Octavian Ae? Not Exactly, But By The Gods, Close!

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 772
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 07/18/2023 12:48 pm My meager budget has yet to allow me to acquire coins with a solid portrait of a man like Octavian. Even on restitution type coins minted by later emperors like Tiberius or Claudius. Just beyond my reach, I'm afraid. So I sometimes look to coinage minted in the Roman provinces during Octavian's time that do not bear his depiction. All the while maintaining a focus on the quality of the portrait...whomever that might be. When I saw this AE minted in Antioch, I was immediately drawn to the fine portrait of Zeus. Not as sharp as I normally like...and a bit off-center...but intriguing nonetheless. On the small side at 20mm. Regardless, it is a nice addition to the handful of coin portraits in my collection depicting the personification of a supernatural being. This coin was struck during a time of political flux for Octavian. After the defeat of Antony, but prior to his role as "Princeps Senatus / Princeps Civitatus". Carefully negotiating that political minefield! I would be interested in seeing coins from members who...1. HAVE managed to acquire an Octavian...or 2. have settled for "as close as I could get!" Antioch, Seleukis and Pieria, AE 20mm. Under Roman administration, dated year 21 [Caesarian Era] (29-28 BC). Laureate head of Zeus right. Reverse - Zeus seated left holding Nike and sceptre; headdress of Isis before. 20mm, 9.6g. Edited by circusmax120 07/18/2023 1:45 pm Report this Post to the Staff

Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 07/18/2023 3:09 pm Quote: .immediately drawn to the fine portrait of Zeus Yep. A great rendition of Zeus. An excellent coin. Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 07/18/2023 4:27 pm I thought so too, Bob. Plus...it was affordable. The portrait is a bit soft, but let us instead describe it as...hmmm...mystical / other-worldly. Yeah, that'll do it! Report this Post to the Staff
jecz79 Pillar of the Community Portugal 655 Posts	Posted 07/19/2023 04:18 am Very nice provincial. And very well preserved. Congratulations for the find. Octavian denarius from Lyon used to be easy to find. Some years ago. Augustus / Caius and Lucius. Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 07/19/2023 5:36 pm Thank you, jecz79. The coin is indeed a nice pick up. The Octavian denarii you reference are always eye-catching when I see them, but I've found the price to acquire such gems to be a bit prohibitive (for my budget). Somewhere between $350 and $650 for decent specimens. Even more so for the singular portrait style I'm looking for. It's always encouraging to find alternative coins like this provincial. Edited by circusmax120 07/19/2023 5:37 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Novicius Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1168 Posts	Posted 07/20/2023 09:53 am It is a beautiful coin in anyone's book, Mike. An impressive depiction of Zeus as well. Nice one. Report this Post to the Staff
chrsmat71 Pillar of the Community United States 4962 Posts	Posted 07/20/2023 9:41 pm Definitely an attractive provincial, nice Zeus, nice patina...win! Report this Post to the Staff
january1may Pillar of the Community Russian Federation 5172 Posts	Posted 07/21/2023 12:54 pm Honest question: where's the date? IIRC the usual position of the date for this type would be off flan on this specific coin. Here's my own (though much lower grade and much worse photographed) example of the same (or a very similar) type - I had the impression that it was from several decades earlier, but the date (if any) is also off flan... Previously on CCF; if I ever made a more detailed write-up I couldn't find it. EDIT: looking more carefully, the OP coin's legend is different. Perhaps mine is indeed older. Edited by january1may 07/21/2023 12:55 pm Report this Post to the Staff
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