lrbguy

My coins for Claudius and his mother might be considered "hard times tokens" based on their condition. Nonetheless, I do think they have stories to tell. Both these coins feature the same reverse type in different postures. Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus (41-42) (BMCRE 13) Denarius Minted at Rome 3.80g TI CLAVD CAESAR. AVG GERM PM TR P (reading up from left to right) laureate head of Claudius facing right This is one of two obverse inscriptions for Claudius dated to the beginning of his reign, 41-42 A.D. Some of his later denarii show a mild flatness to the top of his head that this one does not. CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI Female figure (Constantia) seated left on curule chair, feet resting on stool, raising r. hand in front of face, l arm resting on her lap. In view of the death of Antonia, the mother of Claudius, under Caligula, the figure of Constantia is noteworthy. Mattingly observes in BMCRE I, clv, "The type 'Constantiae Avgvsti' represents Antonia, in the character of 'the Firmness of the Emperor', i.e. 'Imperial Constancy'...." "The type suggests that Claudius derived the 'Constantia',..., from his mother, a woman of marked strength and determination of character." Antonia (mother of Claudius) denarius 3.07g ANTONIA AVGVSTA, her bust wearing a crown of corn ears, a plait of hair down the back, facing r. CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI Ceres standing, facing, holding [lighted torch to left] (effaced), cornucopiae to right. It is unfortunate that this coin has not withstood the ravages of time. In better grade this would show us a portrait of the wife of Nero Claudius Drusus, who is the mother of Claudius and honored by him on the coinage. Mattingly suggests that for Claudius the characteristics of the figure of 'Constantia' here are emblematic and derived from characteristics of his own mother. It has been surmised that Antonia died by suicide possibly due to anxiety or pressure from her grandson, Caligula (son of Germanicus) under whom she had stood in good favor until not long before her death. Given the fact that BMCRE lists no coin of Calicula with a visage of his grandmother, it is therefore perhaps noteworthy that her coinage only begins when her younger son finally comes to the Imperial throne after his nephew.

CALIGULA Caius Julius Caesar Germanicus (Caligula) (37-38) BMCRE 103; RSC 12; RIC 8 Silver Drachm of Ceasarea, Cappadocia 3.39g Bare head of Caligula facing right before: C CAESAR AVG (reading up); behind: GERMANICVS (reading down) (obv and rev both read: right up, left down, outwardly) simpulum and lituus on right: IMPERATOR P[ON] above and left: T.MAX AVG TR [PO]T What is interesting to me about this coin is that it is a drachm from the mint at Ceasarea, but the inscriptions are entirely in Latin words and letters rather than Greek. Based on size, weight, and fineness of metal it is a product of a Roman mint that is effectively a denarius, though it is called a drachm. As such it is a legitimate part of my set of 12 Ceasars in silver. Of this reverse type at Caesarea, Mattingly gives the note, "The drachm of Caligula, with the priestly type, simpulum and lituus, indicating his rank as Pontifex Maximus, was probably struck in his first year, A.D. 37-8." To this he adds the additional note "TR POT is in favor of this; but it is occasionally used as a title only, not as a date." As to the cultic objects depicted, a simpulum is essentially a ladle, associated with sacrificial libations. The lituus, a short heavily curved wand, was discussed above under the coin of Julius Caesar.

TIBERIUS Denarius 18x19.5mm 3.76g Laureate head of Tiberius facing right before: CAESAR DIVI (upward) behind: AVG F AVGVSTVS (downward) PONTIF MAXIM reverse: Livia (as Pax) seated right on chair, holding scepter in right hand, olive branch in left; plain chair legs. before: PONTIF (UPWARD) behind: MAXIM (downward) I suspect we will see quite a few "Tribute Penny" denarii. To keep things interesting and afford a bit more opportunity, may I suggest that we see how many of the subtypes of the reverse design we can assemble here. Below I have listed the distinctive characteristics of 6 subtypes as I gleaned them from CNG listings a while back. Subtypes do exist. My example above is from Group 1 (not 2 as I had said earlier. Plain legs on chair.) Octavius above shows us Group 4 And Qcumbor is too low to be certain, but what is visible appears to be Group 4 also. Group 1 PONTIF MAXIM, Livia (as Pax) seated right on chair, holding scepter in right hand, olive branch in left; plain chair legs. Group 2 Livia (as Pax) seated right, holding spear and olive-branch; ornate chair legs, two lines below throne. Group 3 Livia (as Pax) seated right, holding reversed spear and olive branch; ornate chair legs, no footstool, two lines below. Group 4 Livia (as Pax) seated right on chair, holding scepter and olive branch; ornate chair legs, footstool, single line below. Group 5 Livia (as Pax) seated right, holding vertical scepter in right hand and olive branch in left, feet on footstool; ornate chair legs, single line below. Group 6 Livia (as Pax) seated right, holding vertical scepter in right hand and olive branch in left, feet on footstool; ornate chair legs, single line below.

