Post your latest ancient!

[ela126]

 

I’ve gotten a bunch of Byzantine in recently. A semi recent pickup. I bought it for the look more than anything. I’m half wondering if a false patina was applied, then removed on the high points.. but whatever. It’s a super good looking coin.

Justin II follis and half follis are usually with his wife, so a frontal portrait alone seems less common, but I’m not positive on that.

Dating is also cool on this piece because they used a Delta instead of Roman numerals.. definitely different in that regard.

Justin II
Thessalonica
Sb 365
8.02g

 

[CPK]

With the help of @Anaximander I've been able to correctly identify this new purchase.

NERO, AD 54-68
AE Quadrans (16.54mm, 2.87g, 6h)
Struck circa AD 65. Rome mint
Obverse: NERO CLAV CAE AVG GER, helmet set left on column, shield depicting a gorgoneion resting against column left; spear pointing upwards left, behind
Reverse: P M TR P IMP P P around upright olive branch; S C in fields
References: RIC I 317 var., RCV -
Dark patina with coppery highlights. A seemingly rare variant with the helmet, shield, and spear facing left instead of right. Not noted in RIC.

 

 

[seth77]

In 2018 Lanz offerend a top notch selection of deniers tournois of the Greek Frankokratia, so not a new coin but rather a new pic capturing the wabi sabi of the late official series at Clarentia/Glarentza c. 1333-1335 early minting for Robert de Taranto as minority prince under the regency of his mother Catherine de Valois:

[robinjojo]

Here's a common sestertius of Gordian III in VF-ish grade.  This is another after sale purchase from Roma's final auction.  This coin came out of JTB Numismatic Collection.  I am not sure who or what JTB is or was.  Anyone know?

This coin is obviously not the best example around.  The reverse is actually better than the obverse, which as been cleaned inappropriately.  There's also a flan stress crack that probably occurred during the striking.  Still, the price was reasonable at £38 or about $50.  

Gordian III, AE sestertius, Rome, 242/3 AD.

IMP GORDIANVS PIVS [F]EL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / P M TR P IIII COS II P P, Apollo seated to left, holding branch and resting elbow on lyre; SC in exergue. RIC IV 302. 17.72g, 30mm, 12h.

From the JTB Numismatic Collection, collector's ticket included;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 106, 16 February 2023, lot 1031;
Ex Dieter Alten Collection, purchased from Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, March 2009.

Edited June 6 by robinjojo

[AETHER]

KINGS OF THRACE. Lysimachos (305-281). Tetradrachm. Lampsakos

Size: 28mm
Weight: 16.94g

Obv: Diademed head of Alexander the Great right, deified, with the horn of Ammon
Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; aplustre to outer left, HP monogram above knee

Ref; Müller 356. Thompson 48
Ex; VAuctions Sale 273 - European Sale 2011, Ex; Obolos Webauction 12 2019

Obv Die Match

Edited June 25 by AETHER

[robinjojo]

Here's another post E-Sale 119, day one purchase.  This time we have a sestertius of Severus Alexander, a scarcer coin compared to the Gordian III sestertius that I posted a couple of days ago, but still very obtainable.  

This example, struck on a somewhat narrow flan, is quite attractive, at least regarding the obverse.  The reverse does show signs of crudeness and a slight die shift.

I'm not sure why Roma called this coin "rare", an overstatement I think.  I've seen several examples of this coin offered online.

Severus Alexander, AE sestertius, Rome, 231 AD.

IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate head to right, drapery over far shoulder / P M TR P X COS III P P, Annona standing to left, holding ears of corn over modius and anchor; S-C across fields. RIC IV 520; BMCRE 768. 17.89g, 28mm, 1h.
Near Extremely Fine. Rare.  Attractive portrait.
Roma E-Sale 119, Day 1, lot 1495.
From the JTB Numismatic Collection, collector's ticket included;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 104, 15 December 2022, lot 1100.

 

Edited June 6 by robinjojo

[ewomack]

When will it end? Once again... yes, once again, I pressed a "purchase" button on a coin site and yet another new coin was put into the chute that leads directly to my mailbox. It just keeps happening. Over and over and over. I'm starting to believe in Nietzsche's eternal recurrence.

Until that freshy arrives, this Nicephorus II Phocas Byzantine remains my latest ancient. But not for long. I think someone also said that this was actually a Sear 1783...

