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Kohaku

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Journal Entries posted by Kohaku

  1. Kohaku
    Newly edited and re-posted Owner's Comments for an ancient bronze depicting Octavia and Marc Antony, part of The Roman Empire, an NGC Ancients Custom Set.
     
    The nexus of relationships to Octavia (69 – 11 BC) reads like a who’s who of the early Roman Empire: sister of Octavian (also known as Augustus), adoptive niece of Julius Caesar, grandmother of Emperor Claudius, and great-grandmother of Emperor Caligula, to name a few. Among all of Octavia’s relationships, perhaps most famous – or infamous, rather – was Octavia’s marriage to Marc Anthony, her second and his fourth nuptial, respectively. She accepted the arrangement in 40 BC as part of political deal among the Triumvirs (Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus). The marriage also required Senate approval since Octavia was pregnant at the time with her first husband's child. She was reportedly a loyal and faithful wife to Antony, supporting him during his travels among the various eastern provinces and bearing him two daughters, Antonia Major and Antonia Minor, who, in turn, were forebears to several future Emperors.

    This unusual bronze coin dates from the early years of their marriage, ca. 38-37 BC. It was struck in Achaea, situated on the northwestern Peloponnese peninsula. At that time, Antony struck what today hails as his “fleet coinage” comprising varying bronze denominations with interesting portraiture. The series represented a blend of ancient Hellenistic and western Roman numismatic elements, and set a new precedent for imperial nomenclature. For example, the various weights and denominations of the fleet coinage series correspond to Roman standards, whereas each coin comprises a Greek letter denoting the value. This particular coin bears an alpha and was worth one unit of value known as an “as”. Interestingly, this same denomination series was later adopted as part of Octavians’ currency reforms in the early Roman Empire.

    The fleet moniker refers to the coin’s reverse. Specifically, the verso depicts a heavy Greek warship known as a quinquereme. These ships were huge and rather slow compared to Roman-evolved designs, and by 1st century AD were relegated to serve as fleet flagships. The reverse also bears the name of M. Oppius Capito, perhaps one of Antony’s admirals.

    The obverse portrays the busts of Octavia and Antony. Although depicting living people on Roman coins struck in Italy was relatively new, it was traditional in the eastern territories. In this context, Antony probably intended to promote his authority over the eastern territories wherein these coins circulated. In addition, historians posit that Antony struck such coinage as propaganda, to counter Octavian’s bronze coins produced in the west, and advertise the Triumvir’s bond, as evidenced by Antony’s marriage to Octavia.

    Despite the coin’s charming obverse imagery, the marriage between Octavia and Antony, similar to the Triumvirs' bond, was destined for failure. In 37 BC, Antony abandoned Octavia to wed Cleopatra VII of Egypt. In the absence of a formal divorce, the new nuptial was not legally binding in Rome. Octavian implored his sister to file to divorce, but she remained devoted, at least for a while. In 35 BC, Octavia even attempted to parley with Antony, bringing him a fleet laden with supplies. However, Antony refused, barring Octavia’s progress past Athens, and sending her back to Italy.

    By 32 BC, Octavia finally divorced Antony, now sworn enemy of Octavian and the State. The following year, Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the epic naval Battle of Actium. In the aftermath, the famous lovers committed suicide, and the gracious Octavia assumed responsibility for their three children: Alexander, Ptolemy, and Cleopatra Selene. Octavia raised them in Italy, a testament to her many charitable good deeds.

    Octavia died sometime around 11 BC. At her public funeral, she was severely mourned and bestowed much adulation. The epitome of Roman feminine virtues, Octavia also represented one of the Empire’s most prominent women. Among many honors to note, Octavia was the first Roman woman, living or otherwise, unambiguously portrayed on coinage.

    Coin Details: ACHAEA, Mark Antony, with Octavia, Summer 37 BC, Æ (15mm, 3.97 g, 9h), Fleet Coinage, Light series, M. Oppius Capito, propraetor and praefectus classis, NGC Grade: VF, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Jugate bare heads of Antony and Octavia right, M ANT IMP TERT COS DESIG ITER ET TER III VIR, Reverse: Quinquereme sailing right, M OPPIVS CAPITO PRO PR PRAE, A and gorgoneion in exergue, References: Amandry, Bronze II, Series 2C; RPC I 1470; CRI 296.


  2. Kohaku
    Newly Edited and Re-Posted Owners Comments posted on an ancient denarius struck by Julius Caesar,  part of the Roman Empire Custom NGC Ancients Set...
     
    Ancient coins provide us with a palpable link to a specific time and place in history. Their wondrous, diverse iconography frequently epitomizes the setting in which they were struck. More than a means for exchanging goods and services, they publicized - and even influenced – the very course of ancient history. A notable example is this famous denarius, struck by Julius Caesar soon after he triggered the Great Roman Civil War.

    Caesar probably struck this marvel of self-promotion in mid 49 BC, a crossroads in ancient history. Caesar had recently led his troops across the Rubicon, and arrived in a Rome deserted by his political enemies. He addressed the remaining Senators, and, with his growing political power and extraordinary charisma, managed to procure vast quantities of public precious metals. This silver and gold was used for striking coins, such as this so-called elephant denarius, the first coin directly attested to the Caesarian side during the civil war. These coins were struck by Caesar’s military mint in the millions - without formal Senate approval – to advertise both his own achievements and the shortcomings of his opponents.

    The obverse depicts religious implements associated with Caesar’s office of Pontifex Maximus: a culullus (a ritual cap), an aspergillum (a brush used to sprinkle holy water), a securis (a single-bladed, double-handed, and animal-headed axe), and a simpulum (a long-handled ladle used at sacrifices, for example to share libations). These religious symbols emphasize Caesar’s religious post as well as provide a reminder of his claimed relationship with the gods, such as Venus. The verso portrays an elephant facing right, with its trunk defiantly raised upwards, about to trample what appears to be a horned serpent, and, in exergue, the simple, yet striking, legend of CAESAR.

    This extraordinary imagery (the only instance Caesar employed an elephant) still draws attention today, the subject of intense debate among historians and numismatists alike. Interpretations range from a representation of good over evil to a play on the Punic term for pachyderm. However, the most satisfying explanation involves Caesar’s clever attack against his political opponents, notably Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, also known as Pompey the Great.

    The elephant motif as a numismatic device was employed on earlier Roman and Hellenistic coinage. Importantly, the large and powerful elephant had become associated with Alexander the Great, even though the Macedonian marauder did not actually employ them in battle. It was no coincidence that Pompey, wishing his reputation to be comparable to Alexander’s, encouraged his own association with elephants. During his first Triumph in 81 BC the great imperator attempted to impress the populace by driving his elephant-drawn chariot through Rome’s gates. Unfortunately for Pompey, the entrance was not large enough, forcing the chagrined hero to improvise a more mundane entrance. Pompey also employed elephants in the extravagant games for his theatre’s opening in 55 BC. Embarrassingly, the scene rallied the crowds’ sympathies against Pompey.

    If anything, Pompey had earned embarrassment for his attempts to exploit elephants. Of course, Caesar knew this, as he strove to promote himself above his ally-turned-enemy. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to theorize that Caesar’s elephant denarius was intended to mock Pompey.

    Regarding the snake, explanatory theories abound, including those positing an allegorical battle between good and evil. Interestingly, some Romans considered the snake and elephant as natural enemies. For instance, Pliny the Elder recounted their perpetual discordia in a tale of battle wherein the snake eventually kills the elephant, only to be crushed under the weight of its falling foe. While impossible to divine Caesar’s true intent, the possibility remains that Caesar was invoking the ancient rivalry between the two animals, presumably identifying himself with the elephant, whose figure dominates the coin’s flan. Intriguingly, the coin depicts the very moment before engagement; the final outcome of bestial battle, just like the Great Roman Civil War itself, is to be determined.

    Caesar’s ultimate fate, famously murdered by enemies nervous of his powers, parallels Pliny’s outcome for the serpent, rather than the elephant.

    Additional Reading: “Turning Points in Roman History: The Case of Caesar’s Elephant Denarius,” D. L. Nousek, Phoenix, 2008, 62:290-307.

    Coin Details: ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Julius Caesar, April-August 49 BC, AR Denarius (19mm, 3.87 g, 3h), Military mint traveling with Caesar, NGC Grade: Ch AU*, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Elephant advancing right, trampling on horned serpent, CAESAR, Reverse: Emblems of the pontificate (simpulum, aspergillum, securis, and culullus), References: Crawford 443/1; CRI 9; Sydenham 1006; RSC 49.


  3. Kohaku
    Newly Edited and Re-Posted Owners Comments posted on an ancient denarius struck by Lucius Cornelius Sulla,  part of the Roman Empire Custom NGC Ancients Set...
     
    Julius Caesar may have been Rome’s most famous dictator, but he certainly wasn’t the first. Dozens held the title in the early Roman Republic, wielding varying degrees of absolute power, up until 202 BC. After that, the title was seemingly abandoned for more than a century, until someone rose up to claim it again: Lucius Cornelius Sulla (138 – 78 BC). Although he re-instated the role of dictator, Sulla did not wish Rome to evolve into an autocracy. In fact, Sulla relinquished his totalitarian power once he thought his actions had secured the Republic’s future. Even so, Sulla’s actions upset Rome’s powers structure to an extent that facilitated the ascent of Caesar and his successors. Intentionally or not, Sulla’s turn at dictatorship proved the prelude to Empire.

    Sulla hailed from a patrician family, and reportedly spent his youth consorting with Rome’s performance artists. It was not until his thirties that Sulla earned fame for his first significant accomplishment: the 107 BC capture of the Numidian usurper Jugurtha. After Sulla turned forty, he distinguished himself as administrator over Cilicia, battling pirates and thwarting a Persian invasion. After that, the rising general returned to Italy, joining the fight against several city-states that were former socii, or allies, but now sought separation from Rome. That conflict, known as the Social War (91-88 BC), secured Rome’s mastery over the Italian peninsula and propelled Sulla’s career even further. Sulla managed a series of impressive victories, including one after which the troops awarded him their very highest form of exaltation: a corona graminea, or grass crown. Sulla also managed to win the post of consul, Rome’s highest elected political office.

    Even while Rome outlasted its enemies in the Social War, another crisis brewed. To the east, Pontic King Mithridates VI planned and plotted his realm’s expansion. In a shocking development, Pontus launched a highly orchestrated massacre of many thousands of Roman men, women, and children residing throughout Asia Minor. Rome sought revenge, and Sulla was the Senate’s logical appointee for the task. However, Sulla’s military and political mentor-turned-rival, Gaius Marius, preferred his own glorification, and managed a popular assembly’s override of the Senate’s decision. The political unrest spawned violent protests and rioting, even within the Forum, the very center of Roman public life. Sulla, who had a long history with Marius, decided that Pontus could wait. He mustered his available forces (six formidable legions) and marched against Rome. It was the first time that a Roman general had ever stormed the Eternal City. The forces supporting Sulla (mostly the optimates, or “best men,” who championed oligarchic rule) battled those favoring Marius (mainly the populares, who preferred power via popular assemblies). Sulla’s battle-hardened forces proved stronger, and Marius barely managed to escape. Sulla proceeded to establish his power over Rome, at least to the extent he re-established the Senate’s authority.

    Having stabilized the situation in Rome, Sulla turned his earnest attention to Mithridates. He rallied his troops and merged them with Rome’s remaining eastern forces to wage the First Mithridatic War. For further support, Sulla also called upon the realm of Bithynia, whose ruler, King Nicomedes IV, had developed the habit of giving up his throne to Pontus, then seeking Rome’s assistance to regain it. Sulla and his Bithynian allies waged several epic battles against Mithridates’ forces; of particular note was a brutal siege of Athens. By 85 BC, Mithridates was forced to surrender his control over Greek territories, not to mention a large portion of his own personal wealth.

    Meanwhile back in Rome, Marius returned, and managed his re-election as co-consul for an unprecedented seventh time. It proved his last; he died just two weeks later. It was enough time, however, to launch a vicious purge of Sulla’s supporters. After Marius’ death, his co-consul, Lucius Cornelius Cinna, continued persecuting the pro-Sulla faction.

    With Pontus out of the way, Sulla returned his attention back to Rome and retribution against his domestic enemies. Cinna, perhaps fearing Sulla’s growing popularity, decided that the best course of action was to set forth from Rome with a pre-emptive attack force. Cinna’s men, not eager to engage Sulla’s battle-hardened veterans, decided to murder their leader instead.

    Although Marius and Cinna had both been eliminated, many of their followers (referred to as the Marians) remained, and still controlled much of Italy. But their power did not last for long. A highly determined Sula returned to Rome, and, with local supporters including future triumvirs Crassus and Pompey, he once again waged civil war. In 82 BC, he achieved final victory at the monumental battle of the Colline Gate.

    Subsequently, the Senate granted Sulla the title dictator legibus faciendis et reipublicae constituendae causa, meaning dictator for the making of laws and for the settling of the constitution. Apparently, no term limit applied, effectively bestowing perpetual, unlimited power. It was now the great imperator’s turn to carry out bloody proscriptions. Sulla reportedly killed thousands of Romans who he deemed had acted against the Republic’s best interests. Escaping the bloodbath was Julius Caesar, a potential target since he happened to be Cinna’s son-in-law. Sulla reportedly lamented his failure to deal with Caesar, foreseeing him as a future threat to Rome’s political system. Besides brutal proscriptions, Sulla issued many reforms to promote economic recovery, as well as renew the power and prestige of the Senate.

