Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted December 31, 2022 · Member Share Posted December 31, 2022 (edited) ...to having at least one example of each 'affordable' (sub $600) emperor. I've owned a Viminacium Sestertius of Aemilian since the 1990's but recently I spotted a 190 Euro Antoninianus on vcoins. I also got to try out a new (for me) dealer, the GB Collection. Hats off to the French post - it showed up just as fast as Numiscorner - about 7 days after the order. (French and Dubai post have been the fastest and Deutsche Post the slowest). I also tossed in a couple of Sestertii to the order as a stocking stuffer. I hoped they might be aqua but they are more of a middle green. The coins showed up in those impossible-to-open self-sealing cardboard mailers (they used to be shut by rubber cement and not as bad, IIRC). After much careful tearing and muttering, I finally got into the contents, which were flip-less and each wrapped in a tiny bit of tissue. The one Commodus had come unwrapped, but that probably just happened while trying to open the mailer. Nothing 'seems' to have been damaged. I can always request a flip or such the next time; no huge problem. Would I order again? Yes. The cardboard mailers are only real problems when the coin's thin or fragile. I'm often much more concerned about it breaking while trying to get into the thing. Perhaps it's the fog of time, but I don't recall the 1990's versions to be as hard to open. Now for the praises: I wasn't expecting much of an Aemilian for 190 Euros and had low expectations, but this is a difficult to photograph coin and is much sharper, both obverse and reverse, especially the obverse - than in the picture. This caused the coin to be unsold for long enough for me to get it. I'm quite pleased with my budget example. The throw-ins are pleasant enough and I'm happy with them. I believe they are the first Commodus Sestertii I've acquired since c. 1995. My acquisition also brings up a long-time question. What ethnicity was Aemilian? Aurelius Victor describes him as a 'Moor'. I believe I'm down to just Lucius Verus, Balbinus & Pupienus, Carus, Magnentius and Vetranio, most of whom are easy peasy to pick up. Aemilian AR Antoninianus, Rome, 253. 21 x 22 mm - 3.41 g IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aemilian to right R/ PACI AVG Pax standing left, leaning on column with her legs crossed, holding branch in her right hand and transverse scepter in her left. Cohen 26. RIC 8 (personal note; the deposits are horn silver? coin looks much sharper in person) I purchased this one because of the reverse type. Commodus 177-192 Æ Sestertius, Rome, 186. 28 x 29 mm / 21.25 g M COMMODVS ANT-P FELIX [AVG BRIT] Laureate head right R/ [PM TR P XI IMP VII COS V PP SC]/LIBERA[L AVG VI] in exergue Commodus seated left on curule chair set on daïs; to right, Prefect of the praetorium standing left; to left, Liberalitas standing left, holding abacus and cornucopia; citizen on left mounting steps toward platform. Looks less awful in person - it's only a $30 coin, so one can't expect miracles. I had slight concerns about possible bd from the picture but it's just how the picture came out. RIC III 471a; MIR 18, 691-6/30; Banti 192 VG, green patina Commodus AE Sestertius 22.96 g / 32 mm M COMM ANTON AVG PIVS BRIT Laureate head right R/ VOTA SVSCEP DECEN PM TRP VIIII IMP VII COS IIII PP S-C Commodus sacrifying over tripod left C.988 (6 fr), RIC.441 scratch on reverse green patina I had hoped the Sestertii might be aqua; my favorite patina. They're both closer to forest green. I'm happy with my order and I added another dealer to my list. Edited December 31, 2022 by Nerosmyfavorite68 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted December 31, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted December 31, 2022 @Nerosmyfavorite68 That's a nice addition! The portrait is actually well detailed and I do like a ragged flan...Neat couple of green bronzes too...Congrats 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted December 31, 2022 · Patron Share Posted December 31, 2022 An Aemilian!! That one still eludes me! Well done! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted December 31, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted December 31, 2022 The Liberalitas Sestertius is also considerably less awful than the picture indicates. It's a worn but clear, coin with a smooth, forest green patina. