David Atherton Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 (edited) Yes, I needed this variety, but it was the old provenance that attracted me to the piece. Sometimes the coins come with a secondary history ... Domitian Æ Sestertius, 21.65g Rome mint, 81 AD Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; S C in field; Minerva adv. r., with spear and shield RIC 76 (C). BMC 260. BNC 274. Acquired from Marc Breitsprecher, December 2022. Ex Librairie Numismatique Monnaies & Medailles, E. Boudeau, Paris. While Domitian's initial denarius output is dominated by the carry-over pulvinar types struck by Titus, his first issue of sestertii have a more personal touch with the reverses featuring his patron deity Minerva. These first bronze coins were not struck in massive quantities and likely date between mid October and 31 December 81. The reverse legend indicates he is consul for the seventh time and has already been voted consul for the eighth time beginning 1 January 82. This coin comes with an interesting old provenance as noted by Marc Breitsprecher: "Includes old yellowed paper envelope from the coin dealer Librairie Numismatique Monnaies & Medailles, E. Boudeau Expert, 11 Rue Ramaeu, Paris - dating prior to 1912 - with dealer name printed on the envelope - coin description and price (3.45 francs, about 70 cents) hand-written in French with an ink pen. Élie Boudeau (1853-1912) was a politician and numismatist in late 19th century-early 20th century Paris. He served in the 5th legislature of the Third French Republic from 12 November 1889 to 14 October 1893. He owned a shop in the numismatic district of Paris at 11 Rue Rameau, only a stones throw from the Bibliotheque Nationale and one block from the Rue Vivienne where several coin shops, including CGB, still exist today." One wonders how this envelope stayed paired with the coin throughout the intervening 100 plus years and ended up in the hands of an American coin seller in the 21st century. Feel free to post your coins with old provenances. As always, thank you for looking! Edited January 4, 2023 by David Atherton 15 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevikens Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 Thanks for the write up and I am sure the coin is now in the hands of someone who appreciates its quintessence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 5 hours ago, David Atherton said: Yes, I needed this variety, but it was the old provenance that attracted me to the piece. Sometimes the coins come with a secondary history ... Domitian Æ Sestertius, 21.65g Rome mint, 81 AD Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; S C in field; Minerva adv. r., with spear and shield RIC 76 (C). BMC 260. BNC 274. Acquired from Marc Breitsprecher, December 2022. Ex Librairie Numismatique Monnaies & Medailles, E. Boudeau, Paris. While Domitian's initial denarius output is dominated by the carry-over pulvinar types struck by Titus, his first issue of sestertii have a more personal touch with the reverses featuring his patron deity Minerva. These first bronze coins were not struck in massive quantities and likely date between mid October and 31 December 81. The reverse legend indicates he is consul for the seventh time and has already been voted consul for the eighth time beginning 1 January 82. This coin comes with an interesting old provenance as noted by Marc Breitsprecher: "Includes old yellowed paper envelope from the coin dealer Librairie Numismatique Monnaies & Medailles, E. Boudeau Expert, 11 Rue Ramaeu, Paris - dating prior to 1912 - with dealer name printed on the envelope - coin description and price (3.45 francs, about 70 cents) hand-written in French with an ink pen. Élie Boudeau (1853-1912) was a politician and numismatist in late 19th century-early 20th century Paris. He served in the 5th legislature of the Third French Republic from 12 November 1889 to 14 October 1893. He owned a shop in the numismatic district of Paris at 11 Rue Rameau, only a stones throw from the Bibliotheque Nationale and one block from the Rue Vivienne where several coin shops, including CGB, still exist today." One wonders how this envelope stayed paired with the coin throughout the intervening 100 plus years and ended up in the hands of an American coin seller in the 21st century. Feel free to post your coins with old provenances. As always, thank you for looking! Lovely patina on that sestertius ☺️. I always marvel at the beautiful penmanship of the "old timers" who used dip pens instead of ballpoint & flair tip pens that people use today 😍. Believe it or not, when I was in school we were also taught to use dip pens for writing, although my mastery of that writing technique never approached anything like your small paper envelope ☹️. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay GT4 Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 (edited) Great coin David and the envelope is cool, but don't get @NewStyleKing started on provenance🤪 I have several 50-100+ year old provenances. This one though is my favorite. It's a low grade example of a common type but I bought it because of the provenance. I wanted to ensure the story stayed with the coin. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS VIII PP Laureate head of Vespasian right SC Eagle standing facing on globe, head right, wings spread Lugdunum mint 77-78 AD 8.77g RIC 1237 (C3); Sear 2362 From the collection of Gordon Wyatt Goldfinch (1895-1918) of Elfindale Road, London. With hand written old ticket citing #209 collection number. Ex-Artancient Ltd. Private Goldfinch was a passionate collector of Imperial Roman coinage. His personal catalog of coins dates to August 1910 when he was just 15 years of age. Goldfinch volunteered for service in 1914 with the 2nd London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. He died in service on March 28th, 1918 at the age of 23. Edited January 4, 2023 by Jay GT4 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orfew Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 Very nice David. Im a sucker for interesting coins of Domitian. It features a nice sympathetic portrait as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted January 5, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 5, 2023 RR aes rude - part of a bar. From Castelfranco hoard found in Emilia Romagna near Bologna, Ital 1885. Grade: VF-EF | Abbreviations Catalog: Vecchi vergl. Plate 2 Material: Bronze Weight: 463.62 g Antike Römische Republik/ Nordetrurien aes rude, 463,62g, Fragment eines Barrens, annähernd dreieckiges Bruchstück eines 40mm dicken Barrens, stark eisenhaltige Bronze vgl. Haeberlin S. 13 Depotfund von Castelfranco dell`Emilia 1898 Aus der Sammlung Eberhard Link Exemplar der Auktion Kreß 189, München 1985, Nr. 382 Vecchi vergl. Plate 2 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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