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My latest. Also my first "slabbed" coin.

3065904_0_1657281570.jpg.1b3cfe3d784187f616c7fa27c2021a23.jpg

 

It's the second Syrian Augustus tetradrachm I own, the first being an earlier issue from 2 B.C. Of the two, I prefer the portrait on this one, but the reverse is not as interesting as the older, Tyche/Orontes design. 

Unlike many here, I don't have strong feelings either way about slabs. On the one hand I like the organized presentation it gives. On the other, I would have liked to have more information included, and of course I like to handle the coins sometimes. I'm not sure yet if I will be breaking this one out.

 

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I got a couple of coins today from a recent Tauler & Fau auction.

Cr. 452/2 -  Caesar commemorating his victory at Pharsalus.   The LII on the obverse refers to his age at the time.Cr452_2_Obv.JPG.a18c960fa32757d81789cab29f170a13.JPGCr452_2_Rev.JPG.980e3ab7843347643eff5ad1990886e5.JPG

And an Ass quadrans - Cr. 195/4.

Cr195_4_Obv.JPG.0c872b6ddc705709a9d9289641d1d09f.JPGCr195_4_Rev.JPG.ec58e45005b267d2efced78344685c78.JPG

ATB,

Aidan.

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29 minutes ago, akeady said:

I got a couple of coins today from a recent Tauler & Fau auction.

Cr. 452/2 -  Caesar commemorating his victory at Pharsalus.   The LII on the obverse refers to his age at the time.Cr452_2_Obv.JPG.a18c960fa32757d81789cab29f170a13.JPGCr452_2_Rev.JPG.980e3ab7843347643eff5ad1990886e5.JPG

And an Ass quadrans - Cr. 195/4.

Cr195_4_Obv.JPG.0c872b6ddc705709a9d9289641d1d09f.JPGCr195_4_Rev.JPG.ec58e45005b267d2efced78344685c78.JPG

ATB,

Aidan.

What a beautiful Caesar coin -- I've never even seen the type before that I can remember.

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Here is my second coin from the recent Noonans auction; it arrived yesterday together with the RESTITVTORI AFRICAE Travel Series denarius.

Hadrian, AR Denarius, Rome Mint AD 126-127 [see RIC II.3 p. 132: Group 6]. Obv. Laureate bust right with slight drapery on far shoulder, HADRIANVS – AVGVSTVS / Rev. Seven stars (septentriones)* within and above crescent moon (points of crescent upwards), COS III above. RIC II.3 852 (ill. Pl. 19) (2019 ed.), old RIC II 202 (1926 ed.), RSC II 466, BMCRE III Hadrian 464, Sear RCV II 3485. 18 mm., 3.18 g. Purchased from Noonans Auction 13-14 July 2022, Lot 949; ex Seaby (retail purchase 1979).**

 image.png.f90d4e47347a69776bcabfadec115bd7.png

*Referred to as such at RIC II.3 p. 853. The septentriones were the seven brightest stars within the Ursa Major constellation, forming an asterism currently known in the USA as the “Big Dipper,” and in the UK as the “Plough.” See https://oikofuge.com/septentrionate/;   https://www.britannica.com/place/Ursa-Major. See also my discussion at  https://www.numisforums.com/topic/476-reading-the-ancient-stars/#comment-8164 of the septentriones as depicted on the reverse of this Roman Republican denarius issued by L. Lucretius Trio:

image.jpeg.34938ceb88ab6c20ebb8ed79418c705a.jpeg

 

**Note that as depicted by Noonans, the reverse of my new Hadrian denarius  was oriented as follows, with the points of the crescent to the right:image.png.12f5d38dea9c38bbcc114c93f3c840f2.png

Why did I rotate the reverse to point the crescent upwards? Because that's how the coin is illustrated in RIC II.3 at Plate 19.  And because doing so matches the coin's orientation to that of the crescent and single star on another Hadrian denarius issued around the same time, which I purchased a few months ago: 

