Ursus

A quick search in the CNG archive shows how much about 70 of these in different conditions hammered for, see here. For coins in a condition comparable to yours, recent prices at CNG appear to be somewhere arund 250–350 USD before fees. I'm not an expert in British coins and thus not able to tell you whether the coin looks fishy.

Nice examples! Late medieval and early modern Spanish coins are a fascinating and usually not too expensive collecting field full of small varieties. Spanish Monarchy, under Philip II, AE 4 maravedis, 1584–1585 AD, Burgos mint, moneyer: Juan De Morales. Obv: [+DON·PHELIPPE·II· ]; castle; in fields, B–M and circle Rev: [+REI·DE·LAS·HESPAÑAS]; crowned lion l. 21mm, 4.07g. Ref: Calíco 2008, 781. Spanish Monarchy, under Philip III, CU 4 maravedis (countermarked as 8 maravedis), 1602 AD, Segovia mint. Obv: +PHILIPPVS·III·D·G·OMNIVM; castle in octolobe; in field, C. Rev: ·HISPAN·REGNORVM·REX· 1602; crowned lion in octolobe; countermark: crowned VIII with B below. 27mm, 6.22g. Ref: Calíco 750.

Here are three of mine, starting with a very young portrait that still resembles Severus Alexander's rare coins as Caesar: Severus Alexander, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 222 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG; bust of Severus Alexander, laureate and draped, r. Rev: P M TR P COS P P; Libertas, draped, standing l., holding pileus in r. hand and cornucopiae in l. hand. 19mm, 2.68 g. Ref: RIC IV Severus Alexander 11d. Severus Alexander, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 224 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG; bust of Severus Alexander, laureate and draped, r. Rev: P M TR P III COS P P; Mars standing l., helmeted and in military attire, holding spear and branch. 18mm, 3.21g. Ref: RIC RIC IV Severus Alexander 37. Ex TheRed collection; ex AMCC 2, lot 174. Severus Alexander, Roman Empire, AE sestertius, 234 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG; bust of Severus Alexander, laureate, draped, r. Rev: P M TR P XIII COS III P P; Sol, radiate, walking l., raising r. hand and holding whip in l. hand; in fields flanking, SC. 31mm, 18.59g. Ref: RIC IV Severus Alexander 538c. Ex Leipziger Münzhandlung und Auktion (Heidrun Höhn), e-Live Auktion 12, lot 745.

Nice addition. Coins of the short-lived county of Edessa are notoriously hard to find and often in rough shape. It doesn't help that they were usually produced rather sloppily to begin with. Therefore, this is a really nice one for the type. Here is my example: County of Edessa, Baldwin of Bourcq, AE Follis, 1110–1118 AD. Obv: Baldwin in conical helmet and chain-armor, standing l., sheathed sword at hip, holding globus cruciger, BA[Λ] - ΔOI[N] around. Rev: Ornamented cross in Byzantine style. 20mm, 4.01g. Ref: Schlumberger I,9; Metcalf 109–112; CCS 10.

I never got a chance to post this anonymous AE here or on CT. Nothing special but still a nice coin: Anonymous civic issue under Maximinus II Daia, AE4, 310–313 AD, Antioch mint. Obv: IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter seated l., holding globe and sceptre. Rev: VICTORIA [AVGG]; Victory walking l., holding wreath and palm; in field r., I; in exergue, ANT. 16 mm, 1.43g. Ref: van Heesch (1993) type 2.

My Macrinus is below. I am still looking for an attractive long-bearded portrait and a Diadumenian. Macrinus, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 217–218 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG; laureate and cuirassed short-bearded bust of Macrinus r. Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; to left, small figure of Macrinus standing r. 20mm, 3.21g. Ref: RIC IV Macrinus 76b.

