Ancient Aussie

Two of my favorite cabinet toned coins..

I have a few of this type, but the A/Pius is the most interesting as it shows a winding path through the trees?

Fantastic coin David, congrats on another amazing addition to your collection. I have one not as nice as yours.

Egypt, Alexandria. Domitian. A.D. 81-96. AE drachm (34.7 mm, 23.61 g, 11 h). Alexandria mint, Struck A.D. 95/6. [AVT KAIC ΘЄ] OVIOC ΔOMIT [CЄB ΓЄPM], laureate head of Domitian right / Frontal elevation of triumphal arch; L - IE ( yr. 15 = A.D. 95/6 ). Emmett 257.15. Near VF / VF, very dark green smooth patina. Scarce (Emmett "frequency" 2). RPC II, 2728.
From the D. Thomas Collection; Wz Group CEM; Ex Walter Niggeler Collection; Ex Bank Leu/Munzen und Medallien.

Nice one JayAg47, a coin I would love to have in my collection. Only have two Caligula an Imperial and Provincial.

Caligula, with Antonia, Æ22 of Thessalonica, Macedon. AD 37-41., laureate head left , veiled and draped bust of Antonia left, wearing stephane. RPC I 1573. 9.28g, 21mm, 12h.

All great coins David, but to have a Colosseum coin is the trophy of a lifetime, congrats.

14 hours ago, Prieure de Sion said:

Unfortunately I have to say that I am very very very disappointed with the Leu auction. I can say that now. With Leu I had promised myself that I would get stable prices. I understand that with any auction there is a risk of getting less than you paid. You might only get 75% - maybe even just 50% of the purchase price. But sometimes only 25%? And not just one coin?

I know the prices on the market. And I know what money you can get for which coins at other auctions.

When I look at my prices, I could have given the coins to a less well-known auction house. Savoca, Solidus - even there you have to pay 100 to 150 euros for a good Commodus silver denarius at the auction.

Examples?

 

A very rare Gorndianus III Tetradrachm - hammered at Nomos for 800 CHF - hammered yesterday at Leu for 110 CHF:
https://leunumismatik.com/en/lot/46/2578 

110 CHF! Normally a good and a little rare Tetradrachm are around 200 Euro. Every common 0815 Tetradrachm from Philips I / II you must pay 150-200 Euro. But 110 CHF for that? 

Same as my Commodus Caesar Denarius. Normally you pay for a Commodus as Caesar more than 150 Euro - if it was in a good condition. For example - I don't know any Naumann Auktion I get a good Commodus Caesar or Augustus Denarius lower than 100 Euro. But today - my Commodus sold for 70 CHF or 80 CHF... etc.

Leu Lot and Picture: https://leunumismatik.com/en/lot/46/3765 
My Picture: https://yothr.me/cri/yothr-cri-177-2a-commodus-victory/
Sold 80 CHF

No Info thats a coin from the famous Graham Collection (and I send all informations) - nothing. A Commodus Caesar Denarius from Graham 1972 with fantastic silver color toning and metallic shade - buyer for 350 USD - sold for 80 CHF. Great!

 

And this prices realized for so many of my coins... sold for rubbish prices. 

Sorry - but at every other Auctions I get more. If I know this before - it was better sell the coins for low price at eBay. 

 

ha ha ha in this seconds - thats so "funny": https://leunumismatik.com/en/lot/46/3797 

45 CHF!!! 45 CHF !!!! It was this Commodus: https://yothr.me/cri/yothr-cri-189-1a-commodus-securitas-orbis/ 

Yes - this was not a 150 Euro coin. But 45 CHF is nothing! Now deduct my commission that I have to pay - then it would have been better to give this coin away here. I would have enjoyed it more.

 

What a disaster of an auction. But I saw that the other consignor doesn't have it any other way. Some of the other coins from other consignors also go for junk prices. This auction was a disaster (as a consignor). Good for buyers.