Whatever I had from the second Triumvirate, which may have been a few legionary denarii of Marc Antony at best, I sold off a couple of decades ago when I consigned most of my Roman Republican silver to CNG. So for that I had to take a pass on the last period. But for the beginning of Empire from 27 BC to 14 AD I can show the following: 23 BCE Denarius Augustus CREBM 1, 289 1.31g Bare head of Augustus facing right before: IMP CAESAR (upward) behind: AVGVSTV (downward) Denarius Augustus CREBM 1, 291 1.12g Bare head of Augustus facing left before: IMP CAESAR (downward) behind: AVGVST (upward) Same reverse on both: P.CARISI-VS.LEG.-PRO.PR (down-trans-up) Dual-portal city gate, three battlements, walls and enclosure inscribed "EMERITA" Augustus founded a town honoring the "Emeriti," i.e. retired military who had been honorably settled by Augustus in what corresponds to modern Merida, Spain. In time this city became one of the largest in ancient Hispania, and the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. It is today one of the largest and most extensive archaeological sites in modern Spain. The Latin word "emeritus" continues to be applied today internationally to retired professionals in a variety of disciplines. 8 BCE Denarius Augustus BMCRE 500 1.11g Laureate bare head of Augustus to r, behind: AVGVST[VS] (downward); before: DIVI F (upward) Gaius (aka Caius) Caesar on horseback galloping to r. above (off flan) C. CAES In exergue: AVGVS F Gaius Vipsanius Agrippa, commonly known at the time as Gaius Caesar or Caius Caesar, was born to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia, only daughter of Augustus. He and his brother Lucius were adopted by their maternal grandfather, the Roman Emperor, who designated him and his brother, Lucius, to be co-heirs. Unfortunately, although destined to succeed Augustus to the imperial throne, somewhat later (c. 4 BC) both brothers died of disease (a year apart) while their grandfather was still alive. 2 BCE Caius and Lucius as Caesars standing facing with shields low between them, and above between spears, the lituus (r) and simpulum (l) emblems of priesthood. I'm sure this wreck doesn't need much of an introduction, but since no one else has shown it, I decided to insert it here, FWIW. It honors the above two sons of Julia, daughter of Augustus by his first wife, and who had been named by Augustus as his successors, 14 AD If it is not deemed inappropriate I intend to show coins of the Imperial wives wherever possible, but selected for their reverses. CILICIA. Augusta. Julia Augusta (Livia), 14-29. Hemi-assarion (Bronze, 17 mm, 3.10 g, ) SNG von Aulock 5531-2 Bust of Livia facing r. Capricorn with globe between his legs; in the field to left, and above, star of eight rays. The inscription ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΑ/ΝΩΝ reads as "Augustan" i.e. "of the house of Augustus" Livia Drusilla (30 January 59 BC – AD 29) was Roman empress from 27 BC to AD 14 as the wife of emperor Augustus. She was known as Julia Augusta after her formal adoption into the Julian family in AD 14. Livia had been married to Tiberius Claudius Nero, her cousin of patrician status who fought against Octavian on the side of Mark Antony. By him she bore two children, Tiberius and Drusus, but in 39 BC about when she became pregnant with her second son, she met Octavian, who was smitten by her despite the fact that at the time he was married to Scribonia. Octavian divorced Scribonia on 30 October 39 BC, the very day that she gave birth to his daughter Julia the Elder. When Livia was six months pregnant, Tiberius Claudius Nero was persuaded (perhaps by Octavian) to divorce her. Augustus and Livia married on 17 January (40 BC), waiving the traditional waiting period, and Tiberius Claudius Nero was present at the wedding, giving her in marriage "just as a father would." Livia and Augustus remained married for the next 51 years, despite the fact that they had no children apart from a single miscarriage. When the Senate granted Octavian the title Augustus in 27 BC, making him the first Roman emperor, Livia likewise became the first Roman empress. In 11 BC Tiberius married Augustus' daughter Julia (see above), and was ultimately adopted as Augustus' heir in AD 4.

