Post your latest ancient!

[ambr0zie]

The latest coin without a write-up is a RR denarius - a type I wanted. Not the best condition but a decent price and I like this coin. It is not a fourree although the pic creates this illusion - it's horn silver, but I am stil reluctant about cleaning it as my previous attempts have mixed results on several coins. 

20,4 mm, 3,71 g.
Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus 48 BC. AR denarius. Rome.
Pietas, head of Pietas, r / [AL]BINVS BRVTI F, two clasping hands holding caduceus.
BMC 3964; Syd. 942; RRC 450/2; RSC Postumia-Procilia 10.
Decimus Junius Brutus, who was later to become one of the assassins of Julius Caesar, was adopted by A. Postumius Albinus and he joined to his own name that of his adopted father. This moneyer served under Caesar during the Gallic Wars and was later made governor of Transalpine Gaul. Additionally, he was made Caesar's heir should Octavius reject the inheritance. Despite the favor Caesar showed him, he was amongst the conspirators in his assassination (he should not be confused with M. Junius Brutus, however, who was one of the principals of the conspiracy). The types chosen for this coin advertise Caesar's leniency in dealing with those Romans who had opposed him, Pietas personifying devotion and love of country, and the clasped hands an obvious symbol of reconciliation. The winged caduceus is most associated as the attribute of the personification of Felicitas, and here represents the beneficial outcome of Caesar's clemency.

[Bailathacl]

I just won this today at the Steve Album auction.  I had been looking for a nice Bactrian Indian-standard coin of Apollodotos I to pair with my Attic-standard tetradrachm from the same kingdom.  These bilingual square pieces, with Greek on the elephant side and local (Bactrian?) script on the bull side, were circulated locally, and the round traditional issues were aimed for exportation, it seems.  

Auction photo and description below;

Edited March 5, 2024 by Bailathacl
Intended “kingdom”, not “king” as initially posted significant difference!)

[Cordoba]

14 hours ago, Bailathacl said:

I just won this today at the Steve Album auction.  I had been looking for a nice Bactrian Indian-standard coin of Apollodotos I to pair with my Attic-standard tetradrachm from the same king.  These bilingual square pieces, with Greek on the elephant side and local (Bactrian?) script on the bull side, were circulated locally, and the round traditional issues were aimed for exportation, it seems.  

Auction photo and description below;

nice, I won the lot before. I wanted one with the taurine symbol on the zebu. the script on the back is Kharosthi

BACTRIA: Apollodotos I, ca. 180-160 BC, AR drachm (2.41g), Bop-4F

 

Edited March 5, 2024 by Cordoba

[zanzi]

Here is my latest coin, a Parthian drachm of Artabanus II. 

 

This is my second Parthian coin alongside my first, a drachm of Mithradates II. Neat how you can see the design simplify and become more "Persian looking".

 

[Finn235]

Here's a recent "snack" that I've been after for a while but doesn't quite warrant its own thread - a larger AE of Amisos from the time of Mithradates VI, featuring Perseus slaying Medusa. A common, inexpensive coin that I have always wanted in decent grade.

[robinjojo]

Here's a classical standardized owl that I purchased for the interesting countermark.

Attica, Athens, standardized classical owl, 440-404 BC.  Possible Aramaic 'B' (beth) countermark.

17.13 grams

The countermark  is very small and is located near the earring, to the right.  There's a definite curved tail at the bottom and a horizontal bar at the top, with a slight indentation in the middle.  Based on my Google search this is the closest I can find as a match, albeit an approximate one:, Imperial Aramaic "B" 5th century BC.  If anyone has other insights, please post.  Thanks!

 or ?

Here's an enlargement of the countermark (sorry for the blurriness). 

