Roman coins in Auction α this coming Sunday

Lot 102, Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD Denarius circa 19 BC, AR 20mm. 3.7 gm. Obv: Ivy-wreathed head of Liber r. Rev: Kneeling Parthian r., holding vexillum. C 485. RIC 287. This scarce issue represents the return of the Legionary standards lost by Crassus in 54 BC.

Lot 105, Tiberius, AD 36-37. AR Denarius. 19 mm. 3.6 gm. Lugdunum mint. Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head right. Rev: PONTIF MAXIM, Livia (as Pax) seated right on throne with ornate legs, holding long sceptre in right hand and olive branch; single line below. RIC 30; BMCRE 48; RSC 16a. “Tribute Penny”.

Lot 108, Galba AD 68-69. Sestertius Ae 35 mm., 26.2 gm. Rome mint. Obv: SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG TR P Laureate head left Rev: CONCORDIA AVG, S C Concordia seated left on throne, holding olive branch and transversal scepter.RIC 381, BMC 55. Original green patina.

Lot 110, Vespasian (AD 69-79). AV aureus 19 mm. 6.44 gm. NGC Fine 5/5 – 3/5, ex-jewelry. Rome, AD 78-79. Obv: CAESAR-VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev: CE-RES-AVGVST, Ceres standing left holding poppy and two grain ears in right hand, scepter in left. RIC II 132. Calicó 593.

Lot 111, Divus Augustus. Dupondius, Restitution under Titus circa AD 80-81 , Æ 28.5mm., 10.0 gm. Obv: DIVVS AVGVST PATER Radiate head l. Rev: IMP T VESPA AVG REST Altar flanked by S C; in exergue PROVIDENT. C 559. RIC (Titus) 454 Choice VF/EF

Lot 115, Trajan. 98-117 AD. Æ Sestertius 32 mm. 26.1 gm. Struck 116-117 AD. Obv: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P, laureate and draped bust right Rev: ARMENIA ET MESOPOTAMIA IN POTESTATEM P R REDACTAE, S C across field, Trajan, laureate and in military uniform, standing facing, head right, holding reversed spear and parazonium; Mesopotamia seated left at feet, in attitude of mourning; to left and right, Tigris and Euphrates seated vis à vis, each leaning on inverted urn from which water flows, and holding reed. RIC II 642; Strack 472; Banti 29; BMCRE 1033; Cohen 39.

Trajan’s final campaign was sparked by Parthia’s replacement of the pro-Roman king of Armenia with one of their own in 114 AD. Armenia had been a strategic and semi-independent kingdom which served as an important buffer between Parthia and Rome. The last conflict overt this region, during Nero’s reign, resulted in a delicate balance that stabilized the situation for over fifty years. The move by Parthia now upset the balance and posed a threat to Rome’s wealthy Syrian cities. Trajan’s campaign was swift and decisive; by 115 AD, Armenia was restored as a Roman client state. To secure the eastern frontier, he then moved southward through Mesopotamia, and captured the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon, in 116 AD. Although short-lived, these victories were celebrated on much of Trajan’s later coinage.

Lot 118, Aelius. Caesar, AD 136-138. Æ Sestertius 29 mm. 21.7 gm. Rome mint. Struck AD 137. Obv: Bare head right Rev: Fortuna standing right, holding rudder and cornucopia, vis-à-vis Spes standing left, holding flower and raising hem of skirt. RIC II 1054; Banti 38. Rare. Banti records only one example.

Lot 119, Pescennius Niger (AD 193-194). AR denarius 18 mm. 2.63 gm. NGC Choice VF 4/5 – 2/5. Antioch mint. Obv: IMP CAES C PESC NIGERI-VS AVG COS II, laureate head right. Rev: AETER-NITATIS AVG, crescent with seven stars. RIC IV 1 var. (obv. and rev. legends). Very Rare. Will remove from slab at no charge upon request.

Lot 121, Septimius Severus (193-211). Denarius. Rome. 20 mm. 3.0 gm. Obv: SEVERVS PIVS AVG. Laureate head right. Rev: LAETITIA / TEMPORVM. Ship with mast and sail in center of circus; above, four quadrigae driven left; below, ostrich, lion, zebra, bear, and stag to right, a bull butting left, and a bear to right, with head left. RIC 274. Very Rare.