Post your latest ancient!

[Furryfrog02]

Hard to follow that absolutely stunning Republic coin!....But I will do my best.

This is the last coin I have won and the last on the radar for me for the time being. A Provincial of Macrinus from Hierapolis-Kastabala. Of course, it has a Nike reverse 🙂 Also, it looks better in hand. The sun is really bright today so it was hard to take a decent picture. 

Macrinus
217-218 AD
AE21, 7.2g
Hierapolis-Kastabala
Obverse: AYT K M OP MAKRINOC CEB, laureate head right
Reverse:  IEROPO KACTABALEWN, Nike walking left, holding wreath and palm branch.

 

[Amarmur]

This is a neat Republican denarius from 55 BC featuring Cybele and the capture of Jewish King Aristobulus II by Pompey. He is kneeling by a camel holding an olive branch. This type I believe is  the 1st Judea Capta coin before Vespasian. Cool coin despite being kinda low grade. I never got into Republican Denarii but this one peaked my interest.

[seth77]

This little dynastic AE3 for Constantius II as Caesar came in my latest order, I already had a better one with the exact officina, but this one was so cheap that I just have to give it a home.

[Prieure de Sion]

καὶ σὺ τέκνον ?

 

Pedanius Costa for Marcus Iunius Brutus; Reign: Roman Republic, Civil war; Mint: Military Mint, Asia Minor or Northern Greek; Date: 43/42 BC; Nominal: Denarius; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 3.91g; Reference: Crawford RRC 506/2; Reference: Sydenham 1296; Reference: Babelon (Junia) 8 and (Pedania) 2; Provenance: Roma Numismatik London, Great Britain; Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo, right; border of dots; Inscription: COSTA LEG; Translation: [Pedanius] Costa, Legatus; Translation: Pedanius Costa, vice commander; Reverse: Trophy with two spears and figure-eight shield; border of dots; Inscription: BRVTVS IMP; Translation: [Marcus Iunius] Brutus, Imperator; Translation: Marcus Iunius Brutus, supreme commander for military forces

[red_spork]

Roman Republic AR Denarius(18mm, 3.72 g, 5h). 74 B.C., Rome mint. Laureate head of Neptune right, trident over shoulder; control-mark XXXIIII to upper left. Border of dots/Winged boy(perhaps Palaemon or Cupid) on dolphin speeding right. Below, L•LVCRETI TRIO. Border of dots. Crawford 390/2

Privately purchased from a friend 2 August 2023, ex CNG 100, 7 October 2015, lot 1803, ex R.H. Collection

[Furryfrog02]

This Trajan sestertius was waiting for me when we got home from seeing the World's Largest Rubber Duck today.

I wasn't planning on getting anything but this sestertius spoke to me and...well....Victory....

Trajan
98-117 AD
Æ Sestertius
Struck circa 103 AD
Obverse: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V P P, Laureate head right
Reverse:  SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S-C across fields, Victory standing right, attaching shield inscribed VIC/DAC to palm tree.

 

Proof of the world's largest rubber duck...

[Kamnaskires]

Kamnaskires-Orodes

AE tetradrachm, early to mid 2nd century AD

Van't Haaff 12.1 variant (Combines the obverse of V.H. 12.1.1-1.B or C with the reverse of V.H. 12.1.1-3E)

[robinjojo]

Recently, I acquired a couple of double sestertii of Postumus (260–269 AD) the Gallic Augustus who ruled contemporaneously with the Roman co-emperors Valerian (253-260 AD) and Gallienus (253-268 AD).  I've had a long time interest in this breakaway emperor, especially regarding his bronze coinage.  

The two coins shown here are from Trier and Lyons.  The Trier double sestertius, while showing typical crudeness (some flan flaws, crude strike), appears to have struck on an original flan, while the Lyons coin might have been struck over an existing coin. It is difficult to say what that coin was, but there appears to be indications of under coin details, quite faint and ambiguous on both sides.

Inflation was rampant throughout the Roman world, with the progressive debasement of the silver coinage, and revaluation of the bronze coinage.  The Lyons coin might be an example of the expedient measure of over-striking a sestertius with the radiate crown type bust of Postumus, thereby increasing its value to two sestertii.  

Postumus, AE double sestertius, Treveri (Trier), 260-69 AD.  LAETITA AVG reverse.

RIC 143

33mm; 27.97 grams.

 

Postumus, AE double sestertius, Lugdunum (Lyons), 261 AD.  FIDES MILITVM reverse.

