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Click here to subscribeDivus Nero Claudius Drusus, brass sestertius, struck by his son Claudius, Rome Mint 41-42 A.D., obverse reads:- NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP, bare head of Drusus left, reverse:- Claudius or Drusus seated left on curule chair, amidst an assortment of arms, holding branch, legend:- TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP S C, Sear 1896var., a few weak letters on reverse but a pleasing coin, NVF
Domitian brass sestertius, Rome Mint 85 A.D., reverse:- Annona standing right, holding cornucopiae, facing seated Ceres at left, who holds corn-ears and torch, modus on garlanded altar between them, stern of ship in background, legend:- ANNONA AVGVST S C, Sear 2760, a nice example of this interesting issue, a little light surface pitting but VF
Hadrian brass sestertius, Rome Mint 136 A.D., reverse:- RESTITVTORI AFRICAE S C, Hadrian standing left, raising kneeling figure of Africa, Corn-ears growing between them, Sear 3628, together with a copper as of Trajan, Rome Mint 99 A.D., reverse:- TR POT COS II P P S C, Victory, wings spread, alightling left, holding shield inscribed S P Q R, RIC 402, the first piece rare, F second GF/F [2]
Hadrian copper as, Rome Mint 121 A.D., Pietas standing facing, both hands raised in prayer, Sear 3687, GF with a ditto but a brass sestertius, Rome Mint 127 A.D., with very large laureate bust right, reverse:- Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory and cornucopiae, shield set on helmet, behind, Sear 3585, GF/NF [2]
Postumus bronze double-sestertius, Cologne Mint 261 A.D., reverse reads:- LAETITIA AVG, Galley travelling right over waves, with rowers, Sear 11049. This issue is though to perhaps record a visit to Britain by Postumus, small ancient dig on galley, a sharp strike with much detail, overall an even 'milky' green patina, VF
Sabina brass sestertius, Rome Mint 136 A.D., reverse reads:- VENERI GENETRICI S C, Venus standing right, drawing out fold of drapery from shoulder and holding apple, Sear 3941, some legend weakly struck, obverse 2 - 5 o'clock and corresponding part of reverse and signs of some old field tooling, never the less a good portrait piece, VF
Ancient Roman Imperial Coins - Nero - Emperor and Soldier Riding Sestertius 65 AD, Lyons mint. Obv: NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER PM TR P IMP P P legend with laureate head left with small globe at point of bust. Rev: Nero, bare-headed, cuirassed and with cloak floating free, prancing right on horseback, holding spear in right hand; beyond and behind him, soldier on horseback prancing right with vexillum held over shoulder; S-C across fields, DECVRSIO in exergue. 24.81 grams. RIC 397; WCN 413; cf. Sear 1957. See Wildwinds.com (this coin"). Extremely fine; near as struck. Rare (R2).
Ancient Roman Imperial Coins - Giovanni Cavino - Italian Renaissance 'Paduan' Medallion of Otho 16th century AD or a little later; a struck medallion or 'sestertius', probably an early strike, by/after Giovanni Cavino (1500-1570) of Padua. Obv: profile bust of Otho right with IMP OTHO CAES AVG P M COS II legend. Rev: nude helmeted Mars (?) right with shield and sword advancing towards altar and captive nude figure bound to palm tree left; supine nude male figure below; S-C at sides; die-linked in a series to a portrait medal depicting Achille Bocchi[us] (1488-1562) of Bologna, Italy. 46.40 grams, 41.45mm. (1 1/2"). Klawans 8; see Myntbloggen.se, 9 April 2013, Ottosons OTHO-medalj, for discussion on this type and die-linking with others (printout included); see also Myntbloggen.se, 21 March 2013, OTHO - Matura Celeritas, (printout included); see CNG 66, 19 May 2004, lot 2056 for a later cast example (realised $450 hammer price"). This medallion is die-linked by the obverse to a MATVRA CELERITAS reverse and further die-linked by that reverse to an obverse with ACH BOCCHIVS BONONIENSIS HISTORIAE CONDITOR legend and a profile portrait (see printout showing the three medallions compared); Bocchi[us] was a teacher of law in Bologna and author of Symbolicarum Quaestionum de Universo Genere, published from 1555 and resided at Palazzo Bocchi from about 1555; he was a contemporary of Cavino. Good very fine; pierced at top. Rare.
