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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
History on a coin
A coin that refers to some historical event. The entry must be accompanied by a short (or long) paragraph outlining the related history.
I want to encourage first time submitters, beginning collectors, and inexpensive coins, so, in addition to the usual points from voting, there will be
bonus points:
6-point bonus for each entry from members who have never submitted a coin before (Let us know it is your first time, because the host won't know.)
3-point bonus those who have only entered one coin before (say, something like "This is my second entry ever."
3-point bonus if you bought your first ancient coin less than 2 years (say so)
6-point bonus if you bought your first ancient coin less than 1 year (say so)
and deductions:
6-point deduction for coins judged by the host to be worth more than $500 in today's market
3-point deduction for coins judged by the host to be worth more than $200 in today's market
Is this complicated enough for you? I've got my spreadsheet ready to go!
The Smackdown rules are as follows:
1) At most (2) two entries per member.
2) Voting: Vote for three in order of preference, Gold (3 pts), Silver (2 pts), Bronze (1 pt).
3) Host computes the vote totals and announces the winner. Host may enter, but cannot be the winner. Winner chooses next Smackdown subject and is the next host.
4) You do not have to enter a coin to vote but please do try to enter something.
5) Base your votes on any criteria you like
6) Number of golds will be the first tie breaker. If two coins have the same score and the same number of golds it will be the host's choice.
7) Enjoy.
Entries are accepted from now until Thursday Sept. 19 at 11:00 pm Eastern time. Voting will last two days until Saturday at 11:00 pm Eastern time.
-- Warren
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
549 Posts |
Here is an example of history on a coin:  Denarius of Trajan, commemorating the capture and subjugation of Dacia. Reverse legend: DAC CAP (Dacia Capta) COS V PP SPQR OPTIMO PRINC Dacian captive with hands bound behind his back seated on pile of native arms including shields of two types, spears, and curved weapons. Obverse legend: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP where GER = Germanicus (for victories of the Germans) and DAC = Dacicus (for victories of the Dacians) Prior to the time of Trajan, the Danube river was one boundary of the Roman empire. On the north side of the river was Dacia (approximately modern Romania, with small parts of Hungary, Moldova, and Ukraine), rich with gold mines. It took Trajan two wars (101-102 and 105-106 after the first one didn't take) to subdue the region. The famous Column of Trajan depicts the war in detail. This coin, stuck in 108, is one of several types informing the Roman public that the empire had been expanded by annexing the new Province of DACIA. RIC 96. Sear volume 2. 3136. I judge it under $200, so no expense deduction, but, it is not eligible to win since I am the host. -- Warren |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Not my first SMACKDOWN. Coin #1 $189, Coin # $60 Both bought in 2012 The Second Punic War (218-202 BC) The Carthaginian Invasion of Italy A Narrative Played out In Coins.... Coin#1 Hero of the Republic- Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (b. 236 BC - d. 183 BC) Also known as Scipio the African, Scipio the Elder and Scipio the Great. Made famous for the defeat of the combined invading Carthaginian and Mercenary forces under Hadrasul and for defeating Hannibal at the Battle of Zama. These victories earned him the Agnomen Africanus. He is recognized by his contemporaries and even today as one of the greatest military commanders that has ever lived. Denarius Commemorating the Defeat of the Carthaginians Cn. Blasio. Cn.f. 112-111 BC. AR Denarius 3.58 g. 19.8mm Obverse: Helmeted head of Scipio Africanus right Reverse:Jupiter standing between Juno and Minerva; Q in right field. ref:Crawford 296/1c; Sydenham 561b; Cornelia 19. Coin#2 The Scourage of Rome-Hannibal, son of Hamilcar of Carthage (b.247-d.183/2 BC) Carthaginian Traveling Mint, Iberia, Carthago Nova c. 220-210 BC. AE Unit 13.4mm 1.59g Obverse: Bust of Tanit Left Reverse: Carthaginian Helmet ref:(Alvarez Burgos (1992), 86, 403-4 ; Villaronga (NAH, Numismática Antigua de Hispania) p. 69, nº 43 (pl. II, XXI / XXII) ; Lindgren I, 2)    Edited by Ancientnoob