Coins of the Imperatorial period, which I regard (after Seaby) from the first triumvirate to the beginning of empire, have never much caught my interest. I have not pursued them, but do have one item to show. Along with it comes a personal reminiscence of how it came my way (if that is not deemed too inappropriate). 44 BCE Cr. 480/19 C. COSSVTIVS MARIDIANVS AAAFF 3.82 denarius 19 Veiled bust of Julius Caesar laureate, r before: lituus; CAESAR (ascending) behind: apex; PARENS PATRIAE (ascending) C.COSSVTIVS & MARID-IANVS at right angles over center; A A A FF positioned in four courners. (aere, argentum, auro, flando feriundo) bronze, silver, gold, casting striking (i.e. manufacturing) Seaby notes: this is the first occurrence of the complete title of the moneyer on a coin. During the Republican period the Romans had a systematic way to mint money, and from 289 BC their team of mint magistrates was called 'Tresviri aere argento auro flando feriundo' meaning "Three men for casting and striking bronze, silver and gold coins." These "Moneyers" were also called the "Tresviri monetales" (three men of the coins). During his administration of government, Julius Caesar added a fourth official to their number, but when Octavian was established as sole ruler, he reduced their number to three again. During the imperial period the distinctive office from Republican days died out, but it was resurrected and updated by Diocletian in the late third century for use in the administration of mints scattered across the empire. -- A personal note about the coin I show here. I started collecting ancients in early 1982, after discovering a few Greek bronzes toward the end of a philatelic auction catalog. I was dumfounded at the low start bids and final realizations for objects 2-3 hundred years BC. As a stamp collector I was familiar with the various venues for buying and selling collectibles, and wasted no time in scouting out the shops in Cleveland at the time. On one of my forays into the city I chanced upon a U.S. coin dealer who had just taken in a small collection he showed me of four full 20-pocket cardboard display pages in a three ring binder. Newbie that I was, nonetheless I could tell that there was a blend of authentic and reproduction material in those pages. He quoted me a price of $2000 with a tone that hinted he expected me to hand it back. Pointing out about a half dozen or so "questionable" pieces, I said that if those could be verified as authentic I would give him his asking price. Fortunately for both of us a coin show featuring ancients specialists like George Beach, George Wolf, Ed Waddell, Eldert P. at Pegasi Coins, and a couple of dozen others was about to start that weekend in one of the Cleveland suburbs. It would be my first show since becoming an ancients collector. On the second day of the show, the downtown dealer appeared with the binder in his hands. He was as much out of his element as I was new to it all. Nonetheless, I met him and pointed out a few of the ancients specialists, and in particular George Beach who had sold me a couple of average grade Greek silver coins the day before. To sum up, George gave him a price, which sent him scurrying to other dealers. But he found out that the best price was what George had offered, which I was prepared to beat by another $200. Most of those coins (about 60% silver and 5-6 fakes) have remained in my collection to this day. This denarius is one of them. Of the Twelve Ceasars in silver, my first was Julius Caesar (along with a couple of others).

Hmmm. Not sure what to make of it. Both sides of this coin are a far cry from what Crawford illustrates at 405/2 in plate L. It conforms in a crude way to what he describes, but not what he shows. Have you seen another like this somewhere?

I've been running late, of late, so I'll sneak in my four little pieces before it's too late. Been trying to do that lately. 58 BCE Cr. 422 M. SCAVR, P.HVPSAEVS AED. CVR. 3.86g denarius 1b Camel r.; before: kneeling figure holding reins in L hand and olive branch in R. hand. Above: M SCAVR Behind: EX before: SC AED CVR Obv exergue: REX ARETAS Jupiter in quadriga to l., reins in R hand, thunderbolt in L. Above: PHVPSAEVS below: scorpion In exergue: C HVPSAE C[OS] (partly off flan) AED CVR PREI[VER] [missing on right: CAPTVM (upwards)] The obverse notes the surrender of King Aretas of Nabatea to M. Aemilius Scaurus two years before he becomes Praetor. 57 BCE Cr. 424 C. CONSIDI NONIANI 3.67g denarius Bust of Venus laureate, diademed and adorned hair. Behind: C. CON[SIDI NONIANI] downwards; before: S.C upwards Mountain, temple atop, surrounded by wall with gate. Above gate: ERVC The reverse temple represents the Temple to Venus at Eryx [here Ervc](in Spain) which Crawford argues is reference to Pompey's victory of the Colline Gate near the Roman temple to Venus at Erycina. By this imagery the moneyer expressed sympathy with the Pompeian claim to have succeeded Sulla as the favorite of Venus. For me the coin is an important addition to my specialized collection of Gate iconography on Roman coinage. 56 BCE Cr. 427 C. MEMMI C.F 3.74g denarius Head of Ceres, grain diadem, r before: C. MEMMI. C.F Trophy; before, kneeling captive with hands bound behind on r. C. MEMMIVS (down) on left: IMPERATOR Crawford suggests that the figure of Ceres on the obverse alludes to the first celebration of the Ludi Cereales about 211; whereas the reverse imagery alludes to victories in Bithynia and Pontus by the moneyers uncle. 55 BCE Cr. 429 P. FONTEIVS P.F CAPITO 3.83g Bust of Mars helmeted and draped, with trophy over shoulder behind; arching around beneath front to back: P. FONTEIVS. P.F. - CAPITO. III. VIR Horseman to r., thrusting with spear in R hand at warrior below, who is thrusting a sword at disarmed combatant (to r is a helmet and shield) Above: [MV](lig) FO[NT](lig).TR. MIL By virtue of the figure of Mars on the obverse, Crawford reads the image as a battle scene in which the horseman is attempting to rescue the figure whose body armor has been removed and is threatened by the armed figure with raised shield. But the fact that the shield and helmet of the armed figure is identical with that of disarmed man, as well as a the scale difference between the rider and the two battle figures, and the fact that neither end of the shaft being held by the horseman is visible, suggests that these are unrelated elements in the battle iconography.

