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 
  (Links: Caracalla, Elagablal, Severus Alexander, Gordian III, Philip, Valerian, Gallienus, Gallo-Roman, Claudius II, Tacitus)

This site:  Oct. 18:  High quality Vetranio AE2 on the Constantinian page. Cute Greek AE fom Kos (top of this page). Tigranes II, the Great and a rare obol of Tarsos or Posidion on the Greek page.
Oct. 16: Augustus denarius. 
Oct 4: Greek coins (shekel of Tyre, Ptolemy II tetradrachm, Rhometalkes/Augustus), tetrarchy coins (beautiful Licinius I, Licinius II), Hadrian/dolphin from Alexandria (top of this page), Samarian Mt. Gerizim of Severus Alexander (top of this page). 
Oct. 1:  Gorgeous Licinius II on the "Tetrarchy" page. Two Justinian AE4s from Carthage on the Byzantine page. Tribute penny price reduced (on this page).
Sept 26:  Very rare type with an early Christian symbol on a coin of Constantius Gallus. Byantine I+B of Heraclius and 16-nummia denomination coin of Justinian at Thessalonica.
Sept. 20:  A rare Valentinian III and a rare Byzantine 4-nummia coin (first coins on this page).  Vandal of Carthage and a Turkoman bronze (on the Byzantine page).
Sept. 19: Christian related: A "Tribute Penny" and a coin of Corinth that Paul could have handled (first coins on this page). Also, coins added to the "Valentinian and later" page.
Sept 15:  This page rearranged. Coins added to the ancient imitations page. Roman Alexandria page redone. 
Sept. 14: Miletos tetraobol at the top of the Greek page. Abdera tetraobol. Selecucid elephant's head AE.
Sept. 12:  Lots of recent changes! I reduced prices on almost all the coins of the tetrarchy (Diocletian and later) and Constantine and his family. They were low-priced before. Now there are many good late Roman coins at bargain prices. 
Sept. 11, 2017:  Coins added at the top of this page (not the same page where most similar coins belong). Very high grade Delmatius. A very nice Johannes AE4 rarity. A find-coin with a great pedigree. 
Prices moved to the first thing after the image so it is easy to immediately see what a good deal the coin is. By previously putting the prices in the description it was harder to notice. I will continue to do this as I find time. I am far from done.) 
Sept. 7: Trajan sestertius, Licinius II, Roman Egypt Vespasian/falcon, Justinian 16-nummia, Maximian VOT XX (at the top of this page).
Sept. 6:  Excellent Otacilia Severa at the top.
Sept. 5:  Antiochus IV of Commagene/scorpion AE29 on the Greek page. Elymais, Parthian books added to the literature page.
Sept. 4:  Greek staters from Cilicia (Greek page), Maximus sestertius and "K" 1/3 siliqua (this page).
Sept. 3:  Many of the finest and most beautiful sale catalogs added to the literature page.
Sept. 2:  Greek fractional silver from Selinous, Sicily, and from Byblos, Phoenicia.
August 28: Zodiac series sun in Leo drachm (34 mm) of Antoninus Pius SOLD
August 26: Two Greek AE (one with an elephant) on the Greek page and a Magnentius from Amien.
August 16:  Eight nice Roman, Roman provincial, Parthian, and Sasanian at the top. ALL prices reduced on the Valentinian and later page. Also, two rare Valentinian III coins added there.
August 10:  extremely rare "IA" coin denomination of Tacitus
August 9, Byzantine coins books on my numismatic literature page.
A "junk box" page of $5 coins.

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.

  Skip the newest coins and coins of the Republic to go down to those of the empire.

Newest. 

Carian Islands. Kos
280-250 BC.
AE12. Veiled female head right/crab with club below
Sear Greek 5011 (350-300 BC). Hoover Islands Kos 1337.
A cute little Greek coin [$35 SOLD]
Rare. Only one on vcoins and MA-Shops combined, much worse condition for a much higher price. 
 

