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 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,133 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Of my recent acquisitions, I had the hardest time deciding whether or not to keep this provincial of Macrinus and Diadumenian from Marcianopolis. The surfaces look better in hand. Two busts facing in opposite directions make for difficult lighting since what helps one portrait can detract from the other. Glossy surfaces with some roughness are no friends of the photographer either. Worst, the legends get weaker as they go into the part naming Diadumenian. Provincials are the cheapest way to add Diadumenian to your collection but it is nice when his name is readable. The reverse is one of my favorites showing a neatly arranged snake. I went back and forth on this one before deciding I wanted the snake bad enough to be forced to admit my photo skills would not be up to making it look beautiful.  Who else will share a dual portrait coin? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Nice coin, Doug. I like the style of this reverse and have been looking to add one like it to my collection. Generally, I have found the confronting busts to be in poor condition, but yours looks quite nice. As I said, I always watch for one of these, but every time I think I've found one, the price gets out of hand. Anyway, your coin is a good example of both the obverse and the reverse.
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
wow => that is an amazing coin, dougsmit!! (I love the reverse and the confronting portrait obverse) ...  ... but sadly, I do not have a dual obverse coin (yet) Edited by stevex6
07/15/2012 08:26 am
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Very nice coin with excellent details. I have two of this coin type but the facial details don't come close to being as nice as yours.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
So far I have one dual portrait coin, although not facing. A common Nabataean, Aretas IV and Shuqailat BC 9-40 AD. I think the sand on these coins is the only thing that preserves the detail.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
That's a great coin doug! And a darned good photo might add!  Those glossy coins can be a bear to photograph. You captured the portraits, snake, and legends really well. I do not have an opposing portraits to share. Thanks for ahring yours; I look forward to everyone else's! |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1549 Posts |
Doucet: I agree. most of the Nabataean coins I see are either sand patina or ugly as sin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I don't own the OP coin type but I do like them and if they ain't too expensive I might try to purchase one. Who knows. My plans are to eventually obtain more Roman Provincial coins.
I don't recall many if any Nabataean coins being posted here. Most that I've seen are not near as artistic as many other types of that era. Although, I saw more than a few at a decent price that I'm planning on purchasing in the future. Aretas IV and Shuqailat seem to be really common as far as these coins go. Lots of them on the market.
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
I don't have any in good shape. I have a Nabaataean one much like the one above, One of Austus and Livia, and this one: Five Busts of Thracian Kingdom AE27. obv: BASILEWS ROIMHTALKOU, jugate heads of King Rhoemetalkes & Queen Pythodoris right, small bust of Kotys IV before rev: KAISAPOS SEBASTOY, bare heads of Augustus & Livia right, capricorn before. Was able to pull this off an old auction I won, the others will have to wait till I get home tonight.  |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,133 |
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Posted 07/15/2012 06:57 am