The research you are posting with these is most impressive. Can't tell if you are using mostly hard copy or online resources. Is Republican a particular area of specialization for you? Nice job.

I only have three for the time period 84-70 BCE (sold most of my late republic over 20 years ago.) Here are my few: 82 BCE Cr. 363 L. CENSOR 3.48g Laureate head of Apollo r. (no control mark) Marsyas bear headed and raised r arm, walking l, holding wine-skin over l shoulder; behind (r), column with Victory standing (emblematic of the Roman Forum), before: L.CENSOR Following the Social War of 91-88 BC the figure of Marsyas became highly politically charged for the duration of the Republic. The figure of Marsyas appears in an early Greek myth which pits an early form of Greek religion against the Olympian pantheon of Classical antiquity (8th-5th centuries BCE). Maysyas is a satyr demigod and devotee of the "Mother Goddess" Rhea, revered by the ancestors and heroes of Phrygia. He finds an aulos (double column pipe) and masters playing it. In a fifth century embellishment, the aulos has been cast off as wicked by Athena (Olympian), who places a curse of vile death upon whoever finds it. This is unknown and perhaps immaterial to Marsyas. Nonetheless, in the Classical Greek story his indifference to the Olympians is manifest in the story of the contest of music which pits Marsyas against the Olympian Apollo; Marsyas on the aulos, and Apollo on the lyre. Marsyas challenges Apollo to a music contest to be judged by the Muses (variously the 3 Boeotian, 5, or 9 Olympian) in which the loser is subject to whatever the winner demands. Marsyas is winning the contest until Apollo adds his voice to that of the lyre, on the ground that Marsyas uses his mouth and breath to nuance the music he plays. When the Muses support this thought, Marsyas goes down in defeat. Apollo chooses to flay him alive, an action which Plato says changed Marsyas into a wineskin. Given the shape of religion before and then into the classical period, it is not hard to see how this story gets its genesis. From an after the Classical period the Greeks tended to read the figure of Marsyas as an embodiement of hubris, which dared to challenge Classical tradition. In that setting and world view, he got what he deserved. However, this reading of the story contrasts sharply with the Roman sensitivity, which is illustrated in the iconography on the coin. Here is a note from Wikipedia which sums up the difference rather concisely: Among the Romans, Marsyas was cast as the inventor of augury[34] and a proponent of free speech (the philosophical concept παρρησία, "parrheisia") and "speaking truth to power". The earliest known representation of Marsyas at Rome stood for at least 300 years in the Roman Forum near or in the comitium, the space for political activity.[35] He also was depicted as a silen[36], carrying a wineskin on his left shoulder and raising his right arm. The statue was regarded as an indicium libertatis, a symbol of liberty, and was associated with demonstrations of the plebs, or common people. It often served as a sort of kiosk upon which invective verse was posted.[37] (notes below) 79 BCE Cr. 382 C.NAE BALB 3.86g 1a serrate Head of Venus r. wearing diadem Behind: SC downwards Before: control mark B (Latin alphabet) Victory in triga r. holding reins in both hands In exergue: C.N AE(lig).BAL(lig) B (off flan) Cr. 383 TI. CLAVD. TI.F AP.N Serrate Bust of Diana r., draped, with bow and quiver over shoulder Before: S C upwards Victory in biga r., holding palm branch and reins in L hand, and wreath (elongated) in R. Below: CLVIII (control mark) In exergue: TI.CLA VD.(lig) TI [.F off flan] NOTES: 34. N.M. Horsfall, reviewing Cacus and Marsyas in "Etrusco-Roman Legend" by Jocelyn Penny Small (Princeton University Press, 1982), in Classical Review 34 (1984) 226–229, vehemently rejects Marsyas's connection with augury, but this is a minority view. 35. Elaine Fantham, "Liberty and the Roman People," Transactions of the American Philological Association 135 (2005), p. 221; on assemblies of the people, see Smith, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, Bill Thayer's edition at Lacus Curtius, "Comitia." 36. The distinction between a satyr and a silen was sometimes blurred in the later tradition. 37. Servius, ad Aeneidos 3.20; T.P. Wiseman, "Satyrs in Rome? The Background to Horace's Ars Poetica," Journal of Roman Studies 78 (1988), p. 4; Elaine Fantham, "Liberty and the Roman People," Transactions of the American Philological Association 135 (2005), p. 227; Ann L. Kuttner, "Culture and History at Pompey's Museum," Transactions of the American Philological Association 129 (1999), pp. 357–358.

