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I acquired only eight coins in 2024, so I’m short of the “top ten” threshold.  Nevertheless, few compromises (except maybe paying a bit more that I should).   Here are my purchases in my two primary focus areas of Roman Republican Silver  and Late Roman Empire folles/nummi.

 Roman Republican Silver

#1 Anonymous Denarius RRC 44/5, RRSC B16 

Purchased at the NAC Autumn Sale 2024,  Ex. Titano 9 (1982?) lot 74

image.png.4652df1d00056575de97cc01cd8155ac.png

This variety is represented in RRC plate IX.22.  Although early Roman Denarii are a primary focus of my collection, this variety has eluded me until now. The variety is described in Pierluigi Debernardi’s Roman Republican Silver Coins as “Anonymous 4 – Large head”.  This particular die has a massive large head in good style with excellent centering.  A very representative example for my collection.  This piece completes my collection of RRC 44/5 major varieties (Although there are a number of interesting variations that might build a more comprehensive set in the future.)

#2 Anonymous Denarius RRC 167/1, RRSC B140

 Purchased from CNG at the 2024 NYINC

image.png.de093a498683c8db58317f03c1234f1e.png

This late anonymous issue (c. 202 BC [Debernardi] or 179-170 BC [Crawford]) is characterized by small horses on the reverse.  It is similar to the large earlier peaked visor group 53/2, but distinct in many ways, not the least of which is the modern “A” in ROMA with a horizontal cross bar (RRC 53/2 examples always display an archaic “A” with a disconnected slanted cross bar.).

I previously had an example of this common variety with an imperfection in the obverse field that bothered me, so I sold it and bought this example which is without imperfections, nicely centered and prototypical of the type.   Characteristically kind of crude but a typical example of the variety in nice condition.  Stylistically this issue is very similar to the very scarce RRC 168/2 helmet symbol coins of the same timeframe.

 

#3 Denarius of P. FONTEIUS P.F CAPITO. RRC 429/1

Ex. NAC 2 Zurich 1990 lot 422
Ex Bankhaus Aufhauser 12, Munich, 1996 lot 358
Purchased from Edward Waddell at NYINC 2024

image.png.ca4e30cea9fd2c20ae151e9d87d7502b.png

This is a common issue and there are many high-grade examples available, but I bought this coin primarily for the condition and style.  The beauty of the coin cannot be seen in a still photograph.  The obverse style is exceptional and well centered.  The reverse is breath-taking, with a very early die state and deep mirror fields.

 

#4 Denarius of Hosidius Geta. RRC 407/2

Ex Poindessault collection [Burgan Paris 17 Nov 2017]

image.png.fe7609f866a3fdfcd08f522d7f8f66cc.png

I purchased this lovely example of this interesting type from Martina Dieterle at the 2024 NYINC.  Beautifully toned, Sharp and well centered.

 

Roman Imperial large module folles/nummi of The Tetrarchies. 294-313 AD

This was a time of many emperors and mints located in Europe, England, asia, and North Africa.  The coins are generally inexpensive and historically significant.  At least 90% of all surviving folles of this period have a reverse type of Genio with details of variations of style and ornamentation.  

 #5 Maximianus Herculeus, c. 303-305., RIC 23b (London)

London Mint coins of this era are not known for their great stylistic beauty, but this coin appealed to me primarily for the exceptionally expressive portrait of Maximian.

Roma ESale 118, April 9, 2024

image.png.5f3b1fdf9cc348a4bacbc9d8d46a95b6.png

 

#6 Maximinus II as Caesar, RIC VI 71b (Aquileia)

This coin has a marvelous helmeted, spear, shield and cuirassed obverse, and a less common Mars advancing with trophy and spear reverse.  I love this coin.

VAuction 47 (Pars Coins), June 7, 2024. Ex Jonathan Kern collection.

image.png.743ccc85dcd4a7ef1f20aa58d19cd0ac.png

 

#7 & 8 Severus II as Caesar, Trier, and Lugdunum mints

The coins of Severus are a bit scarcer than the other figures of the tetrarchy considering his reign was only a couple of years.  These two folles came up in the recent Elsen sale.  I don’t yet have them in hand but from the photos they look to be really nice fully silvered examples.  

image.png.d160211c09ef432d73a2255011f18d6e.png

The Lugdunum mint coin is appealing because of its simple obverse legend.

image.png.ab6049f39556a0a015817efd562895c4.png

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Posted

My favorite is Coin # 1 the large head denarius. The portrait is quite nice.

My 2nd favorite is Coin # 4 the Hosidius Geta denarius. An interesting coin.

  • Like 1
Posted
44 minutes ago, SteveJBrinkman said:

I acquired only eight coins in 2024, so I’m short of the “top ten” threshold.  Nevertheless, few compromises (except maybe paying a bit more that I should).   Here are my purchases in my two primary focus areas of Roman Republican Silver  and Late Roman Empire folles/nummi.