RIC 123

27mm; 15.26 grams.

 

Edited August 6, 2023 by robinjojo

[shanxi]

I got another worn and scratched coin 😁

But what can you do when the coin type is so rare, that there is only one example on acsearch, which is also the only example shown by RPC. 

A specialised collector (in this case Hierocaesarea) has to take what he gets, or he will have a gap in his collection forever.

Hierocaesarea

Obv.: ΔΗΜΟϹ, Head of the Demos  (countermark: Artemis)

Rev.: ΙΕΡΟΚΑΙϹΑΡΕΩΝ, Artemis standing in biga drawn by galloping stags, r., drawing arrow from quiver at shoulder, holding bow

RPC online  IV.2, 1279

AE, 30mm, 12.37g

 

Edited August 6, 2023 by shanxi

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

41 minutes ago, robinjojo said:

Recently, I acquired a couple of double sestertii of Postumus (260–269 AD) the Gallic Augustus who ruled contemporaneously with the Roman co-emperors Valerian (253-260 AD) and Gallienus (253-268 AD).  I've had a long time interest in this breakaway emperor, especially regarding his bronze coinage.  

The two coins shown here are from Trier and Lyons.  The Trier double sestertius, while showing typical crudeness (some flan flaws, crude strike), appears to have struck on an original flan, while the Lyons coin might have been struck over an existing coin. It is difficult to say what that coin was, but there appears to be indications of under coin details, quite faint and ambiguous on both sides.

Inflation was rampant throughout the Roman world, with the progressive debasement of the silver coinage, and revaluation of the bronze coinage.  The Lyons coin might be an example of the expedient measure of over-striking a sestertius with the radiate crown type bust of Postumus, thereby increasing its value to two sestertii.  

Postumus, AE double sestertius, Treveri (Trier), 260-69 AD.  LAETITA reverse.

RIC 143

33mm; 27.97 grams.

 

Postumus, AE double sestertius, Lugdunum (Lyons), 261 AD.  FIDES MILITVM reverse.

RIC 123

27mm; 15.26 grams.

 

Note that the "double sestertius" of Postumus varied widely in size and weight, some being bigger than a sestertius and others smaller but also possessing a bust of Postumus wearing a radiate crown. Mine is around 15 grams "Light" for example. Plus you can see ancient scratches on the surface.

 

 

 

[CPK]

Another fine portrait of the Tetrarchy.

 

[expat]

 Apamea ad Maeandrum, Apamea or Apameia was an ancient city in Anatolia founded in the 3rd century BC by Antiochus I Soter, who named it after his mother Apama. It was in Hellenistic Phrygia, but became part of the Roman province of Pisidia. It was near, but on lower ground than, Celaenae.

Bust of Athena right in crested helmet
Text above and beneath eagle alighting right on maeander pattern between two pilei, stars in lower centre and upper right.
AΠAME KΩKOY, Kokos (magistrate)
PHRYGIA, Apameia. SA24. (Ae. 7.76g)- 88-40 BC Kokos. SNG Copenhagen 161-2; BMC 78-82; HGC 7, 670, SNG von Aulock 3466-3467; Walcher 2746

 

[Brennos]

My most recent acquisition goes straight into my top 3 

 

Greek
Sicily, Syracuse AV 100 Litrai (5,79g). Dionysios I, circa 405-400 BC. 
Unsigned dies in the style of Kimon. 
A/ Head of Arethusa to left, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace, hair in sphendone ornamented with two stars; ΣYPAKOΣIΩ[N] before, A behind 
R/ Herakles kneeling to right, strangling the Nemean Lion. 
Bérend 30; Gulbenkian 324 (same dies); Rizzo pl. L, 12 (same rev. die); SNG ANS 332-333 (same dies)

I Copy/Paste an interesting writing of Roma Numismatics regarding the story about this coin :

