HD's Top 3 for 2024!

[Hughie Dwyer]

It's been a slooooooow year; only 3 coins worth talking about really...

But I am very happy with my small haul for 2024.

 

1. Vespasian Dynastic Issue

This is a rather modest denarius of Vespasian. In hindsight, it's largely worn, the surface isn't great and the coin is possibly a slight impulse buy on my part. However, I've got no real complaints: it's still a really nice coin and I wanted an example of this type. I bought it from my favourite coin shop in London - Coincraft - which is located opposite the British Museum.

 

Slight tangent: Earlier in the year, I visited the Legion Exhibition in the British Museum and I highly enjoyed it.

A few highlights:

 

  

A quick pic of a colosseum sestertius alongside some other finds

 

 

 

The last surviving Roman Legionary long shield (scutum) from the early 200s AD [left].

The most complete articulated cuirass (torso armour) of a Roman legionary from 9 AD [right].

 

  

The Draco: an ancient Roman battle standard adopted from the Dacians and Sarmatians. Carried by a draconarius, the draco made a whistling sound and material would trail behind it.      Sketch to the right.

 

 

2. Domitian Secular Games Issue

Probably my favourite coin of the year, this coin commemorates the Secular Games which Domitian held in 88 AD. In the run up to its purchase, I was debating whether to obtain a denarius featuring Minerva or to buy the coin above. In the end, I decided on this Secular Games denarius due to its interesting backstory.

 

 

3. Licinius and Jupiter

I was very excited to buy this coin. The coin looks stunning in hand and the price was more than fair.

Interestingly, the seller attributed this coin as RIC VII Siscia 8, which depicts Jupiter holding a victory on a globe. I believe that I have made an accurate adjustment to the coin's attribution.

 

Anyways, which coin(s) did you like best?

Thanks for looking,

HD

 

 

Edited December 28, 2024 by Hughie Dwyer

[panzerman]

Thanks for sharing!

I like the Domitian the best/ Licinius I second🙂

Nice additional material too....

John

[Ryro]

Excellent score with the Vespasian dynastic issue! Having 2 sons really helped his cause when it came to grabbing the purplefrom the other would be emperors. 

[Grudissius Minimus]

Hey Hughie,

My vote goes to the Vespasian dynastic issue, because portraits!

awesome of you to share your photos from the BM’s Legion exhibition. I watched a YouTube video on it the other day and found it to be very interesting.

I wish I paid better attention to the ancient coins on exhibition when I visited some of these famous European museums, seeing that they have such beautiful examples…

Cheers!

[CPK]

My favorite is the Vespasian denarius - an interesting and rather scarce type! Congrats.

[Qcumbor]

Three interesting coins, the Vespasian dynastic issue stands out though !

Q

[JAZ Numismatics]

Great coins and great pics. The style of the Licinius follis is so unusual it makes me think it's imitative.

[Hughie Dwyer]

4 hours ago, Grudissius Minimus said:

awesome of you to share your photos from the BM’s Legion exhibition. I watched a YouTube video on it the other day and found it to be very interesting.

I wish I paid better attention to the ancient coins on exhibition when I visited some of these famous European museums, seeing that they have such beautiful examples…

 

Thanks!

The exhibition was probably my favourite out of those I have been to. I've seen many beautiful coins shown in just the British Museum - let alone all the others. I think its a bit of a shame that so many of them aren't on display.

[MrMonkeySwag96]

My favorite is the Domitian Secular games Denarius. I’m interested in Secular Games coinage. I hope to someday own one of Domitian’s Secular games Denarii. So far, I have Secular Games Antoninianii of Philip the Arab and his son. 

[ambr0zie]

I cannot decide between the Vespasian dynastic and the Domitian Saecular games, so I chose both. Excellent choices and "out of the box". Very good.