JayAg47 Posted May 4 · Member Share Posted May 4 Finally added an aureus. My pride and joy! I've been on the look for an aureus for the last two years, but all the ones with in my budget were really subpar, and if I'm paying in four figures for a coin, it better be good. My criteria were: Any emperor/empress up to the Severan era, the coin should weigh more than 7 g, it should not be drastically off-centered, the wear must be uniform with no distracting scratches, and while I can't afford to have a choice in the reverse, I was lucky to have found mine with one that I actually like. This coin was issued under Vespasian for his son Titus as Caesar in the year 75 AD, in his fourth consulship. Regarding the reverse, it evokes the imagery found on coins from the Republican and Augustan periods. Suetonius states that the Flavians, newly rose to the purple, faced a credibility challenge due to their lack of "auctoritas". I believe that they sought to assert themselves as the upholders of Republican values (whatever it was by that time) by minting coins featuring similar motifs, and including restoration issues portraying the Julio-Claudians, thereby affirming their noble lineage (despite coming from a humble background). And the coin, Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN. Head of Titus, laureate, right. Rev: COS IIII. Bull butting right, lashing his tail, left. AD 75, 7.09 g, 20 mm. RIC II.1 780 (Vespasian), Biaggi 361 (same rev die), Calicó 731. Ex H.D. Rauch E-Auction 43, Lot 423. 3-7 Apr 2024. Ex Numismatika Pešek (Ma-shops, Apr 2024). A video of the coin under sunlight, IMG_E8101 (online-video-cutter.com).mp4 So I did some sleuthing regarding the provenance, as the seller did not disclose any in their Ma-shops listing. A quick search on Acsearch revealed it was just sold by the house H.D. Rauch, but nothing beyond that. While a provenance is good to have, it a was not really a requirement as it would really drive up the prices depending on who owned it! But the more interesting aspect was that I found a handful of reverse die matches to my coin, notably the slanted bar over the IIII. Although, I could never find an obverse die match, not only for this type, but for any of the Titus as Caesar issues on Acsearch! Example 1 is a coin from the Boscoreale Hoard sold by H.D. Rauch Auction 102, Lot 55. 7-10 Nov 2016. Example 2 from the Bertolami Fine Art E-Auction 92, Lot 1179. 2-6 Oct 2020 Example 3 from Roma Numismatics Auction XXIII, Lot 889. 24-25 Mar 2022 This coin nicely pairs up with my Augustus denarius with similar butting bull motif. Please share your dream coin or any Roman gold! 23 3 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted May 4 · Member Share Posted May 4 Congrats! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amarmur Posted May 4 · Member Share Posted May 4 Here are a few a value quite a bit Tribute penny Tiberius Cleopatra VII obol (on the way) Brutus All important and coins I dreamed about getting when I first started to collect ancient coins. 9 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted May 4 · Supporter Share Posted May 4 Wow @JayAg47! Well done! That is a beautiful aureus, and well worth the wait. That is a coin you will enjoy for years to come, I am sure! I would love to add an aureus to my collection someday. For now, I am content with this as my main acquired "dream coin": Achieved! My #1 ancient coin collecting goal! - General - Numis Forums JULIUS CAESAR, 49-44 BC AR Denarius (18.91mm, 3.53g, 12h) Struck late February to early March, 44 BC. Rome mint Obverse: CAESAR DICT PERPETVO, wreathed head of Julius Caesar right Reverse: L·BVCA, fasces and winged caduceus in saltire; axe, clasped hands, and globe in three quarters References: RRC 480/6, RCV 1409 Toned. A scarce, late-lifetime portrait denarius of Julius Caesar. Caesar received the title of Dictator Perpetuo (Dictator for Life) in February of 44 BC; this coin would have been struck mere weeks before his assassination on the ides of March that same year. 10 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted May 4 · Supporter Share Posted May 4 I should add - I like that honest wear on the coin, too. That was a good time for the empire, when even valuable gold circulated freely. How many Roman hands did that coin pass through, and what did it help purchase? Imagining things like that just add to a coin's appeal IMO. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted May 4 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted May 4 Nice coins all and congratulations on the addition @JayAg47 ! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientJoe Posted May 4 · Member Share Posted May 4 Congratulations on your new membership to the aurei club! Your coin is great and the nice, even wear is indicative of it being used for many years in real transactions in antiquity: truly history in your hands! 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted May 4 · Member Share Posted May 4 That's quite a handsome piece, much better than my horrendous Claudius Aureus. Congrats! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted May 4 · Supporter Share Posted May 4 2 hours ago, JayAg47 said: Finally added an aureus. My pride and joy! Now you have me really jealous ! Very nice addition, and the wear is even enough to not distract from the coin. I have yet (after 50 years of collecting) to get my first aureus. The closest I can contribute with will be electrum : Bosporan kingdom – El stater, dated 491 (194-195 CE) BACIΛΕωC CAVPOMATOV (anticlockwise). Draped and diademed bust of Sauromates II right Laureate head of Septimius Severus right. Star in right field. Retrograd VPA at exergue (year 491) 7,69 gr – 20 mm Ref : MacDonald # 502/2, Sear # 5476 var, RPC IV.1 # 3818-3820 Q 8 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted May 4 · Patron Share Posted May 4 2 hours ago, JayAg47 said: Finally added an aureus. My pride and joy! I've been on the look for an aureus for the last two years, but all the ones with in my budget were really subpar, and if I'm paying in four figures for a coin, it better be good. My criteria were: Any emperor/empress up to the Severan era, the coin should weigh more than 7 g, it should not be drastically off-centered, the wear must be uniform with no distracting scratches, and while I can't afford to have a choice in the reverse, I was lucky to have found mine with one that I actually like. This coin was issued under Vespasian for his son Titus as Caesar in the year 75 AD, in his fourth consulship. Regarding the reverse, it evokes the imagery found on coins from the Republican and Augustan periods. Suetonius states that the Flavians, newly rose to the purple, faced a credibility challenge due to their lack of "auctoritas". I believe that they sought to assert themselves as the upholders of Republican values (whatever it was by that time) by minting coins featuring similar motifs, and including restoration issues portraying the Julio-Claudians, thereby affirming their noble lineage (despite coming from a humble background). And the coin, Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN. Head of Titus, laureate, right. Rev: COS IIII. Bull butting right, lashing his tail, left. AD 75, 7.09 g, 20 mm. RIC II.1 780 (Vespasian), Biaggi 361 (same rev die), Calicó 731. Ex H.D. Rauch E-Auction 43, Lot 423. 3-7 Apr 2024. Ex Numismatika Pešek (Ma-shops, Apr 2024). A video of the coin under sunlight, IMG_E8101 (online-video-cutter.com).mp4 23.82 MB · 0 downloads So I did some sleuthing regarding the provenance, as the seller did not disclose any in their Ma-shops listing. A quick search on Acsearch revealed it was just sold by the house H.D. Rauch, but nothing beyond that. While a provenance is good to have, it a was not really a requirement as it would really drive up the prices depending on who owned it! But the more interesting aspect was that I found a handful of reverse die matches to my coin, notably the slanted bar over the IIII. Although, I could never find an obverse die match, not only for this type, but for any of the Titus as Caesar issues on Acsearch! Example 1 is a coin from the Boscoreale Hoard sold by H.D. Rauch Auction 102, Lot 55. 7-10 Nov 2016. Example 2 from the Bertolami Fine Art E-Auction 92, Lot 1179. 2-6 Oct 2020 Example 3 from Roma Numismatics Auction XXIII, Lot 889. 24-25 Mar 2022 This coin nicely pairs up with my Augustus denarius with similar butting bull motif. Please share your dream coin or any Roman gold! That's gorgeous!! I love that reverse type, too! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted May 4 · Supporter Share Posted May 4 WOW,WOW,WOW! You did fantastic. I love that reverse. That is a very handsome aureus ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted May 4 · Member Share Posted May 4 @Amarmur I bid on that Cleo! Was shocked how high it went. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amarmur Posted May 4 · Member Share Posted May 4 3 minutes ago, AETHER said: @Amarmur I bid on that Cleo! Was shocked how high it went. Yeah I really liked the portrait too. I overpaid a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted May 4 · Member Share Posted May 4 34 minutes ago, Amarmur said: Yeah I really liked the portrait too. I overpaid a bit. Ur prob not gonna find one cheaper anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted May 4 · Member Share Posted May 4 Extraordinary aureus. I don't have anything of the same level but I can surely understand the feeling of getting a major target. Just a few that I wanted a lot: 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted May 4 · Supporter Share Posted May 4 5 hours ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said: That's quite a handsome piece, much better than my horrendous Claudius Aureus. Congrats! Claudius aureus?? I didn't know you had one. Please show! 😯 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayAg47 Posted May 5 · Member Author Share Posted May 5 (edited) 9 hours ago, Qcumbor said: Now you have me really jealous ! Very nice addition, and the wear is even enough to not distract from the coin. I have yet (after 50 years of collecting) to get my first aureus. The closest I can contribute with will be electrum : Bosporan kingdom – El stater, dated 491 (194-195 CE) BACIΛΕωC CAVPOMATOV (anticlockwise). Draped and diademed bust of Sauromates II right Laureate head of Septimius Severus right. Star in right field. Retrograd VPA at exergue (year 491) 7,69 gr – 20 mm Ref : MacDonald # 502/2, Sear # 5476 var, RPC IV.1 # 3818-3820 Q That's a nice electrum stater, this type was actually one of my options for a Roman gold along with the KOSON stater, but I happened to find my aureus first! Regarding the wear, I've found the price increases exponentially on Roman aureus depending on the condition, and if I was after a coin with intact high points, I'll be looking at a coin in the five figures and would never forgive myself if I buy such a coin. Part of the appeal for me is actually handling the coin, I am already paranoid enough holding this aureus, and I would be scared to even touch an aureus close to mint state, even a minor hairline scratch would knock 1000s of dollars! Edited May 5 by JayAg47 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted May 5 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted May 5 I think it's a beautiful coin! Here's my example of the Augustus denarius with the butting bull: Augustus AR Denarius, 11-10 BCE, Lugdunum (Lyons) Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, banker's mark[?] below ear, AUGVSTVS downwards behind, DIVI • F upwards in front / Rev. Bull butting right, right forefoot raised, lashing tail over back, IMP • XII in exergue. RIC I Augustus 187a (2d ed. 1984), RSC I Augustus 155 (3rd ed. 1978), BMCRE I Augustus 472 at p. 81 & Pl. 11 No. 19 (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1866-1201-4186). 19 mm., 3.69 g. Purchased from Kölner Münzkabinett, Jan. 2022. And here's my only remaining aureus, since I sold my Vespasian aureus last year: Antoninus Pius AV aureus, ca. AD 151, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ANTONINVS AVG – PIUS P P TR P XIIII / Rev. On left, Ceres [probably representing Faustina II] standing three-quarters facing, head right, holding two grain ears in right hand; on right, Proserpina standing facing, head left, next to her mother, holding pomegranate in extended left hand, the two gazing at and embracing each other [probably celebrating birth of Faustina III in AD 150/151; hence the reverse inscription naming Laetitia, the personification of joy], LAETITIA – COS IIII. 19 mm., 6.89 g., 6 h. RIC III 199c [“Scarce”] (see http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.3.ant.199C ); Cohen 476; Sear RCV II 4008; BMCRE IV Antoninus Pius 725 & Pl. 15 No. 14; Strack 224 [Strack, Paul L., Untersuchungen zur römischen Reichsprägung des zweiten Jahrhunderts, Teil III: Die Reichsprägung zur Zeit Antoninus Pius (Stuttgart, 1937)]; Calicó 1556 [Calicó, E. Xavier, The Roman Avrei, Vol. I: From the Republic to Pertinax, 196 BC - 193 AD (Barcelona, 2003)]; Dinsdale 037180 [Dinsdale, Paul H, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius Caesar AD 138-161: Antonine Coinage (2nd Rev. ed., Leeds 2021) Ch. 18 at p. 421; photo at same page, indicating a probable obverse die match to my specimen] [see http://romanpaulus.x10host.com/Antoninus/old/18 - Antoninus Pius - TR POT XIIII Period - 150-151 (med_res).pdf.]* Purchased from Arete Coins [George Matev], Seattle, WA, Feb. 2022; ex Classical Numismatic Group [CNG] E-Auction 360, Sep. 30, 2015, Lot 458 (from “Group SGF” Collection); ex Jesús Vico, S.A., Auction 141, Mar. 5, 2015, Lot 121.** [Footnote omitted.] 6 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted May 5 · Member Share Posted May 5 20 hours ago, JayAg47 said: Finally added an aureus. My pride and joy! I've been on the look for an aureus for the last two years, but all the ones with in my budget were really subpar, and if I'm paying in four figures for a coin, it better be good. My criteria were: Any emperor/empress up to the Severan era, the coin should weigh more than 7 g, it should not be drastically off-centered, the wear must be uniform with no distracting scratches, and while I can't afford to have a choice in the reverse, I was lucky to have found mine with one that I actually like. This coin was issued under Vespasian for his son Titus as Caesar in the year 75 AD, in his fourth consulship. Regarding the reverse, it evokes the imagery found on coins from the Republican and Augustan periods. Suetonius states that the Flavians, newly rose to the purple, faced a credibility challenge due to their lack of "auctoritas". I believe that they sought to assert themselves as the upholders of Republican values (whatever it was by that time) by minting coins featuring similar motifs, and including restoration issues portraying the Julio-Claudians, thereby affirming their noble lineage (despite coming from a humble background). And the coin, Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN. Head of Titus, laureate, right. Rev: COS IIII. Bull butting right, lashing his tail, left. AD 75, 7.09 g, 20 mm. RIC II.1 780 (Vespasian), Biaggi 361 (same rev die), Calicó 731. Ex H.D. Rauch E-Auction 43, Lot 423. 3-7 Apr 2024. Ex Numismatika Pešek (Ma-shops, Apr 2024). A video of the coin under sunlight, IMG_E8101 (online-video-cutter.com).mp4 23.82 MB · 0 downloads So I did some sleuthing regarding the provenance, as the seller did not disclose any in their Ma-shops listing. A quick search on Acsearch revealed it was just sold by the house H.D. Rauch, but nothing beyond that. While a provenance is good to have, it a was not really a requirement as it would really drive up the prices depending on who owned it! But the more interesting aspect was that I found a handful of reverse die matches to my coin, notably the slanted bar over the IIII. Although, I could never find an obverse die match, not only for this type, but for any of the Titus as Caesar issues on Acsearch! Example 1 is a coin from the Boscoreale Hoard sold by H.D. Rauch Auction 102, Lot 55. 7-10 Nov 2016. Example 2 from the Bertolami Fine Art E-Auction 92, Lot 1179. 2-6 Oct 2020 Example 3 from Roma Numismatics Auction XXIII, Lot 889. 24-25 Mar 2022 This coin nicely pairs up with my Augustus denarius with similar butting bull motif. Please share your dream coin or any Roman gold! Beautiful coin! It was quite common on the precious metals for Vespasian to strike previous types - probably because of the massive recoining programme he initiated. The recoined types chosen likely evoke familiar reverses the Roman populace could identify with, linking the flavians to the Julio-claudians. Again, fantastic coin! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 5 · Supporter Share Posted May 5 Awesome @JayAg47 ! And one of my fave Emperors. Well done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.