weight 11,54gr. ; silver Ø 24mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus left, lituus before, IMP•CAESAR behind
rev. Six ears of corn tied together in bundle, deviding AVGV - STVS

This traditional denomination of the province of Asia, the cistophoros, with origins dating back to the time of the later Pergamene Kings, was minted extensively under Augustus. Production was more restricted under most of his successors and Claudius was the only other emperor amongst the Julio-Claudians to issue cistophori. There was a resumption of production from later Flavian times until Hadrian, the volume of whose Asian silver rivalled that of Augustus himself, but thereafter there was an abrupt cessation of minting. An isolated late revival came early in the 3rd. century under Septimius Severus.

On Roman imperial coins we often see religious implements which were related to priests ; the simpulum (a ladle used in pouring liquids during sacrifices), the aspergillum (a sort of flail used to scatter water), a jug for pouring water or liquid offerings, and a lituus (a crooked staff of Etruscan-Italian origin used in Roman fortune-telling to ritually mark off sections of the sky). On this coin we see the lituus. It was used as a symbol of office for the college of the augurs to mark them out as a priestly group. Well, as often happens when there is an official state religion, that religion over time becomes a base of political power as well as the more spiritual type. By the late Republic, membership in the College of Pontiffs (the association of priests of the official Roman religion) was very useful to ambitious men, and so many were appointed priests despite having little interest in or talent for the religious life. These political priests would then leave the actual daily duties of the religion to a smaller crew of dedicated men (plus the women of the Vestal Virgins) while gaining the prestige of being publicly pious. Octavianus joined the College of Pontiffs in 47 BC, aged just 16, when his grand-uncle Julius Caesar was Pontifex Maximus (High Priest, head of the College). After Julius Caesar′s assassination, the office was taken over by Lepidus, who retained it (despite his eventual exile) until his death in 13 BC. At that point, Octavianus, by now called Augustus, became the new Pontifex Maximus, and the title was then passed down to subsequent emperors who often had even less claim to it (at least based on interest in, or aptitude for, religious observances). The title "Pontifex Maximus" was used even by the early Christian emperors, up to Gratianus (375-383 AD) despite their opposition to the official pagan gods of the Roman religion. It was finally dropped as an Imperial title by Gratianus, though it has sometimes been used since the Renaissance to describe the Roman Catholic Pope. In fact the use of the lituus continued as crosier of catholic bishops.

♦ Wonderful coin of devine style and attractive toning. Extremely rare ♦

Cohen- (cf. 32 = hear to right) ; RIC 491 (R3) ; BMC 700 ; RPC.2206 RRR
attractive tone
vf+

weight 10,99gr. ; bronze Ø 27mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, CAESAR behind
rev. AVGVSTVS within laurel-wreath

Cohen 34 ; RIC 486 ; BMC 2235 & 4100 ; Butcher 43
Struck with some weaknesses. Dark patina.
f/vf

weight 3,83gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Augustus right, AVGVSTVS behind,
DIVI•F before
rev. Caius Caesar galloping right, legionary eagle between
standards behind, C•CAES above, AVGVS F in exergue

Caius Caesar was born in 20 BC as the eldest of the three sons of Agrippa and Augustus′ daughter Julia. Caius and his younger brother, Lucius Caesar, were raised by their grandfather Augustus as his adopted sons and joint-heirs to the empire. He would experience an accelerated political career befitting a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, with the Roman Senate allowing him to advance his career without first holding a quaestorship or praetorship, offices that ordinary senators were required to hold as part of the cursus honorum. In 1 BC, Caius was given command of the eastern provinces, after which he concluded a peace treaty with King Phraates V of Parthia on an island in the Euphrates. Shortly afterward, he was appointed to the office of consul for the following year, 1 AD. The year after Caius′ consulship, Lucius died at Massilia in the month of August. Approximately eighteen months later, Caius died of an illness in Lycia. He was married to his second cousin Livilla but they did not have children. In 4 AD, following the deaths of Caius and Lucius, Augustus adopted his stepson, Tiberius, as well as his sole-surviving grandson, Agrippa Postumus.

Cohen 40 ; RIC 199 ; BMC 500 ; Sear 1596 R
very attractive lustrous specimen with wonderful portrait
xf-

weight 3,68gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Augustus right, surrounded by the legend; 
CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE
rev. Caius and Lucius Caesars standing facing, each togate and resting
hand on shield; behind each shield a spear, above simpulum (on right,
turded inwards) and lituus (on left, tuned inwards), surrounded by the
legend; C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT

Caius Julius Caesar (20 BC – 21 February AD 4) was consul in AD 1 and the grandson of Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire. Although he was born to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder, Augustus′ only daughter, Caius and his younger brother, Lucius Caesar were raised by their grandfather as his adopted sons and joint-heirs to the empire. He would experience an accelerated political career befitting a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, with the Roman Senate allowing him to advance his career without first holding a questorship or praetorship, offices that ordinary senators were required to hold as part of the cursus honorum. In 1 BC Caius was given command of the eastern provinces, after which he concluded a peace treaty with King Phraates V of Parthia on an island in the Euphrates. Shortly afterward, he was appointed to the office of consul the following year in AD 1. The year after Caius′ consulship, Lucius died at Massilia in the month of August. Approximately eighteen months later, Caius died of an illness in Lycia. Although he married his second cousin Livilla prior to his death, they did not have children. Following the deaths of Gaius and Lucius, Augustus adopted his stepson as well as his sole-surviving grandson – Tiberius and Agrippa Postumus, respectively – in AD 4.

Rare variety with simpulum on right, turded inwards and lituus on left, tuned inwards. The visa versa version is much more common (more then 90% of the denarii from this type has the simpulum on the left, and the lituus on the right).  Rare.

cf. Cohen 43 ; RIC 210 ; BMC 540 ; cf. Sear 1597 R
vf-

weight 3,86gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Head of Augustus with oak-wreath (civic crown) right
rev. Two upright laurel branches or laurel trees side by side,
CAESAR above, AVGVSTVS below

The laurel-trees are those which were planted by order
of the Senate on either side of the house of Augustus.

The laurel trees, the corona civica and the clypeus virtutis were modest and simple honors in the old Roman tradition. Laurel wreaths and branches had always crowned victors and were the attribute of Victory herself, but the laurel is also Apollo′s tree. The positioning of the two laurel trees on either side on the entrance to Augustus′s house will have had a special association for the contemporary viewer. Since Archaic times such pairs of trees had flanked the headquarters of the oldest priesthoods, at the Regia, the Temple of Vesta, and the seat of the flamines and pontifices. Thus the laurel trees conferred on the entry to Augustus′s house a sacred aura and invoked the powers of primordial religion.

On this coin Augustus is depicted with the Corona Civica (civic crown). The Corona Civica was originally a military honour bestowed upon a Roman who had saved a fellow citizen′s life in battle. It was one of the greatest public honours. It harkens back to the declarations of gratitude conferred on Augustus in 27 BC, when the senate awarded him the corona civica (civic wreath or crown) and the clipeus virtutis (shield of valour). In the imperial era the honour developed from a coveted military decoration into an imperial emblem granted by the Senate to the emperor. The wreath was made of oak leaves and is sometimes called a corona quercea after the common name for the oak. Plutarch believed the oak was chosen for this highest of honours for several reasons. The tree was easily found throughout the coun-tryside and was quite convenient for fashioning a wreath when the need arose. Also, the oak is sacred to Jupiter and Juno and thus was an appropriate symbolic honour given to one who has saved the life of a fellow Roman citizen. Finally, the early settlers of  Rome, the Arcadians, were  nicknamed ′acorn-eaters′ in an oracle of Apollo.

Cohen 47 ; RIC 33a ; cf. BMC 352 ; Sear- RR
(cf. NAC auction 125 , lot 600 in xf+ ; SFR 17.000  + 23%)
Wonderful coin of fine style and with excellent details.
xf/unc

weight 3,45gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Toga picta over tunica palmata, aquila on left, wreath on right,
S•P•Q•R• PAREN(T) above, CONS•SVO below
rev. Slow quadriga right with ornamented panels surmounted by four
miniature galloping horses, CAESAR above, AVGVSTO in exergue

This denarius type is usually attributed to Colonia Patricia (modern Cordoba) in Spain. The obverse depicts the elaborate regalia (ornamenta triumphalia) of a successful general that is awarded to him on the occasion of his procession through the streets of Rome as triumphator. The toga picta was an elaborate dress based on the attire of the Etruscan kings and is shown being worn over the tunica palmata, a tunic decorated with representations of palm leaves. On either side are seen a legionary eagle, symbolic of the Roman army, and a triumphal wreath, or corona triumphalis. This was worn by the triumphator as he paraded through the streets of the capital in the elaborately adorned chariot, which is depicted on the reverse.

In 19 BC, Augustus returned to Rome after a three-year absence in Greece and Asia, and this reverse type probably relates to the celebration of the military successes of this period, especially Tiberius′ activities in Armenia and the restoration of the standards that the Parthians had captured from Crassus in 53 BC.

♦ highly interesting and rare historical coin ♦

Cohen 78 ; RIC 99 ; BMC 397 ; Sear 1604 R
Some minor scratches and bankersmark.Attractive toning.
vf

weight 3,45gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, AVGVSTVS behind, DIVI F before
rev. Bull butting right, IMP•X in exergue

More personal to Augustus himself is the theory that what we see here is a reference to the famous ′butting bull′ type seen on the coinage of Thurium. Born Caius Octavius Thurinus in celebration of his father′s victory in battle against a Spartacist army, which took place outside the town, this reverse type would be a personal allegory to Augustus and the high regard in which his family was held by the townspeople of Thurium.

Cohen 137 ; RIC 167a ; BMC 451 ; Sear 1610
Very attractive coin with good portrait.
xf-

weight 3,01gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, AVGVSTVS behind, DIVI F before
rev. Bull butting right, IMP•X in exergue

More personal to Augustus himself is the theory that what we see here is a reference to the famous ′butting bull′ type seen on the coinage of Thurium. Born Caius Octavius Thurinus in celebration of his father′s victory in battle against a Spartacist army, which took place outside the town, this reverse type would be a personal allegory to Augustus and the high regard in which his family was held by the townspeople of Thurium.

Cohen 137 ; RIC 167a ; BMC 451 ; Sear 1610
Some small bankers marks and off-centre strike for reverse.
Very attractive portrait.
vf/xf

weight 3,78gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Bare head right  AVGVSTVS DIVI F
rev. Apollo Citharoedus, in long drapery, standing left, holding plectrum 
in right hand and lyre in left, IMP to left, X to right, ACT in exergue

In commemoration of the victory over Antony and Cleopatra
at the battle of Actium on 2 September 31 BC.

This reverse type is part of the great series of coins struck in recognition and celebration of the great victory won at the Battle of Actium, on 2 September 31 BC, over the combined naval forces of  Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra. The magnitude and importance of this overwhelming military victory cannot be understated and is reflected in the great commemorative works undertaken by Augustus, then Octavianus. Apollo Actius is here honoured on account of the fact that on the nearby promontory overlooking the sea stood an ancient Arkadian temple dedicated to Apollo, whose divine patronage we should be in no doubt would have been sought before the battle, and this was seemingly granted and manifested in the utter destruction of the Antonian-Ptolemaic fleet. The old temple of Apollo was enlarged and renovated by Augustus. Probably this action was intended to underline Augustus′ piety and his gratitude to his  patron  god, and perhaps to try to win over the local population which was not particularly friends to Caesar′s heir.

cf. Künker Auktion 377, Lot 5682 in vf+ : € 3.400 +25%

Cohen 144 ; RIC 171a ; BMC 461 ; Sear 1611
Very minor weakness, but very attractive coin of good style
and with wonderful portrait .
xf-

weight 3,83gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, AVGVSTVS behind, DIVI•F before
rev. Diana Venatrix, in short hunting tunic, standing facing, head right,
holding and leaning on vertical spear in right hand and bow in left; at her
feet to left, a dog standing left, IMP to left, XII to right, SICIL in exergue

In commemoration of the victory over Sextus Pompeius
at the Battle of Naulochus on 3 September 36 BC.

The Battle of Naulochus (36 BC) was a decisive naval engagement off the northeast coast of Sicily. Octavianus′ brilliant admiral, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, defeated the rebel fleet of Sextus Pompeius, ending a years-long blockade that had starved Rome and solidifying Octavianus′ rise to power.

Sextus had used his massive naval dominance to control Sicily, regularly blockading grain shipments and causing severe famines in Rome, which threatened the stability of the Second Triumvirate. Both sides boasted approximately 300 ships. However, Agrippa commanded heavier vessels and utilized a newly invented grappling weapon called the harpax (a heavy iron grapnel fired from catapults). The harpax allowed Agrippa′s ships to lock onto and board the more maneuverable vessels of Sextus. The resulting battle was devastating for the rebels: 28 of Sextus′ ships were sunk and most of the remainder were captured or burned, while Octavianus′ fleet suffered minimal losses. This victory permanently broke the Pompeian faction′s naval dominance. It paved the way for Octavianus to strip his rival Lepidus of power, leaving Octavianus as the undisputed master of the West and putting him on the path to becoming Augustus, the first Roman Emperor.

Cohen 168 ; RIC 182 (R2) ; BMC 463 ; Lyon 35 ; Sear- (cf. 1612) R
Some scrapes/scratches on cheak and neck. Rare.
vf

weight 7,78gr. ; gold Ø 19mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, AVGVSTVI behind, DIVI F before
rev. Bull butting right, lashing his tail, IMP XII in exergue

More personal to Augustus himself is the theory that what we see here is a reference to the famous ′butting bull′ type seen on the coinage of Thurium. Born Caius Octavius Thurinus in celebration of his father′s victory in battle against a Spartacist army, which took place outside the town, this reverse type would be a personal allegory to Augustus and the high regard in which his family was held by the townspeople of Thurium.

This die variant with AVGVSTVI instead of the correct AVGVSTVS is unpublished in the reference literature. Such mistakes by the die cutter are highly unusual for aurei. Coin of the highest rarity, probably unique.

Cohen - (cf. 154) ; RIC - (cf. 186a) ; BMC - (cf. 471) ;
Calicó - (cf. 222) ; Sear- RRRR
attractive specimen with good portrait
vf+/vf

weight 3,76gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, AVGVSTVS behind, DIVI F before
rev. Bull butting left, right foreleg raised, lashing his tail, IMP XII in exergue

More personal to Augustus himself is the theory that what we see here is a reference to the famous ′butting bull′ type seen on the coinage of Thurium. Born Caius Octavius Thurinus in celebration of his father′s victory in battle against a Spartacist army, which took place outside the town, this reverse type would be a personal allegory to Augustus and the high regard in which his family was held by the townspeople of Thurium.

Magnificent depiction of the bull of Thurium.
Work of a really artist die cutter.

Cohen 158 ; RIC 178a ; BMC 476 ; cf. Sear 1610 RR
Small bankersmark on the obverse. Attractive specimen
with fine details and wonderful toning. Very rare.
xf-/xf

weight 3,86gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Laureate  head of Augustus left, CAESARI before, AVGVSTO behind
rev. Temple of Mars Ultor: round-domed, hexastyle temple with acroteria
set on podium of three steps; within, aquila between two signa,
MAR - VLT across field

This denarius type is usually attributed to Colonia Patricia (modern Cordoba) in Spain. Cordova, a city in Andalusia was the first colony planted by the Romans in Spain. Its original name was Corduba. When it was made a Roman colony it was renamed Colonia Patricia, to honor the veterans and worthy men who settled it, to whom honor was due, as to Fathers (Patribus). Augustus visted Patricia in 15 or 14 BC.

The Temple of Mars Ultor was an octastyle sanctuary created with the Corinthian order in Ancient Rome. The construction has been completed in 2 BC but the project of Augustus stems from the victory obtained by the battle of Philippi in 42 BC. It was dedicated to the god Mars to avenge the assassination of Julius Caesar. It was founded by Emperor Augustus in the Forum of Augustus. If still in use by the 4th-century, the temple would have been closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire, when the Christian Emperors issued edicts prohibiting non-Christian worship.

This Temple defines, with all other architectural elements and decorations, the authority of the new ideology of the rising Augustan empire. In fact for Augustus was essential exalting the values of the religion in a new order where ancestors and the past of Rome (mythology) were the principal ways to restore order that over of 50 years of civil wars had destroyed.

Ultor means "avenger" and it refers to the battle of Philippi in which Markus Antonius, Octavianus, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus defeated the two main conspirators of Caius Julius Caesar: Brutus and Cassius. The temple was situated on the Capitol and was built specially to house the legionary standards of Crassus and Marcus Antonius lost in the Parthian wars and recovered by Augustus from Phraates IV.

Also the triumphal chariot voted to Augustus in 19 BC on his return from Syria was evidently kept in the temple of Mars Ultor.

‒ excellent portrait of Augustus ‒

Cohen 190 ; RIC 105a ; BMC 373 ; CBN 1202 ; Sear 1623 S
Off-centre strike, but very attractive portrait and well
detailed depiction of the Temple of Mars Ultor. Scarce.
xf-

weight 4,83gr. ; brass Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Augustus right, surrounded by the legend;
CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE
rev. Front elevation of the Altar of Lugdunum, decorated with the
corona civica between laurels, flanked by nude male figures; to left and
right, Victories on columns, facing one another, ROM ET AVG below

The celebrated ′Altar of Lugdunum′ was dedicated by Augustus on 1 August 10 BC, the very day of the birth in the city of emperor Claudius. The initial series of bronze and copper coins bearing a representation of the Altar extended over the following three or four years. A later series, including issues in the name of the heir to the imperial throne Tiberius, was instituted about 10 AD and continued to the end of the reign.

Cohen 238 ; RIC 234 ; BMC 568 ; CBN 1728 ; Sear 1692 S
scarce cointype
f+ à f/vf

weight 11,82gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right,
below  IMP•IX•TR•PO•V
rev. Single-span triumphal arch surmounted by large statue of Augustus
in facing triumphal quadriga. In the opening of the arch legend in three
lines; S•P•R / SIGNIS / RECEPTIS, on architrave the legend; •IMP•IX•TR•POT•V•

The traditional denomination of the province of Asia, with its origins dating back to the time of the later Pergamene kings, the cistophorus, was minted extensively under Augustus. The cistophoric tetradrachm had the value of 3 denarii. Production was more restricted under most successors and Claudius was the only other emperor amongst the Julio-Claudians to issue cistophorii. There was a resumption of production from later Flavian times until Hadrian, the volume of whose Asian silver rivalled that of Augustus himself, but thereafter there was an abrupt cessation of minting. An isolated late revival came early in the 3rd century under Septimius Severus.

The reverse of this cistophorus commemorates the standards taken back by the Senate and Roman People. After the military victory of Augustus′ armies over the Parthians, in 20 BC Phraates, the king of Parthia, returned the standards which the Romans had lost at the battle of Carrhae in 53 BC and on other occasions. To celebrate this event a triumphal arch was built in Rome, which we can see on this coin. At the end of his long reign, Augustus was said to have remembered the recovery of the standards lost to the Parthians by Marcus Crassus, as his proudest achievement.

Exceptional portrait style, much nicer than the typical boyish portrait
that appears on this type. Rare and a very attractive historical coin.
Cohen 298 ; RIC 510 ; BMC 703 (=BMCRR East 310) ;
CBN.982 ; RPC.2218 ; Sear 1590 R
(cf. Triton XX, lot 640 in vf+ : USD 4000 + 20%)
vf+/vf

weight 1,83gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, AVGVST behind
rev. Victory standing right, placing wreath on trophy with
dagger and sword at base, P•CARISI behind, LEG before

The colony of Emerita Augusta (modern Mérida in Spain), was founded in 25 BC by P.Carisius, governor of Lusitania. It was meant for veterans of legions V Alauda and X Gemina, who had recently participated in Augustus′ campaigns in north-western Spain.

Cohen 386 ; RIC 1a ; BMC 293 ; Sear 1642
Some minor scratches on the obverse.
vf/vf+

weight 3,85gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus left, IMP CAESAR before,
AVGVST behind
rev. Trophy of Celtiberian arms, consisting of helmet, cuirass, shield,
and javelins, erected on heap of round shields, lances, and other arms,  
P CARISIVS on left,  LEG  PRO  PR on right

The gens Carisia was a Roman family during the latter half of the 1st century BC. This coin was minted in Emerita Augusta (modern Mérida) by Publius Carisius as as legatus and propraetor. The colony of Emerita was founded in 25 BC by Publius Carisius, governor of Lusitania. It was meant as colony for veterans of legions V Alauda and X Gemina, who had recently participated in Augustus′ campaigns in north-western Spain under command of Publius Carisius. They were deployed along a front 400 kilometers wide, stretching from the modern Basque province of Guipuzcoa to northern Portugal. By contrast, the north-western tribes were able to muster about 100.000 men, mainly concentrated in their many hilltop settlements (castros) scattered across the rugged landscape. They were therefore more effective in conducting guerilla warfare against the Romans than attempting pitched battles. In 26-25 Augustus started a campaigning in three different areas. The settlements of Aracillum (modern Aradillos), Bergidum (modern Villafranca del Vierzo) and Lucus (modern Lugo) soon were captured and the defenders were killed or managed to flee. Publius Carisius managed to capture the stronghold at Lancia (modern Villasbariego). As far as Augustus was concerned, the north-west was now pacified, and he left Hispania in 24 BC to celebrate a triumph at Rome.

This coin commemorates the success of these campaigns. In reality the situation was still unstable. In 22 BC Publius Carisius was still in command of the army of Ulterior and succeeded in securing some of the main gold-mining areas by advancing northwards through the Pajares and Manzanal passes. The threat of continued Roman expension in the north-west coupled with Carisius′ brutality sparked off another revolt amongst the tribe of the Cantabri. Publius succeeded to put down this revolt, with the timely assistance of Caius Furnius. In 19 BC resentment against the Romans ran high and boiled over into a major rebellion. This was, in fact, the last serious resistance to Roman authority in the nort-west of Hispania.

cf. NAC auction 143, lot 441 (in about xf: SFR 4.000 + 22.5%)

Cohen 402 ; RIC 4b ; BMC 284 ; Sear 1628 R
Attractive lustrous specimen. Rare historical coin.
xf-

weight 22,00gr. ; bronze Ø 34mm.

obv. CIVIS within oak-wreath, flanked by two laurel-branches,
OB above, SERVATOS below
translation; ′for saving the citizens′
rev. Large S C, surrounded by the legend;
C•GALLIVS•C•F•LVPERCVS•III•VIR•A•A•A•F•F
unabbreviated; Caius Gallus Caii Filius Lupercus, Triumvir Auro, Argento, 
Aere, Flando, Feriundo. Senatus Consultum, tranlation: Caius Gallus son of
Caius Lupercus, moneyer (Triumvir Monetalis) for the casting and striking
of gold, silver, and bronze coins. Decree of the senate.

