Constantivs

6 hours ago, Parthicus said:

My favorite bit of FSR humor was in the lot description for a group of well-worn bronzes, which were said to be in "vomitous putrescent condition."  He went on to explain that he just didn't want anyone to complain that the coins were overgraded.  I actually placed a (low) bid on that lot, just to see what "vomitous putrescent" coin would look like, but didn't win.

That coin restoration  machine... hmm, I don't know if I trust it.  It doesn't have blockchain. 

My favorite bit of humor was his description of a Roman Republic coin featuring a rat - I think it was this Quinctius denarius I show below (not my coin).

His description was something like "Most Romans depicted on coins were rats.. this one features an actual rat"

Roman republic, Ti. Quinctius, 112-111 BC, AR denarius

34 minutes ago, Prieure de Sion said:

I will test this in the evening, no problem.

This is the question....

Very interesting coin!

I also have a worn coin of Augustus - this one struck under Tiberius about 20 years after Augustus' death.

Bronze As 26mm (9.24 grams) Struck under Roman emperor Tiberius 34-37 A.D.                                                                      

at the mint of Rome, Posthumous Issue, Reference: RIC 82 (Tiberius),
DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER - Radiate head left. Large S C flanking eagle standing on globe

8 minutes ago, thenickelguy said:

I'll live up to my name for a day as thenickelguy and take advantage of the random coin loophole.

ANACS PF66 Cameo

1971 No S Proof Jefferson Nickel - The Mint released a statement estimating that a maximum of 1,655 were released.

 

So like an art print?

A well used and super smooth sestertius!

NEXT: A loved coin that you have never convincingly attributed... one you have doubts about...

On 7/1/2022 at 4:37 PM, Kamnaskires said:

Those who regularly hunt for coins of Elymais have likely encountered this laughable marketing ploy consisting of silly packaging for second century AD Elymaean drachms. The selling point is that the coin is somehow connected to the location of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

 

Never mind that there is, I believe, no definitive archaeological evidence for the actual existence of the Hanging Gardens. Never mind that Elymais was hundreds of miles east of Babylon. Never mind that the supposed “numismatists (who) now believe” that the Hanging Gardens were in Elam are unnamed. Never mind that, among the theories shared by Elymaean specialists regarding the dashes of the reverses of these types of coins, there in no mention (that I know of) about a connection to the Hanging Gardens.

 

I forgive them all of that. However, sadly, I have to interject a dose of reality: Elam (which is where the sellers say the Hanging Gardens actually existed) came to an end with the rise of the Achaemenids almost four centuries before the kingdom of Elymais was even established – and almost seven centuries before the minting of this particular coin! Furthermore, the author of this silliness seems to think (or wants the reader to think) that the Elymaean and Elamite kingdoms were one and the same. The text inside the box includes a number of passages about ancient Elam despite the fact that the coin is from Elymais.

 

Although the Elymaeans were likely descended from the earlier Elamites, we’re dealing with two different kingdoms and two different time periods. Thus, the coin has – at best – a very tenuous connection to Elam which, in turn, has a tenuous (or perhaps no) connection to the 6^th century BC Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Which may not have existed at all.

 

But, hey, the “riddle” ploy, with its shades of Indiana Jones solving an ancient mystery, is (I guess?) clever…

An excellent example of the unscrupulous claims made. Collectors need to know better (including myself, of course).  

On 6/30/2022 at 1:18 PM, ambr0zie said:

@Curtisimo- thank you for the detailed explanation about the homereium. I wasn't sure if I read about that denomination in the past but now I remembered.

I am still curious if my coin also displays Homer (yours and the OP coin show the reverse character holding a scroll - on mine, he only has a transverse sceptre).

I also sincerely appreciate @Curtisimopost...  (it makes me love my coin all the more!).. but each and every post here at least makes us question the claims that the  "market" pushes. Asking questions and demanding answers is never poor practice.

Just for fun adding a couple of coins that have rather tenuous claims to historical figures ... we all know that many types are highly valued due to their (perhaps dubious?) ties to historical personages or events. In many cases the supply of these coins is comparatively plentiful - yet the price remains very high due to the sustained demand. The marketing can be so strong that it becomes a kind of truth - while in fact some large leaps of logic have to be made to tie the story together.

I'm looking at you Tribute Penny!!!

Here are a couple of my very cheap examples. The first was under $50 and the second under $15.. but I still purchased them for the story. Eyes wide open to the leaps in logic - but I couldn't help myself!

Ionia, Smyrna, c. 75-50 BC. Æ (22mm, 6.94g, 12h). Laureate head of Apollo r. R/ Homer seated l., holding scroll; two monograms to l.

Is this Homer? Some examples for sale just state "Magistrate"... I know many cities in the ancient world claimed Homer as a native son... Smyrna being one.  But in fact we really don't even know if Homer was a real person... and if he lived he was dead about 800 years before this coin was struck.  I've read some defenses of this identification and they can be compelling.. but....

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This little rough coin is fun (and under $15)... a coin minted in Cyprus - at the time it was ruled by Cleopatra VII... cool!!

