a rare foray into 'modern' coins & some Roman

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I took the opportunity of my most recent buy to make a foray into early 'modern'. While I don't actively collect early modern,if I see something I like and can afford I'll pick one up.   Antoninianii are also something which I don't often buy.  Those of Philip I are generally my favorite, with large (23+mm.) flans being somewhat common.

The lion daalder is huge and has a cool design with a medieval flavor.

Netherlands, Utrecht. Lion Daalder (25.32g, 42mm). Dated 1647. Obv.: MO ARG PRO CO FOE BELG TRA, Half-length bust of armored knight left, head right; coat of arms in front. Rev.: CONFIDENS DON NON MOVETVR 1647 (trusting in the Lord I shall not be Moved), lion rampant. Davenport 4863.

 

Philip I Arabs. 244-249 AD. AR Antoninianus (4.52g, 25mm). Rome mint. Struck 246 AD. Obv.: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: PM TRP III COS II PP, Felicitas standing facing, head left, holding caduceus and cornucopia. RIC 3; RSC 124.

The Carus is completely un-noteworthy, but fills a long-time hole.  While I wanted an issue from Rome, this wasn't an Antioch issue and it's what the dealer had, so the hole is finally filled.  Most dealers would have one, but they'd always be from Antioch or even an Alexandrian provincial, or be a posthumous issue.

Carus. 282-283 AD. AE Antoninianus (4.24g, 21mm). Siscia mint. Struck 282/3 AD. Obv.: IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: VIRTVS AVGG/ Δ, emperor standing right, receiving Victory from Jupiter, standing left; XXI in exergue. RIC 124 (Cyzicus); Cohen 116.

 

Do you have any huge, silver coins from the 17th century, really nice Philips, or nice imperial coins of Carus?

 

[expat]

Great selections and diversity, the Philip is well struck and the Carus has a very expressive look to his portrait. I don´t have any large 17th century coins but I can see the attraction.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Thanks!  The other Romans were more or less throw-ins, but for c. $50, one couldn't go wrong with a 25mm. Philip.  The portrait was also the nicest of the other 3 or 4 candidates.

[Orange Julius]

Nice coins. I really like the Philip and like the Carus because of his bald little head. I have a very similar coin, same RIC number but different at officina. 

I've always had a soft spot for poor Carus and have always enjoyed this section of Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire:

Book 1, Chapter VII, Part II:

“The successor of Artaxerxes, Varanes, or Bahram, though he had subdued the Segestans, one of the most warlike nations of Upper Asia, was alarmed at the approach of the Romans, and endeavored to retard their progress by a negotiation of peace.

His ambassadors entered the camp about sunset, at the time when the troops were satisfying their hunger with a frugal repast. The Persians expressed their desire of being introduced to the presence of the Roman emperor. They were at length conducted to a soldier, who was seated on the grass. A piece of stale bacon and a few hard peas composed his supper. A coarse woollen garment of purple was the only circumstance that announced his dignity. The conference was conducted with the same disregard of courtly elegance. Carus, taking off a cap which he wore to conceal his baldness, assured the ambassadors, that, unless their master acknowledged the superiority of Rome, he would speedily render Persia as naked of trees as his own head was destitute of hair. Notwithstanding some traces of art and preparation, we may discover in this scene the manners of Carus, and the severe simplicity which the martial princes who succeeded Gallienus, had already restored in the Roman camps. The ministers of the Great King trembled and retired.”

Excerpt From: Edward Gibbon. “History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1.” https://archive.sacred-texts.com/cla/gibbon/01/daf01037.htm

Edited Saturday at 03:47 AM by Orange Julius

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Your Carus has a nicer portrait than mine.  The picture doesn't show it so much, but the Philip is fairly toned, as is the lion daalder.

This dealer started using boxes, which I've been preserving in case I ever have to mail any coins out.