Hadrian, AR Denarius, Rome Mint AD 126-127 [see RIC II.3 p. 132: Group 6]. Obv. Laureate bust right with slight drapery on far shoulder, HADRIANVS – AVGVSTVS / Rev. Six-pointed star within crescent moon (points of crescent upwards), COS III above. RIC II.3 864 (ill. Pl. 20) (2019 ed.), old RIC II 200 (1926 ed.), RSC II 460, BMCRE III Hadrian 457, Sear RCV II 3484 (ill. p. 145). 18x19 mm., 3.27 g.  Purchased from cgb.fr, 13 May 2022.

upload_2022-5-19_19-6-46.jpeg

 

It seems to be generally accepted that the type with seven stars represents the septentriones. I have seen no theory purporting to interpret the type depicting a single star, apparently issued later than the other type. If anyone knows of such an interpretation, I'd love to hear it.

Edited by DonnaML
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19 minutes ago, DonnaML said:

What a beautiful Caesar coin -- I've never even seen the type before that I can remember.

Here’s another example. I definitely like the portrait’s style on @akeadyexample better, particularly the eyes.15833BF0-5D0B-4E48-9C7D-DFB1F8A90D0C.jpeg.e79c3d0e9f5f811c026d9afe0286d191.jpeg5744C69D-EAAE-4D69-90D6-7F82B8EE156E.jpeg.3fa7dfce14a672d3ece6d836c9fe480d.jpeg

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3 hours ago, DonnaML said:

I have seen no theory purporting to interpret the type depicting a single star, apparently issued later than the other type. If anyone knows of such an interpretation, I'd love to hear it.

On provincial coinage, this arrangement is sometimes said to represent a lunar eclipse (or perhaps some other conjunction event).  I think NASA has an extensive list of historical astronomical events, you might look for some in Hadrian’s reign!

Edited by Severus Alexander
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Until the coin arrives that I ordered last week, this Julian II remains my latest ancient.

360_to_363_JulianII_AE1_BIMalorina_01.png.583bd64287b85c4d9bf96a0d349412e0.png
360_to_363_JulianII_AE1_BIMalorina_02.png.c62c20badc7614181b9de1c40129a931.png
Julian II (360 - 363) AE1 (BI Maiorina); Thessalonika Mint; Obv: DN FL CL IVLIANUS PF AUG; Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; Rev: SECVRITAS REIPVB; Bull standing right, two stars above;*TESΓ in exergue; Ref: RIC 226; NGC Graded Ch. XF

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This one is a bit of a gamble (also in the sense that I don't have it yet, won last night at Noble 130)... really tempting the gods on this one...

The gamble: I'm hoping the coin actually still looks like it did in the 1999 NAC and 2005 CNG sales, and that Noble's photography is characteristically uncharitable (in my past experience, the coins look better in hand).

The coin is reportedly Virzi 512 (I don't have a copy of Virzi plates...yet... not in the Malloy sale or Hirsch, don't have the Leu sale either [*edit* just noticed the Gallica link on rNumis! *]) and in Corpus Numorum Siculorum (a set whose price I haven't been willing to pay).

But what really got me was the amazing overstrike: Dolphins for the Lyre frame and Apollo wearing a helmet!

The Aitna - Adnon Mercenaries types are generally struck on Syracuse AE Drachms and often have at least some traces of under-type. But here you can see the dolphins, positioned as well as possible to be incorporated in the lyre, and likewise a bit of Athena's helmet outlines the back of Apollo's head. Was this accidental? Could it possibly have been the coin-strikers having fun or expressing their creativity during their boredom? I've seen some other dramatic overstrikes that give such an impression, but my guess is that it's just luck. With enough of them, some will look cool by chance.

The 17-year old photo from CNG e-Auction 116 [15 June 2005], Lot 56:

image.jpeg.2bc8ce005ab23ca4e5ad6f661d8e4a3d.jpeg

From Noble 130, 4137: Sicily, Aitna Area, Mercenaries from Adranon, (c.344-336 B.C. [actually, I think a bit earlier?]),AE drachm, 30mm, (26.11 g), obv. laureate head of Apollo left, rev. lyre with seven strings (CNS III 2 st 4/5 = Virzi 512 (This Coin)).