Probably 19th century or earlier, after Giovanni da Cavino (1500-1570 AD), imitating Roman issues and styles of sestertii or medallions. Julius Caesar. Obv: CAESAR DICTATOR legend with laureate bust right. Rev: she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus with ROMA in exergue (similar obverses also known with implements and 'VENI/VIDI/VICI' reverses"). Otho. Obv: IMP OTHO CAESAR AVG TRI POT legend with bare-headed bust right. Rev: SECV - RI - TAS P R legend with emperor standing before altar greeting three soldiers with standards behind and SC in exergue (no sestertii for this emperor"). Trajan. Obv: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P legend with laureate bust right. Rev: S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI legend with Trajan's Danube bridge and SC below (copy of a sestertius"). 23.18, 16.04, 16.24 grams. -/Lawrence 23; Cessi 56/copy of BMC 851, RIC 569, Sear 3207. [3, No Reserve] Very fine. First two scarce.
Trajan brass sestertius, Rome Mint 106 A.D., reverse reads:- S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C, Annona standing left, holding corn-ears over modius and cornucopiae, prow of ship to right, Sear 3195, very small ancient pits with overall hard, dark, green patina, well struck up, with nice portrait, VF
Divus Augustus. Died AD 14. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 26.49 g, 6h). Restitution issue. Rome mint. Struck under Nerva, AD 98. DIVVS • ?V GVSTVS, laureate head of Divus Augustus right / IMP • NERV? C?ESAR • AVGVSTVS • REST • around large S • C. RIC II 136 (Nerva); Komnick 4.0 (Nerva); BMCRE 149-152 (Nerva); BN 141-3 (Nerva). VF, dark green patina, some red, minor roughness and cleaning marks, traces of deposits. From the RAM Collection, purchased from Lucien Birkler, June 1989.
Tiberius & Germanicus Gemellus. AD 19-37/8 and 19-23/4, respectively. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 26.74 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-23. Crossed cornucopias, each surmounted by bareheaded bust of a boy, vis-à-vis; vertical winged caduceus between / DRVSVS • CAESAR • TI • AVG • F • DIVI • AVG • N • PONT • TR • POT • II around large S • C. RIC I 42 (Tiberius); BMCRE 95-7 (Tiberius); BN 72-3 (Tiberius). VF, attractive mahogany surfaces, some green, traces of earthen deposits, a few areas of roughness. From the RAM Collection, purchased from R. M. Smythe, August 2001.
Britannicus. AD 41-55. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 24.27 g, 6h). Uncertain Balkan/Thracian mint. Struck under Claudius, circa AD 50-54. [TI CLAVD]IVS • CAESAR • AVG F BRITANNICVS [•], bareheaded and draped bust left / Mars, barefoot, but wearing full military attire, including sagum (cape), advancing left, holding spear in outstretched right hand and round shield in left; large S C across field. RIC I pg. 130, note; von Kaenel, Thrakien, Type B, 5 (same dies); BMCRE 226 (Claudius). Fine, even pale green patina. Rare. From the RAM Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 79 (17 December 2003), lot 132.
Agrippina Junior. Augusta, AD 50-59. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 24.91 g, 6h). Uncertain Balkan mint. Struck under Claudius, circa AD 50-54. AGRIPPINA AVG GERMANICI F CAESARIS AVG, draped bust right / Carpentum left, drawn by two mules. RIC I 103 (Claudius); von Kaenel, Thrakien, type A 4; BMCRE, p. 195, note *, and pl. 37, 3B. Fine, brown surfaces. Rare. From the RAM Collection.
Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 28.90 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 65. NERO • CLAVD • CAESAR • AVG • GER • P • M •TR • P • IMP P P, laureate head right, globe at point of neck / S C across field, Triumphal arch, hung with wreath across front and left side; above, Nero in facing quadriga escorted on right by Victory holding wreath and palm and on left by Pax holding caduceus and cornucopiae; just below the quadriga on extreme left and right, two small figures of soldiers; on left side of arch in niche, figure of Mars standing facing, holding spear and round shield; ornamental reliefs on the faces and plinths of the arch. RIC I 392; WCN 410; Lyon 70; BMCRE 329; BN 77. Good VF, marbled green and dark gray patina. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 43 (24 September 1997), lot 1827.
Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 27.25 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 65. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head right, globe at point of neck / P?CE P R TERR? M?RIQ P?RT? I?NVM CLVSIT, S C across field, Temple of Janus with latticed windows to left and garland hung across closed double doors to the right. RIC I 438; WCN 419; Lyon 109; BMCRE 319; BN 73; Kampmann 13 (this coin). Near EF, wonderful tan and olive surfaces. Great portrait. Featured in the podcast “Rom, 65 n. Chr.” on the MoneyMuseum website.. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Ars Classica XVII (3 October 1934), lot 1278; J. Hirsch XXXI (6 May 1912), lot 1136.
Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (35.5mm, 25.55 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 67. IMP NERO C?ESAR ?VG P M?X TR POT P P, Laureate head right, globe at point of neck / S C across field, DECVRSIO in exergue, Nero, bareheaded, wearing cuirass and short tunic, on horse prancing right, carrying spear in rest in right hand; to left, a soldier also on horseback, carrying vexillum in right hand sloped over shoulder. RIC I 581; WCN 462; Lyon 259; BMCRE 315; BN –. Near EF, dark brown, slightly granular surfaces, some earthen deposits.
Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (37.5mm, 29.42 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 63. NERO CLAVD CAESAR • AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head left / CONG DAT [II POP R], Nero on left, seated right on high platform; before him, an official seated right on another platform handing congiarium to togate citizen standing with one foot on a flight of steps, right hand extended, holding fold of toga; on right, small boy stands left; in background, on left, Minerva standing left, holding owl in right hand and spear in left, and, on right, Liberalitas standing right, holding up tessera in right hand. RIC 100 corr. (obv. legend); WCN 82; BMCRE –; BN 261-3. Near VF, dark gray-brown granular surfaces, some red. Rare. From the RAM Collection. Ex Patrick E. Cosgrove Collection (Empire 14, 1 February 1993), lot 52.
Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (35.5mm, 26.43 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 63. NERO • CLAVDIVS • CAESAR • AVG • GERM P M TR P IMP • P P, laureate bust right, wearing aegis / DECVRSIO in exergue, S C across upper field, Nero, bareheaded, wearing cuirass and short tunic, on horse prancing right, carrying spear in rest in right hand; to left, a soldier also on horseback, carrying vexillum in right hand sloped over shoulder. RIC I 104; WCN 75; BMCRE 143-4; BN 283-4. Good VF, dark gray and green patina, areas of minor roughness, some deposits. High-relief portrait. From the RAM Collection.
Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 27.90 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 65. NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AV G GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate bust right, slight drapery / S C across field, ROMA in exergue, Roma, helmeted and draped, seated left on cuirass, right foot on helmet, holding Victory in outstretched right hand and resting left hand on parazonium; to right, shields set on ground. RIC I 275 var. (wearing aegis); WCN 137 var. (same); BMCRE 180 var. (same); BN 364 var. (same). Near EF, mottled green and brown patina, minor cleaning marks. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Kurt P. Wyprächtiger Collection; Leu 7 (9 May 1973), lot 346.
Galba. AD 68-69. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 26.84 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa June-August AD 68. IMP SER GALBA AVG TR P, laureate and draped bust right / S P Q R/OB/CIV SER in three lines; all within oak wreath. RIC I 262; ACG 303 (A153/P230); BMCRE 116-7. EF, even dark brown river patina with areas of hard green on the reverse. An exceptional portrait coin of Galba. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 10 (9 April 1997), lot 593.