"This particular issue dates to circa 405 BC, following the election of Dionysios as supreme military commander of Syracuse in recognition of his achievements in the war against Carthage and his subsequent seizure of total power.
Syracuse had only recently repelled an Athenian invasion of Sicily that resulted in the complete destruction of Athens' expeditionary force and ultimately contributed significantly to Athens' defeat at the hands of Sparta in the Peloponnesian War. Then under Dionysios in 405 BC, despite the ruin of great cities such as Akragas and Gela, Syracuse overcame a Carthaginian invasion that might have resulted in a comprehensive conquest of the island. Such glory was short-lived, however, as the rule of Dionysios' son and successor was to bring civil strife that would weaken the power of Syracuse. Never again would the city issue coinage on such a grand scale, and this coin represents part of the last great flourishing of classical numismatic art at Syracuse before two centuries of steady decline and eventual conquest at the hands of the Romans.
The wonderful Syracusan 100 litrai or double dekadrachms are considered amongst some of the finest gold coinage of the Greek world, and are associated with the magnificent dekadrachms of Euainetos, whose signature also appears on the earlier dies of the gold denomination issue. The serenely graceful head of the sea-nymph Arethusa, rendered in very similar style to the great die-engraver Euainetos, is presented in delightful contrast to the dynamic rendering of the first labour of Hercules, the slaying of the Nemean lion, on the reverse. The die-engraver's masterful composition within the bounds of a circular constraint produces a scene of great power and climax, both Herakles' and the lion's backs arched as the hero bends to tighten his grip around the lion's neck and it strains desperately against him to escape. As a great Doric hero and ancestor of the Doric city of Syracuse, Herakles' defeat of the lion, the symbol of Africa, has powerful connotations for Syracuse's own conflict with the African city of Carthage."

 

Edited August 8, 2023 by Brennos

[ewomack]

I just ordered another ancient online, so until that one arrives, this enthroned Leo VI (doesn't he just look so dang regal?) qualifies as my latest ancient.


Leo VI (AD 886-912); Constantinople; Æ Follis; Obv: +LEOn bAS - ILEVS ROM* Leo enthroned facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding labarum and akakia; Rev: Inscription in four lines: +LEOn / Eh ΘEO bA / SILEVS R / OmEOh; 6.90g, 28.00 mm;  Sear 1728

Edited August 8, 2023 by ewomack

[Furryfrog02]

20 minutes ago, ewomack said:

I just ordered another ancient online, so until that one arrives, this enthroned Leo VI (doesn't he just look so dang regal?) qualifies as my latest ancient.


Leo VI (AD 886-912); Constantinople; Æ Follis; Obv: +LEOn bAS - ILEVS ROM* Leo enthroned facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding labarum and akakia; Rev: Inscription in four lines: +LEOn / Eh ΘEO bA / SILEVS R / OmEOh; 6.90g, 28.00 mm;  Sear 1728

Dang, that is a great looking Leo VI!

[Prieure de Sion]

I got this beautiful denarius of Lucius Mussidius Longus last night - because of the beautiful reverse. Often the depiction of the shrine of Venus Cloacina is not so detailed and well preserved. Therefore, I could not say no to this coin.

 

 

Lucius Mussidius Longus; Reign: Roman Republic; Mint: Rome; Date: 42 BC; Nominal: Denarius; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 3.87g; Reference: Crawford RRC 494/42c; Reference: Sydenham 1093b; Reference: Babelon (Mussidia) 6; Obverse: Head of Concordia right, diademed and veiled; behind, inscription; below crescent; Inscription: CONCORDIA; Translation: Concordia; Translation: Harmony; Reverse: The shrine of Venus Cloacina; two statues standing facing on circular platform, each resting its right hand on cippus; the platform ornamented with trellis-pattern balustrade, flight of steps and portico on left; Inscription: L MVSSIDIVS LONGVS CLOACIN; Translation: Lucius Mussidius Longus, Cloacina

 

The Cloaca Maxima (from Latin cluere 'to clean', Cloaca Maxima literally largest sewer, from which the German term Kloake is also derived) is part of an ancient canal system in Rome. The fifth king of Rome, Tarquinius Priscus, is said to have created an extensive canal system to drain the depression between the Palatine and the Capitol, later the Roman Forum. The most important of these canals was the Cloaca Maxima, which is thus considered the prototype for ancient canalisation. The route of this system follows an originally natural, later canalised and straightened watercourse called Velabrum, which flows into the Tiber at Pons Aemilius. The dimensions of the Cloaca Maxima are up to 3 m wide and more than 4 m high. The sanctuary of Venus Cloacina was built in the Roman Forum to the goddess of this river. The eleven aqueducts that supplied water to Rome in the 1st century AD, having previously supplied water to many public baths such as the Baths of Diocletian, public fountains, imperial palaces and private houses, were connected to the canal system. The continued supply of running water helped to flush away rubbish and protect the sewage system from blockages. The layers of sediment that had formed in the Cloaca Maxima over the centuries were removed by the archaeologist Antonio Nibby in 1829.

