top 10 Julius Germanicus´ Top 10 Sestertii of 2022

[Julius Germanicus]

It's THAT time of the year, so here are my ten favourites (of the 13 coins I bought this year). Please choose your favourites and let me know why you picked them!

I wish you all happy holidays and a better 2023!!!

JG 

 

1.     Agrippina Minor

A holy grail coin for me. Even the British Museum apparently does not have a Sestertius of the younger Agrippina.

AGRIPPINA AVG GERMANICI F CAESARIS AVG - Draped bust of Agrippina Junior right /
(no legend) – Carpentum left, drawn by two mules, the cover supported by standing figures.
Sestertius, uncertain Balkan mint, AD 51-54 (struck under Claudius)
32mm / 26.99 g / 6h
Cohen -; BMCRE Claudius p. 195 note and plate 37.3, RIC I (Claudius) 103 (R3); Sear 1910; H.-M. von Kaenel “Britannicus, Agrippina Minor und Nero in Thrakien”, SNR 63 (1984), p. 130 ff, Type A (7 specimens) and plate 24, 30 (same obverse die); Cayon “Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano” Vol. 1 (1984), 1 (80.000 SFR) and plate p.74 (same reverse die)

ex CNG E-Auction 525 (19.10.2022), lot 1045

 

2. Hadrian

My first “Travel Sestertius” and, after completing the one-Sestertius-per person series, hopefully the start of a Hadrian sub-collection

HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP - Bare-headed draped bust of Hadrian right 

AEGYPTOS - Ægyptos reclining left, leaning left elbow on a basket of fruit, holding up sistrum in right hand, ibis on column in front

Sestertius, Rome  130-133 AD

32 mm / 24.86g 

RIC (old) 838c = RIC (new) 1595; BMCRE 1692; Cohen 110; Sear 3572; Banti 42 (3 specimens), Cayon 81 (800 SFR) 

ex Dix Noonan Webb Auction 257 (13,07.2022), lot 990

 

3. Caracalla Caesar

Rare and with a nice youthful portrait of the later tyrant

M AVR ANTONINVS CAES - Bareheaded and draped juvenile bust of Caracalla Caesar to right, seen three quarters from behind 
SEVERI AVG PII FIL S C - Pontifical and augural implements: lituus, secespita, patera, guttus, simpulum, and aspergillum
Sestertius, Rome December 195 AD (4th officina, 11 th Emission of Septimius Severus)
30,0 mm / 16.31 g / 12 h
RIC IV 400 (R2); BMCRE V 150, 611; Cohen 585; Sear RCV 6685; Banti 124 (6 specimens); Clay obv.die 313 / rev. die 459
ex CGB Monnaies 24 (24.06.2005) lot 450 and Auctiones eAuction 74 (12.12.2021) lot 60

 

4. Domitian  GERMANIA CAPTA

Iconic type. David Sear and Künker see no reasons for this not being genuine, and an X-Ray fluorescence analysis turned out a content of 83 % copper, 15 % zinc, and traces of tin and lead. This corresponds exactly with the copper-to-zinc-relation to be expected for a Sestertius of Domitian (even more than that of any other 1st century roman Emperor) according to this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6722059/

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT PP – Laureate bust of Domitian right, wearing Aegis on his left shoulder
GERMANIA CAPTA S C – Germania, as mourning female captive, supporting head with right hand, elbow on knee, seated left on crossed shields at base of trophy of arms; German captive, his hands bound behind his back, standing right, wearing Chlamys, head left, shield to right, helmet on ground
Sestertius, Rome mint, 85 A.D.
35 mm / 25,76 g
278 a (old) = RIC II 351 (new); BMCRE 325; Cohen 136; Sear 2765, Cayon 17 (6 specimens, 1.600 SFR)

 

5. Septimius Severus

A super portrait

L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP V – Laureate head of Septimius Severus right 

SAECVLI FELICITAS S C – Felicitas standing left, right foot on prow, holding caduceus and cornucopiae

Sestertius, Rome 195 AD

31,5 mm / 23,53 gr / 12 h

RIC 692a (R 1), BMCRE 560, Sear 6439, Banti 145 (3 specimens, same dies as illustrated)

 

6. Julia Mamaea

An overall nice Sestertius for this Empress

IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA - Draped bust of Julia Mamaea right

FELICITAS PVBLICA S C - Felicitas standing facing, head left, legs crossed, holding caduceus in right hand and resting left arm on column

Sestertius, Rome 228 A.D.