Vitellius. AD 69. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 24.88 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa late April-20 December AD 69. A • VITELLIVS • GERMANICVS IMP AVG P M TR • P •, laureate and draped bust right / PAX AVGVSTI, S C across field, Pax, draped, standing left, holding olive branch in outstretched right hand and cornucopia in left. RIC I 118; BMCRE p. 377, †; BN 93 (same obv. die). Near VF, brown surfaces, some green, hairline flan crack, reverse has been filled and smoothed. From the RAM Collection, purchased from George Beach, February 1989.
Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 24.61 g, 6h). “Judaea Capta” commemorative. Rome mint. Struck AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head right / IVD?EA CAPT?, S C in exergue, palm tree; to left, bound male captive standing right; to right, Jewess seated right in attitude of mourning; both figures surrounded by arms. RIC II 159; BMCRE 533; BN 489-90; Hendin 1500. Near VF, attractive hard red-brown patina, areas of weak strike in legends. Attractive example of this popular type.
Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 25.85 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head right / S C across field, Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak around waist, advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and trophy in left over left shoulder. RIC II 199; BMCRE 777; BN 539-40. Near EF, green patina.
Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 23.55 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 77-78. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII, laureate head right / ANNONA AVGVST, S C across field, Annona, draped, seated left, holding open on her lap a bag of grain ears, the ends held in her hands. RIC II 987; BMCRE 730; BN 768. Good VF, natural, hard, red-brown patina, some green deposits. Attractive surfaces. Rare.
Titus. AD 79-81. Æ Sestertius (35.5mm, 29.21 g, 6h). “Judaea Capta” commemorative. Rome mint. Struck AD 80-81. IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII, laureate head left / IVD CAP/ SC in two lines across field, palm tree; to left, Judaea seated left on arms; to right, captive standing right; to far right, helmet, yoke, and oblong shield. RIC II 153; Hendin 1593c; BMCRE 169-70; BN 159. VF, thick gray-brown, green, and red patina, a few pits, evidence of smoothing. Rare. From the RAM Collection.
Nerva. AD 96-98. Æ Sestertius (34.5mm, 26.82 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 97. IMP NERV? C?ES ?VG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head right / CONCORDI? [EXER]CITVVM, S C across lower field, clasped right hands, holding aquila set on prow. RIC II 80; Banti 7; BMCRE 102-3; BN 95-6. VF, brown and dark gray surfaces, some red, areas of minor roughness. From the RAM Collection, purchased from Edward J. Waddell, June 1989.
Nerva. AD 96-98. Æ Sestertius (33.5mm, 26.45 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 97. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head right / VEHICVLATIONE ITALIAE REMISSA (With the levy for supplying the imperial transport system being abolished for Italy), S C in exergue, two mules grazing, one left, one right; behind, high-wheeled cart, with pole and harness (collars and traces), tipped up and pointing slightly to right. RIC II 93; Banti 44; BMCRE 120-1; BN 108. Near VF, brown surfaces, somewhat pitted, minor smoothing. Rare. From the RAM Collection, purchased from R. M. Smythe, April 1999; Ex Numismatic Fine Arts IX (10 December 1980), lot 470.
Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 29.38 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck Autumn AD 98-Autumn AD 99. IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM P M, laureate bust right, aegis on left shoulder / TR POT COS II P P, S C in exergue, Pax enthroned left, feet on footstool, holding branch in outstretched right hand and cradling scepter in left arm. RIC II 401 var. (bust type); Woytek 58e; Strack 304 (bust type unlisted); BMCRE –; BN 61. VF, natural Tiber patina. Very rare with the aegis. From the A.K. Collection.
Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 29.63 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 103-107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from front / S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C in exergue, Trajan on horseback riding right, thrusting spear at falling Dacian before. RIC II 536; Woytek 203h (this coin referenced); Strack 361 (bust type unlisted); Banti 213; BMCRE –. EF, hard dark green patina with earthen overtones in devices. Good portrait coin for Trajan. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Kurt P Wyprächtiger Collection; Hess-Leu 49 (3 May 1971), lot 356.
Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 23.96 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 106-107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust right, wearing aegis / S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C across field, Roma, wearing crested helmet and military dress, standing front, head left, holding Victory in right hand and vertical spear in left; before, small Dacian, kneeling right, raising right hand to Roma. RIC II 485; Woytek 250c-2; Strack 371 (bust type unlisted); Banti 123; BMCRE 774. Good VF, green patina, trace of smoothing in fields. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Vecchi 8 (4 December 1997), lot 270.
Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 25.79 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 114-116. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate and draped bust right / IMPERATOR VIII/S • C in two lines in exergue, Trajan seated right on sella castrensis set on high platform, two officers at his side, haranguing a group of six soldiers who hold two signa and an aquila. RIC II 656; Woytek 548v; Strack 463?; Banti 78; BMCRE 1017. Good VF, brown and green patina, minor smoothing in fields.
Plotina. Augusta, AD 105-123. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 27.56 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Trajan, AD 112-August 117. PLOTINA AVG IMP TRAIANI, draped bust right, hair elaborately dressed in two tiers over brow, above which is a stephane, and elaborately waved at the back, falling down her neck in plait / FIDES AVGVST, S C across field, Fides standing right, holding grain ears in right hand, basket of fruit in left. RIC II 740 (Trajan); Woytek 711; Strack 441; Banti 1; BMCRE 1080-2; BN 730, 732. VF, brown surfaces, areas of green patina, hairline flan crack, some roughness. Rare. From the RAM Collection, purchased from Frank Kovacs, May 2001. Ex Leo Benz Collection (Lanz 94, 22 November 1999), lot 469; acquired from J. Schulman, Amsterdam, August 1976.
Diva Marciana. Died AD 112/4. Æ Sestertius (35.5mm, 27.60 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Trajan, September AD 112-117. DIVA AVGVSTA MARCIANA, draped bust right, hair elaborately dressed over brow, above which is a stephane, braided and bound up at the back / EX SENATVS CONSVLTO, S C in exergue, Diva Marciana, holding grain ears in right hand, scepter in left, seated left on cart drawn by two elephants; each elephant has its own mahout. RIC II 750 var. (Trajan; patera not grain ears); Woytek 725; Strack 447 (Trajan); Banti 6; BMCRE 1086-7 (Trajan); BN 793. Good Fine, dark gray and brown patina, some green, areas of minor porosity and roughness, a few light marks. Very rare. From the RAM Collection. Ex John F. Sullivan Collection (Triton IX, 10 January 2006), lot 1451; Numismatica Ars Classica I (19 May 1999), lot 1902.There is very little in the historical record of Ulpia Marciana, Trajan`s sister. Unlike many other imperial relatives during the Empire, she is reputed to have been of very high character. During Trajan`s reign, Marciana lived as a widow, and did not take another husband. She was a close friend of Trajan`s wife, Plotina, and both jointly accepted the title of Augusta in AD 105 (which they had both rejected in AD 98). The date of her death is debatable, and although some scholars believe she died in the year she was hailed Augusta, her death is commonly placed in AD 112 or 114.
Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 27.12 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 119-122. IMP CAESAR TRAIANV S HADRIANVS AVG, laureate heroic bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / PONT MAX TR POT COS III, S C across field, Securitas enthroned left, holding scepter in right hand and resting left arm on throne back and propping up head; SECVR AVG in exergue. RIC II 569; Strack 528e; Banti 738; BMCRE 1163. Good VF, pale green patina, some deposits along edge. Ex Lanz 128 (22 May 2006), lot 402.
Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 27.82 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 122-125. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / P M TR P COS III, S C across field, Spes advancing left, holding flower and lifting garment. Cf. RIC II 612; Strack 576?; Banti 595 (this coin illustrated); AdG p. 45 = Kent & Hirmer 288 (this coin); BMCRE 1256. Superb EF, dark emerald green patina. An exquisite coin. From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Sotheby’s (8 July 1996), lot 114; Leu 48 (10 May 1989), lot 343; Erich von Schulthess-Rechberg Collection (Hess-Leu 17, 23 March 1961), lot 170; Richard Cyril Lockett Collection (Part VIII, Glendining`s, 26 May 1959), lot 34; Earl Fitzwilliam Collection (Christie’s, 30 May 1949); lot 133.