I am sorry for your disappointment; the current market is very fickle I can't read; I think the way is the right place at the right time.

Tell me why did you not sell them on your Vcoins site?

Great coins and I will be watching.... But what have you got against poor Commodus?

Brilliant thread RC, and fantastic coins, a subject that fascinates me. I can contribute some sestertius from my collection.

Absolutely fantastic coin Curtis, with great provenance and as far as write ups and collection of historical facts they don't come much better than your presentation here, congrats. A couple of my buildings in the Forum. 

Nero, AR Denarius Temple of Vesta, 65-66 AD, RIC 62, 3.17gm.
Banker's mark on reverse.

Curia Julia senate house denarius 29 BC, Octavian. 3.5gm.

Diva Faustina AD 141, AE Sestertius. RIC 1115, 24.88gm, 33mm, Black patina. 

DIVUS ROMULUS (Died 309). Follis. Ostia.
Obv: IMP MAXENTIVS DIVO ROMVLON V FILIO.
Bare head right.
Rev: AETERNA MEMORIA / MOSTT.
Domed hexastyle temple; on roof, eagle standing right, head left.
Weight: 6.0 g. Diameter: 25 mm.
RIC 33.

Divus Romulus. Died AD 309. Æ Quarter Follis (17mm, 2.01 g, 12h). Rome mint, 3rd officina. Struck under Maxentius, circa AD 310. Bare head right / Domed shine with doors ajar, surmounted by eagle; RT. RIC VI 239. VF, dark green patina, flan flaws on obverse.

Tiberius Æ Sestertius.(33mm, 25.5gm) Rome, AD 35-36. The Temple of Concordia: Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and sceptre, above altar within hexastyle façade set on podium; entrance flanked by statues of Hercules and Mercury; pediment decorated with statues of Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, and Victories in acroteria; wings of transverse cella with windows behind; pediments decorated with statues / TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST P M TR POT XXXVII around large S•C. RIC 61; C. 69; BMC 116; BN 100.

Although not much left of this temple left.

Great collection of river gods depicted on this thread, I didn't realize I had so may as well until I went looking. 

CARIA. Antiochia ad Maeandrum. Gallienus, 253-268. Hexassarion (?) (Bronze, 30 mm, 13.65 g, 6 h). AY•K•Î •Î“AΛ[ΛIHNOC] Radiate, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to left, holding spear and shield. Rev. ANT[IOXЄΩN] Bridge of six arches spanning the Maeander, with gateway to left and river-god Maeander reclining left on bridge, holding reed. BMC 57. SNG von Aulock 2430.

VALERIAN.
CILICIA. Mopsuestia-Mopsus. Valerian I (253-260). Ae. Dated CY 323 (255/6).
Obv: AVT K OVAΛЄPIANOC CЄB.
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: AΔP MOΨЄ / ЄT ΓKT / Δ - Ω - Ρ - Є - Α / Π PAMOC.
River god Pyramus, holding cornucopia, reclining left on river bridge consisting of five arches; triumphal arch at left and right end.
SNG BN 1998 var. (rev. legend); Price & Trell 639 (fig. 83).
Condition: Very fine.
Weight: 14.43 g.
Diameter: 31 mm.

Syria, Seleucis and Pieria.
Antiochia ad Orontem.
Herennius Etruscus. As Caesar, A.D. 250-251.
Æ octassarion.31mm // 16,30g.
Obv: ЄPЄNN ЄTPOV MЄ KV ΔЄKIOC KЄCAP, bare-headed and draped bust of Herennius Etruscus right.
Rev: ANTIOXЄΩN MHTPO KOΛΩN, Tyche seated within tetrastyle temple, the river-god Orontes swimming at her feet; above shrine, ram leaping right, head left; in exergue, S C.
McAlee 1158.

