Interesting ancient coins
Contents: This main page has Roman coins and some of newest listings from other series too, at the top. For late Roman, Byzantine, or Greek coins, or ancient-coin books, use the links to the left.
Skip down to Republican, 1st C, 2nd C, or 3rd C
This site: June 14: Drusus as and Claudius II GOTHICO obverse legend, at the top
June 12: second century coins at the top: Marcus, Faustina II, Antoninus Pius. One very rare and not in RIC or BMC.
June 8: Lovely Commodus denarius (the Gladiator movie emperor). Most pages somewhat revised. Take a look around.
June 4: Three large Trajan pieces: historical VIC DAC sesterius and two "Koinon of Galatia" rare pieces (at the top).
June 1: Caracalla temple from Tripolis mint (This page, top). Numerous Severan ancient imitations on the "Imitations" page.
May 27, top quality portrait for Maximinus Thrax, the giant, at the top. Two Elagabalus pieces, an excellent denarius and antoninianus.
May 24, Salonina from Alexandria, at the top.
May 23: Caracalla tetradrachm of Tyre, gorgeous Theodore I of the Empire on Nicaea, and some Gallienus, Salonina, and Valerian provincials, at the top of this page. Also, a lead(!) Trajan Decius sestertius copy. Large Syracuse AE (25.58 grams)
May 16: Byzantine coins added to the Byzantine page, and many prices there reduced,
May 12: Leo I AE2, extremely rare.
May 11: Magnus Maximus AE2s on the late 4th C. page.
May 10: Severus Alexander from Alexandria, year 13 (at the top).
May 10: A collection of Arcadius. A large Syracuse AE with Athena/dolphins. A collection of Gratian.
May 1: Many Provincials of Septimius Severus, Caracalla, Elagabalus, Severus Alexander, Gordian III, Philip, Valerian, Gallienus, and others, added to this page. Also, a Justinian AE4 of a sort sometimes said to be Vandal.
wwestyc
Prices are in brackets: [$xx].
To order, or simply to ask me questions, write me, Warren, at 
When you write me, please tell me if you are not in the US.
After I confirm I still have the coin, you can pay with PayPal to my e-mail address and I also accept checks.
Shipping in the US is $2 for orders under $25, $3 up to $50, $4 up to $100, and an additional dollar for each hundred thereafter.
Shipping to other countries: Shipping is an additional $3 for orders under $200 and payment must be with PayPal. (Thick coins change an "envelope" into a "small parcel" which costs significantly more in postage. I can mail about three denarius-sized coins as an "envelope", but not large Byzantine bronze or sestertii.) I do not accept orders over $200 from abroad. When you order, please tell me which country you live in and I will get back to you with shipping before you confirm your order.
More detailed terms are here. All coins are guaranteed genuine.
Purple means "SOLD" and no longer available.
About me: For information about Augustus Coins, click here.
Some especially interesting items: Pertinax denarius, extremely rare denomination of Tacitus.
New (down to the first horizontal line. After that, Roman coins are in chronological order below and other coins are on the appropriate pages--with links to the left).
Skip the newest coins and coins of the Republic to go down to those of the empire.
Marius, Gallo-Roman emperor for a very short period (ancient literature says two days! However, numismatistis think it must be more like a month or more, c. May 269- August)
IMP C M MAVR MARIVS AVG
VICTORIA AVG
Sear III.11124
RIC 17
Number 128 on the ERIC II revised list of frequencies. A rare emperor!
[$225 + $6 shipping in the US, $9 abroad]
Drusus, 14 BC-23 AD
Struck 22-23 under Tiberius, his father
AE28. 6:00. 10.19 grams.
DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N
S C in center
PONTIF TRIBVN POTEST ITER
Dark green patina.
ex. Jonathan Kern in 1982
RIC Tiberius 45, BMC Tiberius 99-101
[$125]
Claudius II, Gothicus
268-270
17 mm. 2.66 grams
DIVO CLAVDIO GOTHICO
altar
CONSECRATIO
ex Empire list 23 lot C198 July 1984 at $50
The best obverse legend with his famous "GOTHICO" title.
RIC 264, Foss Quintillus 2
Good portrait and strong GOTHICO
[$89]
Antoninus Pius, 138-161
denarius. 18 mm.
LIBERALITAS VII COS III
Liberalitas pouring bounty of coins from corncopia
RIC 234 "Scarce" BMC 816
very nice portrait with almost no wear.