The gens Gallia was a plebeian family at ancient Rome. Several members of this gens are mentioned during the first century BC. The family of Caius Gallius had produced several senators since 73 BC before his was appointed triumvir monetalis in 16 BC. Nothing is known about his career before and after the vigintivirat.

On the reverse of this coin the Corona Civica (civic crown) is depicted. The Corona Civica was originally a military honour bestowed upon a Roman who had saved a fellow citizen′s life in battle. It was one of the greatest public honours. It harkens back to the declarations of gratitude conferred on Augustus in 27 BC, when the senate awarded him the corona civica (civic wreath or crown) and the clipeus virtutis (shield of valour). In the imperial era the honour developed from a coveted military decoration into an imperial emblem granted by the Senate to the emperor. The wreath was made of oak leaves and is sometimes called a corona quercea after the common name for the oak. Plutarch believed the oak was chosen for this highest of honours for several reasons. The tree was easily found throughout the countryside and was quite convenient for fashioning a wreath when the need arose. Also, the oak is sacred to Jupiter and Juno and thus was an appropriate symbolic honour given to one who has saved the life of a fellow Roman citizen. Finally, the early settlers of  Rome, the Arcadians, were  nicknamed ′acorn-eaters′ in an oracle of Apollo.

Cohen 434 ; RIC 377 ; BMC 171 ; Sear 1646 S
Some weakness and light traces of oxidation.
f/vf

weight 26,11gr. ; bronze Ø 38mm.

obv. Laurel wreath flanked by laurel branches,
OB /  CIVIS / SERVATOS above, within and below
translated; ′for saving the citizens′
rev. Large S C, surrounded by the legend;
LICINIVS STOLO III VIR A A A F F

translated; Publius Licinius Stolo, Triumvir Auro, Argento, Aere, Flando, Feriundo. Senatus Consultum = Publius Licinius Stolo, moneyer (Triumvir Monetalis) for the casting and striking of gold, silver, and bronze coins. Decree of the senate.

The gens Licinia was a celebrated plebeian family at ancient Rome, which appears from the earliest days of the Republic until imperial times, and which eventually obtained the imperial dignity. The first of the gens to obtain the consulship was Caius Licinius Calvus Stolo, who, as tribune of the plebs from 376 to 367 BC, prevented the election of any of the annual magistrates, until the patricians acquiesced to the passage of the lex Licinia Sextia, or Licinian Rogations. This law, named for Licinius and his colleague, Lucius Sextius, opened the consulship for the first time to the plebeians. Licinius himself was subsequently elected consul in 364 and 361 BC, and from this time, the Licinii became one of the most illustrious gentes in the Republic. Publius Licinius Stolo came from a family of senators who had sided with Octavianus during the civil wars. Because of his families support he was probably admitted into the vigintivirat as moneyer. Nothing is known about his career after the virgintivirat.

Cohen 441 ; RIC 345 ; BMC 195 ; Sear 1652
Light traces of oxidation. Dark patina. Scarce.
vf

weight 12,49gr. ; copper Ø 25mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, surrounded by the legend;
CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRIBVNIC POT
rev. Large S C surrounded by the legend;
P•LVRIVS AGRIPPA•III VIR•AAA FF

This as was minted in Rome by the monetary triumvirate of 7 BC, formed by Publius Lurius Agrippa, Marcus Maecilius Tullus and Marcus Salvius Otho in 7 BC. The triumviri monetalis ("triumviri of the temple of Juno the Advisor" or "monetary triumvirs") supervised the issuing of Roman coins.

The gens Luria was a minor plebeian family at ancient Rome. Although many Lurii are known from inscriptions, the only member of this gens to play a significant role in history was Marcus Lurius, a lieutenant of Octavianus in the years following the death of Caesar. In 40 BC, Lurius was serving as governor of Sardinia when the island was invaded by Menas, one of Sextus Pompeius′s commanders. Lurius at first routed his opponent, but was then himself the victim of an unexpected defeat by Menas in the ensuing pursuit. Lurius was forced to abandon the island and its two legions there. On 2 September 31 BC, at the naval Battle of Actium, Octavianus entrusted Lurius with command of the right wing of the fleet. There′s a good chance that Publius was the son of Marcus, who may have been long deceased, and his Dad′s old boss was giving him constitutional entree to the Senate. A safe, loyal, constitutional choice that would not make anyone too ambitious nor unreasonably jealous as he revamped the bronze coinage.

Cohen 446 ; RIC 428 ; BMC 214 ; Sear 1686
Attractive specimen with good portrait and dark patina. 
vf

weight 3,86gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, CAESAR behind,
AVGVSTVS before
rev. Pegasos walking right, surrounded by the legend;
P•PETRON•TVRPILIAN•III•VIR

Publius Petronius Turpilianus was probably a son of Publius Petronius, who was prefect from Egypte  from 25 to 20 BC. It is believed that he owed the cognomen Turpilianus to his mother, who would then have been called Turpilia and possibly descended from the poet Turpilius. It is generally assumed that Turpilianus is the father of the Publius Petronius who was consul suffectus in AD 19. and was appointed governor of Syria under Caligula.

In 19 BC. Publius Petronius Turpilianus was appointed triumvir monetalis by Emperor Augustus, the office of mint master, in which he (along with two other triumviri) was responsible for the issue of coins. Turpilianus held office simultaneously with Lucius Aquilius Florus and Marcus Durmius. Several coins bearing Turpilian′s name have been preserved (mainly from 19-18 BC, but possibly also from 17 BC). The coins illustrate how much Turpilianus, in line with the function of the coins at the time, contributed to the propaganda for the still young principate of Augustus. It is plausible that Turpilian received the office as a reward for his father′s successful governorship over Egypt. The office of triumvir monetalis greatly enhanced the social and financial position of the family and was often seen as a springboard to the senatorial position. It is therefore believed that the Petronii family was given senatorial status during this time.

Presumably we must also identify this Turpilianus with the proconsul of Hispania Baetica of 6/5 BC mentioned in an inscription. Nothing more has been said about the further course of Turpilianus′ career. The fact that both his sons held the office of consul suffectus under Tiberius, however, illustrates the high esteem in which Petronius′ family had come to stand.

It is potentially no coincidence that the issue of IIIvir monetalis P. Petronius Turpilianus showing the image of what must have been a magnificent Greek statue of Pegasus as the horse of the Muses in act of striking the ground with his hoof coincided with the year of the epic poet Virgil′s death. Virgil is known to have travelled to Greece in about 19 BC to revise the Aeneid, and after meeting Augustus in Athens returned thereafter to Italy, but caught a fever and died near Brundisium later that year on 21 September.

This reverse type may be considered to allude to the spring of the Muses, the Hippokrene (′Horse′s Fountain′), on Mount Helikon, where the winged stallion had struck his hoof and the spring came forth. According to Pausanias (Description of Greece, 9.31.3) the water of this spring was supposed to give poetic inspiration when imbibed. The reverse type of this issue may thus plausibly be interpreted as a subtle yet elegant commemoration of the memory of Virgil as a champion of Roman culture in the Golden Age of Augustus wherein thrived a rich appreciation of all forms of Greek culture and myth.

Cohen 491 ; RIC 297 (R2) ; BMC 23 ; Sear 1629 RR
Weakly struck (flatness) near the edge. Excellent portrait.
Very rare historical coin.
xf-

weight 3,64gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, CAESAR behind, AVGVSTVS before
rev. Tarpeia standing facing, raising both hands, half-buried by shields,
surrounded by the legend; TVRPILIANVS III VIR

Publius Petronius Turpilianus was probably a son of Publius Petronius, who was prefect from Egypte  from 25 to 20 BC. It is believed that he owed the cognomen Turpilianus to his mother, who would then have been called Turpilia and possibly descended from the poet Turpilius. It is generally assumed that Turpilianus is the father of the Publius Petronius who was consul suffectus in AD 19 and was appointed governor of Syria under Caligula.

In 19 BC. Publius Petronius Turpilianus was appointed triumvir monetalis by Emperor Augustus, the office of mint master, in which he (along with two other triumviri) was responsible for the issue of coins. Turpilianus held office simultaneously with Lucius Aquilius Florus and Marcus Durmius. Several coins bearing Turpilian′s name have been preserved (mainly from 19-18 BC, but possibly also from 17 BC). The coins illustrate how much Turpilianus, in line with the function of the coins at the time, contributed to the propaganda for the still young principate of Augustus. It is plausible that Turpilian received the office as a reward for his father′s successful governorship over Egypt. The office of triumvir monetalis greatly enhanced the social and financial position of the family and was often seen as a springboard to the senatorial position. It is therefore believed that the Petronii family was given senatorial status during this time.

Presumably we must also identify this Turpilianus with the proconsul of Hispania Baetica of 6/5 BC mentioned in an inscription. Nothing more has been said about the further course of Turpilian′s career. The fact that both his sons held the office of consul suffectus under Tiberius, however, illustrates the high esteem in which Petronius′ family had come to stand.

The legend tells that while Rome was besieged by the Sabine king Titus Tatius, Tarpeia, a Vestal Virgin and daughter of the commander of the citadel, Spurius Tarpeius, approached the Sabine camp and offered them entry to the city in exchange for "what they bore on their left arms". Greedy for gold, she had meant their bracelets, but instead the Sabines threw their shields, carried on the left arm, upon her, crushing her to death. Her body was then hurled from (or, according to some accounts, buried at) a steep cliff of the southern summit of the Capitoline Hill. The Sabines were however unable to conquer the Forum, its gates miraculously protected by boiling jets of water created by Janus. The legend was depicted in 89 BC by Sabinus following the Civil Wars as well as on a silver denarius of the Emperor Augustus in approximately 19 BC. Tarpeia would later become a symbol of betrayal and greed in Rome. The cliff from which she was thrown was named the Tarpeian Rock (Rupes Tarpeia), and would become the place of execution for Rome′s most notorious traitors.

Cohen 494 ; RIC 299 ; BMC 29 ; Sear 1639 R
Attractive toning. Rare.
vf-/vf

weight 3,65gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, CAESAR behind,
AVGVSTVS before
rev. Six-rayed star above crescent, surrounded by the legend;
TVRPILIANVS III VIR

Publius Petronius Turpilianus was probably a son of Publius Petronius, who was prefect from Egypte  from 25 to 20 BC. It is believed that he owed the cognomen Turpilianus to his mother, who would then have been called Turpilia and possibly descended from the poet Turpilius. It is generally assumed that Turpilianus is the father of the Publius Petronius who was consul suffectus in AD 19. and was appointed governor of Syria under Caligula.

In 19 BC. Publius Petronius Turpilianus was appointed triumvir monetalis by Emperor Augustus, the office of mint master, in which he (along with two other triumviri) was responsible for the issue of coins. Turpilianus held office simultaneously with Lucius Aquilius Florus and Marcus Durmius. Several coins bearing Turpilian′s name have been preserved (mainly from 19-18 BC, but possibly also from 17 BC). The coins illustrate how much Turpilianus, in line with the function of the coins at the time, contributed to the propaganda for the still young principate of Augustus. It is plausible that Turpilian received the office as a reward for his father′s successful governorship over Egypt. The office of triumvir monetalis greatly enhanced the social and financial position of the family and was often seen as a springboard to the senatorial position. It is therefore believed that the Petronii family was given senatorial status during this time.

Presumably we must also identify this Turpilianus with the proconsul of Hispania Baetica of 6/5 BC mentioned in an inscription. Nothing more has been said about the further course of Turpilian′s career. The fact that both his sons held the office of consul suffectus under Tiberius, however, illustrates the high esteem in which Petronius′ family had come to stand.

The pairing of a celestial star and a crescent moon reflects the Roman imperial practice of recording significant lunar or stellar events viewed as divine approval for the regime. The star echoes the Sidus Iulium (the comet/star of Julius Caesar), linking Augustus and his administration to the divine ancestry of his adoptive father. Celestial symbols on Augustan coinage were widely understood to signify the enduring stability and eternal duration (aeternitas) of the new Pax Romana.

Cohen 495 ; RIC 300 ; BMC 32 ; Sear 1640  R
Very attractive well centered specimen
with wonderful portrait. Bold strike. Rare.
xf-/xf

weight 22,52gr. ; orichalcum Ø 37mm.

obv. CIVIS within oak-wreath, flanked by two laurel-branches,
OB above, SERVATOS below
translated; ′for saving the citizens′
rev. Large S C, surrounded by the legend;
T•QVINCTIVS•CRISPIN•SVLPICIAN•III•VIR•A•A•A•F•F
(translated; Titus Quinctius Crispinus Sulpicianus Triumvir Auro, Argento,
Aere, Flando, Feriundo. Senatus Consultum = Titus Quinctius Crispinus
Sulpicianus, moneyer (Triumvir Monetalis) for the casting and striking
of gold, silver, and bronze coins. Decree of the senate.)

The gens Quinctia, sometimes written Quintia, was a patrician family at ancient Rome. The nomen Quinctius is a patronymic surname based on the praenomen Quintus, which must have belonged to an ancestor of the gens. The spelling Quintius is common in later times, but Quinctius is the ancient and more correct form, which occurs on coins and in the Fasti Capitolini. The only surname that occurs on coins is that of Crispinus Sulpicianus, which is found on coins struck in the time of Augustus. The Quinctia gens was one of the Alban houses removed to Rome by Tullus Hostilius, and enrolled by him among the patricians. It was consequently one of the minores gentes. Throughout the history of the Republic, its members often held the highest offices of the state, and it produced some men of importance even during the imperial period. For the first forty years after the expulsion of the kings the Quinctii are not mentioned, and the first of the gens who obtained the consulship was Titus Quinctius Capitolinus Barbatus in 471 BC; but from that year their name constantly appears in the Fasti consulares. As with other patrician families, in later times there were also plebeian Quinctii. Some of these may have been the descendants of freedmen of the gens, or of patrician Quinctii who had voluntarily gone over to the plebs. There may also have been unrelated persons who happened to share the same nomen. Plinius the Elder relates that it was the custom in the Quinctia gens for even the women not to wear any ornaments of gold.

Crispinus Sulpicianus was of Patrician descent from the Quinctia gens, and he was either the biological son of a Sulpicius who was adopted by a Titus Quinctius (otherwise unknown), or the son of a Titus Quinctius and a Sulpicia. Crispinus Sulpicianus′ career is largely unknown; by 18 BC he was a triumvir monetalis, and in 9 BC, he was elected consul, serving alongside Augustus′ stepson Nero Claudius Drusus. During his consulship, he secured passage of the lex Quinctia, which provided penalties for damage to aqueducts. It was also during his consulship that the Ara Pacis was inaugurated in the Campus Martius. Velleius Paterculus characterized Crispinus Sulpicianus as "useless and defiant", and accused him of “unique depravity disguised by forbidding eyebrows”. A supporter of Iullus Antonius, he was accused of being one of the lovers of Julia the Elder and was either banished from Rome or executed in 2 BC as a result. It is speculated that Crispinus Sulpicianus had adopted a Valerius, who became Titus Quinctius Crispinus Valerianus, suffect consul in AD 2.

On the reverse of this coin the Corona Civica (civic crown) is depicted. The Corona Civica was originally a military honour bestowed upon a Roman who had saved a fellow citizen′s life in battle. It was one of the greatest public honours. It harkens back to the declarations of gratitude conferred on Augustus in 27 BC, when the senate awarded him the corona civica (civic wreath or crown) and the clipeus virtutis (shield of valour). In the imperial era the honour developed from a coveted military decoration into an imperial emblem granted by the Senate to the emperor. The wreath was made of oak leaves and is sometimes called a corona quercea after the common name for the oak. Plutarch believed the oak was chosen for this highest of honours for several reasons. The tree was easily found throughout the countryside and was quite convenient for fashioning a wreath when the need arose. Also, the oak is sacred to Jupiter and Juno and thus was an appropriate symbolic honour given to one who has saved the life of a fellow Roman citizen. Finally, the early settlers of  Rome, the Arcadians, were  nicknamed ′acorn-eaters′ in an oracle of Apollo.

All the coins minted by Crispinus Sulpicianus are rare. Sestertii are rarely offered. This specimen also shows us a reverse legend that has not been published in the relevant reference literature. Of the greatest rarity, possibly unique.

Cohen - (cf. 510) ; RIC - (cf. 328-329) ;
BMC - (cf. 181) ; Sear - (cf. 1654) RRRR
Exceptionaly well-struck and complete for the type.
vf+ à vf/xf

weight 4,03gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Jugate, draped busts right of Fortuna Victrix, wearing round helmet,
holding patera, and of Fortuna Felix, diademed, set on bar with ram′s
head finials, surrounded by the legend; Q•RVSTIVS FORTVNÆ above,
ANTIAT below
translation; Quintus Rustius, Fortunae, Antiatum
(= Quintus Rustius, of Fortunae, at Antium)
rev. Ornamented rectangular altar ′Ara Fortunae Reducis′ 
inscribed FOR•RE, surrounded by the legend;
CAESARI AVGVSTO, EX S•C below
translation; Caesari Augusto, Ex Senatus Consultum. Fortuna Redux
(= of Caesar Augustus, by decree of the senate. to Fortune,
who [safely] returns [travelers])

The gens Rustia was a minor plebeian family at ancient Rome. Members of this gens are first mentioned toward the end of the Republic, and a few of them achieved prominence in imperial times, with Titus Rustius Nummius Gallus attaining the consulship under Tiberius in 34 AD. Quintus Rustius was apponted triumvir monetalis in 19 BC. He was also one of the duumvirs (or duoviri) at Antium, as this coin also tells us. This duo of magistrates were expected to deal with public finance of a city, deal with proceedings in the Ordo decurionum, the town council, and run the elections in the comitium or assembly. The office was determined by election and lasted one year. Antium (modern Anzio, 50 km. south of Rome) was the capital of the Volsci people until it was conquered by the Romans. In some versions of Rome′s foundation myth, Antium was founded by Anteias, son of Odysseus. In 468 BC Antium was captured by the Roman consul Titus Quinctius Capitolinus Barbatus following a war started by the Volsci, and a Roman colony was planted there the next year.

The cult of Fortuna Redux was a form of the goddess Fortuna in the Roman Empire who oversaw a return, as from a long or perilous journey. It was introduced to Roman religion in 19 BC, creating a new holiday (feriae) on October 12 that originally marked the return of Augustus to Rome from Syria and Asia Minor in 19 BC. From that time, she received annual sacrifices from the pontiffs and Vestals at an altar dedicated to her (Ara Fortunae Reducis). This altar is depicted on this coin.  The altar of Fortuna Redux was inaugurated on 12 October 19 BC, and dedicated on 15 December. It was probably adjacent to the Temple of Honor and Virtue near the Porta Capena. The temple most likely stood on the slope of the Capitoline Hill overlooking the Porta Triumphalis.

Cohen 513 ; RIC 322 (R2) ; BMC 2 ; Sear 1605 R
Wonderful coin with attractive tone. Rare.
xf-

weight 3,87gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Augustus right, AVGVSTVS behind, DIVI•F before
rev. Augustus and Agrippa seated left on bisellium on daïs, ornamented
with three rostra (prows), apparitor′s staff left, surrounded by the legend;
C•SVLPICIVS PLATORIN

In 13 BC Agrippa, Augustus′ lifelong friend and colleague, received the rostral crown. The three prows which decorate the platform refer to the Battle of Naulochus. This naval battle was fought on 3 september 36 BC between the fleets of Sextus Pompeius and Marcus Vipsianus Agrippa. The victory went to Agrippa, admiral of Octavianus. Agrippa died a year later after this issue at Campania (12 BC).

In 13 BC, Augustus returned to Rome from a lengthy tour of the western provinces, just as Agrippa returned from the East. All conditions had been readied to present to the Roman people the establishment of Agrippa as the new partner of Augustus′ labours after a multi-year build up, culminating in the Ara Pacis ceremony at which Agrippa co-presided. However, to those watching the political slogans and headlines of the Roman mint, the Ara Pacis ceremony and Agrippa′s prominent role therein did not bring news, for the coinage of 13 boldly proclaims Agrippa as if he were second princeps by advertizing his enhanced status and by highlighting his accomplishments beyond the level ever provided for any of Augustus′ other colleagues, including his eventual successor, Tiberius (whose own enhancement of powers after AD 4 was modeled upon the precedent of Agrippa).

The coinage of 13 BC represents a break from the recent general pattern in that it broke up Augustus′ quasi-regal domination of the mint, and it sent out two simultaneous and compatible messages. Firstly, and more specifically, the imagery informed the Roman public as do newspaper headlines today of the elevation of Agrippa as Augustus′ legal equal, showing that Rome was no monarchy. The Roman mint alternated between standard issues for certain messages and new images for others, including escalation of the status of Agrippa.

The year 13 provided several occasions to raise the status of Agrippa, a novus homo. Agrippa was offered a third triumph, which he again refused. He received a new priesthood(s). His tribunician power was renewed for five years, as was that of Augustus. And at the Ara Pacis ceremony, Agrippa shared equal credit for pacifying the Empire in a ceremony that may have included closing the Gates of Janus. Much of this information comes to us not just from textual evidence, but also the archeological record. The coinage of 13 informs us of the regime′s official statements and the Ara Pacis itself shows the veiled Augustus at the head of the Pontifical College and the veiled Agrippa completing the Pontifical College and starting the imperial family as a demonstration of his integral role in the state, although tragically his life would end before the Ara Pacis was completed, leaving it to be a monument of a vision of the future Augustus was never able to achieve.

The gens Sulpicia was one of the most ancient patrician families at ancient Rome, and produced a succession of distinguished men, from the foundation of the Republic to the imperial period. The first member of the gens who obtained the consulship was Servius Sulpicius Camerinus Cornutus, in 500 BC, only nine years after the expulsion of the Tarquins, and the last of the name who appears on the consular list was Sextus Sulpicius Tertullus in AD 158. Although originally patrician, the family also possessed plebeian members, some of whom may have been descended from freedmen of the gens. Caius Sulpicius Platorinus was triumvir monetalis of 12 BC.

