Secret Saturnalia 2024

[savitale]

[TIF]

Mailed my gift today, should arrive on Tuesday :).   To whoever has me, it was sent to a third party and I will remind them to check for it.

[Ryro]

It's almost here...Tomorrow's the first day of Saturnalia!

I've been staring at this:

for the last 2 weeks like;

[Sulla80]

49 minutes ago, Ryro said:

It's almost here...Tomorrow's the first day of Saturnalia!

Would you recommend opening on the first day or perhaps better to wait for the last day of Saturnalia?

[Ryro]

2 minutes ago, Sulla80 said:

Would you recommend opening on the first day or perhaps better to wait for the last day of Saturnalia?

The tradition has always (at least for the 6 or 7 years that I have been doing it) is to open on the first day of Saturnalia, if you are able to wait 😉 And to post your Saturn's gifts to you on the 17th if possible.

Though, a buddy and I are doing Saturnalia/Christmas gifts on the side, so that we have coin presents to open Christmas morning. 

[JAZ Numismatics]

15 minutes ago, Sulla80 said:

Would you recommend opening on the first day or perhaps better to wait for the last day of Saturnalia?

I wouldn't have the self control. In fact, my package is getting torn open at exactly 12 midnight and 1 second, tonight.

[The_Collector]

My package just arrived right on time!

[Sulla80]

6 hours ago, Ryro said:

The tradition has always (at least for the 6 or 7 years that I have been doing it) is to open on the first day of Saturnalia, if you are able to wait 😉 And to post your Saturn's gifts to you on the 17th if possible.

Though, a buddy and I are doing Saturnalia/Christmas gifts on the side, so that we have coin presents to open Christmas morning. 

Thanks, Ryro - fair warning, my sense of humor is a little dry.

I am looking forward to opening tomorrow and also looking forward to seeing the variety of coins received & posted.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Edit:  I had it in the editor, ready to go, thinking there would be run at midnight..  I'll wait a bit, at least til someone posts something, or til the wee hours.

Edited December 17, 2024 by Nerosmyfavorite68

[Qcumbor]

Io Saturnalia !

It's time here in France, so here it is !

I opened my package and found à very nice Plautilla denarius ! My Secret Santa must have scrolled my past posts and my collection to know how much i like Plautilla  ...

Here's a picture of the coin

 

Thanks Saturn !

Q

Edited December 17, 2024 by Qcumbor
Updated image

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I finally get to thank my very generous Saturn!  All three years have been nice (the first one went through a snowstorm, included some really nice local chocolates (those were really memorable), and had some coins from a famous collection), but the past two years have really taken the cake!

Thank you, Robinjojo!  My generous benefactor included four very respectable coins, all of which were within my collecting interests.

               The package arrived, and was so thick.  It was very tough to guess what was inside.

               There was also the very welcome side-effect of achieving an improvement per my coin photography. It’s still not great, but the results are much better than before.

               I also received help in nailing down definitive ID’s for two of the coins (thank you to those fine folks!).

             I’m a lover of big coins, and this one certainly fits the bill.  My photograph doesn’t completely capture that, but this Zurqieh coin is covered in what seems to be orange-ish mud, which seem to be compacted on.  This dealer is a bit known for adding earthen patinas, but although I could be wrong, I think this is natural, or else the orange would be also be covering the darker bits in Zeus’ hair.  Anyway, that adds a bit of interest, and the tetrobol is my favorite of the bunch!  I like them all, but I’m ranking them in terms of my favorites.  I had collected these heavily around 2011, but aside from the term tetrobol, it became hard to search for the big Egyptian AE’s, so I’ve only bought a couple since then.

 

 

 

            Second comes an AE tetradrachm of Elymais.  I collect Parthian and Sasanian, but I didn’t have any examples ofthese.  I don’t know much about these, but I do know enough to realize that it’s very nice for the type.  I may have the reverse positioned incorrectly.  The reverse has a stylized bust, but it’s hard to know which way is up, even on the finest examples.