Congrats – that is a lovely coin. Good to see you here! It's not quite Monday anymore, but I'll post another witten that I picked up recently. This time, it's a coin from Hamburg: Hamburg, City, AR witten, after 1387 AD. Obv: ×MONETA:HAMBURGES; city castle with three towers. Rev: ×BENEDICTVS: DEVS; cross with empty circle in center, nettle leafs in quadrants. 18mm, 1.29g. Ref: Jesse 380a.

I admit to having a couple of Julia Domnas: Julia Domna, Roman Empire, denarius, 193–196 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA DOMNA AVG; bust of Julia Domna, draped, r. Rev: VENERI VICTR, Venus standing with back turned, head r., holding apple in r. hand and palm in l., resting l. elbow on column. 18mm, 4.13g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 536. Julia Domna, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 196–211 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA; bust of Julia Domna, draped, r. Rev: CERERI FRVGIF; Ceres, draped, seated l., holding corn-ears in her r. hand and torch in l. hand. 19mm, 3.65g. RIC IV Septimius Severus 546. Julia Domna, Roman Empire, denarius, 196–211 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA; bust of Julia Domna, draped, r. Rev: IVNO, Iuno standing l., holding patera and sceptre, peacock at feet l. 18mm, 3.20g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 559. Julia Domna, Roman Empire, denarius, 196–211 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bust of Julia Domna, hair waved and coiled at back, draped, r. Rev: MATER DEVM, Cybele, turreted, draped, seated l. on throne, holding branch in extended r. hand and sceptre in l. hand, resting left arm on drum set on l. knee; to either side of throne, lion. 19mm, 3.19g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 564. Julia Domna, Roman Empire, denarius, 196–211 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bust of Julia Domna, hair waved and coiled at back, draped, r. Rev: VENVS FELIX; Venus, draped, standing front, head l., holding apple and drawing drapery from l. shoulder. 19mm, 2.82g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 580. Julia Domna, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 196–211 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA; bust of Julia Domna, draped, r. Rev: VESTAE SANCTAE; Vesta standing l., holding patera and sceptre. 17.5mm, 3.08g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 587. Julia Domna, Roman Empire, denarius, 193–196 AD, eastern mint (Antioch or Cappadocia?). Obv: IVLIA DO[MNA] AVG, bust of Julia Domna, draped, r. Rev: VENER VICT, Venus standing l., holding apple in extended r. hand and sceptre in l. 17mm, 2.54g. Ref; RIC IV.1 Septimius Severus 630. Julia Domna, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 211–217 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG; bust of Julia Domna, draped, r. Rev: DIANA LVCIFERA; Diana, draped, standing l., holding a torch in both hands. 19mm, 3.09g. Ref: RIC IV Caracalla 373A. Julia Domna, Roman Empire, denarius, 196–211 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bust of Julia Domna, hair waved and coiled at back, draped, r. Rev: PIETAS PVBLICA; Pietas, veiled, draped, standing front, head l., at altar, raising up both hands. 19mm, 2.02g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 574.

Commodus: Commodus, Roman Empire, sestertius, 177 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP L AVREL COMMODVS AVG [GERM] SARM; laureate and draped bust of Commodus r. Rev: T[R P] II COS [P]P; pile of Germanic arms; in fields, S-C; in exergue, DE GERMANIS. 31mm, 21.84g. Ref: RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1570. Commodus, Roman Empire, denarius, 182 AD, Rome mint. Obv: M COMMOD[VS ANTON]INVS AVG, laureate head of Commodus right. Rev: LIB AVG V TR P VII IMP IIII COS III PP, Liberalitas standing left holding counting board and cornucopiae. 18mm, 2.24g. Ref: RIC III Commodus 36A. Commodus, Roman Empire, sestertius, 183 AD, Rome mint. Obv: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG PIVS; laureate head of Commodus r. Rev: [TR] P VIII [IMP VI] COS IIII P P; Roma, helmeted, draped, seated l. on shield, holding Victory in extended r. hand and vertical spear in l. hand; in fields, S-C. 30mm, 25.14g. Ref: RIC III Commodus 369.

