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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Quality| ▸ |Eye Appeal||View Options:   | | | The most important factor in determining the |price| of a coin is eye appeal. One coin of the exact same type as another can be priced ten times higher or more. So, what is this eye appeal? |
"A cistophorus was a silver coin of about 12.5 grams which originated in Asia Minor about 200 BC and soon became the common currency there. Its name came from its obverse design, a 'cista mystica' or mystical chest used in worship of Dionysius (cistophorus means 'chest-bearer'). Roman governors first put their names on them about 58 BC, and Augustus began the imperial issuance from Asian mints about 27 BC (at about 12.0 grams and 27 mms), abandoning the 'cista mystica' design and promoting Imperial themes. Only Claudius, Titus, Domitian, Nerva, Trajan, and Hadrian issued cistophori after Augustus." - from Moneta Historical Research by Tom SchroerSH25882. Silver cistophoric tetradrachm, Metcalf Type B1, 3 (dies 2/3); BMCRE III 1099 note; RSC II 240b, VF, weight 10.410 g, maximum diameter 27.3 mm, die axis 180o, Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey) mint, obverse IMP CAES TRA HADRIANO AVG P P, laureate bust right; reverse COM - BIT, octastyle temple on podium of three steps, ROM S P AVG in entablature in pediment; ex Harlan Berk; SOLD
Pertinax, 31 December 192 - 28 March 193 A.D.
Pertinax was the son of a humble charcoal-burner. After a successful career in the military, as a senator and then as praefect of the city of Rome, he reluctantly accepted the throne offered by the murderers of Commodus. After a reign of only 86 day he was murdered by mutinous guards.SH08958. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC IV 24 (R2), BMC V p. 9, 44; Cohen IV 58, Hunter III 17; SRCV II 6056, VF, weight 25.04 g, maximum diameter 32.3 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 1 Jan - 28 Mar 193 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES P HELV PERTINAX AVG, laureate head right; reverse VOTA DECEN TR P COS II, Pertinax, veiled, standing left, sacrificing out of patera over tripod, S - C (senatus consulto) across field; ex John Aiello; ex Edgar L. Owen; ex NFA Feb 27 - 28, 1979, lot 745; very rare; SOLD
Judean Kingdom, Herod the Great, 37 - 4 B.C.
The eight prutot was Herod's largest denomination. The style of this scarcer variety is somewhat schematic. The vertical legends are also unusual. This is an appendage group type (O2/R3) as discussed in the Feb '05 Celator.SH08332. Copper eight prutot, Hendin 6204, Meshorer AJC 1a, MCP O-I-04, Fontanille Celator Feb '05 O2/R3, RPC I 4901, HGC 10 651, VF, areas not fully struck, nice green patina highlighted by buff earthen fill, weight 10.14 g, maximum diameter 28.0 mm, die axis 0o, Samaria mint, 37 B.C.; obverse HPΩΔOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (Greek: of King Herod) in 3 strait lines, tripod, ceremonial bowl (lebes) above, LΓ -
Tiberius, 19 August 14 - 16 March 37 A.D., Tribute Penny of Matthew 22:20-21
Jesus, referring to a "penny" asked, "Whose is this image and superscription?" When told it was Caesar, He said, ''Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:20-21). Since Tiberius was Caesar at the time, this denarius type is attributed by scholars as the "penny" referred to in the Bible.SH84743. Silver denarius, Giard Lyon, group 2, 146; RIC I 28 (S); BMCRE I 44; RSC II 16b; SRCV I 1763, Choice Mint State, as struck mint luster, excellent centering and bold strike, slightest die wear, tiny light scratch on cheek, weight 3.925 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 135o, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, early ornate style, 15 - 18 A.D.; obverse TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head right; reverse PONTIF MAXIM (high priest), Pax (or Livia as Pax) seated right on chair with ornately decorated legs set on base of two lines above exergue, reversed spear vertical behind in her right hand, branch in left hand, no footstool; even better in hand, the finest Tribute Penny Forum has ever offered (and we have handled hundreds over the last 20 years), from the Marcelo Leal Collection; scarce; SOLD
Tiberius, 19 August 14 - 16 March 37 A.D., Tribute Penny of Matthew 22:20-21
Jesus, referring to a "penny" asked, "Whose is this image and superscription?" When told it was Caesar, He said, ''Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:20-21). Since Tiberius was Caesar at the time, this denarius type is attributed by scholars as the "penny" referred to in the BibleSH85106. Silver denarius, Giard Lyon, group 1, 144; RIC I 26 (C); BMCRE I 34; RSC II 16; Hunter I C3691; SRCV I 1763, Mint State, extraordinary!, centered, light golden toning on luster, weight 3.826 g, maximum diameter 18.8 mm, die axis 0o, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, early 'plain' fine style, c. 15 - 18 A.D.; obverse TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head right; reverse PONTIF MAXIM (high priest), Pax (or Livia as Pax) seated right on chair with plain legs set on base, long scepter vertical behind in her right hand, branch in left hand, no footstool; SOLD