 

 

 

 

 

Elymais - Uncertain king - late 1^st BC-early 2nd c. AD (probably closer to the latter date)

Reference - van't Haaf 10.3.1-1D –

15.0g

               This following coin contains the greatest mystery of the bunch.  When I first opened the coins, I had assumed that the flip contained a thick Justin I.   Turns out there was a Justin II in the other pocket.

               I don’t have a coin scale (which is being remedied at this moment), but by heft, it’s circa two grams less than the Justin II.  Here’s where the mystery comes in; the coin is a good deal thinner than any of the few Justin I’s I’ve handled.  My scale isn’t arriving until this weekend, so I don’t know the weight exactly. I’m estimating around 10-11g.  It could be 12. The Justin II could be as high as 14. The mystery; is it an imitative?  The style (the bust is pretty darn similar to the plate follis in Sear of a common type) suggests that it’s official.  Could these scarce crescent issues been some short-run attempt at debasement?

               The Byzantines came without ID tags and as I went to my copy of Sear Byzantine, it was harder to ID than I thought. It really wasn’t matching up with the common ones.  The object to the right of the M was the mystery, but I realized that it was probably a crescent like so, ).  I received a lot of ID help with this one, and the consensus was that it was probably the very scarce S 65, an added bonus!  I’m not sure what’s going on with the officina, but Sear only lists E.

               The coin diameter is pretty similar to the Justin II.  I purchased some rulers, but I can’t find them.  Coin calipers are also on the eventual to-do list.

               My LCS had some inexpensive Byzantines with a similar look.  I wonder if a 1960’s collection was dispersed?

 

  

 

 

An excerpt from the Sear listing:

 

The other Byzantine is a Justin II, which I think is only the third follis of his that I own.

 

Justin II (565-578) - AE 40 nummia - Nikomedia - S 369 - Yr 10, off A  xx g., xx mm.

This year was a definite win; a generous array and an improvement with my coin photography.

 

 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Nerosmyfavorite68

[Furryfrog02]

Dang, y'all already cracking things open!
I had to go to work at 230am this morning. My SS package has been on the counter next to where I keep my keys and badge for work. I thought about bringing it in to open today but decided that wouldn't be the best use of time haha.
I will wait until the kids get home and we can open together. They've been nearly as excited as me.

Looking forward to seeing everyone's gifts!

[CPK]

Just opened mine! 🥳 And wow! My Secret Saturn 😉 has been most thoughtful and generous! These are awesome coins! I can't wait to take photos and post them as soon as I can - which may be tomorrow unfortunately since we are not going to be around this evening. But in the meantime, Thank You!! 🥳

[Sulla80]

Great to see the news coming in from Saturnalia - I was excited to find these coins in my gift card:

I've posted a longer write-up here: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/saturnalia-gift

The thoughtful gift includes two coins, one from the Artuqids of Mardin (12th Century CE) which appeals to my interest in both medieval Islamic and Anatolian coins. The second coin an Indian Head Cent - a coin that reminds me of my mother's childhood collection of Indian Head pennies that fascinated me as a child and was my introduction to coin collecting.

I am particularly pleased with this coin as it is the Spengler & Sayles 30.2 sub-type which references Abbasid caliph al-Mustadi rather than the earlier Abbasid caliph (30.1)!

Thanks!

edit to add a larger photo of the Dirham:

Islamic, Anatolia & al-Jazira (Post-Seljuk). Artuqids (Mardin). Najm al-Din Alpi, AH 547-572 / CE 1152-1176. Dirhem (Bronze, 31mm, 11.29 g, 12h), Mardin(?), c. AH 566-572 / CE 1170-1176.

Edited December 17, 2024 by Sulla80

[kirispupis]

I opened my Saturnalia gift and was absolutely floored at the coins inside!

This is my first official coin from Hispania! Several months ago I purchased a reprint of Heiss because I intended to start collecting the myriad cities there, made all the more interesting because my father's side of the family came from Spain, but budget just didn't allow it. A large Sephardic population did live in Cartagena, which is what Carthago Nova became, so this coin is especially dear. It's also a rare version with a debated Scipio Africanus on the obverse.