Thats a nice uncommon obverse variety! Considering how short his reign has been, it's remarkable how common coins of Carinus are. I have got one myself: Carinus, Roman Empire, AE antoninian, 283–285 AD, Antioch mint. Obv: IMP C M AVR CARINVS PF AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust of Carinus r. Rev: VIRTVS AVGG; Carinus standing r., receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter or Carus standing l.; in fields, star and ∈Δ; in exergue, XXI. 20mm, 3.61g. Ref: RIC V Carus 325.

Here are my two Imperial quadrantes. The first is a wonderful Secret Saturnalia gift that I got in 2021: Anonymous, Roman Empire, ca. 81–161 AD, AE quadrans, Rome mint (?). Obv: head of Minerva r. Rev: owl standing r. 14 mm, 2.86 g. RIC II Anonymous 7. Hadrian, Roman Empire, quadrans, 125–128 AD, Rome mint. Obv: [HADRIANVS] AVGVS[TVS]; head of Hadrian, laureate, r. Rev: COS I[II]; three standards; in exergue, SC. 15mm, 2.64g. Ref: RIC II Hadrian 689.

I've got no Aelius, but here are my Hadrians. I'm particularly fond of the as, and the quadrans is a nice little coin of a more unsusual denomination: Hadrian, Roman Empire, denarius, 119–122 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate head of Hadrian right. Rev: PM TR P COS III, Pax seated left, holding Victory on globe and branch. 18.5mm, 3.05g. Ref: RIC II Hadrian 95. Hadrian, Roman Empire, AE as, 125–128 AD, Rome mint. Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS; bust of Hadrian, laureate, r. Rev: COS III; Salus, draped, standing r., feeding snake out of patera; in fields flanking, SC. 26mm, 10.2g. Ref: RIC II Hadrian, 669c. Hadrian, Roman Empire, quadrans, 125–128 AD, Rome mint. Obv: [HADRIANVS] AVGVS[TVS]; head of Hadrian, laureate, r. Rev: COS I[II]; three standards; in exergue, SC. 15mm, 2.64g. Ref: RIC II Hadrian 689.

It's always nice to see some eastern Severan denarii. And reading through this thread shed some light on their somewhat complicated chronology and attribution. Thanks for all the info, @maridvnvmand @Roman Collector! I have a few Severan denarii from the eastern part of the Empire. First are two "COS II" coins of Septimius Severus previously attributed to Emesa: Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 194–195 AD, “Emesa” mint (now attributed by the BM to a mint in Cappadocia). Obv: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II; head of Septimius Severus, laureate, r. Rev: FORTVN REDVC; Fortuna (Pax?), draped, seated l,, holding branch in extended r, hand and cornucopiae in l. hand. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 386. 18mm, 2.08g. Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 194–195 AD, “Emesa” mint (now attributed by the BM to a mint in Cappadocia). Obv: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II; head of Septimius Severus, laureate, r. Rev: MONET AVG; Moneta, draped, standing l., holding scales in extended r. hand and cornucopiae in l. hand. 18mm, 3.32g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 411A. Second are an "IMP XI" coin for Septimius Severus and a young Geta from what used to be known as the "Laodicea" mint: Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, denarius, 198–202 AD, “Laodicea ad mare” mint (now attributed to Antioch). Obv: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, head of Septimius Severus, laureate, r. Rev: MARTI [VICTO]RI; Mars, helmeted, in military attire, standing r., resting r. hand on shield and holding reversed spear in l. hand. 19mm, 3.01g. Ref: RIC IV.1 Septimius Severus 508. Geta, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 198–200 AD, “Laodicea ad mare” mint (now attributed to Antioch). Obv: L SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES; bust of Geta, bare-headed, draped, r. Rev: SPEI PERPETVAE; Spes, draped, advancing l., holding flower in r. hand and raising skirt with l. hand. 20mm, 3.19g. RIC IV Geta 96. Last is an eastern denarius of Julia Domna. RIC places this issue at either Laodicea or Emesa, and the BM only gives "eastern Roman empire" as the mint location. Does anyone maybe know more? Julia Domna, Roman Empire, denarius, 193–196 AD, eastern mint (Antioch or Cappadocia?). Obv: IVLIA DO[MNA] AVG, bust of Julia Domna, draped, r. Rev: VENER VICT, Venus standing l., holding apple in extended r. hand and sceptre in l. 17mm, 2.54g. Ref; RIC IV.1 Septimius Severus 630.

