Romancollector's top 20 of 2024

[Romancollector]

Hi Everyone, 

I will keep my intro short and sweet.

This year has been a bittersweet one for collecting. On one hand, I’ve been fortunate to add some truly spectacular pieces to my collection, including several from my late friend Terence Cheesman’s @kapphnwn collection. On the other hand, coping with his loss has been challenging, and I can't help but feel a lasting void in the absence of our weekly conversations about coins and life. I’m grateful to have have acquired some coins from his collection as a tangible reminder of his passion and our friendship.

Here are this year's top 20 additions. The order is strictly chronological. 

1. Augustus (27 BC-AD 14)

AR Denarius (18mm, 3.96 g) Spanish (Colonia Patricia?) mint. 18 BC. CAESARI AVGVSTO, laureate head right / MAR-VLT, legionary eagle between standards in circular, hexstyle temple with domed roof. RIC 105a, RSC 190; BMCRE 373-4.

F. S. Knobloch Collection; Fritz Rudolf Künker 413 (29 October 2024), lot 1855; Fritz Rudolf Künker 396 (13 November 2023), lot 1196; Bankhaus Aufhäuser Auction 12 (1996) lot 441; Giessener Münzhandlung Auction 29 (1984), lot 2793; Stack's GNYNC Sale (1 May 1980) lot 63.

2. Augustus (27 BC-AD 14)

AR Denarius (20mm, 3.69 g). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. 15 BC. AVGVSTVS DIVI•F, Bare head right / Apollo Citharoedus of Actium, standing left, holding plectrum and lyre. RIC I 171a; Lyon 28; RSC 144. 

Joseph R. Hubel Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 127 (17 September 2024), lot 494; Leo Hamburger (11-12 June 1930), lot 939.

3. Agrippina the Elder (d. AD 33)

Æ Sestertius (34mm, 26.92 g). Rome mint. AD 37-41, struck under Gaius (Caligula).. AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI, draped bust right, in hair in long plait / S P Q R above, MEMORIAE/AGRIPPINAE in two lines in left field, two mules drawing ornamented carpentum left. CNR XII 27/1 (this coin); RIC I 55 (Gaius).

Classical Numismatic Group, Feature Auction 127 (17 September 2024), lot 503; Numismatica Ars Classica Spring Sale 2020 (25 May 2020), lot 868; Kunst und Münzen, Sale 1 (7 December 1967), lot 193.

 

4. Antonia Minor (d. AD 37)

Æ Dupondius (27.5mm, 14.24 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck under Claudius, AD 41-42. ANTONIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right / TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP S-C, Claudius, togate, standing left, holding simpulum. RIC I 92 (Claudius); Cohen 6; BMC 166.

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Auction 126 (29 May 2024), lot 660; Edward J. Waddell inventory 53775 (14 August 2019); Fritz Rudolf Kunker Auction 295 (25 September 2017), lot 690; Bank Leu Auction 59 (17 May 1994), lot 254.

 

5. Nero (AD 54-68)

Æ Sestertius (35mm, 25.44 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 65. NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GER PM TR P IMP PP, laureate head right / PACE P R TERRA MARIQ PARTA IANVM CLVSIT, S-C across fields, temple of Janus, garlanded, closed double doors on the right. RIC 266; BMC 161.

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 126 (29 May 2024), lot 681; Numismatik Lanz Auction 158 (5 June 2014), lot 495.

6. Nero (AD 54-68)

AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 14.83 g). SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. Dated RY 10 and year 112 of the Caesarean Era (AD 64). ΝΕΡΩΝ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ, laureate head right, with aegis / ETOVΣ BIP • I, eagle on thunderbolt, right; to right, palm branch. McAlee 265b; RPC I 4189; Prieur 89.

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Michel Prieur Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 563 (5 June 2024), lot 510; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 473 (29 July 2020), lot 320; Roma Numismatics E-Sale 58 (20 June 2019), lot 891; Jacques Schulman 264 (26 April 1976), lot 5368.

 

7. Nero (AD 54-68)

Æ Pentassarion (33mm, 25.45 g, 1h). Thrace, Perinthos. AD 59-63. ΝΕΡΩΝ ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ, Laureate head left / ΠEPIN/ΘIΩN in two lines within oak wreath. Schönert, Perinthos 234; RPC online 1754 (this coin); Varbanov 20.

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction Triton XXVII (17 January 2024), lot 5413; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 233 (26 May 2010), lot 274; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 75 (23 May 2007), lot 789; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 73 (13 September 2006), lot 699.

 

8. Vespasian (AD 69-79) 

Æ Dupondius (27.5mm, 11.93 g, 6h). Rome mint. AD 73. IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS IIII CENS, radiate head left / FELICITAS PVBLICA S-C, Felicitas standing left, holding short caduceus and cornucopiae. RIC II.1 581; BMC 661; Sear 2346 var (this coin).

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 126 (29 May 2024), lot 699; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 460 (29 January 2020), lot 619; Jack A. Frazer Collection; Victor England BBS XI.1 (17 February 1986), lot 84.

