Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted February 27, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 27, 2023 14 hours ago, ambr0zie said: Always liked Valerian II portraits. Including the one on my coin - too bad the reverse die was not in the best shape! I think the portrait and the level of artistry in general is superior to the average coins in the era. I also intend to buy the Valerian II antoninianus with young Jupiter riding the goat (not my coin) for the same reasons. I have the type of Valerian II that @ambr0zieis seeking: 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted February 27, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 27, 2023 9 hours ago, Ursus said: I consider this Valerian I to show exceptionally skilled die-work for the period: Agreed! That is a beauty with a portrait that looks like it could be realistic. Nice coin! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted February 27, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 27, 2023 While Roman society and the economy deteriorated in the mid-3rd century, I think the artistry of coin die engraving flourished more than ever - perhaps to partially hide the deteriorating monetary standards. The great diversity of Probus-busts is unsurpassed in Roman numismatics. The Numerian bust below is as good as it gets in Roman monetary history. 17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted March 19, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted March 19, 2023 (edited) On 2/26/2023 at 4:21 PM, maridvnvm said: Victorinus Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C M PIAVVONIVS VICTORINVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left holding two standards Minted in mint I. 269 A.D. Issue 1 Reference:– RIC 108; Elmer 648; AGK (corr.) 5a; 2.97gms. 20.22mm. 0 degrees That’s a very Postumus-looking Victorinus! I’ve never seen a bust like that for him. A fun coin. Anyway, finally circling back to see everyone’s coins here. There are many beautiful examples! As some have said, the die engraving was still (on many coins) as artistic as it had ever been… it was just the metal, flan quality and over use of dies that made many coins look dumpy. I’ve really enjoyed some of the great Numerian and Carinus coins. Probus of course had some great coins and those Gallic emperors usually had nice portraits even if the reverses were hastily done many times. Perfect examples are some Quintillus coins. The busts are well done… it’s just everything else that is crappy (flan, metal, strike, reverse, etc.) 🤷🏻♂️ I love this Probus coin, about as good as it gets. Severina looks like Aurelian in a wig, but still a nicely done coin with a nice reverse. Edited March 19, 2023 by Orange Julius 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted March 19, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 19, 2023 I am really fond of the this Aurelian from the Rome mint, with pretty good obverse and reverse. 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted March 19, 2023 · Member Share Posted March 19, 2023 The Roman provincial mint at Antioch, Syria had a long tradition of striking silver & billon tetradrachms to pay legionaries stationed in the eastern provinces. These coins were phased out during the mid 3rd century as the Roman troops were pulled out of the east. The tetradrachms during this late phase still retained excellent portrait engraving. Herennia Etruscilla was the last empress to appear on these tetradrachms, & all of them are considered rare. ROMAN ANTIOCH. Herennia Etruscilla, AD 249-253. Billon Tetradrachm: 11.37 gm, 26 mm. McAlee 1165c. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted March 20, 2023 · Member Share Posted March 20, 2023 On 3/18/2023 at 8:55 PM, Orange Julius said: Perfect examples are some Quintillus coins. The busts are well done That first Quintillus is wonderful. It has a great portrait. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victrix Posted March 20, 2023 · Member Share Posted March 20, 2023 I always have a weak spot for some 'high' silver coinage of Gallienus . 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted March 20, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 20, 2023 Those were struck under Trajan Decius : Q 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted March 20, 2023 · Member Share Posted March 20, 2023 @Qcumbor, every one of those has an expressive portrait that looks like it could be a photographic image of a real person. Excellent! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madhatter Posted March 22, 2023 · Member Share Posted March 22, 2023 I do love the portrait of Victorinus on this coin. Reverse is not that bad too. My coin, but not my pic. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted March 22, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted March 22, 2023 This one is not in my collection. (It is in fact for sale and I am thinking about buying it). The die-cutting and artistry is superb for a coin dating from 253 C.E., between the time of Gallus and Valerian. It would be one of the more expensive coins in my collection issued by the short-lived but officially recognized ruler Aemilianus. Should I pull the trigger? Catalog: RIC 39; Banti 13. Material: Orichalcum Weight: 18.94 g Diameter: 28.00 mm Rome. Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aemilian to the right. Rev: SPES PVBLICA; Spes advancing to the left, holding flower in right hand and hitching skirt; across fields: S C. Very rare. Brown patina. 7 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted March 22, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted March 22, 2023 38 minutes ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said: This one is not in my collection. (It is in fact for sale and I am thinking about buying it). The die-cutting and artistry is superb for a coin dating from 253 C.E., between the time of Gallus and Valerian. It would be one of the more expensive coins in my collection issued by the short-lived but officially recognized ruler Aemilianus. Should I pull the trigger? Catalog: RIC 39; Banti 13. Material: Orichalcum Weight: 18.94 g Diameter: 28.00 mm Rome. Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aemilian to the right. Rev: SPES PVBLICA; Spes advancing to the left, holding flower in right hand and hitching skirt; across fields: S C. Very rare. Brown patina. The answer is always yes, but especially so in this case 👏🏻💰💸💸 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted March 22, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 22, 2023 Yes, for sure ! Q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Severus Alexander Posted March 22, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 22, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said: This one is not in my collection. (It is in fact for sale and I am thinking about buying it). The die-cutting and artistry is superb for a coin dating from 253 C.E., between the time of Gallus and Valerian. It would be one of the more expensive coins in my collection issued by the short-lived but officially recognized ruler Aemilianus. Should I pull the trigger? Catalog: RIC 39; Banti 13. Material: Orichalcum Weight: 18.94 g Diameter: 28.00 mm Rome. Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Aemilian to the right. Rev: SPES PVBLICA; Spes advancing to the left, holding flower in right hand and hitching skirt; across fields: S C. Very rare. Brown patina. IMO definitely not, at least not for anywhere near the listed price. (I suspect the two commenters above didn't check the price?) It's heavily smoothed – and I think tooled as well – plus not as nice as examples that have recently sold at auction for much less. Edited March 22, 2023 by Severus Alexander 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted March 22, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted March 22, 2023 (edited) 18 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said: IMO definitely not, at least not for anywhere near the listed price. (I suspect the two commenters above didn't check the price?) It's heavily smoothed – and I think tooled as well – plus not as nice as examples that have recently sold at auction for much less. Yeah, my “buy it now!” was an uninformed coin monster reaction. My post should have a disclaimer that says “this post is not coin buying or financial advice but for entertainment purposes only. Please conduct your own analysis and ignore my words but feel my excitement!” In theory… usually a big chunky Aemilianus is a “take my money” situation. 😬😀 Edited March 22, 2023 by Orange Julius 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted March 23, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted March 23, 2023 Thanks guys. I guess I'll sit it out. I thought maybe that there was a tad bit of smoothing above the head but then I got excited about the overall aspect of the coin. I'm not a pro like @Severus Alexander so I need to defer in these cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted March 23, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 23, 2023 I like the detail of the reverse on this ADVENTVS Antoninianus of Probus. The portrait is done quite nicely as well. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Severus Alexander Posted March 23, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 23, 2023 Here's a coin in the spirit of the thread. In the final throes of the crisis, when the Imperial coinage was at rock bottom, I think there's some amazing engraving to be found on Alexandrian tetradrachmae: Egypt, Alexandria: Claudius II billon tetradrachm, year 2 (269/70), Emmett 3878.2. 3 hours ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said: I'm not a pro like @Severus Alexander so I need to defer in these cases. Well, thanks for the compliment, but having run a grand total of 3 auctions I hardly qualify as a pro! I guess I must fake it well. 😁 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted March 24, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted March 24, 2023 20 hours ago, Severus Alexander said: Here's a coin in the spirit of the thread. In the final throes of the crisis, when the Imperial coinage was at rock bottom, I think there's some amazing engraving to be found on Alexandrian tetradrachmae: Egypt, Alexandria: Claudius II billon tetradrachm, year 2 (269/70), Emmett 3878.2. Well, thanks for the compliment, but having run a grand total of 3 auctions I hardly qualify as a pro! I guess I must fake it well. 😁 That’s a great Claudius II tetradrachm! I have a few new Claudius IIs from Alexandria that I’m going to start a thread with but I agree that there were some great coins out of Alexandria from this time. Here’s my somewhat recent favorite: Gallienus Tetradrachm RY 13 = 265/6. Ob: AYT Κ Π ΛΙK ΓΑΛΛΙΗΝΟC CЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to right, seen from behind. Rev. L - ΙΓ Nike standing front, head to left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond in her left. Emmett 3823 (13) R1, Mine 4117, Curtis ____, Dattari (Savio) 5253, K&G 90.89. 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Severus Alexander Posted March 24, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 24, 2023 3 hours ago, Orange Julius said: Here’s my somewhat recent favorite: Gallienus Tetradrachm RY 13 = 265/6. Ob: AYT Κ Π ΛΙK ΓΑΛΛΙΗΝΟC CЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to right, seen from behind. Rev. L - ΙΓ Nike standing front, head to left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond in her left. Emmett 3823 (13) R1, Mine 4117, Curtis ____, Dattari (Savio) 5253, K&G 90.89. Awesome coin, @Orange Julius! Great engraving on both obverse and reverse. I've been looking for a Gallienus like that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted March 24, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 24, 2023 On 2/27/2023 at 11:31 AM, maridvnvm said: A youthful portrait of this elderly senator (75 years old) promoted to Emperor by the Senate. Tacitus Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C CL TACITVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– PROVID DEOR, Providentia standing left, holding baton and cornucopia; at foot, globe Minted in Lugdunum (no marks), Emission 1, from October to December A.D. 275 References:– Cohen 64. Bastien 41. RIC 49 Bust Type C 4.23gms. 21.98mm. 180 degrees What a fantastic portrait, slide corrosion excepting. Really lovely coin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted March 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 25, 2023 On 3/23/2023 at 4:38 AM, Severus Alexander said: On 3/24/2023 at 1:46 AM, Orange Julius said: Two really beautiful alexandrian portraits. A Probus I quite like Q 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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