Carthago Nova
209-205 BCE
Ancient Spain, Ae unit 29mm 9,59g
Roman occupation after 209 BCE
Obv: Bare-head left Scipio Africanus
Rev: horse standing right, palm tree behind
CNH Class II 282; SNG BM Spain 127-128; ACIP 609; Villaronga pg 72,69;Burgos 425
Ex El Iberico Collection

 

But, it didn't stop there. Next up was Magnus Maximus, who was near the top on my list of Romans to acquire. This one was minted in Arles, which is high on my list of places to visit in France.

Magnus Maximus
Arles mint
AE2 4.7g
383-388 CE
Obv: D N MAG MAXI - MVS P F AVG Draped and cuirassed bust right with peral diadem
Rev: REPARATIO - REPUB Emperor standing on right Victory on globe in left hand. Raising turreted female figure on left. SCON in exergue
RIC IX 26a
Ex Iberico Collection

 

And finally there was a Procopius example! I was eyeing which Romans to add recently and wasn't able to add him, so I was all the more shocked to receive one.

Procopius
Nicomedia
365-366 CE
AE Follis
Obv: DN PROCOPIVS P F AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust left
Rev: Procopius standing facing, head right, holding labarum & shield set on ground; chi-rho at top right. two dots in left field. Mintmark dot SMNB RIC
Nicomedia 8 var (unlisted officina and fieldmark)
Ex Ibero Collection

 

Overall, this was an extremely good Secret Saturnalia for me. I've already uploaded them to my site and look forward to further researching them.

Now comes the next part of the angst - waiting to see whether my SS liked the coins I sent. 🙂 

[JAZ Numismatics]

54 minutes ago, Sulla80 said:

Great to see the news coming in from Saturnalia - I was excited to find these coins in my gift card:

I've posted a longer write-up here: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/saturnalia-gift

The thoughtful gift includes two coins, one from the Artuqids of Mardin (12th Century CE) which appeals to my interest in both medieval Islamic and Anatolian coins. The second coin an Indian Head Cent - a coin that reminds me of my mother's childhood collection of Indian Head pennies that fascinated me as a child and was my introduction to coin collecting.

I am particularly pleased with this coin as it is the Spengler & Sayles 30.2 sub-type which references Abbasid caliph al-Mustadi rather than the earlier Abbasid caliph (30.1)!

Thanks!

edit to add a larger photo of the Dirham:

Islamic, Anatolia & al-Jazira (Post-Seljuk). Artuqids (Mardin). Najm al-Din Alpi, AH 547-572 / CE 1152-1176. Dirhem (Bronze, 31mm, 11.29 g, 12h), Mardin(?), c. AH 566-572 / CE 1170-1176.

Great write-up on your blog, and I'm really glad it's a variety you hadn't already collected.

As for my gift, I won't have a chance to photograph it and post until later this evening, but for now, a HUGE thank you to @Ursus for an amazing and beautiful coin (stay tuned)!

[Sulla80]

12 minutes ago, JAZ Numismatics said:

Great write-up on your blog, and I'm really glad it's a variety you hadn't already collected.

Thanks, @JAZ Numismatics

Edited December 17, 2024 by Sulla80

[Lelouch]

I received this lovely little elephant for my Saturnalia Gift.

 

Seleucid Kings Antiochos VI Dionysos 144 - 142 BC
Serrated AE21 6.42 grams Antioch on the Orontes Mint
Obverse: Radiate head of Antiochos right wreathed in ivy.
Reverse: Elephant standing left holding torch in trunk.
SC 2006

Big fan of the elephant, and the fact that it looks like almost exactly like bottle cap, which reminds me of Fallout a bit.

 

Thanks!

 

[expat]

I opened my Saturnalia package and was stunned to find 4 coins. An incredibly versatile mix consisting of a Marc Anthony Legio XX denarius, an Alexander the great drachm, a coin of the Chola dynasty and a commemorative 1954 Florin from Australia. I will take some photos either tonight or in the morning to share with you all. Many thanks @JayAg47 for your exciting additions to my collection.