Look at the hair detail over the ear. [$75]
Marcus Aurelius. 139-161-180 AD
denarius. 19-17 mm.
FORT RED TRP XXII IMP V
COS IIII (Fortuna Redux is associaed with prayers for a safe return from a trip)
Datable to the precise year Feb. - Dec. 168.
Fortuna seated left holding ruddre and cornucopia.
RIC 185. Excellent portrait and surface with toning. [$125]
Faustina II, wife of Marcus Aurelius
CONCORDIA
BMC (Antoninus Pius) 1086, page 164 "c.152-156"
Hair bun on the back of her head making an uncommon hairstyle for her. [$79]
Marcus Aurelius. 139-161-180 AD
dupondius, 26 mm.
Reverse show Concrod with Lucius Verus
CONCORD AVGVSTOR TRP XVI
datable to a particular year,
Dec. 161-Dec. 162.
RIC 828, BMC 1016
Foss 11
Nice portrait, well centered, good surfaces. Much larger than a denarius. [$125]
Antoninus Pius, 138-161
dupondius, 26 mm.
Much larger than a denarius.
figure in temple below arched shrine.
RIC --, but see 1038 for an as of this reverse. Strack III #1191 according a communication I had from Dr. Burnett of the BM calling it "very rare". (I don't have Strack's book.)
BMC --
The obversse is in high grade and the reverse is much weaker, as you can see. Ex Empire list 24 lot 25 in December 1984 at $180. [$395]
Do you have any coins not in RIC or BMC? If you buy this rarity, you will.
Philip, 244-249
Superb antoninianus
ROMAE AETERNAE, RIC 85
Remarkably well-struck and sharp, with great surfaces.
Bought in 1992 at the ANA from Giessner
If you want a good portrait of Philip I, you can get a VF one in the $50-$75 range. If you want an EF portrait (disregarding the reverse), you can get it below $100. If you want a well-struck reverse too, that's a different matter. A nearly perfect coin deserves a premium.
[$125 SOLD]
Commodus 190-193
Liberalitas type
LIB AVG IIII TRP VI IMP IIII COS II
databable to a single year -- 181.
Outstanding surfaces. Looks lust like the photo.
BMC 53, Sear --, but close to 5655.
RIC 22, page 368.
Light beard. Excellent type with lots of references--to his Liberality (IIII), victories (IMP IIII) Tribune power (TRP VI) consulship (II). [$149]
Trajan, 98-117.
sestertius. 34 mm.
VIC DAC historical type, struck 107 about the Dacian War.
Lovely surface. Excellent portrait. Long clear obverse legend. Victory inscribing VIC/DAC on shield.
[$345 SOLD]
Trajan, 98-117
AE31-30 mm. 23.91 grams.
Sestertius-sized provincial from a rare region.
Koinon of Galatia.
Countermark with stasr in circle.
Zeus seated left.
BMC Greek Galatia 1.
Struck at Ancyra.
A search of "Trajan Galatia" produces none on vcoins or MA-Shops as I write.
[$145]
Trajan, 98-117
AE31 mm. 22.34 grams.
Sestertius-sized provincial from a rare region.
Koinon of Galatia.
BMC Galatia 9
hexastyle temple of Rome and Augustus at Ancyra.
L&K --. Lindren III 941 (is worse). SNG Copenhagen VII plate 3 #105.
A search of "Trajan Galatia" produces none on vcoins or MA-Shops as I write.
A hard to find architectural type. [$85]
Caracalla, 198-217
25 mm.
Tripolis mint, Phoenicia.
Temple of Zeus Hagios with four columns, sun on left, moon on right, figure in middle holding staff and being crowned by Victory.
BMC Phoenicia --, but XXVII.14 is somewhat similar.
L&K 3352 with significant differences.
Weber 8079 with pediment different.
Excellent reverse detail. [$65]
Maximinus Thrax, the Giant, 235-238
21-10 mm. Denarius. 3.37 grams.
FIDES MILITVM
Fides standing with two standards.
"Big chin" portrait.
Uncirculated, with very well-struck and sharp portrait. Top quality for a portrait collection.
[$95]
Elagabalus, 218-222
LIBERTAS AVG
Libery standing with cap of liberty
Sear 7523. RIC 107
Lovely portrait with his large eyes.
Very high grade well-centered, and excellent portrait. Well-struck on the whole flan. A really good coin. [$95]
Elagabalus, 218-222
Antoninianus. Radiate.
22 mm.
VICTOR ANTONINI AVG
Victory striding right with wreath and palm.