An important feature of the Augustan political program was to give the impression that while Augustus had assumed full power over the Roman state, the Republic still lived on. This illusion was important to avoid the fate suffered by Julius Caesar when he brazenly took up the trappings of kingship. As a means of propping up the Republican image, Augustus resurrected old Roman religious traditions and magistracies that had fallen into disuse during the civil wars of the first century BC. This denarius firmly belongs to the Augustan Republican illusion through several notable features. Whereas earlier denarii had emphasised the emperor′s unique qualities and powers by depicting him wearing the corona civica granted to him by the Senate in 27 BC, here the portrait of Augustus is shown bare headed in conformity with old Republican custom, as if to emphasise his disingenuous claim to be merely primus inter pares, "first among equals." Likewise, the reverse illustrates Augustus′ revival of the Republican office of moneyer. The surrounding legend names C. Sulpicius Platorinus as the moneyer responsible for the issue. However, at the same time that the coin is imbued with these pseudo-Republican qualities, the reverse type is decidedly monarchical in character. It depicts Augustus and Marcus Agrippa seated side by side to illustrate their equal status and mark out the latter as the intended heir of Augustus. Under the constitutional settlement of 23 BC, Augustus had established Agrippa as his intended heir, granting him proconsular imperium in imperial provinces and arranging a marriage to Augustus′ daughter Julia the Elder. In 18 BC, a few years before this coin was struck, Agrippa′s powers were made virtually equivalent to those of Augustus by a grant of tribunicia potestas and imperium in all provinces of the empire. Unfortunately, despite all of this, Agrippa died in 12 BC, the year after this coin was issued, thereby frustrating all of Augustus′ carefully devised plans for a smooth succession and forcing him to seek new suitable heirs.

♦ Wonderful portrait of Augustus of the best classical style ♦

cf. NAC 143 no. 481 in good xf  (SFR 14.000 + 22,5%)

Cohen 529 ; RIC 407 ; BMC 115 ; Sear 1599 R
Wonderful lustrous example of this rare coin type.
xf

weight 3,68gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Augustus right, AVGVSTVS behind, DIVI•F before
rev. Augustus and Agrippa seated left on bisellium on daïs, ornamented
with three rostra (prows), apparitor′s staff left, surrounded by the legend;
C•SVLPICIVS PLATORIN

In 13 BC Agrippa, Augustus′ lifelong friend and colleague, received the rostral crown. The three prows which decorate the platform refer to the Battle of Naulochus. This naval battle was fought on 3 september 36 BC between the fleets of Sextus Pompeius and Marcus Vipsianus Agrippa. The victory went to Agrippa, admiral of Octavianus. Agrippa died a year later after this issue at Campania (12 BC).

In 13 BC, Augustus returned to Rome from a lengthy tour of the western provinces, just as Agrippa returned from the East. All conditions had been readied to present to the Roman people the establishment of Agrippa as the new partner of Augustus′ labours after a multi-year build up, culminating in the Ara Pacis ceremony at which Agrippa co-presided. However, to those watching the political slogans and headlines of the Roman mint, the Ara Pacis ceremony and Agrippa′s prominent role therein did not bring news, for the coinage of 13 boldly proclaims Agrippa as if he were second princeps by advertizing his enhanced status and by highlighting his accomplishments beyond the level ever provided for any of Augustus′ other colleagues, including his eventual successor, Tiberius (whose own enhancement of powers after AD 4 was modeled upon the precedent of Agrippa).

The coinage of 13 BC represents a break from the recent general pattern in that it broke up Augustus′ quasi-regal domination of the mint, and it sent out two simultaneous and compatible messages. Firstly, and more specifically, the imagery informed the Roman public as do newspaper headlines today of the elevation of Agrippa as Augustus′ legal equal, showing that Rome was no monarchy. The Roman mint alternated between standard issues for certain messages and new images for others, including escalation of the status of Agrippa.

The year 13 provided several occasions to raise the status of Agrippa, a novus homo. Agrippa was offered a third triumph, which he again refused. He received a new priesthood(s). His tribunician power was renewed for five years, as was that of Augustus. And at the Ara Pacis ceremony, Agrippa shared equal credit for pacifying the Empire in a ceremony that may have included closing the Gates of Janus. Much of this information comes to us not just from textual evidence, but also the archeological record. The coinage of 13 informs us of the regime′s official statements and the Ara Pacis itself shows the veiled Augustus at the head of the Pontifical College and the veiled Agrippa completing the Pontifical College and starting the imperial family as a demonstration of his integral role in the state, although tragically his life would end before the Ara Pacis was completed, leaving it to be a monument of a vision of the future Augustus was never able to achieve.

The gens Sulpicia was one of the most ancient patrician families at ancient Rome, and produced a succession of distinguished men, from the foundation of the Republic to the imperial period. The first member of the gens who obtained the consulship was Servius Sulpicius Camerinus Cornutus, in 500 BC, only nine years after the expulsion of the Tarquins, and the last of the name who appears on the consular list was Sextus Sulpicius Tertullus in AD 158. Although originally patrician, the family also possessed plebeian members, some of whom may have been descended from freedmen of the gens. Caius Sulpicius Platorinus was triumvir monetalis of 12 BC.

♦ Wonderful portrait of Augustus of the best classical style ♦

cf. NAC 143 no. 481 in good xf  (SFR 14.000 + 22,5%)

Cohen 529 ; RIC 407 ; BMC 115 ; Sear 1599 R
Minor weakness of strike. Beaufully toned. Rare.
vf/xf à vf+

weight 3,66gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, surrounded by the legend;
AVGVSTVS DIVI F
rev. Youthful laurated head of Genius Saeculari Nivo right,
with features resembling Augustus, four-rayed comet with tail above,
surrounded by the legend; M.SANQVINIVS.III.VIR

struck in name of the triumvir monetalis Marcus Sanquinius

This type is minted in commemoration of the Ludi Saeculares (the Secular Games) celebrated by Augustus in 17 BC to mark the commencement of a ′New Age′ inaugurated by the Devine Julius and now brought to fruition by his heir. The youthful head on the reverse has usually been interpreted as that of a rejuvenated Caesar, on the evidence of the comet (′sidus Julium′) which surmounts the portrait. However, there is clearly no resemblance to the late dictator and it seems more satisfactory to regard it as a personification of the ′New Age′ itself, endowed, like so many of the devine images of Augustus′ reign, with the features of the emperor.

Sidus Iulium ("Julian Star" or Caesar′s Comet) was the Great Comet of 44 BC; numerical designation  was a seven-day cometary outburst seen in July 44 BC. It was interpreted by Romans as a sign of the deification of recently assassinated dictator, Julius Caesar (100–44 BC). It was perhaps the most famous comet of antiquity. The Comet became a powerful symbol in the political propaganda that launched the career of Caesar′s great-nephew (and adoptive son) Augustus. The Temple of Divus Iulius (Temple of the Deified Julius) was built (42 BC) and dedicated (29 BC) by Augustus for purposes of fostering a "cult of the comet". (It was also known as the "Temple of the Comet Star". At the back of the temple a huge image of Caesar was erected and, according to Ovid, a flaming comet was affixed to its forehead, samelike as shown on this denarius. Very rare.

Sr. 1621 ; Cohen 1 (Julius caesar and Augustus) ; RIC 338 ;
BMC 71 ; BMCRR.4585 RR
Small bankermarks end light graffiti, attractive patina.
vf

weight 23,32gr. ; bronze Ø 34mm.

obv. Augustus, radiated, seated left, holding branch and scepter,
altar at feet, surrounded by the legend;  DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER
rev. Large S C, REST above, surrounded by the legend;
IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG PM TR PPP COS VIII 

Orginally this coin type was struck  in 22/23 AD during the reign of Tiberius, in honour of the deceased Augustus. The obverse may represent the statue of Divus Augustus set up near the Theatre of Marcellus in Rome. During the reign of Titus, a whole range of Julio-Claudian aes types from Divus Augustus to Claudius were restored, including this sestertius type. Quite a rare type as a restoration issue under Titus rather than Tiberius. An exceptional piece of great quality and rarity.

Cohen 548 ; RIC 184 ; BMC 261 ; Sear 2579 R
very attractive coin with brown patina
vf/xf

weight 4,46gr. ; bronze Ø 16mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, AVG behind
rev. Two colonists (or priests) ploughing right with two oxen 

Philippi was an important city in eastern Macedon which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Periods. Situated between the Strymon and Nestos rivers, the city was valued in antiquity for its nearby gold mines. Site of the famous Battle of Philippi at the end of the Roman Republic, the city prospered in the Roman imperial era and, after a visit from St. Paul, became an important centre of early Christianity. Philippi continued to flourish as a major Byzantine city. Today the archaeological site has substantial remains including a theatre and four basilicas.

According to tradition, the city, under its first name of Krenides (or Datum), was founded circa 360 BC by settlers from nearby Thasos who were led by the Athenian Kallistratos. There is no archaeological evidence of a significant settlement prior to the 4th century BC but there had been small communities in the area since Neolithic times as attested by local rock art. When Krenides was attacked by Thracians the inhabitants looked to Philip II of Macedon for protection. Philip, no doubt with an eye on the wealth of the local gold mines, responded by taking the city and renaming it Philippi (or Philippoi), after himself, in circa 357 BC. Fortifications and a theatre were amongst the architectural additions made under Philip′s reign and he also drained the surrounding swamps. The city maintained its independence but to ensure continued loyalty from this new asset a number of Macedonians were permanently relocated to the city. According to the ancient historian Diodorus, the mines near Philippi produced a very respectable 1.000 talents each year. Following the death of Alexander and the subsequent Successor Wars, Phillipi was much sought after for its gold and convenient harbour, Neapolis (modern Kavala) but continued to act as an independent city under the Antigonid regime. This is attested in a decree found on Kos which dates to 243 BC and which grants the island′s sanctuary to Hera the right of asylum. When the Romans defeated the Macedon king at the Battle of Pydna in 168 BC, they divided Macedonia into four administrative districts. Philippi is not mentioned specifically but it is assumed it was in the first zone, the prima regio. In 146 BC Macedon became a single Roman province and Philippi one of its prominent centres. The city benefitted greatly from the construction of the via Egnatia, the major road which connected the area to the Adriatic in the south and the Dardanelles in the north. A well-planned forum was built, along with a basilica, and a commercial street joined the heart of the city to the via Egnatia. In 42 BC the city famously gave its name to the battle which saw Mark Antony and Octavian gain revenge on Julius Caesar′s assassins, Brutus and Cassius. The battle had involved the largest number of troops in Roman warfare up to that point. 19 legions of 110.000 men on the Triumvirate side faced 17 Republican legions of  90.000 men, and the result was 40.000 casualties and another nail in the coffin of the Republic. Philippi then became a Roman colony settled by army veterans and produced its own coinage. When Octavian defeated Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, the city received another influx of new residents, this time settlers who had lost their land during reforms in Italy. From 27 BC the city gained the honorary title of Colonia Iulia Augusta Philippensis.The first Christian church in Europe was founded at Philippi (built on top of a tomb of a Hellenistic hero) which had become an important early Christian centre following a visit to the city by Paul the Apostle in 49 AD. Lydia was notable as the first European to be baptized there. In the following centuries Philippi flourished and benefitted from an extensive building programme. In Late Antiquity Philippi was a prominent city in the Eastern Empire and an episcopal seat. Once more the city′s urban landscape evolved to include large churches, towered buildings, and new city walls.

BMC 86 ; SNG.Copenhagen 282 ; McClean 7660 (Tiberius) ; RPC.1656
Attractive dark patina.
vf

weight 5,70gr. ; bronze Ø 17mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus right, surrounded by the legend;
ΘΕΣΣΑΛΩΝ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ
rev. Athena Itonia standing right, brandishing spear and shield,
monogram in right field, surrounded by the legend;
ΜΕΓΑΛΟΚΛΗΣ ΣΩΣΑΝΔΡΟΥ

The Thessalian league was a loose confederation of Thessalian city states. After the Second Macedonian War (200-197 BC), which ended with the defeat of Philip V of Macedon in the battle of Cynoscephalae (196 BC) the victorious Roman general T. Quinctius Flamininus declared all of Greece ″free″. Consequently, he reorganized the Thessalian league, creating a federal council, the synedrion, and annually changing officers, strategoi. The seat of the league was in the largest Thessalian city, Larissa, and it continued to exist even after Thessaly became part of the new Roman province of Macedonia in 146 BC. A number of new autonomos coinages were initiated, most likely minted in Larissa.

BMC 176-177 ; SNG.Evelpidis 1671; McClean 4992 ;
Burrer Em 1b, p. 110–3, 38–58 ; RPC.1426 R
Attractive specimen with dark patina. Rare.
f/vf

weight 5,65gr. ; bronze Ø 21mm.

obv. Togate figure of Proconsul M. Plautius Silvanus standing facing,
holding patera and being crowned by male figure (Demos of Pergamon)
wearing military dress ΣIΛBANON  ΠEPΓAMHNOI
rev. Temple with four columns enclosing statue of Augustus,
ΣEBACTON above, ΔHMOΦΩN below

Marcus Plautius Silvanus was the son of Urgulania, an Etruscan, and close friend of the empress Livia. It was Livia′s intercession that allowed Silvanus to climb the cursus honorum, leading to the consulate in 2 BC alongside Augustus. He was then made proconsul of Asia in 4-5 AD, followed by a posting as imperial legate in Galatia in 6 AD, where he may have been involved in suppressing the Isaurians. Whilst there, news broke of the Great Illyrian Revolt. In 7 AD Silvanus was summoned by Tiberius who was in charge of the military situation in Illyricum, ordering him to bring his troops to help suppress the revolt. He joined up with Caecina Severus, the imperial legate of Moesia and fought a major battle against the rebels at Sirmium. The Roman forces were victorious, but suffered very, very heavy losses. Silvanus remained at the head of his forces until 9 AD, during which time he served in Pannonia and Dalmatia. Although serving under Tiberius for the duration of the revolt, Tiberius had some doubts concerning Silvanus, especially his close connection with Tiberius′ mother Livia.

BMC 242 ; SNG.Copenhagen 461 ; SNG.von Aulock 1389 ; 
McClean 7715 ; Ashmoleon Museum Collection 1218 ; RPC.2364
dark patina
vf-

weight 1,90gr. ; bronze Ø 13mm.

obv. Youthful portrait of Augustus right, star in front, CЄBACTOV behind
rev. Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, ABY behind

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; 
McClean- ; Ashmoleon Museum Collection- ; cf. RPC.2285 RRR
RPC registrated only 2 specimens of this coin type.
Coin of the highest rarity in a wonderful condition.
vf/xf

weight 4,94gr. ; bronze Ø 15mm.

obv. Bare head of Augustus facing right, ΣЄBAΣTOΣ behind
rev. Zeus Laodikeius standing, left, holding eagle and staff; to left,
wreath enclosing Ζ and flanked by Ν and Ω, behind the legend;
ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ ΣΩΣΘΕΝΗΣ

Laodicea on the Lycum (also Laodikeia ad Lykos) is situated on the long spur of a hill between the narrow valleys of the small rivers Asopus and Caprus, which discharge their waters into the Lycus. The town was originally called Diospolis, "City of Zeus", and afterwards Rhodas. Laodicea, the building of which is ascribed to Antiochus II Theos in 261-253 BC in honor of his wife Laodice, was probably founded on the site of the older town. At first, Laodicea was not a place of much importance, but it soon acquired a high degree of prosperity. In 220 BC, Achaeus was its king. In 188 BC, the city passed to the Kingdom of Pergamon, and after 133 BC it fell under Roman control. It suffered greatly during the Mithridatic Wars but quickly recovered under the dominion of Rome.

Towards the end of the Roman Republic and under the first emperors, Laodicea, benefiting from its advantageous position on a trade route, became one of the most important and flourishing commercial cities of Asia Minor, in which large money transactions and an extensive trade in black wool were carried on. The area often suffered from earthquakes, especially from the great shock that occurred in the reign of Nero (60 AD) in which the town was completely destroyed. But the inhabitants declined imperial assistance to rebuild the city and restored it from their own means.  The wealth of its inhabitants created among them a taste for the arts of the Greeks, as is manifest from its ruins, and that it contributed to the advancement of science and literature is attested by the names of the sceptics Antiochus and Theiodas, the successors of Aenesidemus and by the existence of a great medical school. Its wealthy citizens embellished Laodicea with beautiful monuments. One of the chief of these citizens, Polemon, became King of Armenian Pontus (called after him "Polemoniacus") and of the coast round Trebizond. The city minted its own coins, the inscriptions of which show evidence of the worship of Zeus, Æsculapius, Apollo, and the emperors. It received from Rome the title of free city. During the Roman period, Laodicea was the chief city of a Roman conventus, which comprised twenty-four cities besides itself; Cicero records holding assizes there ca. 50 BC.

Antiochus the Great transported 2.000 Jewish families to Phrygia from Babylonia. Many of Laodicea′s inhabitants were Jews, and Cicero records that Flaccus confiscated the considerable sum of 9 kilograms of gold which was being sent annually to Jerusalem for the Temple. With its large Jewish community, very early Laodicea became a seat of Christianity and a bishopric. The Epistle to the Colossians mentions Laodicea as one of the communities of concern for Paul the Apostle. The martyrdom of Lulianos and Paphos is believed to have happened here. The Byzantine writers often mention Laodicea, especially in the time of the Comneni. In 1119, Emperor John the Beautiful and his lead military aid John Axuch captured Laodicea from the Seljuk Turks in the first major military victory of his reign. It was fortified by the emperor Manuel I Comnenus.  In 1206–1230, it was ruled by Manuel Maurozomes. The city was destroyed during the invasions of the Turks and Mongols.

BMC 147 ; SNG.Copenhagen 553 ; SNG.München 375 ; AMC 1409-1410 ;
Lindgren collection 989 ; SNG. von Aulock 3834 ; RPC.2896 ; Sear GIC - R
Attractive dark patina. Rare.
vf-/vf

weight 3,16gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Head of Augustus right between Λ - Y
rev. Two lyres with ear of corn between, MA above

BMC- ; SNG. Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock 4353var. ; Troxell 122 RR
vf

weight 10,14gr. ; bronze Ø 25mm.

obv. Laureate head of Augustus left, cornucopiae behind,
below and at left the legend; IMPE AVGVSTI
(in full: Imperatoris Augusti, translation: of Emperor Augustus)
rev. Colonist ploughing, left, with two hump-backed oxen,
above; COL IVL FEI GEM, in exergue; LVSTRA
(in full: colonia Iulia Felix Gemina Lystra, translation;
the Julian twin colony of Felix Lystra)

Lystra is located on an ancient road which ran from Ephesus to Sardis to Antioch in Pisidia to Iconium and Lystra, to Derbe, through the Cilician Gates, to Tarsus, to Antioch in Syria, and then to points east and south. The Romans under emperor Augustus made Lystra a colony in 6 BC, under the name of Colonia Iulia Felix Gemina, possibly to gain better control of the tribes in the mountains to the west. Later, it was incorporated into the Roman province of Galatia, and soon afterwards the Romans built a road connecting Lystra to Iconium to the north.

Ancient ruins can be at the village Kilistra, near Gökyurt, a village of the Meram district of Konya province in modern Turkey. The ruins include a church with a big cross marked on the wall, a winery, house-like buildings, and the ruins of a city located over the top of a hill which is locally called ″Alusumas″, where another church ruin can be seen. According to local people, the less-visible city was constructed over the hill to hide from enemies of ancient Anatolia. This site is still awaiting excavation.

Paul the Apostle visited here to preach the Christian gospel in 48 AD and again in 51 AD on his first and second missionary journeys, initially coming back after persecution drove him away from Iconium. It was at Lystra where Paul met a young disciple, Timothy.

According to Acts 14:8–10, Paul healed a man who had been lame from birth. The man leaped up and began to walk and thus so impressed the crowd that they took Paul for Hermes, because he was the ″chief speaker,″ and his companion Barnabas for Zeus. The crowd spoke in the local Lycaonian language and wanted to offer sacrifices to them, but Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes in dismay and shouted that they were merely men. They used this opportunity to tell the Lystrans of the Creator God citing ′the rain from heaven and fruitful seasons′ as evidence of God′s activity and generosity.

Soon, however, through the influence of the Jewish leaders from Antioch, Pisidia and Iconium, the Lystrans stoned Paul and left him for dead. As the disciples gathered around him, Paul stood on his feet and went back into the town. The next day, he and Barnabas left for Derbe; but on the return part of their journey, they stopped once more at Lystra, encouraging the disciples there to steadfastness.

Paul visited this city again on his second missionary tour. Timothy, a young disciple there, was probably among those who on the previous occasion at Lystra witnessed Paul′s persecution and courage. Timothy left Lystra to become the companion of Paul and Silas on the rest of the Second Missionary Journey. It is also likely that Paul revisited Lystra near the beginning of his Third Missionary Journey. Unlike other cities Paul visited, Lystra apparently had no synagogue, although Timothy′s mother and grandmother were Jewesses, thus exposing him at an early age to the Holy Scriptures. Lystra appears to have been the first location where the apostles reached the Gentiles with the gospel of Christ without approaching them through the common ground of Judaism. Similar to his later approach in Athens, Paul introduces the Lystrans to God as their Creator and divine Benefactor. In Christian times Lystra had a bishop. It is included in the Roman Catholic Church′s list of titular sees.

♦ a rare historical coin ♦

BMC 1 ; SNG.von Aulock 5403 ; von Aulock, Lykaonia 515 ;
Waddington 4790 ; Mabbott 2102 ; Paris 71-72 ;
SNG France 3, 2323-2324RPC I 3528 R
Very attractive specimen with dark patina.
vf+

weight 14,57gr.; silver Ø 26mm.

obv. Laureate head of Augustus right, surrounded by the legend; 
KAIΣAPOΣ  ΣEBAΣTOY
rev. City-goddess seated right on rock, holding palm-branch, river-god 
Orontes swimming right at her feet, ϚΛ above, ΑΥΤ-monogram and ΔΝ
in right field, surrounded by the legend; ANTIOXEΩN MHTPOΠOΛEΩΣ

The two dates are reckoned according to the Actian and
the Caesarian Eras respectively, and are equivalent to 6 AD.

The Orontes River, which separated Syria from Egypt in ancient times, was a symbol of the Near East, as the Tiber was of Rome. The river flowed north in Syria for 250 miles, irrigating farmland and sweeping notably through the Seleucid capital of Antioch. It emptied into the eastern Mediterranean, where a steady stream of its inhabitants departed for Rome. In de 3rd century BC, the artist Eutychides, a pupil of Lysippus, created a colossal bronze statue of Tyche with the swimming Orontes, which was frequently copied in marble and sandtone in Hellenistic and Roman times and is also depicted on Greek and Roman coins.

BMC 148 ; RPC.4158 ; Prieur 57 ; SNG.Copenhagen 133 ;
McAlee 187 ; DCA 401 ; cf. Sear GIC.106 R
Very attractive coin of good style. Rare.
vf/xf

weight 5,22gr. ; bronze Ø 22mm.

obv. Heads of Agrippa and Augustus back to back,
that of Agrippa wearing combined rostral crown and laurel wreath,
that of Augustus bare, IMP above, DIVI F below
rev. Crocodile chained to palm branch, wreath tied to palm;
two branches below, COL NEM (NE ligate) above

In 27 BC Augustus conferred on this colonie of southern Gaul the title of Colonia Augusta Nemausus and the initial issue of Dupondii with the heads of Augustus and Agrippa is dated by RPC to this time. However, the omission on the title Augustus in the obverse legend suggest a slightly earlier date, perhaps 29-28 BC. Subsequent revivals of the original type would appear to span the following four decades, with only minor changes to the original design.