For comparison here's the undertype, with reverse rotated to the same dolphin orientation, from CNG Triton VIII [edited, not my coin]:

image.jpeg.63cce3674b694c2a9eb1be8152d9abc0.jpeg

From NAC Auction I, Lot 1137:

image.png.68c068b70e3f8754e0c56b6b47d5292d.png

From Noble (yikes, hope it's not accurate! but maybe it caught B.D. & took a sesquicarbonate bath... though the dimples and changes in tone appear to be in the same places):

image.jpeg.4436606eaf0a1348594589d85123b008.jpeg

Edited by Curtis JJ
correcting Freudian slip (big for bit in sentence one!)
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image.png.8fcddf6de8a08b4cf6512e3fbccb5b67.png

Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius. Denarius circa 81, AR 20.00 mm., 3.84 g.
Diademed head of Pietas r.; before, stork. Rev. Jug and lituus; in exergue, IMPER. All within wreath.
Babelon Caecilia 44. Sydenham 751. RBW 1397. Crawford 374/2.
Extremely Fine. From a private British collection.

 

My new arrival from Naville today.

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40 minutes ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

I don't want to jinx the coin completely, but I ordered a nomisma of Nicephorus Botaniates. It seems to be a jinx when I post a picture before it gets here.

I'm a little shaken up; my brakes went out (I'm ok and nothing wrecked) and I just finished walking home. I'll just have to drive the other car until it's fixed. 

I suspect I know which one you bought but don't want to jinx you either... I was thinking about it! Cool coin if it's the same.

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Aha!  Hint; it's broken, but the best parts are there.  It'll be a placeholder until I can upgrade that emperor. I'd like to find one of his portrait folles in strong VF.

I don't need any jinxes after today. Sadly, I'm a bit of a pro at failed brakes. They gave out on my prevous car..twice.  I'm not bringing it back to that garage. I'm sending it to a slow but trustworthy one.  Things will get fixed.

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37 minutes ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

Aha!  Hint; it's broken, but the best parts are there.  It'll be a placeholder until I can upgrade that emperor. I'd like to find one of his portrait folles in strong VF.

I don't need any jinxes after today. Sadly, I'm a bit of a pro at failed brakes. They gave out on my prevous car..twice.  I'm not bringing it back to that garage. I'm sending it to a slow but trustworthy one.  Things will get fixed.

That's a bummer to put it lightly! Glad you didn't have an accident or anything. I know what it's like. One time my truck brakes gave out on me while I was driving, thankfully nothing bad happened. But it was strange having to consciously plan ahead exactly how I was going to slow, turn, etc.

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1 hour ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

Aha!  Hint; it's broken, but the best parts are there.  It'll be a placeholder until I can upgrade that emperor. I'd like to find one of his portrait folles in strong VF.

I don't need any jinxes after today. Sadly, I'm a bit of a pro at failed brakes. They gave out on my prevous car..twice.  I'm not bringing it back to that garage. I'm sending it to a slow but trustworthy one.  Things will get fixed.

Oh, hmmm.... Somebody else must've gotten the one I was thinking -- Nicephorus B. is popular lately!

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Thanks.  That's exactly what I thought about the slow/turning part!  The brake pressure hadn't been super awesome for a while, it was probably rusty and ready to go.  That would have been the car I would have been driving in the storms tomorrow. Fortuna was smiling today.

Anyway, many people have much bigger problems than I. I'm sure it will get fixed.   Thanks for any well wishes in advance, but I'm ok and things will get fixed. I feel strangely completely at peace about the whole matter.  It was just slightly scary in the moment. It happened in the ideal place for it to happen, if there's an ideal.

There was another broken one in the vcoins section, which must not have been updated right away.  That had a break in a different place.  I happened to look, and the just ordered one went on sale. I got about $30 off!