RIC 155. BMC 35
Look at the detail on Victory!
[$75 SOLD]
Salonina, wife of Gallienus
Struck at Roman Alexandria, Egypt
22-21 mm. 10.35 grams
Year 13 = 265/6
Sear 10713, no photo.
Emmett 3853
Nice surfaces and details. [$69]
With Pegasi ticket at $275!
Caracalla, tetradrachm of Tyre, Syria.
27-25 mm. 13.99 grams.
eagle front on club, body slightly right, head turned back to left. Murex shell between legs.
Prier 1551. This one is struck as COS 4 (Δ at the end of the reverse legend), 213-217.
Lovely coin. Excellent portrait. Nicely centered, [$155 SOLD]
Gallienus (253-268)
struck at Roman Alexanderia, Egypt
Tetradrachm, year 13
Quite nice. [$59]
Gallienus, 30 mm.
Struck at Side in Pamphylia
E countermark over the original "IA" at the neck.
E = 5 assaria. Howgego Countermark 805
Sear Greek Imperial --,
von Aulock -- cf, plate 158, volume II for Valerian
L&K 1174 for obverse
SNG Copenhagen VI Pamphlia -- Supplement 523
Weber III --, SNG Righetti 1309 variety
ex Cederlind at $100, his #345 (date uncertain, maybe 1990s?) [$95]
Salonina, wife of Gallienus
23-20 mm.
SALONINA AVG
FECVNDITAS AVG
empress standing left holding infant, at foot child standing.
RIC 57 Mediolanum mint.
Bought in London in 1988.
[$32]
Valerian (253-260)
Struck at Heliopolis, Coele-Syria
253)-23 mm, thick, 11.70 grams.
agnostic urn on table with ornamental legs
COL HEL
Sear Greek Imperial --
L&K --, Lindgren III 1283variety (legend), Weber --, McClean 9440 variety, BMC Syria --
SNG Copenhagen Syria -- (439 has urn with no table, SNG Righetti --
[$89] Ex Colosseum Coin Exchange, list of April 1988, lot 106.
LEAD copy of a sestertius of
Trajan Decius
28-26 mm. 23.00 grams.
GEN ILLVRICI prototype
Genius of Illuricum standing
Sear 3.9403 prototype.
RIC 116a.
This one is puzzling. Why would someone make a fake in lead?
It is quite thick and the edges look filed, so it was cast. If you buy it, you can stew about it. [$29]
Elpis standing, palm before
12,26g, 24mm. Dattari: 4298 var. Full legend and full beading, which is not usual. Elpis in a very attractive pose. [$85]
Crusader
Tancred of Antioch AD 1104-1112. 24 mm.
Bust facing with spear over shoulder. IC XC NI KA in a cross, copying the usual Byzantine anonymous bronze Class C reverse.
Coins of the Crusader States Tancred 4a [$59 + 4 shipping in the US SOLD, but lost in the mail. If you see it (on Ebay?), let me know. "Tancred" is pretty unusual.]
Can you guess who this is?
The general time period is clear, but the coin was minted at Antioch with an unusual obverse legend, making it hard to identify.
IM C V AF GAL VEND
is the beginning of the legend and for most collectors that does not help.
It continues
VOLVSIANO AVG
which solves the mystery.
RIC Volusian 234c, page 185 "R"
Lovely Antioch black&tan patina
[$24, reduced to $21]
____________________
Begin Roman coins in chronological order
Roman Republican. 123 BC. 18-17 mm. 3.92 grams.
M. Fannius C.F.
Sear 150. Crawford 275/1. RSC Fannia 1
Helmeted head of Roma right, ROMA behind.
Victory in quadriga right
M FAN C F . in exergue. [$89, reduced to $79]
Roman Republican
L. Sentius C.f., 101 BC
Roma right, ARG PVB "public silver" down behind
Jupiter in quadriga right
L SENTI D F in exergue
3.84 grams. Large diameter: 21 mm.
[$89]
P. Crepuius, with C. Limetan and L. Censorin. 82 BC. 17 mm. 3.54 grams.
Crawford 360/1b. Sear 284,
Bust of Venus right with L CENSORIN down on left
Venus in biga right, C LIMETA (ligate) below horses
P CREPVSI below. Roman numeral VIII = 8 above.
Three moneyers for the price of one! [$59]
Roman Republican AE
Anonymous triens. 23 mm. 7.47 grams.