This week, I will show another 14th century coin from Lübeck. The main design difference to the coin that I posted above is the appeareance of a six-rayed star in the center of the reverse. In 1379, the Hanseatic cities of Lübeck, Hamburg and Wismar decided to unify their currency. Rostock, Stralsund, and Lüneburg joined this "Wendish Coinage Union" in 1381, other northern German cities followed later on. The common coin of this Hanseatic monetary union was the witten, a silver piece worth four pennies. Coins minted after the decision of 1379 bear the issuing cities arms on the obverse and a cross with a six-rayed star on the reverse. This makes it possible to distinguish witten minted for the monetary union from their earlier predecessors. In 1379, a witten had a nominal weight of 1.33g silver with a purity of 937,5/1000. On later issues, the star is exchanged for other marks (empty circle in 1387, arms on both sides in 1403, long cross in 1410). Lübeck, City, AR witten, after 1379 AD. Obv: ✶MONETA:LVBICENS’; double eagle. Rev: ✶CIVITAS:IMPERIAL’; cross with six-pointed star in center. 18mm, 1.18g. Ref: Jesse 361; Behrens 48.

Link: Ariobarzanes I. Philorhomaios, Kingdom of Cappadocia, AR drachm, 66/65 BC, Eusebeia mint. Obv: Diademed head right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ APIOBAPZANOY ΦIΛOPΩMAIOY, Athena standing left, holding shield, spear and Nike; to left monogram, Λ in exergue (off flan). 17mm, 4.3g. Ref: Simonetta 1977, no. 43.

Nice little coin. I like the Gorgon (or whoever it is supposed to be) on your obol! Below are some of my oboloi: Gaul, Massalia, obol, ca. 4th–1st century BC. Obv: Youthful male head (river god?) left. Rev: MA in wheel with four spokes. 10.65mm, 0.75g. Ref: SNG Copenhagen 723–728; de la Tour 1892, no. 689 or similar. Lycaonia, Laranda, AR obol, 324–323 BC. Obv: Baal Tars seated on throne n.l., holding grain ears and grapes in r. hand and sceptre in l. hand. Rev: forepart of wolf r., in field l., ⌒. 10mm, 0.59g. Göktürk: Small Coins from Cilicia (2000), no. 82 ff.; SNG Levante 223 (for Cilicia); SNG France 443 (for Cilicia). Thessaly, Larissa, AR obol, ca. 344–337 BC (?). Obv: head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly l., hair in ampyx, with necklace. Rev: [ΛΑΡΙΣ]-ΑΙΩΝ; horse grazing r. 11mm, 0.79g. Ref: BCD Thessaly I (2011), no. 1163; BCD Thessaly II (2013), no. 328, 342–344; SNG Copenhagen 135.

Thanks for the thoughts and explanations. I hadn't seen the earlier discussion in the NYINC thread – living on the other side of the Atlantic, I skipped reading that one. Leu's fixed prices, like every other dealer's, include three things: (a) the coin itself, (b) the service they provide, and (c) their reputation. Leu's staff is deeply knowledgeable and can correctly assess a coin's market value, but I think they overestimate the value of their service and reputation and thus try to charge way too much for it. Their fixed price list reflects that. Looking at the (now closed) list, all of the Roman Republican coins remain unsold. Only two of the medieval and nine of the world coins found buyers. 87 of 98 offered Greek coins were not sold, and most of the eleven sold coins either belong to the about reasonably priced exceptions on the list, are great rarities (lot 71) or have special provenances (lot 92). Most people apparently weren't willing to pay what Leu asked for. Only the Roman Imperial section gives a slightly different impression. I have no idea why...

