Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted October 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 30, 2022 Let's have a little fun; I thought it would be funny to have a worst of type contest. The winner has bragging rights of worst of type. I poked around on vcoins, but they don't seem to offer gift certificates, anymore. A true worst of type could potentially be an unattributable slick, so I broadened the range to about 50 years, cutting off before the Antony legionary denarii. An attributable, but awful, type can be worse than a slick. I consider that to be much uglier than a slick. Official coins only, no fourrees. Roman Republican denarii of 80-35BC. I'm the thread-starter, so I thought it would be cheating if I participated, especially since my Caesar portrait denarius is wretched enough to be the Ivan Drago of awful coins, a total knockout. I didn't know where to start. I thought about starting with post-360 LRB A3's. It'd have to be a wide range there, as an awful one would be unattributable to ruler. Let's have some fun. It's not meant to insult anyone, just a way to have fun with some of our not so great coins, which many of us have. Perhaps we could get some entrants, whittle them down to 4 or 5 entries, and within a week or two, have a poll voting for the worst one? The thread could be a lot of fun, or a total dud, depending on the level of participation. Most of us are self-deprecating enough to admit that we have at least a few awful coins kicking about. My first coin (well co-first coin, there were two) is a Nero? As?. I think it's in the open tray, where I put the worst of the worst, and my coin photography skills aren't up to snuff. Too bad my coin photography is awful, I have another awful one. Not an entrant, I guess, but can anyone ID it from my wretched attempt of earlier this year? I think it's the type with 10 billion different control marks, although the name of the type eludes me. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted October 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 30, 2022 The symbols are not identified but they are listed as RRC symbol variant 138, Babelon symbol variant 53 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted October 30, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted October 30, 2022 (edited) Thanks! It came from a pick bin (well, pick bags) at a c. 2009 show. My Caesar is much more wretched. This one is just a semi-ugly low-grade one, with a lousy picture. Edited October 30, 2022 by Nerosmyfavorite68 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted October 30, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted October 30, 2022 This is tricky, although that might be because in changing your mind where to start, you've posted in Roman Empire asking for Roman Republic 😁 I don't collect Roman Republic, but I do happen to have some quite terrible Republic denarii. Unfortunately, there's a big gap between my Mark Antony Legionary slick (32-31BC) and my Publius Licinius Nerva brockage (113-112BC), and nothing at all in between. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted October 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 30, 2022 I think we should just save time and confirm the winner - me. I bought this L. Procilius serrate denarius in a lot. Last lot I ever bought. The price was 4 euros/coin. This was the worse in the lot, but the others weren't much better. 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted October 30, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted October 30, 2022 I wasn't paying much attention, is there a Roman republic forum? I'm laughing myself silly! That one is pretty wretched, in a good way! It's still a pretty good deal for 4 Euros, though. I guess mine isn't eligible, but it's still pretty ghastly. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted October 30, 2022 · Patron Share Posted October 30, 2022 There is indeed a Roman Republic forum, but it's okay that your thread is here. I imagine most collectors of Roman coins collect both and follow both forums. This is my most well-worn Republican denarius and it dates from the time period you ask for. Nonetheless, it's one of my favorites! L. Mussidius Longus, Moneyer 42 BC. Roman Republican AR denarius, 3.48 gm, 16.4 mm, 4 h. Rome, 42 BC. Obv: Draped bust of Marc Antony's 3rd wife, Fulvia, as Victory, right. Rev: L·MVSSIDIVS LONGVS, Victory in biga right, holding reins in both hands. Refs: RRC 494/40; BMCRR 4229; RCV 1517; Sydenham 1095; RSC Mussidia 4; Banti Mussidia 613. 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted October 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 30, 2022 3 minutes ago, Roman Collector said: Nonetheless, it's one of my favorites! I can see why. The wear is advanced but the coin is still very attractive. I don't think I have ever seen a more expressive and realistic portrait on an ancient coin. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted October 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 30, 2022 (edited) This one is pretty ugly.... L Papius Denarius Serratus Obv:– Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat skin tied under chin. Behind head, cooking pot with hook. Rev:– Gryphon running right; in ex., L. PAPI.; in field, triple flesh-hook Minted in Rome from B.C. 79. Reference:– RSC Papia 1. RRC 384/1. RCTV 311. Symbol variety – RRC 13. Babelon 13. BMCRR 35. CNR: 1/049. A "Stannard" weight adjustment scoop on the reverse Edited October 30, 2022 by maridvnvm 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted October 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 30, 2022 Or worn almost to oblivion Obv:– Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat skin tied under chin. Behind head, Funnel strainer. Rev:– Gryphon running right; in ex., L. PAPI.; in field, hydria (two-handled vase). Minted in Rome from . B.C. 79. Reference(s) – RSC Papia 1. RRC 384/1. RCTV 311. Symbol variety – RRC 99. Babelon unlisted. BMCRR 99 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay GT4 Posted October 31, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 31, 2022 It is what it is... Mark Antony & Julius Caesar portrait denarius M ANTON IMP R P C Bare head of Mark Antony right, bearded, lituus behind CAESAR DIC Wreathed head of Caesar right, capis behind Gaul, November 43 BC Imperators 123, Crawford 488/2, Sydenham 1166, Cohen 3, BMCRR Gaul 55, 57 3.05g Rare! 12 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted October 31, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted October 31, 2022 I think Jay might win . Do you think the scratches were ancient? I don't have any of the type, so you're one up on me. 'Tis better to have a decrepit example of a rare type than to have none at all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted October 31, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 31, 2022 7 hours ago, maridvnvm said: The symbols are not identified but they are listed as RRC symbol variant 138, Babelon symbol variant 53 If that's your worst, I'd like to see your best! It's great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayAg47 Posted October 31, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 31, 2022 A slick Octavian from 40 BC. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted October 31, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 31, 2022 @DonnaML I posted that coin as a confirmation of the symbols of the OP coin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor LONGINUS Posted November 2, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted November 2, 2022 Great post, @Nerosmyfavorite68, I have some ”Widow’s Mites” that fall into two categories. Budget (very little detail) and Premium (well defined detail). Here also are a few budget Constantines. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akeady Posted November 2, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted November 2, 2022 These must be close to worst of type 😄 I still buy some miserable specimens, but I was worse 😄 Moneyer: Q. Caepio Brutus (M. Junius Brutus) Coin: Silver Denarius BRVTVS - Head of L. Junius Brutus, the Ancient, right AHALA - Head of Caius Servilius Ahala right Mint: Rome (54 BC) Wt./Size/Axis: 3.36g / 17mm / 6h References: RSC 30 (Junia) Sydenham 907 Crawford 433/2 Acquisition: Numismatik Lanz eBay 22-Oct-2011 In ny defence, this next one cost just £3.14 - couldn't really let it go to someone else for less than that! Moneyer: L. Livineius Regulus Coin: Silver Denarius L. REGVLVS PR - Bare head of praetor L. Livineius Regulus right REGVLVS F - Curule chair between two fasces Exergue: PRAEF VR Mint: Rome (42 BC) Wt./Size/Axis: 3.34g / 16mm / 1h References: RSC 8 (Livineia) Sydenham 1113 Crawford 494/31 Acquisition: Den Of Antiquity eBay 24-Feb-2014 ATB, Aidan. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsyas Mike Posted November 2, 2022 · Member Share Posted November 2, 2022 Most of my collection consists of plug-uglies. But rather than share a slick, here is one - a sub-category for off-center strikes, perhaps. I'm afraid the guy working the anvil-end lost a thumb when this one was struck: 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted November 5, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted November 5, 2022 The centering stinks, but one should expect a lot worse than that for $16.50. You did well. In a week or so I'll pick perhaps 3 entrants and attempt to put up a poll. I'm glad that people were good sports about it and realized that it was a fun variant of best of type. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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