Curtisimo Posted September 27 · Supporter Share Posted September 27 (edited) I’ve been putting together some digital trays of a few sub-collections I have been working on recently. This exercise has forced me to consider which of my coins is my current representative example for that sub-collection (in this case my Nerva-Antonine Collection). These two A-Pi denarii are close enough in my estimation that I had to think about it. That made me curious as to how the board might rank them. 1 Temple of Divus Augustus This coin shows the Temple of Divus Augustus that was built after his death on the site of his boyhood home. Caligula is said to have finished the temple and also to have erected a bridge over it between the Palatine and Capitoline hills. This coin commemorates Antoninus Pius’s restoration of the temple during his reign. It is an interesting architecture type from an emperor who did not have all that many interesting types. It has nice toning. Roman Empire Antoninus Pius 138-161. AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 158-159 (3.32 g, 17mm) Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXII. Laureate bust to the right. Rev.: AED DIVI AVG REST, in section COS IIII. Octastyle temple (Temple of Divus Augustus) with the statues of Divus Augustus and Livia. Ref.: RIC 284 Ex ROMA ÆTERNA Collection (chinamul), coin posted on numismatikforum in 2009, Gut-Lynt Auction 13 Part II, lot 1583 (October 1, 2023) 2 Pretty Purple Pius I’ve had this coin for many years and I’ve always really liked it. The reverse type is not as interesting as coin no. 1 but the eye appeal in hand is pretty great. The portrait is better in my opinion and it has a wonderful purple color. In hand it takes the eye appeal category for sure. Roman Empire Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161 AR Denarius, Rome mint, Struck ca. AD 140-143 Wt.: 3.01 g Dia.: 17 mm, 6h Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TR P COS III; Laureate head right Rev.: AEQVITAS AVG; Aequitas standing left, holding scales and sceptre Ref.: RIC III 61; RSC 14 Ex CNG E-auction 394, lot 478 (March 29, 2017) So what do you think? Which do you like better? I’d love to hear your opinions. Edited September 27 by Curtisimo 8 1 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amarmur Posted September 27 · Member Share Posted September 27 I like the temple one for its history and I'm a sucker for architectural types so yeah I'd go for that one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted September 27 · Supporter Share Posted September 27 Tough call! They are both nice coins. I think, though, that I'd go for No. 2. Not only does it have that great portrait and toning, but the flan quality is a bit better and it's also higher grade. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulla80 Posted September 27 · Supporter Share Posted September 27 (edited) Purple Pius is the nicer coin, but I would pick the temple coin Edited September 27 by Sulla80 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted September 27 · Member Share Posted September 27 I render a split vote; I like the temple type better but I'd rather have purple Pius. They're both great additions! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIF Posted September 27 · Supporter Share Posted September 27 Super tough call, Curtis! The temple type juuuuust edges out the Aequitas for me, primarily because I'm more attuned to interesting reverses/story coins. Also a sucker for great toning though, which made it a closer call 😀. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted September 27 · Patron Share Posted September 27 Both wonderful coins and I'd be happy with either. But because of the historical interest, I favor the Temple of Augustus reverse type. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted September 27 · Supporter Share Posted September 27 Very close vote here. Looks like there will have to be a mandated hand recount. I voted purple. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted September 27 · Supporter Share Posted September 27 Both are great, but the purple toning has me a bit uncomfortable, and the temple is great. I'd go for # 1 Q 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisimo Posted September 27 · Supporter Author Share Posted September 27 This is really interesting. I love that the votes are currently at a deadlock. Like I said, I have these coins ranked about neck and neck in terms of which I like best. I enjoy hearing the opinions of other collectors on things like this. There are a lot of collectors who I admire that have posted their opinion so far. Thank you all. Great fun! I think it would be interesting to see more threads like this where people post two coins from their collection that they consider close in desirability and see how the board votes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted September 27 · Patron Share Posted September 27 (edited) ..i'd say get both then you won't have to make a choice ...or flip a coin 😛 Edited September 27 by ominus1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted September 27 · Member Share Posted September 27 The temple, without blinking. Of course I like the purple one, with great toning and nice details (although the weak strike on the face of Aequitas is a little distracting) But the temple denarius has an interesting, non generic reverse plus a historical importance. Here is my sestertius version This temple was restored by Pius in 158. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted September 27 · Member Share Posted September 27 I'm a style & condition freak 🤪, so my vote went for the purple denarius 🤩. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted September 27 · Member Share Posted September 27 Definitely the purple one - I'm a sucker for style, and the style on that portrait is exceptional 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted September 27 · Supporter Share Posted September 27 Wow! Still tied at 9 and 9. I had to go with the portrait of the purple people eater. But big just stellar examples! Here's my two favorite Ant Pie denarii 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisimo Posted September 27 · Supporter Author Share Posted September 27 8 hours ago, ominus1 said: ..i'd say get both then you won't have to make a choice ...or flip a coin 😛 🙂 Just to clarify. I own both coins. I am just having a little fun while trying to decide which will be my representative example in my Nerva-Antonine sub collection. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted September 27 · Member Share Posted September 27 I'm a historical-coin type of guy. After you've got one really good portrait of an emperor, the reverses take on more interest. For me, the temple is more important. I voted for the temple. Here's my A.P temple with a different legend: 17 mm. 3.45 grams. TEMPLVM DIV AVG REST Struck 158-9. RIC 290a "Scarce" page 260. BMC 939, page 140, plate 20.6. Ex Fred Shore, "The Parthian" fixed-price list 2, 1984, lot 72. Also ex PMV late Summer 1982 list, lot 27. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted September 27 · Patron Share Posted September 27 5 hours ago, Curtisimo said: 🙂 Just to clarify. I own both coins. I am just having a little fun while trying to decide which will be my representative example in my Nerva-Antonine sub collection. 🙂 ...haha! i've never seen my advice preempted so....^^ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted September 27 · Member Share Posted September 27 Tough, if this was my choice I'd have to go with best bang for the buck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coinmaster Posted September 28 · Member Share Posted September 28 Hi @Curtisimo, nice topic! Well, for your purpose of the digital tray this must be the Purple Pius, because it's the most eye appealing, readable legends, etc. However the temple type has the best story to tell. So, it depends for which purpose exactly you want to use it. Is it for yourself, to look at your great coins, than it's mr. Purple, if you want to show and tell stories to others it's the temple one. This is the way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rasiel Posted September 28 · Member Share Posted September 28 I'm a portrait guy so for me 2nd one wins no contest :- ) Rasiel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted September 28 · Supporter Share Posted September 28 Coin people will like the temple because it is a bit different and more historical (like me). Non-coin people (and some coin people) will like the great condition of the Aequitas. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted September 29 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted September 29 The temple. Lots of history there and I also am a sucker for cool architectural types. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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