Antoninus Pius Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 140. ANTONINVS AVG - PIVS P P TR P COS III, Laureate head right / TIBERIS, Tiber reclining left, leaning on urn which pours out water, resting right hand on ship and holding reed; S-C across field. RIC III 642a; BMCRE 1313; Cohen 819. 26.52g, 33mm, 11

On 6/15/2023 at 6:44 AM, DonnaML said:

I don't remember Okidoki being an active poster anymore at Coin Talk by the time I joined in January 2020, but wow, what an amazing collection! The Roman Alexandrian coins are especially comprehensive. Particularly the Nomes coinage; I've never seen so many of them together in one place.  (Including one with "the oldest historical figure to appear on an ancient coin" -- a type which I happen to have myself, and have posted here several times. Who wants to guess that figure's identity, and which coin it is?)

But this coin may be the prize of his collection, in terms of the most impressive pedigree and highest hammer price. It already has a $1,000 bid, even though the auction is several weeks away and most lots have no bids at all yet.

 Lot 3366 | Web Auction: 26

Hadrian, 117-138. Sestertius.

Starting price:

750 CHF

Current bid:

1000 CHF

 

Bid increment:

100 CHF

Minimum bid:

1100 CHF

Number of bids:

4 Bids

Time left: 25 d 20 h 47 min 59 sec

Closing time: 10-Jul-23, 19:16:00 CEST

 

Bid now »

 

All winning bids are subject to an 18.5% buyer's fee.

 

Hadrian, 117-138. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 33 mm, 27.09 g, 12 h), Rome, circa 129-130. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS Laureate and draped bust of Hadrian to right, seen from behind. Rev. FELICITATI / AVG COS III / P P / S - C Galley sailing left, with steerman and six rowers; at stern acrostolium flanked by vexilum and aquila, at prow, mast slanted forward and sail. BMC -. Cohen -. RIC pl. 109, 1282 (this coin). Extremely rare. A wonderful, well struck example with a lovely 'Tiber' patina and an exceptional 18th century pedigree. Some corrosion and with a minor surface crack on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.

 

From the collection of Eric ten Brink and from the Toliver Besson Collection, Classical Numismatic Group Mail Bid Sale 115, 16 September 2020, 652, previously privately acquired from Jon Jencek on 14 December 2012, ex Goldberg 5.3, 7 June 2000, 3582, from the Earl Fitzwilliam's (1748-1833) Wentworth Estates Company Collection, Christie's, 30 May 1949, 124 (part of), and from the collections of Abbé Visconti, President of the Society of Antiquaries in Rome, acquired circa 1774, and that of the Museo del Padri Corsini, acquired in 1748.

I think your on a winner there Donna, just over two days left and CHF3,400 with a couple of gold up there as well, just shows the popularity of the Hadrian galley coins, I have one nowhere near as good.   

3 hours ago, Al Kowsky said:

LIVE SCIENCE published an interesting article today by Sascha Pare, about Cassius the 18 ft. Croc who is 120 years old 😮! See the link below. I like his Roman name 😂. NVMIS FORVMS members are welcome to post their coins with crocs ☺️.

https://www.livescience.com/animals/alligators-crocodiles/120-year-old-cassius-is-pushing-limit-of-crocodile-longevity-and-hes-got-years-to-come-expert-say

 

EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian, AD 117-138 (dated RY 22, AD 137/8). Billon Tetradrachm: 26 mm, 13.36 gm, 12 h. Obverse: Bust of Hadrian facing right. Reverse: River god Nilus seated & holding water reed & cornucopia, crocodile by his side. RPC III 6250. Emmett 879.22.

Fantastic coin with great portrait of Hadrian, better than most you see from Alexandria. Of course, you understand you may have created a huge crocodile thread....😀

It took me a while to scroll through Eric's fantastic collection but well worth it, let me know what you think and if you win any, by the way Okidoki was a champion collector of Hadrian coins on CoinTalk I'm not sure if he is a member of this forum but I wish him the best of luck with his sale.

Hadrian, Cilicia Aegeae, circa 117 AD. AR Tridrachm 9.6 gm, GIC 1218. Toned. Athena stg. holding patera and shield, spear at side, goat at feet to left. Von Aulock 5449.