Normally dupondii of this type weight between 10 and 15 gram with a diameter of circa 25mm. This piece however is with a diameter of 22mm. much smaller, and also the weight of 5,22 gram is exceptional low. Maybe it concerns here a smaller denomination (as ?). Highly interesting and very rare as such.

cf. Cohen 7 ; cf. RIC 157 ; cf. RPC.523 ; cf. CRE Ashmolean 413; 
cf. SNG Hunterian 149 ; Sear 1729var.  RR
Edge lightly corroded., for the rest attractive piece with dark patina.
vf-

weight 15,81gr. ; orichalcum Ø 29mm.
Minted after his death, during the reign of Caligula (37-41 AD)

obv. Radiate head of Augustus left,  DIVVS AVGVSTVS above,
S - C across field
rev. Togate figure of Caligula holding branch and seated on curule chair to left,
surrounded by the legend; CONSERV SENAT ET EQ ORDIN P Q R

This dupondius was minted during the reign of Caligula (47-41 AD in honour of his ancestor Augustus. The revers legend stands for ′With the consent of the Senate and equestrian order and Roman people′. Augustus died on 19 August 14 AD in Nola. He is immediately divinized by the Senate. Caligula, becoming emperor, wants to recall his ancestry. He is Augustus′ great grandson by his mother Agrippina Senior.

The reverse shows a statue of Caligula with his facials clearly recognizable. A possible reason to why it is coupled with obverse of Divus Augustus can be that the statue in question had been set up in the temple of Divus Augustus, which Caligula himself dedicated in August 37 AD. The SC Senate′s approval mark is almost always placed on the reverse of imperial bronzes, so the portrait side could have been the reverse of this coin; however, the long tradition of the portrait systematically being placed on the obverse of ancient coins rule out such a possibility. So why the S C letters are are exceptionally placed on both sides of the portrait ? It might have seemed confusing if the same reverse type showed a statue erected with the Senate′s approval, a legend expressing the Senate′s approval of that statue, and letters meaning "By Decree of the Senate" with reference to the coin′s production or the establishment of the new bronze coinage by the Senate under Augustus. For the same reason, to avoid reference to two different decrees of the Senate on the reverse of the same coin, S C was entirely omitted from Corona Civica sestertii of Caligula and Claudius, with reverse legend SPQR P P OB CIVES SERVATOS or EX S C (P P) OB CIVES SERVATOS, and from Caligula′s Carpentum sestertius for his mother, with reverse legend SPQR MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE.

cf. Numismatica Ars Classica, auction 64, lot 1073 ( in xf: CHF 22.000 + 17,5%)

Cohen 87 ; RIC 56 ; BMC 88 ; Sear 1811
A fabulous portrait of the best style, struck in high relief, with dark green patina.
xf à vf//xf

weight 3,70gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Caius Caesar right, CAESAR below, within oak wreath
rev. Candelabrum ornamented with rams′ heads, AVG - VSTI across field ;
all within a floral wreath entwined with two bucrania and three paterae

Struck in confirmation of Caius Caesar role as Augustus′ successor
and in memory of the death of Caius′ father and Augustus′ son-in-law
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.

Born Caius Vipsanius Agrippa, the eldest son of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia, the daughter of Augustus. Upon his adoption by his grandfather in 17 BC along with his brother Lucius, he assumed the name of Caius Julius Caesar. It was Augustus′ intent that Caius should succeed him at the helm of the empire, and to this purpose he was enrolled in the senate at the age of fourteen, and assumed the consulship at twenty one. He was made commander of the armies in the east, and the young Caius soon earned the respect of his countrymen and enemies alike when he forged a peace treaty with Phraates V of Parthia on an island in the Euphrates. Tragically, his brother Lucius fell ill and died in August 2 AD, and around the same time Caius was wounded while besieging the Armenian city of Artagira. He died eighteen months later at the age of twenty four. Their deaths robbed the empire of two most promising young princes, and Augustus of his most favoured heirs. The aged emperor was left inconsolable with grief, and the way was thus cleared for the succession of Tiberius.

This denarius represents one of the more enigmatic issues of Augustus′ long reign as emperor. The obverse of this coin shows us the portrait of the young heir, Caius Caesar, surrounded by the corona civica aurea which in 28 BC was awarded by a grateful Roman Senate to Augustus for having ended the long period of civil wars. On the reverse we see a candelabrum ornamented with rams′ heads. Shortly after the adoption of Caius and Lucius, Augustus held the fifth-ever Ludi Saeculares ("Secular Games"). The adoption of the boys coupled with the games served to introduce a new era of peace – the Pax Augusta. Traditionally the emission of this coin type has been associated with these Ludi Saecalares, although the association of the candelabrum with the Ludes Saeculares is not readily apparent.

The candelabrum was an important object and part of the burial rituals during the Julian-Claudian dynasty Rams′ heads are fairly common adornments on Julio-Claudian funerary altars (see, e.g., P. Zanker, The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus p. 280 for a Roman funerary altar of the Claudian period that features the garland, candelabra and rams′ heads), and an aromatic garland was a staple of Roman funerary rites for obvious reasons. For these reasons, the association of this coin type with the Ludi Saeculates must be considered less likely. But what was the real reason for coining this special coin type? Seemingly only a death of significance to the succession would manifest itself on coinage, and the death of Agrippa in 12 BC was one such death as he was not only Augustus′ closest friend and confidant but his chosen successor. It is recorded that the emperor mourned his passing for a full month and even had Agrippa′s remains interred in his own mausoleum despite Agrippa having constructed a mausoleum of his own. In light of the funerary nature of the reverse of this coin, and also the fact that nothing specifically ties it to the ludes Saeculares of 17 BC other than the tenuous link of the candelabrum reverse, could it be that the portrait in the obverse is in fact young Caius Caesar and that it was struck in 12 BC to commemorate both Agrippa′s death and Caius′ newfound role as Augustus′ direct heir. The framing corona civica would quite nicely associate the youth with the imperium of the principate in this instance and should not necessarily be interpreted as a prerogative solely of the emperor. It also serves as an artistic function as a balance to the floral border enclosing the candelabrum on the reverse.

The reattribution to Augustus himself by more recent cataloguers seems to be very unlikely and has no real foundation. It is remarkable that this unlikely reattribution is preferred to a much more plausible one and that many dealers and collectors stubbornly cling to it. The overall symbolism, meanwhile is not only religious but funereal, and the only logical event of magnitude that would call for such an issue was the sudden death of Agrippa in 12 BC from a fatal illness suffered from the rigors of the Pannonian campaign. Furthermore, as David Sear notes in the millennial edition of Roman Coins and Their Values, the combination of the youthful portrait along with the title CAESAR simply and clearly suggests the young heir, while its placement in the place of precedence on the obverse further serves to highlight his status.

Cohen 2 (Caius) ; RIC 540 (R2) ; BMC 684 ; Sear 1749 RR
Some small bankersmarks and graffiti on obverse.
Attractive patina. Very rare historical coin.
vf

weight 2,93gr. ; bronze Ø 15mm.

obv. Bare head of Caius Caesar facing right,
ΓΑΙΟΣ behind, ΚΑΙΣΑΡ before
rev. Eagle standing facing, head left, spreading wings,
flanked by two monogram, ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ below
The two monograms are composed of the letters: ΠΟΛΕ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤ

Laodicea on the Lycum (also Laodikeia ad Lykos or Laodicea ad Lycum) is situated on the long spur of a hill between the narrow valleys of the small rivers Asopus and Caprus, which discharge their waters into the Lycus. The town was originally called Diospolis, "City of Zeus", and afterwards Rhodas. Laodicea, the building of which is ascribed to Antiochus II Theos in 261-253 BC in honor of his wife Laodice, was probably founded on the site of the older town. At first, Laodicea was not a place of much importance, but it soon acquired a high degree of prosperity. In 220 BC, Achaeus was its king. In 188 BC, the city passed to the Kingdom of Pergamon, and after 133 BC it fell under Roman control. It suffered greatly during the Mithridatic Wars but quickly recovered under the dominion of Rome.

Towards the end of the Roman Republic and under the first emperors, Laodicea, benefiting from its advantageous position on a trade route, became one of the most important and flourishing commercial cities of Asia Minor, in which large money transactions and an extensive trade in black wool were carried on. The area often suffered from earthquakes, especially from the great shock that occurred in the reign of Nero (60 AD) in which the town was completely destroyed. But the inhabitants declined imperial assistance to rebuild the city and restored it from their own means.  The wealth of its inhabitants created among them a taste for the arts of the Greeks, as is manifest from its ruins, and that it contributed to the advancement of science and literature is attested by the names of the sceptics Antiochus and Theiodas, the successors of Aenesidemus and by the existence of a great medical school. Its wealthy citizens embellished Laodicea with beautiful monuments. One of the chief of these citizens, Polemon, became King of Armenian Pontus (called after him "Polemoniacus") and of the coast round Trebizond. The city minted its own coins, the inscriptions of which show evidence of the worship of Zeus, Æsculapius, Apollo, and the emperors. It received from Rome the title of free city. During the Roman period, Laodicea was the chief city of a Roman conventus, which comprised twenty-four cities besides itself; Cicero records holding assizes there ca. 50 BC.

Antiochus the Great transported 2.000 Jewish families to Phrygia from Babylonia. Many of Laodicea′s inhabitants were Jews, and Cicero records that Flaccus confiscated the considerable sum of 9 kilograms of gold which was being sent annually to Jerusalem for the Temple. With its large Jewish community, very early Laodicea became a seat of Christianity and a bishopric. The Epistle to the Colossians mentions Laodicea as one of the communities of concern for Paul the Apostle. The martyrdom of Lulianos and Paphos is believed to have happened here. The Byzantine writers often mention Laodicea, especially in the time of the Comneni. In 1119, Emperor John the Beautiful and his lead military aid John Axuch captured Laodicea from the Seljuk Turks in the first major military victory of his reign. It was fortified by the emperor Manuel I Comnenus.  In 1206–1230, it was ruled by Manuel Maurozomes. The city was destroyed during the invasions of the Turks and Mongols.

BMC 154-157 ; SNG.Copenhagen 457-458 ; SNG. von Aulock 3838 ; 
Lindgren collection 990A ; Waddingon 6266 ; RPC.2900 R
f/vf

weight 14,02gr. ; bronze Ø 29mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right, surrounded by the legend;
TI CAESAR DIVI AVGVSTI F AVGVSTVS
(in full: Tiberius Caesar Divi Augusti filius Augustus, translation:
Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus, Augustus)

rev. Caduceus between crossed cornucopiae, surrounded by
the legend; PONT MAXIM COS III IMP VII TR POT XXII
(mirrored and starting at 6 o′clock ↺)
(in full: Pontifex Maximus Consul III Imperator VII Tribunicia
Potestate XXII, translation; Chief priest, consul for the third time,
emperor for the seventh time, with tribunician power for the
twenty-second time)

The dupondii of this type are traditionally attributed to Commagene. Characteristic of this coinage is the poor style and poor design of the inscription which is often blundered. Normally the inscription on the reverse starts at 6 o′clock and then goes clockwise. In this example the inscription is in mirror writing and also goes counterclockwise. Some consider this variant to be an imitation, but since the piece is stylistically completely in line with the "normal" examples of this type, I believe that this piece also comes from the same workshop.

cf. Cohen 8 ; cf. RIC 90 (R2) ; cf. BMC 175-176 ; cf. RPC 3869 R
Dark patina. Highly interesting and rare.
f/vf

weight 7,79gr. ; gold Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right, surrounded by the legend;
TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS
rev. Female (Livia as Pax?) seated right on chair, holding
sceptre and olive-branch, PONTIF in front, MAXIM behind

Following a series of early issues honouring Divus Augustus and Tiberius′ military triumphs, the mint at Lugdunum settled upon striking one single type: ′Pontif Maxim′. Numismatists identify the seated figure depicted on this ubiquitous reverse type as Livia, the wife of Augustus and mother of Tiberius, in the guise of Pax, the roman personification of peace. The type was struck continuously for twenty three years and throughout that time, only minor changes were made to the portrait of Tiberius and the ornamentation of the throne. Despite the vast output of the ′Pontif Maxim′ coinage, the significance of the type is not immediately clear - the depiction of Livia as Pax may represent a universal matronly ideal; Livia may be intended as the personification of what Seneca the Younger described in AD 55 as the ′Pax Romana′ (′Roman Peace′), the period of peace and stability marked by Octavian′s victory over Mark Antony at the battle of Actium in 31 BC, which brought to an end to the prolonged period of civil war. Certainly, during the last decade of the 1st century BC Livia began to appear more frequently in the preserved sources, and L. Brännstedt (Femina princeps: Livia′s position in the Roman state) suggests that ″her role as mater and uxor at this time was becoming an integral part of Augustus′ political program, and being made publicly manifest on a large scale.″ Brännstedt furthermore asserts that ″the appointment on March 6, 12 BC of Augustus as pontifex maximus was crucial for the development of Livia′s mater-role... Augustus′ religious role was identified as that of a father to his family. Strengthening the paternal connotations of Augustus′ leadership, the appointment of him as pontifex maximus would also have favoured Livia′s impact as mater″. The identification of Livia with Pax therefore strongly associated the imperial family with the continued prosperity of the empire, and hence should be seen as primarily a propagandistic instrument for the reinforcement of the imperial cult.

♦ magnificent specimen of the best style ♦

cf. Roma Numismatics auction XVII, lot 710 (about unc  GBP 30.000 + 20%) ;
actually the aureus offered here is better in detail than the Roma Numismatics piece.

Cohen 15 ; RIC 25 (R2) ; BMC 30 ; Sear 1760 ; Calicó 305 R

Very faint scratch on the obverse, but wonderful coin of good style and
with excellent details. Coin with much lustre. Near mintstate. Exceptionnal piece.
xf/unc à unc-

weight 7,62gr. ; gold Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right, surrounded by the legend;
TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS
rev. Female (Livia as Pax?) seated right on chair, holding
sceptre and olive-branch, PONTIF in front, MAXIM behind

The reverse shows us a female figure, which is frequently assumed to be Livia, Tiberius′s mother and Augustus′s wife of fifty-three years. Livia is depicted as the Roman deity for peace, Pax. This reverse type was already introduced by Augustus, who had both aurei and denarii of this type minted in his last year of reign, 13-14 AD (RIC 219-220). The inscription around her, ″PONTIF MAXIM″, refers to the title of Pontifex Maximus, a title held by each of the Roman Emperors and signified the religious authority held by the Roman Emperor.

When Octavianus received the title of Augustus, the "majestic", "great" or "venerable", from the Senate in 27 BC, he became the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He decided that the emperor would henceforth also be the pontifex maximus, leaving the choice of the other pontificals to the emperor.
Originally, during the Roman Republic (509 BC - 27 BC), pontifex maximus was the title for the highest temple judge, the pontifex maximus stood as supreme judge above the sacerdotes (priests/judges), who dealt with sacred law (ius sacrum, also translated as jurisdiction, the jurisdiction for people who could not go to the civil court), in other words: the law about war and peace and the rights of freedom. Originally, the title was very prestigious, but with the passage of the lex Ogulnia (Latin: the law of Ogulnius) in 300 BC, plebeians could also run for the office. From around the same period, the pontifex maximus was elected by the popular assembly, and from 100 BC, this also applied to the other pontificals. The pontifex maximus thus became the chief high priest of the College of Pontiffs (Collegium Pontificum) in ancient Rome. This was the most important position in the ancient Roman religion.

cf. Roma Numismatics auction XVII, lot 710 (about unc  GBP 30.000 + 20%).

Cohen 15 ; RIC 25 (R2) ; BMC 30 ; Sear 1760 ; Calicó 305 R
Well centered and sharply struck specimen of excellent style.
xf

weight 3,54gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right, surrounded by the legend;
TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS
rev. Female (Livia as Pax?) seated right on ornamented chair, holding
sceptre and olive-branch, PONTIF in front, MAXIM behind

This type is commonly referred to as the ″Tribute Penny″ of the bible after the well-known New Testament story in St.Matthew′s Gospel (22,17-21). The tribute penny was the coin that was shown to Jesus when he made his famous speech ″Render unto Caesar...″ The phrase comes from the King James Version of the gospel account: Jesus is asked, ″Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?″ (Mark 12:14) and he replies, ″bring me a penny, that I may see it″ (Mark 12:15).The Greek text uses the word denarion, and it is usually thought that the coin was a Roman denarius with the head of Tiberius. The inscription reads ″Ti[berivs] Caesar Divi Avg[vsti] F[ilivs] Avgvstvs″(″Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the Divine Augustus″), claiming that Augustus was a god. The reverse shows a seated female, usually identified as Livia depicted as Pax.

Cohen 16 ; RIC 30 ; BMC 48 ; Sear 1763var.  S
Attractive specimen with good portrait.
vf+

weight 13,95gr. ; bronze Ø 29mm.

obv. Laureate head left   TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST IMP VIII
rev. Winged caduceus between S - C, around the legend  
PONTIF MAXIM TRIBVN POTEST XXXVI 

This a rather strange coin. It has been found in eastern Turkey. The reverse legend is in mirror script and the style of the coin tells us that it is certainly not from Rome. Probably it concerns here a local imitation from the area of Commagene. Extremely rare and unpublished.

Cohen 21var. ; RIC 53var. ; BMC 107var. ; RPC.- ;
Banti & Simonetti- ; Sear 1771var.  RRRR
Minor traces of oxidation. Dark patina.
xf-

weight 3,91gr. ; copper Ø 18mm.

obv. Laurated head right TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS
rev. Altar of the cult of Roma and Augustus at Lugdunum, flanked by two
columns, each surmounted by statue of Victory,   ROM ET AVG below

The Ara trium Galliarum, or ′Altar of the three Gallic provinces′, was a Roman sanctuary near Lugdunum (today Lyon in France). Therefor it is better known as the Altar of Lugdunum. The altar was consecrated to the goddess Roma and Augustus. In the 2nd decade of the 1st century BC, Drusus built the ritual place as part of the preparation for his offensive in Germania. Once a year on August 1 the Concilium provinciae, the province council of the Gallic provinces, met at that place. The main function of the council was to sacrifice to the Roman Emperor (see imperial cult), elect a priest of Rome and Augustus for the coming year, and arrange public games. In this way, the Gallic tribes demonstrated their allegiance to Rome.

Cohen 38 ; RIC 246 ; BMC 588 ; Sear 1757 S
Scarce coin type. Dark patina.
f

weight 3,85gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right, surrounded by the legend;
TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS
rev. Tiberius, laureate and cloaked, standing in quadriga right,
holding laurel-branch in right hand and eagle-tipped sceptre
in left; all four horses heads turned right, TR POT XVII in front,
IMP VII in exergue

This denarius refers to Tiberius′ military successes. Tiberius was a brilliant military commander who expanded the empire and provided it with a defensible border with his younger brother Drusus and nephew Germanicus. On this coin the Pompa Triumphalis is depicted. The car itself is of the ″slow″ type with the focus on the triumphator himself, elevated in his chariot, with a laurelbranch in his right hand as a direct symbol of military victory and the peace achieved through conquest. In his left hand he holds an eagle-tipped sceptre, which denoted supreme military command (imperium) and a close association with Jupiter, the king of the gods. 

This denarius honors Tiberius′ successful campaigns and the triumph granted to him for his victories in Germany, achieved between 16-7 BC in the Danube area and his triumph of 6-9 AD. The German Marcomanni confederation had established a strong kingdom in modern Bohemia. Tiberius and another Roman general launched a two-pronged attack that devastated the Marcomanni. In 6 AD, Tiberius was called away from the Danube to prevent a German breakthrough after the Roman defeat at Teutoberg Forest. He accomplished this mission and was then called back to the Danube frontier. The Great Illyrian Revolt of 6-9 AD saw all the tribes in the western Balkans rise in rebellion. This was one of the greatest revolts against Rome in the history of the Empire, and the rebels could muster an army of 100.000 men. Tiberius and his nephew Germanicus eventually suppressed the rebellion, which earned them both Augustus and Rome′s gratitude. Tiberius was a great commander, and historians have neglected his accomplishments. He annexed two new provinces, established a frontier on the Danube that was not penetrated by invaders for almost two centuries. Tiberius′ greatest military achievement was his role in the suppression of the Great Illyrian Revolt.

cf. NAC, Auktion 143 Lot 488 (in xf/xf+ : SFR 8.000 + 22,5%)

Cohen 48 ; RIC 4 (R2) ; BMC 7 ; Sear 1762 R
Wonderful specimen of the best style with
excellent details and beautifully toned. Rare.
xf+/xf

weight 25,50gr. ; orichalcum Ø 33mm.

obv. Empty horse-drawn triumphal quadriga, marching right,
ornamented with trophy, Victory crowning trophy and captive.
rev. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST PM TR POT XXXVII
surrounding large S C

This coin seems to refer to Tiberius′ military successes. Tiberius was a brilliant military commander who expanded the empire and provided it with a defensible border with his younger brother Drusus and nephew Germanicus. The artist took considerable pains to render the form and decoration of the currus triumphalis. The car itself is of the ″slow″ type, which is a high, cylindrical shell with straight side edges. From the left we see a trophy consisting of a suit of armor on a pole, crowned with a helmet and hung on either side with an oval shield, followed by a winged Victory and again a trophee. Below, above the wheel, a bust of a barbarian is shown. It probably refers to Tiberius′ successes between 16-7 BC in the Danube area and his triumph of 6-9 AD. The German Marcomanni confederation had established a strong kingdom in modern Bohemia. Tiberius and another Roman general launched a two-pronged attack that devastated the Marcomanni. In 6 AD, Tiberius was called away from the Danube to prevent a German breakthrough after the Roman defeat at Teutoberg Forest. He accomplished this mission and was then called back to the Danube frontier. The Great Illyrian Revolt of 6-9 AD saw all the tribes in the western Balkans rise in rebellion. This was one of the greatest revolts against Rome in the history of the Empire, and the rebels could muster an army of 100.000 men. Tiberius and his nephew Germanicus eventually suppressed the rebellion, which earned them both Augustus and Rome′s gratitude. Tiberius was a great commander, and historians have neglected his accomplishments. He annexed two new provinces, established a frontier on the Danube that was not penetrated by invaders for almost two centuries. Tiberius′ greatest military achievement was his role in the suppression of the Great Illyrian Revolt.

Cohen 66 ; RIC 60 ; BMC 113 ; Sear 1765  R
Attractive dark patina. Rare.
vf à vf/xf

weight 20,46gr. ; orichalcum Ø 32mm.

obv. Hexastyle temple of Concordia with flanking wings; Concordia
seated inside, holding patera and cornucopiae; Hercules and Mercury
stand on podia; Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Victories and other figures
above pediment.
rev. Large S C surrounded by the legend; TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F
AVGVST P M TR POT XXXIIX

This temple, at the northern end of the Forum, was restored by Tiberius during the reign of Augustus and rededicated in 10 AD. The building housed many antique statues, hence its elaborately decorated representation on this coin type.