Nicephorus II, Phocas (963-969); Constantinople Æ Follis; Obv: +nICIFR bASIL ROM, Facing bust holding labarum and cross on globe; Rev: +nICHF / Eh TEW bA / SILEVS RW / mAIWh in four lines; 6.58g. Berk-943, Sear 1782

Edited June 8 by ewomack

[Sebastian]

NERO (54-68)

Denomination: Didrachm, Ag 

Obverse: Laureate head of Nero, right, NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GERMA

Reverse: Laureate head of Claudius, right, DIVOS CLAVD AVGVST GERMANIC PATER AVG

Reference: RPC I 3652, Sydenham, Caesarea 68, Ganschow, Münzen 61a

Mint: Cappadocia, Caesarea, 63-65 A.D.

Weight: 7,01 g

Diameter: 24,5mm

Provenance: CNG, ex Libertas Collection, purchased 12 February 1989
 

https://www.colleconline.com/en/collection-items/21237/coins-ancient-to-romans-provincial-in-the-shadow-of-mount-argaeus-cappadocia-roman-province
 

 

[MrMonkeySwag96]

I won an auction for this English silver penny of king John, who signed the Magna Carta in 1215:

 

 

Plantagenet. John AR Penny. 1199-1216. London mint. Bust of John facing / Voided short cross with quatrefoil in each angle. 17 mm, 1.16 g.

[robinjojo]

Here's another Alexandrian tetradrachm purchase, Gordian III this time.  While tetradrachms of this emperor are fairly easy to obtain, this example is somewhat scarcer.  This actually the first Alexandrian tetradrachm of Gordian III that I've ever owned in over 40 years of collecting!

In terms of condition, for a billon coin, it is quite average, with generally rough surfaces.  The obverse is decent portrait-wise, but with deposits to the left that obscure part of the legend.  The reverse is quite nice.

Gordian III, BI tetradrachm, Alexandria, year 4 (240/1 AD).

RPC VII.2, 3762

12.31 grams

Obverse inscription:    Α Κ [Μ ΑΝ Γ]ΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ΕΥϹ(Ε)(Β).
Obverse design:    laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III, right, seen from front.
Reverse inscription:    L - Δ.
Reverse design:    head of Ammon, right, wearing horn and headdress of ram’s horns, with drapery on left shoulder.

Edited June 11 by robinjojo

[Broucheion]

Hi All,

I don't collect these but it was a snack I could not resist for under $28 with all S&H included.

As far as I know the 2001 Hesperia article by Camp & Kroll ("The Agora Mint and Athenian Bronze Coinage"), is the latest on Athenian bronzes. JSTOR link is here. If you know of any newer research please let me know. Thanks!

Greece, Athens ca 166-80 BCE
Size: 17x18 mm
Weight: 6.77 g
Die Axis: 00:00

Obv: Head of Zeus r., bound with tainia. Dotted border.
Rev: Athena, striding right, hurling thunderbolt in raised right hand, holding shield on extended left arm. in left field: A over wheat ear; in right field: Θ over E over coiled serpent facing right. Dotted border not visible.
Refs: Svoronos pl 22, 53-58; Kleiner Type 3, pl 2, 34-37; Camp&Kroll-89.

- Broucheion

 

Edited June 13 by Broucheion

[Sebastian]

A fantastic coin for an excellent price, what more could you want!

 Ptolemy I Soter (305-282) Tetradrachm, Alexandria (305-304/3), 28mm 15.52g Svoronos 142

This is probably one of the most emblematic coin of antiquity. The obverse shows for the first time the image of the deified Alexander III the Great in the diadem and scalp of an elephant. It is difficult to say whether it was minted under Ptolemy as the satrap of Egypt or as an independent ruler of the kingdom on the Nile. In any case, it was Ptolemy I who tricked the funeral procession into 321 BCE, which was heading, with Alexander's body, to Aegai in Macedonia and directed it to Egypt. Alexander's body was initially laid to rest in Memphis, and later transferred to Alexandria. The grave of the great Macedonian has not been found to this day. The elephant's scalp on Alexander's head can have a twofold meaning. This is how the personification of Africa was presented, so it may be a reference to the wresting of Egypt from the hands of the Persians. Similarly, Bactrian and Hindu rulers adorned their heads, which may refer to the ends of the world, the mountains of the Hindu Kush, which Alexander the Great reached in his conquests. On the reverse we have a beautiful representation of Athena Alkidemos, and on the right side an eagle sitting on a lightning bolt, which will become a symbol of coins minted by the Ptolemaic dynasty. A word about the scratches on the reverse, which are actually ancient "graffiti" in Aramaic. I hunted for this coin for a long time, but it finally joined the collection!