I win with this triple hole Trajan, bought because I couldn't afford one without holes 😃

Trajan (98-117). Æ Sestertius (34mm, 23.54g, 6h). Rome, c. 107-111. Laureate bust r., slight drapery on l. shoulder. R/ Octastyle temple with portico on either side, seated figure within; Jupiter on pediment seated facing, seated figures on either side; Victories at corners, standing figure at point. RIC II 577. 

3 minutes ago, Ancient Aussie said:

Great collection of Faustina temples. your veiled sestertius is similar quality to mine... they must have done the rounds together 😉

Incidentally I just remembered that I bought my one from Roma E auction 1 for simillar money.

9 hours ago, Zarco said:

Here are my coins of Faustina and her temple.  All photos are from the sellers.

 

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AR Denarius, 3.3 g, 18.3 mm, 11 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 150.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top.
Rev: AED DIV FAVSTINAE; Front view of Hexastyle temple in center of which is seated a statue of Faustina I; pediment is ornamented and roof has statues and quadriga as decoration.
Ref: RIC 343.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 429, Lot 339, 26 September 2018.
From the DMS Collection, purchased from Pegasi Numismatics, 26 March 2009.

 

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AR denarius, 3.2 g, 17.9 mm, 7 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top.
Rev: PIETAS AVG; Front view of temple, showing six columns on a podium of three steps: pediment and roof ornamented.
Refs: RIC 396, Sear RCV 4599.
Acquired from Germania Inferior Numismatics, 8 February 2021.

 

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AR denarius, 3.10 g, 18.3 mm, 7 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved in several loops round head and drawn up and coiled on top.
Rev: DEDICATIO AEDIS; Hexastyle temple, on podium of four steps, with statues.
Refs: RIC 388, Sear RCV 4596.
Acquired from Savoca Coins, 133rd Silver Auction, Lot 348, 15 May 2022.

 

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AE Sestertius, 23.6 g, 31.99 mm, 12 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, draped, right, hair elaborately waved and coiled in bands across head and drawn up at back and piled in a round coil on top.
Rev: PIETAS AVGVSTI S C; Hexastyle temple on podium of four steps; on fastigium, quadriga; on angles, Victories.
Refs: RIC III 1148, Sear RCV 4632.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 529, lot 680, 14 December 2022.
Ex Antonio Carmona Collection (Roma E-Sale 82, 15 April 2021), lot 1368.

 

Faustina I, AD 138-140.
AE Sestertius, 22.6 g, 33.4 mm, 6 h.
Struck under Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 143-144.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA; Bust of Faustina I, veiled, right.
Rev: AETERNIT[AS] S C; Hexastyle temple, in which is seated figure of Faustina I.
Refs: RIC III 1115b.
Acquired from Roma Numismatics, E-Sale 105, Lot 870, 19 January 2023.
From a private UK collection.

Great collection of Faustina temples. your veiled sestertius is similar quality to mine... they must have done the rounds together 😉

2 hours ago, Barzus said:

Nice topic!

here is my new comer, a denarius with a veiled portrait of Faustina 🙂

Great coin, a type that has alluded me so far.

4 hours ago, Restitutor said:

Here’s a photo I took on my honeymoon last spring, think I got the statue you’re referring to! 

WOW you guys certainly take some great photo's. 

2 hours ago, Deinomenid said:

That would be great if so!

I  have  this one from Paestum under its earlier name Poseidonia.

As a complete aside, as a child  I saw a wedding blessing take place at  one of the temples there. It was an almost magical sight. (To clarify, I mean I saw this  fairly recently. I am not exceptionally long-lived.)

Northern Lucania, Poseidonia, Nomos, c. 445-420, ποmεsδα, Poseidon standing right, casting trident, chlamys draped over shoulders, rev. bull standing left on single exergue line, ποmε (retrograde) above, 8.09g.