What a wealth of options!! I am awed by the mass of material we are being shown. Here are my few for the time period 104-85 BCE 97 BCE Cr. 333 C. EGNATVLEI C.F Q 1.68g Laureate head of Apollo r.' behind: C E G NAT(lig) VL(lig) E I.C.F Q Victory (r.) inscribing shield attached to trophy (l.); beside trophy at base a carnyx (Celtic battle trumpet) Between: Q In exergue: ROMA The quinarius introduced in 211 BC lapsed, but was revived from 99-97 with the iconography of the old Victoriatus. This example was struck by a quaestor who marks both sides with his emblem of rank. 89 BCE Cr. 344 L. TITVRI L.F SABINVS Three main types of denarii were produced by this moneyer of the Sabinus family. The cognomen is responsible for the structure and parallelism of the three types of denarii they produced (shown here). All three are noted by the use of the head of Tatius on the obverse, with the name SABIN descending behind.. The first two also feature scenes associated with the Sabines in ancient lore. type 1a 3.74g Bearded head of King Tatius r., before: TA (ligate) Rape of the Sabine women; In exerge: L . TITVRI type 2c 3.68g Bearded head of King Tatius r., before: A PV (descending) below r. palm branch Execution of Tarpeia As the story goes, Tarpeia, in an act of selfish treachery, opened a passage in the city gate for the Roman soldiers allowing them to enter her city to destroy it. Far from honoring her, the soldiers in disgust threw their shields at her as they passed by and completely covered her body with their bulk. Here she is partially buried and being set upon by two soldiers. type 3 4.04g Bearded head of King Tatius r., no monogram Victory in biga r. holding riegns in L hand and wreath in R. Below: L. TITVRI empty exergue 88 BCE Cr. 345 C.N. LENTVL Quinarius type 2 1.73g Laureate head of Jupiter, r. Victory crowning trophy In exergue: off flan (CN LENT) 87 BCE Cr. 348 L. RVBRI DOSSENI Denarius type 3 3.79g Helmeted head of Minerva r. (Corinthian helmet); behind: DOS (cognomen abbreviation) Triumphal quadriga (with eagle on thunderbolt on side panel) to r. Above: Victory in biga, wings outstretched In exergue: L RVBRI Crawford maintains that the use of the eagle marks a connection to Jupiter, while the presence of the Victory in biga strongly indicates that the vehicle is triumphal. 85 BCE Cr. 352 L.IVLI BVRSIO 4.07G Male head with attributes of Apollo, Mercury, and Neptune (sky, land/wind, sea) Behind: trident and tortoise Victory in quadriga r. holding reigns in L hand and wreath in R. In r. field: control mark LV In exergue: L. IVLI. BVRSIO

Row 4, number 3 caught my attention; as did row 2 number 3 with the lituus on obverse and a mass of activity on the reverse. But your first coin would give a much better view of what I tried to show with my first coin.

Here is my small handful for the day. 129 BCE Cr. 259 Q.PILIPVS (incomplete strike) 3.93g Helmeted (star on flap) head of Roma r.; behind X-bar (for tariff 16) Horseman w. crested helmet gallops to r, reins in L and spear in R hand Behind: helmet with goat's horns (incomplete); Below: Q . PILI(PVS) In exergue: ROMA Crawford considers the figure on reverse of the goat horn helmet (incomplete and here unclear) to be emblematic of a distinctive Macedonian helmet and hence an oblique reference to the most notable Macedonian monarch, Philip V with whom the moneyer has a name similarity in the cognomen,Philippus. In all likelihood it is a punning allusion associating the lineage of the moneyer with a heroic past and hinting at a notability to the work in the present. The treatment of the horseman does not continue that connection but reverts to a variation on the treatment of the Dioscuri which are the usual emblem on these coins. In the end it is intended to foster the nobility, and hence worthiness of the moneyer. 125 BCE CR. 269 C. METELLVS 3.93g Roma wearing Phrygian helmet with star on flap (low) to r; Behind: ROMA Below chin to r: X-bar (tariff rate) Jupiter driving biga of elephants to left, reigns in R and thunderbolt in L, being crowned by Victory flying above In exergue: C.METELLVS 120 BCE Cr. 280 M.TVLLI 3.74g Helmeted head of Roma r., curl on shoulder; behind: ROMA downwards Victory in quadriga r.; palm branch in L hand, reins in both hands; wreath above; X below In exergue: M.TVLLI The siglum of value is not found on the obverse, but the X so prominantly featured on the reverse cannot be that since the retariffing of the denarius to 16 asses. Crawford is silent on the significance of this mark. 115 BCE Cr. 286 M.SERGI SILVS Q 3.94g Helmeted head of Roma r.; Before: EX S.C behind: ROMA downwards, followed by X-bar Horseman to l, holds sword and severed head in L hand, before to left: Q Below: M.SERGI in exergue: SILVS The trappings of the horse here are not an outline of a second head. Crawford associates the reverse image with the grandfather of the moneyer who in his youth had fought left-handed after losing his right hand in battle. 110 BCE CR.299 T.MANL, Q.VR 3.87g Type 1b Helmeted head of Roma r.; Behind: open quadrangle Victory in triga, holding reigns in both hands In exergue: T.MA[ligatured].AR.CL.Q.VR [ligatured-final letter off flan] The final letters were interrupted by a border of beading. The reverse legend varies between two types, and Crawford notes that in both cases it is "sometimes" rather poorly executed. Crawford observes that the final set of letters appear to refer to a specific name and that the issue was most probably the output of three moneyers.

