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 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,326 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I ran across this coin today, and thought I would share. Sadly, it's not mine--I'm just very impressed by the die engraving.   Sestertius 37-41, Æ 30.51 g. AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI Draped bust r., hair falling in long plait behind. Rev. S P Q are / MEMORIAE / AGRIPPINAE Carpentum with ornamented side drawn l. by two mules; the cover supported at the corners by standing figures |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Doesn't get any better than that. Beautiful.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Were these kinds of excellent craftsmanship and strikes produced for special people (occasions) or were the used as general circulation coins?
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10045 Posts |
Doucet, I was wondering that too. I'm guessing it would be too time-consuming to make regular issue coins of this quality.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
This is the most beautiful and well-preserved ancient I have ever seen. It exhibits true beauty...the engraver of the die that struck this coin was 2,000 years ahead of his time.
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Valued Member
Bulgaria
59 Posts |
Like it was yesterday this coin was struck. Incredbly well preserved, I hope it's not tooled or anything. A month ago I received a catalogue about this Gemini auction and I saw this piece:  This Agrippina coin is even better. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Both coins are awesome. It makes me want to cry cause they are not in my collection and I couldn't afford them anyway.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
Thanks for sharing! That is incredible! |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
The detail on and around the carriage is, not wanting to sound too arty-farty, exquisite. Is it a funerary cart?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
"Were these kinds of excellent craftsmanship and strikes produced for special people (occasions) or were the used as general circulation coins?"
That is a good question. They are not particularly rare as you might expect for a special issue but probably were not produced for a long period. There are at least 20 of them listed on acsearch but one of these in any condition is likely to be sold by a major dealer so more likely to get listed there. There are a couple poor quality ones currently for sale online. Caligula issued coins for many of his family members with most being more common than this. I am more surprised that coins of Germanicus and Agrippa are so common than I am that those of Agrippina are scarce. Agrippina had been extremely politically active before her death. I am surprised we don't have more details about more people being killed when her son succeeded Tiberius. I also find it odd that the other coin with her portrait was inscribed as issued by Claudius rather than Caligula making me wonder who issued this unmarked one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
That... is... amazing!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Amazing! (No other words are necessary.)
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New Member
United States
42 Posts |
Great Agrippina sestertius, struck under Gaius Caligula. Here is my favorite Caligula sestertius. http://www.flickr.com/photos/julio-...l-395282@N21The Julio Claudians did the best die-cutting of all Roman art cutters. The sestertii and dupondii are truly amazing. I have photos of an Augustan and Tiberian die if anyone has interest? Joe Geranio Julio Claudian Iconographic Association |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Joe, that's a great collection of photographs!
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Valued Member
279 Posts |
impressive coin,however I think some restauration work has been done on it...
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,326 |
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Posted 01/15/2012 5:28 pm