"after 211 BC"
Crawford 56/4
Roma helmeted right with four dots above (denoting it a triens, 3 make 12)
prow right, four dots below, ROMA above. [$49 , reduced to $29]
anonymous quadrans with star. 19 mm. 169-158 BC.
Crawford 196/4
Hercules head right, three dots.
Prow right, three dots below, star to right. [$29, reduced to $17]
Republican Fourrees
Minucia 1. Q. Min Rufus
122 BC
Crawford 277/1 prototype. [$25, reduced to $15 SOLD]
Cipia 1. M. Cipi M.F. 115 or 114 BC
17 mm. 2.95 grams.
Helmeted head of Roma right, M.CIPI.M.F upwards
Victory driving biga right, rudder below.
Crawford 289/1 prototype. [$27, reduced to $17]
Fourrees with especially remarkable reverses. The original would be a very expensive coin, and finding an imitation of it is extremely unusual and the imitation may well be unique of its type.
Search vcoins under "fouree" and "fourree" to see what dull reverse types are offered for. You will probably never see these good types again.
Augustus/receiving standards back from the Parthians "Signus Receptus" CAESAR AVGVSTVS SIGN RECE hybrid.
This reverse does not normally have a portrait obverse. BMC 71 plate 3.1 for obverse legend and portrait. BMC plates 1.7-9, 2.2, 2.11-12 for obverse. Reverse of RIC 288, plate 5. [$159 reduced to $69]
Augustus, prototype of 15-13 BC commemorating Actium. IMP X ACT in exergue.
The Actian Apollo standing left holding plectrum and lyre.
Sear 1611, RIC 171a. [$115, reduced to $59]
***** I also have a page of numismatic literature (ancient-coin auction catalogs, books) for sale.
Three coins of Augustus with countermarks:
Augustus with countermarks. 27 mm dupondius. 8.73 grams.
Struck c. 17 BC or earlier.
AVGVSTUS
TRIBVNIC
POTEST
within wreath
Large SC with moneyer's legend around. P.P in oval, TICA in rectangle, AVC in rectangle BMC I Augustus page 96
TICA is on coins through Claudius p. xxxv [$79, reduced to $45, reduced to $33]
Augustus, RIC 439 of moneyer SEX NONIVS QVINCTILIAN III VIR AAA FF
with countermark monogram abbreviating CAESAR
applied in lower Germany (Netherlands) or a bit south along the Rhine in the early part of Tiberius's reign. See BMC xxxiii and xxix and Grant RIM p. 124ff plate VII.5 [$39, reduced to $29, reduced to $23]
Augustus with four countermarks 25-23 mm. 9.84 grams.
TICA Head? AVG dolphin in rectangle.
Said to be "From the Balkans" [$29, reduced to $19]
Nero, 54-68 AD, at Caesarea Maritima (now in Israel)
Struck 68 AD, his last year.
23 mm. Head of Nero right/ Figure standing left holding human head and standard
PRC 4862 plate 176, Hendin 4th ed. 834 plate 34. See Acts 18:22. [$85, reduced to $49]
This coin is provincial, not imperial. I am thinking of listing the provinicial coins by emperor here, rather than putting them on the Roman Provincial page. Most are there now.
Here is a Hadrian sestertius of a good type:
RESTVTITVTORI ORBIS TERRARVM
Hadrian raising the restored world.The picture captures the coin well. The patina is mostly lovely but flacking around the rim so the much of the legend is only partly there.
32 mm (a large coin).
RIC 594a. Foss 21 [AD 118] [$149 + $5 in the US, reduced to $129+$5]
Please compare this sestertius and its price with others of Hadrian on your favorite sites. This one has a good type, good portrait, and good color.
Pertinax, 86 days in 193 AD, Jan 1 - March 28.
Denarius. 18 mm. 3.29 grams. 12:30 die axis.
IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG
nicely centered and excellent surfaces.
VOT DECEN TRP COS II
Pertinax standing left over tripod altar.
RIC 13a (R2 = very rare). BMC 24, plate 1.20.
Excellent portrait, centering, metal, toning, and surfaces. A rarity you can appreciate forever.
Guaranteed genuine, of course. Even at this magnification this coin looks great! That is because it is!
[$1245 + $12 registered postage. Reduced to $995 + $12 shipping. Sale only in the US! You can get a Pertinax for less, but not with this quality. You must admit this is a very nice coin!]
Septimius Severus, 193-211
Denarius. 18 mm.