Edited March 6, 2024 by robinjojo

[red_spork]

A rare half victoriatus, one of the rarest denominations of the entire Roman Republic series. I also shared it here in Phil's thread discussing his really amazing example of the type. Mine is an ugly looking coin but an important type for a collection like mine

Roman Republic AR Half Victoriatus(13.5 mm, 1.45g). Anonymous(""VB"" series). ca. 211-208 B.C. Uncertain mint(traditionally, Vibo Valentium). Laureate head of Jupiter right. Bead and reel border / Victory standing right, crowning trophy with wreath; VB ligate on exergue between; S to right. ROMA in exergue. Line border. Crawford 95/2

 

[zanzi]

On 3/6/2024 at 10:03 AM, Finn235 said:

Here's a recent "snack" that I've been after for a while but doesn't quite warrant its own thread - a larger AE of Amisos from the time of Mithradates VI, featuring Perseus slaying Medusa. A common, inexpensive coin that I have always wanted in decent grade.

I'm curious, how big is this? You say it is a larger AE.

[Finn235]

5 hours ago, zanzi said:

I'm curious, how big is this? You say it is a larger AE.

28mm - about the same size as a late RR As.

Definitely not huge compared to Ptolemaic or Roman standards, but the vast majority of the Greek AEs in my collection are sub-20mm, so it's a definite stand-out in terms of size.

[Furryfrog02]

This cool Byzantine overstrike came today from Netherlands. He came with a couple friends but I only had time to take pictures of this one:

 

Constantine X Ducas with Eudocia
1059-1067 AD
Follis, 6.59g, 27.90mm
Constantinople
Obverse: + ЄMMANOVHΛ / IC - XC. Christ Pantokrator standing facing on footstool.
Reverse: Constantine and Eudocia standing facing, holding between them a labarum with cross-piece on shaft set upon three steps
Note: Overstruck on Class D Anonymous Follis of Constantine IX

[red_spork]

Finally getting around to photographing another recent pickup. I won this in the recently closed HJB Buy or Bid Sale, a post-semilibral cast(aes grave) triens, and a surprisingly rare type. Only 4 including this example on ACSearch. This triens is from the period and from a series minted during the changeover from cast to struck bronzes and as such overlaps with some of the earliest struck trientes.

Roman Republic Æ Aes Grave Triens(29.5 mm, 25.20 g), anonymous, 215-212 B.C., Rome mint. Helmeted head of Minerva left; •••• / Prow left; ••••. Crawford 41/7a; Vecchi ICC 111; Haeberlin pl. 51 22-27

 

Berk shipped this coin remarkably fast but it went missing in the mail for 2 weeks. I was worried it was lost until it finally got an "out for delivery" scan out of the blue one morning and was in my mailbox an hour later

Edited March 12, 2024 by red_spork

[Phil Anthos]

Tax return turned into an ancient coin....

Taras, Calabria

272-240/35 BC AR Didrachm (21mm, 6.11g) Philemenos magistrate. O: Naked boy riding horse right; [ΦI] before, ΦIΛHME-NOΣ (magistrate) below. R: Taras riding dolphin right, holding tripod in outstretched right hand, trident upwards in left; filleted bucranium in field to right, [T]APAΣ below. D'Andrea XLIV, 1391; Vlasto 884-87; SNG ANS 1204; HGC I, 891; HN Italy 1035 Scarce ex Senatus Consulto

[Steppenfool]

 

Philip I AR Antoninianus. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / LAETIT FVNDAT, Laetitia standing left holding wreath and rudder. RIC 36 RSC 80.

I'm assuming the object between the rudder and Laetitia is actually just some disconnected drapery? 

Edited March 13, 2024 by Steppenfool

[Valentinian]

3 hours ago, Steppenfool said:

I'm assuming the object between the rudder and Laetitia is actually just some disconnected drapery? 

Yes. You can see it looped over her arm from the front at the elbow. 