09/18/2012 10:18 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Okey dokey - a difficult one, but I do get a bonus! I started collecting this summer. First coin: (value is neglegible) VRBS ROMA. This coin is a piece of history because of why it was minted. Rome had been standing for over 1,000 years and when constantine up and moved, the romans got upset. To qwell them, he minted city commemorative series - the nice impressive constantinople ones, but also VRBS ROMA ones to celebrate Rom and Rem and the stars also mean something, but I forget what.   My second coin is a different sort of history. This coin is literally covered in its history. This silver coin of god knows who showing god knows what shows that these coins are old, they have been stuck in the ground for 2000 years, but even before that romans where using these coins in their day to day life, with little interest as to what is on the coin. this coin, under its dirt sheath which was as thick as the coin it hid (seriously though, its now just half as thick), is worn down. This coin saw usage by a real roman and since then, has sat in the ground. Now I own it to try and work out what it is. Who knows, maybe in 2000 years someone will dig up my possessions and wonder what the heck I was doing with it.  Moral of the story, history is often obscured from us in the places we dont look, like the silver in this coin which had sat as a junk. |
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
6 Bonus Points => I have only been collecting Ancient Coins since Feb/March 2012 (far less than one year at the ol' game!!) stevex6 Coin #1Philip I AR AntoninianusDate: 247 AD Diameter: 20-23 mm. Weight: 3.3 gr. Obverse: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I. Reverse: SAECVLARES AVGG - She-wolf suckling twins, II in ex.. References: RIC 15  
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Romulus and Remus are the twin brothers and central characters of Rome's foundation myth. Their mother was Rhea Silvia, daughter to Numitor, king of Alba Longa. Before their conception, Numitor's brother Amulius had seized power, killed Numitor's male heirs and forced Rhea Silvia to become a Vestal Virgin, sworn to chastity. Rhea Silvia conceived the twins by the god Mars, or by the demi-god Hercules; once the twins were born, Amulius had them abandoned to die in the river Tiber.
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They were saved by a series of miraculous interventions: the river carried them to safety, a she-wolf found and suckled them, and a woodpecker fed them. A shepherd and his wife found and fostered them to manhood, as simple shepherds. The twins, still ignorant of their true origins, were natural leaders. Each acquired many followers. When they discovered the truth of their birth, they killed Amulius and restored Numitor to his throne.
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Romulus wanted to found a city on the Palatine Hill; Remus preferred the Aventine Hill. They agreed to determine the site through augury but when each claimed the results in his own favor, they quarreled and Remus was killed. Romulus founded the new city, named it Rome, after himself, and created its first legions and senate.  Edited by stevex6
09/18/2012 11:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
 Constantine AE3. 327-328 AD. CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG, diademed head right / GLORIA EXERCITVS, soldier standing front, head turned right holding inverted spear, leaning on shield to right, S left, CONS in ex. RIC VII Constantinopolis 22 Part of the series commemorating the victory over Licinius in the second civil war. This series was issued to pay workers building the new city of Constantinople. Source - constantinethegreatcoins.com.  Divus Constantine AE4. 337-340 AD. DV CONSTANTINVS PT AVGG, veiled head right / Constantine in quadriga right, the hand of God, upper center, grasping the chariot, CONS in ex. RIC VIII Constantinopolis 37 Posthumous coin commemorating the death of Constantine I The Great. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
Coin #1 Not many coins of Probus can be tracked down to actual historical events. This is due to a few factors but mainly due to the lack of documentary evidence on the reign of Probus. Some events are inferred from a combination of the documentation and the coins. Probus spent much of his early reign travelling the Empire and battling on the borders. The coin comes from a short issue made to commemorate Probus travelling through Lugdunum at the start of the summer of A.D. 277. He was travelling with his army from Asia to do battle in the Rhine (dating and historical information from Bastien). Obv:â€" IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:â€" ADVENTVS PROBI AVG, Emperor riding left, right hand raised, left holding sceptre; at foot, captive Minted in Lugdunum (I in exe) Emission 4 Officina 1. Middle to End A.D. 277 Reference:â€" Cohen 68. Bastien 184. RIC 19 Bust type F  Probus returned at the end of A.D. 277 having successfully defeated the Gauls which was celebrated with the subsequent emission which introduced the more elaborate bust types which had been missing up until this point in Lugdunum. Martin I have had lots of entries. The coin was bought 5 years ago. The coin is Scarce but not very valuable though I will leave that to the host to decide. |
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
stevex6 Coin #2Pontos, Amisos AE30Diameter: 29.7 mm Weight: 19.1 grams Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena Reverse: Perseus, holding harpa in right hand, Medusa's head in left, Medusa's body at his feet  
Quote:
The myth of Perseus and Medusa is one of the best thriller-like tales in Greek Mythology.