ADVENTI AVG FELISSIMO
refers to "triumphal entry into Rome" [RIC p. 67]
RIC 74. Struck 196 [Hill number 232] [$55, reduced to $45]
Geta, 198-212.
AE18-16. Marcianopolis, Lower Moesia.
tripod with rising snake.
SGI obverse of 2781, but not the reverse
Ex Schinke at 1995 CICF. Lovely patina [$85, reduced to $45]
Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis. Septimius Severus. A.D. 193-211. AE tetrassarion (27.4 mm, 11.01 g, 6 h). struck A.D. 207-210. Julius Faustinianus, consular legate. AV Λ CEΠTI CEVHPOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / VI ΦAVCTIANOV MAPKIANOΠO-ΛITΩN, Cybele seated left, holding patera and resting arm on drum, two lions lie on either side. Varbanov 782; AMNG 565; H&J 6.14.31.9. VF, black patina with green highlights. [$69, reduced to $59 SOLD]
Septimius Severus at Nicopolis. eagle. 18 mm. SGI --. Lindgren II --, III --, Nikopolis page 50 8.14.1.30-34, closest to 31 "R2" Quite well-struck. [$27]
Septimius Severus (on right) and Caracalla (on left) at Beruit (Berytus). Two heads! AE23-22, 8.16 grams. SGI city and obverse of 2301, different reverse. L&K 2264. BMC Berytus 130. SNG Copenhagen Phoenicia 107. [$59]
Caracalla, Tarsos mint
26 mm. 8.70 grams
AH / MI in wreath
Sear Greek Imperial --, SNG Danish Tarsos 369. SNG France 2:1560 [$95, reduced to $69]
Caracalla. Carrhae, Mesopotamia. AE21. 6.17 grams. veiled and turreted bust of City-goddess right. Sear GI 2702. A very famous city associated with Crassus's failed invasion of Mesopotamia [$19]
Caracalla and Julia Domna/ Serapis head reverse
Marcinopolis 6.19.6.5
Moushmov 47b
AE27-26 [$29, reduced to $23]
Caracalla, 196-198-217
at Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moushmov 1077
AE19-16. 2.67 grams
Head of Serapis [$19]
Caracalla, tetradrachm of Tyre. 198-217.
11.71 grams. 27-26 mm. A big coin.
Marvelous scowling portrait.
Prier "The Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms" 1548. [This one is much better than his illustrated coin] [$89, reduced to $85 SOLD]
Caracalla, 195-198-217 AD. Denarius.
More lustrous and and sharper obverse than the photo, not so white, but more metallic, but if you look hard you can see the detail is there and sharp. (I should take another photo.)
LIBERAL AVG VIIII
3.88 grams.
Sear 2.6814. RIC 302
His 9th liberality! Struck 214 AD. [$125, reduced to $75]
Caracalla, 198-211-217 AD. denarius. 19 mm.
PM TRP XVIII COS IIII PP
radiate lion with thunderbolt in mouth
RIC 273e scarce, page 252. BMC 151, page 459. [$69, reduced to $39]
Caracalla, Nikopolis, AE17. 3.18 grams.
Moushmov 1086a. Sear GI --
Bunch of grapes (a reference to wine production)
[$29, reduced to $17 SOLD]
Caracalla. Serdica mint. Thrace. 22 mm. 4.34 grams.
Sear GI --, but 2490 for the sity. Mosshmov 4887 .
Lindrgem Europe --, Lindren III 76, SNG Copenhagen Thrace --, BMC --
Serdica 12.18.48.3 is only 17 mm and much smaller, so this is unlisted there. [$37, reduced to $23 SOLD]
Caracalla, 196-198-217
struck before 205 at Pautalia, Thrace
Ulpias Pautalia (the city's name)
SGI -, SNG Copenhagen 718 is a similar coin of Geta, Lindgren III --, Lindgren Europe --
Snake rising. Really nice reverse (snake reverses are cool!), better than the photo. [$55, reduced to $33 SOLD]
Caracalla, 196-198-217
AE27-25
Struck at Marcianopolis, Lower Moesia
eagle standing front, head right
well-centered and fully legible with nice even surface. [$95, reduced to $55]
ex Fred Shore, 1991 Chicago ANA
Caracalla. 24 mm.
Minted at Stobi, Macedon
Victory with wreath right
SGI --, Lindgren Europe -- (reverse of 1147 for Julia Domna), Lindgren III --, SNG Copenhagen II plate 8.335 variety, Weber II 2281 variety. Deep olive green patina. [$49, reduced to $37]
Elagabal, 218-222.