    Sulla also issued coins, including this well-preserved denarius, probably struck by his own travelling military mint. The obverse features the classic motif of a helmeted Roma, along with the inscription PROQ L MANLI T, indicating Lucius Manlius Torquatus, Sulla’s proquaestor during the Pontic war. On the verso, an exultant figure drives a quadriga (a four-horse chariot), while holding a caduceus (a winged staff), and being crowned by Victory (the Roman goddess personifying the same). Based on the inscription L SVLLA IMP, the scene was probably portrays Sulla celebrating a triumphus, or triumph (a public ceremony reserved for Roman military commanders who have achieved a great victory). It is not clear which victory is being represented, and it may be the case that Sulla issued the coin in anticipation of his final victory over the Marians. It is conceivable that Sulla approved of the design, despite the numismatic tradition that living Romans not be depicted on Rome's coinage.

    In 81 BC, Sulla, keeping his resolve to maintain Rome as a Republic, resigned as dictator and restored the Senate's power. He served as consul for a second term, then retired from public life in 79 BC. He died shortly thereafter. Sulla married five times, and sired several children, ensuring the continued political prominence of his clan for decades. More than descendants, precedents define Sulla's legacy: marching on Rome, reigning as dictator, and even issuing coins invoking his own image. These bold moves set the stage for similar actions by Caesar and the Republic’s subsequent transformation to an Empire.

    Like many figures of ancient Rome, Sulla's personal history is complex and subject to interpretation. His brilliant, yet brutal, tactics were enacted not merely for personal glory, but also out of a deeply-rooted patriotism and his own sense of justice. Sulla is perhaps best epitomized by his purported epitaph: "No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."

    Coin Details: ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, died 79 BC, AR Denarius (3.94g), NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right, L. MANLI. PROQ (L. Manlius Torquatus, proconsul), Reverse: Triumphator Sulla, crowned by flying Victory, in quadriga right, holding reins and caduceus; in exergue, L. SVLLA IMP, References: RRC 757; Crawford 367/5. (less...)


  4. Kohaku
    Newly edited and re-posted Owner's Comments for an ancient quinarius depicting Fulvia as Victory , part of The Roman Empire, an NGC Ancients Custom Set.
     
    Depending on the historical source, Fulvia (83? - 40 BC) was either the antithesis, or role model, of a Roman matron.  As sole survivor of a noble and deep-rooted clan, she coveted political status and power.  As such, and within the constraints of Rome’s male-dominated culture, Fulvia influenced many powerful men around her.  Like any ambitious Roman noblewoman, she sought partners of rising political status.  Her first husband, an incendiary politician who championed the common people, was murdered in 52 BC.  Afterwards, Fulvia’s public lamentations and trial testimony facilitated the murderer’s punishment.  Fulvia’s second husband, also a popular politician among plebeians, died in 49 BC fighting for Julius Caesar’s cause.  Afterwards, Fulvia entered into her third, and final marriage.  This time, her husband was yet another dynamic and powerful political figure, Marc Antony.
     
    Fulvia supported Antony in the chaotic period following Caesar’s assassination on the ides of March 44 BC.  In the aftermath, Antony and Fulvia emerged as Rome’s most powerful couple. On at least two occasions, Antony was abroad when Fulvia, back in Rome, defended her husband against political enemies.  The formidable list of opponents included Cicero, Rome’s most famous orator and lawyer.  It is not surprising that several surviving accounts (especially Cicero’s) paint a negative picture of Fulvia: domineering, greedy, and cruel.  To the extent Fulvia exhibited such traits, her actions seem hardly more objectionable than her opponents’.  Allegedly, Fulvia played a major role in brutal proscriptions eliminating many prominent Romans, including Cicero.  One account, probably apocryphal, describes her piercing his dead tongue with golden hairpins.  Besides sparring with Cicero, Fulvia interacted and influenced many of Rome’s elite. She promoted the 43 BC reconciliation between her husband and his fellow Triumvirs Octavian and Lepidus.  She even agreed that Octavian could marry her daughter, Clodia Pulchra.
     
    Per the Triumvir’s agreement, Antony gained control over Gaul, including the mint city of Lugdunum, where he struck this ancient silver quinarius.  The obverse depicts Victoria, the goddess representing victory.  Close inspection reveals that Victoria's facial features suggest an older woman.  Interestingly, the deity sports a nodus, a popular hairstyle among mortal Roman noblewomen, including Fulvia.  Numismatic research suggests that Victoria on this coin represents Fuvia (she also appears on one provincial bronze issue that Antony struck in Phyrgia).  Assuming the attribution is correct, Fulvia was the first Roman woman to behold her own coinage.  The attribution remains equivocal; the first living Roman woman unambiguously appearing on coinage was Antony’s next wife, Octavia.
     
    The coin’s reverse bears the inscription III VIR R P C, denoting Antony’s status as <i>triumvir reipublicae constituendae</i>, one of the three men for the regulation of the Roman Republic.  The reverse depicts a lion walking right, along with an inscription proclaiming imperator Antony’s 41st birthday.  Thus, the strike probably occurred in 42 BC, the same year Antony helped defeat Caesar’s assassins, Brutus and Cassius, at the epic Battle of Philippi.
     
    After the Battle of Philippi, Antony headed to Egypt, where he allied himself with Queen Cleopatra VII.  Around this time, Octavian re-settled his victorious Roman troops back into Italy.  However, doing so required confiscation of Roman property.  As a result, there was widespread disapproval for Octavian among many of Rome’s civilians.  Fulvia allied with Antony’s brother Lucius to oppose Octavian’s land policies.  At least one of her motivations was advancing her husband’s power by raising discontent against Octavian.  As tensions rose, Octavian divorced Fulvia’s daughter, claiming he never consummated the relationship.  The situation continued to escalate, and a displeased Fulvia took action, raising a considerable army in conjunction with Lucius.  Fulvia and Lucius briefly controlled Rome until Octavian showed up to confront them, backed by his own, much larger and more powerful force.  Fulvia and Lucius had no choice but to retreat, and they chose the fortress of Perusia.
     
    The struggle between Fulvia and Octavian resulted in some remarkable historical artifacts illustrating Roman propaganda.  One such example is an epigram, or poem, allegedly written by Octavian himself.  The epigram presents Fulvia as an aggressive matron so jealous of her husband Antony’s extramarital affairs that she offers her son-in-law an ultimatum of coitus or war.
     
     <i>…since Antony screws Glaphyra </i>[his Cappadocian mistress], <i>Fulvia has appointed this punishment for me, that I too should screw her. Therefore do I screw Fulvia?...I don't think so, if I were sane...doesn't she know my is dearer to me than life itself? Let the trumpets blare!</i>”
     
    Clearly, the poem is not so much an attack on Antony, but rather Fulvia, reflecting her prominent role in the events preceding the Perusine War.  While it is nearly inconceivable that Fulvia made such an offer, it is easy to imagine Octavian’s propaganda machine generating the epigram.  In particular, the vulgar tone and sexual language promoted Octavian’s masculinity in the face of accusations of the triumvir’s effeminacy.
     
    Other, even more provocative, examples of ancient Roman propaganda resulted from Fulvia and Lucius’ war with Octavian.  In ancient times, slings served as popular projectile weapons and their ammunition (lead bullets called glans) often bore inscriptions to intimidate or otherwise demoralize its targets.  Given its shape (one that inspired naming of certain anatomical features), glans provided a particularly interesting canvas for ancient soldiers to taunt their enemies.  Apparently, Octavian’s forces used the opportunity to encourage their glans to penetrate certain orifices belonging to Fulvia and Lucius.  Milder examples poked fun at Lucius’ receding hairline.  Not to be denied equal billing, sling bullets from forces representing Fulvia and Antony declared their intention to penetrate Octavia’s rear end.  (Presumably, they were not aiming at Octavian’s sister, but rather questioning the Triumvirs’ sexual preference by addressing him by the feminine form of his name.)
     
    Amidst the naughty jesting, Fulvia and Lucius’ forces tried to withstand Octavian’s siege.  They might have persevered, if only Antony’s forces had come to their aid.  Alas, Antony did not respond, and his lack thereof probably reflected his displeasure, if not betrayal, of his wife and brother, who had no choice but to surrender.  In the aftermath, Octavian pardoned Lucius, but deemed reconciliation with his former mother-in-law impossible.  Fulvia retreated eastward, and one account describes her meeting up with Antony, who then rebuked her, either for the audacity to wage her own war, or for failure to achieve its success, or both. It is also described that Fulvia grew despondent after the chastisement, and soon thereafter succumbed to disease and died.
     
    Using Fulvia as scapegoat for instigating the Perusine war, Antony reached a renewed peace with Octavian and agreed to marry his sister Octavia (although neither truce nor marriage endured).  Ironically or not, Fulvia supported her husband's cause even after her death.
     
    Additional reading: “A Study of Fulvia,” A J Weir, 2007.
     
    Coin Details: ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Fulvia, first wife of Mark Antony, died 40 BC, AR Quinarius (1.79 g), Lugdunum Mint, NGC Grade: Ch F, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Bust of Victory right with the likeness of Fulvia, III VIR R P C, Reverse: Lion right between A and XLI, ANTONI above, IMP in exergue, References: Crawford 489/6; Sydenham 1163; RSC 3; ex. Neubecker collection.


  5. Kohaku
    Newly edited and re-posted Owner's Comments for a legionary denarius struck by Marc Antony, part of The Roman Empire, an NGC Ancients Custom Set.
     
    This ancient coin was struck by Marc Antony at Patrae (modern day Patras, Greece) circa 32-31 BC.  Antony produced millions of similar coins, all bearing the obverse image of a galley, and the reverse image of two military standards (signa or vexilla) on either side of an aquila military standard. The aquila, or eagle, represented the specific military standard representing each Roman legion.  The reverse inscription on this particular denarius reads LEG II, in honor of the second Roman legion.  Also produced were more than a score of other variants (honoring different legions, praetorian cohorts and speculatores), collectively referred to as Antony’s “legionary denarii,” along with a very limited volume of related gold coinage.


     
    Antony produced these coins to pay his legions and his fleet.  To support such a large volume of production, Antony had to resort to lowering his coin’s silver content by the addition of copper (apparently foreshadowing a trend that the Romans would follow for the next several centuries).  Due to their debasement, these coins tended to circulate constantly (as opposed to being hoarded), and many survive only in highly worn state.  This legionary denarius, though among the more common variants, is relatively scarce since it retains an uncommonly high state of preservation of almost uncirculated. Also due to their debasement, many legionary denarii bear bankers’ assay marks.  For example, this particular specimen bears test cuts on its edge.


     
    It is interesting to note that the obverse inscription reads ANT AVG, denoting that Antony held the title of augur, one who interpreted the will of the gods.  The same title was previous held by Julius Caesar; Antony’s advertisement of the title was perhaps an attempt to associate himself with Rome’s murdered dictator.  Ironically, AVG later became associated with Augustus, Octavian’s new title upon defeating Antony and becoming Rome’s supreme ruler.  The obverse also bears the inscription III VIR R P C, denoting triumvir rei publicae constituendae, i.e., “one of three men for the restoration of the Republic."  The three men referenced Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus, even though by the time this coin was struck, their triumvirate had been dissolved.


     
    Antony struck his legionary denarii in preparation for what turned out to be his last campaign against Octavian.  The epic Battle of Actium took place on September 1, 31 BC.  Emerging victorious was Octavian, with assistance from his trusted general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.  In the aftermath, Antony committed suicide, and, shortly thereafter, so did his famous lover, Cleopatra.


     
    Surviving Antony were his highly recognizable legionary denarii, although they were probably unpopular at the time due to their debasement.  They circulated for centuries; meanwhile, the silver content of Rome’s denarii declined to the point they came to equal the intrinsic value of Antony’s legionary coinage.  Thus the legionary denarii became more famous over time.  Elements of Antony’s design were replicated by many future Roman Emperors such as Nero, Galba, Titus, Domitian, Nerva, Trajan and Hadrian.  In 169 AD, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus marked the two-hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Actium with a re-issue honoring Legio VI (interestingly, they decided to change AVG to AVGVR so as avoid any confusion between their title and Anthony's).


     
    Today, Antony’s legionary denarii are arguably the most recognizable and collectible group of ancient coinage, Roman or otherwise.


     
    Additional Reading: D Vagi, “Marc Antony legionary denarii iconic. Plentiful and historic coins highly collectible today,” Coin World, 01/27/12.


     
    Coin Details: ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, The Triumvirs, Mark Antony, Autumn 32-spring 31 BC, AR Denarius (16mm, 3.75 g, 6h), Legionary type, Patrae(?) mint, NGC Grade: AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Galley right, Reverse: LEG II, legionary aquila between two signa, References: Crawford 544/14; CRI 349; Sydenham 1216; RSC 27.



  6. Kohaku
    Newly Edited and Re-Posted Owners Comments posted on an ancient denarius struck by Julius Caesar when he reigned as Rome's Dictator for Life,  part of the Roman Empire Custom NGC Ancients Set...
     