Augustus, 27 BC - 14 AD. denarius. 18 mm. 3.76 grams. 
CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE, his laureate head right
CAESARES below,
AVGVSTI F ... His grandsons, Caius and Lucius Caesars, standing, each holding shield and spear, with simpulum and lituus. (They died in 2 and 4 AD, before Augustus did, so they did not become his heirs after all.)
RIC I, 210 page 56 [$115 + $5 shipping in the US, shipping abroad = $8] Please compare prices and conditions of similar coins elsewhere.

Hadrian, 117-138
19 mm.  Roman Alexandria, Egypt.
obol. LIΔ
Rare. [$45] Giessen 954, Milne 1230

Emmett plate 5.35 for reverse type. 1151 "R2'

bust left/dolphin around trident (tip at 9:30 in this photo)
[$47 SOLD] 

Samaria, Neapolis
Mt. Gerizim with a temple on top
Severus Alexander, 222-235
23 mm. 12.88 grams. 
BMC 113 is similar without the c/m.
Sear Greek Imperial 3375.
[$29]

[$95]  Justinian, 527-565.
Rare denomination: 4-nummia, Delta. Large Δ
14-12 mm.
Delta. A and P either side.
Sear 194-5.

[$125]  Valentinian III, 425-435
13 mm. 1.41 grams.
VOT/XX

RIC X 2130

Very rare. Good portrait. Good surfaces.

[$75] Early Christian interest.
Tiberius (AD 14-37) at Corinth. 22-21 mm. Struck 32-33(?) according to RPC.
Radiate head of Augustus left, legend [obscure on this coin] L ARRIO PEREGRINO II VIR
Six-column temple, legend L FVRIO LABEONE II VIR COR (in exergue)
RPC 1151
The legends name the two duoviri of the Roman colony Corinth.
The date and place of this coin are interesting in an early Christian context, given the connection between Paul, Corinth, and the New Testament. Paul could have handled this coin.
None remotely similar on vcoins or MA-Shops as I write this. It is rare.

One of the most famous ancient coin types is the so-called tribute penny of Tiberius (AD 14-37) because of its association with the New Testament "render unto Caesar" episode (Matthew 22, 17-21). Here is one:

19 mm. 3.93 grams. Denarius.
Tiberius
Sear Roman Coins 1763. 
The coin looks more metallic (better) than my iPad photo. 
This type varies widely in style, flan size, and centering. This one is good in all three of those aspects. Please compare to examples offered elsewhere, keeping in mind you want full legends:
MAXIM PONTIF
TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGUSTVS
a nice portrait, and a good reverse figure (female seated, often said to be Livia). [$325 + $7 shipping in the US, $3 more abroad. Reduced to $290 + 7 in the US.]

A remarkable pedigree, with a hand printed note from the finder!
"Found in a ploughed field by myself with a 'minehead explorer' metal detector on a south facing slope with water in the valley. The field has distinct terraces visible + Roman pottery is evident where a Roman farmstead used to be. The site has also produced other coins, broaches, etc. It is situated close to the village of Frolesworth in Leicestershire. Best wishes. Tim"

Magnentius, 350-353.  22 - 20 mm.
Scarcer Amiens mint.
Of course, the note will be included. [$45]
 

   
[$13]  Claudius, 41-54 AD  Large (photo too small) 28-25 mm.  6:00.  5.48 grams.
Good style, but shallow strike, and now black encrusted.
Can barely make out TI CLA[VDIVS CAESAR AVG] PM TRP IMP  [$25, reduced to $13]
ex CICF London Coin Gallery, 1991  

[$29 SOLD] Licinius II (317-324)
campgate, PROVIDENTISE CAESS
small bust left
MNTΔ  (?). I can not find this mintmark in RIC. Nicomedia (for the "N")? Ticinum (for the "T")? 
Look for it yourself, or read the photo and decide it should be different. 
Do you have fun with rare varieties?

[$44]  Roman Alexandria, Egypt.
Vespasian (69-79).  21 mm.
Falcon [Horus] (Emmett 222 says "hawk" but we know Egyptians had falcons.)
Scratches. 

