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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,402 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Spotted these going for *well* under their estimates and under sales for comparable pieces, and may have overstepped my budget a bit (but thankfully made some good ebay sales last week to balance it out!) Unlike most of my other ancients, I wanted a few pieces of "classical art" and bid just because they were pretty! Auction photos, I'll get my own pics when I can see the sun again. 1. C. Serveilius M.f. C.n.. 136 B.C. Head of Minerva left, RVLLI behind Victory riding r. in biga, holding palm branch, P before. SERVILI M F in ex. Craford 328/1  Superb and lustrous in hand, easily XF, maybe AU at a stretch. Apparently the P on the reverse stands for Publice, indicating that the coin was made from silver withdrawn from the public treasury. Note also the archaic letter form of the P; learned recently that the letter was not generally closed until Claudius came to power and suddenly had the ability to change what had always bothered him as a scholar! 2. M. Furius L.f Philus. 119 B.C. Head of Janus, M-FOVRI-L-F around Victory placing wreath on trophy of Gallic arms, ROMA behind, PHILI in ex. Crawford 281/1  Much better and smoother in hand - a nice surprise! 3. Mn. Aemilius M.f. Lepidus. 114-113 B.C. Head of Roma right, ROMA before, star behind "Equestrian statue" on triumphal arch or aqueduct, M N AEMILIO around, LEP in arches  This was the prize of the auction for me, and the photos don't do it justice! Gently toned and lustrous throughout, with superb details in deep relief. This is easily one of my most beautifully detailed coins, perhaps only rivalling my Caracalla denarius. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Those are all the type of coins that you will be proud to own every time you see them. I'm presently in the same situation where I've fallen in love with a coin that will strangle my coin budget for a bit.
But I do know ill forget that budget busting in a short time. All ill remember in the future is how glad I am to own that beauty.
These are all lovely. Congratulations on your choices.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Yes they are pretty, amongst my favourite Roman types. Congrats
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Wow, those are some really nice coins. Steve you have been picking up excellent coins lately.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
Wow, really nice choices. I like them all!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1609 Posts |
I couldn't have been the only one to misinterpret the title... right?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6130 Posts |
  I like to have fun with my topic titles. Thanks all for the very kind comments! A year ago I was not a believer, but now I fully appreciate the value in saving up to buy the nice coins instead of lot after lot of LRB junk (except when those LRBs turn out to be undocumented mules, of course!) |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
I was expecting some Lincoln cents, an Eisenhower silver commemorative dollar, and a Teddy Roosevelt quarter.  (I know there are other possibilities...) |
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Moderator
United States
34427 Posts |
Great pick-ups! My fave is the one with Janus--iconic.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
564 Posts |
Nice Steve, saving up for coins will pay off. Like the last one best, the reverse remind me a carousel.
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New Member
Portugal
16 Posts |
very nice coins, congrats
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
Those are some very nice pieces Steve. Nice selection, you are doing the Republicans as they ought to be done - for the sake of their artwork. As for the letter P, the form on your coin was transitional from the Greek uncial for Pi (which looks like a croquet hoop). It is fascinating that an emperor had that much interest in such minutiae.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Claudius was the grandson of Mark Antony; Augustus had him swept under the rug and hidden from public view for most of his life. Since he was basically barred from politics, he pursued the life of a scholar and historian. He loved languages, and apparently was one of the few of his age who could speak Etruscan fluently.
Imagine if your English 101 professor suddenly had unlimited, unchallenged power. Maybe they are a good leader; maybe not, but I guarantee that we'll see some new legislation regarding the Oxford comma and the use of "whom"! Likewise, imagine if any CCF US Classics regular was suddenly appointed to the position of mint director.
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
1194 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
2752 Posts |
Lovely coins Finn  I especially like the head of Janus..the design really appeals to me. Good purchase Saludos Paul |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Great coins. The equestrian statue reverse on the Mn. Aemilius M.f. Lepidus is amazing.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,402 |
Posted 08/29/2017 12:20 pm