    The Coin That Killed Caesar is the dramatic epithet attached to denarii, such as this example, featuring a lifetime portrait of Julius Caesar.  Before that time, Rome’s coinage had never portrayed the face of a living Roman.  Beyond breaking from numismatic tradition, these coins also proclaimed Caesar as dictator-for-life.  It plausibly comprised the final straw that compelled anti-Caesarians to take matters into their own hands.
    Given Caesar’s obvious political savvy, it is curious that he did not foresee his growing peril.  Previously, he introduced propagandist masterpieces such as his elephant denarius and his Venus/Aeneas denarius, both featured in this NGC Ancients Custom Set.  Interestingly, Caesar was not directly responsible for his lifetime portrait coinage.  The quattuorviri monetales produced them.  Those four men (whose numbers had recently been increased from the traditional three) were moneyers responsible for supervising Rome’s coinage.  
    One of those moneyers was P. Sepullius Macer, the issuer of this historically important coin.  Like much of Caesar’s lifetime portrait denarii, this coin’s strike is slightly weak and off center, suggesting haste and urgency in its production.  The obverse infamously features the veiled head of Julius Cesar, depicted in a highly veristic style, consistent with Caesar’s actual age and literary descriptions of his appearance.  Caesar’s veiled visage has led to some speculation that this coin was struck posthumously.  However, the obverse inscription, CAESAR DICT•PERPETVO, strongly suggests that the strike occurred the last month of Caesar’s life.  In this case, Caesar’s veil probably reflects his position as Rome’s highest pontiff (Pontifex Maximus).
    The verso artistically returns to a more traditional Caesarian theme, featuring Rome’s counterpart of the Greek goddess Aphrodite.  That goddess, who Caesar claimed as forebear, was Venus, representing various related aspects such as love, beauty, sexuality, fertility, prosperity, and victory.  Specifically portrayed in this coin’s reverse is the goddess’ latter aspect, namely Venus Victrix.  She stands above a shield on the ground, with Victory (the divine embodiment of the same) in her extended right hand and a vertical scepter in her left.  The inscription P SEPVLLIVS MACER encircles and completes the scene.
    It is widely discussed that Caesar’s lifetime portrait coinage may have reflected the dictator’s aspirations for kingship.  Even so, Caesar adamantly eschewed any comparison of his regime to monarchy. For example, Caesar thrice rejected a crown offered to him by Marc Antony at the Lupercalia (a Roman religious festival) held on February 15, 44 BC.  In the end, Caesar’s efforts to mollify his detractors backfired - his infamous murder transpired just one month after this coin’s debut.
    Coin Details: ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, The Caesarians, Julius Caesar, February-March 44 BC, AR Denarius (17mm, 3.92 g, 3h), Lifetime issue, Rome mint; P. Sepullius Macer, moneyer, NGC Grade: AU, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Laureate and veiled head of Caesar right, CAE[SAR DICT•PE]RPETVO, Reverse: Venus Victrix standing left, holding Victory in extended right hand and vertical scepter in left; shield set on ground to right, [P SEPVLLIVS] MACER, References: Crawford 480/13; Alföldi Type IX, 40 (A3/R28); CRI 107d; Sydenham 1074; RSC 39; RBW 1685.


  7. Kohaku
    Newly edited and re-posted Owner's Comments for an ancient bronze struck by Herod the Great, part of The Roman Empire, an NGC Ancients Custom Set.
     
    Whether viewed as ruthless tyrant or resourceful visionary, the man known to history as Herod the Great (73 BC– 4 BC) served as one of the early Roman Empire’s most influential client rulers.  Never referred to as “the Great” in his own lifetime, Herod was apparently more popular with Romans than Judaeans.  In particular, Herod infamously exploited resources at his disposal to carry out grandiose architectural projects that rivaled, or even exceeded, Rome.
    Herod’s mother was Cypros, a Nabatean.  His father, Antipater, and his grandfather, Antipas, served as advisors to the Hasmonean monarchs, who, in turn, served as Rome’s clients following Pompey’s Judaean conquest in 63 BC.  After Pompey’s demise, Antipater allied with Julius Caesar, coming to the latter’s rescue during the 47 BC siege of Alexandria.  Thusly was the way paved for Herod, through an intricate series of politico-military maneuvers, to eventually usurp Judaea’s throne.  Supported by Rome’s triumvirate, particularly Marc Antony, the Senate declared Herod as king in 40 BC.  After three years of civil conflict, Herod emerged victorious, and cemented his position by banishing his current wife and son (Doris and Antipater, respectively) in order to wed the Hasmonean princess Mariamne.  Such marital re-arrangement for political gain was not unusual.  Indeed, in this respect Herod borrowed from the practices of Rome's aristocracy.
    Also mimicking his Roman patrons, Herod apparently gave no quarter to those with perceived disloyalty.  Among his first decrees was the execution of dozens of Judaean councilmen who supported his Hasmonean predecessors.  Most notorious was the biblical account of Herod’s “slaughter of the innocents,” although that atrocity was likely apocryphal.  Herod’s paranoia did not exclude his own kin; reportedly, his suspicions prompted the execution of his wife and his two sons she bore him.  Augustus opined that “it was better to be Herod’s pig than his son,” referencing his client king’s refusal to consume pork in adherence with Judaean custom (although Herod reportedly disregarded many other religious laws and customs).
    Like Augustus, Herod earned fame for colossal building projects.  Most renown was a massive expansion of Jerusalem’s Temple.  Herod also created a new port, Caesarea Maritima, employing cutting-edge technologies.  He set multiple new records in ancient construction, including the world’s largest palace (Herodium) and the longest building (the stoa on the Temple Mount).  Herod even erected some pagan cities, such as Sebaste.  His pathological distrusts led him to erect several mountain fortresses connecting his realm to Nabataea, serving as palatial resort getaways.  His numerous building projects, both within his own territory and abroad, included gymnasia (e.g., Ptolemais), marketplaces (e.g., Tyre), theatres (e.g.,Damascus), aqueducts (e.g., Laodicea ad Mare) and baths (e.g, Ashqelon).
    Herod’s gargantuan construction projects required commensurate resources.  Not to mention that the Jewish king boasted a lavish court, and sponsored Olympic games throughout the Hellenistic world.  To support such expenditures, Herod taxed his subjects rather aggressively.  He also struck coins that conveniently generated a profit since their worth exceeded the value of their metal content.  
    This ancient bronze provides an example.  Its denomination is 2-prutot (Herod also issued 1-, 4-, and 8-prutot coins).  The obverse depicts a diadem, a gold band or ribbon worn symbolically by kings, signifying their status.  The diadem surrounds a symbol that is often referred to as a cross.  More precisely, the cross represents the Greek letter chi, associated with the anointment of Judaea’s high priest.  Interestingly, Herod was Judaea’s first king lacking the qualifications to serve as high priest. He was not born of a priestly family, but rather one that recently converted to Judaism.  In this case, the obverse imagery of chi within a diadem advertised King Herod’s control over the Temple via selection of its high priest.  
    The coin’s reverse is equally interesting, featuring a flat object on a tripod table flanked by palm leaves.  Such tables were part of the furnishings of Jerusalem’s Temple.  The table represented on this coin is consistent with the silver table holding the service vessels for religious ceremonies.  As such, this table was especially sacred.  Herod’s decision to depict this particular table, despite the Judaean decree forbidding such a depiction, was likely intended to commemorate, or otherwise draw attention to, the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple.
    Herod struck coins as Judaea’s ruler up until his death in 4 BC, an impressively long tenure.  Even at the end, the monarch’s mania manifested.  Herod captured several innocent, distinguished men, and ordered their deaths after his own demise, thusly ensuring his subjects’ mourning. Although Herod’s heirs did not carry out that final decree, the king’s intent reflects his relationship with his subjects.  To this day, Herod’s legacy remains suspect, comprising equal elements of tyranny and grandeur, as befits the most famous of all the Roman Empire’s client kings.
    Additional Reading: Guide to Biblical Coins, D. Hendin, Amphora Press, 2010 (5th Edition).
    Coin Details: JUDAEA, Herodian Kingdom, Herod I, 40 BC - 4 BC, AE 2 prutot (18.08 mm, 3.37 g), Jerusalem mint, NGC Grade: F, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Cross within closed diadem, HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, Reverse: tripod table, flat object (vessel) upon it, flanked by palm branches, References: Hendin 1178; Meshorer TJC 48; RPC 4905; ex. David Hendin.


  8. Kohaku
    I just posted a new "Owners Comments" on Page 6 (Crisis) of my NGC ancients custom set "The Roman Empire."
     
    This new essay is for a denarius featuring Auqila Severa.
     
    My opening thesis is that Severa's reign was one of the most unusual among all Roman Empresses.  This statement is largely based on the belief that she was a vestal virgin, and thus sworn to 30 years of celibacy (and not allowed to marry).  Even though all the ancient histories mention she was a vestal virgin, there are no surviving artifacts to confirm this.  Even if she wasn't a vestal, her reign was unusual in that she was the 2nd and 4th wife of Elagabalus, the Emperor who was a fanatical devotee of the Syrian sun god Elagabal.  Indeed, the first wedding between Severa and Elagabalus was actually a double wedding - simultaneously, there was a diving wedding between Elagabal and Vesta.
     
    One of the points I pondered  about this coin was that the reverse depiction of Concordia includes a star. Here is an excerpt of my thoughts on this..."Apparently, the pairing of Concordia with a star was unusual on Roman coins, and, interestingly, the exact same pairing can be found on the reverse of Roman denarii featuring Elagabalus’ previous wife, Julia Paula (for an example, see the preceding coin in this collection).  It is reasonable to speculate that the star in this instance represents the eastern sun god.  By extension, the message on this coin’s verso is to advertise not only the imperial couple’s concord, but also that between Elagabal and Vesta."
     
    I haven't seen anyone else speculate this, so I am wondering if this is a reasonable hypothesis or not.
     
    In any case, if you are interesting in learning more about Severa, please check out my Roman Empire Collection...https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=16365
     
     
     
     
  9. Kohaku
    The latest update on my Roman Empire NGC Ancients Custom Set is that I finished and posted my Owner's Comments for my ancient bronze follis featuring Roman Empress Galeria Valeria.
     
    For this essay, I spent some time researching what appears to be the most widely cited primary source of information on Valeria, a book called De Mortibus Persecutorum written in 4th century AD by the imperial advisor Lactantius.  Lactiantius' account is necessarily biased, yet even so provides some very interesting insights into Roman Empire history.
     
    Regarding the coin, I purchased this one raw at auction and was pleased to see it grade AU, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 3/5, a very respectable grade for an ancient bronze.  One interesting aspect about this coin is that Valeria's obverse bust appears almost masculine; her features mimick the consistent depiction of tetrarchs on their coinage (you can see what I mean if you peruse Page 13 on my Roman Empire set.)
     
    Regarding Valeria, she was the daughter of Emperor Diocletian, who placed her into a an arranged marriage with his fellow and subordinate Tetrarch Galerius.  Apparently the union was a rather unhappy one, but as a political pawn Valeria had no choice in the matter.  After her husband's death, she was courted by his successor, whose advances she vehemently rejected.  The enraged Daia proceeded to ruin Valeria, despite her attempts to enlist her retired father for assistance.
     
    For more details of Valeria's tragic tale, you can read my Owner's Comments here.
     
    Of course, if you are further interested about ancient Rome and its coinage, you can peruse the rest of the Roman Empire collection here.
  10. Kohaku
    I just added my latest Owner's Comments, in this case, the subject was my "3-sisters Caligula sestertius".  In particular, I used this slot within the Roman Empire to represent Julia Drusilla, widely described as Caligula's favorite sister.
     
    There was a lot of interesting material to draw from for this essay, even if the ancient histories are rife with negative bias against Caligula.   As a teaser, I will paste here the first paragraph of my Owner's Comments...
     
    This ancient bronze bears the obverse bust of Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known to history as Caligula, who, despite - or perhaps owing to – infamy remains a very popular Roman Emperor, at least among ancient coin hobbyists. This particular issue is noteworthy since the reverse features Caligula’s three sisters: Agrippina Sr. as the goddess Securitas, Julia Livilla as the goddess Fortuna, and Julia Drusilla (16 – 38 AD) as the goddess Concordia. Apocryphal or not, ancient histories describe Caligula’s incestuous escapades with his sistren. Given the combination of rarity, fascination, and historical significance, it is no wonder that this particular sestertius ranks among the most notorious of all Roman imperial issues.
     
    If you wish to read more, please check out the Roman Empire Custom Set...
     
    https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/coinview.aspx?sc=420963
     
     
     
     
     
     
  11. Kohaku

    Rome's Greatest General

    By Kohaku,

    Newly Edited and Re-Posted Owners Comments posted on an ancient bronze sestertius featuring Nero Claudius Drusus, part of the Roman Empire Custom NGC Ancients Set...
     