By the way, do you know anything more about these Aramaic graffiti?

[CPK]

3 hours ago, Sebastian said:

A fantastic coin for an excellent price, what more could you want!

 Ptolemy I Soter (305-282) Tetradrachm, Alexandria (305-304/3), 28mm 15.52g Svoronos 142

This is probably one of the most emblematic coin of antiquity. The obverse shows for the first time the image of the deified Alexander III the Great in the diadem and scalp of an elephant. It is difficult to say whether it was minted under Ptolemy as the satrap of Egypt or as an independent ruler of the kingdom on the Nile. In any case, it was Ptolemy I who tricked the funeral procession into 321 BCE, which was heading, with Alexander's body, to Aegai in Macedonia and directed it to Egypt. Alexander's body was initially laid to rest in Memphis, and later transferred to Alexandria. The grave of the great Macedonian has not been found to this day. The elephant's scalp on Alexander's head can have a twofold meaning. This is how the personification of Africa was presented, so it may be a reference to the wresting of Egypt from the hands of the Persians. Similarly, Bactrian and Hindu rulers adorned their heads, which may refer to the ends of the world, the mountains of the Hindu Kush, which Alexander the Great reached in his conquests. On the reverse we have a beautiful representation of Athena Alkidemos, and on the right side an eagle sitting on a lightning bolt, which will become a symbol of coins minted by the Ptolemaic dynasty. A word about the scratches on the reverse, which are actually ancient "graffiti" in Aramaic. I hunted for this coin for a long time, but it finally joined the collection!

By the way, do you know anything more about these Aramaic graffiti?

Probably my favorite portrait type of Alexander, even more so than the Lysimachos types. Congrats!

[Phil Anthos]

Here's my latest cheapy, an interesting and somewhat scarce bronze from Apulia. It shows up in the Greek references but it looks decidedly Roman even to the Latin ethnic. Anyway I thought it was pretty for the price...

Luceria, Apulia

211-200 BC AE Semiuncia (13.5mm, 2.63g) O: Bust of Diana wearing crescent moon headdress right, within linear border. R: Crescent; LOVCERIA to right, all within linear border. HGC 612; HN Italy 683 Very scarce ex Aphrodite Art Coins

[Phil Anthos]

Here's another, this one a silver litra from Taras, possibly unpublished. I bought it not knowing what the symbol below the dolphin is and I'm still not sure. My first thought was a strigil, a device which is known on Tarentine coinage but not, as far as I can tell, on these small fractions. Other published options could be a lightning bolt, a caduceus or possibly even an anchor, but given the known symbols that fit a trident head seems most likely to me. But I still want it to be a strigil!...

Taras, Calabria

325-280 BC AR Litra (11mm, 0.52g) O: Scallop shell. R: Dolphin right; trident head(?) below. Scarce D'Andrea ---; Vlasto--- ex Aphrodite Art Coins Possibly unpublished

Edited June 15 by Phil Anthos

[Broucheion]

Hi @Sebastian,

You may already know that the countermark on the obverse was noted by Lorber for another tetradrachm (CPE-59) where she explains:

"The countermark is similar to the primary control of Uncertain Mint 1, but also to the primary control of Uncertain Mint 2. Possibly the tetradrachm was submitted in error to one of these auxiliary Egyptian mints for recoining and, since its weight had already been reduced, reissued with the countermark of the workshop." 

- Broucheion 

[shanxi]

A new one for my Artemis collection:

 

Valerian I (253-260).
Phrygia, Hierapolis.
Homonoia issue with Ephesus.
Obv: Α Κ Π ΟVAΛЄΡΙΑΝΟC, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: IЄPAΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ K ЄΦЄCΙΩΝ ΝЄΟΚΟΡΩΝ / OMONOIA, Serapis standing right, holding sceptre; to right, facing statue of Artemis Ephesia, with supports.
AE, 15g, 29.86mm

[shanxi]

and a Annia Faustins, also fromHierapolis

 

Annia Faustina
Asia Minor, Phrygia, Hierapolis
Obv.: [ΑΝΝΙ]Α ΦΑΥϹΤ[ЄΙΝΑ ϹЄΒ], Diademed and draped bust of Annia Faustina to right /countermark
Rev.: ΙЄΡΑ[ΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ ΝЄΩΚΟΡ]Ω[/Ν], Tyche standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, holding cornucopia containing infant Plutos and patera over lighted altar
AE, 9.55g, 26.39mm
Ref.: RPC VI online 5444

 

Annia Aurelia Faustina was briefly married to the Roman emperor Elagabalus. The great-granddaughter of Faustina II and Marcus Aurelius spent her later life at her Pisidian estate. Her descendants became several prominent nobles and politicians in Roman society.