"Hawk standing right, wings closed, wearing Skhent crown" 

Great style and quality!
Otacilia Severa, wife of Philip I, 244-249.
AR27-26. Struck 244.
Not in Prier because of a minor legend variant:  KIC has no lambda within. McAlee mentions this variant in a footnote 276, page 361, as being in "Gorny 92, lot 425", 20-21 Nov. 1998. In spite of the beauty, condition, and rarity I am pricing this much less than the vcoins coins.  [$265]

[$149] After 330 AD. AR Third-Siliqua (14mm, 1.20 gm). Constantinople mint. Helmeted and draped bust of Constantinopolis right / Large K. Bendall 8c; Kent pl. 13, 28.
Simon Bendall, in “Anonymous Silver Coinage of the 4th to 6th Centuries AD," RN 2002, provides a numismatic and historiographic basis for dating this anonymous siliqua to the decades after 530 AD.

Roman Republican

[$79] 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]

[$75]  Republican. Saturninus, 104 BC

Helmeted hd of Roma left
Saturn in quadriga right, holding harpa in right,
L.SATVRN in esergue, V with three dots above
Sear 193. Crawford 317/3a. Appileia 1v in RSC.

[$89] 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]

[$59] 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




  [$29] 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]

  [$17] 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

  [$17] 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.




  [$69] 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]

  [$59] 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]

More fourrees here.

*****   I also have a page of numismatic literature (ancient-coin auction catalogs, books) for sale.

Skip to Republican, 1st C, 2nd C, or 3rd C 
  (Links: Caracalla, Elagablal, Severus Alexander, Gordian III, Philip, Valerian, Gallienus, Gallo-Roman, Claudius II, Tacitus)

Roman Imperial Silver and AE 

Three coins of Augustus with countermarks:


  [$33] 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]

  [$23] 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]

[$19]
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]

[$125] 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]

  [$49] 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.

[$125]  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.
[$125]

[$69] 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]

Third Century:

[$45] 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]

  [$39] 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 $39]





 [$27] 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]

  [$59] 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:

[$69] 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]

 [$19] 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]

  [$23] Caracalla and Julia Domna/ Serapis head reverse
Marcinopolis 6.19.6.5
Moushmov 47b
AE27-26    [$29, reduced to $23]

  [$19] Caracalla, 196-198-217
at Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moushmov 1077
AE19-16.  2.67 grams
Head of Serapis  [$19]

  [$75] 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]





  [$39]  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]





[$55] 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

  [$37] 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]

[$7] Caracala limesfalschung, 211-217
VOTA SOLVTA DEC COS III
base metal. [$19, reduced to $7]

Elagabal (218-222)

[$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, Marcianopolis, Lower Moesia. 17 mm. 3.05 grams.
Nice green patina. Clear reverse.  Concordia Standing with patera and cornucopiae.  [$29, reduced to $14]

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]

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 SOLD]

 

 

[$59] Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis. Elagabalus. A.D. 218-222. Æ (26 mm, 10.75 g, 1 h). A.D. 222. Sergius Titianus, consular legate. AVT K M AVPH ANTΩNEINOC, laureate head of Elagabalus right / VP CEPΓ TITIANOV MAPKIANOΠOλIT-Ω-N, Hera standing facing, head left, holding patera and scepter. Hristova & Jekov 6.226.3.14; Varbanov 1459. Attractive multi-hued green patina, small flan flaw on obverse. Nearly very fine.Ex Triskeles 19, 337 (buyer never paid). [$59]

 

 

 

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]

Maximus, son of Maximinus Thrax, the Giant.

[$185 SOLD]
Maximus, son of Maximus Thrax, the Giant. 235-238.
Sestertius. 28 mm. 16.99 grams.
MAXIMVS CAES GERM
PIETAS AVG, priestly implements
(Jug with lituus, knife, patera to left, simpulum and sprinkler to right)
Ref: Sear III 8409.  BMC 204, page 239, plate 40 "Late 236-7" (because the title GERM was awarded in late 236). 

ex Owl (John Barton) list 2.2 "Spring-Summer 1976" lot 90 at $165 (in 1976!)
He wrote, "Our records show that this type is, in fact, many times rarer than the PRINCIPI type. The specimen has splendid blue-green patina and good surfaces; as such it ia rare and most desirable." 