    Even before he was born, Nero Claudius Drusus (38 – 9 BC) had already become somewhat of a celebrity. Also known as Drusus I or Drusus the Elder, he was born a mere three months after his mother, Livia Drusilla, married Octavian, who later emerged as Rome’s Augustus.  Presumably, the elder Drusus’ sire was Livia’s previous (and recently divorced) husband, although many speculated otherwise.  In any case, Drusus was adopted by Rome’s first Emperor, and grew up alongside elder brother Tiberius.
    Even at a very early age, Drusus’ leadership talents were evident.  In 19 BC he was deemed eligible to hold public office even though he was five years younger than the usual minimum age.  A few years later, Drusus married Antonia Minor, the daughter of Mark Antony and Augustus’ elder sister Octavia.  According to historical accounts, the marriage between Drusus and Antonia Minor was a very happy one, and resulted in three important Julio-Claudian dynasts surviving to adulthood: daughter Livilla, and two sons, Germanicus and Claudius.
    Drusus’ most significant military successes occurred over the period of 12 to 9 BC, wherein he subjugated numerous Germanic tribes.  Importantly, he spearheaded the first major Roman military campaign across the Rhine, exploring deep into the interior of Germania.  He also led a successful naval expedition to subdue further Germanic tribes along the North Sea coast.  Beyond military exploits, Drusus’ political posts included praetor (16 BC), governorship over portions of Gaul (in late 15 BC, Augustus named him legatus Augusti pro praetor), Rome’s praetor urbanus (11 BC), and Roman consul (9 BC).
    Despite speculation that he may have pined for the Republic’s return, Drusus’ talents and accomplishments branded him as a legitimate candidate for imperial succession. Any such prospect, however, evaporated in 9 BC when Drusus suffered a fall off his horse, and died a month afterwards. At that time, Rome deeply grieved for their fallen hero, whose memory was deeply honored across the Empire.  So distraught was the widowed Antonia Minor that she refused to ever take another husband.
    Drusus was paid even further tribute after his son Claudius ascended Rome’s throne. Those additional honors, bestowed a half century after his death, included annual games in the Circus Maximus and the issuance of gold, silver, and bronze coins.  Among the latter is this impressive sestertius, struck in Rome circa 41-42 AD.  Although the obverse design – Claudius’ laureate bust and the inscription TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP – is noteworthy, the coin’s reverse – a triumphal arch featuring the statue of Drusus on horseback, along with the epithet NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP – is more striking.  Ironically, the arch depicted on this coin is evidently not related to the remains of what is referred to today as the Arch of Drusus.  That structure, located on the first mile of the Appian Way in Rome, is devoid of statuary and triumphal trappings.  
    Even if he entered this world amid some controversy, Nero Claudius Drusus figured prominently in the Roman Empire’s formative years.  His military accomplishments paved the way for Rome’s growing and sustained domination of surrounding Germanic tribes.  His widow, Antonia Minor, remained a strong presence in Roman politics, and established herself as Matriarch not only to Rome, but also to many of the Eternal City's allies and rivals alike. Drusus' imperial connections proved rather extensive: stepson of Augustus, brother of Tiberius, father of Claudius, grandfather of Caligula, and great-grandfather of Nero.  Perhaps Drusus' most impressive legacy of all is that, even today, many consider him as Rome's all-time greatest general, and that's saying something.
    Coin Details: Nero Claudis Drusus, Æ Sestertius (35mm, 27.53 g, 6h), Rome mint, Struck AD 41-42, NGC Grade: VF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP, Reverse: Arch of Nero Claudius Drusus (triumphal arch surmounted by trophies and statue of Drusus on horse rearing right, spearing downward), NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP, References: RIC I 98; von Kaenel Type 56; Ex Hirsch 336 (7 February 2018), lot 2391; Reportedly ex old German Family Collection formed before 1950.


  12. Kohaku
    I just received my coins from my latest round of NGS ancient grading.
    These were received at NGC on March 5th, so the turnaround was slower than usual, I guess NGC is pretty busy?
     
    In any case, here are the results...
     
    4282124-001
    Cornelia Supera bronze graded VF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5
    This one came out as I expected, and I am looking forward to writing my comments on this one, especially how the Romans worshipped Cybele.
     
    4282124-002
    Marciana bronze graded XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5
    Pretty much what I expected...I was pleased with the grade of XF, but I thought I might earn a better surface grade.
     
    4282124-003
    Aelia Eudocia tremissis graded AU, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5
    I was very pleased with the grade on this one.  I was a bit surprised at the comment of "ex jewelry" since the auction site that I obtained this from didn't mention anything.  I have examined the coin myself, and it is not obviously to me how NGC came to that conclusion?  Not that I doubt NGC's analysis, but  am curious how they determined this?
     
    4282124-004
    Orbiana denarius graded MS, Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5
    I was delighted to receive an MS, but I thought the surface would grade higher.
     
    4282124-005
    Gordian II, ancient counterfeit denarius.
    This one came back as not eligible for grading.  
    I was disappointed to see that, especially since NGC ancients has previously graded ancient counterfeits. Although this is admittedly an ugly-looking coin, it has an extremely fascinating history, so I am inclined to keep it in the collection.  I am not sure what the "official rule" might be for inclusion of such coins in an NGC custom set, but, at least for now, I am keeping the coin in the collection, at least until I found a decent substitute.  This is one of about a dozen ancient coins I have submitted that NGC has deemed ineligible for grading...I really would like to add these coins to my collection since they would add a lot of interest in the context of a custom ancient set...so I wonder if there is any mechanism to "petition" NGC or something like that to have more ancient coin types eligible for grading?
     
    4282124-006
    Vetranio centenionalis graded MS, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.
    I was happy to see this grade, although I thought I had a shot at Ch MS and/or a star designation since this coin has a lot of eye appeal.
     
    4282124-007
    Johannes bronze, graded F, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5.
    What I expected...even though F is a "bad" grade, Johannes' coinage is quite rare, and particularly difficult to obtain in any medium to high grade.
     
    4282124-008
    Gepids coinage was deemed not eligible for grading.  Again, I would dearly love to include in my collection since it would add a lot of interest. Again, I have the same comment as above - I wonder if there is any mechanism to "petition" NGC or something like that to have more ancient coin types eligible for grading?
     
    That is it for this round, all the coins are added to my Roman Empire NGC ancient Custom Set, here is the link...
     
    https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetGallery.aspx?s=16365
     
     I will keep updating as I get more coins included and Owner's Comments added, etc.
  13. Kohaku
    This Journal Entry provides an overview/update on Page 10 of my “Roman Empire” NGC Ancients custom (I previously have presented an overview/update on the first nine pages).  Like all the Pages of the collection, this one comprises 15 coins as presented in “Gallery Mode”.  The title for this Page, since it is third Page covering the Crisis of the Third Century is Crisis III.  The purpose of this overview/update is to not just to provide a brief description of each coin, but also some perspective on what it means to me (if you want to read more details, please read my Owner’s Comments).  This Page is complete!
     
    1.     Gordian III denarius, graded MS, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5.  Gordian III is remembered by history as a good-natured, youthful Emperor who met a tragic fate (you might have guess it, murdered by his troops).  This coin is valued to me, even though it is very common, since it is one of the very first Roman imperial coins I purchased (as such, I have not “upgraded” even though I could readily do so). This coin was purchase already in an NGC slab, and at the time I wondered at the chance to obtain such an old coin in mint conditions (of course, since then I have acquired many other ancient Roman coins that earned similar, or even higher grades).
    2.     An ancient bronze featuring the obverse charming confronted busts of Gordian III and Tranquillina.  The reverse features Apollo, who was a rather interesting god.  This coin was struck in Mesembria, Trace, and is a relatively common and popular design.  This is case where I purchase anther specimen, but kept this one, which earned a higher grade (XF, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5).  It is really tough to find ancient bronze coins in XF or higher grade since copper is a much more reactive metal compared to either silver or gold.
    3.     This very rare ancient bronze featuring Divus Julius Marinus, father of Emperor Philip the Arab.  I added this “slot” and coin into the collection recently, since I found it interesting, particular for the blending of Roman, Greek, and Arabian elements on the coin.  This one graded F, Strike 4/5, Surface 3/5, which is not particular impressive, but still very respectable for a bronze, especially such a rare one.
    4.     A fabulous Ch MS denarius, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, representing Emperor Philip the Arab (you have to love it when your coin come back from grading as a Ch MS and 5 by 5!).  Before Philips demise (which was probably at the hands of his own troops), he was best known for host Rome biggest party ever…
    5.     Rome 1000th birthday celebration denarius, this one graded a mind-boggling Gem MS, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5 (I purchased this one already graded).  Please see my Owner’s Comments for more details regarding the impressive event. I also love this coin for its reverse featuring seated goddess Roma, with the inscription ROMA AETERNAE, a befitting message considering the coin’s amazing condition, nearly flawless with flashy, bright, semi-prooflike fields. How it survived in such pristine condition can only be imagined. Perhaps its original owner kept it safely out of circulation as a souvenir of Rome’s great millennium celebration.
    6.     Denarius featuring Philip II, co-Emperor along with his father, Philip I.  This coin also graded an impressive Ch MS, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5.  This coin is interesting since it feature Philip II on both obverse and reverse fields.  Very little is known about his life and reign, and no wonder since it was brief and he had little, if anything, to do with governance. Before he would become a teenager, his father was killed as the legions revolted and named Trajan Decius their new Emperor. Philip II was not forgotten, however; when the news reached Rome, the Praetorian Guard killed the young co-Emperor as he clung to his Mother Severa.
    7.     Denarius featuring Empress Severa, wife of Philip the Arab.  This coin graded MS, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5.  While she had a nice run as Augusta, her reign ended tragically with the death of the husband and her son (who was reportedly killed by the Praetorian Guard as her clung to her).  Her final fate is uncertain, perhaps she was either allowed to live, or somehow managed to escape. She probably fled to Philippopolis, Philip’s Arabian hometown that was transformed into Rome’s image, one of many extravagances that led to disapproval and downfall.
    8.     Denarius featuring Emperor Trajan Decius, graded MS, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.  One thing I discovered about this coin (not when I purchased it but only afterwards in my research) is that its inscription lacks the moniker of Trajan Such coins appear to be extremely rare, and so far I have not found any more information or explanation about this.  In any case, unfortunately for Decius, his propaganda campaign did not suffice to restore Rome's glory days under Trajan. In addition to the threats from the Persians, Germanic barbarians, and Goths, a horrible plague spread through Rome.  In a rather remarkable development, Decius ordered all Romans to sacrifice before the magistrates of their community “for the safety of the empire” and receive a certificate recording their loyalty to the ancestral gods. Those who refused, as did many Christians, including the Pope, risked torture and execution. Despite the oblations, Rome’s problems persisted, and ultimately Decius fell in battle against the Goths. Decius, so adamant about leading a traditional life, ended it in atypical fashion as the first Roman Emperors to die in battle against a foreign enemy.
    9.     This slot is a tetradrachm struck in Antioch, featuring Roman Emperor Herennius Etruscus.  The tetradrachm is an impressive denomination, more striking to behold compared to a denarius than the slight different in size and weight would suggest.  This was one of the first such of these denominations that I acquired, and afterwards, I eagerly sought and acquired more, including some “extras” that I am not including in the current Roman Empire collection.  As for Herennius, he reigned for a couple years until meeting the same fate as his father, killed in battle against the Goths.
    10.  Denarius featuring Empress Herennia Etruscilla, wife of Emperor Trajan Decius.  This coin graded Ch AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5.   She is one of many Empresses, particularly during the turbulent Crisis of the 3rd Century, who might have been forgotten by history if it were not for coinage.  Remarkably, she was allowed to retain the Augusta title even after her husband’s death in battle.
    11. This coin is an ancient bronze featuring Emperor Hostillian, son of Trajan Decius.  While it might not seem special at first – graded XF, Strike =5/5, Surface =4/5 – this is one of my coins that has far more value and special meaning for me personally than “book value”.  For me, this coin spoke to me, in an eerie way…specifically, it spoke to me about the impact of plague on the Roman Empire’s history.  It was struck in Mosia (Viminacium), and depicts on the reverse a fascinating lion and bull design. The patina on this coin is very dark, possibly consistent with exposure to high temperatures and calcium, haunting reminders of widespread funeral pyres at this time in history. Hostillian himself was one of many, many Romans who fell victim to plague. I won’t go into more details here, if you are interested in learning more, please go check out my Owner’s Comments.
    12. This coin is an absolutely stunning tetradrachm featuring Emperor Trebonianus Gallus.  It graded Ch MS *, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5.  The look and feel of this coin is so amazing, it is one of those specimens that I sometimes miss the chance of direct fondling now that I decided to have it graded an encapsulated within an NGC protective coin holder. If you want to learn more about Gallus, please see my Owner’s Comments – I will at least mention here that he met his end in similar fashion as many 3rd century AD Roman Emperors (yes, at the hands of disaffected troops!).
    13. This slot features a denarius featuring Emperor Volusian.  This coin graded MS, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5.  Volusian shared his fate with his co-Augustus and father, Trebonianus Gallus (see above).
    14.  This slot features a denarius struck in the name of Augustus Aemilian which graded MS, strike 4/5, surface 4/5.  As for a synopsis of Aemilian, it is difficult to do better than Eutropius; “Aemilianus came from an extremely insignificant family, his reign was even more insignificant, and he was slain in the third month.”
    15.  Last, and certainly not least on this Page is a fascinating and extremely rare ancient bronze featuring Empress Cornelia Supera, wife of Emperor Aemilian.  I choose this coin for its very interesting reverse, featuring the goddess Cybele, accompanied by her usual lions.  I took the opportunity in my Owner’s Comments to discuss more about Cybele, the oldest Anatolian goddess, and her role as Rome’s protective goddess.
     
  14. Kohaku
    Newly Edited and Re-Posted Owners Comments posted on an ancient bronze featuring Deiotarus, King of Galatia, part of the Roman Empire Custom NGC Ancients Set...
     
    In 3rd century BC, a conglomeration of Celtic tribes migrated from Europe into central Asia Minor, eventually founding their own realm of Galatia, the “land of the Gauls.” Due to their central location, Galatians factored in local power struggles, often opposing Rome. Of particular note was Manlius Vulso’s infamous 189 BC genocide at Mount Olympus. Tens of thousands of Galatian men, women, and children were massacred by Romans, with a similar number of survivors enslaved.

    When the First Mithradatic War began around 88 BC, powerful Galatia logically allied itself with Pontus against Rome. Even so, Pontic King Mithradates VI doubted Galatia’s loyalty, and increasing paranoia led to drastic action. Mithradates hosted Galatia’s leaders at a grand banquet, and took the opportunity to slaughter his guests. Among the handful of Galatia’s royalty absent, and thus fortuitously surviving the pogrom, was a prince named Deiotarus, the “divine bull.”

    Seeking retribution and possessing innate leadership and military skills, Deiotarus mustered an army that expelled Pontus from Galatia. Next, he challenged Mithradates’ forces in nearby Phrygia and Cilicia. As Fortuna would have it, he now shared a common goal with Rome. Over the next couple decades, the Galatians supported the Romans in a series of wars against Mithradates and his Armenian ally, Tigranes the Great. Eventually, Deiotarus achieved his revenge; Mithradates and his Pontic Kingdom were terminated.