17-16 mm.
Struck at Marcianopolis.
Bunch of grapes hanging.
Appropriate for all you wine drinkers, for that is surely the reference.
Moushmov 620.
BMC Thrace page 35 #55.
[The bit of white on the reverse photo is not there. The coin does not have that white. It is a nice and even warm brown.
[$39, reduced to $35]
Elagabal at Antioch on Orontes. AE19. 4.53 grams. Sear GI --. Butcher, CRS 470 but bust left, page 385, plate 14. High grade [$39, reduced to $35]
Elagabalus at Tyre, Phoenicia. large: 30 mm. Astarte standing left, placing her hand on trophy, holds transvers scepter, crowned by Nike on column right, palm to left SEPT IM TYRO SGI 3117 BMC Phoenicia, Tyre, 389. rev. illustrated plate XXXIII.1. small figure "Marysas of the forum" to the right. Large and quite clear. [$65, reduced to $55]
Elagabalus, 218-222.
CONCORDIA MILIT, two standards and two eagles.
18-16 mm.
Sear 7505. RIC IV-2 187. Antioch mint, A.D. 218-219. High grade portrait and interesting military connection with four standards. [$125, reduced to $95]
Elagabalus, 218-222. 20 mm. 2.92 grams.
Denarius. FIDES EXERCITVS.
RIC 68, p. 33. BMC 15, plate 85.8, page 532. "218-219 AD" [$55, reduced to $42]
Elagabalus, 218-222.
Struck at Antioch, Syria
Tetradrachm, 26-24 mm.
Sear GI 3096. BMC 417.
Scarcer than many other rulers as a tetradrachm. Very nice portrait. [$79, reduced to $67]
Phoenicia, Tyre. Elagabalus. A.D. 218-222. Large. AE 30 (30.6 mm, 16.58 g, 11 h). IMP CAES M AV ANTONINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / SEPT IM T VRO COLO, Astarte standing facing, placing right hand on trophy and holding scepter in left, being crowned by Nike on column; Marsyas to inner left, murex shell to inner right. Rouvier 2358; BMC 390. Fine. Scarce. [$59, reduced to $49]
Severus Alexander (222-235)
Severus Alexander, 222-235. Bostra, Arabia. bust right/bust of Tyche left. BMC 22. Cast type. Not many official ancients were cast, but this type, minted for Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea, was officially cast. Very unusual for that. Excellent for type. [$59, reduced to $49]
Serverus Alexander, 222-235 AD
Roman Provincial coin from Nicaea, Bithynia (in modern Turkey)
AE 22. 12:00. 4.09 grams.
three standards [$14]
Severus Alexander AE26-24 at Marcianopolis. Governor Julius Fetus named.
eagle with half-spread wings. Sear GI obverse of 3269, same reverse legend. Moushmov 714 photo on the web (that one is slightly worse and was $85) [$35]
Severus Alexander, 222-235
PM TRP VI COS II PP Nice grade [$65, reduced to $35]
Severus Alexander, 222-235
18 mm. denarius.
ANNONA AVG, Annona standing holding grain ears over modius.
RIC 188a.
Nicely centered and struck. Little wear. Nicely toned. An excellent coin. [$59, reduced to $41]
Syria, Seleucis and Pieria. Antiochia ad Orontem. Severus Alexander. A.D. 222-235. Large. AE octoassarion (32 mm, 17.01 g, 11 h). AVT KAIC MAP AVP CEO AΛEΞANΔPOC CEB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / ANTIOXЄΩN MHTPO KOΛΩ, turreted, draped, and veiled bust of Tyche right; above, ram leaping right, head left; Δ-Є and S-C across field. McAlee 845c; BMC 484; Butcher 493. Fine, rough. [$59, reduced to $49]
Julia Mamae fourree
IVNO CONSERVATRIX
19 mm.
RIC prototype 343. BMC 43
[$19]
Gordian III (238-2440
Gordian III, 238-244. Silver drachm of Caesarea, Cappadocia. 18 mm.
Much like a denarius, but from the East and with Greek lettering.
Mt. Argeaus. ETEpsilon = year 5 [$45]
Gordian III, 238-244. AE 27. Hadrianopolis. Fortuna = Tyche with rudder. smoothing. Fully legible legends. [$39, reduced to $29]
Gordian III (238-244)/ Tyche head, centaur Saggitarius leaping right above
struck at Singara, Mespotamia
AE26-24. 12.11 grams.