30 mm / 21,72 gr

RIC 676, BMCRE 487, Sear 8228, Banti 7 (64 specimens)

 

7. Domitian IOVI VICTORI

I like the Jupiter reverse and the pure Orichalcum colour

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P - Laureate bust of Domitian right, with Aegis on neck

IOVI VICTORI S C -Jupiter seated left. holding winged Victory in his right hand and a scepter in his left hand

35 mm / 26,70 gr

Sestertius, Rome 85 AD

RIC (old) 279a, BMCRE 327, Sear -, Cayon 33

 

8. Antoninus Pius

Nice portrait, metal and strike (too bad about the corroded reverse)

ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII - Laureate head of Antoninus Pius right 
COS IIII S C - Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae
Sestertius, Rome AD 148
33 mm / 27,2 gr
RIC 855; BMCRE 1823; Banti 100 (53 specimens)

 

9. Divus Lucius Verus

Big and chunky, my first consecration Sestertius of a Roman Emperor

DIVVS VERVS - Bare head of Lucius Verus right 

CONSECRATIO - Pyramidal crematorium of four storeys, with base adorned with draperies and three festoons, inward-opening door and four statues on second level, four statues on third and three on fourth level, the apex surmounted by statue of Lucius Verus in facing quadriga

Sestertius, Rome, March-December 169 AD

34,5 mm / 26,69 g / 5 h

RIC 1511 (R2), BMCRE 1366 var., Sear 5208 var., Banti 42 (5 specimens)

 

10. Sabina

Worn but very rare with left facing portrait

SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI - Diademed and draped bust of Sabina left, hair in plait down neck

PVDICITIA S C - Pudicitia enthroned left, her right hand raised to mouth, left resting on hip

Sestertius, Rome ca. 133-133 AD

32 mm / 22,9 gr

RIC (old) 1032b = RIC (new) 2532 (R2, specimens in Paris and Vienna), Sear -; Banti 23 (one specimen = the Paris coin), Cayon 21 (950 SFR)

 

 

[Roman Collector]

Lovely acquisitions for your collection! Well done! May 2023 be just as productive for your collection.

[Spaniard]

Nice line up and great to see them all in big bronzes!

I really like the youthful Caracalla portrait but all are lovely pieces!

Congrats.

[CPK]

Congratulations on a fine year's worth of acquisitions! My favorite is the Domitian Germania Capta.

[ambr0zie]

I am very glad the Germania Capta has proven genuine.

[expat]

Wonderful selection, I like them all but if forced to choose, I voted 4 and 2

[Ocatarinetabellatchitchix]

1 hour ago, Julius Germanicus said:

after completing the one-Sestertius-per person series

Fantastic acquisitions Jens. But I have a special request: one day, would it be possible to admire a picture of the whole series together ? 🤔

[Julius Germanicus]

2 hours ago, Ocatarinetabellatchitchix said:

Fantastic acquisitions Jens. But I have a special request: one day, would it be possible to admire a picture of the whole series together ? 🤔

Sure, why not make that day today 😅. By coincidence I just visited the bank safe this week, so here is the series together on one picture as of today then: 70 emperors and relatives in Sestertius format plus 8 more on middle bronzes and one on a bronze medallion:

 

[happy_collector]

Great acquisitions, @Julius Germanicus. I like your Top 10 theme of all coins sestertius. 🙂

My favorite is your Agrippina Junior sestertius. Nice pickup! Large size and good portrait. I am new to this coin design. At first sight, I thought it is an Agrippina Senior coin. It is interesting that both Agrippina Senior and Junior have similar sestertius design.  

[Julius Germanicus]

5 hours ago, happy_collector said:

Great acquisitions, @Julius Germanicus. I like your Top 10 theme of all coins sestertius. 🙂

My favorite is your Agrippina Junior sestertius. Nice pickup! Large size and good portrait. I am new to this coin design. At first sight, I thought it is an Agrippina Senior coin. It is interesting that both Agrippina Senior and Junior have similar sestertius design.  