Fantastic coin with great detail of Poseidon. Yes I visited a couple of years back, magical place fantastic temples and what about that huge swimming pool in amongst the temples.

11 minutes ago, Limes said:

Interesting coin, I have not seen it before. Do you know the story behind the building on the reverse? Or is it a general display and adoration of the ancient skyscraper? 

From what I understand this is the rare instance of a woman signing as the sponsor of a coinage issue. Mineia is also known from contemporary inscriptions as a major benefactor of the city of Paestum. The building, a public structure of some sort, may be another of her donations to the city, and it is even conceivable the female head is a portrait of Mineia herself.

Recently received another of these interesting Greek coins depicting a double story building in Paestum, southern Italy, having already owned (this one below) one I am always on the lookout for better quality reverse (building) as most I have seen are a bit shabby.

So along comes this the obverse is not any better but more detail on reverse.

MAGNA GRECIA
LUCANIA
PAESTUM (Poseidonia)
Bronze semis. Circa 90-44 BC.
16.2mm, 3.9gm.
Obv: Female head right; MINEIA • M • F behind.
Rev: Two-story building; P-S flanking upper floor, S-C flanking lower.
Crawford, Paestum 38b; HN Italy 1258.
Rare.

Please share any Southern Italy coins as would love to see them.

Unfortunately, some of the great Roman architecture was not represented on ancient coins, two that I have a special liking for can be found on early 18th century Papal medals, I remember my first trip to Rome walking into the Pantheon and surely thinking this brilliance could not have been constructed 2000 years ago. Such a wonderful experience to visit, after I walked away mesmerized I stumbled across Castel Sant’Angelo, I have my first pic of this architectural wonder as I walked across the bridge leading to it. 

ITALY, Papal (Papal State). Pius IV. 1559-1565. Cast Æ Medal (31mm, 13.04 g, 12h). After an original obverse by Gianfederico Bonzagni, and reverse by Alessandro Cesati “il Grechetto”. Cast circa 18th-19th century. · PIVS · IIII · PONTIFEX · MAX, bust right, wearing mantum / INSTAVRA TA, aerial view of the Castel Sant’Angelo (Hadrian’s Tomb) and the surrounding fortifications. CNORP III 525. 

I know Curtis has a great pic of inside the Pantheon that I hope he shares.

ITALY, Papal States. Benedict XIV Lambertii, 1740-1758 AD. Æ38 Medal (22.09 gm) by Hamerani, 1757, possible original strike. Capped robed bust / Interior of the Pantheon. Maz.479.  

2 hours ago, arizonarobin said:

I would love to add one of the sestertius temple types. My denarius:

Genuinely nice indeed, very well detailed coin.

1 hour ago, kapphnwn said:

My coin is very similar to that posted by @Roman Collector However on mine Faustina is not veiled. It also appears to be  tenth anniverary issue. It is also my latest and only coin picked up so far this year. (However I did buy 32 books and counting)

Faustina I Senior Ae Sestertius 146=161 AD Obv busted right draped. Rv Facade of Hexastyle temple of Diva Faustina  with cult statue seated within the two innermost columns RIC 1115a Banti 27 This coin illustrated 25.62 grms 30.5 mm Photo by W. Hansen

This has to be one of the most complex depictions of the temple seen on a Roman coin. I am really impressed by that papa; medal posted above by @Ancient Aussie

WOW, veiled or not brilliant rare coin, congrats on having such an historically important coin in your collection.

32 minutes ago, Roman Collector said:

That is a fantastic medallion, @Ancient Aussie! I have long been interested in the coins of Faustina I that deal with the temple erected to her. I have written about these coins here and elsewhere.

My most recent acquisition, in fact, is a sestertius issued to commemorate Faustina's 10th death anniversary. I won it at the latest Roma auction and is currently en route to my house.

 

Great pick up RC, you don't see to many of this coin, I was actually watching it in the Roma auction..I am glad it has gone to a good home.