    For his efforts, Deiotarus was acknowledged as King of an expanded Galatian realm. To celebrate and advertise his status, Deiotarus issued coins, such as this extremely rare bronze struck sometime in mid first century BC. Unlike the abstract artistry employed by many other contemporary Celts, Galatian designs reflect Hellenistic influence. On this coin, the obverse depicts a laureate Zeus, and the reverse an eagle standing on a thunderbolt. The eagle was also an important symbol to the Romans; for example, each Roman Legion bore a standard displaying the raptor's image, known as the Aquila. It is interesting to note that Deiotarus’ forces eventually formed Rome’s Legio Vigesima Secunda Deiotariana (the 22nd Deiotaran Legion). In addition to the eagle, the coin’s reverse also depicts Deiotarus’ monogram, completing the association of the Galatian leader, his forces, and their loyalty to Rome.

    Despite his track record supporting Rome, Deiotarus’ situation turned precarious when the Republic plunged into civil war. In particular, the Galatian King was renown as friend to Pompey the Great, who ultimately opposed Caesar as Rome’s dictator. After Pompey's demise, Deiotarus was summoned and brought before Julius Caesar on accusations of a murder plot. Luckily for Deiotarus, coming to his defense was none other than Marcus Tullius Cicero, one of Rome’s all-time greatest lawyers and orators. Circero presented a brilliant speech that provides fascinating reading, as illustrated in the following excerpt.

    Pardon Deiotarus, pardon him, I entreat you, O Caesar, if he, though a king, yielded to the authority of that man whom we all followed, and on whom both gods and men had heaped every sort of distinction, and on whom you yourself had conferred the most numerous and most important honors of all. Nor, indeed, does it follow that, because your exploits have thrown a cloud over the praises of others, we have, therefore, entirely lost all recollection of Cnaeus Pompeius. Who is there who is ignorant how great the name of that man was, how great his influence, how great his renown in every description of war, how great were the honors paid him by the Roman people, and by the Senate, and by you yourself? He had surpassed all his predecessors in glory as much as you have surpassed all the world. Therefore, we used to count up with admiration the wars and the victories, and the triumphs, and the consulships, of Cnaeus Pompeius. But yours we are wholly unable to reckon.

    True to his reputation, Cicero successfully defended Galatia’s King, stressing that the alignment with Pompey was to protect the authority of the Senate, the freedom of the people of Rome, and the dignity of the Republic (not to mention the savvy Cicero simultaneously manages to flatter Pompey and Caesar). Interestingly, Caesar invoked these same traditional Roman values as he launched the civil war that led to his establishment as Rome’s strongest dictator ever.

    On the ides of March 44 BC, Caesar was famously murdered, and Deiotarus became embroiled in the tumultuous aftermath. Deiotarus ensured his continued rule with a reportedly large bribe to Caesar’s ally, Mark Antony. Subsequently, Deiotarus provided support to Caesar’s murders, notably Brutus and Cassius. However, after the latter duo fell at the Battle of Philippi, Galatia changed its allegiance in favor of Caesar’s heir, Octavian.

    Deiotarus ruled over Galatia until his death, sometime around 40 BC. A quindecennium later, Octavian incorporated Deiotarus' Kingdom as a Province, and, for the next several centuries, the Galatians steadfastly strove for the glory of Rome.

    Additional Reading: M T Cicero “Speech in Behalf of King Deiotarus,” 45 BC.

    Coin Details: KINGDOM OF GALATIA, Deiotarus, Circa 62-40 BC, Æ (18-19 mm, 6.2 g), NGC Grade: VF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus facing right, Reverse: Eagle standing left, head right, on thunderbolt; monogram to left, References: E.T. Newell, Un monnayage de bronze de Déjotarus 2; SNG France -; RPC I p. 356, 2.


  15. Kohaku
    Newly edited and re-posted Owner's Comments for an ancient obol struck by Lepidus, part of The Roman Empire, an NGC Ancients Custom Set.
     
    Participating in the Roman Empire’s genesis were many monumental figures of ancient history: Julius Caesar, his ally-turned-assassin Brutus, Pompey the Great, the famous lovers Marc Antony and Cleopatra, Octavian (a.k.a. Augustus), and then there is…Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (88? - 12? BC). If the name isn’t familiar, no wonder - Lepidus turned out the prototypical persona non grata of Roman politics. Borrowing sic erat scriptum the tagline of a late, modern-day comedian, he didn't get no respect.

    Lepidus, an early supporter of Julius Caesar, held the post of praetor in 49 BC, and watched over Rome while his mentor defeated Pompey at Pharsalus. On March 14, 44 BC, while Lepidus served as Caesar’s magister equitum (Master of the Horse), he warned his leader about an imminent murder plot. Lepidus’ arguments proved unpersuasive, and the next day Caesar fell at the hands of a mob. (If Lepidus had been a more effective communicator, history might have turned out vastly different!) Afterwards, Lepidus had an opportunity to redeem himself by avenging Caesar’s murder and punishing the known perpetrators. Instead, Lepidus stayed his hand, following Marc Antony’s advice. Furthermore, Lepidus went along with Antony's opposition of Caesar's legally named heir, Octavian. However, the power grab by Lepidus and Antony failed, and the duo retreated to Gaul.

    It was in Gaul during this period (44 to 42 BC) that Lepidus struck this silver obol. It is rare, and one of only perhaps two issues he struck there. For the obverse, Lepidus portrayed Apollo, a traditional choice as opposed to the bold, new trend of self-portraiture. The verso presents a cornucopia encircled by a wreath, promising future prosperity.

    Lepidus’ own fortunes improved when Octavian convinced him and Antony to form together as Triumvirs. They divided Rome’s demesnes amongst themselves: Lepidus was assigned Spain and shared Gaul with Antony, junior partner Octavian controlled North Africa, and all three shared responsibility over Italy. The Triumvirs needed to re-conquer the rest: Sicily under Sextus Pompey’s control, and the eastern territories dominated by Brutus and Cassius. The latter duo fell in 42 BC at the Battle of Philippi. Afterwards, the Triumvirs readjusted their power-sharing. This time, Lepidus - almost expelled by Octavian as a suspected Sextus Pompey sympathizer - was demoted to control over North Africa.

    Understandably, Lepidus disapproved his reduced role. He strove to improve his lot while jointly campaigning with Octavian against Sextus Pompey's Sicilian forces. Lepidus landed on Sicily, and then proceeded to lead a land assault. He succeeded in regaining control over Sicily, and then, with Octavian still busy battling the enemy's navy at sea, Lepidus announced his intention to keep it. Lepidus’ land grab did not sit well with Octavian, who issued a challenge in response. Consequently, Lepidus’ legions defected en masse, fearing Octavian’s displeasure. The defenseless and humiliated Lepidus had no choice but to beg for Octavian’s mercy. Octavian indeed spared Lepidus’ life. However, Lepidus was required to abdicate all his political powers and titles, except for the largely meaningless post of Pontifex Maximus.

    Lepidus was expelled to the remote promontory of Mount Circeo, where he spent his remaining years in obscurity, watching Antony’s fall, Octavian's transition to Augustus, and the Republic’s transformation to Empire. Occasionally, Lepidus was allowed to visit Rome on official business. Even then, the humiliation continued; he was required to speak last.

    Historians traditionally view Lepidus as the Triumvirate’s weakest link, untrustworthy and ineffective. Even Shakespeare disparaged Lepidus, depicting him as a simpleton and a drunkard. Evidently, Lepidus still doesn’t get much respect.

    Coin Details: ROMAN IMPERIATORIAL, M. Aemilius Lepidus, as Triumvir(?), AR obol (0.43 g, 10.6 mm), Cabellio (Cavaillon), Gaul, 44-42 BC, NGC Grade: AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Head of Apollo right, CABE before, Reverse: Cornucopia, LE-PI in left and right fields, all within wreath, References: RPC 528; Sear CRI 491.


  16. Kohaku
    I finally received grading results for the my last submission of coins to NGC.
     
    Drum roll, please .. . .  .  .   .   .   .
     
    NGC Ancients cert # 4282892-001.
    Here is a link to the cert...
    https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4282892-001/NGCAncients/
    This coin is a nummus struck by Odoacer, King of Italy from 476 to 493 AD. This coin graded Ch XF, and I was extremely satisfied (dare I say surprised on the upside) with the grade. The strike and surface both earned a 4/5 score.  Beyond the grade, I am of course pleased with confirmation of the attribution, which depends in a large part on interpretation of the reverse monogram.  Odoacer's coins are extremely rate and highly sought after.  I was lucky to land this one, even if I don't yet have a space for this coin in my Roman Empire custom set. I plan on adding one or more new pages for the collection (maybe later this year), and I was specifically thinking about adding a kind of "denouement" page.  Odoacer's rise to power marked the final fall of the Roman Empire in the West.  Odoacer was an extremely interesting individual, and I am looking forward to researching this coin and posted my resulting Owner's Comments, but that is going to take some time, stay tuned!
     
    NGC Ancients cert # 4282892-002.
    Here is a link to the cert...
    https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4282892-002/NGCAncients/
    This coin is a denarius struck by Carausisus, founder and first Augustus of his own rouge state known as the Romano-British Empire (he ruled from 286 to 293 AD). This coin graded Ch XF, and once again I was extremely satisfied.  The strike earned a 4/5, and the surface received a 2/5, with edge chips noted.  In this case, I consider the grade very respectable considering this coin was found in the ground (near Kettering, Northamptonshire, in February 2016).  I still need to conduct my research and post my Owner's Comments. This coin is particularly special and historically important for its reverse  which bears RS[R].  This enigmatic inscription is now thought to be a reference to the 6th and 7th lines of the 4th Eclogue of Virgil which begins Redunt Saturna Regna, basically, Virgil's text described that Rome's Golden Age has returned.  Carausius was apparently the only Augustus to make such a literary reference on coinage.  It is very interesting that a rough-and-tumble ruler of a fringe realm would do so! I am looking forward to my research and finishing my Owner's Comments for this coin. 
     
    NGC Ancients cert # 4282892-003.
    Here is a link to the cert...
    https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4282892-003/NGCAncients/
    This coin is a aurelianianus struck in the name of Augusta Magnia Urbica, wife of Roman Emperor Carus.  Her reign lasted from 283 to 285 AD.  The coin graded MS, strike 5/5, surface 3/5. While I might have hoped for a better surface grade for the remaining silvering on the coin's surface, I was overall very pleased.  There is not much to say regarding Mania Urbica, so it will probably not take me much time to get my Owner's Comments posted (at least I hope so!).
     
    The fourth coin was re-assigned by NGC for World coin grading (as opposed to ancients grading).  
     
    The cert # is 4679899. This is a link to the cert...
    https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4679899-001/55/
     
    This coin is a fabulous denier featuring Charlemagne, King of the Franks and his newly emerging Holy Roman Empire.   I was extremely pleased to receive an AU for this exceedingly rare and very historically important coin (I admit my heart was pounding when I saw this grade!).  I don't even have an entry for it in my Roman Empire set yet, but  plan to add it later this year as I expand the collection to include that "denouement" page (I am still amassing coins for that page, so stayed tuned!).  I am very excited to research and post my Owner's Comments for my Charlemagne coin, but that is going to take some time.
  17. Kohaku
    New Owners Comments posted regarding my 50 denarii coin featuring Vandal King Thrasamund...
     
    Careful scholarship reveals that the ancient people known as the Vandals turned out to be quite civilized. As the Western Roman Empire dissolved, the Vandals were one of several successor tribes rising to prominence. During the reign of King Thrasamund (450-523 AD), the level of cultural sophistication achieved has even been described as a Vandal Renaissance.

    When his brother, King Gunthamund died in 496 AD, Thrasamund ascended the Vandal throne as his royal clan’s eldest surviving male. Sometime Early in his reign, Thrasamund agreed to marry Amalafrida, whose brother, Theoderic the Great, ruled over the Vandals’ rivals to the north, namely the Ostrogoths. As part of the deal, Thrasamund received a rather sizable dowry, not to mention King Theoderic also sent him one thousand elite troops to serve as bodyguards, and yet another five thousand miscellaneous armed retainers. All those Gothic troops were now part of Thrasamund’s entourage, proving an effective foil against the Vandalic tradition of raiding the northern Mediterranean.

    Evidence suggests that Thrasamund embraced many Roman traditions. For example, he struck coins, including this specimen, valued at 50 denarii in its time. The obverse features Thrasamund’s pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust, looking very much like the Roman Emperors of old. The accompanying obverse inscription, DN RG THRA-SAMVNDVS, credits Thrasamund with an eclectic mix of old imperial and royal titles. The reverse design, denoting the denomination within a laurel wreath, while not particularly interesting, nonetheless reflects the Vandal’s adoption of Roman designs.

    Thrasamund died in 523 AD, his two and a half decade rule the longest Vandal reign excepting his grandfather Genseric’s. Over that period, Thrasamund displayed a keen interest in the arts, as well as religious matters, further evidence of his desire to nurture Roman traditions. As an illustration of Thrasamund’s patronage of such matters, he famously engaged in lively religious repartee with a Nicene priest named Fulgentius of Ruspe. Fulgentius even composed a short treastise, Dicto regis Trasamundi et contra ea responsionum, in response to Thrasamund’s queries. Evidently, Thrasamund’s court was a dynamic, intellectual center, where the literati of the period conversed and debated on subjects both religious and profane.

    Additional Reading: “Out of Africa: The Vandal Court of Thrasamund,” Chapter 3 of Roman Barbarians by Yitzhak Hen, Palgrave Macmillian, 2007, pp. 59-93.

