Jay GT4 Posted January 3, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 3, 2023 As fellow Flavian fanatics, both @David Athertonand @Orfew wanted to see my top 10 coins of 2022. Although not intentional, my acquisitions were heavily weighted this year towards Titus and the list bears that out. One non-Flavian I just had to buy because I always wanted one and why not?. Some real rarities in the list and some historically important coins. One submitted for the RIC addenda. I hope you enjoy. Thanks for looking. #10 Titus RPC 1968 McAlle plate coin ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΤΙΤΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ ΟΥΕΣΠ Laureate head right with aegisΕΤΟΥΣ Γ ΙΕΡΟΥ Eagle standing left with wreath in beak on palm branch; club in left field Caesarea Maritima 70 CE (Group 6, year3) 14.25g RPC 1968/2 (this coin); McAlee 380 (this coin) noted as "MC" (My coin) from his own collection; Prieur 141, A rare coin! Ex-CGB: Ex-McAlee plate coin from his own collection; Ex-Empire 3, May 5th 1985; ex-Schulten, Nov 8, 1982, lot 301) Part of a small series of tetradrachms struck in Caesarea Maritima shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. After its fall, Titus spent three days outside the city handing out rewards and spoils to his troops. "Then descending with his army to Caesarea Maritima, he there deposited the bulk of his spoils and directed that his prisoners should be kept in custody; for the winter season prevented his sailing for Italy" (Josephus) It has been suggested this series of tetradrachms was struck during Titus' time in Caesaera. The style is fairly crude and is similar to other bronze coins attributed to Caesarea Maritima. Silver quality is not standardized, which gives evidence of a military issue. Being stuck just days or weeks after the fall of Jerusalem, surely these were part of the rewards Titus distributed to the troops. #9 Vespasian RPC 1965 The companion to the above Titus ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙΣ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝ Laureate bust of Vespasian right with aegisETOYΣ Γ IEPOY Eagle standing left with wreath in beak on palm branch; club in left field Caesarea Maritima mint, 70-71 CE 13.63g RPC 1965 (1 spec.). Prieur 129. Ex-Cgb Rare. Only two others in Forum galleries (Atherton, Alberto) Part of a small series of tetradrachms struck in Caesarea Maritima shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. #8 Ionia Phokaia Hekte Electrum I've always wanted an electrum piece and this year I was finally able to acquire one! Female head to left; below neck, seal swimming left. Quadripartite incuse square. Hekte, Electrum 2.48g Circa 478-387 BCE Bodenstedt 90. Boston 1922. SNG von Aulock 2127 Ex-Calgary coin A nicely centered late electrum piece #7 Vespasian and Titus Year One Alexandrian Tetradrachm AYT TIT ΦΛAYI OYEΣΠAΣIAN KAIΣ Head of Vespasian, laureate, right, date LA before neckΦΛΑΥΙ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ Laureate and cuirassed bust of Titus right with gorgoneion on breast plate Alexandria, Egypt 1 July - 28 Aug 69 CE 11.77g RPC 2405 (6 spec.) Rare! Ex-CNG e-auction 514, lot 335 The Roman legions in Alexandria proclaimed Vespasian emperor on 1 July 69 CE. This coin was struck within the two months before the Egyptian new year began on 29 August 69 CE. A fairly rare type that doesn't come to market often compared with year 2 coins. #6 Vespasian "O" Mint AE Very rare! IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVGVST Laureate head rightPON MAX TR P P P COS VIII CENS; S C low in field Caduceus, winged, between crossed cornucopiae Uncertain Asia Minor; "O" mint? Ephesus? 77-78 CE 3.75g; 20mm RIC 1508 (R2); RPC 1477A (3 specimens) Ex-Pavlos S. Pavlou An incredible series from an unknown Eastern mint. Even the denominations are uncertain and classified in RIC as 1. (Large) 11g; 2 (Medium) 8g; 3 (Medium-small)3.5-4g; 4 (Small) 2.5g. RIC simply calls them Mint(s) of Asia Minor (uncertain: Ephesus?) While M. Grant links them to the mysterious "O" mint. Either way, all the bronze coins from this issue are fairly rare. Only 3 specimens in RPC online and 1 in the David Atherton collection of this type. #5 Titus quadriga denarius T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS Laureate head leftTR POT VIII COS VII Quadriga left with flower Rome, 79 CE to June 24 3.07g RIC 1074V (R) Ex-Classic World Coins (Switzerland) Although only rated as Rare, this coin with the left facing portrait has been elusive in the market place. Only one example in Forum galleries (Atherton, ex-Sneh). One other example on acsearch, die matched to this specimen. #4 Titus Judaea Capta triumph denarius T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT Laureate head right Titus standing right, with branch and sceptre in quadriga right Rome, 72-73 CE before CENS 3.15g RIC 371V (R2) Ex-Kolner The reverse depicts Titus in Quadriga during the Judaea Capta Triumph held in 71 