Sear Greek Imperila 3791, obv. bust variety (theirs faces right)
very good surfaces, just wear [$69, reduced to $55]
Gordian III, 238-244. Antoninianus. 21 mm. 3.95 grams.
AEQVITAS AVG, Aequitas with her scales and cornucopia.
RIC 34, page 19, plate 1.10. Struck "Jan. 1, 240 - March(?)" in hte thrid issue.
High grade. All letters on the flan. Nice portrait of the young emperor. Good artistry on the neck drapery. [$49, reduced to $43] A very nice coin.
Philip (244-249)
Philip, 244-249
28 mm.
Struck at Viminacium, Moesian Superior
Sear GI 3874
28 mm. 15.30 grams. Large
The bull and the lion were the emblems of legions VII and IV which were quartered in the province.
Even dark green patina. [$49, reduced to $39]
Philip I, 244-249. 23 mm radiate.
AEQVITAS AVGG High grade. Better metal than shows in the photo. Look at the crispness of detail on Aequitas [$69, reduced to $53]
Otacilia Severa, bust left, tetradrachm of Antioch, Syria. Wife of Philip I, who reigned 244-249.
Eagle right, ANTIOCXIA SC in exergue. Prier 390 [11 pieces known to him] [$225, reduced to $185 SOLD]
Please compare to prices on vcoins and elsewhere. You may crack it out of the slab to better enjoy it.
Philip II at Antioch in Pisidia, AE27. 970 grams. SGI --, McClean 8964. BNC Pisidia Antioch 120 (no photo) [$35, reduced to $25]
Philip II at Antioch in Pisidia. AE25. 10.22 grams. SGI --. L&K I 1235 for Philip I. [$39, reduced to $33]
Philip II, 244-249
Struck at Nisibis, Mesopotamia, the easternmost city of the Roman empire, and much in the history books as a city under siege by Sasanians or Romans.
Sear GI 4157. BMC Mesopotamia Nesibi [sic] 23
City goddess seated facing, ram running right bove, head back, in temple with four colums with spiral fluting, city god swimming right below.
Bust left
ex CCE Sept. 1981 lot 159. The city is mentioned in Acts 7:2. Nice dark green patina. [$95, reduced to $65]
Philip II, 244-249
Struck at Heliopolis, Coele-Syria
LEG V MACED VIII AVG (beginning at 11:00, tthe "LEG" is at 11:00 and the "V" is above the right standard) COL HEL in exergue
priest plowing with two oxen, two standards
A numbered legion on a coin. That is quite unusual and demands a big premium in other series.
Holed at 12:00.
Lindgren I, 2168, tyoe of CNG 37 (1996) lot 1139. Rare and special. [$85, reduced to $55]
Trajan Decius (249-251)
Trajan Decius, 249-251
23 mm. Struck at Nikomedia in Bithynia
SNG von Aulock 7128 Sear GI --, SNG Copenhagen --
Equitas, Gamma (3) in left field. Fully legible, very well-centered on the obverse. [$85, reduced to $55]
Trajan Decius, 249-251. 13.27 grams. 26 mm. PMS COL VIM Viminacium, year XI. SGI-- but similar to 4164, but with longer obverse legend. BMC Thrace 28, [$39, reduced to $25]
Herennius Etruscus, 250-251. Son of Trajan Decius
AR 23-20 mm. 3.79 grams.
PIETAS AVGVSTORVM
RIC (Trajan Decius) 143, page 139, struck as Caesar.
Sharp hair detail. Very good portrait. [$79, reduced to $69]
Volusian, 251-253. 23-21 mm. 2.83 grams.
PAX AVGG
RIC 179, page 178.
Teriffic portrait! Look very closely at it. A treasure for your portrait series. [$59]
Cilicia, Hierapolis-Castabala. Trebonianus Gallus. A.D. 251-253. AE 30 (29.8 mm, 13.82 g, 5 h). AVT K ΓAΛΛOC CEBAC, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / KACTABAΛEΩN IEPOΠOΛEI, turreted and draped bust of Tyche right. SNG France -; SNG Levante 1596 var (obv and rev legends); BMC -; SNG von Aulock -. Fine, rough surfaces. Rare variety. [$59, reduced to $45]
Valerian (253-260)
Valerian, 253-260
FIDES MILITVM
RIC 89. Sear 9938.
Very good size--22 mm-- and nice toning over good metal. [$75, reduced to $45] Nice flan size and centering.