[seth77]

The ΔΕ (with or w/o SC) base metal coinage is known mostly from Antioch. Here is one from Laodicea ad Mare:

It's a Latin coinage, Laodicea had been minting Latin language currency since the reign of Septimius Severus, who conferred it the status of Latin colonia and metropolis. It is also of the same general specs as the small denomination ΔΕ / SC inside wreath minted at Antioch. It's also a very interesting reverse which can be interpreted either :

1. at face value - as Heracles and Dionysus standing nude wrestling with each other, with each of their attributes - the club and the thyrsus behind them

2. symbolic -- the athletae facing in a traditional wrestling contest, reenacting the wrestle between the 2 gods for a prize

It's possible that this coinage was struck periodically on certain local or regional sporting events involving (also) Greco-Roman martial arts.

From the Dictionary of Roman coins:

This was a rather unexpected win.

[ambr0zie]

And an unexpected price! Congratulations!

[seth77]

36 minutes ago, ambr0zie said:

And an unexpected price! Congratulations!

Were you following this?

[ambr0zie]

No, but knowing we are fans of the same auction house, I checked to see if it's recent. 

From that auction I picked my glorious Marius and 2 very nice Faustina II imperials (very nice on a serious note). 

I also like Laodicea provincials and I have 2 of them. A Macrinus and a Pius, Macrinus being also a very good deal. 

[seth77]

31 minutes ago, ambr0zie said:

No, but knowing we are fans of the same auction house, I checked to see if it's recent. 

From that auction I picked my glorious Marius and 2 very nice Faustina II imperials (very nice on a serious note). 

I also like Laodicea provincials and I have 2 of them. A Macrinus and a Pius, Macrinus being also a very good deal. 

They work well together too, showing the two phases of the base metal mint: Greek local/provincial and Latin colonial.

[filolif]

A couple new coins from the last Leu auction have finally arrived!

First coin auction description:
KINGS OF MACEDON. Philip II, 359-336 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 14.31 g, 3 h), Amphipolis, struck under Antipater or Polyperchon, circa 320/19-317. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Young jockey, holding palm frond in his right hand and reins in his left, riding horse to right; below horse, monogram; below raised foreleg, Λ. Le Rider pl. 45, 6. SNG ANS 633-4. Attractively toned and with a bold head of Zeus of unusually fine style for a posthumous issue. Light marks and with minor flan faults on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.    From an American collection, privately acquired from Ariadne Galleries prior to 1982.

This coin had an unlisted provenance: ex Glendining June 18, 1943 Lot 35

-----------

Second coin auction description:
SELEUKID KINGS. Seleukos IV Philopator, 187-175 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30 mm, 17.18 g, 12 h), Antiochia on the Orontes. Diademed head of Seleukos IV to right. Rev. BAΣIΛΕΩΣ - ΣΕΛEYKOY Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow; to outer left, wreath and filleted palm frond; in exergue, monogram. HGC 9, 580e. SC 1313.1. Beautifully toned and with a splendid portrait. Light scratches on the obverse and with a minor flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.    Ex Leu Web Auction 20, 17 July 2022, 1545 and Numismatica Ars Classica 123, 9 May 2021, 819, and previously privately acquired from Vinchon on 24 February 2011.

This coin also had an unlisted provenance: ex Etienne Bourgey March 22, 1910 Lot 434

Very happy to be able to pick these up.

[Victrix]

Managed to win 2 migration period denarii imitations of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. Not beautiful but quite interesting.

[Furryfrog02]

My latest Victory from Tiber Numismatics Auction 4:

Acrasos, Lydia, semi-autonomous
200-268 AD
AE17
Obverse: Head of Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy
Reverse: AKΡACIΩTΩN, Nike walking right, holding wreath and palm branch

Shipping, buyer's fee, and taxes cost almost as much as the coin did...but it's not one I had so I'm ok paying ~$17 total 🙂

[Jeremy]

A new Herakles from Maeonia in Lydia to complement the bearded one from Sala that I had. I got away from modern collecting a long time ago, but here I am collecting sets again!

