Finn235 Posted June 8, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 8, 2023 One of these days I will stop collecting obscure first century provincial governors and finally pick up a Gordian II. But not today. I spotted this one a few Roma auctions ago, and won it for what I feel was an excellent price, despite the hideously poor condition of the coin. Africanus Fabius Maximus, proconsul of Africa, 6-5 BC AE23 of Hadrumentum, Byzacium, with Livineus Gallus, proquaestor Obv: Bare head of Africanus right, AFR FA MAX COS PROCOS VII VIR EPVLO Rev: Elephant advancing left, trampling serpent (a callback to Caesar's famous denarius) LIVIN GALLVS Q PRO PR Africanus was the younger brother of Paullus Fabius Maximus, who was one of Augustus' closest friends and later step brother (or nephew) after his marriage to Marcia, who was the daughter of Lucius Marcius Philippus. (I've seen Marcia described as both the daughter of Lucius Marcius Philippus, step-father of Augustus, and Lucius Marcius Philippus, step-brother of Augustus). Regardless, this made Africanus Fabius Maximus a member of the extended Julio-Claudian family tree. Unlike his brother, Africanus' life is largely unclear, attested only by his consulship in 10BC, and his coinage, which attests to his governorship in 6-5BC, and that at some point in life he was appointed as septemviri epulonum, who were seven men in charge of organizing religious banquets in honor of the gods. The date or circumstances of his death were not recorded. Africanus' coinage is extremely rare, comprised of only this single issue, which Nomos estimated in 2019 at a surviving population of 12 specimens. 26 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth77 Posted June 8, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 8, 2023 Here is one of my most hideous but very rare: a denier tournois of Charles de France as Count of La Marche (1314-1322). Charles was one of the three sons of Philippe IV and the last to become King of France in 1322. But before that, he was awarded the appanage of La Marche in 1314, as his older brother Louis was to inherit the throne of France. After becoming himself king in 1322, the county reverted to the royal demesne. AR18mm 0.81g denier tournois, minted at Bellac, ca. 1316(?) + KAROLVS COMЄS; Cross pattee + MOnЄT MARChE; chateau tournois with lys surmounted by cross cf. Poey d'Avant 2635var; not in Boudeau The coinage of La Marche under Charles is made up of very rare deniers tournois of two types, imitations of the Royal coinage. This particular specimen is a variation of the first, earlier type. The MOnET instead of MOnETA reverse legend marks an unlisted die, unrecorded in the major catalogs. In 2018 I got it for 50+EUR from CGB and I think it was a fair deal considering the abysmal condition. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted June 8, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted June 8, 2023 How many provincial governors are there? Interesting coin. RPC seems to show there are a few more, but it's still not many people who can own one. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted June 8, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted June 8, 2023 There's a bunch of them. Just the ones I have: Statilius Libo, prefect of Spain under Julius Caesar or Augustus This coin used to be attributed to Gaius Sosius, but that attribution is probably outdated Vedius Pollio, Governor of Asia (known for attempting to kill a slave over a broken cup) Asinius Gallus, arch enemy of Tiberius and second husband of Vipsania Paullus Fabius Maximus, Africanus' older brother Quinctilius Varus (WHERE ARE MY EAGLES?!?) Pythes, Magistrate under Tiberius (although he has a Greek name, so maybe unfair to call him a "Roman" governor) Annius Afrinus seems to have been the last to mint portrait coinage, under Claudius 17 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeandAcre Posted June 9, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 9, 2023 (edited) Brilliant OP, @Finn235. The elephant is great, even in its present state; if I were that deeply into Julio-Claudian, I'd be quietly ecstatic. ...Especially because, to @seth77's point, you want crazy rare, and atrocious? Got some for you. Here's only the premier example. Busted; the text is pasted from a post going all the way back to last December. Hugo Magnus, Ct. of Paris and Duke of Francia 923-956. Denier of Senlis, formerly attributed to his son, Hugh Capet. This CNG listing gives the full (re-)attribution, more succinctly than I could. https://www.cngcoins.com/Lot.aspx?LOT_ID=4470&BACK_URL=%2fLots.aspx%3fIS_ADVANCED%3d1%26ITEM_IS_SOLD%3d1%26ITEM_INVENTORY_NUMBER%3d%26CONTAINER_NAME%3d%26ITEM_LOT_NUMBER%3d%26ITEM_DESC%3dsenlis%2bdenier%26SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_1%3d1%26SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_3%3d1%26SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_2%3d1%26SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_4%3d1%26VIEW_TYPE%3d0 I found it on Delcampe, 'unattributed as the driven snow.' Initially, all I could tell was that it was 10th century, and the price was right. Thanks to this and a more recent, dramatic foray into the last Elsen auction, I now have Robertians and early Capetians from Robert I through Philippe I. If I ever found an example of Henri I, I'd have the run of them down to Philippe III (1270-1285). Edited June 9, 2023 by JeandAcre 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edessa Posted June 9, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted June 9, 2023 Similar story. $4 on eBay back in the old days. Crusader States, Principality of Antioch. Anonymous. Circa 1120-1140 AD. Æ Follis (18mm, 0.93g). Obv: [OA ΠETPOC], to left and right in monogram form; Nimbate Half-length figure of St. Peter, holding long cross on left shoulder. Rev: Cross moline with three pellets in each quarter. Ref: CCS 12a; Metcalf page 25, 10; Schl. Plate 19, 1; Porteous 24; Slocum 105. Good/About Fine, nice patina, double struck and edge roughness. Very rare. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted June 9, 2023 · Patron Share Posted June 9, 2023 7 hours ago, Finn235 said: One of these days I will stop collecting obscure first century provincial governors and finally pick up a Gordian II. But not today. I spotted this one a few Roma auctions ago, and won it for what I feel was an excellent price, despite the hideously poor condition of the coin. Africanus Fabius Maximus, proconsul of Africa, 6-5 BC AE23 of Hadrumentum, Byzacium, with Livineus Gallus, proquaestor Obv: Bare head of Africanus right, AFR FA MAX COS PROCOS VII VIR EPVLO Rev: Elephant advancing left, trampling serpent (a callback to Caesar's famous denarius) LIVIN GALLVS Q PRO PR Africanus was the younger brother of Paullus Fabius Maximus, who was one of Augustus' closest friends and later step brother (or nephew) after his marriage to Marcia, who was the daughter of Lucius Marcius Philippus. (I've seen Marcia described as both the daughter of Lucius Marcius Philippus, step-father of Augustus, and Lucius Marcius Philippus, step-brother of Augustus). Regardless, this made Africanus Fabius Maximus a member of the extended Julio-Claudian family tree. Unlike his brother, Africanus' life is largely unclear, attested only by his consulship in 10BC, and his coinage, which attests to his governorship in 6-5BC, and that at some point in life he was appointed as septemviri epulonum, who were seven men in charge of organizing religious banquets in honor of the gods. The date or circumstances of his death were not recorded. Africanus' coinage is extremely rare, comprised of only this single issue, which Nomos estimated in 2019 at a surviving population of 12 specimens. That's fantastic!! It's always a good feeling to pick up an extreme rarity!! Way to go!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Collector Posted June 9, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 9, 2023 What would you all say is the best literature for learning and collecting these type of coins? I would really like to learn about them! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted June 9, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted June 9, 2023 I'm not aware of any literature or even an easily browsable, comprehensive list anywhere online. RPC's advanced search is a great starting point, as you can scroll through the list of all people depicted on provincial coins, but the governors are interspersed with emperors, Caesars, wives, and client kings https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/search/advanced Wildwinds has a few pages , but nowhere near a comprehensive list http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/indexc.html 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth77 Posted June 9, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 9, 2023 14 hours ago, Finn235 said: There's a bunch of them. Just the ones I have: Statilius Libo, prefect of Spain under Julius Caesar or Augustus This coin used to be attributed to Gaius Sosius, but that attribution is probably outdated Vedius Pollio, Governor of Asia (known for attempting to kill a slave over a broken cup) Asinius Gallus, arch enemy of Tiberius and second husband of Vipsania Paullus Fabius Maximus, Africanus' older brother Quinctilius Varus (WHERE ARE MY EAGLES?!?) Pythes, Magistrate under Tiberius (although he has a Greek name, so maybe unfair to call him a "Roman" governor) Annius Afrinus seems to have been the last to mint portrait coinage, under Claudius These seem all very rare and I can't afford another interest, but that Annius Afrinus would really fit into my Iconium interest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted June 9, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted June 9, 2023 Very cool! I like the elephant reverse design. 