This coin has an important distinction which for some reason you do not mention. It is the first example of a Republican denarius which does NOT feature the head of Roma. That fact and the significance of the reverse as a conflict scene (oath taking by soldiers), suggested to Crawford that from this point on the moneyers would gradually begin to use the coin imagery for political capital in their favor. This is a significant development. Crawford devotes an entire paragraph to this piece. That is quite a coin you have there, even if the obverse is missing an element. Congratulations!

Some great pieces out there, and now gathered into this thread. I especially like the silver pieces which introduce a design motif. A few of you have been showing those. My own contributions are going to be quite modest by comparison. In the chronology of Crawford, the earliest use of a biga in the denarius or quinarius reverse type takes place in 194 BCE (179 for the quinarius). Until then the Dioscuri reverse types are exclusive. However, for their first half century the bigati remain exceptional. The chronology proposed by Michael Crawford will be followed here. 156 BCE Cr. 197 Anonymous Subtype 1a - goad The alternative style (1b) has a whip in R hand Helmeted head of Roma, r; behind X Victory in biga r., holding goad in L hand and reigns in R. in Exergue: ROMA 150 BCE Cr. 206 SAFRA Helmeted head of Roma, r; behind X Victory in biga r. holding whip in L hand and reigns in R. Below SAFRA In exergua: ROMA 146 BCE Cr. 219 C. ANTESTI Subtype 1e (the fifth of an interlinked group of five) Helmeted head of Roma, r; behind C . ANTE(ligature) STI; X below (only upper left bar visible here) Dioscuri to r.; below, puppy with both forelegs raised. 143 BCE Cr. 222 Anonymous Helmeted head of Roma, r; behind X Diana with quiver on shoulder, in biga of stags r., holding reins in L hand, torch in R. Below: Crescent (horns up) In Exergue: ROMA 142 BCE Cr. 223 C.CVR TRIGE (C Curiatus) Helmeted head of Roma, r; behind TRIGE; below X Juno in quadriga r.; crowned by Victory from behind; holds scepter in L hand, and reins in R. [The use of a quadriga first appears on the denarius two years earlier. This is the second appearance] Below: C CVR (ligate) 141 BCE Cr.224 L.IVLI Heleted head of Roma, r; behind XVI [This is the first listing in Crawford for the use of the Roman numeral XVI to indicate the new tariff rate of 16 asses to the denarius.] The reverse features the Dioscuri with the name of the moneyer L . I VL(ligatured) I In exergue: ROMA 138 BCE Cr. 231 C RENI Heleted head of Roma, r; X behind Juno in biga of goats; diademed holding scepter & reins in l hand, and whip in r. Below C . RENI In exergue: ROMA 136 BCE Cr. 238 L ANTES GRAGV Helmeted head of Roma r. behind GRAG downwards Before X-bar Jupiter in Quadriga r.; scepter & reins in L, holds thunderbolt above in r. Below L . ANTE(ligatured) S In exergue: ROMA

Great stuff! And such variety. I don't have any really early Republican, but since today is July 3 we are good for 211-170BC For silver I will show the introduction of the denarius and its principle divisions: Anonymous Denarius of 211 BC. 3.75g Roma wearing winged helmet (of of Mercury?), facing r. // at Left: numeral X signifying 10 asses (initial tarriff rate) The Dioscuri on horseback advancing to r. In exergue: ROMA The half of the denarius was the Quinarius marked with roman numeral V (5) 2.34g Roma wearing winged helmet with a bird head; Roman numeral V behind. Dioscuri mounted advancing r with schematic star-like emblem above each. (i.e. marked as astral figures) In exergue: RoMA (note diminished "o") The half of the quinarius was the sestertius, marked IIS 1.03g Roma wearing winged helmet facing r: at left: IIS Dioscuri mounted advancing the r. with a full star image atop. In exergue: ROMA The Victoriatus continued in production after the denarius took over from the didrachm as the principle silver denomination. 3.39g Note the weight relation of this coin to the early denarius and quinarius. It is still in the pattern of the pre-denarius coinage in which it was fractional to the didrachm. Head of Jupiter to r. within ring/wreath of dots. Victory to L building/saluting a trophy to r. In exergue: RoMA ( diminished "o") I no longer do much with Roman Republican coinage, and particularly not with bronze. However, one piece that I held on to is an uncia of c. 211, marked on the obverse with the single dot (at left edge). The ship's rudder motif (is that really a prow?) which normally dominates the reverse, on this example shares the spotlight with a grain of wheat overhead. In 209 BC (per Crawford) the earliest serrati appeared: The obverse features the usual head of Roma with the value siglum X behind. 4.09g The reverse features the Dioscuri as before, but with the addition of a spoked wheel beneath. This example does not appear to show anything above the figures of the Dioscuri, but I have another example in which they each have an eight point star radiating from a central hub. On that example, the letter "O" of ROMA in the exergue is of diminished size in comparison to the other letters. (I can post that image if there is interest.)