Valerian I. A.D. 253-260. AR antoninianus (23.9 mm, 3.84 g, 1 h). Rome mint, struck A.D. 256-257. IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / RESTITVTOR ORBIS, Valerian standing left, holding spear and raising female kneeling right. Gobl 111b; RIC 117; RSC 183. aVF. [$59, reduced to $44]
Historical reference type.
Valerian at Flaviopolis, Cilicia. 253-260 AD. AE27-26. 11.99 grams. bust right/bust of Zeus right (not the usual Serapis w. slightly larger flan). Sear GI --, SNG France --, SNG Cop--, SNG von Aulock --, Lindgren & Kovacs --, L III --, SNG Righetti 1558, very similar. Note how few collections have this type. Rare [$49] (This reverse type is sometimes on Maximinus I.)
Gallienus (253-268)
Gallienus, Antioch in Pisidia.
29 mm. 13.02 grams.
It is less green than the image and more black.
Roman wolf nd twins right.
SGI 4601. SNG France 3, 1326 (This one is slightly better than theirs) [$109, reduced to $89]
SOLI CONS AVG
Bull right.
RIC 285. Cunetio, 1405.
Ex Cederlind in 1995 at $60 at the CICF. I will include the Cederlind ticket.
Please compare the prices to your favorite site elsewhere. [$69, reduced to $60--the 1995 price] A rare type from his "zoo series".
Gallienus, 233-268.
PAX AVG
Found in 1991 in England with a hoard of mostly barbarous radiates.
You can see the tong marks where it was gripped too tightly, clipping some of the edge.
No wear. This coin illustrates some of the minting process. [$35, reduced to $23]
(See also the next coin.)
Gallienus, 233-268.
PAX AVG
Found in 1991 in England with a hoard of mostly barbarous radiates. Reverse struck off center so you can see the strike of the edge of the die, which was about 2 mm larger than the beading on each side.
This coin illustrates some of the minting process. [$29, reduced to $15] (see also the previous coin from the same hoard.)
Troas, Alexandria Troas. Gallienus. A.D. 253-268. AE 21 (20.8 mm, 4.22 g, 6 h). IMP LICIN GALLIENV, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / COL AVG TRO, horse grazing right. SNG Turkey 9 182; Bellinger A 451; SNG Cop 204. VF, blue-green patina. [$59, reduced to $49] Nice quality.
Troas, Alexandria Troas. Civic issue. Mid-late 3rd century A.D. AE 23 (23.0 mm, 5.85 g, 7 h). CO ALEX TRO, turreted and draped bust of Tyche right; vexillum behind / COL AVG TROA, she-wolf right, head left, suckling the twins Remus and Romulus. cf. Bellinger A495; SNG Copenhagen 104-7. VF. [$49, reduced to $39]
For a page of ancient imitations from the third century, see here.
Coins of Roman Egypt.
Gallienus German Victory.
Gallienus, 253-268
IMP GALLIENVS AVG
VICTORIA GERMAN Good type. Some silvering. Very wel centered and legible. [$34, reduced to $31]
In 1930 Alfoldi wrote "The Victories of the Empeor Gallienus" for the Numismatic Chronicle (61 pages and 10 page plates) and it was reprinted as a pamphlet. Gallienus types with reference to specific victories would make an interesting theme collection.
Claudius II, 268-270. CONCOR EXERCI. RIC 26 variety (standing right). Full obverse legend. Pensive portrait. Lovely pastel color [$22, reduced to $19]
Claudius II, 268-270.
Double strike minting oddity.
19 mm. 1.95 grams.
VIRTVS AVG
One strike 50% off-center. A clear example of the striking process.
Sear 11383. [$21]
Aurelian/Vabalathus. 271-272 AD
ex Schulman Dec. 1974, lot 1696.
Aurelian radiate bust right/ Vabalathus laureate bust right
Clear name [$33, reduced to $23]
Tacitus, 275-6. CLEMENTIA TEMP
Extremely rare denomination: XI (ten to one silver) as opposed to the usual XXI (twenty to one silver).
See my academic article on the silver content of these: AlloyXI.pdf
I have followed this denomination closely for twenty five years and it is very seldom offered. I don't think there have been any at vcoins or MA-Shops in the last few years. The one at acsearch went for $669 plus fees. Extremely rare. [$145]
Continue with: Roman: Diocletian through Jovian (284-364 AD) (tetrarchy and Constantinian),
or
with a page from the DC Collection with late Roman coins with Christian symbolism and Byzantine coins.
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