CE. Issued both in Rome and Antioch, this is a much rarer Rome mint example. Only 3 others in Forum Galleries (1 Atherton, 2 Nemo) #3 Titus quinarius very rare! T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN Laureate head rightVICTORIA AVGVST Victory seated left with wreath and palm Rome, 75 CE? 1.47g RIC 809 (R3) die matched to the Sneh coin Legends begin from high left. Ex-ANE From RIC: "Assigned to this year because there are no dated quinarii of 75, and the appearance of either AVGVST or AVGVSTI on the reverse suggests transition between the earlier series, up to 74 (with AVGVSTI) and later series, 76 onwards (with AVGVST). #2 Titus sestertius second known T CAESAR VESPASIAN IMP IIII PON TR POT II COS II Laureate head rightPAX AVGVSTI SC Pax standing left with branch and cornucopiae Rome 1 July 72-June 30, 73 CE 21.57g RIC 496 (R3) Submitted to Ian Carradice and will be included in the upcoming Addenda Ex-Incitatus An extremely rare coin not illustrated in the RIC plates, only citing one example in the Museo Nazionale Roma. None on acsearch or in Forum's galleries. Dare I say second known example? The entire series from 72 is very rare, this perhaps being the rarest. #1 Titus Gold aureus I've always wanted an aureus and this year I was able to afford this decent example. Not my rarest or best preserved coin, but it is my favorite from 2022. T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN Laureate head of Titus rightCOS V Cow (heifer)standing right Rome, 76 CE 6.84g RIC 857 (C) EX-Stephen Album Auction 43 lot 69 It has been proposed that the cow depicted on this type is one of the famous statues by the fifth century BCE Greek sculptor Myron. Myron's statues were brought to Rome by Augustus and were placed in the temple of Apollo on the Palatine in 28 BCE. Vespasian moved them to the new Temple of Pax that he began constructing in 71 CE, to celebrate the end of the Jewish War. I may add some honorable mentions if anyone is interested... Thanks for looking. 18 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted January 3, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 3, 2023 Beautiful coins! Of course my favorite is the aureus. 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted January 3, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 3, 2023 Of course I like all of them, but the aureus has to be #1. You had a great year! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay GT4 Posted January 3, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted January 3, 2023 I just realized I forgot about this one! So I will add it as a tie for 2nd place. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM Laureate head leftTR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P Ceres seated left with corn ears, poppy and torch Rome, after July 1, 79 CE 2.87g RIC 23 (R3) Ex-Biga Online auction 7, lot 768 This is the third known example of an extremely rare type. One from the Harry Sneh collection sold at the Gemini IX sale, 8 January, lot 333 (RIC reference coin, no image). The second example is found in the David Atherton collection. This being the 3rd, shares both obverse and reverse dies with the Atherton coin. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted January 3, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 3, 2023 Nice list! My two favorites are the Vespasian/Titus Alexandria and the Aureus. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted January 3, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 3, 2023 (edited) Very nice additions! Since I got my first gold one this year and it also being a coin from the Flavian era, your aureus obviously would be my no. 1 too. Another favorite is your no. 4, with the lovely portrait and interesting reverse! Edited January 3, 2023 by Limes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted January 3, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 3, 2023 Lovely selection with some rare pieces! Really like the Vespasian portrait #7, the Titus portrait #4 & of course the aureus...Congrats & thanks for sharing.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay GT4 Posted January 3, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted January 3, 2023 Thanks for the kind words guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panzerman Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 Congrats on your new additions. I would pick #10/ 9 and the #1 as my picks! John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orfew Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 A great list Jay. I love #5 the Titus quadriga. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay GT4 Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted January 4, 2023 Thanks Andrew, I like both quadriga types but #4 has an interesting portrait for Titus and the solid connection to the Judaea Capta Triumph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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