When you come late to the party it is incumbent upon the guest to bring some extra gifts. I hope my offerings here will suffice. First the bronze, then the silver. Aquilea AE3 (15mm) (RIC VIII 72) CONSTANT-IVS PF AVG rosette diadem, right VICTOR-IA AVGG Victory adv left holding wreath [exergue: AQS] Rome (23x24mm) (RIC VIII 145) DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG lg head, rosette diadem, cuirassed with arm holding orb [A in left field] GLORIA ROMANORVM mounted soldier spearing captive kneeling in appeal, star above [exergue: R B] The delineation of the arm and hand holding the orb on the obverse is quite distinctive. Siscia (23x24mm) (RIC VIII 280) DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG pearl diadem w/sing rosette, face r. [A in left field] CONCORDIA - MILITVM emperor? stg face L holding christogram standards; [A in left field] [exergue: .<gamma>SIS*] The lack of armament on the standing figure suggests this is not a soldier but the emperor himself. FEL TEMP REPARATIO group of three types Thessalonika (22mm) (RIC VIII 168var) DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG pearl diadem w/sing rosette, dr. cuir. facing r. FTR Emp stands in barque holding christogram labarum in l. and in r. holds stork atop globe; Victory seated behind [<gamma> in L field: dot in r field] [exergue: *TS<delta>] If they had tried to add any more detail to this reverse type, I think the boat would have sunk. Cyzicus (21mm) RIC VIII 75 DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG pearl diadem w/sing rosette, dr. cuir., holding orb facing L. FTR Emp stands facing two captives holding christogram labarum to L. and in l hand holds shield [unknown feature in r field behind] [exergue: *SMK<delta>] It is not clear that the hat-like feature behind the standing figure is a discontinuous rendering of the neck-sash being worn or something unrelated. Antioch (23x25mm) RIC VIII 135 DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG pearl diadem w/sing rosette, dr. cuir. facing r. FTR Soldier spearing falling horseman in back [<gamma> in L field] [exergue: ANB] In the late 1990s the appearance of this design opened up (again) a question about the early use of stirrups in the fourth century. Siliquae: For these coins I prefer the listings by Cathy King in "Seaby: Roman Silver Coins", vol.5. (Seaby number in parentheses) The first three are a sequence of vota pieces for Vota XX // XXV // and XXX Constantinople (18x19mm) (70b)RIC59 CONSTANTIVS AVG (laureate) // Vota VOT XX MVLT XXX [exergue: C.<gamma>] (I think on this coin someone in antiquity stuck the Emperor in the eye, and not necessarily to test the metal) Nicomedia (19x21mm) (340e)RIC41 DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG long neck // Vota VOTIS XXV MULTIS XXX [exergue: SMN] For some reason there was an entire sequence of these with the long neck on the obverse. Sirmium (19x20mm) (342-3e)RIC15 DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG // Vota VOTIS XXX MVLTIS XXXX [exergue: SIRM] Lugdunum (Lyons) (18x?mm) DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG rosette diadem, draped cuirassed right VICTORIA DD NN AVG [exergue: LVG] [The smaller size is indicative of a half siliqua. Constantinople (20x21mm) (12a)RIC18 [Anepigraphic] rosette diadem, looking up, right CONSTANT-I-VS AVGVSTVS [exergue: C.<gamma>] The angle of the neck to chin is much greater than normally seen, suggesting an upturned head. This coin has been positioned so that the obverse and reverse are at 12 o'clock with respect to each other. The result is that the head is not fully erect as one might find otherwise. When positioned so that the contour of the neck is more upright, the upward gaze has the quality of "eyes to heaven". An entire set of these siliquae was produced with the effigies of Constantine, Constantine II, Constantius, and Constans, all apparently at the same time.