Cohen 70 ; RIC 67 ; BMC 133 ; Sear 1766  R
Struck with some weaknesses and light corroded surfaces. Rare.
f/vf

weight 27,48gr. ; orichalcum Ø 34mm.

obv. Divus Augustus seated left on throne on car, holding branch
and sceptre, drawn by four elephants, each with mahout on its neck.
Shields (?) on side of car, above the legend; DIVO / AVGVSTO / S•P•Q•R
rev. Large S C surrounded by the legend; 
TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST PM TR POT XXXIIX

This type has been minted in honour of Divus Augustus.

Elephants were sometimes used to draw quadrigae in the Roman imperial period, and more frequently elephant quadrigae were depicted on coins and other official images. Pompey the Great was the first Roman to employ an elephant quadriga in his triumph of 61 BC. The elephants were too big to fit through one of the gates leading up to the Capitol and they had to be switched out with a team of horses. The ancient authors thought it ′a piquant warning of the dangers of divine self-aggrandizement.′ Yet, by the Julio-Claudian and Flavian era the elephant quadriga was seen as a powerful symbol of triumphal glory. The elephant quadriga on the coinage was in particular the realm of the imperial Divi and not the living emperor.

cf. NAC Auction 29, Lot 455 (in xf- : SFR 13.000 + 15%)

♦ exceptionnal well preserved Divus Augustus sestertius ♦

Cohen 308 ; RIC 68 ; BMC 125 ; Sear 1784 R
Perfect centered and well-struck specimen with
fine details and attractive dark patina. Rare.
xf-

weight 8,92gr. ; bronze Ø 27mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right, surrounded by the legend;
TI CAESAR AVG F IMP PONT M
(in full: Tiberius Caesar Augusti filius Imperator Pontifex Maximus,
translation; Tiberius Caesar, son of Augustus, emperor, chief priest)

rev. Bull standing right, surrounded by the legend; above MVN TVR
in monograms, II / VIR in front, surrounded by the legend;
M PONT MARSO C MARI VEGETO
(in full: municipium Turiaso Marco Pontio Marso Caio Mario Vegeto II
viris, translation: the municipality of Turiaso, under Marcus Pontius
Marsus (and) Caius Marius Vegetus, duovirs)

RPC I 418 ; Vives 156–10, 11 ; Hill 34–1 ;
Heiss 194 (PL.XXIII)
Some edge damage. Dark patina.
f/vf à vf-

weight 4,61gr. ; bronze Ø 17mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right  TIBEPION ΣEBAΣTON
rev. Zeus standing left, holding patera (?) and wreath or branch
YΠAIΠHNΩN ΣAKANTHΣ

Tiberian coinage for Hypaepa is poorly known, as there are very few
specimens, which are usually hard to read. In RPC only 1 example is
listed for the type offered here. Extremely rare.

BMC- ; SNG. von Aulock- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ;
Weber collection- ; RPC.2573A (1 example) RRRR
Attractive coin with dark patina.
vf+

weight 5,33gr. ; bronze Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right,surrounded by the legend;
CEB - AC - TOC
rev. Zeus standing facing, head left, holding eagle on his extended
right hand, KIBYPA behind, TωN in front

Kibyra, also referred to as Cibyra Magna, was an Ancient Greek city near the modern town of Gölhisar, in Burdur Province. It lay in Phrygia, outside the north-western limits of the ancient province of Lycia and was the chief city of an independent state known as Cibyratis. The city is mentioned by ancient literary sources. According to Strabo, the Kibyratae were said to be descendants of Lydians who migrated and occupied the Kibyratis region and subdued the neighbouring Pisidians. A short time after their arrival they moved their settlement to a new city. The move to the city is supported by archaeological finds at the Uytuptnar site about 18 km away from Kibyra where ruins from the early Iron Age were probably the previous settlements dating from around 3-4th c. BC before the great move.

Kibyra is first mentioned by Livius in his account of Ganaeus Manlius Vulso′s operations in 189 BC during the Galatian War. Manlius approached Kibyra from the upper part of the Maeander river valley and through Caria. He probably advanced upon it by the valley of Karaook, through which a road led from Kibyra to Laodikeia on the Lykus. Manlius demanded and got from Moagetes I, the tyrant of Kibyra, 100 talents and 10,000 medimni of wheat. Livius says that Moagetes controlled Syleum and Alimne, in addition to Kibyra. William Smith suggested that Alimne could be identified with the remains of a large town on an island in lake Gölhisar (east of modern Gölhisar), which were connected to the mainland by an ancient causeway. Following the Treaty of Apamea in 188 BC, Kibyra became part of the Attalid Kingdom.

During Eumenes II sovereignty (197-159 BC), Kibyra seems to have been ruled by the Kingdom of Pergamon. The city grew to be powerful in the second century BC, Ancient sources and other written documents indicate that Kibyra was famous for its blacksmithing, leather processing and horse breeding. Other research shows that pottery production was very intense in the area also. Its territory extended between Pisidia and the adjoining Milyas to Lycia and the Peraea of the Rhodians. At this time it joined with three neighbouring Lycian towns, Bubon, Balbura, and Oenoanda, to form a confederation called the Tetrapolis. Within this confederation, the other three cities had one vote, but Kibyra had two votes, since it could muster 30,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry.

In 133 BC, the last Attalid king, Attalos III left his kingdom to the Roman Republic, which reconstituted it as the province of Asia. It is not clear whether Kibyra formed part of the new province or was granted its freedom like the rest of Lycia. In 83 BC, during the First Mithridatic War, the Roman general Lucius Licinius Murena deposed the last tyrant of Kibyra, Moagetes II, who was the son of one Pancrates, and dissolved the Tetrapolis. Balbura and Bubon were assigned to the Lycian League. Writing at the beginning of the 1st century AD, Strabo says that the Kibyratae spoke four languages: Pisidian, Solymian, Greek, and Lydian. This makes Kibyra the last locality where the Lydian language, by then extinct in Lydia itself according to extant accounts, is attested.

Kibyra was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 23 AD in the time of Tiberius, who recommended a Senatus Consultum be enacted relieving it from payment of taxes (tributum) for three years. In the passage discussing these events, Tacitus calls it the civitas Kibyratica apud Asiam (Kibyratic community in Asia). Most of the buildings preserved in the city were erected after the earthquake. Subsequent Roman emperors assisted in reconstruction of the city, particularly Claudius after whom the grateful citizens added Caesarea to its name as indicated by an inscription referring to "The Council and People of the Caesarean Kibyrites" and by the legend "Caesareans" , which appears on some of the coins of Kibyra.  They also initiated games and started dating a new era from the year of 25 AD. Hadrianus, while travelling through the eastern provinces of the Empire, arrived at Kibyra in 129 and granted many privileges to its inhabitants.

Kibyra was the centre of a conventus (an assize district), which contained twenty-five cities, according to Plinius the Elder. Laodikeia on the Lykus was one of the chief cities of this Conventus. The poet Horace mentions Kibyra as a place of great trade.  William Smith notes that its position does not seem very favourable for commerce, since it is neither on the sea nor on a great road, and suggests that the city might have exported grain of the Indus valley. Iron ore was plentiful in Kibyratis and a peculiarity was that its iron was easily cut with a chisel, or other sharp tool. Two artists of Kibyra were more famous for their knavery than for their artistic skill. Another earthquake struck in 417 and the city could not all be rebuilt. The last residents left the city in the 8th century for the settlement of Horzum now known as Gölhisar.

This coin type has only been known for a few years. To date, only a
few examples are known, of which this one is by far the best preserved.

♦ extremely rare ♦

BMC - (cf. 59) ; SNG.Copenhagen (cf. 280) ; RPC.- (cf. 2884) ;
Sear GIC- (cf. 280) ; RPC Online 2883B (3 specimens) RRR
some minor weakness of strike, but wonderful specimen
with attractive dark patina
vf/xf

weight 4,21gr. ; bronze Ø 17mm.

obv. Bare portrait of Pyhes right ΠYΘHΣ
rev. Laureate and bearded head of Demos right
ΛAOΔIKEΩN  ΔHMOΣ

The attribution to Tiberius is uncertain. The portraiture indicates that the coin was not minted  before late in the reign of Augustus, but it is not easy to decide whether Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula or even Claudius. It is also not the emperor′s head showing on this coin, but that of magistrate Pythes. Very rare.

BMC 55 ; SNG.Copenhagen 509 ; Waddington 6259 ;
RPC.2902 ; Aufhäuser Auktion 19, lot. 266    RR
dark patina
f/vf

weight 3,50gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right, surrounded by the legend;
ΤΙΒΕΡΙΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ (translation: Tiberius Caesar Augustus)
rev. Mount Argaeus, surmounted by radiate and naked statue,
holding globe and sceptre, surrounded by the legend;
ΘΕΟΥ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ ΥΙΟΣ (translation: son of the divine Augustus)

Caesarea (modern Kayseri in Turkey) was originally called Mazaka or Mazaca (according to Armenian tradition, it was founded by and named after Mishak) and was known as such to Strabo, during whose time it was the capital of the Roman province of Cilicia, known also as Eusebia at the Argaeus, after Ariarathes V Eusebes, King of Cappadocia (163–130 BC). The name was changed again by Archelaus, last King of Cappadocia (36 BC–14 AD) and a Roman vassal, to "Caesarea in Cappadocia" (to distinguish it from other cities with the name Caesarea in the Roman Empire) in honour of Caesar Augustus, upon his death in 14 AD. When the Muslim Arabs arrived, they adapted the pronunciation to their writing resulting in Kaisariyah (note that letter C in classical Latin was pronounced K), and this eventually became Kayseri when the Seljuk Turks took control of the city in circa 1080, remaining as such ever since. The city stood on a low spur on the north side of Mount Argaeus (modern Mount Erciyes), a vulcano with the height of nearly 4.000 meter.

BMC 11 ; Sydenham 42 ; Walker 429–35; Ganschow 33
SNG.Copenhagen 174 ; SNG.von Aulock 6343 ;
SNG.Fitzwilliam 5425 ; Sear GIC. 289 ; RPC.3620 ;
SNG.Hunterian Museum 2197 ; Henseler 81-83 R
Some minor scratches and edge failure. Rare.
vf-/vf

weight 27,10gr. ; orichalcum Ø 33mm.

obv. Team of four elephants drawing ornamented car left, surmounted by seated
statue of Augustus, holding branch and sceptre  DIVO AVGVSTO S•P•Q•R
rev.  TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST PM TR POT XXXIIX

This type has been minted in honour of Divus Augustus.

Cohen 308 ; RIC 68 ; BMC 125 ; Sear 1784 R
vf-

weight 4,86gr. ; bronze Ø 20mm.

obv. Laureate heads of Augustus and Tiberius facing one another,
ΣEBAΣTOI above, EΠI ΠOΠΠAIOY below
rev. Livia seated right on throne, holding sceptre and grain ears,
around the text; ΣEBAΣTHN ΠEPΓAMHNΩN MHNOΓENHΣ

minted in name of Poppaeus, proconsul & Menogenes, magistrate

RPC I 2368 ; BMC 251 R
minor traces of oxidation
vf-/f+

weight 14,25gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.

obv. Laureate head of Tiberius right, around the text;
TIBEPIOΣ · ΣEBA - ΣTOΣ · KAIΣAP
rev. Radiate head of Divus Augustus right, around the text;
ΘEOΣ · ΣEBA - ΣTOΣ · KAIΣAP ·

Coin of great importance. Only three known to Prieur and RPC,
four in CoinArchives. Extremely rare.

cf. NAC auction 64, lot 1082 in xf; SFR 34.000 + 17,5%.

McAlee 211 ; SNG.Copenhagen 144 ; Prieur 60 ; RPC I 4161 RRR
f/vf

weight 2,64gr. ; bronze Ø 15mm.

obv. Bare head Tiberius right, around the text;
TIBEPIΩN  ΣE - BAΣTΩN
rev. Winged thunderbolt, around the text; NEOKAIΣAPEIΣ

The city of Philadelphia was called Neocaesarea Philadelphia for a short period, probably from Tiberius to Claudius. Therefor this type has been attributed to Philadelphia. The obverse legend TIBEPIΩN refers to a Tiberius. The portrait does not really resemble that of emperor Tiberius, but more that of a very young male person. Tiberius Gemellus, heir of emperor Tiberius, and Brittanicus (Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus) have been suggested. Of these two persons, Tiberius Gemellus seems to be the most likely. Highly interesting and very rare.

Tiberius Julius Caesar Nero Gemellus, known as Tiberius Gemellus, was born on 10 October 19 AD as s the son of Drusus and Livilla, the grandson of the Emperor Tiberius, and the cousin of the Emperor Caligula. Gemellus is a nickname meaning "the twin". His twin brother, Tiberius Claudius Caesar Germanicus II Gemellus, died as a young child in 23. His father and older cousins died, and are suspected by contemporary sources as having been systematically eliminated by the powerful praetorian prefect Sejanus. Their removal allowed Gemellus and Caligula to be named joint-heirs by Tiberius in 35, a decision that ultimately resulted in Caligula assuming power and having Gemellus killed (or forced to kill himself) in late 37 or early 38.

A similar coin was struck in the name of Caius Caesar (Caligula), but with mentioning te mint “ΦIΛAΔELΦEωN” (RPC suppl. 3029A). At the death of Tiberius on 16 March 37, succession by Caligula was the obvious choice, unlike the often-changing succession candidates under Emperor Augustus. Although Tiberius had named Caligula′s nephew, Tiberius Gemellus, as co-heir in his will, the Senate declared the will invalid. Caligula thus became the new emperor.

cf. NAC, auction 72, lot 591in vf+ (SFR 1.200 + 18%)

SNG. von Aulock- ; SNG.Copenhagen 373 ;
Waddington 6359 ; RPC.3017 RR
f/vf

weight 27,02gr. ; bronze Ø 35mm.

obv. Two crossed cornucopiae, each surmounted by head of one of
the twin sons of Drusus; Tiberius Gemellus and Germanicus.
Long winged caduceus on background.
rev. Large S C, surrounded by the legend;
DRVSVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N PONT TR POT II

Drusus was married to his paternal cousin, Livilla, to bring him closer to the Julians. Tacitus says she was unattractive as a child, but grew up to be beautiful. Their daughter Julia was born not long after the marriage, and they had twin sons: Tiberius Gemellus (19-37) and Tiberius Claudius Caesar Germanicus II Gemellus (19-23) on 10 October 19, the latter of whom died while still an infant in 23. Both Gemellus and Caligula were named joint-heirs by Tiberius in 35, a decision that ultimately resulted in Caligula assuming power and having Gemellus killed, or by forcing him to kill himself, in late 37 (or maybe early 38). The birth of his sons was commemorated on this sestertius.

The crossed-cornucopiae design is familiar on ancient coinage, and here the cornucopias, grape clusters, grape leaves and pine cones seemingly allude to Bacchus or Liber in a reference to fecundity. In terms of dynastic appeal, the design boasts of the prosperity and fruitfulness of the Tiberian line, with the caduceus symbolizing Mercury as the messenger of the gods and the bringer of good fortune. Despite the hopefulness represented by this series of coins, tragedy struck on two fronts. The ′Tiberian dynasty′ collapsed within months of its being announced when both Drusus and his son Germanicus Gemellus (the boy whose head is shown on the right cornucopia) died in 23. Poor fates awaited the remaining two members: Drusus′ wife Livilla became increasingly associated with Tiberius′ prefect Sejanus, and she died shamefully in the aftermath of his downfall in 31, and the second grandson, Tiberius Gemellus, survived long enough to be named co-heir of Tiberius with Caligula, but after Tiberius′ death he was pushed into a subsidiary role and soon was executed by Caligula, who would not tolerate a second heir to the throne.

cf. NAC, auction 14, lot 600 (in vf/xf with light oxidation; CHF 26.000 + 21%)

Cohen 1 ; RIC 42 ; BMC 95 ; Sear 1793 R
Very attractive coin with dark patina. Rare.
vf+

weight 3,96gr. ; bronze Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Drusus right, DRVSVS before, CAESAR behind
rev. Zeus Salaminios standing left before temple with aniconic
cult stone of Paphian Aphrodite

BMC 8 ; SNG.Copenhagen 70 ; Weber collection 7747 ;
Amandry, Chypre 3a ; Parks 10a ; McClean 9183-9184 ;
RPC 3921 (4 specimens) RR
Highly interesting and very rare coin. Dark patina.
vf-/vf

weight 12,49gr. ; bronze Ø 26mm.

obv. Drusus and Germanicus seated left in curule chairs, surrounded by 
the legend; ΔPOYΣOΣ KAI ΓEPMANIKOΣ NEIOI ΘEOI ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOI
rev. KOINOY / AΣIAΣ in wreath, surrounded by the legend;
EΠI APXIEPEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY KΛEΩNOΣ ΣAPΔIANOY

Minted in the name of Alexander of Sardis, son of Cleon,
high priest of the Koinon of Asia. Rare.

BMC 104 ; RPC.2994 ; SNG.Copenhagen 517 ; 
SNG.von Aulock 3143 ; Sear GIC.364 R
Attractive dark patina.
vf

weight 26,36gr. ; bronze Ø 33mm.

obv. Laureate head left, surrounded by the legend;
CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT
rev. Caius standing left on daïs, extending right hand in gesture of address;
behind him a sella castrensis (camp stool); in front of him stand five soldiers right,
all helmeted, holding shields, and parazonia; four aquilae behind them,
ADLOCVT above, COH below

Before a battle or on parade, the emperor would address his troops in an event known as an adlocutio cohortium (address to the cohorts). This was an important opportunity for the emperor to be present among his troops to inspire morale. This sestertius was issued on the occasion of a donative for the Praetorian Guard and was the first to employ the adlocutio as a reverse type.

Cohen 1 ; RIC 32 ; BMC 33 ; Sear 1799var.  R
Very attractive and rare coin of good style, with dark patina.
vf

weight 25,65gr. ; bronze Ø 34mm.

obv. Laureate head left, surrounded by the legend;
C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT
rev. Caius standing left on daïs, extending right hand in gesture of address;
behind him a sella castrensis (camp stool); in front of him stand five soldiers right,
all helmeted, holding shields, and parazonia; four aquilae behind them,
ADLOCVT above, COH below

Before a battle or on parade, the emperor would address his troops in an event known as an adlocutio cohortium (address to the cohorts). This was an important opportunity for the emperor to be present among his troops to inspire morale. This sestertius was issued on the occasion of a donative for the Praetorian Guard and was the first to employ the adlocutio as a reverse type.

Cohen 1 ; RIC 32 ; BMC 33 R
Very attractive and rare coin of good style, with dark patina.
vf

weight 3,23gr. ; Ø 19mm.

obv. Pileus between S - C, surrounded by the legend;
C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG
rev. PON M TR P III P P COS DES III around R C C

Caligula began producing copper quadrantes, the lowest valued issues of the imperial mint, in the third year of his reign. The basic type adopted for the earliest series was reatained throughout: the obverse depicts a pileus, the cap of liberty given to slaves on their manumission, between the letters S C, and the legend C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG (“Caius Caesar Augustus, great-grandson of the Deified Augustus”). The type has a very famous precedent in denarii issued in 43-42 BC by Marcus Junius Brutus, the assassin of Julius Caesar, with the head of Brutus on the obverse and on the reverse a pileus between two daggers, and the legend EID MAR (Ides of March). With this issue Brutus celebrated the downfall of the dictator Julius Caesar and saw himself as a liberator. The revival of this pileus type may refer to a plot against Caligula in the second half of 39, leaded by the powerful legate of upper Germany, Cornelius Lentulus Gaetulicus. But the plot failed and Gaetulicus was toppled in October 39. Also Marcus Lepidus, implicated in the same conspiracy, was executed. He was Caligula′s favourite, and husband of his late sister Drusilla. The conspiracy was a traumatic event, and Caligula sought to draw the maximum propaganda from its suppression; the pileus on this quadrans symbolizes Caligula as liberator.

cf. Künker Auktion 273, Lot 638 (in xf+; € 1.700 + 23%)

Cohen 5 ; RIC 39 ; BMC 57 ; Sear- (cf. 1804) S
Wonderful piece with very sharp details and attractive patina.
Rare in this high state of preservation.
xf-/xf

weight 25,63gr. ; Ø 33mm.

obv. Veiled and draped figure of Pietas, seated left, holding patera
and resting arm on small facing figure, surrounded by the legend;
C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS P M TR POT , PIETAS in exergue
rev. Hexastyle garlanded temple surmounted by quadriga, before which
veiled and togate Caligula sacrifices with patera over garlanded altar;
one attendant leads bull to the altar, a second holds patera;
DIVO AVG and S-C across fields.

This sestertius minted at Rome in 37/38 AD depicts on the obverse the personification of pietas, while the reverse depicts an elaborated sacrificial scene. On the obverse, Pietas is depicted seated, veiled and draped, holding a patera, with an arm resting on a small draped figure standing and facing. The inscription refers to Caligula as Caius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, pontifex maximus, holder of the tribunicia potestas, and mentions Pietas by name. On the obverse, the emperor, Gaius Caligula, standing left, veiled and togate, sacrifices over a garlanded altar with a patera in his hand; the victimarius, or the priest in charge of slaughtering the animal victim, is holding a bull for the sacrifice and an attendant is holding a patera. In the background, one sees the garlanded hexastyle temple of Divus Augustus with acroteria and statues of Romulus and Aeneas on top of it. The temple′s pediment is decorated with a sacrificial scene. The inscription recalls the dedication of the temple to the deified Augustus by the Senate.

Pietas, whose Greek equivalent was Eusebeia, was one of the chief virtues among the Romans. Iht was the virtue par excellence of Aeneas. According to Carlos Noreña, Pietas, together with Aequitas, Virtus, Liberalitas, and Providentia, was one of the five core virtues displayed on Roman imperial coinage. Indeed, Pietas was in fact the virtue that was most frequently displayed. Pietas consisted in ″fulfilling one′s responsibilities toward anyone or anything with whom one was bound in any way. The fulfillment of these responsibilities could be motivated by duties or obligations, in which case pietas was often connected with the notions of officium, fides, or religio, or by the deeper sentiments of love and affection″ (Noreña, Imperial Ideals in the Roman West, p. 71). Hence this virtue emphasized exemplary relations within the family, between men and gods, and between the Romans and their fatherland. The sacred nature of pietas was embodied by the divine personification Pietas, a goddess often represented on Roman coins from the Middle Republic onwards. Pietas is first represented on denarii issued by Marcus Herennius in 108 or 107 BC. Pietas was depicted as a woman conducting a sacrifice on an altar.