[Ursus]

I just opened my Saturnalia gift and am stunned by my Saturn's generosity! (A thoughtful card that accompanied the coins bears the image of a famous Roman denarius showing Venus, Cupid, and the name L SVLLA – so you will have a good idea of who this gift came from.)

My pictures are provisional and don't quite do the coins justice. Still, you'll get an impression. First, I received a beautiful Republican denarius RRC 266/1). The pileus featuring on the reverse very much fits the occasion of Saturnalia!

In addition, my not-quite-so-secret Saturn sent me two small medieval and early modern coins. One is a small AE denier struck for Philip III of Spain in Valencia. Look at that goofy portrait!

Finally, my gift also included this quarting (1/4 penny) struck by Sigismund of Luxembourg  as king of Hungary. This is a funky late medieval denomination introduced by Sigismund in 1430 AD, and I did not yet have an example in my collection:

I very much like all three coins – thank you so much for this lovely gift, @Sulla80! Io Saturnalia, merry Christmas, and happy holidays to all of you!

Edited December 17, 2024 by Ursus

[bcuda]

6 hours ago, kirispupis said:

I opened my Saturnalia gift and was absolutely floored at the coins inside!

This is my first official coin from Hispania! Several months ago I purchased a reprint of Heiss because I intended to start collecting the myriad cities there, made all the more interesting because my father's side of the family came from Spain, but budget just didn't allow it. A large Sephardic population did live in Cartagena, which is what Carthago Nova became, so this coin is especially dear. It's also a rare version with a debated Scipio Africanus on the obverse.

Carthago Nova
209-205 BCE
Ancient Spain, Ae unit 29mm 9,59g
Roman occupation after 209 BCE
Obv: Bare-head left Scipio Africanus
Rev: horse standing right, palm tree behind
CNH Class II 282; SNG BM Spain 127-128; ACIP 609; Villaronga pg 72,69;Burgos 425
Ex El Iberico Collection

 

But, it didn't stop there. Next up was Magnus Maximus, who was near the top on my list of Romans to acquire. This one was minted in Arles, which is high on my list of places to visit in France.

Magnus Maximus
Arles mint
AE2 4.7g
383-388 CE
Obv: D N MAG MAXI - MVS P F AVG Draped and cuirassed bust right with peral diadem
Rev: REPARATIO - REPUB Emperor standing on right Victory on globe in left hand. Raising turreted female figure on left. SCON in exergue
RIC IX 26a
Ex Iberico Collection

 

And finally there was a Procopius example! I was eyeing which Romans to add recently and wasn't able to add him, so I was all the more shocked to receive one.

Procopius
Nicomedia
365-366 CE
AE Follis
Obv: DN PROCOPIVS P F AVG. Pearl-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust left
Rev: Procopius standing facing, head right, holding labarum & shield set on ground; chi-rho at top right. two dots in left field. Mintmark dot SMNB RIC
Nicomedia 8 var (unlisted officina and fieldmark)
Ex Ibero Collection

 

Overall, this was an extremely good Secret Saturnalia for me. I've already uploaded them to my site and look forward to further researching them.

Now comes the next part of the angst - waiting to see whether my SS liked the coins I sent. 🙂 

@kirispupisHere is a picture I had of the Carthago Nova coin I thought you might want.

Edited December 17, 2024 by bcuda

[porphyrogenita]

(reposting because I originally posted far too early!)