    Coin Details: VANDALS, Thrasamund, 496-523, AR 50 Denarii (14mm, 1.01 g, 10h), Carthage, NGC Grade: XF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, DN RG THRA – SAMVNDVS, Reverse: D • N/L (mark of value) in two lines; – above; all within wreath, References: MIB 6a; MEC 1, 17-18; BMC Vandals 12-14.

    Here is a link to the coin...
    https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/coinview.aspx?sc=579259
    The here is a link the greater collection, FYI...
    https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=16365
     
     
     
     
     
  18. Kohaku

    Et Tu, KOSON?

    By Kohaku,

    Newly Edited and Re-Posted Owners Comments posted on an ancient Dacian/Thracian stater mimicking Brutus' designs,  part of the Roman Empire Custom NGC Ancients Set...
     
    Marcus Junius Brutus (85 – 42 BC) was the son of Brutus the Elder and Servilia Caepionis. Servilia was also mistress to Julius Caesar, prompting uncertainty regarding Brutus’ true biological father. The young Brutus started his career working for his uncle, Cato the Younger. He later held important political posts and made a fortune moneylending in the provinces, subsequently becoming one of Rome’s most influential Senators.

    In 49 BC when Caesar started a Roman civil war, Brutus initially aligned with Pompey (even though the pair were former enemies). After Pompey’s defeat, Brutus switched sides, and Caesar accepted him into his inner circle, even making him governor of Gaul. While Brutus appreciated Caesar’s confidence, he was troubled by colleague’s obsession with controlling Rome. He became even more disturbed as Caesar made himself non-impeachable, and gained censorial control and veto power over the Senate. By 44 BC when Caesar earned the title of Dictator for life, Brutus was alarmed to the point he took drastic action.

    Brutus was not alone. Many of Rome’s elite opined it was in Rome’s best interests - if not their own - to murder their dictator. On the Ides of March 44 AD, Caesar was stabbed to death by Brutus, along with dozens of other aristocrats led by Gaius Cassius Longinus.

    After the assassination, Brutus fled Rome, and soon became embroiled in civil war against Caesar’s co-consul, Marc Anthony, and heir, Octavian, later known as Augustus. In October 42 BC at Philippi, Rome’s latest civil war reached its climax. Brutus and his ally Cassius agreed beforehand that if victory escaped them, the best course of action would be to take their own lives. As it turned out, that suicide pact sealed their fate. As the epic Battle of Philippi unfolded, Brutus managed the upper hand against Octavian, at least to the extent he took the latter’s camp; Octavian managed to escape, according to one account by hiding himself in a marsh. Unfortunately for Cassius, he was unaware of Brutus’ achievement, and, even worse, he mistakenly thought that Brutus’ camp had fallen. Consequently, Cassius, fearing the worst, responded by dutifully committing suicide. Brutus managed to rally Cassius’ remaining forces, and fought a second battle weeks later. As it turned out, Brutus’ men were defeated, and he fled the battlefield. Realizing he would soon be captured, Brutus committed suicide.

    This gold stater was struck in Thrace or Dacia concurrent with these historic events. The obverse depicts three men wearing togas, walking to the left, two of them carrying objects over their shoulders. The figures are Roman lictors (bodyguards) carrying fasces (axe-like weapons), and the motif bears striking resemblance to coins issued by Brutus a decade earlier. In exergue is the enigmatic epithet KOSON. On the verso, an eagle stands on a scepter, facing to the left, its right claw raised, holding a wreath. This design also resembles earlier Roman coins.

    Attribution of this issue has been the subject of lively numismatic debate. According to one hypothesis (which has fallen out of favor over time) Brutus struck coins like this one after he fled from Rome to Greece, tapping into his enormous personal wealth combined with funds from sympathetic Senators. An alternate theory (which has gained favor over time) attributes a Thracian or Dacian King named Koson, who imitated Roman designs. According to this scenario, Brutus was not involved in the coins’ production besides providing numismatic inspiration.

    Adding to the perplexity, two versions of the coin exist, those with a mysterious BR monogram on the obverse, and those without. It has been postulated that the BR refers to Brutus. An alternate view is that the letters relates to BA(sileus), i.e, king, as in King Koson. Curiously, no other records mention a monarch by that name (although there was a King Kotison). Many modern scholars espouse the view that there was a local King Koson; perhaps he was Brutus’ ally. It is interesting to note that since ancient times, several large hoards of coins inscribed KOSON have been discovered in the land formerly known as Dacia. The largest group, comprising thousands of gold coins and other gold objects, was discovered in 1543. If there was indeed a Dacian King Koson, he apparently had access to vast wealth (adding to the mystery of his historical anonymity).

    Recently, both monogrammed and non-monogrammed versions of so-called Koson staters were examined for their composition. These studies provided a highly sensitive elemental fingerprint for each coin. It was found that all coins without the monogram were made from native alluvial gold, (i.e., had trace amounts of tin) the same composition found for other Dacian gold artifacts (i.e., bracelets) that were made at the time. In contrast, all the coins with the BR monogram lacked tin, and were of highly purified gold. This finding leads to an intriguing possibility – BR-monogrammed coins were produced by Brutus using highly refined gold, and non-monogrammed coins were imitations by Thracians or Dacians using their own methods and local alluvial gold.

    This particular coin is the non-monogrammed type. At the time it was graded by NGC Ancients, its was attributed according to the Brutus origin theory. An example of the monogrammed counterpart – which, perhaps ironically, was attributed to Thrace or Dacia – is present in another NGC Custom Set, The Ancient World Collection. Whether Brutus took part of the production of either, or neither, coin remains uncertain, illustrating the fascination and intrigue of ancient coin collecting.

    Additional Reading: B Constantinescu, D Cristea-Stan, A Vasilescu, R Simon, D Ceccato, “Archaeometallurgical Characterization of Ancient Gold Artifacts from Romanian Museums using XRF, Micro-PIXE and Micro-SR-XRF Methods,” Proc Romanian Acad 13:19-26, 2012.

    Coin Details: ROMAN – BRUTUS, 44-42 BC, AV Stater (8.52 g), NGC Grade: Choice Uncirculated, Obverse: Roman Consul with two Lictors, KOSON in exergue, Reverse: Eagle on scepter, holding wreath, References: RPC 1701B; BMC Thrace pg. 208, 2; BMCRR II pg. 475, 50.


  19. Kohaku
    I am creating a "Journal Entry" for page "Page" (grouping of 15 coins) in the Gallery view for my Roman Empire Custom Set.
     
    To that end, this journal entry is for the first Page in the collection, which I have entitled "Prelude," with the goal to  provide a good introduction to the geography, peoples, political climate, etc. that existed just prior to Rome converting from Republic to Empire.  Here is the synopsis...
     
    Prelude. The saga begins with coins from mid 2nd to 1st century BC exemplifying the late Roman Republic including the rise and fall of Julius Caesar, the waning of Hellenistic influence, and other contemporary tribes of the ancient world.
     
    ...and here is a link to the Page...
    https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetGallery.aspx?s=16365
     
    I just received grades on my last round of ancients (which took two months), and among those coins was an example of "The Coin That Killed Ceasar," so now I can update that this first Page is COMPLETE!  
    Of course, I might decided to "upgrade" certain coins later.  Also, as this is a Custom Set, I might decide later on to redefine the coins in one or more slots (that is the fun of an NGC Custom Set -  I don’t have to worry about someone else changing the rules for what coins are allowed etc, it’s all up to my own preference!)
     
    The following is a brief description of the coins I choose to include and why.
     
    First, I wanted to provide a few examples of coins from the Roman Republic.  There are lots of beautiful and historically important coins to choose from, so that is a tough task. In the end I choose three (and then four other coins that should be deemed as “Imperatorial”, but I’m getting ahead of myself).  The very first is an MS grade Roman denarius, Strike=5/5, Surface=4/5, featuring a Roma obverse and a reverse that portrays Rome’s founding – the fascinating tale or Romulus and Remus.  What better choice to kick of the collection?
    An MS grade Roman denarius, Strike=5/5, Surface=4/5 featuring Roma obverse and a triga reverse, wherein I used this coin to discuss how the ancient Roman Republic oversaw coin production – namely, the role of Rome’s “moneyers.”  While this coin is arguably the least interesting/important on this Page, I included it since it has a special meaning to me.  Namely, it was one the very first ancient coins I ever purchased, and (which is getting rarer and rarer these days) I purchased it after selecting it by hand in a coin shop  (as opposed to ordering from an image over the internet).  So when I submitted that coin for grading and received the MS, I was obviously very pleased.
    This one I could not resist buying – a gorgeous Ch MS, Strike=5/5, Surface=5/5, Roman denarius issued by L. Marcius Censorinus, whose ultimate fate at the hands of Sulla parallels in some ways the subject of the reverse, namely Marsyas.  In a way, this coin’s imagery is a prelude to the curtailment of personal liberties that was ahead for Rome’s citizens as their State turned into an autocracy.
    An MS grade denarius issued by Sulla, Strike=4/5, Surface=5/5.  Another gorgeous coin, one best appreciated “in hand,” one that a picture does not do justice to.  Sulla served for a time a Rome’s first dictator in a century and he (inadvertently?!) paved the way for Caesar’s rise to be Rome’s dictator, and subsequently Augustus’ rise to Emperor.
    Rome’s arch-nemesis in first century BC, namely Mithradates VI, King of Pontus.  I could not resist adding Mithradates, he is such an interesting figure from history.  This one is a very lustrous Ch MS gold stater 5/5, 5/5, don’t ask me how a coin this coin managed to survive in such pristine state?
    This one is a tetradrachm, graded Ch AU, Strike=5/5, Surface=4/5, featuring Nicomedes IV, King of Bithynia.  I could not resist adding this one for lots of reasons…first, I love the size, heft and presence of holding an ancient tetradrachm (for anyone who has held in hand an ancient stephanophoric tetradrachm, you know what I mean).  In this case, I almost was reluctant to encase this coin in a slab (this could be an interesting topic for discussion all by itself!)  Second, Nicomedes played a role in Caesar’s rise to power, and they were reported to have a sexual relationship (at least to the point some Romans called Caesar the “Queen of Bithynia”).  Third, the story of Nicomedes alternating between the forerunner of a client King and a refugee in Rome is fascinating and again is prelude to the Roman Empire's grappling over the control of client states.
    An ancient bronze of Tigranes II The Great, graded Ch VF, Strike=5/5, Surface=4/5.  Tigranes was an another extremely interesting fellow, a former Roman enemy turned ally…his story is another one that preludes how Rome exerted power over client kingdoms.  I also love that he associated himself on his coinage with the celestial object we today call Halley’s comet!
    The next two coins are representative of the other cultures living in Europe contemporaneously with the Romans.  The first coin is Celtic AR Drachm, graded MS, Strike=4/5, Surface=5/5, imitating the Greek coinage of Massalia.  I used this coin and this slot in the collection to provide an overview of the Celtic tribes that exerted a tremendous influence on the Roman Empire, and eventually consumed it.
    This coin is an ancient bronze grade VF, Strike=5/5, Surface=4/5, featuring the great King of the Gauls (or more appropriately, Galatia).  That remarkable man was Deiotarus, who became an ally to Rome after Cicero successfully pleaded his case before Caesar.  This was one of many examples where my research on the coin proved far more interesting than I expected.
    Finally, we get to Caesar himself, and in the end I choose three coins.  The first is an historically important and iconic “elephant denarius.”  This one graded Ch AU, Strike= 5/5, Surface=5/5 with a Star noted. While I was excited to get such a good grade, to be honest I was hoping for an MS (oh well, almost!).  I used this slot to reflect on Caesar’s civil war.
    An MS grade denarius representing Caesar’s reign as dictator.  This one is another propaganda masterpiece, wherein Caesar advertises his supposed ancestral link to Athena and Aeneas.  The Surface rated 5/5, however, an off-center strike resulted in a Strike rating of 3/5.  Even so, the coin is extremely pleasing, and the strike does not reduce its allure to me; it is perhaps par for the course for coinage that was struck with such urgency.
    This coin is one of the most historically important ancient coins that is reasonably accessible (as compared to, say Brutus' ides of March denarii).  I just received the grade on this one as AU.  The strike rated as a 3/5 (again, off center and weak), which in this case in not unusual for this coin; in this case, I do not perceive the "low" grade as a detriment, but rather as a feature.  The surface rated as 4/5.  This coin, and others similar to it that were struck contemporaneously, were the first examples where a living Roman was depicted on Rome's coins.  Not only that, the coin also proclaims Caesar's new title as "Dictator for Life."  Arguably, such coins precipitated Caesar's murder, and some have even gone so far as call this denarius as The Coin That Killed Caesar.
    Another example of a coin that I saw and immediately found irresistible to procure for the collection.  It is an ancient bronze graded Ch VF, Strike=5/5, Surface=4/5.  I love the obverse Janiform bust of Pompey, and took the chance to reflect on that Roman god’s duality of beginning/ending, and war/peace.  I also used this coin slot to describe some details about Rome’s ferocious war machine, while simultaneously providing some background about Pompey and his descendants, and their wars against Caesar and his successors, notably Octavian, who would become Augustus.
    It would not seem proper if I didn't include a coin of Brutus’, so this one is a enigmatic “Koson” gold stater, rated Ch MS (no Strike or Surface grading).  This is an extremely interesting coin since there is controversy regarding whether Brutus actually struck it or not (at least he inspired it, so that alone makes it relevant to use for this slot, at least in my opinion). My Owner’s Comments on this one provide some scenarios for coin’s origins, in light of the referenced paper describing elemental analyses via particle-induced X-ray emission and synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence.  Et tu, ΚΟΣΩΝ?
    Last, but certainly not least, is an MS graded denarius, Strike=5/5, Surface=4/5, issued by Brutus’ ally and co-conspirator, Cassius.  It seems fitting to end the "Prelude" Page with an example of a coin produced by the man that Brutus described as the "Last Roman."
     
