At our Auction 9 – Ancient coins

Ancient coins spark the imagination of many collectors and provide an endless field to expand the collection. The multitude of rulers, mints, types, subtypes, and denominations means that beginner collectors have a lot of problems with identifying the ruler, denomination or reading the legend, and many collectors do not know where to start their adventure and what coins to buy at the beginning of their adventure with this department.

Numismatic auctions are helpful in starting collecting, where buyers have precisely described items and buy them at real market prices. At the beginning of the adventure, it is worth browsing several archives and choosing a few of the most interesting items, on the basis of which we will decide, among other things, whether we like the coins of the Roman Empire or Ancient Greece more. This is, of course, a very basic classification and each collector may like something else, which is why in individual departments we have identified rulers, the period in which they were minted, and often a description of the obverse and reverse, which at first glance, may turn out to be something completely different.

When choosing a new branch in the collection, it is also worth considering what coins are of greatest interest to us and what is the budget for them. Most often, coins made in copper or bronze will be cheaper than those made in silver or gold.

Below we want to show you a sneak peak of ancient coins

1. Roman Empire, Caracalla, Denarius – Venus Victrix

Typologically popular coin, but practically unheard of in such a condition.

Obverse: head of the emperor in a laurel wreath, facing right, along the edge legend:

ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM;

Reverse: Venus standing left, holding Nike, a shield and a spear, in the rim legend:

VENVS VICTRIX;

2. Roman Empire, Elagabal, Denarius – Summus Sacerdos Aug

Less frequent position on the market, especially in this state of preservation.

Obverse: bust of the emperor in a laurel wreath, armor and paludamentum, facing right, along the edge legend:

IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG;

Reverse: The emperor standing left, holding a platter above the altar, legend along the rim:

SVMMVS SACERDOS AVG, in the left field *;

3. Roman Empire, Julia Mamaea, Denarius – Iuno Conservatrix

An example of perfect presentation with a slight suppression of the highest parts of the relief.

Obverse: bust of the empress in drapery, facing right, along the edge legend:

IVLIA MAMAEA AVG;

Reverse: Juno standing left, holding a platter and a spear, a peacock at her feet, a legend along the rim:

IVNO CONSERVATRIX;

4. Roman Empire, Elagabal, Denarius – Pax

The coin was minted in 219 AD.

Obverse: bust of the emperor in a laurel wreath, armor and paludamentum, facing right, along the edge legend:

IMP ANTO-NINVS AVG;

Reverse: Pax strides left, holds a long scepter and an olive branch, along the rim is a legend:

P M TR P II COS II P P;

5. Roman Empire, Elagabal, Denarius – Fides Exercitus

Rare item in this state of preservation.

Obverse: bust of the emperor in a laurel wreath, armor and paludamentum, facing right, along the edge legend:

IMP CAES AN[TON]INVS AVG;

Reverse: Fides sitting on the throne facing left, holding two banners, a legend along the rim:

FIDES EXERCITVS;

6. Roman Empire, Maximian Herculius, Follis London

A nicely preserved specimen of the London follis of an interesting reign.

Obverse: bust of the emperor in armor and a laurel wreath, facing right, along the edge legend:

D N MAXIMIANO P F AVG;

Reverse: A genius standing to the left, holding a platter and a cornucopia, a legend along the edge:

GENIO POP ROM;

7. Greece, Bosporan Lords, Sauromates I (94-124 AD), Ae 48 factional

The rarer Bosporan bronze of the 1st / 2nd century A.D.

Obverse: head of Sauromates I in the diadem, facing right, along the edge the legend BACIΛЄwC CAYPOMATOY;

Reverse: MH in a laurel wreath;

Of course, these are not all the antique coins that will be at the next auction, and more are coming soon!