Faustina Sr., Augusta 25 February 138 - Early 141, Wife of Antoninus Pius
Gold aurei are about the same size as silver denarii but they were not struck with the same dies. The finest work of the mint's top master engravers was reserved for striking gold. The difference between the artistry of the gold and silver is not always so striking, but no denarius equals the beauty of this coin.SH33181. Gold aureus, SRCV II 4553 (same dies), Cayon 1765 (same), RIC III AP356d, Cohen II 98, BMCRE IV AP398, Choice EF, weight 6.923 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 147 - 161 A.D.; obverse DIVA FAVSTINA, diademed, draped and veiled bust left; reverse AVGVSTA, Ceres standing left, torch in right hand, scepter in left hand; very light hairline scratches; ex Numismatik Lanz auction 135, lot 745 (misattributed); ex Goldberg auction 44, lot 3704 (ICG AU 50); hints of red toning, bold and beautiful, struck with elegant dies!; scarce; SOLD
Arsinoe II, Wife of Ptolemy II Philadelphos, 285 - 246 B.C.
Certificate of Authenticity issued by David R. Sear.
David Sear notes, "a handsome example of this remarkable coinage." Following Arsinoe's death in 268 B.C., Ptolemy II minted a massive issue of outstanding gold and silver medallic coins honoring his departed wife.
Arsinoe II is portrayed in the guise of Isis. Her worship was widespread during this period, and for generations following it.SH24847. Gold oktodrachm, Lorber CPE 390; Svoronos 475; BMC Ptolemies p. 43, 10 and pl. VIII, 4; SGCV II 7768, gVF, light marks, weight 27.702 g, maximum diameter 28.4 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, c. 252 - 249 B.C.; obverse head or Arsinoe II right, wearing stephane and veil, K behind; reverse APΣINOHΣ ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, double cornucopia bound with fillet, overflowing with grain, pomegranate, grapes, and other fruits; SOLD
Antoninus Pius, August 138 - 7 March 161 A.D.
Certificate of Authenticity issued by David R. Sear.
On the certificate, David Sear notes, "a scarce and attractive variant of the obverse type."SH24852. Gold aureus, RIC III 233e, Calico 1530 (same obv die), Cohen II 314, aEF, weight 7.0221 g, maximum diameter 20.1 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 153 - 154 A.D.; obverse ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVII, laureate head left; reverse COS IIII, Antoninus Pius, togate, standing left, globe in extended right hand, scroll in left; superb obverse portrait, recognizable portrait on reverse, minor blemish on the second I on the reverse, ex Harlan Berk; scarce; SOLD
Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D.
Nemesis, the winged balancer of life, is the goddess of revenge, the avenger of crimes and punisher of wicked doers. She distributes fortune, good or bad, in due proportion to each according to what is deserved.SH30320. Gold aureus, RIC II-1 1130, Calico 655, BMCRE II 399, Hunter I -, Choice aEF, nice centering on a full flan, rev. slightly flat, weight 7.277 g, maximum diameter 19.2 mm, die axis 180o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 71 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head right; reverse PACI AVGVSTI, Nemesis advancing right, winged, drawing drapery from top of gown with right, caduceus in left, snake right at feet on right; scarce; SOLD
Faustina Sr., Augusta 25 February 138 - Early 141, Wife of Antoninus Pius
The Romans believed that Fortuna, after deserting the Persians and Assyrians, took flight over Macedonia and saw Alexander perish as she passed into Egypt and into Syria. At last arriving on Mount Palatine, she threw aside her wings and casting away her wheel, entered Rome where she took up her abode forever.SH30326. Gold aureus, Calico 1746 (S3), RIC III 349b, BMCRE IV AP285, Cohen II 4, Choice EF, weight 7.253 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, c. 141 A.D.; obverse DIVA AVG FAVSTINA, draped bust right, hair elaborately waived and banded, drawn up at the back and piled in a round coil at top; reverse AETERNITAS, Fortuna standing half left, patera in right, rudder on globe vertical in left; nice style, attractive portrait, well struck on a broad flan; ex Cayon Subastas auction 13 - 14 Dec 2007, lot 3304; a few minor hairline scratches; scarce; SOLD
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