     
  20. Kohaku
    A daunting task for sure, yet one that has provided enormous fascination and personal satisfaction thus far – to discover the Roman Empire through numismatics.  That is my stated goal for my NGC Ancient Custom Set entitled “The Roman Empire.”  Initially, I contemplated constructing a typical set of “Emperors” coinage.  While such an effort is certainly worthy, I quickly discovered that Rome’s history, from the Republic to the Roman Empire to the Byzantine Empire, holds far more interest.  On the other extreme would be the attempt to build a comprehensive collection of coinage based on a certain subset, for example, imperatorial, imperial, provincial, or pseudo-autonomous coinage.  In the end, I embarked upon a quest (if I may call it that!) to represent not just Rome’s Emperors, but also Empresses, allies, usurpers, and more.  While admittedly constraining, I decided to build this set within NGC’s “Page” format, allowing for 15 coins grouped together thematically, if not roughly chronologically.  As a consequence, I have “missing” coins in the collection, which, if anything, helps provide context for other coins on the same page.
     
    For each coin in the collection, I conduct some basic research, or at least make some attempt.  This allows me to provide my own Owner’s Comments, whose historical accuracy should be taken with a grain of salt.  Where it gets particularly fun is when synergies exist with my non-numismatic interests.
     
    At the moment, I am still awaiting NGC's grading of the last 10 coins that I acquired.  Among those is the infamous “Coin That Killed Caesar,” and once I get that one slabbed I will have reached a milestone - first “Page” complete of my collection!
  21. Kohaku
    The latest update to this page is that I finally finished up and posted my Owner's Comments regarding my ancient bronze "half unit" struck by Herod Antipas.   As is the case with many ancient rulers, Antipas' legacy is quite complex and open to interpretation, even to the extremes of villain or victim.  
    If anyone is interest in learning more, I encourage you to check out my Owners Comments.
    I have only two more coins to procure (Nero Claudius Drusus and Tiberius) and one more Owner's Comments to complete (Agrippina Sr) in order to finish this page of the Roman Empire collection.
     
     
     
     
     
  22. Kohaku
    Newly Edited and Re-Posted Owners Comments posted on an ancient denarius featuring Roma, Romulus and Remus, part of the Roman Empire Custom NGC Ancients Set...
    According to ancient mythology, the Trojan prince Paris presided as judge over which goddess was fairest: Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite. To aid the decision process, each deity paraded nude before him – inviting centuries of artistic interpretation – and offered the choice of an enticing bribe: world domination (Hera), military prowess (Athena), or the world’s most beautiful woman (Aphrodite). Paris chose the latter, missing his chance to defy fate and declare a draw. However, as always there was a catch. The most beautiful woman, namely Helen, was married to the King of Sparta. No matter, Aphrodite helped Paris to win Helen and whisk her away to Troy, earning the wrath of the Spartans and their fellow Greeks (who roused a thousand ship fleet in response), not to mention Hera and Athena. The ensuing Trojan War, the subject of Homer’s 8th century BC epic, The Iliad, involved the intrepid machinations of many mortals and deities, and, ultimately, the city’s destruction.

    Though his city burned about him, the heroic Aeneas managed to escape, as told by Virgil in The Aeneid, written during Augustus’ time. This highly popular work served as important propaganda for the new Emperor who, through his adoptive father Julius Caesar, claimed descent from the hero who eventually settled Italy, leading to Rome’s founding. Along the way, Aeneas dealt with storms and mythical monsters. Among his many stopovers was Carthage, wherein he left the love-struck Queen Dido despairing to the point she committed suicide. Following these adventures, Aeneas finally arrived at the shores of Italy.

    Fourteen generations later, the mythos finally turns to the subject of the twin sons born of Ilia, the niece of usurper Amulius, and daughter of the deposed and imprisoned rightful ruler, King Numitor. To secure his dynasty (or so he thought), Amulius ordered that Ilia join the Vestal Virgins, vowing chastity upon fear of death by live burial. Even so, Ilia succumbed to Mars’ seduction, and the fate of the resulting infants fell into Amulius’ hands. The latter reasoned that killing the pair by his hand might incur the god's wrath. Instead, he planned an overly elaborate and exotic death by natural elements, placing the twins in a basket set afloat in the river Tiber. As it turned out, the situation was easily escapable. Owing to divine guidance, the basket landed safely downstream entangled by a fig tree’s roots. A she-wolf turned up to suckle the twins, which, along with a woodpecker’s beak-feeding, kept the pair alive. Later, the shepherd Faustulus arrived and adopted the boys, naming them Romulus and Remus.

    When the brothers came of age, they settled the score against Amulius, restoring their grandfather’s rule. Not satisfied with this success, Romulus and Remus decided to found their own realm on the hilly lands they washed ashore as infants. Romulus started building atop Palantine Hill. Remus preferred Aventine Hill, and mocked his brother’s progress. In a fit of rage, Romulus killed his brother, and then finished building the city, naming it after himself. Afterwards, Romulus expanded his city (there were several more hills to occupy), and added an organization of advisory elders and an elite guard, precursors to the Senate and the Praetorian Guard, respectively. Eventually, Romulus’ reign came to an end when he mysteriously disappeared, probably the casualty of a disaffected Senate.

    The various themes woven within the fable of Romulus and Remus – the rise and fall of a usurper, exacting revenge (even decades afterwards), and even murdering one’s own kin – comprise different facets of the Roman psyche. A myriad of alternate, related mythologies exist, most comprising similar elements and suggesting Rome’s founding in mid 8th century BC.

    The spirit of Rome was also personified, or rather deified, as Roma. Over time, Roma’s priesthood grew. Only males served such a role, reflecting Rome’s virility. Eventually, Roma evolved to embody the entire Roman state.

    Romulus, Remus, and Roma were popular icons among ancient Romans, as evidenced by this denarius, struck around 137 BC in the Roman Republic. The moneyer’s name was Sextus Pompeius Fostlus, who leveraged the opportunity to promote his clan’s claim of descent from Faustulus. The obverse depicts the helmeted head of Roma, to her right the mark of value (X), and to her left the religious symbol of a jug. The reverse depicts all the crucial elements of Rome’s founding myth: the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus; a fig tree, whose roots snagged the twins’ basket ashore; two birds, one vertically perched upon the tree trunk, consistent with a woodpecker’s zygodactyl feet; and the arrival of Faustulus. The entire scene is encircled within the inscription of the moneyer’s name above and ROMA below.

    The coin’s design is a marvel of organization and advertising, additional themes consistent with the spirit of ancient Rome.
     

    Coin Details: ROMAN REPUBLIC, Sextus Pompeius Fostlus, 137 BC, AR Denarius (3.90 g, 19 mm), NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right, jug to left, X (value mark) to right; Reverse: She-wolf standing right, head left, suckling Romulus and Remus, fig tree with birds behind, SEX. PO-F OSTLVS, ROMA in exergue, References: Crawford 235/1c; Sydenham 461a; Pompeia 1a.


  23. Kohaku
    This new “Journal Entry” provides an update on the 4th Page of my NGC Ancient Custom Set entitled “The Roman Empire.”
    This Page is 100% complete (15 coins out of 15 slots), although three of my “Owner’s Comments” are pending.  I will update this journal entry as I complete those essays.
     
    Here is a link to the Collection…
    https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetGallery.aspx?s=16365
     
    Here is the synopsis for the Page, entitled "DECADENCE”…
    Rome's influence continues to expand under the leadership of notoriously self-indulgent, intemperate Emperors such as Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.
     
    The follow are comments on the coins I choose for this Page and why…
    Caligula.  When it comes to decadent behavior, Caligula certainly comes to mind.  This particular coin I choose wishes good health for the Emperor. According to come reports, at a point during his reign Caligula became increasingly erratic and cruel, and perhaps this coin was in response.   This fascinating provincial coin is sometimes attributes to Caesonia (in guise of Salus).  The grading on this one was Ch VF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 3/5, which is not a reasonable condition for this bronze issue.  I am still researching this one. Caligula was such a complex Emperor that I want to do justice to him (and the coin!), so my research may take some more time. Antiochus IV of Commagene. Ancient bronze grade Ch XF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 3/5.  I am not sure that I have ever seen a better example of this rare and interesting coin.  Since this Chapter focuses on decadence, I had to include an issue from the “richest of all subject kings”.  Interestingly, on researching the reverse I uncovered that scorpions were used as biological weapons against the ancient Romans.  I have a very difficult time imagining the R&D effort to develop and produce that weapon (imagine the Gannt chart for that project!)  Read my comments for the stinging details. Ptolomey of Mauretania.  I included this fabulous denarius since this particular king’s downfall was a direct result of his public display of decadence. He up-staged the Emperor not only by couture but also his full head of hair (for more hair-raising details, see my comments).  This coin is so rare that is very likely unique.  So, I guess that makes it “Finest Known”.  The grade is AU, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5. Drusilla, sister of Caligula.  This coin features Caligula and his three sisters.  As such, it is one of the most famous ancient Roman sestertii. I was extremely pleased to be able to procure one of these highly coveted coins – they are very rare, I’m not sure how many are out there, but not that many!  I have not had this coin graded yet, nor written my comments.  I am very much looking forward to both!  Caesonia and Drusilla Minor, with Herod Agrippa I.  This coin is the only issue representing Caesonia, Caligula’s fourth and final wife, and their child Drusilla Minor.  It was struck in Judaea, one of several such in my collection.  I also used this coin in my owner’s comments to discuss Herod Agrippa I, a very important client king.  The ancient histories are certainly juicy regarding everything about Caligula and those around him, although the veracity and extent of the details recorded are questionable given the biases.  This was a fun coin to research and write my owners comments.  The grade is VG, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5. Given the extremely rarity and historical importance of this coin, I don’t mind the grade. Julia Livilla, of the Caligula’s sisters.  This bronze is so rare there are probably only a dozen in existence.   This one graded NGC Ch F Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5.  It was struck in Lesbos, adding to its interest.  I won't go into the history of murder and mayhem, you can read my owner’s comments if you are interested. Claudius.  One of the most famous Emperors, particularly with regards to his many wives.  Researching this bronze As and writing up my owner’s comments was highly interesting.  This coin is one of only a few that I received a “Fine Style” designation for, and if you hold in your hand you can truly appreciate.  This coin graded an impressive AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5.  I admit I was a bit disappointed at the surface grade, I suppose it was because of some perceived smoothing (not by me, of course).  Regardless, it is an impressive coin, befitting an impressive Emperor. Valeria Messalina, wife of Claudius.  This coin, like all for Messalina, is very rare.  This one, struck in Crete, graded Ch VF Strike: 3/5 Surface: 2/5.  Again, sorry to repeat myself, but the relatively low grade is fine from my perspective considering the rarity and importance of the coin.  In a strange way, having so may examples of bronze coins in such grades seems befitting for a Page focused on decadence.  Even the coins are degraded, tarnished by their decadent histories of those they represent.  To pique your interest to read my owners comments, my opening thesis is that Messalina was perhaps the most ruthlessly ambitious and promiscuous woman in the history of the Roman Empire. Claudia Octavia, Claudia Antonia, and Britannicus, children of Claudius.  This very rare ancient bronze, struck in Cyzicus, graded F, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5.  This coin is an interesting dynastic issue, featuring no fewer that three hard-to-find dynasts.  In the end, Nero’s political ambitions consumed all three of Claudius’ biological children. Consequently, ancient coinage featuring members of that trio are relatively scarce. Even so, a few remarkable issues, including this specimen, feature all three, providing a poignant reminder of the dynastic decadence defining the early Roman Empire. Britannicus w/Herod Agrippa II.  This bronze is so rare that is probably unique, yes, the only one in existence.  The grade is VF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 2/5.  I decided that the rarity (which I was surprised was within my means!) and the interest of this particular coin proved more valuable to me than purchasing a higher-graded, more common coin representing Britannicus.  To read his tragic history at the mercy of his brother Nero, see my comments. Agrippina Jr w/Nero.  When I saw this coin, I was so drawn to it that I decided that I must acquire it (some or most of you must know where I a coming from with this statement).  The composition is absolutely mind-boggling.  The obverse shows Agrippina Jr and her son Nero facing one another, and the reverse features the goddess Nemesis.  I’m still working on my comments.  When I post, you can read more to see why this composition is mind-boggling.  This coin graded AU Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5.  For an ancient Roman provincial bronze, that is a high grade Nero.  Nero is probably the Emperor most noted for his decadence.  So I picked out this coin for him, a striking tetradrachm, struck in Antioch, Syria.  The grade is Ch AU, Strike = 5/5, and Surface = 5/5.  This coin also earned a prestigious “Star” rating as well for its presence. I can't resist pasting here my final sentence in my comments: “A consummate entertainer to the end, Nero convincingly played the role of both hero and villain." Poppaea, with husband Nero.  This coin is another tetradrachm, struck in Alexandria, Egypt.  The grade is XF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5.  The history of Poppaea fits in very well this Page’s theme of decadence.  In the words of Tacitus, “She had every aspect except goodness.” Poppaea with Claudia.  This is the only issue featuring Claudia, the daughter of Nero and Poppaea.  Unfortunately, she died quite young, so this coin is a posthumous issue for both female dynasts (reportedly, Poppaea - and another, unborn child - died after Nero kicked her in the stomach).  It was struck in Galilee, and the grade is XF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 3/5, a high grade for this particular issue Statilia Messalina, last wife of Nero.  This very rare bronze was struck in Lydia, and is graded XF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 (again, that’s a good grade for an ancient bronze, and this issue in particular).  Looking at her obverse portrait, you would not think that she was known for her beauty.  Indeed, I chose this coin became I was amused at how Messalina’s features resemble Nero!  The reverse features the important goddess Artemis, so in my comments I took the opportunity to discuss Her as well (according to Pausanius, Her worshippers put on quite the show).
  24. Kohaku
    Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere, angel…Run for the shadows in these golden years…I'll stick with you baby for a thousand years…Nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years…- David Bowe


     
    This new “Journal Entry” provides an update on the 6th Page of my NGC Ancient Custom Set entitled “Golden Age I”.  While the Roman Empire’s golden age failed to last a thousand years, it endured long enough to merit more than one Page herein, hence the Roman numeral included in my title.