The Temple of Divus Augustus, erected to commemorate the deified Augustus, was built between the Palatine and the Capitoline Hills, behind the Basilica Iulia, on the site of the house that Augustus had inhabited before he started his public life. Although the temple is often depicted on coins as having an Ionic hexastyle design, its size, physical proportions and exact location are unknown. The decision to dedicate a temple to Augustus was taken by the Roman Senate shortly after the death of Augustus in 14 AD. However, it was not until 37 AD that the temple was finally completed, whereupon it was dedicated over the last two days of August that year - the month renamed in honour of Augustus. Caligula, as Pontifex Maximus, led the sacrificial ceremonies. According to Cassius Dio (59.7.4), the commemorative events ordered by Caligula were exceptionally extravagant: a two-day horse race took place along with the slaughter of 400 bears and ″an equal number of wild beasts from Libya″, and Caligula postponed all lawsuits and suspended all mourning ″in order that no one should have an excuse for failing to attend″. The emperor′s purpose in linking himself to Augustus is obvious: he wished to emphasize his legitimacy as a descendant of Augustus, as well as his personal pietas. As the message is conveyed in Latin, and as this emission was minted in Rome for the West, it was probably directed at the Italic and at the Western provincial elites. The last known reference to the temple was on 27 May AD 218; at some point thereafter it was completely destroyed and its stones were presumably quarried for later buildings; the site has never been excavated and its original appearance must be reconstructed only from its depictions on the Roman coinage of which the present type is the most significant.

Cohen 9 ; RIC 36 ; BMC 41 ; Sear – (cf. 1802) R
Very attractive specimen with fine details. Rare.
vf+ à vf/xf

weight 25,74gr. ; Ø 33mm.

obv. Veiled and draped figure of Pietas, seated left, holding patera
and resting arm on small facing figure, surrounded by the legend;
C CAESAR DIVI AVG P M TR P IIII PP, PIETAS in exergue
rev. Hexastyle garlanded temple surmounted by quadriga, before which
veiled and togate Caligula sacrifices with patera over garlanded altar;
one attendant leads bull to the altar, a second holds patera;
DIVO AVG and S-C across fields.

This sestertius minted at Rome in 39/40 AD depicts on the obverse the personification of pietas, while the reverse depicts an elaborated sacrificial scene. On the obverse, Pietas is depicted seated, veiled and draped, holding a patera, with an arm resting on a small draped figure standing and facing. The inscription refers to Caligula as Caius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, pontifex maximus, holder of the tribunicia potestas, and mentions Pietas by name. On the obverse, the emperor, Gaius Caligula, standing left, veiled and togate, sacrifices over a garlanded altar with a patera in his hand; the victimarius, or the priest in charge of slaughtering the animal victim, is holding a bull for the sacrifice and an attendant is holding a patera. In the background, one sees the garlanded hexastyle temple of Divus Augustus with acroteria and statues of Romulus and Aeneas on top of it. The temple′s pediment is decorated with a sacrificial scene. The inscription recalls the dedication of the temple to the deified Augustus by the Senate.

Pietas, whose Greek equivalent was Eusebeia, was one of the chief virtues among the Romans. It was the virtue par excellence of Aeneas. According to Carlos Noreña, Pietas, together with Aequitas, Virtus, Liberalitas, and Providentia, was one of the five core virtues displayed on Roman imperial coinage. Indeed, Pietas was in fact the virtue that was most frequently displayed. Pietas consisted in ″fulfilling one′s responsibilities toward anyone or anything with whom one was bound in any way. The fulfillment of these responsibilities could be motivated by duties or obligations, in which case pietas was often connected with the notions of officium, fides, or religio, or by the deeper sentiments of love and affection″ (Noreña, Imperial Ideals in the Roman West, p. 71). Hence this virtue emphasized exemplary relations within the family, between men and gods, and between the Romans and their fatherland. The sacred nature of pietas was embodied by the divine personification Pietas, a goddess often represented on Roman coins from the Middle Republic onwards. Pietas is first represented on denarii issued by Marcus Herennius in 108 or 107 BC. Pietas was depicted as a woman conducting a sacrifice on an altar.

The Temple of Divus Augustus, erected to commemorate the deified Augustus, was built between the Palatine and the Capitoline Hills, behind the Basilica Iulia, on the site of the house that Augustus had inhabited before he started his public life. Although the temple is often depicted on coins as having an Ionic hexastyle design, its size, physical proportions and exact location are unknown. The decision to dedicate a temple to Augustus was taken by the Roman Senate shortly after the death of Augustus in 14 AD. However, it was not until 37 AD that the temple was finally completed, whereupon it was dedicated over the last two days of August that year - the month renamed in honour of Augustus. Caligula, as Pontifex Maximus, led the sacrificial ceremonies. According to Cassius Dio (59.7.4), the commemorative events ordered by Caligula were exceptionally extravagant: a two-day horse race took place along with the slaughter of 400 bears and ″an equal number of wild beasts from Libya″, and Caligula postponed all lawsuits and suspended all mourning ″in order that no one should have an excuse for failing to attend″. The emperor′s purpose in linking himself to Augustus is obvious: he wished to emphasize his legitimacy as a descendant of Augustus, as well as his personal pietas. As the message is conveyed in Latin, and as this emission was minted in Rome for the West, it was probably directed at the Italic and at the Western provincial elites. The last known reference to the temple was on 27 May AD 218; at some point thereafter it was completely destroyed and its stones were presumably quarried for later buildings; the site has never been excavated and its original appearance must be reconstructed only from its depictions on the Roman coinage of which the present type is the most significant.

Cohen 11 ; RIC 51 ; BMC 69 ; Sear 1802 R
Minor traces of oxidation. Rare.
vf

weight 25,89gr. ; Ø 33mm.

obv. Laureate head left, surrounded by the legend;
C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT
rev. S.P.Q.R  /  P. P  /  OB. CIVES  /  SERVATOS in oak-wreath

The legend OB CIVIS SERVATOS ″for having saved the citizens″ refers to Corona Civica, a civic crown of oak-leaf. It was a simple honor, in the Roman tradition, awarded by the senat for rescuing a comrade in battle and was placed over the door of the awarded citizen. This honor is rooted in military tradition. The senate awarded it to Octavian ″ob cives servatos″, for rescuing all his fellow citizens. Additionally, oak is associated with Jupiter. The letters S C (Senato Consulto ; ″by decree of the senat″, is omitted on this coin. Reason was probably to avoid reference to two different decrees of the Senate on the same coin. We see this also on Corono Civica sestertii of Claudius and Caligula′s Carpentum sestertius for his mother, with reverse legend SPQR MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE.

The reverse type with P(ater) P(atriae) and OB•CIVES SERVATOS shows the honorific bestowed upon the emperor by the Roman senate upon his ascension. These honors aling with the obverse honors of Pon(tifex) M(aximus) and Tr(ibunicias) Pot(estas) run the whole gamut of titles earned by Augustus. Sadly, Caligula would prove to merit none of the honors as his rule, which started with much hope, quickly eroded to the point that he was eventually killed by his own praetorian guard. The portrait style here is highly idealized as was the case with Augustus. Caligula takes on strong god-like qualities on this coin and the delicate engraving is a sign that the new school of Roman engravers started under the rule of Tiberius was still quite capable of executing artistic work.

Rare type. A magnificent portrait with excellent details and an appealing dark patina.
Work of a very skilled master engraver which resulted in incredibly finely detailed dies.

cf. Numismatica Ars Classica, auction 86, lot 101  (in xf : CHF 65.000 + 19%)

Cohen 24 ; RIC 37 ; BMC 38 ; cf. Sear 1801 R
xf-/xf

weight 10,71gr. ; copper Ø 26mm.

obv. Bare head left, surrounded by the legend; 
C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT
rev. Vesta seated left, holding patera and sceptre,
S – C across fields, VESTA above

The mostly commonly encountered coin type portraying Caligula is this issue. Minted throughout his short reign and apparently immediately placed into circulation. Almost all surviving specimens show some degree of wear and many are heavily worn from use. Portrait styles tend toward realistic and are rarely sensitive. The uses of Vesta on this type would seem to relate to the theme of dynastic issues in the sense that Vesta is the goddess of the hearth and home. The Vestal Virgins, in Rome, maintained a perpetual fire in het honor. The coin type would be frequently repeated by other rulers.

Wonderful specimen with excellent details and dark patina.
Outstanding quality for this cointype, and very rare as such.

cf. NAC Auction 125, Lot 626 (in good xf; SFR 7.000 + 21% commission)

Sear 1803 ; Cohen 27 ; RIC 38 ; BMC 46
xf

weight 4,21gr. ; bronze Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Caligula facing right, surrounded by the
legend; ΓΑΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙΚΟϹ ΝΕΟΚΑΙϹΑΡΕΩΝ
rev. Agrippina Major as goddess seated, right, with
sceptre and cornucopia, surrounded by the legend;
ΑΓΡΙΠΠΙΝΑΝ ΑΡΤΕΜΩΝ ΕΡΜΟΓΕΝΟΥϹ

Philadelphia, an ancient city in Lydia, was strategically located on a plateau at the foot of Mount Tmolus in western Asia Minor. Established around 159–138 BC by King Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamum, the city was situated in a fertile valley along the river Corgamis and served as a crucial link between the valleys of the Hermus and Maeander. Philadelphia experienced significant cultural influences, evidenced by its coinage featuring a Macedonian shield, which suggests ties to earlier Seleucid foundations. Under Roman rule, it thrived, notably enjoying the patronage of Emperor Augustus due to the connections of a local citizen. However, the city faced frequent seismic activity, leading to substantial reconstruction efforts after a devastating earthquake in AD 17, during which it was renamed Neocaesarea. Philadelphia was also known for its vibrant religious life, celebrating festivals in honor of deities like Zeus Helios and Asclepius, which attracted pilgrims and fueled its economy. As one of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation, Philadelphia′s Christian community faced persecution and martyrdom, adding to its historical significance. Today, remnants of its ancient structures, including fortifications, a theater, and possibly a gymnasium, can still be observed.

BMC 55 ; SNG.Copenhagen 372 ; Imhoof LS 21-22 ; 
SNG.München 416 ; Leypold I, 1112 ; Paris 962-967 ;
RPC.3032 ; Mionnet II, 119 ; GRPC, Lydia, vol.3, no.161 R
Attractive specimen with dark patina. Rare.
vf-

weight 3,77gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Caligula, with light beard, right,
surrounded by the legend; C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS
rev. Lituus and simpulum, surrounded by the legend; 
IMPERATOR PONT MAX AVG TR POT

The simpulum, or simpuvium, was a small vessel or ladle with a long handle from the Roman era, used at sacrifices to make libations, and to taste the wines and other liquors which were poured on the head of the sacrificial victims. The simpulum was the sign of Roman priesthood, and one of the insignia of the College of Pontiffs. The lituus was a crooked wand (similar in shape to the top part of some Western European crosiers) used as a cult instrument in ancient Roman religion by augurs to mark out a ritual space in the sky (a templum). The passage of birds through this templum indicated divine favor or disfavor for a given undertaking. The lituus was also used as a symbol of office for the college of the augurs to mark them out as a priestly group. The simpulum is commonly shown with the lituus and other sacrificial and augural instruments.

Cohen 12 ; RIC 63 ; BMC 102 ; RPC.3624 RR
Wonderful coin with excellent details and dark tone.
Exceptional quality for this very rare coin.
Magnificent portrait of Caligula.
xf

weight 3,72gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Caligula right, surrounded by the legend;   
C•CAESAR•AVG GERM•P•M•TR•POT
rev. Radiate head of Augustus right, surrounded by the legend;  
DIVVS • AVG • PATER • PATRIAE •

Despite being perhaps the worst of all Roman emperors, Caligula′s coinage is interesting and attractive. Having inherited the imperial throne with virtually no experience of government or the military, Gaius Germanicus Caesar, nicknamed Caligula ("bootikins"), had no achievements to tout on his coinage. He thus fell back on advertising his blue-blooded lineage. Through his mother, Agrippina Sr., Gaius was descended from Augustus, and also Agrippa, the victor of Actium. His father was the Roman paragon Germanicus, son of Nero Claudius Drusus and nephew of Tiberius. Through his mother Antonia, Germanicus was the grandson of Mark Antony and Octavia, the sister of Augustus. Accordingly, many of Caligula′s coins recall his dynastic connections to both the Julians and the Claudians. This denarius type pairs his obverse portrait with a reverse effigy of the deified Augustus, who is shown wearing the radiate crown of godhead. Unfortunately, aristocratic genes did not translate into success as a ruler, as Rome would soon find out. His detailed portrait on this well-struck and attractively toned denarius seems to hint at his cruel, capricious nature, while the reverse depicts his great-grandfather, Augustus. Very rare historical coin.

♦ Wonderful example with excellent portraits of Caligula and Divus Augustus ♦

cf. Naumann Auktion 100, Lot 433 (in vf+ ; € 11.000 + 18%)

Cohen 2 ; RIC 16 ; BMC 17 ; cf. Sear 1809 RR
Some very minor scratches.
vf/xf à xf-

weight 3,36gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Caligula right, surrounded by the legend;
C•CAESAR•AVG•PON•M•TR•POT•III•COS•III
rev. Bare head of Germanicus right, surrounded by the legend;
GERMANICVS•CAES•P•C•CAES•AVG•GERM

Despite being perhaps the worst of all Roman emperors, Caligula′s coinage is interesting and attractive. Having inherited the imperial throne with virtually no experience of government or the military, Caius Germanicus Caesar, nicknamed Caligula ("bootikins"), had no achievements to tout on his coinage. He thus fell back on advertising his blue-blooded lineage. Through his mother, Agrippina Sr., Caius was descended from Augustus, and also Agrippa, the victor of Actium. His father was the Roman paragon Germanicus, son of Nero Claudius Drusus and nephew of Tiberius. Through his mother Antonia, Germanicus was the grandson of Markus Antonius and Octavia, the sister of Augustus. Accordingly, many of Caligula′s coins recall his dynastic connections to both the Julians and the Claudians. This denarius type pairs his obverse portrait with a reverse effigy of his deceased father Germanicus. Unfortunately, aristocratic genes did not translate into success as a ruler, as Rome would soon find out. Very rare historical coin.

cf. CNG Auction 124, Lot 604 (in good vf with minor traces of oxidation: USD 8.500 + 20%)

Cohen 5 ; RIC 26 (R3) ; BMC 28 ; Sear 1816 RRR
Very minor traces of oxidation, although attractive specimen
with wonderful  portraits of Caligula and Germanicus.
vf/xf à xf-

weight 11,06gr. ; copper Ø 27mm.
Agrippa was the son-in-law of Augustus and the grandfather of Caligula

obv. Head of Agrippa left, wearing rostral crown, surrounded
by the legend;  M•AGRIPPA•L•F•COS•III
rev. Neptune standing left, holding small dolphin and trident, deviding large S - C

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was one of the most powerful and influential men who lived during the early days of the Roman Empire. Agrippa was a statesman, general, and most important of all, a close friend and son-in-law of Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome. Agrippa aided Augustus greatly in his rise to power, and continued play an important role during the latter′s reign. In addition to the numerous victories that he won as Augustus′ general, Agrippa also initiated a number of building projects which contributed to the beauty and grandeur of Rome.

In Rome Neptune had only one temple. It stood near the Circus Flaminius, the Roman racetrack, in the southern part of the Campus Martius. It already existed in 206 BC. It appears on a coin struck by Gn. Domitius Ahenobarbus around 40 BC doubtless because of a restoration carried out by this personage. It contained a famous sculpture of a marine group by Scopas Minor. The Basilica Neptuni, was built on the Campus Martius and dedicated by Agrippa in honour of the naval victory of Actium.

cf. NAC, auction 138, lot 634 in xf (SFR 26.000 + 22,5%)

Cohen 3 ; RIC 58 ; BMC 161 ; Sear 1812
This type is relatively common but not in this condition.
Attractive dark green patina.
Really a stunningly portrait of Agrippa. Very rare this nice.
xf

weight 9,29gr. ; copper Ø 28mm.

obv. Bare head of Germanicus left, surrounded by the legend;
GERMANICVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N
rev. Large S C, surrounded by the legend;
C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR P III P P

variant; the obverse legend usually is with AVGVST instead the here used AVG

Germanicus was born in Rome on 24 May 15 BC. The son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia the Younger, Germanicus was born into an influential branch of the patrician gens Claudia. The agnomen Germanicus was added to his full name in 9 BC when it was posthumously awarded to his father in honor of his victories in Germania.  In AD 4 he was adopted by his paternal uncle Tiberius, himself the stepson and heir of Germanicus′ great-uncle Augustus, who in turn was adopted by Augustus. As a result of his adoption, Germanicus became an official member of the gens Julia, another prominent family, to which he was related on his mother′s side. Germanicus thus became a possible candidate for the title of emperor. In 5 AD his connection to the Julii Caesares was further consolidated through a marriage between him and Agrippina the Elder, a granddaughter of Augustus. Caius, the later emperor Caligula, was born from this marriage.

During the reign of Augustus, Germanicus enjoyed an accelerated political career, entering the office of quaestor five years before the legal age in 7 AD. He held that office until 11 AD, and was elected consul for the first time in 12 AD. The year after, he was made proconsul of Germania Inferior, Germania Superior, and all of Gaul. From there he commanded eight legions, about one-third of the entire Roman army at the time, which he led against the Germanic tribes in his campaigns from AD 14 to 16. In 16 AD his greatest campaign was prepared, with the Island of the Bataven (the Betuwe) serving as a rallying point. The Batavians were important allies of the Romans and at the river Weser, at the plain of Idavisto, they launched an attack together against the Angrivarians and other Germanic tribes led by Arminius. The Batavian leader Chariovalda lost his life, but in the end they managed to defeat the Germans. He avenged the Roman Empire′s defeat in the Teutoburg Forest and retrieved two of the three legionary eagles that had been lost during the battle. During Germanicus′ stay in Germania, Emperor Augustus was in 14 AD deceased and succeeded by his adoptive son Tiberius.

Germanicus was called back to Rome by Tiberius, where he held a grand triumphal procession on 26 May 17 AD to celebrate his successes in Germania. Then Germanicus was transferred to the east to reorganize the provinces of Asia Minor, whereby he incorporated the provinces of Cappadocia and Commagene in AD 18. Possibly Tiberius and Livia wanted to get rid of him. While in the eastern provinces, Germanicus came into conflict with the governor of Syria, Cnaeus Calpurnius Piso. During their feud, Germanicus became ill in Antiochia and died on 10 October 19 AD. His death has been attributed to poison by ancient sources, but that was never proven. As a famous general, he was widely popular and regarded as the ideal Roman long after his death. To the Roman people, Germanicus was the Roman equivalent of Alexander the Great due to the nature of his death at a young age, his virtuous character, his dashing physique, and his military renown. Germanicus never became emperor, but his son Caius eventually did, who had this coin minted as a tribute to his father.

Cohen 4var. ; RIC 43var. (R2) ; BMC 60var. ; Sear 1822var. RR
Minor traces of oxitation. Dark brown patina. Very rare.
vf-

weight 26,89gr. ; orichalcum Ø 34mm.

obv. Draped bust of Agrippina the Elder, right, her hair falling in queue down her neck,
surrounded by the legend; AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI
rev. Carpentum, with ornamented cover and sides, drawn right by two mules,
in upper field the legend; S P Q R MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE

Issue in honor of Agrippina, the deceased mother of Caligula (37 - 41 AD)

Three issues of sestertii were struck in honour of Agrippina Senior, one of the most tragically unfortunate women of Roman history. She began life as a favoured member of the Julio-Claudian family during the reign of her grandfather Augustus, and upon her marriage to Livia′s grandson Germanicus, she seemed destined to achieve the highest possible status. However, upon the death of Augustus and the accession of Tiberius, her life took a turn for the worse: supreme power had shifted from the bloodlines of the Julii to the Claudii. Though her marriage represented and ideal union of Julian and Claudian, it was not destined to survive Tiberius′ reign. Germanicus died late in 19 under suspicious circumstances, after which Agrippina devoted the next decade of her life to openly opposing Tiberius until in 29 he deprived her of freedom, and in 33 of life itself. 

The sestertii dedicated to Agrippina are easily segregated. The first, produced by her son Caligula, shows on its reverse a carpentum; the second, issued by her brother Claudius, shows SC surrounded by a Claudian inscription, and the third is simply a restoration of the Claudian type by Titus, on which the reverse inscription is instead dedicated to that emperor. Though both Caligula and Claudius portrayed Agrippina, each did so from their own perspective, based upon the nature of their relationship with her. The inscription on Caligula′s coin, AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI, describes her as the daughter of Marcus (Agrippa) and the mother of Gaius (Caligula). While Claudius also identifies her as Agrippa′s daughter, his inscription ends GERMANICI CAESARIS, thus stressing her role as the wife of his brother Germanicus. It is also worth noting that on the issue of Caligula Agrippina has a slender profile like that of her son, whereas on Claudius′ sestertii her face is more robust, in accordance with his appearance.

The carpentum reverse is not only a superbly executed type, but has a foundation in the recorded events of the day. Suetonius (Gaius 15) describes the measures taken by Caligula to honour his family at the outset of his reign, which included gathering the ashes of his mother and brothers, all victims of persecution during the reign of Tiberius. Upon returning to Rome, Caligula, with his own hands, transferred to an urn his mother′s ashes ″with the utmost reverence″; he then instituted Circus games in her honour, at which ″…her image would be paraded in a covered carriage.″ There can be little doubt that the carpentum on this sestertius relates to the special practice initiated by Caligula. The inscription, SPQR MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE, is itself dedicatory from the Senate and the Roman people to the memory of Agrippina.

Cohen 1 ; RIC 55 ; BMC 81 ; Sear 1827
Very minor tooling in the field, but overall a
very attractive coin with dark brown patina. Rare.
vf

weight 27,87gr. ; orichalcum Ø 35mm.

obv. Draped bust of Agrippina the Elder, right, her hair falling
in queue down her neck, surrounded by the legend;
AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI
rev. Carpentum, with ornamented cover and sides, drawn right by two
mules, in upper field the legend; S P Q R MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE

Issue in honor of Agrippina, the deceased mother of Caligula (37 - 41 AD)

Three issues of sestertii were struck in honour of Agrippina the Elder, one of the most tragically unfortunate women of Roman history. She began life as a favoured member of the Julio-Claudian family during the reign of her grandfather Augustus, and upon her marriage to Livia′s grandson Germanicus, she seemed destined to achieve the highest possible status. However, upon the death of Augustus and the accession of Tiberius, her life took a turn for the worse: supreme power had shifted from the bloodlines of the Julii to the Claudii. Though her marriage represented and ideal union of Julian and Claudian, it was not destined to survive Tiberius′ reign. Germanicus died late in 19 under suspicious circumstances, after which Agrippina devoted the next decade of her life to openly opposing Tiberius until in 29 he deprived her of freedom, and in 33 of life itself. 