 

The sanctuary of Venus Cloacina is located southwest of the Basilica Aemilia on the Roman Forum in Rome. All that remains is a small round marble foundation. The small complex was initially dedicated to the originally probably Etruscan goddess Cloacina as the patron goddess of the Cloaca Maxima, the most important sewage pipe in ancient Rome. Later, this goddess was equated with Venus and called Venus Cloacina. The sanctuary first mentioned by Plautus could go back to the construction of the Cloaca Maxima. Nevertheless, according to Pliny, the sanctuary dates back to the founding of Rome. For after the conflict over the robbery of the Sabine women had ended, Romans and Sabines are said to have laid down their weapons in the sanctuary and performed a purification ceremony at this site. Cloacina was worshipped as the goddess of purity or cleanliness. Her name could therefore also be derived from the Latin verb cloare, to cleanse. According to another tradition, the cult went back to Titus Tatius. The sanctuary, which was archaeologically investigated between 1899 and 1901, was located on the Via Sacra near the Tabernae Novae, which were later demolished to make way for the Basilica Aemilia. In the immediate vicinity, the Cloaca Maxima swung into the area of the Velabrum, the former marshland between the hills. Coins from the time of the Second Triumvirate, for example of Lucius Mussidius Longus from 42 BC (the denarius presented here), show a small round and unroofed sanctuary, enclosed only by a balustrade, in which two statues were placed. The legend names CLOACIN. Contrary to earlier assumptions, the small sanctuary had no access to the Cloaca Maxima below. The round marble base, which measures about 2.40 metres in diameter and protrudes rectangularly on the north-west side, has been preserved. According to the coin images, there was a staircase there. The marble base rests on a layer of travertine, under which there are eight layers of foundation of different materials, including tuff. This foundation was partially cut during the construction of the Basilica Aemilia.

 

The gens Mussidia was a minor plebeian family at ancient Rome. Few of the Mussidii attained the higher offices of the Roman state, although Titus Mussidius Pollianus obtained the consulship in the time of Caligula. Other members of this gens are known from inscriptions. Lucius Mussidius Longus was a triumvir monetalis, known from numerous coins depicting Caesar and the triumvirs. He was probably killed in the battle of Philippi in 42 BC. His son Lucius Mussidius was probably proconsul of Sicily under Augustus.

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by Prieure de Sion

[Amarmur]

A nice Gordian III with Gordian III on the reverse Antoninianus. A lot of Gordian III. Has a nice tone to it and is in superb condition. I like his baby moustache. It is a later more mature portrait.

[DonnaML]

Even though I have more than 40 coins from Roman Alexandria, this is my first from the Flavian dynasty. The bust of Sarapis on the reverse has the modius (or kalathos) worn off, but I really like the portrait of Vespasian. It's well done, certainly for an Alexandrian!

Vespasian AE Diobol, Year 6 (AD 73/74), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head of Vespasian right (both wreath ties straight down), ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ / Rev. Bust of Sarapis right, crowned with taenia (= fillet, a decorative headband secured with ties) to left, and modius or kalathos adorned with leaves to right (worn off this specimen), with left shoulder draped; in right field before Sarapis, LϚ (Year 6). RPC II Online 2441 (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/2441); BMC 16 Alexandria 257 (p. 31); Milne 432 (p. 12); Emmett 218.6; Dattari (Savio) 401; SNG France 4 Alexandrie Vol. I (Auguste – Trajan) 807-808 (ill. Pl. 59); K&G 20.45 (ill. p. 70). 25.2 mm., 10.75 g. Purchased from Lodge Antiquities (John Cummings), Holton le Moor, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, UK, 2 Aug. 2023. 

Edited August 11, 2023 by DonnaML

[ambr0zie]

Technically, the latest ancient coin in my collection is this. I won some coins in an auctions, but the last coins were 2 Byzantine coins and a late medieval from Hungary. 

20,8 mm, 3 g
Divus Constantius I (Died 306). Follis. Rome. AD 317-318
DIVO CONSTANTIO PIO PRINCIPI, laureate and veiled head of Divus Constantius I to right / REQVIES OPTIMOR MERIT, Constantius Chlorus, veiled, draped, seated left in curule chair, raising right hand and holding short sceptre in left hand. Mintmark RP. Struck under Licinius.
RIC VII Rome 105

To be honest, I was not aware that Constantius I was deified. I was browsing an auction just to make sure I am not missing something interesting and affordable and I was just about to ignore it but I realized I do not recognize the reverse type. Then I decided it is a good addition. 