Sabina. Augusta, AD 128-136/7. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 27.77 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Hadrian, circa AD 128-134. SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P, draped bust right, wearing double stephane and hair coiled and piled on top of head / S C in exergue, Ceres, veiled and draped, seated left on modius, holding up stalks of grain in right hand and lighted, long torch in left. RIC II 1019 (Hadrian); Strack 858; Banti 28; BMCRE 1879-81 (Hadrian). Good VF, green patina, reverse surfaces are mostly brown, areas of roughness, some earthen deposits. From the RAM Collection. Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG 79 (1 March 1994), lot 527.
Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.35 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 140-144. ANTONINVS AVG PI VS P P TR POT COS III, bust right, wearing wreath consisting of grain ears and poppies, slight drapery on left shoulder / AEQVIT AS AVG, Aequitas standing left, holding scales in outstretched right hand and scepter in left. Cf. Heritage New York Signature Sale 3004 (4 January 2009), lot 20080 = Heritage 3002 (18 September 2008), lot 20091 (for sestertius with grain ear and poppy wreath, but fully draped bust); otherwise unpublished for a denarius. EF, attractively toned, a couple of minor flan splits. Unique. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 75 (15 October 2003), lot 139 (part of).While the use of a grain ear wreath is known on other very rare imperial issues, most notably those of Gallienus accompanied by the legend GALLIENAE AVGVSTAE, as well as an extremely rare sestertius of Hadrian (NAC 72, lot 641), to date, for Antoninus Pius it occurs only on this denarius and the Heritage sestertius. The use of the grain ear wreath may be explained by imperial participation in the mysteries of Demeter at Eleusis – an event that is well-attested for Hadrian (and possibly Marcus Aurelius). While Antoninus Pius is known to have patronized the sanctuary and provided funding for its upkeep, he is not recorded as having participated in the mysteries, although these coins now suggest that he did.
Diva Faustina Senior. Died AD 140/1. Æ Sestertius (3417mm, 27.15 g, 6h). Consecration issue. Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, circa AD 146-161. DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust right, wearing hair bound in pearls / AVGV STA, S C across field, Ceres, veiled and draped, standing left, holding grain ears in right hand and torch in left. RIC III 1116 (Pius); Strack 1285; Banti 35; BMCRE 1509 (Pius). Near EF, brown and green patina, beautiful, even surfaces. An attractive example of the type. From the RAM Collection.
Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 22.40 g, 12h). Liberalitas issue. Rome mint. Struck AD 176-177. M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM TR P XXXI, laureate head right / LIBERALITAS AVG VII IMP VIII COS III P P, S C across field, Liberalitas standing facing, head left, holding abacus in right hand and cornucopia in left. RIC III 1205; MIR 18, 381-6/30; Banti 215; BMCRE 1610. Near EF, natural hard green patina, small flan split. Struck on a broad flan. Following his success in the First Marcomannic War and his suppression of Avidius Cassius, Marcus Aurelius returned to Rome for the first time in eight years. While there, he appointed his son, Commodus, as co-Augustus and on 23 December AD 176 celebrated a joint triumph over the Germans and the Sarmatians, at which time the distribution, commemorated on this sestertius, occurred. This time in Rome was to be his last, for in AD 177, the treaty with the Germans was broken by the Quadi, and Marcus was compelled to return to the front. The following lot (lot 1123), which proclaims his safe journey from the front and back again, is particularly ironic: Marcus never again would return from the front, save for the return of his ashes for burial in the Mausoleum of Hadrian, and Rome would experience the erratic and maniacal rule of Commodus.
Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 147-175. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 25.05 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, circa AD 147-150. F?VSTIN? ?VG PII ?VG FIL, draped bust right / VE NVS, S C across lowerfield, Venus standing left, holding apple in right hand and scepter in left. RIC III 1387 (Pius); Strack 1324; Banti 133; BMCRE 2186 (Pius). Good VF, brown surfaces. Attrractive young portrait of Faustina. From the RAM Collection.
Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 147-175. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 26.13 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-164. F?VSTIN? ?VGVST?, draped bust right, wearing stephane / IVNONI REGIN?E, S C across lower field, Juno standing left, holding patera in right hand and scepter in left; at feet to left, peacock standing left. RIC III –; MIR 18, 19-6(b) = J. Hirsch 33, lot 1311; Banti 81; BMCRE 922 (Marcus). EF, attractive olive-green patina.
Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ Sestertius (31mm, 25.12 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 164 . L ?VREL VERVS ?VG ?RMENI?CVS, laureate head right / TR P IIII IMP II COS II, S C low across field, REX ?RMEN/D?T in two lines in exergue, Lucius Verus, in military dress, seated left on curule chair, set on low platform, with right hand placing diadem on head of King Sohaemus, left hand at side: the king stands left and raises right hand to adjust diadem: on platform by Verus, three officers, one on left, standing right, holding spear in left hand, two on right, one standing facing, the other, standing left. RIC III 1370 (Aurelius); MIR 18, 92-16/30; Banti 93; BMCRE 1103. VF, red and brown patina, some green, areas of roughness. From the RAM Collection.
Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ Sestertius (31mm, 22.49 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 183. M • COMMODVS ANTO NINVS AVG PIVS, laureate head right / PROV AVG TR P VIII IMP VI • COS IIII P • P, S C low across field, Providentia, draped, standing left, holding vertical scepter in left hand and wand in right hand over globe on ground to left . RIC III 379; MIR 18, 594-6/30; Banti 335; BMCRE 502A. VF, dark green patina, some brown earthen deposits. From the RAM Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions IV (21 September 1988), lot 493.
Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ Sestertius (31mm, 25.48 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck AD 192. L • AEL • AVREL • CO MM • AVG • P • FEL, head left, wearing lion skin tied at neck / Club of Hercules; HER-CVL/ROM-ANO/AV-GV/S C in four lines across field; all within wreath with large central jewel. RIC III 637; MIR 18, 855-6/72; Banti 96; BMCRE 711. Near VF, black-green surfaces, some roughness. From the RAM Collection. Ex Athena Fund (Sotheby’s Zurich, 27 October 1993), lot 1612.
Crispina. Augusta, AD 178-182. Æ Sestertius (29mm, 28.07 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Commodus, AD 178-182. CRISPINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right / CONCORDIA, S C across lower field, Concordia seated left, holding patera in outstretched right hand and cradling cornucopia in left arm. RIC III 665 (Commodus); MIR 18, 4-6a; Banti 5; BMCRE 407 (Commodus). Good VF, dark green patina, fields smoothed. From the RAM Collection. Ex Sternberg XXVIII (30 October 1995), lot 157.
Pertinax. AD 193. Æ Sestertius (30mm, 20.96 g, 6h). Rome mint. IMP CAES P HELV PE RTINAX AVG, laureate head right / VOT DEC[EN TR P CO]S II, S C across field, Pertinax, veiled and togate, standing left, holding volumen in left hand and sacrificing out of patera in right over lighted tripod to left. RIC IV 24; Banti 22; BMCRE 44. Fine, brown, slightly granular surfaces, some pitting on reverse. Bold portrait. From the RAM Collection, purchased from Dr. Arnold Saslow, May 1991.
Didius Julianus. AD 193. Æ Sestertius (27mm, 18.68 g, 6h). Rome mint. IMP CAES M DID SEV ER IVLIAN A[VG], laureate head right / P M TR P COS, S C across lower field, Fortuna, draped, standing left, holding rudder set on globe in right hand and cornucopia in left. RIC IV 15; Banti 5; BMCRE 26. VF, pale green patina, some red and brown, traces of earthen deposits. Rare. From the RAM Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XVI (16 August 1991), lot 513; Edward J. Waddell II (12 September 1987), lot 537.
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