The sestertii dedicated to Agrippina are easily segregated. The first, produced by her son Caligula, shows on its reverse a carpentum; the second, issued by her brother Claudius, shows SC surrounded by a Claudian inscription, and the third is simply a restoration of the Claudian type by Titus, on which the reverse inscription is instead dedicated to that emperor. Though both Caligula and Claudius portrayed Agrippina, each did so from their own perspective, based upon the nature of their relationship with her. The inscription on Caligula′s coin, AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI, describes her as the daughter of Marcus (Agrippa) and the mother of Gaius (Caligula). While Claudius also identifies her as Agrippa′s daughter, his inscription ends GERMANICI CAESARIS, thus stressing her role as the wife of his brother Germanicus. It is also worth noting that on the issue of Caligula Agrippina has a slender profile like that of her son, whereas on Claudius′ sestertii her face is more robust, in accordance with his appearance.

The carpentum reverse is not only a superbly executed type, but has a foundation in the recorded events of the day. Suetonius (Gaius 15) describes the measures taken by Caligula to honour his family at the outset of his reign, which included gathering the ashes of his mother and brothers, all victims of persecution during the reign of Tiberius. Upon returning to Rome, Caligula, with his own hands, transferred to an urn his mother′s ashes ″with the utmost reverence″; he then instituted Circus games in her honour, at which ″…her image would be paraded in a covered carriage.″ There can be little doubt that the carpentum on this sestertius relates to the special practice initiated by Caligula. The inscription, SPQR MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE, is itself dedicatory from the Senate and the Roman people to the memory of Agrippina.

Cohen 1 ; RIC 55 ; BMC 81 ; Sear 1827 R
Some minor roughness. Very attractive and rare coin
of excellent style with dark green patina. Rare.
vf/xf

weight 27,90gr. ; orichalcum Ø 33mm.

obv. Draped bust of Agrippina the Elder, right, her hair falling in queue down her neck,
surrounded by the legend; AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI
rev. Carpentum, with ornamented cover and sides, drawn right by two mules,
in upper field the legend; S P Q R MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE

Issue in honor of Agrippina, the deceased mother of Caligula (37 - 41 AD)

Three issues of sestertii were struck in honour of Agrippina Senior, one of the most tragically unfortunate women of Roman history. She began life as a favoured member of the Julio-Claudian family during the reign of her grandfather Augustus, and upon her marriage to Livia′s grandson Germanicus, she seemed destined to achieve the highest possible status. However, upon the death of Augustus and the accession of Tiberius, her life took a turn for the worse: supreme power had shifted from the bloodlines of the Julii to the Claudii. Though her marriage represented and ideal union of Julian and Claudian, it was not destined to survive Tiberius′ reign. Germanicus died late in 19 under suspicious circumstances, after which Agrippina devoted the next decade of her life to openly opposing Tiberius until in 29 he deprived her of freedom, and in 33 of life itself. 

The sestertii dedicated to Agrippina are easily segregated. The first, produced by her son Caligula, shows on its reverse a carpentum; the second, issued by her brother Claudius, shows SC surrounded by a Claudian inscription, and the third is simply a restoration of the Claudian type by Titus, on which the reverse inscription is instead dedicated to that emperor. Though both Caligula and Claudius portrayed Agrippina, each did so from their own perspective, based upon the nature of their relationship with her. The inscription on Caligula′s coin, AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI, describes her as the daughter of Marcus (Agrippa) and the mother of Gaius (Caligula). While Claudius also identifies her as Agrippa′s daughter, his inscription ends GERMANICI CAESARIS, thus stressing her role as the wife of his brother Germanicus. It is also worth noting that on the issue of Caligula Agrippina has a slender profile like that of her son, whereas on Claudius′ sestertii her face is more robust, in accordance with his appearance.

The carpentum reverse is not only a superbly executed type, but has a foundation in the recorded events of the day. Suetonius (Gaius 15) describes the measures taken by Caligula to honour his family at the outset of his reign, which included gathering the ashes of his mother and brothers, all victims of persecution during the reign of Tiberius. Upon returning to Rome, Caligula, with his own hands, transferred to an urn his mother′s ashes ″with the utmost reverence″; he then instituted Circus games in her honour, at which ″…her image would be paraded in a covered carriage.″ There can be little doubt that the carpentum on this sestertius relates to the special practice initiated by Caligula. The inscription, SPQR MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE, is itself dedicatory from the Senate and the Roman people to the memory of Agrippina.

Cohen 1 ; RIC 55 ; BMC 81 ; Sear 1827
Very attractive and rare coin of excellent style with dark patina.
Beautifully detailed reverse. Rare.
vf/xf-

weight 26,32gr. ; orichalcum Ø 34mm.

obv. Draped bust of Agrippina the Elder, right, her hair falling in queue down her neck,
surrounded by the legend; AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI
rev. Carpentum, with ornamented cover and sides, drawn right by two mules,
in upper field the legend; S P Q R MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE

Issue in honor of Agrippina, the deceased mother of Caligula (37 - 41 AD)

Three issues of sestertii were struck in honour of Agrippina Senior, one of the most tragically unfortunate women of Roman history. She began life as a favoured member of the Julio-Claudian family during the reign of her grandfather Augustus, and upon her marriage to Livia′s grandson Germanicus, she seemed destined to achieve the highest possible status. However, upon the death of Augustus and the accession of Tiberius, her life took a turn for the worse: supreme power had shifted from the bloodlines of the Julii to the Claudii. Though her marriage represented and ideal union of Julian and Claudian, it was not destined to survive Tiberius′ reign. Germanicus died late in 19 under suspicious circumstances, after which Agrippina devoted the next decade of her life to openly opposing Tiberius until in 29 he deprived her of freedom, and in 33 of life itself. 

The sestertii dedicated to Agrippina are easily segregated. The first, produced by her son Caligula, shows on its reverse a carpentum; the second, issued by her brother Claudius, shows SC surrounded by a Claudian inscription, and the third is simply a restoration of the Claudian type by Titus, on which the reverse inscription is instead dedicated to that emperor. Though both Caligula and Claudius portrayed Agrippina, each did so from their own perspective, based upon the nature of their relationship with her. The inscription on Caligula′s coin, AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI, describes her as the daughter of Marcus (Agrippa) and the mother of Gaius (Caligula). While Claudius also identifies her as Agrippa′s daughter, his inscription ends GERMANICI CAESARIS, thus stressing her role as the wife of his brother Germanicus. It is also worth noting that on the issue of Caligula Agrippina has a slender profile like that of her son, whereas on Claudius′ sestertii her face is more robust, in accordance with his appearance.

The carpentum reverse is not only a superbly executed type, but has a foundation in the recorded events of the day. Suetonius (Gaius 15) describes the measures taken by Caligula to honour his family at the outset of his reign, which included gathering the ashes of his mother and brothers, all victims of persecution during the reign of Tiberius. Upon returning to Rome, Caligula, with his own hands, transferred to an urn his mother′s ashes ″with the utmost reverence″; he then instituted Circus games in her honour, at which ″…her image would be paraded in a covered carriage.″ There can be little doubt that the carpentum on this sestertius relates to the special practice initiated by Caligula. The inscription, SPQR MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE, is itself dedicatory from the Senate and the Roman people to the memory of Agrippina.

Cohen 1 ; RIC 55 ; BMC 81 ; Sear 1827
an affordable specimen of this rare coin type
f

weight 14,97gr. ; orichalcum Ø 29mm.

obv. Nero and Drusus Caesar riding right cloaks flying,
surrounded by the legend; NERO ET DRVSVS CAESARES
rev. Large S C, surrounded by the legend;
C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT

Nero and Drusus Caesar were Caligula′s older brothers. Both were destined to be heir to the throne but died prematurely in captivity for political reasons. Their younger brother Caligula was spared this fate and he often stayed in the company of Emperor Tiberius on the island of Capri. He eventually became the successor of Tiberius. He honored his brothers through this coinage, among other things.

Cohen 1 ; RIC 34 ; BMC 44 ; Sear 1828var. R
Very minor traces of oxitation. Rare.
vf-

weight 13,36gr. ; copper Ø 28mm.

obv. Bare head of Claudius left  TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG IMP P M TR P
rev. Constantia, helmeted and in military dress, standing left, her right arm raised
and holding spear in left  CONSTANTIAE AVGVSTI, S - C in field

Legend variety with IMP P M TR P instead of the usual PM TR P IMP. Probably this coin was not minted in Rome, but in a provincial mint (Gaul ?). Unpublished as such. Extremely rare.

Cohen- (cf. 14) ; RIC- (cf. 95) ; BMC- (cf. 140) ; Sear- (cf. 1857) RRR
f/vf à f+

weight 10,61gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.
The cistophor had the value of 3 denarii.

obv. Bare head of Claudius left  TI CLAVD CAES AVG
rev. Frontal view of tetrastyle temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesos,
her cult statue within with fillets hanging from her wrists, polos on her head;
the temple stands on a podium of four steps and has a pediment decorated
with figures, DIAN on left side, EPHE on right side

The cistophoros would be minted under Claudius for the first time since the great coinage of this denomination by Augustus. The Claudian mintages were nowhere near as extensive and the pieces that are seen usually show significant wear indicating that they circulated heavily. RIC indicates these issues may all be commemorative in nature and were not intended to be a regular coinage for the area. Of the cistophoros issues of Claudius there are four main types; those including Agrippina (his wife); the issues dedicated to Artemis (Diana) and het temple, as here; the issues with ROM ET AVG temple reverses; and, late in his reign the issues identifying Nero as his successor.

Artemis herself was the Goddess of the hunt but here probably refers to her role as Goddess of childbirth. RIC dates this coin likely to 41-42 AD based on the absence of titles in the legend and the fact the head is not laureate. Yet the ROM ET AVG issues of Pergamon are undated by RIC, however these two types share an almost identical obverse design.

provenance: ex. collection Hannelore Scheiner

Cohen 30 ; RIC 118 ; BMC 229 ; RPC.2222 ; Sear 1839 R
Historical coin of great style. Rare.
vf/xf

weight 8,92gr. ; copper Ø 26mm.
Restauration coinage during the reign of Domitianus (81-96)

obv. Bare head right  TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP PP
rev. Minerva standing right, brandishing spear and holding shield 
IMP D AVG REST S C

Cohen- ; RIC II¹ 462 ; RIC II² 829 ; BMC 512 ; Sear 2899 R
Minor tooling. Rare cointype with attractive portrait.
vf

weight 7,70gr. ; gold Ø 18,5mm.

obv. Laureate head of Claudius right, surrounded by the legend;
TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG PM TR P VI IMP XI 
rev. Pax-Nemesis advancing right, holding drapery with right hand,
left hand pointing caduceus at snake, surrounded by the legend;
PACI AVGVSTAE

On the reverse of this coin a goddess is depicted that we very rarely encounter on Roman coins, namely the goddess Pax-Nemesis or Invidia. For the first time we see this goddess depicted on an aureus of C.Vibius Varus from 42 BC (Cr.494-35), the well-considered and educated Claudius probably wanted to refer to it on historical or symbolic grounds. Pax-Nemesis is the goddess of justified revenge. A current topic both in the turbulent period after Caesar′s murder and also in the time of Claudius, when intrigues and murders within the imperial family were in full swing.

In addition, she was the patroness of the gladiators during the Roman Empire. Triumphant generals also revered her. In relation to the text Pace Augustae (imperial peace) we should perhaps also see this image as a warning propaganda tool. The Roman Empire stands for peace, but its response will be cruel and merciless to those who oppose it.

Cohen 57 ; RIC 38 (R2) ; BMC 39 ; Calicó 367 ; Sear- (cf.1833)  RR
attractive well-centered specimen with good portrait
vf

weight 3,27gr. ; copper Ø 17mm.

obv. Modius on three legs, surrounded by the legend;
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG
rev. S C surrounded by the legend; PON M TR P IMP COS DES IT

Cohen 70 ; RIC 84 ; BMC 179 ; Sear 1863
Minor traces of oxidation. Dark brown patina.
f/vf à vf-

weight 2,62gr. ; copper Ø 17mm.

obv. Modius on three legs, surrounded by the legend;
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG
rev. S C surrounded by the legend; PON M TR P IMP COS II

This coin type was minted from 1 - 4 januari 42. 
This short period is probably the reason of its rarity. Extremely rare.

Cohen- (cf. 72) ; RIC 88 (R3) ; BMC- ; Sear- (cf. 1865) RRR
Attractive dark patina.
vf

weight 3,72gr. ; copper Ø 16mm.

obv. Hand left, holding pair of scales; PNR below,
surrounded by the legend; TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG
rev. S C surrounded by the legend; PON M TR P IMP COS DES IT

Below the balance are the letters PN R. These stand for Pondus Nummorum Restitutum or “weight of coins restored”. Referring to the improvement of the weights of the aureus and denarius under Claudius. Another possible explanation is Ponderum Norma Restituta or “the standard of weights restored”, i.e. not simply referring to the weight of the coins.

Cohen 71 ; RIC 85 ; BMC 174 ; Sear 1864
A bit short flan. Attractive dark patina.
vf/xf

weight 10,14gr. ; copper Ø 27mm.

obv. Bare head of Claudius left, surrounded by the legend;
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP
rev. Minerva, helmeted and draped, advancing right,
levelling javelin in right hand and shield in left
S - C across lower fields

Cohen 84var. ; RIC 100 ; BMC 149 ; Sear 1861
Impressive portrait. Brown patina.
xf-

weight 9,63gr. ; copper Ø 28,5mm.

obv. Bare head left  TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP P P
rev. Minerva advancing right, brandishing spear and holding shield  S C

Cohen 84 ; RIC 116 ; BMC 206 ; Sear 1862
Minor traces of oxidation. Attractive dark green patina.
vf

weight 3,03gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Claudius right, surrounded by the legend;
TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG PM TR P X P P IMP VIII
rev. SPQR / P • P / OB CS in oak-wreath (Corona Civica)

The first Roman emperor to have been born outside Rome, Claudius was the youngest of the three surviving children of Drusus and Antonia Minor. While still very young, Claudius became disabled after suffering an illness, which caused his family (especially his mother) to disdain him. He was not permitted in the public eye, and unlike other sons of the imperial household, he was kept out of politics. It was this same disability, however, that probably saved him from the intrigues at court that proved fatal to so many of his relatives during the reigns of Tiberius and Caligula; by the time he was elevated to the throne by the Praetorian Guard after Caligula′s assassination, he was the last surviving male of his family. Despite having little experience in politics, Claudius had a keen and scholarly intellect, and soon proved himself an able administrator. He respected the senate and declined many honours traditionally bestowed on an emperor, preferring to earn them instead, and he initiated extensive public works that were necessary and beneficial. Despite his effectiveness as ruler, however, it seems Claudius possibly fell victim to the intrigues of his fourth wife, Agrippina the Younger: wanting her own son, Nero, to succeed her husband on the throne, she fed Claudius a dose of poisonous mushrooms. Or so the story goes. Seneca said that Claudius died of natural causes, and as he was already 64 at the time of his death and an alcoholic, it may be that he simply succumbed to infirmity and old age. The portrait of Claudius on this coin is finely executed and of a very high artistic calibre, such that it exudes the essence of Julio-Claudian portraiture in the round. This is not often the case with Claudius′ coin portraits: although some do exhibit a high degree of artistic merit, most lack the refined execution of style that this coin exhibits.

The reverse reads ″SPQR P P OB CS″, meaning ″Senatus Populusque Romanus″ (the Roman Senate and people), ″Pater Patriae″ (to the father of his country), ″Ob Cives Servatos″ (For having saved the citizens).

The Corona Civica was originally a military honour bestowed upon a Roman who had saved a fellow citizen′s life in battle. It was one of the greatest public honours. In the imperial era the honour developed from a coveted military decoration into an imperial emblem granted by the Senate to the emperor. The wreath was made of oak leaves and is sometimes called a corona quercea after the common name for the oak. Plutarch believed the oak was chosen for this highest of honours for several reasons. The tree was easily found throughout the countryside and was quite convenient for fashioning a wreath when the need arose. Also, the oak is sacred to Jupiter and Juno and thus was an appropriate symbolic honour given to one who has saved the life of a fellow Roman citizen. Finally, the early settlers of Rome, the Arcadians, were nicknamed ′acorn-eaters′ in an oracle of Apollo. It harkens back to the declarations of gratitude conferred on Augustus in 27 BC, when the senate awarded him the corona civica (civic wreath ; here represented by the oak wreath enclosing the inscription on the reverse) and the clipeus virtutis (shield of valour).

This silver denarius has a copper core. It concerns here a so-called subaeratus denarius. This silver-plated denarius was likely produced at an "unofficial" mint in Britain somewhat after the Claudian invasion of AD 43. The sudden arrival of tens of thousands of Romans in the new-won province produced a soaring demand for coinage that was answered on the local level by the striking of bronze sestertii and copper asses, as well as plated denarii of this type. While not sanctioned by the Roman government, the practice was likely "winked at" by the authorities until greater stores of specie were imported. A hoard of 110 plated denarii of this type was found in Waveny, Suffolk in 1996. Historically highly interesting and extremely rare denarius.

♦ A superb Claudius denarius from Britain ♦

Denarii of Claudius in high quality are quite exceptional and very hard to find.

cf. NAC 125, lot 630 (in xf+  SFR 22.000 + 21%)

Cohen - ; RIC -  (cf. 60) ; BMC - ; Sear- (cf.1848)  RRR
Minor planchet fault. Wonderful lustrous coin with excellent details.
Near mintstate
xf/unc

weight 10,34gr. ; copper Ø 23mm.

obv. Bare head of Claudius left, surrounded
by the legend; ΤΙ ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ
rev. Macedonian shield, surrounded by the legend;
ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΩΝ

The Koinon or federation of Macedonian cities, first attested in the reign of Philippos V, made three issues of coins during the Julio-Claudian periode, one for Claudius, one for Nero (early in his reign) and one for Vitellius. The coins were probably minted at Thessalonika as all the coins show links of style and fabric with Thessalonikan coins. Thessalonika is, moreover, the obvious choice, being the metropolis of Macedonia. The coins fall into three denomations; the largest (ca. 16.00/18.00gr.) has a winged thunderbolt or a figure of Mars, the intermediate (ca. 8.00/10.00gr.) has a Macedonian shield, while the smallest (ca. 2.50/3.50gr.) has no imperial portrait but either Nikè/shield, horse/shield or inscription/shield.  It has been suggested that the denominations in questions were diassarion (2 asses), assarion (as) and hemiassarion (1/2 as).

BMC 145 ; SNG.Copenhagen 1334 ; AMNG 238–9 ; RPC I, 1612
Light traces of oxidation. Dark patina.
f/vf

weight 6,32gr. ; bronze Ø 18mm.

obv. Laurated head right  TI KΛAYΔOC KAICAP CEBACTOC
rev. Apollo standing right, holding tainia and laurel-branch
AIΓAEΩN EPI AΠOΛΛOΔΩPOY ΠOYIOY XAΛEOY TO B

Magistrate Apollodoros, probably Apollodoros,
son of Poplius, also known as Chaleos.

Initially the city of Aegae (Greek: Aigai) was a possession of the Lydian Empire and later the Achaemenid Empire when it conquered the former. In the early third century BC it became part of the Kingdom of Pergamon. Aigai had its brightest period under the Attalid dynasty, which ruled from nearby Pergamon in the 3rd and 2nd century BC. It changed hands from Pergamon to the Seleucid Empire, but was recaptured by Attalus I of Pergamon in 218 BC. In the war between Bithynia and Pergamon, it was destroyed by Prusias II of Bithynia in 156 BC. After a peace was brokered by the Romans, the city was compensated with hundred talents. Under the rule of Pergamon a market building and a temple to Apollo were constructed.

In 129 BC the Kingdom of Pergamon became part of the Roman Empire. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 17 AD and received aid for reconstruction from emperor Tiberius. Aegae is mentioned by both Herodotus and Strabo as being a member of the Aeolian dodecapolis. It was also an important sanctuary of Apollo. Within Christianity Aegae was important enough in the Roman province of Asia Prima to become one of the many suffragans of its capital Ephesus′ Metropolitan Archbishopric; but it was to fade. The remains of the city are located near the modern village of Yuntdağı Köseler in Manisa Province, Turkey. The archaeological site is situated at a rather high altitude almost on top of Mount Gün (Dağı), part of the mountain chain of Yunt (Dağları).

BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock 7672 ; SNG.Copenhagen 22 ; RPC.2429 R
f/vg

weight 14,89gr. ; bronze Ø 28mm.

obv. Bare head of Claudius to right, around the text;
TIBЄPIOC KΛΑΥΔΙΟC KAICAP
rev. Zeus seated left with patera and sceptre, KAICAPE(ΩΝ) on right,
ETOY  E in upper left field

This issue has variously been attributed to a Caesarea in Cappadocia, Cilicia and Syria. Recently, Tahberer (in NC 175 (2015), pp. 47-55) has argued that these coins should be attributed to Mopsos instead, which, for unknown reasons, renamed itself to Caesarea between 45/6 and 50/1. RPC listed only 2 specimens of this coin type. Extremely rare.

SNG. von Aulock 6349 ; RPC I 4085 RRRR
vf- /f+

weight 14,50gr. ; bronze Ø 26mm.

obv. Bare head of Claudius right, surrounded by the legend;
IM•TI•CLA•CAE  -  AV•GER• (only partially readable)
rev. Large S C within circle, surrounded by a laurel wreath,
tied at the bottom with a cord, with two loops, a thick dot
at the top (S C is the Latin abbreviation for Senatus Consulto,
which means ′by decree of the Senate′)

This coin type was minted under Caius Cassius, Caius filius Longinus. Caius Cassius Longinus was a Roman jurist and politician from the first century AD. A grandnephew of Servius Sulpicius Rufus, he was also a nephew or great-grandson of Caius Cassius Longinus, one of Caesar′s assassins. Cassius Longinus was suffect consul of the second half of the year 30 as the colleague of Lucius Naevius Surdinus. He married Junia Lepida, a descendant of Augustus. They had two children: Cassia Longina (born c. AD 35), who married the general Cnaeus Domitius Corbulo, and Cassius Lepidus (born c. AD 55). The latter married an unknown woman by whom he had a daughter, Cassia Lepida (born c. AD 80). She married Caius Julius Alexander Berenicianus consul in AD 116 and proconsul of Asia in AD 132.

His son-in-law, general Cnaeus Domitius Corbulo, ordered during his stay in Germania, the construction of a canal between the rivers Rhine and Meuse. Parts of this engineering work, known as Fossa Corbulonis or Corbulo′s Canal (Dutch: Corbulogracht of kanaal van Corbulo), have been found at archaeological digs. It ran largely parallel to the modern-day Vliet canal, which connects the modern Dutch towns of Leiden (ancient Matilo) and Voorburg (Forum Hadriani).

