Savitale's Top 10 coins of 2024

[savitale]

Selecting my Top 10 list was easy this year as I purchased exactly ten Roman Imperial coins. They are listed below in chronological order by emperor. Feel free to select your favorite from the poll and thank you for looking.

 

1.     Galba (r. 68-69 AD) – I enjoy the portrait, clean surfaces, and toning on this coin.

 

Galba, 68-69. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.57 g, 6 h), Rome, circa July 68-January 69. IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG Laureate and draped bust of Galba to right. Rev. DIVA AVGVSTA Livia standing front, head to left, holding patera in her right hand and long scepter in her left. BMC 6. CBN -. Cohen 55. RIC 189. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 1, 29 March 1989, 808. Ex. Leu Numismatik, Auction 15, 1 June 2024, lot 239.

 

2.     Pertinax (r. 193) – Denarii of Pertinax can be rough, but this one is very nice for the type with an exceptional portrait. 

Description from CNG:  Pertinax. AD 193. AR Denarius (17.5mm, 3.47 g, 6h). Rome mint. 2nd emission. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head right / PROVID DEOR COS II, Providentia, draped, standing front, head left, raising right hand toward star, left hand on breast. RIC IV 11a; Lempereur Type 10, 561a (D205/R291 – this coin, illustrated); RSC 43; BMCRE 13. Ex. CNG Inv. No. 5677515 (8/12/2024). Ex. MACM inventory MMoCA181C. Ex. A. Lynn Collection (Manhattan Sale I, 5 January 2010), lot 33. Ex. Jürgen K. Schmidt Collection (Triton V, 15 January 2002), lot 2007. Ex. Numismatica Ars Classica 9 (16 April 1996), lot 892.

 

3.     Pescennius Niger (r. 193) – Like Perinax, Pescennius Niger can be rough. This one is an exception. I can’t decide if the portrait is realistic, or overly realistic. Pescennius must have had a very distinctive face.

 

Description from CNG: Pescennius Niger. AD 193-194. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.37 g, 6h). Antioch mint. IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVS AVG COS II, laureate head right / CERER FRVG, Ceres, draped, standing left, holding grain ears in extended right hand and scepter in left. RIC IV 7b; BMCRE 291 var. (rev. legend breaks); RSC 12. Ex. CNG Triton XXVII, lot 805, 01/10/2024.

 

4.     Philip II (r. 247 – 249 AD) – Really sharp example of a very common coin.

Phillip II, 247-249 AD. AR Antoninianus. Rome. IMP MIVL PHILIPPVS AVG.  Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Philip to right.  Rev. AEQVITAS AVGG. Aequitas standing left holding cornucopia and scales. Ex. Sarasota Rare Coin Galleries 01/24/2024.

 

5.     Numerian (r. 283 – 284 AD) – Antoniniani are often struck in shallow relief and come with rough surfaces because they are basically copper coins. This one really stands out in terms of strike, surfaces, and preservation.

Description from Edward J. Waddell: Numerianus, AR Antoninianus, 3.80g., 22mm, 283 A.D. IMP NUMERIANUS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Florian to right. Rev. VNDIQVE VICTORES. Emperor standing right holding globe and long staff. KAS in exergue. RIC 423. Ex. Frank Sternberg, Zurich Auction 26, lot 428, 1992. Ex. Edward J. Waddell, Inv.

 

6.     Martinian (r. 324 AD) – This is the only bronze coin I own. I have avoided bronzes due to the various issues that they can present but Martinian only comes in bronze. In fact, Martinian was only a recent addition to my emperor list as he kind of falls through the cracks of history. A rare coin and in very nice condition for Martinian.

Martinian, 324 A.D.. AE Follis, 2.44g. 21mm. Nicomedia mint. D N MARTINIANO P F AVG. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Martinian to right. Rev. Rev. IOVI CONS – ERVATORI Jupiter standing l., holding Victory on globe in r. hand and eagle-tipped sceptre in l.; at feet l. and r., eagle holding wreath in beak and captive on ground. In upper r. field, X / IIΓ.. Inexergue, SMNB. C 4. RIC 46. Ex: Münzen und Medaillen, Basel, Auction 52, 1975, lot 762. Ex: Numismatic Fine Arts, New York, Auction XXV, 1990, lot 488. Ex: NAC, Zurich, Auction 38, 2007, lot 229. Ex: Ira and Larry Goldberg, Los Angeles, Auction February 5, 2013, lot 4218. Ex. Edward J. Waddell Inv. No. 56314. 10/24/2024.

  

7.     Julian II (r. 360-363 AD) – Julian II coins can be found in high grade but they are universally expensive due to historical interest as the last pagan emperor as well as the unusually fine artistry for the period. To put it bluntly, this is the nicest example I could afford.

 Description from Edward J. Waddell: Julian II, 360-363 A.D. AV Solidus, 4.41g. 22mm. Constantinople, struck c. 361-363 A.D.  FL IVLIANVS P F AVG.  Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Julian to right; small die break in hair.   Rev. VIRTVS EXERCITVS ROMANORVM; CONS SP and two branches in exergue.  Soldier advancing to right dragging captive whose hands are tied and holding trophy over his shoulder. RIC VIII, 157. Depeyrot 8/1.  Hunter 43.  Ex: NAC, Zurich, Auction 31, lot 161, 10/26/2005. Ex. Edward J. Waddell inv. 56380, 01/12/2024.