Here is my first 2023 purchase, a 14th century witten (fourpence) from Lübeck in northern Germany: Lübeck, City, AR witten, before 1379 AB. Obv: ✻MONETA:LVBiCEN’; double eagle, pellet in left lower fielf. Rev: ✻CIVITAS:INPERIALI’; cross with quatrefoil in center. 19mm, 1.23g. Ref: Jesse 302; Behrens 44.

Thats a very attractive drachm. I like it a lot. Congrats on the acquisition! My only coin from Massalia is this obol: Gaul, Massalia, obol, ca. 4th–1st century BC. Obv: Youthful male head (river god?) left. Rev: MA in wheel with four spokes. 10.65mm, 0.75g. Ref: SNG Copenhagen 723–728; de la Tour 1892, no. 689 or similar.

And here is the same reverse type for his dad. The beard on the reverse figure makes it unmistakably clear whom we see here: Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 202–210 AD, Rome mint. Obv: SEVERVS PIVS AVG; head of Septimius Severus, laureate, r. Rev: VOTA SVSCEPTA XX; Septimius Severus, veiled, togate, standing l., sacrificing out of patera in r. hand over altar. 20mm, 3.76g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 308.

To start, I have nothing against Leu. I sometimes bid at their auctions, have won a few coins now and then, and I have always been happy with my purchases. In my book, they are a reputable and reliable auction house. Nonetheless, I was quite astonished when I saw the fixed price list that they posted on Biddr recently. Yes, there are some very (!) nice coins on it, but prices appear to be multiples of what they should be. Take for or example this coin: It is certainly a nice coin with nice toning, but not a particularly rare type. For comaparison, I bought my example below for €70 before fees from Artemide, another reputable auction house, in December 2022. That's about fair, I'd say. I can see that Leu's coin might command twice or three times what I paid, but not twenty-one times as much... Roman Republic, moneyer: L. Censor, AR denarius, 82 BC, Rome mint. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo r. Rev: L CENSOR; Marsyas, bald-headed, walking l., with r. arm raised and holding wine-skin over l. shoulder; behind, column bearing statue of Victory. 17.5mm, 4.04g. RRC 363/1d. Or this medieval French gros: A common coin in good shape, albeit with the usual areas of weak strike. I bought mine, which admittedly has some deposits on the obverse, for €60 at retail in 2020: Kingdom of France, under Philippe IV "le Bel" ("the Fair"), AR Gros Tournois à l’O Rond, 1285–1314 AD (struck 1295–1314 AD), Tours mint. Obv: +BHDICTV SIT HOME DHI nRI DEI IhV XPI/+ PhILIPPVS REX, cross pattée; 3-pellet stops. Rev: +TVRONVS°CIVIS, châtel tournois; border of twelve lis. 26mm, 3.93g. Ref: Duplessy 213. Is there maybe something I don't see, like hidden provenances or ultra rare varieties? Or is it just an attempt to fish for buyers who don't have to care about the money?