I find interesting that this coin was struck by Licinius, not by Constantine I. 

 

[Furryfrog02]

I got into a bit of a bidding war with my latest purchase....but I didn't have a coin from here and it being Nike made it worth it.

Julia Domna
Macedon, Thessalonica
AE24/6.45g
Obverse: IOYΛIA ΔOMNA,  draped bust right
Reverse: ΘЄCCAΛONIKЄΩN, Nike standing left, holding wreath and palm frond
Varbanov 4364

 

[CPK]

Recently the subject of another thread, but I might as well post it here - one of my most recent coins is this silver tetradrachm struck under Ptolemy I. I have always liked this type struck under Ptolemy of the deified Alexander wearing an elephant headdress, but they usually sell for even more than the already almost prohibitively expensive (to me) Lysimachos types. Ptolemy was one of Alexander's ablest and most trusted generals who carved out one of the richest and longest-lasting kingdoms of all the Diadochi. Under Ptolemy and his successors, Egypt - and more specifically, Alexandria - became the cultural center of the Mediterranean world for centuries to come. It is this history, as well as the interesting portrait of Alexander the Great, that I find so appealing.

Despite the scratches and crystallization, I am very pleased to have been able to unexpectedly score an example of this iconic coin. And honestly, I can't complain about the defects too much - I've seen worse - and after all they are what made the coin affordable. I am curious about the defacement of the portrait. Apparently at some point in the coin's timeline there converged a sharp instrument, a dislike for Alexander, and time to kill.

 

[Sulla80]

Two examples of an Aspron Trachy of Manuel I Comnenus with unusually nice details, that I acquired in a large lot of Byzantine coins.

Manuel I Comnenus, BI Aspron Trachy, Constantinople, circa AD 1160-1164, 3.75g-4.25, 32-4mm

Obv: The Virgin enthroned facing, holding infant Christ; MHP (ligate)- ΘV across fields

Rev: MANOVHΛ ΔECΠOTHC, emperor standing facing, wearing stemma, divetesion and loros, holding labarum and patriarchal cross on globe

Ref: DOC 12a; Sear 1964.

• stemma - a crown, or more accurately a diadem of jeweled and embroidered cloth, worn by Byzantine emperor

• divetesion - a long, belted, silk robe with close fitting sleeves.
• loros - a long scarf, embroidered with gold and encrusted with pearls and jewels, crossed over the torso
• labarum - a standard topped with a flag, marked with the Christogram

The labara (pl. of labarum) vary on these coins - here's one that is more convincing to me as a labarum (mine both seem to be missing the vertical lines on the sides).

the labarae

An interesting article on Byzantine clothing can be found here: https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/byzantine/

Edited August 13, 2023 by Sulla80

[Heliodromus]

On 8/11/2023 at 3:26 PM, ambr0zie said:

I find interesting that this coin was struck by Licinius, not by Constantine I. 

That's an error by the seller unfortunately. Licinius never controlled Rome - these were issued by Constantine.

It's an interesting series though, and includes Maximianus and Claudius II (!) as well.

This is Constantine basically touting his bona fides - his right to rule due to divine/imperial lineage.

Maximianus is a somewhat odd inclusion seeing as he was only his father-in-law (but also the one who elevated him to augustus), and also died in disgrace having attempted to murder Constantine, then been forced to suicide as a result!

Claudius II is real oddity of the group - a popular and successful emperor who Constantine 100% fictitiously claimed as an ancestor, with this claim being recorded in a contemporary panegyric as well as on these coins!

 

Edited August 13, 2023 by Heliodromus

[ambr0zie]

Thanks @Heliodromus. This certainly makes sense. Thank you also for the Claudius II details - I am not aware of these types.

The seller did not provide a full attribution. I found this on OCRE. 

http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.7.rom.105

Later today I will try to inform the site owners about the error - being struck under Licinius sounded odd to me. 

[Heliodromus]

7 minutes ago, ambr0zie said:

The seller did not provide a full attribution. I found this on OCRE. 

http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.7.rom.105

Yes - that attribution is correct.

These were mostly issued as a half-nummus (from Trier, Arles, Rome, Aquileia, Siscia, Thessalonica) with the longer legend REQVIES OPTIMORVM MERITORVM.

Only Rome issued them as the larger nummus (your coin), oddly with a shorter REQVIES OPTIMOR MERIT legend despite having more space on the larger coin.