Great post Heliodromus! I appreciated your map work which made it very clear how the tribes and troops were arranged. I also very much appreciated seeing your Arelate 258 (RIC) and your reminder that these were issued JUST before the campgates. That alerted me to something I had overlooked. This coin from Arelate is unlisted in RIC. After your comments I now believe it is a transitional piece displaying one of the earliest of the Arelate campgate mark types, S*AR<dot>. Have not yet looked into it, but probably should. Thought I'd also show yet another from Trier, this one is an RIC 435 like the one Victor posted, but this is officina P. Finally, if it won't cause offense, I thought I would show another example for Crispus from Sirmium. It's another example of RIC 49, like that of AmbrOzie above. This thread has convinced me that I am going to have to do something about my coin pics. They all end up WAAAY too contrasty. I suspect part of the problem is the black background. I really like the pics that Victor put up and want to move in that direction. Not sure if he is using a white background, or has removed the background in the edit. I also plan to rethink the way I handle the lighting. Any tips would be welcome.

Thank you for straightening that out, Victor. I didn't check into it as thoroughly as I should have, and you saved me some trouble. Thanks too for showing us the example from Arelate. That opens the door to more of the story on these. The DEVICTA reverses were primarily a phenomenon of the western mints. Sirmium is only the easternmost of the 5 mints that put out these coins. The other four are London, Lyons (Lugdunum), Trier (Teveri), and Arles (Arelate), all for Constantine, i.e. SARMATIA DEVICTA: London, RIC VII 289 Lyons RIC VII 214 323-324 AD In left field: C In exergue: PLG <crescent> Lyons RIC VII 222 323-324 AD In left field: C In exergue: <dot>PLG I also have three from ARLES which I will have to photograph and add to the mix another time. (the others are old scans) Then we will have most of the main varieties of this type in one thread. (or at least an example from every mint.)

Here are a couple of old scans I did a few years ago. To round out the RIC listings for this type from Sirmium. These are the two types for Constantine II: they differ by the obverse inscription. RIC VII Sirmium 50 - CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES RIC VII Sirmium 51 - CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C For Constantine the enemy are called the Sarmatians but for the sons they are the "Allamanni". All part of the same campaign.

What a magnificent example! Is there a story you can share about how it came your way?

I was going to ask if this hairstyle type in silver was limited to pieces with the PII AVG FIL inscription, but since you show some later obverse types I am going to take a leap and dare to imagine that I have something in that line. Here it is for FAVSTINA AVGVSTA with a DIANA LVCIF reverse. Here it is with a SAECVLI reverse, but this next is a variation on that with the same reverse and main hairstyle, but wearing a stephane (does that addition move it away from the type 5 hairstyle, since the actual coiffure styling is not changed by the addition? Then again, I don't know how they altered the style to keep the crown in place. I wonder if this style is to be especially associated with her childbearing/rearing years:

Thanks a lot you two!! Never would I have found that on my own. Not being a collector of the Byzantine I don't work with the tools you used, such as the reference "SB" whatever that is (though I do have the first volume of the Dumbarton Oaks collection writeup). I am impressed that what I showed actually correlates to what you showed. Now for the remaining question, Is the schematic rendering on the obverse of my coin merely due to deterioration, or is it a fundamentally simpler rendering of what you show in greater detail? I see all the elements there, but they are seriously flat on my piece. Worn to an outline, perhaps, or more schematic out of the gate?

May I request your assistance? Since we are just at the end of the Roman listings and tomorrow will begin the Byzantine listings, perhaps this is the best place for me to ask for help with an item I cannot quite decipher. It is a 7x8mm AE coin weighing 0.63 grams. The reverse bears a clear strike of part of a monogram, which was apparently sized for a larger module. The form of the monogram suggests a reverse for Marcian, but I could not rule out a coin of Odovcar if such a thing could exist in bronze. If the monogram is on the reverse, then the real problem with this coin concerns how we are to understand the obverse. The image is very far from the usual bust of an issuer. In the orientation I have given here it could be a highly schematic humanoid representation, but I am very skeptical of that. Then again, since it is not uncommon to find schematic representations of figures in scenes on these late coin reverses, could this be a detail of that sort? But for what? And how then would we account for a monogram on the opposite side? Those of you more familiar with the schematics of late, late Roman or Vandalic coinage may know of some pattern(s) that might shed a bit of light on this, and I would appreciate your input here. What is this thing?

ZENO These examples have mostly illegible obverses, but the monograms on the reverses are able to be identified for type. Two distinct monogram types are represented here, type 1 and type 4. Zeno (2nd reign) AE4 8x9mm Thessalonika (RIC X 958) or [Nicomedia RIC X 964] Obv: illegible diademed bust facing r. Zeno Monogram ( number 1 ) within wreath; Zeno (2nd reign) AE4 9mm Cyzicus (RIC X 965) or Constantinople (RIC X 961 or 963) Obv: mostly illegible pearl-diademed bust facing r. Zeno Monogram ( number 4 ) within wreath;

I'm not qualified to proctor any of this, bu t I do want to ask, where does recognition of Odovacar and the split reign of Zeno fit in? Under the original plan, I believe today is the day for Zeno. Does that "cover" the Vandalic takeover in the west?