Edited by Nerosmyfavorite68
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One of my latest aquisition from the last Prunier "the fool" auction .

A Stater of Opuntian Locris. 


Opus was regarded as the chief town of the Eastern Locrians. The city is mentioned in the catalog of the ships in Book 2 of Homer’s Iliad. The Locrians were placed under the authority of Ajax the Lesser who is depicting on the reverse of the staters.

Oponton2FAC.jpg.f67fd2763eb225f2d9f486efd5ee7847.jpg

Lokris, Lokris Opuntii AR Stater (12.1g). Circa 420-380 BC. Head of Demeter l., wearing barley-wreath, triple-pendant earring and necklace / Ajax the Lesser, nude but for crested Corinthian helmet, advancing r. on rocky ground, holding short sword in his r. hand, round shield decorated on its interior with coiled serpent in his l. hand; between his legs, a crested Corinthian helmet ; OPONTIΩN around. BCD 43, BMC 18 (Taf. I, 6).

 

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While I love collecting my Gallienus zoo coins, and have even tried getting rid of some of my BCD coins that don't exactly fit my collection, I have decided I really love tiny coins as well. I don't know much about this coin, it was very much an impulse buy, but I immediately fell in love with the tiny size and simplicity of it. PhotoRoom-20220803_182808.png.0770d918c549bcb789c72fdf3ba3565a.png

Caria 5th Century B.C., Silverspace2.gifobol, Apparently unpublished in references.

obverse: forepart of bull charging left; reverse: head of gazelle left

6.7mm, 0.394g

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This year 2 (686/7) Constantinople Justinian II follis arrived this week.  Much darker in hand, the photo doesn't do it justice.  Which is always a nice surprise. 🙂 

image.jpeg.12a88e7e432f878e04a450a96c6adc2f.jpeg

Last month I received this cool pairing of an Egyptian imitation of an Athens tet along with the fourrée version.  I like that the fourrée is complete with test cut! 😄 

image.jpeg.779c5dece25bb46cf6be3f775ab80817.jpeg

image.jpeg.5f38177f187236fb87e91ce3ddca8cc1.jpeg

The soil adhering is very light in colour, as in the photo.  I find it unappealing, but I'm pretty sure it will come off OK and improve the look of both of these.  (Tagging @robinjojo because I think he'll like these two.)

All three of these were at pretty good prices I feel, especially with the euro where it is (hammers: 50 euros for the Justinian and 70 each for the tets).

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5 hours ago, Severus Alexander said:

This year 2 (686/7) Constantinople Justinian II follis arrived this week.  Much darker in hand, the photo doesn't do it justice.  Which is always a nice surprise. 🙂 

image.jpeg.12a88e7e432f878e04a450a96c6adc2f.jpeg

Last month I received this cool pairing of an Egyptian imitation of an Athens tet along with the fourrée version.  I like that the fourrée is complete with test cut! 😄 

image.jpeg.779c5dece25bb46cf6be3f775ab80817.jpeg

image.jpeg.5f38177f187236fb87e91ce3ddca8cc1.jpeg

The soil adhering is very light in colour, as in the photo.  I find it unappealing, but I'm pretty sure it will come off OK and improve the look of both of these.  (Tagging @robinjojo because I think he'll like these two.)

All three of these were at pretty good prices I feel, especially with the euro where it is (hammers: 50 euros for the Justinian and 70 each for the tets).

Those are very interesting imitative owls!  I will take a closer look at the countermarks on the first one, but I need to shut down until 9pm PDT.  The peak rates kick in between 4pm and 9pm.

I like the Justinian II follis as well - nice centering and a nice earthen patina.

Edit:  I can't determine any letter or character for the countermarks, but my knowledge in this area is extremely limited.  The first countermark almost looks like some sort of standing animal (camel?).  The reverse cm sort of looks like to ears of grain, but it could also be a letter or character that I am totally unfamiliar with.

 

Edited by robinjojo
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