9. Vespasian (AD 69-79)

AR Denarius (18mm, 3.39 g, 6h). Rome mint. AD 79. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right / TR POT X COS VIIII, Capricorn left on globe. RIC II.1 1058; RSC 554; BMC 251; Sear 2310 (this coin).

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Dr. John Jacobs Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 126 (29 May 2024), lot 700; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 460 (29 January 2020), lot 619; Herakles Numismatics; Áureo & Calicó 300 (9 November 2017), lot 30. Classical Numismatic Group Triton I (2 December 1997), lot 1361; Classical Numismatic Group 41 (19 March 1997), lot 1825; Classical Numismatic Group 38 (6 June 1996), lot 931; Superior (13 August 1995), lot 760; Numismatic Fine Arts XX (9 March 1988), lot 146; Numismatic Fine Arts XII (23 March 1983), lot 224.

10. Trajan (AD 98-117)

Æ Sestertius (34mm, 28.73 g). Rome mint. 20 February AD 116-August 117. IMP CAES NER AVG GER DAC PARTHICO PM TRP COS VI PP, laureate and draped bust right / REX PARTHIS DATVS, Trajan seated left on platform, presenting Parthamaspates to kneeling Parthian, SC in ex. RIC II 667; Woytek 594v–25 (this coin); Banti 96; Cohen 328; BMC 1046; Sear 3191.

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Henry Platt Hall Collection; Walter Niggeler Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 126 (29 May 2024), lot 767; Aste Bolaffi, NYINC (Jan 2022); H.D. Rauch 108 (4 June 2019), lot 171; H.D. Rauch 102 (7 November 2016), lot 387; Vinchon (24 November 1994), lot 438; Bank Leu/Münzen & Medaillen AG (2 November 1967), lot 1232; Glendining (16 November 1950), lot 1309; Glendining (18 December 1919), lot 243.

11. Antoninus Pius (AD 161-180)

Æ Sestertius (32mm, 25.74 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 141-143. ANTONINVS AVG PI-VS P P TR P COS III, laureate head bust right / PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM S C, winged thunderbolt. RIC 618; BMC 1266.

Wayne Scheible Collection; Gilbert Steinberg Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction Triton XXVII - Session 6 (18 January 2024), lot 6157; Classical Numismatic Group inventory 84728; Classical Numismatic Group Auction 35 (20 September 1995), lot 807; Numismatica Ars Classica/Spink Taisei (16 November 1994), lot 436.

12. Septimius Severus (AD 193-211)

AR Denarius (20mm, 3.31 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 203. SEVERVS PIVS AVG, Laureate head right / INDVLGENTIA AVGG, IN CARTH in ex, Dea Caelestis riding right on lion, holding thunderbolt and scepter; below, water gushing from rocks on left. RIC IV 266; RSC 222.

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 563 (5 June 2024), lot 1120; Numismatica Ars Classica Spring Sale (25 May 2020), lot 1120; Tkalec (23 October 1998), lot 208.

13. Macrinus (AD 217-218)

AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.76 g). Rome mint. AD 217/218. IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate head right / VICTORIA PARTHICA, Victory, winged, draped, walking right, holding wreath in right hand and palm in left hand. RIC 97; Coh. 135; Clay Issue 2.

Kolner Munzkabinett Auction 121 (4 April 2024), lot 1007; Hirsch Auction 87 (1974) lot 775.

14. Julia Mamaea. Augusta, AD 222-235.

Æ Sestertius (30mm, 24.86 g). Rome mint. 9th emission of Severus Alexander, AD 228. IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA Diademed and draped bust right / FELICITAS PVBLICA S-C, Felicity standing half-left, arm on column, holding caduceus.  RIC IV 495; BMCRE 575-6; Cohen 21; Banti 93.

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Jack A. Frazer Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 460, 29 January 2020), lot 711; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 64 (24 September 2003), lot 1167; Classical Numismatic Group inventory 533818 (15 April 2020).

15. Herennia Etruscilla (Augusta, AD 249-251)

Æ Sestertius (26.5mm, 17.39 g). HERENNIA ETRVSCILLA AVG, diademed and draped bust right / PVDICITIA AVG, SC below, Pudicitia seated left drawing out veil & holding sceptre. RIC IV 136b; Cohen 22.

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction Triton XXVII (18 January 2024), lot 6288; Classical Numismatic Group 88 (14 September 2011), lot 1392.

16. Trebonianus Gallus (AD 251-253)

Æ sestertius (35mm, 17.53 g). Rome mint. IMP CAES C VIBIVS TREBONIANVS GALLVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Trebonianus Gallus right, seen from behind / IVONI M-ARTALI, Juno enthroned facing, with grain ears in right hand; within domed distyle temple, decorated with garlands; S-C across fields. RIC IV.III 110. 

Sir Arthur Evans Collection; Heritage Auctions Ancient Art Auction 61375 (20 May 2024), lot 25238; Spink December 1935; Ars Classica Auction XVII (Lucerne), 3 October 1934, lot 1698; Otto Helbing Auction 38 (Munich), 14 April 1913, lot 1520.