 Roman Republican Silver

#1 Anonymous Denarius RRC 44/5, RRSC B16 

Purchased at the NAC Autumn Sale 2024,  Ex. Titano 9 (1982?) lot 74

image.png.4652df1d00056575de97cc01cd8155ac.png

This variety is represented in RRC plate IX.22.  Although early Roman Denarii are a primary focus of my collection, this variety has eluded me until now. The variety is described in Pierluigi Debernardi’s Roman Republican Silver Coins as “Anonymous 4 – Large head”.  This particular die has a massive large head in good style with excellent centering.  A very representative example for my collection.  This piece completes my collection of RRC 44/5 major varieties (Although there are a number of interesting variations that might build a more comprehensive set in the future.)

#2 Anonymous Denarius RRC 167/1, RRSC B140

 Purchased from CNG at the 2024 NYINC

image.png.de093a498683c8db58317f03c1234f1e.png

This late anonymous issue (c. 202 BC [Debernardi] or 179-170 BC [Crawford]) is characterized by small horses on the reverse.  It is similar to the large earlier peaked visor group 53/2, but distinct in many ways, not the least of which is the modern “A” in ROMA with a horizontal cross bar (RRC 53/2 examples always display an archaic “A” with a disconnected slanted cross bar.).

I previously had an example of this common variety with an imperfection in the obverse field that bothered me, so I sold it and bought this example which is without imperfections, nicely centered and prototypical of the type.   Characteristically kind of crude but a typical example of the variety in nice condition.  Stylistically this issue is very similar to the very scarce RRC 168/2 helmet symbol coins of the same timeframe.

 

#3 Denarius of P. FONTEIUS P.F CAPITO. RRC 429/1

Ex. NAC 2 Zurich 1990 lot 422
Ex Bankhaus Aufhauser 12, Munich, 1996 lot 358
Purchased from Edward Waddell at NYINC 2024

image.png.ca4e30cea9fd2c20ae151e9d87d7502b.png

This is a common issue and there are many high-grade examples available, but I bought this coin primarily for the condition and style.  The beauty of the coin cannot be seen in a still photograph.  The obverse style is exceptional and well centered.  The reverse is breath-taking, with a very early die state and deep mirror fields.

 

#4 Denarius of Hosidius Geta. RRC 407/2

Ex Poindessault collection [Burgan Paris 17 Nov 2017]

image.png.fe7609f866a3fdfcd08f522d7f8f66cc.png

I purchased this lovely example of this interesting type from Martina Dieterle at the 2024 NYINC.  Beautifully toned, Sharp and well centered.

 

Roman Imperial large module folles/nummi of The Tetrarchies. 294-313 AD

This was a time of many emperors and mints located in Europe, England, asia, and North Africa.  The coins are generally inexpensive and historically significant.  At least 90% of all surviving folles of this period have a reverse type of Genio with details of variations of style and ornamentation.  

 #5 Maximianus Herculeus, c. 303-305., RIC 23b (London)

London Mint coins of this era are not known for their great stylistic beauty, but this coin appealed to me primarily for the exceptionally expressive portrait of Maximian.

Roma ESale 118, April 9, 2024

image.png.5f3b1fdf9cc348a4bacbc9d8d46a95b6.png

 

#6 Maximinus II as Caesar, RIC VI 71b (Aquileia)

This coin has a marvelous helmeted, spear, shield and cuirassed obverse, and a less common Mars advancing with trophy and spear reverse.  I love this coin.

VAuction 47 (Pars Coins), June 7, 2024. Ex Jonathan Kern collection.

image.png.743ccc85dcd4a7ef1f20aa58d19cd0ac.png

 

#7 & 8 Severus II as Caesar, Trier, and Lugdunum mints

The coins of Severus are a bit scarcer than the other figures of the tetrarchy considering his reign was only a couple of years.  These two folles came up in the recent Elsen sale.  I don’t yet have them in hand but from the photos they look to be really nice fully silvered examples.  

image.png.d160211c09ef432d73a2255011f18d6e.png

The Lugdunum mint coin is appealing because of its simple obverse legend.

image.png.ab6049f39556a0a015817efd562895c4.png

3 &4 for me, fantastic ones

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Posted

Quality over quantity. All great coins. Nice to see Severus II in such good condition. And I agree with #3 and #4 being fantastic examples. 

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Posted

Great pick ups. My favorite is #4 Denarius of Hosidius Geta. RRC 407/2. I always see things that are new to me on these lists. 

Posted

A wonderful selection of coins Steve. I really enjoy #1 - that is a massive head for a 44/5 and a massive milestone in having collected all the major varieties! I also love number 4, a really fantastic and beautifully toned example of a tough type. Congrats on another successful year of collecting.

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