I've got a couple of older Swiss coins. Here are some from Basel: Bishopric of Basel, probably under Heinrich I. von Horburg, AR “vierzipfliger Pfennig”, ca. 1180–1190 AD. Obv: thick cross with annulets in quadrants. Rev: wheel with six spokes (or: star/flower in circle). 17mm, 0.37g. Ref: HMZ - (see 1-203, uniface issue); Wielandt 49; Slg. Wüthrich 5; Lanz 29, no. 240 (Barbarossa-Fund). Ex Savoca, 39th Silver Auction, lot 390 (unsold); ex Savoca, 29th Blue Auction, lot 1824. Prince-Bishopric of Basel, under Johann II. Senn von Münsingen, Angster ("vierzipfliger Pfennig"), 1335–1365 AD. Obv: head of a bishop wearing mitre (three pellets at each side) left, between B-A, ring above. Rev: negative design (bracteate). 17–20mm, 0.33g. Ref: Wielandt: Basler Münzprägung (1971), 117; HMZ 1–255; Slg. Wüthrich 31; Slg. Bonhoff 1771; Berger 2415–6. Basel, City and Canton, AR "Rappen," after 1498. Obv: crosier ("Baselstab") in shield with three v-shaped ornaments; all in dotted border. Rev: negative design (bracteate). 17.5 mm, 0.27g. Ref: Slg. Wüthrich 66a; HMZ 2–89a. Zurich: Zurich, Imperial Abbey of Fraumünster, "vierzipfliger Pfennig," ca. 1300–1320. Obv: ZVRICh; veiled head of nun facing. Rev: negative design (bracteate). 18mm, 0.40g. Ref: Berger 2472–2475; Schwarz 30; Hürlimann 38; Slg. Wüthrich 208–9; Slg. Bonhoff 1801. Schaffhausen: Schaffhausen, City, AR bracteate penny (“vierzipfliger Pfennig”), mid-13th century. Obv: sheep walking r., star above. Rev: incuse design (bracteate). 17mm, 0.34g. Ref. Berger 2463; Wielandt (Breisgau) 52; HMZ 1-427. St. Gall: Abbey of St. Gall, under Ulrich IV von Tegerfelden, AR bracteate, 1167-1199 AD. Obv: +MONETA•SANCTI•GALLI; bearded bust of St. Gall, with tonsure, facing. Rev: negative design (bracteate). 23mm, 0.46g. Ref: Berger 2568–9; HMZ 1-463; Slg. Bonhoff 1817–8; Slg. Wüthrich 272–5. Zofingen: Zofingen (under the Counts of Froburg), bracteate penny ("vierzipfliger Pfennig"), ca. 1285–1295 AD. Obv: ZOVI; male frontal bust (St. Maurice?) flanked by two stars, crescent above. Rev: incuse design. 18mm . Ref: Berger 2445–6; Slg. Wüthrich 134–5; HMZ I–149a.

In 2022, I didn't buy many coins at all. A few of them came from the following auction houses: Teutoburger Münzauktionen (4) Artemide (2) Savoca (2) Höhn (1) JAZ (1) The two Savoca coins were LRBs of a less common reverse type that sold at a low price, so I would count these as opportunistic bargain purchases. The rest were more expensive coins that I had been actively looking for for at least some time. Especially when it comes to my specialized medieval collecting fields, waiting for a coin to be auctioned at a reasonable price generally pays off. The markups at retail are usually high, and auction prices fluctuate a lot depending on who is bidding. I am the underbidder quite often, but now and then I win something without overpaying...

Congrats on a good collecting year! The Julia Mamaea portrait is, at least in my eyes, of especially good style.

Thanks for the compliments and kind words, everyone! I wish all of you a happy 2023. I can very well understand why. I grew to like that reverse design, too. Dankeschön. Ich hoffe, Du hattest ebenfalls schöne Weihnachten und wünsche Dir ein frohes Neues Jahr! I agree with the two of you – it's quite a cute little critter, isn't it? Thanks! It seems that this type, probably due to a large and well-preserved hoard find, often comes in excellent condition. As @JeandAcre has pointed out above, quite a number of nice examples went to auction recently and sold for reasonable prices. I guess I picked the right time to buy one... Thanks a lot – it has been a lot of work to get there, but now that we moved in, everything looks beautiful and we're happy. Still, my personal lesson from 2022 is that you should probably think (and calculate) thrice before buying a 150 year old historic landmark...