My Secret Saturnalia present arrived right on my birthday last month in an incredible twist of fate, so I'd like to say a sincere thank you to @Qcumbor for my gift. I received an Otacilia Severa sestertius, which was made even more awesome because I had sold my original one the day before to fund the hunt for a new one (there's really no better timing that could've happened)!! :))

Roman Empire; Otacilia Severa (244-249)
AE sestertius, 20.11 g, 30 mm
obv: MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG, draped bust right, diademed
rev: PVDICITIA AVG S-C, Pudicitia, draped, veiled, seated left, right hand drawing veil and holding sceptre in left hand
mint: Rome, 244-249

ref = RIC IV Philip I 209A

ex. Schulman b.v., E-Auction 3 (also where I sourced the photos from, as I haven't been successful photographing it myself yet)

[Ryro]

7 hours ago, kirispupis said:

Now comes the next part of the angst - waiting to see whether my SS liked the coins I sent. 🙂 

Sorry for keeping you waiting 😁 And thank you so much! The coins that you gave are incredible and right up my alley, I cannot wait to read your books, and the Greek and Italian reference book is amazing (yeah, just like my favorite magazine when I was a kid, I only read a little but looked at all the plates)! The note that you wrote me really made me feel good. You are an inspiring collector and writer, and the kind words were almost as sweet as these fantastic coins!

I opened my gifts before work this morning, having been staring at them all day and just now had a chance take some pictures (I'll need to take better ones later, but didn't want to keep you waiting too long to know that I LOVE the gifts you picked out for me!). I left out a picture of the 2 books as they have your "real" name on them and I wanted to maintain your privacy. 

The first thing I found after reading the letter was this beautifully patinated provincial from Marcianopolis, of Elagabalus and Julia Maesa, featuring on its reverse the ancient Greek and Roman snake god Glykon! This is certainly the most detailed snake on any of my coins and likely that I can remember seeing! It is everything I love about collecting ancients, beautiful, mysterious, celebrating the old religions, has 2 major historical figures, one of which whom has possibly the single most nuts stories about him of any figure throughout all of antiquity!

Elagabalus and Julia Maesa, Moesia Interior, Marcianopolis, 218-222 CE, AE, 26MM, 11,51 gr, Glykon reverse!

The next coin is a bit of a puzzle and I will do my best to research it to find out just who is on the obverse. My knee jerk reaction was that is was likely Julia Doman (the buns on coins queen) but the hair has me rethinking that assumption. But the obverse isn't the important part, it's the 3 "au natural" as you put it in your letter, ladies on the reverse, The 3 Graces, that I LOVE! 

Caria, Aphrodisias, unknown empress(?) AE, 28MM, 8,13 gr, The 3 Graces reverse

I actually have a modern rendering of these 3 in my restroom!

As well, I also received this beautiful book on ancient Greek and Italian Vases. The plates are stunning and now I need an intact vase for my collection. Thanks for adding one more addiction to my pallet  😉 

These were incredibly thoughtful gifts and it shows that you really did your homework to make my Saturnalia! @kirispupis

you are a good friend and an even better Saturn! Thank you.

 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Ryro

[TIF]

Argh, no tracking updates on the gift I sent since yesterday morning... was supposed to be delivered today.  Hopefully just a brief delay.  Apologies to my giftee for taking so long to sent it 😔

[Sulla80]

2 hours ago, Ursus said:

I just opened my Saturnalia gift and am stunned by my Saturn's generosity! (A thoughtful card that accompanied the coins bears the image of a famous Roman denarius showing Venus, Cupid, and the name L SVLLA – so you will have a good idea of who this gift came from.)

My pictures are provisional and don't quite do the coins justice. Still, you'll get an impression. First, I received a beautiful Republican denarius RRC 266/1). The pileus featuring on the reverse very much fits the occasion of Saturnalia!

In addition, my not-quite-so-secret Saturn sent me two small medieval and early modern coins. One is a small AE denier struck for Philip III of Spain in Valencia. Look at that goofy portrait!

Finally, my gift also included this quarting (1/4 penny) struck by Sigismund of Luxembourg  as king of Hungary. This is a funky late medieval denomination introduced by Sigismund in 1430 AD, and I did not yet have an example in my collection:

I very much like all three coins – thank you so much for this lovely gift, @Sulla80! Io Saturnalia, merry Christmas, and happy holidays to all of you!

@Ursus, I am glad that these made it to you & that you find them interesting/entertaining 🙂 Best wishes for Christmas & Happy 2025 to All!