Agrippina Junior’s Sestertii were obviously influenced by those of her mother. The main difference (apart from the portrait and the obverse legend) is the absence of the MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE on the reverse, which would have been anachronistic as she was (unlike her mother at the time of minting of the Elder’s coins under Caligula) still very much alive (the first ruling Empress with her portrait on the obverse of a Roman coin). Also there is no SC, similar to a Medallion. Maybe these coins were not intended for general circulation but just handed out to the local legions. 

[Spaniard]

WOW! That's Impressive!🤩

[happy_collector]

59 minutes ago, Julius Germanicus said:

Agrippina Junior’s Sestertii were obviously influenced by those of her mother. The main difference (apart from the portrait and the obverse legend) is the absence of the MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE on the reverse, which would have been anachronistic as she was (unlike her mother at the time of minting of the Elder’s coins under Caligula) still very much alive (the first ruling Empress with her portrait on the obverse of a Roman coin). Also there is no SC, similar to a Medallion. Maybe these coins were not intended for general circulation but just handed out to the local legions. 

Many thanks for your useful info.  🙂

[Limes]

Great coins, all of them! Even though your Agrippina Minor is something really special, it's the Hadrian that really attracts me. And the Germania Capta is my second favorite. Glad you got certainty about its autenticity 🙂 You had a great collecting year, overall! 

[Al Kowsky]

22 hours ago, Julius Germanicus said:

It's THAT time of the year, so here are my ten favourites (of the 13 coins I bought this year). Please choose your favourites and let me know why you picked them!

I wish you all happy holidays and a better 2023!!!

JG 

 

1.     Agrippina Minor

A holy grail coin for me. Even the British Museum apparently does not have a Sestertius of the younger Agrippina.

 

AGRIPPINA AVG GERMANICI F CAESARIS AVG - Draped bust of Agrippina Junior right /
(no legend) – Carpentum left, drawn by two mules, the cover supported by standing figures.
Sestertius, uncertain Balkan mint, AD 51-54 (struck under Claudius)
32mm / 26.99 g / 6h
Cohen -; BMCRE Claudius p. 195 note and plate 37.3, RIC I (Claudius) 103 (R3); Sear 1910; H.-M. von Kaenel “Britannicus, Agrippina Minor und Nero in Thrakien”, SNR 63 (1984), p. 130 ff, Type A (7 specimens) and plate 24, 30 (same obverse die); Cayon “Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano” Vol. 1 (1984), 1 (80.000 SFR) and plate p.74 (same reverse die)

ex CNG E-Auction 525 (19.10.2022), lot 1045

 

2. Hadrian

My first “Travel Sestertius” and, after completing the one-Sestertius-per person series, hopefully the start of a Hadrian sub-collection

HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP - Bare-headed draped bust of Hadrian right 

AEGYPTOS - Ægyptos reclining left, leaning left elbow on a basket of fruit, holding up sistrum in right hand, ibis on column in front

Sestertius, Rome  130-133 AD

32 mm / 24.86g 

RIC (old) 838c = RIC (new) 1595; BMCRE 1692; Cohen 110; Sear 3572; Banti 42 (3 specimens), Cayon 81 (800 SFR) 

ex Dix Noonan Webb Auction 257 (13,07.2022), lot 990

 

3. Caracalla Caesar

Rare and with a nice youthful portrait of the later tyrant

M AVR ANTONINVS CAES - Bareheaded and draped juvenile bust of Caracalla Caesar to right, seen three quarters from behind 
SEVERI AVG PII FIL S C - Pontifical and augural implements: lituus, secespita, patera, guttus, simpulum, and aspergillum
Sestertius, Rome December 195 AD (4th officina, 11 th Emission of Septimius Severus)
30,0 mm / 16.31 g / 12 h
RIC IV 400 (R2); BMCRE V 150, 611; Cohen 585; Sear RCV 6685; Banti 124 (6 specimens); Clay obv.die 313 / rev. die 459
ex CGB Monnaies 24 (24.06.2005) lot 450 and Auctiones eAuction 74 (12.12.2021) lot 60

 