Edited June 16 by shanxi

[robinjojo]

This follis of Justinian I is part of my Quixotic quest to collect the later dates of his reign, say from RY 20 forwards. 

As the later folles of Justinian I go, this example shows typical crudeness and an equally crude legend.  Of interest is the use of a retrograde N in the first third of the obverse legend. 

 At first I thought that this coin might be an overstrike, but now I've concluded that the obverse irregularities are just surface or die flaws.

Justinian I, AE follis, Cyzicus, year 30 (556/7 AD), officina A.

Sear 207

17.99 grams

Edited June 16 by robinjojo

[shanxi]

A medieval coin:

Freiburg im Breisgau
Herzöge von Zähringen. Berthold V, 1186-1218.
AR Brakteat / Vierzipfliger Pfennig
Obv.: Male head facing (so-called "Struwelkopf") between dot and star in left field and three dots and cross in right field.
Rev.: Incuse of obverse.
AR, 17 mm, 0.40 g
Ref.: Wielandt Breisgau 17. Matzke 146

From the collection of Dr. Max Blaschegg (1930-2021, with collector’s ticket), ex Münzen & Medaillen AG FPL 563, March 1993, 118

 

[CassiusMarcus]

KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 17.22 g, 1h). Lampsakos mint. Struck 297/6-282/1 BC

Can never have too many of these types, lol 

[Sebastian]

New coin of Cappadocia have joined my collection:

TRANQUILLINA (241-244)

Denomination: Didrachm, Ag

Obverse: Diademed and draped bust of Tranquillina, right, ϹΑΒΙΝΙΑ ΤΡΑΝΚΥΛΛΙΝΑ ΑΥ

Reverse: View of Mount Argaeus; above, to left and right, pellet, ΜΗΤΡΟ ΚΑΙϹΑ Β ΝΕ, ΕΤ Δ

Reference: RPC VII.2 3279, Sydenham, Caesarea -, Ganschow, Münzen -

Mint: Cappadocia, Caesarea, 241 A.D.

Weight: 5,70 g

Diameter: 21mm

https://www.colleconline.com/en/collection-items/21237/coins-ancient-to-romans-provincial-in-the-shadow-of-mount-argaeus-cappadocia-roman-province?page=0

Edited June 18 by Sebastian

[akeady]

I've fallen behind in taking photos and lost a few entries when Tantalus went down a couple of months ago.

But here is the latest one I've photographed, from The Coin Cabinet's 30th May auction.

(Their description):

ANCIENT GREECE. CILICIA, KELENDERIS.
Silver stater, circa 430-420 BC.
Obv: nude youth, holding whip, dismounting from horse rearing left; A below. Rev: goat kneeling left, head right; ΚΕΛΕΝ above, A in exergue. Good Very Fine; deep cabinet tone with iridescent highlights.

Reference: Casabonne-Type 2; SNG von Aulock-5618; SNG BnF-.
Provenance: from the Euclidean Collection; ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, E-Sale 79 (14/1/2021), lot 336.
Die Axis: 2h.
Diameter: 20 mm.
Weight: 10.64 g.
Composition: Silver.

ATB,
Aidan.

[Ordinary-Ride-1595]

These two octodrachms feature Berenice II and Ptolemy III. In life they were a royal couple and as such I thought I’d share these acquisitions together.

————-

Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246 – 222. In the name of Berenice II. Octodrachm, Alexandria after 241

Obv. Diademed and veiled bust of Berenice II 

Rev. ΒΕΡΕΝΙΚΗΣ - ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ Cornucopiae filled with fruit and bound with fillet. Svoronos 1113 and pl. XXXV, 1. Boston 2348. SNG Copenhagen 169.
——-
Ptolemy IV Philopator, 222-205 BC. Mnaieion or Octodrachm 219-217 BC, Alexandria.

Obv. Radiate bust of Ptolemy III right wearing aegis with trident over left shoulder.

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ. Radiate cornucopia bound with royal diadem; ΔΙ below. Svoronos 1117. 
 

Edited June 21 by Ordinary-Ride-1595

[expat]

Received today

T Cloelius AR Denarius. 128 BC.
ROMA, head of Roma right, wearing a winged helmet, laurel wreath behind / Victory in biga right, horses rearing; grain ear below, T CLOVLI in ex.
Cloulia 1, Crawford 260/1; Syd 516. 19 mm, 3,83 g