 

8.     Jovian (r. 363- 364) – 4^th century soldi can come very nice, if somewhat generic in design. But this one is exceptionally well preserved.

 Description from CNG: Jovian. AD 363-364. AV Solidus (20.5mm, 4.40 g, 6h). Sirmium mint. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Roma enthroned facing, holding spear, and Constantinopolis enthroned left, right foot on prow and holding scepter, together holding between them a shield inscribed VOT/ V/ MVLT/ X in four lines; •SIRM(palm). RIC VII 115; Depeyrot 25/1; Biaggi 2226 var. (no stop in mintmark). Ex. CNG Auction 126, lot 912, 29 May 2024. From the Family of Constantine Collection, assembled with guidance by Roland Michel, Geneva. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 18 (29 March 2000), lot 747. Ex.  Leu 25 (23 April 1980), lot 447.

 

9.     Gratian (r. 367-383 AD) – Like Jovian above, a really great example of a 4^th century solidus. 

Description from CNG: Gratian. AD 367-383. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.48 g, 12h). Treveri (Trier) mint, 3rd officina. Struck mid AD 373-April 375. Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Valens and Gratian enthroned facing, holding globe between them; Victory behind and above throne, with wings spread; palm frond set on ground between; TROBT. RIC IX 39d.3; Depeyrot 45/2; Biaggi –. Ex. CNG Auction 127, lot 133 (09/18/2024). Ex. Richard J. Sullivan Collection.

 

10.  Libius Severus (r.  462-465) – This is my lowest grade coin. It is also my only example of a 5^th century Western Roman emperor. Solidi of Libius Severus are rare coins and any undamaged example is a treasure in my opinion.

 

Description from CNG: Libius Severus (Severus III). AD 461-465. AV Solidus (21.5mm, 4.44 g, 12h). Mediolanum (Milan) mint. Struck AD 462-465. Rosette-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Severus, wearing military attire, standing facing, foot on human-headed serpent coiled below, holding long cross and Victory on globe left; M|D//COMOB. RIC X 2723 (same dies as illustrated example); Toffanin 523/2; Lacam Type A, Variety C and pls. XCIV (fourth illustration) and 17, 39 (same dies); Depeyrot 27/3 (same dies as illustrated example); Biaggi 2372 (same dies). Ex. Wayne Scheible Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 127, 18 September 2024), lot 663. Ex. Marc Poncin Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 72, 14 June 2006), lot 1943.

 

[El Cazador]

Impressive set, top 3 take the definitive lead, especially sharp Niger which usually comes with common surface issues: roughness

$4,000 is a bit steep though….

well done overall, congrats on a great year!

Edited December 7, 2024 by El Cazador

[JAZ Numismatics]

They're all gorgeous. I voted for Martinian on sheer rarity.

[kirispupis]

Beautiful additions. I also voted for Martinian due to the rarity.

[DonnaML]

Wonderful group! I voted for the Julian II solidus. 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

It's certainly a breathtaking array of coins.  I voted for the Libius Severus, although many of them could vie for a top coin.  The reverse figure on the Severus solidus reminds me of Space Ghost's Brak, or even the Warlock from the 1976 run of Scooby Doo.  That's certainly an impressive list if a really nice Pertinax or Niger can rank #2 or #3.

[seth77]

Voted for Gratian.

[JayAg47]

Love all the solidi, escpecially the Julian. Other than those, I really like that Numerian antoninianus, down to the curly hair detail on the emepror on the reverse! 

[singig]

Julian II is my preferd , beautiful group.

[Curtisimo]

All are great but the Julian II solidus and the Pertinax denarius are my favorites.

[John Conduitt]

A nice list of unusual emperors in really great condition.

[Di Nomos]

I don't know much about these, but they are all really nice. My favourite is #7, Julian II. A very pretty coin. They're all in great condition though. Congratulations.

[Qcumbor]

The Julian II solidus really stands out. Other than that, the Martinian and the galba would make my top 3

Well done.
Did I already write the Julian II stands out ? 🙂 

Q

[David Atherton]

The Galba is my favourite ... but I'm biased for the 12 Caesars. 😉

[panzerman]

Very nice!

I would pick in order...

Severus III AS Solidus

Jovian AV Solidus

Julian II AV Solidus

Many thanks for sharing....

[Roman Collector]

You acquired some scarce emperors with very nice portraits this year and I'd like to give a shout out to the Galba, Pertinax, and the Pescennius Niger coins, but I voted for the Martinian because that's one of the finest specimens I've seen of that elusive figure. 

[shanxi]

I voted for the  Pescennius Niger. Great coin. It looks like he's watching us

[robinjojo]

This is a tough group to choose from, they're all excellent coins.  The Galba denarius and Julian solidus are my choices, but really, the entire group is wonderful.