4. Domitian  GERMANIA CAPTA

Iconic type. David Sear and Künker see no reasons for this not being genuine, and an X-Ray fluorescence analysis turned out a content of 83 % copper, 15 % zinc, and traces of tin and lead. This corresponds exactly with the copper-to-zinc-relation to be expected for a Sestertius of Domitian (even more than that of any other 1st century roman Emperor) according to this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6722059/

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT PP – Laureate bust of Domitian right, wearing Aegis on his left shoulder
GERMANIA CAPTA S C – Germania, as mourning female captive, supporting head with right hand, elbow on knee, seated left on crossed shields at base of trophy of arms; German captive, his hands bound behind his back, standing right, wearing Chlamys, head left, shield to right, helmet on ground
Sestertius, Rome mint, 85 A.D.
35 mm / 25,76 g
278 a (old) = RIC II 351 (new); BMCRE 325; Cohen 136; Sear 2765, Cayon 17 (6 specimens, 1.600 SFR)

 

5. Septimius Severus

A super portrait

L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP V – Laureate head of Septimius Severus right 

SAECVLI FELICITAS S C – Felicitas standing left, right foot on prow, holding caduceus and cornucopiae

Sestertius, Rome 195 AD

31,5 mm / 23,53 gr / 12 h

RIC 692a (R 1), BMCRE 560, Sear 6439, Banti 145 (3 specimens, same dies as illustrated)

 

6. Julia Mamaea

An overall nice Sestertius for this Empress

IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA - Draped bust of Julia Mamaea right

FELICITAS PVBLICA S C - Felicitas standing facing, head left, legs crossed, holding caduceus in right hand and resting left arm on column

Sestertius, Rome 228 A.D.

30 mm / 21,72 gr

RIC 676, BMCRE 487, Sear 8228, Banti 7 (64 specimens)

 

7. Domitian IOVI VICTORI

I like the Jupiter reverse and the pure Orichalcum colour

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P - Laureate bust of Domitian right, with Aegis on neck

IOVI VICTORI S C -Jupiter seated left. holding winged Victory in his right hand and a scepter in his left hand

35 mm / 26,70 gr

Sestertius, Rome 85 AD

RIC (old) 279a, BMCRE 327, Sear -, Cayon 33

 

8. Antoninus Pius

Nice portrait, metal and strike (too bad about the corroded reverse)

ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII - Laureate head of Antoninus Pius right 
COS IIII S C - Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae
Sestertius, Rome AD 148
33 mm / 27,2 gr
RIC 855; BMCRE 1823; Banti 100 (53 specimens)

 

9. Divus Lucius Verus

Big and chunky, my first consecration Sestertius of a Roman Emperor

DIVVS VERVS - Bare head of Lucius Verus right 

CONSECRATIO - Pyramidal crematorium of four storeys, with base adorned with draperies and three festoons, inward-opening door and four statues on second level, four statues on third and three on fourth level, the apex surmounted by statue of Lucius Verus in facing quadriga

Sestertius, Rome, March-December 169 AD

34,5 mm / 26,69 g / 5 h

RIC 1511 (R2), BMCRE 1366 var., Sear 5208 var., Banti 42 (5 specimens)

 

10. Sabina

Worn but very rare with left facing portrait

SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI - Diademed and draped bust of Sabina left, hair in plait down neck

PVDICITIA S C - Pudicitia enthroned left, her right hand raised to mouth, left resting on hip

Sestertius, Rome ca. 133-133 AD

32 mm / 22,9 gr

RIC (old) 1032b = RIC (new) 2532 (R2, specimens in Paris and Vienna), Sear -; Banti 23 (one specimen = the Paris coin), Cayon 21 (950 SFR)

 

 

J.G., Congrats on a sensational year 😊! My favorite has to be #1, the Agrippina Jr. sestertius 😍. The iconic reverse depiction on this coin speaks loudly without words 😶. My next favorite is #4, the Germania Capta sestertius of Domitian, because the reverse composition is a wonderful expression of Roman propaganda 🤩. If you don't mind, I'm curious what you paid for the X-Ray fluorescence analysis test 🤔? Many thanks for posting the group photos of your awesome sestertius collection 😄.

[Hughie Dwyer]

Very nice additions. I voted for 5 coins but could have voted for more. The coins that I felt deserved my votes were numbers 1,2,3,5 and 8. 