After completing his term as suffect consul, Cassius Longinus served as proconsular governor of Asia in 40–41, then governor of the imperial province of Syria in 41–49. He was exiled by Nero to Sardinia in 65, but returned to Rome when Vespasianus acceded to the purple.

Tacitus includes a speech of Cassius Longinus, when he was a senator in the time of Nero, on the debate that arose when there had been mass protests in Rome when 400 innocent slaves were to be executed because they belonged to the household of Lucius Pedanius Secundus who had been murdered by his slave. It is open to question as to what extent the speech we have reflected what Cassius actually said, and to what extent it represents Tacitus′s views, though it is at least possible that Tacitus made use of the Senate′s records; the hard line expressed is in line with what we know about Cassius. In the speech Cassius conceded that the execution would be unjust. He also conceded it violated the rights of private interests but justified it on the grounds of the public good. The private interests that concerned him did not include any right to life for the slaves but the loss to the heirs. Modern commentators side with those who protested at the time in regarding the law as inherently unjust.

Struck during the time Saint Paul stayed in Antiochia ad Orontem (ca.44-45 AD) on his missionary journeys. It was at Antiochia ad Orontem that believers in Jesus Christ were first called Christians.

BMC 166–7 ; McAlee 250 ; Butcher 97ii ;
cf. SNG.Copenhagen 150-151 ; RPC I 4279
attractive dark patina
f/vf à vf-

weight 9,79gr. ; bronze 24mm.

obv. Laureate head of Claudius right
TI KΛAY KAI CEBAC ΣAP ΓEPMA
rev. Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, head turned to left,
L - IΓ across field, AYTO KPA

BMC 92 ; RPC.5193 ; Dattari 156 ; SNG.Copenhagen 83 ;
Milne 128 ; Slg. Köln 105 ; Förschner 74 ; SNG.Paris 242 ; Sear 1877
f

weight 7,50gr. ; gold Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Claudius right, surrounded by the legend;
TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TRIB POT PP
rev. Bare-headed and draped bust of young Nero left, surrounded by
the legend; NERO CLAVD CAES DRVSVS GERM PRINC IVVENT

cf. Künker, Auktion  383 , Lot 2063 in nearly xf  (€ 34.000 + 25%)

Cohen - (cf.4) ; RIC 82 ; BMC 79 ; Von Kaenel 1081 ; Calicó 391 RR
Minor andge failures and weak part near edge, otherwise very attractive
and very rare specimen coin with good portraits.
vf/xf-

weight 3,49gr. ; bronze Ø 14mm.

obv. Bare head of "Germanicus" left, surrounded by the legend;
KAIΣAP  ΓEPMANIKOΣ
rev. Pallas Athena standing left, holding phiale, spear and shield,
surrounded by the legend; ΣAPΔIANΩN  MNAΣEAΣ

Although the portrait on this coin is always described as that of Germanicus
in the literature, it is clearly the portrait of his brother Claudius that is depicted.

Mnaseas was probably a strategos, a military leader.

BMC 113 ; RPC.2993 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; Waddington 5234-5235 ;
Hochard 1884 ; Kurth 352 ; Weber collection 6909 ; Sear GIC.357 R
Very attractive coin of good style and with dark patina.
vf

weight 3,23gr. ; bronze Ø 13mm.

obv. Bare head of "Germanicus" left, surrounded by the legend;
KAIΣAP  ΓEPMANIKOΣ
rev. Pallas Athena standing left, holding phiale, spear and shield,
surrounded by the legend; ΣAPΔIANΩN  MNAΣEAΣ

Although the portrait on this coin is always described as that of Germanicus
in the literature, it is clearly the portrait of his brother Claudius that is depicted.

Mnaseas was probably a strategos, a military leader.

BMC 113 ; RPC.2993 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; Waddington 5234-5235 ;
Hochard 1884 ; Kurth 352 ; Weber collection 6909 ; Sear GIC.357 R
Struck on a short, thick flan. Dark patina. Rare
vf-

weight 7,73gr. ; gold Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Nero Claudius Drusus left, surrounded by
the legend; NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP
rev. Two shields, two pairs of spears, two trumpets, all crossed;
behind; vexillum with flag which is still or waving, surrounded
by the legend; DE GERMANIS

This aureus is an example of Claudian propaganda, in which that emperor recognized members of his family and their achievements. The obverse, depicting his father, Nero Claudius Drusus, or Drusus the Elder. The reverse commemorates the military campaign of Drusus the Elder against the German tribes across the Rhine. For five years, from 14 BC until his death in 9 BC, Drusus constructed a series of fortress bridgeheads along the western bank of the Rhine (including Moguntiacum (modern Mainz), Bonna (modern Bonn), and Colonia Agrippinensis (modern Cologne). Defeating those Germanic tribes located on the opposite shore, who had been engaging in raids against the Roman province of Gaul and threatening commerce on the Rhine, Drusus pushed into German territory as far as the Elbe, but turned back, because it was said that an apparition of a Germanic woman warned him against going further and that he was soon to die. For his successes, Drusus the Elder was awarded the agnomen Germanicus, a title that was applied to his two sons following his death.

In the past Rome was regarded as the mint for this coin type.
However, modern scholars regard Lugdunum as the most likely mint.

cf. CNG Auction 105, Lot 809 (in xf: $ 47.000 + 15%)

Cohen 5 ; RIC 73 ; BMC 104 ; cf, von Kaenel Type 13 ;
Calicó 317 ; Biaggi 182 ; Sear 1893  RR
attractive, well-centered specimen with good portrait
vf

weight 25,77gr. ; orichalcum Ø 34mm.

obv. Bare head of Nero Claudius Drusus left
NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP
rev. Claudius, bare-headed and togate, seated left on curule chair,
holding branch in his right hand and resting his left on his lap;
around the chair, spears, shields, cuirass, and a helmet, below S C,
surrounded by the legend; TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP 

This remarkable sestertius is part of a series of bronze coins
issued by Claudius to celebrate his father′s military triumphs.

Nero Claudius Drusus was the stepson of Augustus and the younger brother of Tiberius: he was the father of Claudius and Germanicus, and the grandfather of Caligula.

Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus was born 38 BC, shortly after the divorce of his mother, Livia Drusilla, from Tiberius Claudius Nero; she immediately married Octavian (later Augustus), who was suspected of being Drusus′ real father. Like his brother, Drusus was allowed to seek office five years before the legally specified age. He became praetor (magistrate) in 11 and consul in 9. With Tiberius he fought against two Alpine tribes (the Raeti and Vindelici), and in 13 he was made governor of the three Gauls. In this office he carried out an important census and erected the altar of Augustus at Lugdunum (now Lyon).

In 12–9 BC he led expeditions into Germany, establishing bases, first at Vetera (at the junction of the Lippe and Rhine rivers) and then at Mogontiacum (now Mainz). The Frisii, Chauci, Cherusci, and Chatti tribes were subdued, and a canal, the Fossa Drusiana, was dug from the Rhine to the North Sea. In the year 9, Drusus reached the Elbe River, but he was thrown from his horse and died of the injuries 30 days later. He was posthumously given the cognomen Germanicus. Drusus′ conquests were extensive, but most were lost when Arminius defeated Publius Quinctilius Varus in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest (AD 9). It was believed that Drusus desired the restoration of the republic, and his eldest son, Germanicus, was a popular favourite. Drusus had married, about 16 BC, the younger Antonia, daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia. Their surviving children, besides Germanicus, were Livilla and Claudius, who later became emperor.

Cohen 8 ; RIC 93 ; BMC 157 ; Sear 1896 R
Very attractive detailed portrait of fine style.
vf

weight 26,36gr. ; orichalcum Ø 35mm.

obv. Bare head of Nero Claudius Drusus left, surrounded by the legend;
NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP
rev. Claudius, bare-headed and togate, seated left on curule chair,
holding branch in his right hand and resting his left on his lap; around
the chair, spears, shields, cuirass, and a helmet, S C below, surrounded
by the legend; TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P

Nero Claudius Drusus was the stepson of Augustus and the younger
brother of Tiberius: he was the father of Claudius and Germanicus,
and the grandfather of Caligula.

Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus was born 38 BC, shortly after the divorce of his mother, Livia Drusilla, from Tiberius Claudius Nero; she immediately married Octavian (later Augustus), who was suspected of being Drusus′ real father. Like his brother, Drusus was allowed to seek office five years before the legally specified age. He became praetor (magistrate) in 11 and consul in 9. With Tiberius he fought against two Alpine tribes (the Raeti and Vindelici), and in 13 he was made governor of the three Gauls. In this office he carried out an important census and erected the altar of Augustus at Lugdunum (now Lyon).

In 12–9 BC he led expeditions into Germany, establishing bases, first at Vetera (at the junction of the Lippe and Rhine rivers) and then at Mogontiacum (now Mainz). The Frisii, Chauci, Cherusci, and Chatti tribes were subdued, and a canal, the Fossa Drusiana, was dug from the Rhine to the North Sea. In the year 9, Drusus reached the Elbe River, but he was thrown from his horse and died of the injuries 30 days later. He was posthumously given the cognomen Germanicus. Drusus′ conquests were extensive, but most were lost when Arminius defeated Publius Quinctilius Varus in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest (AD 9). It was believed that Drusus desired the restoration of the Republic, and his eldest son, Germanicus, was a popular favourite. Drusus had married, about 16 BC, the younger Antonia, daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia. Their surviving children, besides Germanicus, were Livilla and Claudius, who later became emperor.

Cohen 8 ; RIC 109 ; BMC 208 ; Sear 1897 R
Light corroded surfaces. Rare.
f/vf

weight 3,80gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.
Antonia was the wife of Nero Claudius Drusus and mother of Claudius

obv. Draped bust right, wearing crown of corn-ears, hair in long plait behind
ANTONIA AVGVSTA
rev. Two vertical long lit torches, lighted and linked by pelleted ribbon
SACERDOS DIVI AVGVSTI

This coin bears the posthumous representation of Antonia Minor, and was struck in her memory by her son Claudius upon his ascension to the throne. This well liked and respected Roman woman who was celebrated for her virtue and beauty was the younger of the two daughters of Marc Antony and Octavia, who after Antony′s death was allowed by Augustus to benefit from her father′s estate. She thus became wealthy and influential, and married Nero Claudius Drusus, general and consul, bearing him several children. Three survived into adulthood: the popular Germanicus, the future emperor Claudius, and a daughter Livilla. Following the death of her husband in AD 9 whilst on campaign in Germania, the rest of Antonia′s life was plagued by ill fortune as she outlived her eldest son, her daughter and several of her grandchildren.

After first the death of her husband, her eldest son Germanicus died in AD 19 in mysterious circumstances in Asia, where he incorporated the kingdoms of Commagene and Cappadocia into Roman provinces. While feuding with the governor of Syria Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, Germanicus was thought to have been poisoned, either by Piso or by Tiberius′ scheming advisor Sejanus. Her younger son Claudius, who was born with severe disabilities, was ostracised by his family and excluded from public office until his consulship in AD 37 which he shared with his nephew Caligula. Ironically, this action by his family may have actually saved his life as he was not perceived as a threat to power and therefore survived the purges of Tiberius′ and Caligula′s reigns, going on to prove himself a worthy emperor.

Antonia′s woes did not stop with her sons, as her daughter Livilla is supposed to have poisoned her husband Drusus the Younger, son of Tiberius. According to Cassius Dio, Tiberius handed Livilla over to her mother, who locked her up in a room and starved her to death. After the death of Tiberius, her grandson Caligula became emperor, and though Antonia would often offer him advice, he once told her, ′I can treat anyone exactly as I please!′
Caligula was rumoured to have had his young cousin Gemellus beheaded, to remove him as a rival to the throne. This act was said to have outraged Antonia, who was grandmother to Gemellus as well as to Caligula. Able to stand no more of Caligula′s tyranny, Antonia committed suicide, though Suetonius (Lives of the Caesars IV.23) , suggests she might also have been poisoned by her grandson. Despite what must have been a painful childhood, rejected by his own mother, Claudius clearly idolised her and after his accession gave her the posthumous title of Augusta, and her birthday became a public holiday which was marked with yearly games and public sacrifices, and her image was paraded in a carriage.

Cohen 5 ; RIC 68 ; BMC 114 ; Sear 1901 RR
Very attractive and  rare coin with beautiful toning.
vf/xf à xf-

weight 13,19gr. ; bronze Ø 27mm.

obv. Bust of Antonia Minor, bare-headed, draped, right; hair in
long plait, surrounded by the legend; ANTONIA AVGVSTA
rev. Claudius, veiled and togate, standing left, holding simpulum
in right hand, S - C across field, surrounded by the legend;
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP

On the reverse emperor Claudius is depicted as Pontifex Maximus. The Pontifex Maximus was the chief high priest of the College of Pontiffs (Collegium Pontificum) in ancient Rome. This was the most important position in the ancient Roman religion, open only to patricians until 254 BC, when a plebeian first occupied this post. Although in fact the most powerful office in the Roman priesthood, the Pontifex Maximus was officially ranked fifth in the ranking of the highest Roman priests (ordo sacerdotum), behind the rex sacrorum and the flamines maiores (Flamen Dialis, Flamen Martialis, Flamen Quirinalis).

Since Augustus Pontifex Maximus was one of the many titles of the Emperor, slowly losing its specific and historical powers and becoming simply a referent for the sacral aspect of imperial duties and powers. During the Imperial period, a promagister (vice-master) performed the duties of the Pontifex Maximus in lieu of the emperors whenever they were absent.

Cohen 6 ; RIC 92 ; BMC 166 ; Sear 1902 R
Some minor weakness of strike, but wonderful portrait with fine
details and very attractive dark patina. Rare.
vf/xf

weight 28,66gr. ; orichalcum Ø 36mm.

obv. Draped bust of Agrippina the Elder right, her hair
falling in queue down her neck, surrounded by the legend;
AGRIPPINA M F GERMANICI CAESARIS
rev. Large S C surrounded by the legend;
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM PM TR P IMP PP

Minted during the reign of Claudius, in honour
of his deceased sister-in-law Agrippina Senior.

Vipsania Agrippina, also called Agrippina the Elder, was born circa 14 BC as the daughter of  Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia, the daughter of the emperor Augustus. Agrippina was married to Germanicus Caesar (great-nephew of Augustus by adoption and nephew and adopted son of Tiberius). She accompanied her husband to Germany and to the East, where he died at Antioch in 19. On her return she accused Tiberius of having had Germanicus murdered, and relations between them remained tense. Sejanus, Tiberius′ chief minister, encouraged the emperor′s suspicion of her for his own purposes, especially when the death of Tiberius′ son Drusus in 23 brought her sons into direct line for the succession.

In 29 Agrippina was exiled, and in 30 her son Drusus was imprisoned. Two years after the fall of Sejanus, they both died by starvation. She died 18 October 33 on the Island Pandateria in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Modern Ventotene Island, Italy). Tiberius was suspected of having ordered their deaths. Of her nine children by Germanicus, one son and three daughters survived her, the son becoming Tiberius′ successor as the emperor Caius Caligula (37–41). The most famous of her daughters was Julia Agrippina, the mother of the emperor Nero. Several fine portraits of Agrippina have been preserved, the most famous being in the Capitoline Museum, Rome.

Cohen 3 ; RIC 102 ; BMC 219 ; Sear 1906 R
Some minor pits and minted with some weaknesses. Rare.
f+ à f/vf

weight 24,68gr. ; orichalcum Ø 35mm.

obv. Draped bust of Agrippina the Elder right, her hair
falling in queue down her neck, surrounded by the legend;
AGRIPPINA M F GERMANICI CAESARIS
rev. Large S C surrounded by the legend;
TI CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM PM TR P IMP PP

Minted during the reign of Claudius, in honour
of his deceased sister-in-law Agrippina Senior.

Vipsania Agrippina, also called Agrippina the Elder, was born circa 14 BC as the daughter of  Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia, the daughter of the emperor Augustus. Agrippina was married to Germanicus Caesar (great-nephew of Augustus by adoption and nephew and adopted son of Tiberius). She accompanied her husband to Germany and to the East, where he died at Antioch in 19. On her return she accused Tiberius of having had Germanicus murdered, and relations between them remained tense. Sejanus, Tiberius′ chief minister, encouraged the emperor′s suspicion of her for his own purposes, especially when the death of Tiberius′ son Drusus in 23 brought her sons into direct line for the succession.

In 29 Agrippina was exiled, and in 30 her son Drusus was imprisoned. Two years after the fall of Sejanus, they both died by starvation. She died 18 October 33 on the Island Pandateria in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Modern Ventotene Island, Italy). Tiberius was suspected of having ordered their deaths. Of her nine children by Germanicus, one son and three daughters survived her, the son becoming Tiberius′ successor as the emperor Caius Caligula (37–41). The most famous of her daughters was Julia Agrippina, the mother of the emperor Nero. Several fine portraits of Agrippina have been preserved, the most famous being in the Capitoline Museum, Rome.

Normally, the reverse side bears the inscription "CLAVDIVS" in full.
On this specimen, his name is abbreviated to CLAVD. It is unpublished
in the reference literature and therefore extremely rare as such.

Cohen - (cf. 3) ; RIC - (cf. 102) ; BMC - (cf. 219) ;
Sear - (cf. 1906)  RRRR
Some tooling and re-engraving. Beautifully detailed portrait.
Attractive dark patina.
xf-/vf+

weight 7,66gr. ; gold Ø 18mm.

obv. Draped, bare headed, bust of young Nero right, surrounded 
by the legend; NERONI CLAVDIO DRVSO GERM COS DESIGN
rev. Shield with the inscription; EQVESTER / OR - DO / PRINCIPI / IVVENT,
vertical spear behind

Nero, adopted by Claudius in AD 50. His mother Agrippina was behind Nero first being raised to the rank of Princeps Juventutis (Leader of Youth) in 51 AD. Nero now appears on the coinage, as the official heir and not Britannicus, the son of Claudius.

It was customary for the Order of Roman Knights to give the Princes of the Youth a silver spear and shield. This coin type was struck on the occasion of Nero′s appointment as consul designatus on 4 March 51 and the acquisition of the title Princeps Iuventutis ("first of the young"). He thus became one of the legal successors of Emperor Claudius. Caius and Lucius, sons of Agrippa, received a similar present, being Principes Juventutis. It is also, in this quality, that Nero is here recorded to have been complimented with a spear shield by the Equastrian Order.

Cohen 96 ; RIC 78 ; BMC 90 ; Calico 407 ; Kent-Hirmer 181 ;
Biaggi 223 ; Mazzini 96 ; Sear 1916 RR
A delicate portrait in high relief of the young Prince Nero. Very rare.
xf-

weight 3,37gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Draped, bare headed, bust of young Nero right, surrounded
by the legend; NERONI CLAVDIO DRVSO GERM COS DESIGN
rev. Shield with inscription; EQVESTER / OR - DO / PRINCIPI / IVVENT,
vertical spear behind

Nero, adopted by Claudius in AD 50. His mother Agrippina was behind Nero first being raised to the rank of Princeps Juventutis (Leader of Youth) in 51 AD. Nero now appears on the coinage, as the official heir and not Britannicus, the son of Claudius.

It was customary for the Order of Roman Knights to give the Princes of the Youth a silver spear and shield. This coin type was struck on the occasion of Nero′s appointment as consul designatus on 4 March 51 and the acquisition of the title Princeps Iuventutis ("first of the young"). He thus became one of the legal successors of Emperor Claudius. Caius and Lucius, sons of Agrippa, received a similar present, being Principes Juventutis. It is also, in this quality, that Nero is here recorded to have been complimented with a spear shield by the Equastrian Order.

Cohen 97 ; RIC 79 ; BMC 93 ; Sear 1918 RR
Very rare.
vf

weight 7,59gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Bust of Nero, bare-headed, draped, left, surrounded 
by the legend; NERO CLAVD CAES DRVSVS GERM PRINC IVVENT
translation: Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus Principes Juventutis =
Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus, conqueror of the Germans, prince of youth.
rev. Simpulum above tripod and lituus above patera, surrounded by the legend;
SACERD COOPT IN OMN CONL SVPRA NVM EX S C
translation: Sacerdos Cooptatus In Omnia Collegia Supra Numerum Ex Senatus
Consultum = Supernumerary priest elected in all the colleges by decree of the senate.

Nero, adopted by Claudius in AD 50. His mother Agrippina was behind Nero first being raised to the rank of Princeps Iuventutis (Leader of Youth) in 51 AD. Nero now appears on the coinage, as the official heir and not Britannicus, the son of Claudius.

On the reverse of this coin we see a ′simpulum′ (sacrificial ladle), a tripod, a ′lituus′ (augures staff) and a ′patera′ (libation bowl). These symbols symbolize the 4 main priest colleges of Rome :Pontifices, Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis, Augures & Epulones. Nero was appointed by Senatorial decree as a supernumerary priest into these 4 collleges after adopting the toga virilis (white toga of manhood) in 51

provenance; ex. Schulman pricelist 211, lot 54 ; ex. auction Dr. Eugen Merzbacher Nachf.,
15 Nov.1910, lot 1449 → ex. Auction Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 24 February 1909,
lot 20 → ex. conseiller M. de Montcara collection (18th century).

(cf. NAC, auction 54 in xf/unc with weakness and scuff; SFR 24.000 + 16,5%)

Cohen 311 ; RIC 76 (R2) ; BMC 84 ; von Kaenel Type 52 ;
Biaggi 240 ; Calicó 441 ; Sear 1915 RR
Reverse light off-centred en minor scratch, nevertheless a very attractive coin
with a magnificent portrait of the young Prince Nero. Very rare.
xf/xf-

weight 4,05gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bust of Nero, bare-headed, draped, right, surrounded 
by the legend; NЄPωNOC KAICAPOC ΓЄPMANIKOY
rev. Simpulum and lituus, surrounded by the legend; 
ΔIΔΡAXMON

Nero, adopted by Claudius in AD 50. His mother Agrippina was behind Nero first being raised to the rank of Princeps Iuventutis (Leader of Youth) in 51 AD. Nero now appears on the coinage, as the official heir and not Britannicus, the son of Claudius.

On the reverse of this coin we see a ′simpulum′ (sacrificial ladle) and a ′lituus′ (augures staff). These symbols symbolize 2 of the the 4 main priest colleges of Rome :Pontifices, Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis, Augures & Epulones. Nero was appointed by Senatorial decree as a supernumerary priest into these 4 collleges after adopting the toga virilis (white toga of manhood) in 51.

This is one of very few ancient coins to explicitly
mention the denomination on the reverse.

BMC 209 ; SNG.Copenhagen 375 ; RPC.4171 ; McAlee 272 RR
Well-centred example of this very rare coin type. 
vf à vf/xf