👍 Here is a hideous but extremely rare coin: 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broucheion Posted June 9, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 9, 2023 (edited) Hi All, Very uggggg-ly. Hideous ... but very rare. AURELIAN AND VABALATHUS (270 - 271 CE) ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT Year 01 & 04 (c Mar 271 - 28 Aug 271 CE) Bi Tetradrachm Size: 22 mm Weight: 8.14 g Axis: 0 Broucheion Collection R-2000-05-20.001 Obv: Aurelian laureate and cuirased bust facing right to Vabalathus laureate draped bust facing left. Legend: [AVPEΛIANOCK]A[IA]ΘENO[ΔωPOC]. Border not visible.Rev: Wreath enclosing dates: LA over LΔ. Border not visible.Refs: Emmett-3916.01&04; Geissen-3057; Dattari-5430, pl xxvii; ; Milne-4327-29; SNG Copenhagen-901 (unknown if KAI in obv legend); BMC-2394; Mionnet-3521 var (KAI not in obv legend); Staffieri 'Alexandria In Nummis' #245Prov: Ex-Pagasi Coins, Ex-Classical Cash before that. Note 1: Bland (‘The coinage of Vabalathus and Zenobia from Antioch and Alexandria’, Numismatic Chronicle 171, 2011) : Aurelian’s reign began with a small issue of coins in his sole name dated Year 1 (Sep - c Dec 270), and was succeeded by an issue with year one of Aurelian and no regnal year for Vabalathus (c Dec 270 - c Mar 271), followed by another in the names of Aurelian & Vabalathus dated Years 1 & 4 (c Mar 271 - 28 Aug 271). This was succeeded by another issue for Aurelian & Vabalathus of about the same size dated Years 5.Note 2: Metcalf (1998) dates Year 01 & 04 as starting in Dec 270 CE and running through 28 Aug 271 CE. - Broucheion Edited June 9, 2023 by Broucheion 10 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted June 10, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted June 10, 2023 11 hours ago, seth77 said: These seem all very rare and I can't afford another interest, but that Annius Afrinus would really fit into my Iconium interest. Not going to lie, his coins aren't cheap! I feel I lucked out in winning that one at Naumann for $150ish, given how badly I got blown out of the water at CNG https://www.cngcoins.com/Lot.aspx?LOT_ID=34120 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth77 Posted June 10, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 10, 2023 3 hours ago, Finn235 said: Not going to lie, his coins aren't cheap! I feel I lucked out in winning that one at Naumann for $150ish, given how badly I got blown out of the water at CNG https://www.cngcoins.com/Lot.aspx?LOT_ID=34120 Perhaps I'll get lucky too. 150 seems like a fair deal and the more I look at that coin, the more I'd like to get one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted June 10, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 10, 2023 On 6/8/2023 at 4:34 PM, Finn235 said: There's a bunch of them. Just the ones I have: Statilius Libo, prefect of Spain under Julius Caesar or Augustus This coin used to be attributed to Gaius Sosius, but that attribution is probably outdated Vedius Pollio, Governor of Asia (known for attempting to kill a slave over a broken cup) Asinius Gallus, arch enemy of Tiberius and second husband of Vipsania Paullus Fabius Maximus, Africanus' older brother Quinctilius Varus (WHERE ARE MY EAGLES?!?) Pythes, Magistrate under Tiberius (although he has a Greek name, so maybe unfair to call him a "Roman" governor) Annius Afrinus seems to have been the last to mint portrait coinage, under Claudius What a set of Roman personages that hitherto have not been known on coinage by, I'm sure, the bulk of collectors out there.!!! Outstanding. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotwheelsearl Posted June 10, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 10, 2023 22 hours ago, Broucheion said: Hi All, Very uggggg-ly. Hideous ... but very rare. AURELIAN AND VABALATHUS (270 - 271 CE) ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT Year 01 & 04 (c Mar 271 - 28 Aug 271 CE) Bi Tetradrachm Size: 22 mm Weight: 8.14 g Axis: 0 Broucheion Collection R-2000-05-20.001 Obv: Aurelian laureate and cuirased bust facing right to Vabalathus laureate draped bust facing left. Legend: [AVPEΛIANOCK]A[IA]ΘENO[ΔωPOC]. Border not visible.Rev: Wreath enclosing dates: LA over LΔ. Border not visible.Refs: Emmett-3916.01&04; Geissen-3057; Dattari-5430, pl xxvii; ; Milne-4327-29; SNG Copenhagen-901 (unknown if KAI in obv legend); BMC-2394; Mionnet-3521 var (KAI not in obv legend); Staffieri 'Alexandria In Nummis' #245Prov: Ex-Pagasi Coins, Ex-Classical Cash before that. Note 1: Bland (‘The coinage of Vabalathus and Zenobia from Antioch and Alexandria’, Numismatic Chronicle 171, 2011) : Aurelian’s reign began with a small issue of coins in his sole name dated Year 1 (Sep - c Dec 270), and was succeeded by an issue with year one of Aurelian and no regnal year for Vabalathus (c Dec 270 - c Mar 271), followed by another in the names of Aurelian & Vabalathus dated Years 1 & 4 (c Mar 271 - 28 Aug 271). This was succeeded by another issue for Aurelian & Vabalathus of about the same size dated Years 5.Note 2: Metcalf (1998) dates Year 01 & 04 as starting in Dec 270 CE and running through 28 Aug 271 CE. - Broucheion That's an absolute ogre. Props to you for even being able to attribute it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amarmur Posted June 11, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 11, 2023 I posted this before but this isn't a super common coin. It features German captives on the reverse and Marcus Aurelius on the obverse the condition is ok like a G-4 or AG-3. I like this one a lot and it is one of my favorites. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougsmit Posted June 12, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 12, 2023 This thread certainly shows off my ignorance. Of the group, I could only ID a couple. The devil in me wonders how many coins suitable for showing in this thread have been slabbed. Is there a plastic with PR 1/5 1/5 and a star?😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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