Lydia, Sala, Pseudo-autonomous Æ 1/3 assarion
Circa 2nd - 3rd century AD
Obverse: Bearded, laureate head of Herakles right. 
Reverse: СΑΛΗ-ΝΩΝ; Grape bunch on vine. 
References: SNG von Aulock -; SNG Cop  433-4; BMC 24; GRPC Lydia 35; Lindgren & Kovacs 798.
Size: 15mm
Weight: 2.18g
Die axis: 11h

Lydia, Maeonia, Pseudo-autonomous issue, possibly Time of Hadrian, Æ 15 mm
117-138 AD
Obverse: Laureate and draped bust of Herakles right.
Reverse: ΜΑΙΟΝΩΝ; Club and bow in bowcase, bee above.
References: RPC III 2428; SNG Copenhagen 217; SNG von Aulock 3008.
Size: 15 mm
Weight: 1.92 g

[seth77]

A small 13mm 2.14g brassy 'leaded bronze' unit minted at Lampsacus in Mysia for Augustus:

And who's that on the reverse?

It's the ithyphallic Priapus with his erection, luckily preserved in full despite the overall worn and corroded condition of the coin.

Edited March 20, 2024 by seth77

[DonnaML]

I had no particular "need" for this coin -- not that I ever really do! -- but I really liked the portrait of Maximinus I on the obverse, and the very detailed Victory on the reverse, complete with a small German captive commemorating Maximinus's victories in Germania. 

Maximinus I Thrax AR Denarius, 236-238 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM / Rev. Victory standing front, head to left, holding wreath in her outstretched right hand and palm frond in her left hand in front of her wings; at her feet to left, German captive seated left, head turned back to right, hands probably tied behind his back, VICTO – RIA GERM. 20 mm., 2.54 g., 12 h. RIC IV-2 23; RSC III 107 (ill. p. 154); BMCRE VI 186-187; Sear RCV III 8318 (ill. p. 80). Purchased from Leu Numismatik AG, Winterthur, Switzerland, Web Auction 29, 25 Feb. 2024, Lot 2235; ex Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 7, 24 Feb. 2019, Lot 1218; from the S. Pozzi Collection [N.B.: not the famous Dr. Samuel Jean Pozzi (1846-1918), but a different person who was still alive in the late 20^th Century!]; ex Peter Höfer FPL 9, June 1981, Lot 277.  

Perhaps Leu was a bit disingenuous in its 2019 auction of the so-called "S. Pozzi Collection," which it presented without expressly stating that the collection had nothing to do with the famous Pozzi Collection? Leu didn't even implicitly disclose that fact by giving the "new" S. Pozzi's full first name; only the initial. Yes, anyone who read the descriptions carefully would realize that this Pozzi was still alive in the late 20th century, and anyone familiar with the "real" S. Pozzi would know he died a century ago. But I still think there was something a bit shady about the way Leu handled this. I can't help wondering how many people bought "S. Pozzi" coins from Leu's 2019 auction believing they were purchasing coins that had once belonged to the original Dr. Pozzi.  Perhaps even this coin, given how relatively quickly it was offered again? After all, the hammer price was 50 CHF lower this time than in 2019.  (I wasn't under any illusions myself, since I did a little research before bidding, and am very pleased with the coin!)

A second question: does anyone have any explanation of why there's that small "tab" sticking out at 3:00 on the obverse? Not that I ever would, but every time I see it, I feel an impulse to reach out and snap it off at the dotted line, like a saltine!  Could it possibly be left over from the process of casting blanks or flans, which, I believe I recall reading, sometimes involved a series of molds attached to each other that were subsequently broken apart?

Finally, I've been unable to find out anything regarding the  Höfer fixed price lists from the 1970s/1980s, other than the fact that his first name was Peter. I don't even know what country he was in -- presumably Germany or Switzerland. If anyone is aware of anything more, I'd appreciate your letting me know.

 

Edited March 20, 2024 by DonnaML