Quote:
Acrisius, the king of Argos, was told by the oracle of Delphi that his own grandson would kill him one day. This grandson would be the child of his daughter Danae. Scared of the upcoming future and his destiny, King Acrisius decided to deprive his daughter of any possible intercourse, mating and child bearing, so he built a room beneath the earth and imprisoned Danae there.
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However, as the legend says, Zeus came to her in the form of golden rain, pierced through the walls of chamber, and Danae's body. Hence, Perseus was born. Hearing the news but not believing that Zeus was the father of the newborn, Acrisius let his daughter and grandchild out to the open sea on an ark. They eventually came to the shores of Serifos island, where they were saved and adopted by a local couple, the man being the brother of the king of the island, Polydectes.
Quote:
When Perseus grew up to a handsome and strong young man, one more time he found himself in the way of one king, this time King Polydectes, who wanted Danae to become his wife. Knowing that he wouldn't have the woman for himself as long as Perseus was there to protect her, the king made a plan to send Perseus not only far away but also to a dangerous mission. Polydectes told Perseus to bring him the head of the gorgon Medusa.
Quote:
Medusa was one of three sisters, the gorgons, but she was the only mortal one. Some versions say all three were born as monsters, but the predominant myths had them as gorgeous maidens. Medusa was so beautiful that Poseidon was crazy about her, but she didn't care about him; Poseidon turned her and her sisters into monsters with live snakes covering their heads. Medusa kept her beautiful face but everything else was so monstrous. And whoever dared to look into her face ended up being turned into stone.
Quote:
Perseus thus had a hard task. He asked Athena and Hermes for help and two of them, together with the nymphs, provided winged sandals to fly him to the end of the world where gorgons lived, a cap that made him invisible, a sword and a mirrored shield. The latter was the most important tool Perseus had, since it allowed him to see a reflection of Medusa's face and to avoid being turned into stone. 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
How cool would it be if the Medusa really existed and her death was a real historical event...I'd like to know what good ol' Georgio has to say about that one....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Constans AE2Obv: DN CONSTANS PF AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Constans on galley, holding banner with Chi-Rho and holding phoenix on globe and, Victory at the helm, TESB in ex, Thessalonika, RIC 110  The reverse commemorates Constans crossing the channel to Britain in early 343 AD. Since the trip was made in haste, and in the middle of winter, it is assumed it was in response to a crisis; probably to fight Picts and Scots that were attacking the province. Couldn't find anymore on that unfortunately. Also I acquired my first two ancients less than 2 years ago (nearly a year and a half ago to be exact). For the record, this Constans isn't one of them.
