (and a proliferation of new auction houses to sell it.) The higher quality coins remain rather scarce, with proportionate competition. I wish you best of luck in your hunt! I still have the JC portrait denarius. I've thought of selling it, but I'd probably have to spend double what I paid for it to get a nicer replacement, which would be significantly more money than I've ever spent on one coin before. I may get to the point where I'm ready to upgrade it, but for now I think I'll keep it. 😉

Fantastic work! It's a lovely coin.

Sorry to hear your frustration @ambr0zie - but you're not alone! I'm afraid I overpaid considerably for this one - it's a nice portrait but the type isn't terribly rare. It was also an auction. Still, the irritation wears off eventually. I'm glad I have the coin in my collection. CILICIA, POMPEIOPOLIS AE (21.66mm, 5.94g, 11h) Struck after 66 BC Obverse: Bare head of Pompey the Great right Reverse: ΠΟΜΠΗΙΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ, Nike advancing right, holding palm in left hand and wreath in right; to right, two monograms cf. SNG BnF 1213-17; cf. SNG Levante 882 Olive green patina with some edge chips. A possible lifetime portrait of the great imperator.

Thanks! Do you know offhand when this reference was published?

That actually sounds like a good deal! For one in such mint condition.

Thanks @DonnaML!

Thank you! I am not familiar with MIR, but I will add that reference to my coin's information. Does Szaivert cite known specimens, by any chance?

I recently obtained this denarius of Marcus Aurelius (RIC III 303), which features a cuirassed bust. Apparently, this bust variant is not listed in RIC or any other standard reference works that I know of. The only other specimen I have been able to find is this one on ACSearch, sold by cgb.fr (as was mine), and at the time they considered it unique. I've found cgb.fr to be pretty thorough in their attribution research. Interestingly, I don't believe the two coins share a die. Does anyone know of any reference catalog where this bust variant is listed? Does Woytek extend to Marcus Aurelius? Anyway, it's a lovely coin aside from the rarity, and I'm partial to the cuirassed bust style for these earlier denarii. Feel free to post your thoughts and comments! MARCUS AURELIUS, AD 161-180 AR Denarius (18.15mm, 3.60g, 6h) Struck AD 174. Rome mint Obverse: M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVIII, laureate and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius right Reverse: IMP VII COS III, Victory seated left, holding patera and palm References: RIC III 303 var. (bust type), MIR 281-4/35 Toned with an outstanding portrait. An extremely rare variant featuring a cuirassed bust.

Outstanding coins!

A beautiful coin that looked oddly familiar...until I checked my biddr watch list! 😄 Thought that looked like an Artemide photo. Nice score! I didn't bid on it, but I ended up winning another coin from that auction - somewhat unexpectedly as I anticipated being outbid during the live session.

That's a great portrait, but the reverse is no less artistic! I don't recall, offhand, seeing a drawn bow like that on an ancient coin.

Looks good to me.

Great coin @kirispupis. Sometimes the uglier ones are more interesting than the EF ones! Here is an unpublished antoninianus of Carausius - I have it labeled as an RIC 335 variant (obv. leg. and scepter angle), but it could also be labeled as RIC 336 var. (bust type and mintmark). CARAUSIUS, AD 286-293 BI Antoninianus (23.77mm, 3.31g, 1h) Struck AD 286-293. Camulodunum mint Obverse: IMP C CARAVSIVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Carausius right Reverse: PAX AVGGG, Pax standing left holding branch and transverse scepter, S-P across fields, MC in exergue References: Unpublished variant of RIC V 335 (obv. legend & scepter angle.) This coin illustrated on wildwinds.com. Corroded surfaces. The triple "G" ending in the reverse inscription was a propagandistic attempt by the rebel emperor Carausius to place himself as an equal among the ruling Augusti Diocletian and Maximian.

Another great interview from one of our favorite members! Thanks @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix and @akeady! That is a beautiful collection and library. 🤩

Here is another one of my more recent 'quality' denarii purchases - and one of my favorites: NERO, AD 54-68 AR Denarius (17.24mm, 3.47g, 7h) Struck AD 68. Rome mint Obverse: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P P, laureate head of Nero right Reverse: Legionary eagle between two standards References: RIC I 68, RCV 1947 A scarce type. Lightly toned with an excellent portrait. From the T. R. Hardaker Collection (1942-2019) "This type, among the last coins struck by the very unmilitary Nero, would seem to be an attempt to curry favor with the Roman legions of the provinces, which were beginning to rebel against his capricious rule. It did not work." - Classical Numismatic Group (lot description) Though this coin definitely exhibits more wear than my other purchases, it's still got a lot going for it in my opinion. The portrait is classic, late-reign obese Nero, skillfully executed and well-struck. The reverse is an interesting, and somewhat scarce, anepigraphic type, among the last types struck by Nero in the last year of his reign. By this time, nobody was willing to entertain Nero's depraved eccentricities. The coin is also very nicely toned, and I discovered an interesting collection provenance after finding the coin on ACSearch.info. It was formerly in the collection of T. R. Hardaker, a well-known authority on ancient Indian punchmark coinage, but who also possessed a sizeable collection of other ancient coins. Many of these (including this coin) were auction off by Baldwin's of St. James's auction house a few years ago. All in all, a very satisfying addition!

Thanks! I'm happy with how things are going. Though, I do need to start selling more. I've got a couple of little group lots that I need to photograph and list, whenever I find the time. Thank you!

Handsome little coin!

Congratulations on an interesting and rare coin @Parthicus! I don't yet have any Parthian coins, but to your point I can't really remember ever seeing a Parthian obol come up for sale.

Wow, what an incredible piece!

Lovely coin!

I understand your feelings, and as I said certainly a word of thanks was in order. If someone routinely behaves like that I tend to lose interest in helping as well. All I'm trying to do is give Amarmur the benefit of the doubt - after all we all forget to say 'thank you' sometimes. As for the preliminary assumptions, we all start somewhere and what may be obvious to some of us isn't so much for a beginner. From my observations in the past I think the OP is an honest contributing member and I'd hate to see him piled on just because of this thread.

A fascinating coin @Finn235 - congrats on the win!