     
    This particular Page is 67% complete (10 coins out of 15 slots), and for three of those 10 coins my “Owner’s Comments” are pending (one of which is also pending grading).


     
    Here is a link to the Collection…

    https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetGallery.aspx?s=16365


     
    Here is the synopsis for the Page, entitled "GOLDEN AGE I": A series of effective Emperors - Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian - chosen by merit, rather than birthright, propel Rome to new heights.

     

    The following are comments on the coins I choose for this Page and why…

    Nerva denarius.  He was the first regarded by Machiavelli as one in a succession of five “good” Roman Emperors.  I choose this denarius for its particularly striking color.  It graded AU, strike = 4/5, Surface = 4/5.  Over time, the silver surface has accumulated a layer of tarnish (coin collectors generally prefer to use the term “toning”).  The resulting red-gold hue is rather spectacular, best appreciated in hand, rather than a photo.  I’m not sure what the exact chemical reaction is here to provide such a color, but it seems that this exact hue is relatively rare for toning in silver coins.  In any case, I deemed that such a red-golden coin was worthy of the first entry into the Page focusing on Rome’s Golden Age!
    This slot is a denarius of Emperor Trajan, who reigned over the Empire at its greatest geographical extent.  So I included in the pictures not only the coin, but also a map showing just how vast an extent the Roman Empire managed to achieve at the time.  This coin is in remarkable condition, graded MS, Strike = 5/5, Surface = 5/5.
    This slot contains a denarius that Trajan struck to honor his father, Trajan Pater.  This coin graded  Ch VF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 4/5.  A charming example of honoring one’s parent!
    This slot contains an ancient Roman provincial bronze featuring Trajan’s wife, namely Empress Plotina.  This coin graded XF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 4/5.  The grade is very respectable for an ancient bronze, since bronze represents the most reactive (by far) of all the coinage metals.  I still need to complete my Owner’s Comments for this coin.  I am having a very difficult time finding out any information about the site of this coin’s strike (Gordus-Julia).
    This entry is reserved for Ulpia Marciana, sister of Emperor Trajan.  I still need to fill this one!
    This entry is reserved for Salonia Matidia, neice of Emperor Trajan.  I have filled this slot, but I have not yet received an NGC grade for this one, stay tuned.
    I wanted to add example(s) of so-called “Pseudo-Autonomous” coinage as struck in various Roman territories.  There is a staggering array of possible coins to consider as representing this class, hard to decide which one to pick as representative.  But when I found this particular bronze, struck during the reign of Hadrian, I could not resist including it. The reason it spoke to me was that it included one side the bust of Roma and on the other the bust of Senate, so a very nice pairing and a chance to talk about the history of the Roman Senate.  This coin is in very nice condition for an ancient bronze, struck Ch XF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 4/5.  I still need to complete my Owner’s Comments for this one, please stay tuned.
    This coin represents an example of the “Coins of the Mines”.  These coins are apparently extremely rare and highly sought after, this one was very hard to find.  This one celebrates the highly fruitful Dardanian mines, and graded VF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 4/5.  Read my owner’s comment to learn about the advanced technologies the Roman’s developed to efficiently find, extract, and process precious metal ores.  Researching this coin helped me to truly appreciate how important Rome’s mines were to the Empire’s stability.
    This slot is reserved for Hadrian, and although many example abound, I still haven’t found the particular coin that speaks to me to acquire for this slot.
    I figured Hadrian was such an interesting and successful Emperor that he deserved a second slot, and in particular I thought it would be a great opportunity to research and comment on Hadrian’s extensive travels, and the practice, in general, of the Augustus visiting the various realms included as Rome’s vast territories.  Like the slot above, I still haven’t found the coin that speaks to me to acquire for this slot.
    For this slot, I felt compelled to include a drachm featuring Antinous, who was, aside from Hadrian himself, was one of the most famous people of his time.  I like to describe Antinous as the ancient world's first and foremost male supermodel.  He was lover to Hadrian, historians as wont to call him Hadrian’s favorite.  One should consider in ancient Rome, having inherited Hellenistic influences, that homosexuality and/or bisexuality was not so unusual, and arguably the norm, particularly among aristocracy.  The story of Antinous and Hadrian in an extremely fascinating chapter in the history of the Roman Empire, and I encourage anyone interested in learning more, please see my owner’s comments.
    This slot is reserved for Sabina, wife of Hadrian, and I still haven’t found the coin that speaks to me to acquire for this slot.
    This coin is very special in that it could feasibly be considered a religious artifact.  It is a silver zuz strike by the Judeans during their period of independence they achieved in the Bar Kokhba War.  This coin is in outstanding condition, Ch MS Strike = 5/5, Surface = 4/5.  This particular conflict was most horrific – to the extent that the battle-weary Hadrian, in addressing the Senate of the situation, omitted the customary greeting “I and my army are well.”  This coin is fascinating since one can discern the Hebrew inscription “For the freedom of Jerusalem,” as well as evidence of an overstrike on a Roman denarius, notably the Latin inscription IMP TRAIANO AVG, denoting imperator Augustus Trajan.  Such melding of Trajan denarius and Bar Kokhba zuz on the same flan provides a poignant, if mind-boggling, composition. It is also interesting that Bar Kokhba’s patriotic inscriptions mimicked the Romans’ use of coinage as propaganda for raising political and military support. For more fascinating details, please see my Owner’s Comments.
    This entry is reserved for Aelius Caesar. I still need to fill this one!
    The Roman Empire wasn’t the only ancient realm experiencing a Golden Age.  Their rivals at the time, namely the Parthians, were also arguably in the middle of their own Golden Age.  So I thought I would end this Page with this spectacularly preserved drachm, graded Ch MS, Strike = 5/5, Surface = 5/5.  I obtained this coin since I was so astounded at its condition, but furthermore, I have an interest in the Parthian Empire.  I managed to start another collection to have in parallel with the Roman Empire collection, but I never got very far on that collection as I would have liked (I had to focus on one, and I choose the Roman Empire).  Read my Owner’s Comments to learn more about the enigmatic Parthains.
  25. Kohaku
    This new “Journal Entry” provides an update on the third Page of my NGC Ancient Custom Set entitled “The Roman Empire.”
     
    This Page is 80% complete (12 coins out of 15 slots).  For one of the those 12 coins, I still have not completed my “Owner’s Comments.”
     
    Here is a link to the Collection…
     
    https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetGallery.aspx?s=16365
     
    Here is the synopsis for the Page, entitled "SUCCESSION”…
     
    Julio-Claudian dynasts feud amongst themselves, maintaining Rome sternly down the path of Empire amidst growing religiopolitcal upheavals.
     
    The following is a brief description of the coins I choose to include and why.
     
    The first coin on this Page is a denarius featuring Augustus on obverse and two imperial succession candidates, Caius and Lucius Caesars, on the reverse.  This is a popular issue for collectors of ancient Roman coins.  I wanted to include this one not only to represent Caius and Lucius, but also as what seemed to be a seminal early coin of the Roman Empire, a fitting first coin to launch this Page focused on succession.  This one graded Ch AU, Strike = 3/5 and Surface = 3/5. The second coin in this Page features Augustus and his buddy Agrippa, who, along with his offspring, provided opportunities for imperial successors.  Like the previous coin, this one seems to be popular as well.  It is an example of a “crocodile” coin, that is, it features a crocodile as a symbol of Egypt, and this coin advertises Rome’s control over Egypt, an important realm for its resources.  In my Owner’s Comments, I took the opportunity to discuss the role of the crocodile as an apex predator, particularly in ancient times.  Of course, I also discuss Agrippa, and his accomplishments in various areas from warfare to civil engineering. Augustus was lucky to have such a faithful and productive comrade, who played a substantial role in the success of the early Roman Empire. For this slot, I choose an ancient bronze featuring Asinius Gallus, an interesting Roman patrician.  This coin is rare, and this one graded as MS, Strike=4/5 and Surface = 4/5, perhaps among the finest known, at least among examples I was able to search within readily available sources.  Asinius was a colleague of Augustus and, as such, yet another possible imperial candidate, or at least Asinius wanted to promote himself as such.   Besides describing the interesting history between Asinius and the Emperor, I also took the opportunity in my Owner’s Comments to talk about the origin and design on the coin.  Its origin was Aeolis, Temnus, famed as birthplace of Hermagoras, the 1st century BC rhetorician famous for the “seven circumstances” (who, what, when, where, why, in what way, by what means) that still provides a basis for modern investigation.  The coin’s design invokes the philosophical concept of the Apollonian and Dionysian, or dichotomy between the irrationality of emotions and rationality of reason, mirroring the ancient Chinese concept of yin and yang. This slot is not yet filled.  I originally thought to use this slot to include a coin of Agrippa Postumus, last child of Agrippa.  However, it turns out that such a coin is extremely difficult to obtain, and, so far, has proven out of my reach.  Therefore, I currently plan to include for this slot a coin of Herod Antipas.  Besides the interesting biblical history of Herod Antipas, I thought including such an issue would provide the opportunity to continue my theme of succession, and describe how Augustus not only had to grapple not only with his own succession, but also succession within his client states.  I will update this Journal Entry as I fill it and provide my Owner’s Comments. For this slot, I chose to include a prutah struck by Pontius Pilatel one of Rome’s prefects of Judaea. This coin was encapsulated as a “Coin of the Bible”, so there is no official grade.  It is obviously of very high historical interest.  This coin is heavily circulated (personally, I would consider it only F, maybe 3/5 for both strike and surface), but in my opinion that increases its historical interest to consider that it circulated and exchanged many hands in a time and place that held a tremendous impact on human history. This slot, assigned to Nero Cladius Drusus is not yet filled.  Nero Claudius Drusus was brother to Rome’s second Emperor, Tiberius. I will update this Journal Entry as I fill it and provide my Owner’s Comments. This slot, assigned to Tiberius, Rome’s second Emperor is not yet filled.  I intend to put a “Tribute penny” type coin here.  I will update this Journal Entry as I fill it and provide my Owner’s Comments. For this slot I chose another interesting dynastic issue, and ancient bronze featuring Tiberius and two of his Caesars, Drusus the Younger (his son and only child) and Germanicus (his nephew).  This coin graded VF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 3/5. For this slot, I was lucky to obtain an example bronze featuring Sejanus, Tiberius’ Praetorian Prefect and would-be successor.  Thus coin graded F, Strike = 5/5, Surface = 2/5.  There are some ancient collectors who would argue that they would not consider a coin with a “2” grade (for either Strike or Surface) for their collection. While I understand that goal, I would say that for extremely rare coins, especially rare bronzes, one must accept that probability.  In this case, there are only 19 coins like this one in existence, so I don’t mind.  I’m just happy to have acquired one in any condition. For this slot, I chose to include the sole issue attributed to Livilla, who was Tiberius’ niece.  I found her history extremely interesting, see my Owner’s  Comments for details.  This relatively scarce coin graded Ch XF, Strike = 5/5, Surface = 3/5.  Here I picked Tiberius Gemellus.  This coin is extremely rare, I am not sure what the population is, but based on how infrequently I have seen up for auction and in auction archives, it seems nearly as rare my Sejanus coin.  This one graded F, Strike = 5/5, Surface = 2/5.  Again, no apologies for the low grade, it's the consequence of including such a rare and interesting coin in the collection.  Here I picked Germanicus Gemellus, and this one is very popular with collectors -  a sestertius featuring an iconic double cornucopia surmounted with the busts of Tiberius’ grandsons.  This one graded VF, Strike = 5/5, Surface = 2/5.  Uncommon but not especially rare, this one seems difficult to find in a good surface grade.  Perhaps that's because of its popularity and susceptibility for cleaning and surface manipulations by avid collectors who didn’t know better.   I may someday “upgrade” this one; in the meantime, I would rather invest in filling an empty slot in this collection instead. This coin is a very nice sestertius featuring Agrippina Sr, it graded VF, Strike = 5/5, Surface = 4/5.  I still have not completed my research and written my Owner’s Comments yet, stay tuned for that. This is another fabulous, iconic bronze, issues by Caligula to posthumously honor his brothers Nero and Drusus Ceasars.  It features the two brothers on horseback, and I took the opportunity in my Owner’s Comments to discuss to history of human domestication of the horse, and the relevance to the history of the Roman Empire.  This coin graded Ch VF, Strike = 5/5, Surface = 3/5. This coin features one of my favorite women in the Roman Empire’s history, namely Antonia, daughter of Marc Antonia and Octavia.  (The latter was Octavian/Augustus, so Antonia was his niece.)  This bronze graded XF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 5/5.  I had to include Antonia since I kept coming across references to her “remarkable court,” referencing the scores of Roman nobles and dynasts from surrounding realms that she raised.  Thus, Antonia seemed a perfect slot as the last coin on this Page focused on succession.