[GregH]

On 12/19/2022 at 3:30 AM, Julius Germanicus said:

Sure, why not make that day today 😅. By coincidence I just visited the bank safe this week, so here is the series together on one picture as of today then: 70 emperors and relatives in Sestertius format plus 8 more on middle bronzes and one on a bronze medallion:

 

These are freaking awesome! Some very rare pieces here too - Gordians I & II... I think i see Plotina (or is that one of Trajan's other ladies?).

i like that the patinas are consistent too - makes them look like they belong to one big family.

I'm all over the shop with my one-per-ruler collection - mine is a mix of silver and bronze!

 

[Sulla80]

@Julius Germanicus, congratulations on the nice additions - I could have easily voted for any of them - I like the weight of a sestertius.  I picked the left facing Sabina - because it is left facing, I like the AGRIPPINA, because it is Agrippina and overall an attractive coin, and I picked the Severus for the lovely color and portrait.  I could continue with the young Caracalla, but that eventually would have me listing all 10.  Best wishes for 2023!

[Julius Germanicus]

On 12/19/2022 at 12:45 PM, Al Kowsky said:

J.G., Congrats on a sensational year 😊! My favorite has to be #1, the Agrippina Jr. sestertius 😍. The iconic reverse depiction on this coin speaks loudly without words 😶. My next favorite is #4, the Germania Capta sestertius of Domitian, because the reverse composition is a wonderful expression of Roman propaganda 🤩. If you don't mind, I'm curious what you paid for the X-Ray fluorescence analysis test 🤔? Many thanks for posting the group photos of your awesome sestertius collection 😄.

Hi Al and thank you very much!

My local coin dealer put the Domitian in his scanner for free :-). It helps the validity of the result by the way when the coin analyzed (like mine) does not have a thick patina because otherwise the chemic composition of the outer layer will be affected.

[Julius Germanicus]

On 12/20/2022 at 12:04 AM, GregH said:

These are freaking awesome! Some very rare pieces here too - Gordians I & II... I think i see Plotina (or is that one of Trajan's other ladies?).

i like that the patinas are consistent too - makes them look like they belong to one big family.

I'm all over the shop with my one-per-ruler collection - mine is a mix of silver and bronze!

 

Thanks Greg!

The rarest Emperor on a  Sestertius seen here is actually Tiberius, whose portrait is even harder to find on a large bronze than that of Gordian I or II, despite his reign being longer in YEARS than that of the Gordians in DAYS.

Yes, that is Plotina. Marciana and Matidia will be next on my list. A (very humble) Sestertius of Britannicus is still within reach (about as rare as Agrippina Junior but in higher demand and more expensive), while I can live without bronzes of Valerian II and Saloninus (small, ugly, yet still costly). Domitia, Plautilla, and Annia Faustina in Sestertius format are impossible to get with only about two of each in private hands, while those of Tranquillina are ALL modern fakes (despite being listed by Sear, Burns and others). Have I missed any?

Season´s greetings, JG

 

[GregH]

53 minutes ago, Julius Germanicus said:

Thanks Greg!

The rarest Emperor on a  Sestertius seen here is actually Tiberius, whose portrait is even harder to find on a large bronze than that of Gordian I or II, despite his reign being longer in YEARS than that of the Gordians in DAYS.

Yes, that is Plotina. Marciana and Matidia will be next on my list. A (very humble) Sestertius of Britannicus is still within reach (about as rare as Agrippina Junior but in higher demand and more expensive), while I can live without bronzes of Valerian II and Saloninus (small, ugly, yet still costly). Domitia, Plautilla, and Annia Faustina in Sestertius format are impossible to get with only about two of each in private hands, while those of Tranquillina are ALL modern fakes (despite being listed by Sear, Burns and others). Have I missed any?

Season´s greetings, JG

 

Did you miss any? Do you have a sestertius of Domitilla I? I believe these have the "carpentum drawn by two mules" obverse - no portrait sestertii though. 

For my own portrait series, I've had to settle for provincials of Annia Faustina and Tranquilina. I still need Plotina, Marciana and Matidia - although I'm not really fussed about denomination.

[Qcumbor]

I voted for Agrippina, Septimius and Divus Verus, but tomorrow might be different. Greta group of spectacular denominations

Q