The 'Money' Side

[David Atherton]

In a recent Aaron Berk Ancient Coin Podcast, he mentioned that sometimes a coin has a 'money' side. It's the side that draws the collector, normally because of a notable reverse or obverse. My latest coin has such a side - but due to the fine style portrait, rare legend, and better preservation of the obverse.

 

Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]
Æ As, 9.90g
Rome mint, 72 AD
Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIAN IMP PON TR POT COS II; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: AEQVITAS AVGVSTI; S C in field; Aequitas stg. l., with scales and rod
RIC 469 (R2). BMC -. BNC -.
Acquired from André Cichos, October 2024.

An extremely rare obverse legend variety struck for Titus Caesar under Vespasian in early 72. The reverse features the common Aequitas type with scales and rod. Aequitas on Vespasian's coinage proclaims the honest administration of public finances and that lapsed standards would be restored. Aequitas holding her scales and measuring rod was probably based on a cult image of the deity. This type would later become a standard reverse design on the asses under Vespasian for all three Flavians. Missing from both the BM and Paris collections.

In hand.

 

Do you have a coin with a 'money' side? Please share it!

Thanks for looking!

[panzerman]

Very interesting topic/ thanks for starting it......

This coin from Regensburg struck me with its beautifull obverse "City View" motif. Next one both obv/ rev are stunning.

[AncientCoinnoisseur]

I really don’t know if my answer is correct for this thread, but basically most of my coins were bought because a certain side of the coin attracted me a lot / I was after it for various reasons!

Some examples (in chronological order):

REVERSE: I liked the design a lot!

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OBVERSE: The head of Helios was enchanting (and a possible depiction of the Colossus of Rhodes):

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OBVERSE: A coin shaped like a shield? Sign me in! (Although the reverse is in amazing condition too!):

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REVERSE: Minting tools on a coin? How meta is this‽ 

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REVERSE: I love capricorns, I couldn’t pass up this one (although I got a great portrait of Vespasian too!)

 

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REVERSE: Pharos of Alexandria with the goddess Isis playing the sistrum and blowing a sail to wish good wind to sailors? No way I was gonna miss this!!!

[Marsyas Mike]

Informative and interesting post as always, @David Atherton.  This Titus I recently bought is in poor shape, but the strong features (despite the wear) on the obverse portrait was the "money" side for me.  From what I can tell, this is a fairly scarce issue. 

Titus  Æ As (74 A.D.) Rome Mint T CAESAR IMP COS III CENS, laureate head left / VICTORIA  AVG[VST, S-C], Victory standing right on prow holding wreath and palm RIC II Part 1 (2nd ed.) Vespasian 754; BMCRE 754. (7.85 grams / 27 x 25 mm) eBay Nov. 2024          $25.00 BO

Note:  Reverse SC not visible on this, but on BM die-match S is in field next to butt.  Only other I found (Hirsh) has SC in fields.

Die-Match Obv. & Rev.: British Museum  Museum number 1931,1006.8 BMCRE (754, p.112) Donated by: Paul Tinchant, 1931; C&M catalogue number RE2 (163) (711) (A) (163)

Here's the British Museum example that is, I think, a die-match to mine:

[Brennos]

i have one with i think a quite obvious "money" side  D

SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (37mm, 41.65 g). Reverse die signed by Euainetos. Struck circa 405-390 BC. 
O/ Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness], shield, greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] 
R/ Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; ΣΥ-ΡΑ-ΚΟ-ΣΙΩΝ behind hair, four dolphins swimming around, [EY-AINE] along lower edge. 
Gallatin R IV C X; 
Ex:  Galice Collection sale Bourgey 4/12/1932
 

 

 

[Postvmvs]

No doubt, the portrait is the "money side" for this Victorinus:

[John Conduitt]

Most of my coins have a money side and a meh side 🤣

Tiberius Denarius, 14-37

Lugdunum. Silver, 19x18mm, 3.64g. Head of Tiberius, laureate, right; TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS. Female figure (Livia as Pax), draped, right, seated, right on chair with plain legs, holding branch and long sceptre; below chair, a double line; PONTIF MAXIM (RIC I.2, 26). From the South Norfolk Hoard 2014 (image 44).

I bought this for the reverse subject.

Antoninus Pius As, 154-155

Britain or Rome. Bronze, 8.63g. Laureate head right; ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVIII. Britannia seated left on rock, resting head on hand; arms in background; BRITANNIA - COS IIII around; SC in exergue (RIC III, 934).