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted December 31, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted December 31, 2022 If Gallus was murdered in August that'd leave one month for control of Rome, if one accepts the September end date of Aemilian. Eutropias said, "Aemilianus came from an extremely insignificant family, his reign was even more insignificant, and he was slain in the third month." (Wikipedia). Perhaps he meant the third month after capturing Rome? Coinage of Aemilian is scarce but not one month level scarce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted January 2, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted January 2, 2023 Still need an Aemilian. That's one I still have to get. I did get a matched set of Balbinus and Pupienus sestertii a couple of years back, each cost more than $600 but I figured if I didn't get both at the same time it might be awhile to find another that I liked. The legend on the Balbinus piece, CONCORDIA AVGG was ironic since the two aged senators hated each other and occupied different parts of the palace, since each thought that the other was plotting against him. They were dispatched by the Praetorian Guard after a reign of three months in favor of the Caesar Gordian. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted January 2, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 2, 2023 ..hey..an Aemillians an Aemilian ain't it?!...very good!.some of these short lived ones are expensive and one may have to hunt around many & long times to find one acceptable and affordable one of my life goals to get them all also....i think i see now why coins collector live so long 😛 9_9...i have two very special denarii of him in my Roman emperors collection ..these were my very 1st auctionhouse buys .from the good folk at Teutobugers 🙂 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted January 2, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 2, 2023 2 hours ago, ominus1 said: ..hey..an Aemillians an Aemilian ain't it?!...very good!.some of these short lived ones are expensive and one may have to hunt around many & long times to find one acceptable and affordable one of my life goals to get them all also....i think i see now why coins collector live so long 😛 9_9...i have two very special denarii of him in my Roman emperors collection ..these were my very 1st auctionhouse buys .from the good folk at Teutobugers 🙂 Those are two masterpieces by the world's most famous forger, Carl Wilhelm Becker, 1772-1830 🤩. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted January 2, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) I wasn't looking for an Aemilian but found two. A dealer in the UK called Copperbark Ltd gave up and sold their inventory in more or less a fire sale. After purchasing the Antoninianus they offered me the Sestertius which I also purchased. Aemilian (Jul-Oct 253) Antoninianus, Rome Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Rev: ERCVL VICTORI, Hercules standing r., resting on club and holding bow and lion's skin on left arm. 3.06g, 21-22mm dia. RCV 9832, RSC 13. Good Very Fine and rare. Ex Baldwin, October 2005. Lot 2167. As an aside, the hammer price in 2005 was £150 and I bought if in 2021 for £125. As someone more erudite than I mentioned, prices move up and down over the years so best not to pursue this hobby as an investment. This is the Sestertius. Aemilian (Jul-Oct 253) Sestertius, Rome Obv: IMP CAES AEMILIANVS P F AVG Rev: VOTIS / DECENNA / LIBVS / S C in four lines within laurel wreath. 14.11g, 25-27mm dia. RCV 9862, RIC 54(a). I'm following the same journey as @Nerosmyfavorite68 and have had a reasonable couple of years finalising my year of the five Emperors in July when I found an affordable Didius Julianus at the FUN show. Edited January 2, 2023 by Dafydd Poor grammar! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted January 3, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 3, 2023 (edited) On 12/31/2022 at 11:08 AM, Nerosmyfavorite68 said: I purchased this one because of the reverse type. that is kool...i like those reverse types also but alas, i don't any yet(of anyone, but looking at a couple of Philip ll ones) Edited January 3, 2023 by ominus1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julius Germanicus Posted January 3, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 3, 2023 Here are my Antoninianus and Sestertius of Aemilian (the Ant despite it's way superior quality has to go soon because I will concentrate entirely on big bronzes): IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG - Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / PACI AVG - Pax standing facing, head left, legs crossed, holding olive-branch and transverse sceptre and resting on column Silver Antoninianus, Rome mint, struck August-October 253 RIC 8, RSC 26, Hunter 13, Sear 9838 IMP CAES AEMILIANVS P F AVG - laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VOTIS DECENNALIBVS SC in four lines within laurel wreath Orichalcum Sestertius, Rome mint, struck ca. August 253 AD 29mm / 11,28 g RIC IV 54a (RRR), Cohen 67, Hunter 25, Sear 9862, Banti 18 (same obverse die) 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jims,Coins Posted January 5, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 5, 2023 Silver Coin (AR Antoninianus) minted at Rome during the reign of AEMILIAN in 253 A.D. Obv. IMP.AEMILIANVS.PIVS.FEL.AVG.: Rev. ROMAE.AETERN.: Roma standing l., holding Phoenix on globe and holding spear. RCS #2860. RICIV #9. DVM #12. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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