OBV: Laureate head of Zeus. REV: Statue of Zeus Salaminos standing, holding stalks of grain, star above.  Paphos mint c. 35 BC. 3.15g

From Forvm: While not noted in Svoronos, this type is fairly common on Cyprus and many have been found in the excavations at Neopaphos. The lack of a central depression indicates they were struck after 96 B.C. Recent Cypriot numismatic publications date them to the time when Cleopatra VII of Egypt was the ruler of the island

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So struck after 96BC .... yet we can shoe-horn it into the rule of Cleopatra VII. Well I will spend $15 on that logic!! Would be worth $15K if someone can "prove" that's Cleopatra herself posing on the reverse!!

I'm just having a bit of fun of course - I love both coins.

Please share your ancient coin marketing marvels .....

You've put a lot of work into this and its looking great - but that tape just doesn't do it for me (for whatever that is worth - which is nothing).

May look a little cleaner, last longer and be more practical for removal (and replacement) to use something like velcro tape.... there are many clear varieties available.

Wonderful coins...  I also absolutely loved the 360 degree coin "photos" on your website. Amazing!

https://artemis-collection.com/showcase/360photos/

Mine is a 366/1a ... which features some very interesting control marks on the OBV.  Mine seems to be a "sword in scabbard"... but maybe its a "plough"? 

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Control-marks 366/1a:  Caps of the Dioscuri, Carnyx, Comb, Crab, Crescent enclosing star, Helmet, Lizard, Knife, Plough, Scorpion, Sickle, Snake, Spear, Staff with double hook, Sword, Sword in scabbard, Thunderbolt, Trident, Trophy, Wing, 

Thank you for posting! I felt pretty good about my collection a minute ago....   😀

12 minutes ago, Hrefn said:

I have previously shown this coin on CoinTalk but have a bit more information to share. 

Julian II the Apostate,  360-363 AD     Germanic solidus.

 

#81 is a heavyweight 4.59 gram gold Solidus in high relief more typical of an aureus, modeled on a coin of Lugdunum.  Cf. RIC 226 (Lyon). 

Reverse legend is VIRTUS EXERC CALI  the last word meant to be GALL in praise of Julian’s army in Gaul.  

Ex: Dr. E. Poncet collection, (Bourgey, 15 March 1926, lot #71), then Triton III lot #1224 “unusual and extremely rare”;  and Leu 72, 12 May 1998 lot#542. “One of only two specimens known” per Freeman and Sear, published in their mail bid list #9 on 7/16/2003.   Purchased by private treaty from Freeman and Sear, at the NY Int’l Coin show 01/2004.

The next specimen (not my coin) known to me was auctioned by Burgan Numismatique Maison Florange as seen below.  Online auction 22-1 lot #33 on 6 march 2022 with starting bid of 7000 euro, but I believe it went unsold.   This specimen is ex:  Dr. Pierre Bastien collection who was an expert on the coins of Lyon.  It has two die breaks and a central scrape.  Both obv and reverse are die matches for the coin above.  Picture is from the auction house.  

Amazing coins that I have never seen before... WOW!!  The Gallic/Celtic influence is certainly evident on the reverse.... incredible!

This type seems to almost always be in pretty rough condition.. I purchased this example as the detail of Homer is quite pleasing to me - for the price..

Ionia, Smyrna, c. 75-50 BC. Æ (22mm, 6.94g, 12h). Pasikrates, magistrate. Laureate head of Apollo r. R/ Homer seated l., holding scroll; two monograms to l.

I purchased my first Owl this year... yep its rough - but its an amazing feeling!

15 minutes ago, Octavius said:

I love "A History of the Coinage of the Roman Empire" by David Vagi. It is in two volumes, the first of which is a detailed history of each emperor. The second volume concerns their coins. I feel it is the historical aspect of this hobby that enriches the numismatic component so much. Vagi's work is just packed with historical content which allows you to appreciate the coins so much more.

I would agree - but I haven't seen a used set for under $200 USD lately.

If we are talking pure beginner then I suggest NOT spending your money on Reference books (RIC/Sear) - this information is widely available online... I would suggest you spend your money on new coins!

If you are interested in LEARNING about ancient coins and ancient coin collecting then I suggest Wayne Sales books. They are very reasonably priced used and so enjoyable to read.

Also one of my favorite books to this day is  "Coinage In the Roman World" by Andrew Burnett. Its an incredible book that is so well written, engaging and accessible that I cannot recommend it enough.

9 hours ago, jfp7375 said:

I have my first 2 denarii coming from Tom Vossen in the Netherlands (I'm in Chicago). 

Ordered on May 30th, shipped the 31st, and one tracking update so far on June 4th ("Processed through facility" in Frankfurt and now "Origin post is preparing shipment"). 

So everything is more or less on track, but doesn't make it any easier to wait! Especially since these are my first moderately expensive coins... first silver coins as well. Hoping they'll show up by early next week, like the 13th/14th. 

Ugh. I want to see them so bad!!!

I've purchased 5 or 6 coins from Tom Vossen over the last few years and have never had an issue. Should go smoothly I hope.

Large AE portrait of Julius Caesar. Imperatorial Era: Octavian/Augustus and Divus Julius Caesar, Orichalcum Sestertius (dupondius?), 29mm, 12.98 gm, 2h. Mint in Italy, 38 BC. Obv: CAESAR DIVI F bare head of Octavian right Rx: DIVOS IVLIVS laureate head of Julius Caesar right (here Caesar shown on the left).

Perfectly coiffed...