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 SOLD]

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.

[$75] Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis ad Istrum. Gordian III. A.D. 238-244. Æ (28 mm, 14.20 g, 1 h). A.D. 241-244. Sabinus Modestus, consular legate. AVT K M ANTΩNIOC ΓOPΔIANOC · (sic), radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right / [VΠ] CAB MOΔЄCT(OV) N-IKOΠOΛЄIT(ΩN) (ΠΡ)OC I/C/T, Tyche standing facing, head left, holding rudder and cornucopiae. Hristova & Jekov -, but cf. 8.36.38.1-8; cf. Varbanov 4244 (rev. legend). Green patina with moderate earthen deposits. Very fine.  [$75]

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]
 

[$69] Syria, Seleucis and Pieria. Antiochia ad Orontem. Philip I. A.D. 244-249. BI tetradrachm (26 mm, 10.92 g, 7 h). Cos. III (A.D. 247). AVTOK K M IOVΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CЄB, radiate and cuirassed bust of Philip I left, gorgoneion on breastplate / ΔHMAΡX ЄΞOVCIAC VΠA TO Γ, eagle, wings displayed, standing right, holding wreath in beak; in exergue, ANTIOXIA/S C in two lines. McAlee 919a; Prieur 354. Usual surface porosity, green deposits on reverse. Very fine.  [$69]

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]

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 SOLD]
 

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]

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, reduced to$19]

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 SOLD]

Trebonianus Gallus. Viminiacium  25 mm.  [$23, reduced to $14] ANN XIV
Bull and lion

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]

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]

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)

[$95] 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] 

[$69] Pamphylia, Perga. Gallienus. A.D. 253-268. Æ decassarion (32 mm, 17.18 g, 1 h). AVT KAI [ΠΟ Λ] ΓAΛΛΠHNO CЄB (sic), laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus right, before, I / ΠЄΡ-ΓΑΙΩΝ, Elpis advancing left, holding flower and raising hem of skirt. SNG BN 579 (same obv. die); SNG von Aulock 4728 (same obv. die). Dark brown patina, some porosity. Very fine  [$69]

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.

Gallo-Roman:
 

[$225] Marius, Gallo-Roman emperor for a very short period (ancient literature says two days! However, numismatists 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]

 

 

 

Central Empire, Claudius II and later:

[$89] 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]

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

Very rare denomination. I sought these for thirty years and have a Numismatic Chronicle article on them (below).

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]

[$195] Extremely rare denomination
"IA" means 10 to 1 in place of the usual 20 to 1 (parts silver to copper).
Tacitus, 275-276.
The previous emperor, Aurelian, initiated the XXI coin reform. Tacitus tried to take it further by issuing still better coins, but the short-lived reform flopped. Extant pieces (which say XI [Latin] or IA [Greek] are very rare, IA being the rarer.
23 mm. 3.105 grams.
CLEMENTIA TEMP
Mars standing left holding olive branch in right, spear in left and resting left on shield. RIC 214, page 320 "extremely rare".
Essential for a collection of denominations.  Sometimes called a "double aurelianus" because it has double the silver content of the XXI coins.
See my academic article on the silver content of these: AlloyXI.pdf
I have followed this denomination closely for thirty 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. Do not confuse this "IA" (10 to 1) with the similar "KA" (20 to 1) type. [$195]

Go to Republican, 1st C, 2nd C, or 3rd C 
  (Links: Caracalla, Elagablal, Severus Alexander, Gordian III, Philip, Valerian, Gallienus, Gallo-Roman, Claudius II, Tacitus)

Continue with: Roman: Diocletian through Jovian (284-364 AD) (tetrarchy and Constantinian),


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