17. Valerian (AD 253-260)

Æ Sestertius (28mm, 14.45 g, 12h). Rome mint. 1st emission, AD 253-254. IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS AVGG, Virtus standing left, holding shield set on ground and spear. RIC V 182; MIR 36, 38g; Banti 33.

Delaware Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 576 (4 December 2024), lot 670; Classical Numismatic Group inventory 734551 (March 2003).

18. Aurelian (AD 270-275)

BI Antoninianus (21.5mm, 4.24 g). Serdica mint, 3rd officina. 8th emssion, November AD 274-September 275. IMP C AVRELIANVS INVICTVS AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust right / RESTITVT ORBIS, Female figure standing right, presenting wreath to Aurelian standing left, holding long scepter; *//KA•Γ•. RIC V Online 2787; RIC V 301; BN 1048-50.

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 565 (3 July 2024), lot 745; Rutten & Wieland (20 January 2010); Gorny & Mosch 160 (9 October 2007), lot 2458.

 

19. Carausius (AD 286-293)

BI Antoninianus (23mm, 5.48 g, 6h). Londinium (London) mint. IMP CARAVSIVS P AVG, Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / PAX AVG, Pax standing left, holding olive branch and transverse scepter; F|O//ML. RIC V 119 var. (obv. legend). 

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 563 (5 June 2024), lot 956; Herakles Numismatics (14 January 2022); Numismatica Ars Classica E (4 April 1995), lot 3204.

20. Constantine II (Caesar, AD 316-337)

Æ Follis (18mm, 3.01 g, 12h). Sirmium mint. Struck AD 324-325. CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / ALEMANNIA DEVICTA, Victory advancing right, holding trophy and palm frond, spurning captive seated on ground to right; •SIRM•. RIC VII 50; LRBC 804 var. (no pellets flanking mint mark).

Wild Rose/Terence Cheesman Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 565 (3 July 2024), lot 764; Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang Collection; Leu Web Auction 21 (19 July 2022), lot 5466; Gorny & Mosch 138 (7 March 2005), lot 2438.

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2025.

Rc

[kirispupis]

Wow! A great set of additions for the year. I have to go with the Agrippina. I've always liked that type and your example is excellent.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Just as I was about to vote for the Nero Antioch tetradrachm, I spotted the wonderful medallic sestertius of Gallus.  At least half the the lineup could vie for a top coin.

[savitale]

Amazing coins! Really well done. Hard to choose. I voted for the Vespasian denarius. An exceptional example.

[Ordinary-Ride-1595]

Tough choice between Nero tet and ex-Hamburger Augustus but since I’m partial to old provenance, Augustus!

[John Conduitt]

Those are seriously nice coins, and 20 of them.

[CPK]

Fantastic list of coins! I voted for #11 - a truly sublime sestertius of Antoninus Pius; #8 - a very sharp, great style portrait dupondius of Vespasian - AND a Sear plate coin to boot! Third place was #7, the provincial coin of Nero from Perinthos. Well done!

[DonnaML]

Outstanding! I voted for the spectacular Vespasian/capricorn denarius, but could just as easily have chosen the Trebonianus Gallus sestertius -- the eye-appeal would exist even without the 1913 Otto Helbing pedigree, but that certainly adds to it!

[AncientJoe]

Fantastic coins! The Nero sestertius is my favorite, a beautiful example of a very historic coin.

[El Cazador]

I voted for Antonia (great portrait) and Vespasian Capricorn denarius (very sharp) 

[GregH]

You have really excelled! I have coin-envy. Nero & Trajan sestertii are my firm favourites. But they all have excellent eye appeal. 

[David Atherton]

You had a spectacular coining year! The Nero sestertius gets my vote for top coin.

[panzerman]

I like best

4/ Antonia Minor AE

5/ Nero AE

9/ Vespasian AR

But all the others are beauts and have great eye appeal!

John

[Qcumbor]

Impossible to choose one, really impossible !

That said some portraits stand out for being very distinctive : Antonia and Herennia are both to die for, Augustus (1st one), Nero (two firsts), Valerian and Carausius are outstanding  : any of them would have a sit in my own top three !

Impressive year Sir !
Q

[MrMonkeySwag96]

It’s a tie between the two Augustus denarii

[Roman Collector]

You had a fantastic year, @Romancollector! All of these coins are stunning, but the Agrippina sestertius was my favorite. Even the big S C reverse type is challenging to acquire, but the carpentum type is very scarce in higher grades. 

[shanxi]

Never saw a thunderbolt like the one on your Antoninus Pius. Great coins.

[singig]

Wow, difficult to choose ! , let's say Trajan , Trebonianus Gallus , Nero and Antoninus Pius sestertii. Congratulations !

[robinjojo]

Wow!  A great lineup of coins for this year! 

My picks are the Antonia dupondius, Nero sestertius, and the Trebonianus Gallus sestertius.

[Di Nomos]

I don't collect Roman but know great coins when I see them.  3 & 10 are my absolute favourites though. Congratulations on a great year of collecting.