Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Posted March 11, 2023 · Member Share Posted March 11, 2023 Born of humble origins (his father was a Ligurian freedman), Pertinax had a brilliant career under Marcus Aurelius, serving in various theaters of war such as the Parthian campaign of Lucius Verus in 161-166 and the bitter Marcoman Wars in 166-180. His military successes earned him a great reputation and he became one of Marcus' closest allies in the late 170s, leading to his promotion to sufficient consul in 175 and, subsequently, to the post of governor of Moesia Inferior (176-177), Moesia Superior (177), Dacia (178-179) and Syria (179-180). Pertinax's career suffered a temporary setback in the early years of Commodus' reign, but the years 185-187 saw him become governor of Britannia, he was praefectus alimentorum in 187-188, he served as proconsul Africae in 188-189 or 189 - 190 and became the praefectus urbi in 190-192, a very important position with the emperor which culminated with Pertinax holding the consulship with Commodus in 192. When Praetorian prefect Aemilius Laetus had Commodus assassinated on December 31, 192, 66-year-old Pertinax was proclaimed his successor. The « Year of the Four Emperors » began with his elevation. Pertinax's golden aurei are struck with an extraordinary number of dies, considering his 86 days of reign ! Thirteen obverse dies and 41 reverse dies have been recorded for the gold production, indicating an almost frenzied production by the Rome mint during this period, possibly attempting to keep up with its promised payments to the praetorians. Although uniformly of high quality, the portraits vary considerably in detail and are clearly produced by many engravers. The HJB aureus An exquisite specimen will be offered in the next HarlanJ.Berk Buy or Bid sale. The coin was presented in 2022 but it finally got unsold. Last time it was available for a wealthy collector, the estimated price was 65,000 USD, this time it will be lower at 47,750… What’s very special about this aureus is the very rare die combination of it. Even Woodward, in his Coinage of Pertinax (Num.Chron. 1957) did not recorded this combination of his obverse die 3 (pl. X.7) and his reverse die E (pl. X.6). Another specimen of the same dies was in Ars Classica XVII, October 3, 1934, Sir Arthur J. Evans et al., lot 879. The obverse die seen here shows a distinctive three-pointed beard which was later adopted by his eventual successor, Septimius Severus. Researching about Pertinax’s aurei, I thought I had found another example double-die matching sold by CNG in 2019. But I was wrong: it is in fact the same coin sold in 1934, same flan and same weight ! I believe CNG just didn’t know the provenance when they sold it, sadly because it could certainly have add to its value (25,000 USD). Anyway, another one I won’t be bidding on, and I know they say « money can’t buy you happiness », but sometimes it sucks to be poor… The CNG aureus 9 1 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted March 11, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted March 11, 2023 Is it from the collection of the Baron de Chambrier? 1 1 5 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restitutor Posted March 11, 2023 · Administrator Share Posted March 11, 2023 1 hour ago, DonnaML said: Is it from the collection of the Baron de Chambrier? Apparently, for only like 40 bucks, we can all become Barons or Baronesses of Sealand and thus update our own coin provenances accordingly 🤣 https://sealandgov.org/product/become-a-baron-or-baroness/ 1 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cazador Posted March 12, 2023 · Member Share Posted March 12, 2023 3 hours ago, Ocatarinetabellatchitchix said: Born of humble origins (his father was a Ligurian freedman), Pertinax had a brilliant career under Marcus Aurelius, serving in various theaters of war such as the Parthian campaign of Lucius Verus in 161-166 and the bitter Marcoman Wars in 166-180. His military successes earned him a great reputation and he became one of Marcus' closest allies in the late 170s, leading to his promotion to sufficient consul in 175 and, subsequently, to the post of governor of Moesia Inferior (176-177), Moesia Superior (177), Dacia (178-179) and Syria (179-180). Pertinax's career suffered a temporary setback in the early years of Commodus' reign, but the years 185-187 saw him become governor of Britannia, he was praefectus alimentorum in 187-188, he served as proconsul Africae in 188-189 or 189 - 190 and became the praefectus urbi in 190-192, a very important position with the emperor which culminated with Pertinax holding the consulship with Commodus in 192. When Praetorian prefect Aemilius Laetus had Commodus assassinated on December 31, 192, 66-year-old Pertinax was proclaimed his successor. The « Year of the Four Emperors » began with his elevation. Pertinax's golden aurei are struck with an extraordinary number of dies, considering his 86 days of reign ! Thirteen obverse dies and 41 reverse dies have been recorded for the gold production, indicating an almost frenzied production by the Rome mint during this period, possibly attempting to keep up with its promised payments to the praetorians. Although uniformly of high quality, the portraits vary considerably in detail and are clearly produced by many engravers. The HJB aureus An exquisite specimen will be offered in the next HarlanJ.Berk Buy or Bid sale. The coin was presented in 2022 but it finally got unsold. Last time it was available for a wealthy collector, the estimated price was 65,000 USD, this time it will be lower at 47,750… What’s very special about this aureus is the very rare die combination of it. Even Woodward, in his Coinage of Pertinax (Num.Chron. 1957) did not recorded this combination of his obverse die 3 (pl. X.7) and his reverse die E (pl. X.6). Another specimen of the same dies was in Ars Classica XVII, October 3, 1934, Sir Arthur J. Evans et al., lot 879. The obverse die seen here shows a distinctive three-pointed beard which was later adopted by his eventual successor, Septimius Severus. Researching about Pertinax’s aurei, I thought I had found another example double-die matching sold by CNG in 2019. But I was wrong: it is in fact the same coin sold in 1934, same flan and same weight ! I believe CNG just didn’t know the provenance when they sold it, sadly because it could certainly have add to its value (25,000 USD). Anyway, another one I won’t be bidding on, and I know they say « money can’t buy you happiness », but sometimes it sucks to be poor… The CNG aureus Fantastic coin - ridiculous price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herodotus Posted March 12, 2023 · Member Share Posted March 12, 2023 13 hours ago, DonnaML said: Is it from the collection of the Baron de Chambrier? Much more prestigious than that. The collection of Vicomte de Bragelonne. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted March 12, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted March 12, 2023 (edited) 13 hours ago, El Cazador said: Fantastic coin - ridiculous price! ..i guess not if you're selling it ...i have it in silver(more worn for more character ^^) and i'll take half that...:D Edited March 12, 2023 by ominus1 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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