Edited by VisigothKing
09/18/2012 2:21 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Coin #1 Marcus Antonius Legionary Denarius RSC 27, struck 32/31 BC at Patrae.   OBV: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley, thyrsos behind prow REV: LEG XI, eagle between standards 3.05g, 16mm The legionary denarii were struck by Antony for the use of his fleet and legions, most likely at his winter headquarters at Patrae just before the Actian campaign. It is believed they may have been struck with silver from Cleopatra's treasury. The legionary denarii provide an interesting record of the 23 legions, praetorian cohorts and the cohort of speculatores of which Antony's army was composed. They have a lower silver content than the standard of the time, and, as a result, they were rarely hoarded, heavily circulated and most often found in very worn condition. Edited by Bing
09/18/2012 2:18 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
This is my first ever entry into a smackdown, and my second ancient coin which I bought last month. Bonus 12 points I believe :) I hope it forfills the criteria because it is not commemorative or bearing any event on it except for the ruler Hadrian who was emperor from 117-138 AD. He came to power and unlike those before him he didn't wish to take over new lands but consolidate the empire. As part of this plan he built Hadrians wall across the northern part of England from coast to coast to keep the barbarians at bay. What a statement this wall made, what a feat of engineering, and unlike the wall of China or other great structures which were made by slave labour it was his soldiers who made it. All along the wall he placed regular forts and each fort was responsible for building their own stretch of wall, each stretch bearing a stone explaining who had been responsible. Due to it robust nature and workmanship much of it still stands today ensuring that Hadrian will not be forgotten for the forseeable future. It is this history that led me to buy it as my first Roman coin for the grand sum of £38  Hadrian AR Denarius ��" P M TR P COS III Hadrian AR Denarius. AD 119-22. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right, draped left shoulder / P M TR P COS III, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae. RIC 83. 3.13g, 20mm, 6h. Edited by DavidUK
09/18/2012 3:02 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Coin #2 SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS AR Denarius, RIC IV 266, struck at Rome in 204 AD   OBV: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right REV: INDVLGENTIA AVGG, IN CARTH in ex, Dea Caelestis in elaborate headdress riding right on lion, holding thunderbolt & scepter; below, water gushing from rocks left 3.5g, 18mm Cybele, the mother of the Gods, was the favorite deity of the Carthagenians; here the lion, tamed by Cybele, is an emblem of Africa. Septimius Severus was of African origin, and conferred benefits (among others the jus Italicum - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ius_Italicum ) on Carthage and Utica. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
This is an AR Antoninianus of the emperor Valerian. The reverse of shows the god Vulcan within the temple dedicated to him. Valerian is said to have revered this god and dedicated the founding of his dynasty to Vulcan. Obverse: VALERIANVS PF AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust facing to the right. Reverse: DEO VOLKANO, Vulcan standing to the left, within a tetrastyle temple, holding a hammer with his right hand, about to strike an anvil to his lower right, and holding pincers with his left hand. Weight: 2.60 grams Diametre: 20 x 22 x 1 mm Die axis: 35 degrees Mint: Cologne, struck between 259 - 260 AD Reference: RIC 5 Rated Rare If only he had the foresight to dedicate his dynasty to Janus, the two-faced god, then he would have seen the two-faced trickery of king Shapour of Persia after the Persian victory at Edessa. The Persians pretended to allow Valerian and his entourage to come to the peace talk, unarmed, with the idea they would be free to leave afterwards. So, when the Romans stuck to the agreement, the Persians took them all prisoner. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_edessa |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
  AE Semis Battle of Philippi 42 BC VIC AVG COHOR PRAE PHIL RPC #1651 The battle of Philippi, in Macedon was fought between the 2nd Triumvirate, Octavian (Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, & Mark Anthony against the assassins of Julius Caesar Brustus and Cassius in 42 BC. Brustus and Cassius was defeated. A colony for the veterans of the battle were established at that location. This coin was first thought to be struck under Augustus, but later found to be struck either by Claudius or Nero to commemorate the 100 anniversary of the battle. Edited by echizento
09/18/2012 4:51 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
It would be hard to beat an EID MAR denarius here but the 6 point penalty might be a problem.
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Replies: 63 / Views: 11,489 |
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Posted 09/18/2012 01:43 am
