DISCOVER HISTORICAL ANCIENT ROMAN COINS

Vespasian AR Denarius. Uncertain mint. 69-70 CE (17.5mm 3.3g 7h) Obv: Head laureate right, globe at neck truncation; IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Rev: Titus and Domitian on curule chair; both holding Laurel branches; TITVS ET DOMITIANVS PRIN IV RIC: 1363A (Not in current RIC) One of 2 known examples Purchased from CGB.fr on August 21 2020. On first glance this looks like RIC 1363 which is a very rare coin. However, this one has a globe beneath the neck truncation. That makes this coin unpublished in RIC and all other major references. In fact, this coin is the second known. This coin will be published in the upcoming RIC addenda and will be listed as R3 (one example known) and has been designa

Domitian AE Sestertius Rome 80-81 CE (33mm 25.3g) Obv: Head laureate right; CAES DIVI AVG VESP F DOMITIANVS COS VII Rev: SC in field; SPES standing left with flower. RIC: 298 [TITVS] Purchased from Zeus Numismatics Budget auction 11 Lot 593 August 1, 2020 This large bronze sestertius of Domitian was struck under his brother Titus' rule. While the obverse has quite a rough look I actually like the patina on this one. However the reason I bought this was for the reverse with SPES. SPES is the personification of Hope. I liked this message so I bought the coin. Sorry that there is no longer explanation but really I liked it and bought it. I must admit I like the feeling of these large setertii i

Vespasian AR denarius, Rome mint, c. 21 Dec 69 - early 70 A.D.; (18.1mm 3.20g die axis 180o), Obv: Laureate head right; IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG,; Rev: Judaea or Jewess seated right on ground at foot of palm tree behind her, her hands bound behind and tied to the tree, IVDAEA in exergue; NGC VG, strike 4/5, surface 4/5 (5768937-002), RIC II-1 4 (R), Hendin 1480, BMCRE II 43, Hunter I 20, RSC II 229, SRCV I 2297, BnF III -, I have been looking for one of these for a few years. They do not appear on the market very often and when they do they are snatched up right away by eager collectors. This also means that if you want one you have to be prepared to pay. The demand for this type drives u

Vespasian AR Denarius. Lugdunum. 70 CE (16.5mm 3.04g) Obv: Head laureate right; IMP CAESAR VESPASIAVS AVG TR P. Rev: Palm tree; to left Judea standing left; hands bound in front; IVDEA DEVICTA RIC 1120; BMC 388; RSC 243 Purchased from INumis August 3, 2020. This coin is in a completely different class from my previous post. While not technically rare, this type is so much in demand that it is difficult to find in the marketplace. When you do find one prepare to open your wallet. The high demand for this coin dries the price quite high. This coin is in demand for a few reasons. First, it is a type that references the Jewish wars in which both Vespasian and Titus were involved. So it is histor

Vespasian as DIVVS AR Denarius 80-81 CE (19mm 3.10g) Obv: Head Laureate right; DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS Rev: EX across field; Victory advancing left placing shield on trophy; Judea standing left. RIC 364 [TITVS]; BMC 112; RSC 44 Purchased from Zeus Numismatics Budget auction 11 Lot 621 August 1, 2020 This is not a rare coin. It is an interesting one however. Titus issued a series of DIVVS issues after Vespasian's death. The DIVVS title establishes Vespasian as a god. It is said that on his death Vespasian was heard to say something like Oh my I am becoming a god. Vespasian was known for a sly sense of humour. Why did I want this coin? Well, I am interested in these DIVVS types and the p

Vespasian (69-79). Æ As Rome, AD 69-70. 26 mm. 9.4 gm. Obv: [imp] CAESAR VESPASIAN [AVG PM TRP], Laureate head r., wearing aegis. Rev: T ET DOM[ITIAN CAESARES PRIN IV]VENT S C, Titus and Domitian Caesars on horseback r. RIC II 64 (R2); BMC 750. Very Rare. Purchased from Praefectus coins August 2, 2020 I love the dynastic types for Vespasian with his sons featured on the reverse. This coin has the brothers on horseback on the reverse.I know the coin is a bit rough but it is so rare that if i did not grab this one I might never have seen another available for the remainder of my lifetime. Sometimes you have to take what the market provides and this is such a case. Though the portrait is quite

Constantine the Great (20.97mm 3.32g) 312-313 London mint PLN Mintmark RIC VI London 282 Obv: Bust of Constantine I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right; IMP CONSTANTNVS P AVG Rev: Sol, chlamys draped over left shoulder, standing left, raising right hand and holding up globe with left hand; SOLI INVIC-TO COMITI Purchased from Lee Toone July 30th Published in Cloke, H.J, & Toone, L. The London Mint of Contantius & Constantine. This coin is plate coin 8.01.009 Though this coin is definitely not what I usually collect I had to have to for 2 reasons. First, it is just a lovely coin. A great crisp portrait and an interesting reverse type. Second this coin is a plate coin. I have several plate coin

Domitian, Denarius, 81 Rome (Group 1) (18mm 3.36g) Obv: Laureate head of Domitian right., IMP CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVG Rev: Dolphin coiled around anchor., RIC: 2 (R); BMC 3 RSC 551 Purchased from Savoca 82nd Silver auction July 26, 2020 Lot 315 Though I already had one of these, the very nice reverse meant I had to have this one too. This is a very early coin for Domitian as Augustus. Notice the short reverse legend which consists of only the TR P and COS titles. The supposition is that this coin was struck before the other titles of Domitian were awarded. I find this coin interesting for that reason. Of course I also quite like the portrait on this one. While not excessively rare this coin wil

Domitian as Caesar AR Denarius 80-81 CE (18mm 3.06g) Obv: Head laureate right; CAESAR DIVI F DOMITIANVS COS VII Rev: Minerva advancing right with spear and shield; PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS RIC 268 [TITUS] BMC 86; RSC 381a This coin is part of the Westbury Sub Mendip hoard of 188 Roman silver denari, found during 2016 by a metal detectorist. Purchased July 1 2020 from Silbury Coins This coin is a bit of a departure for me. As a type it is not a rare coin. However, appearances can be deceiving. This coin is special because it is a recorded example of a hoard coin. The following is from Silbury Coins: “This coin is part of the Westbury Sub Mendip hoard of 188 Roman silver denari, found during 2016