denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Coin Auctions

Lot 3126 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3126 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Otho. Silver Denarius (3.59 g), AD 69. Rome. IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head of Otho right. Reverse SECV-RI-TAS P R, Securitas standing facing, head left, holding wreath and scepter. RIC 8; BMC 18; RSC 17. Well struck in high relief and perfectly centered. Beautiful electric blue iridescense about the obverse borders. Extremely Fine.

Otho, of Etrurian stock, had been one of the most reckless and miscreant nobles in Nero's court. In AD 58, Otho's wife, the beautiful Poppaea Sabina, began a secret affair with the emperor and soon divorced Otho. At her insistence, Nero sent Otho far away, making him governor of the remote province of Lusitania. He remained there as governor for the next ten years, and Suetonius records his rule there as one of well-administered moderation.

In AD 68, Galba, the governor of the neighboring province of Hispania Tarraconensis, revolted against Nero, and Otho joined him in his march on Rome. Otho perhaps thought that by his support he would be named as successor by the aged and childless Galba, if Galba were successful in overthrowing Nero, but in this he was to be disappointed. Once Galba had become emperor, he formerly adopted Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his heir. With his hopes of peaceful succession now dashed, Otho boldly approached the Praetorian camp and bribed a few guardsmen, who were already aggrieved by Galba's refusal to pay the promised money for their support in his overthrow of Nero. They quickly found the emperor, who was making his way to the camp because of rumors of treachery, and brutally murdered him and Piso. They then declared for Otho, the Senate affirming the decision shortly afterward.

Despite his reckless youth, Otho's short reign showed signs of equitable administration, emulating his former career in Lusitania. However, he never enjoyed the opportunity of fully establishing this benevolent rule for as soon as he was in power he faced the formidable revolt of Vitellius and the Rhine legions. While at first he showed remarkable energy in mustering an opposition to the revolt, after his forces were soundly defeated at the Battle of Bedriacum he committed suicide, preferring to spare his soldiers and the empire further bloodshed.
Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68
Lot 3160 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3160 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Aelius. Silver Denarius (3.29 g), Caesar, AD 136-138. Rome, under Hadrian, AD 137. L AELIVS CAESAR, bare head of Aelius right. Reverse TRIB POT COS II, CONCORD in exergue, Concordia seated left, holding patera and resting arm on cornucopiae balanced on side of throne. Cf. RIC 443 (aureus); Strack 398; BMC 1001; RSC 11a. Boldly struck with the portrait in high relief. Extremely Fine.

Overlooking the BM specimen, Mattingly and Sydenham omitted this type when compiling RIC II, which was published in 1926. Four specimens were amongst the coins in the massive 1929 Réka-Devnia Hoard, and perhaps it is for this reason that it was 'rediscovered' by both Strack in his study of Hadrian (1933) and Mattingly in BMC (1936). The type was marginally more common by number of specimens relative to several other types found in Réka-Devnia; however, it remains an elusive rarity for today's specialist of Hadrian's coinage.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68
Lot 3225 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3225 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Balbinus. Silver Denarius (3.2 g), AD 238. Rome. IMP C D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Balbinus right. Reverse PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, Providentia standing facing, head left, hold wand over globe at feet to left and cornucopiae. RIC 7; BMC 3; RSC 23. Rare. Boldly struck on both sides on a wide flan. A splendid example of this rare issue and nicely toned. Superb Extremely Fine.

After the death of the Gordiani, the Senate nominated two of their own, Balbinus and Pupienus, as joint emperors to oppose Maximinus I who was then quickly marching towards Italy at the head of his legions from the Balkans. Pupienus had risen through the ranks of the military before becoming a senator and was thus the natural choice to lead the defense in northern Italy, while Balbinus stayed behind in Rome to shore up support there. When Maximinus' troops arrived before Aquileia, lack of provisions caused them to mutiny. They murdered the emperor and his son and paraded their disembodied heads on lances which they carried to Rome.

Although Maximinus was now out of the way, the city of Rome remained in a state of turmoil. The joint emperors, being wealthy patricians, were not well liked by the inhabitants who forced the Senate to nominate as Caesar the grandson and nephew of the Gordiani, Gordian III. Despite this attempt at appeasement, however, the people were in open revolt. Fire had been set to the city, causing much devastation and making many homeless. To make matters worse, the co-emperors were mutually suspicious of one another. In the ensuing disorder, the Praetorian Guard broke into the palace and murdered both emperors, elevating the young Gordian III as the new emperor.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500.
Ex Steinberg, NAC 1973 Sale, lot 320.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68
Lot 3133 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3133 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Divus Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.48 g), died AD 79. Rome, under Titus, AD 80/1. DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Vespasian right. Reverse Foreparts of two capricorns opposed, supporting between them round shield inscribed S C on globe. RIC 357; BMC 129; RSC 497. Attractively toned. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
Ex Roma V (23 March 2013), 714.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68
Lot 3156 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3156 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Hadrian. Silver Denarius (3.4 g), AD 117-138. Rome, ca. AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head of Hadrian right. Reverse TELLVS above, STABIL in exergue, Tellus reclining left leaning on basket, resting hand on globe and holding vine branch. Cf. RIC 277 (no vine branch); Strack 274; BMC 748; RSC 1429. Rare. Boldly struck, well centered with complete legends and lustrous. Nearly Mint State.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
Ex Imagines Imperatorvm Sale (Aureo & Calicó, 8 February 2012), 95.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68
Lot 3174 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3174 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Commodus. Silver Denarius (3.3 g), AD 177-192. Rome, AD 181. L AVREL COM-MODVS AVG, laureate head of Commodus right. Reverse TR P IIII IMP III COS II P P, Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; below seat, wheel. RIC 662; Szaivert 449-4/30; BMC 796; RSC 771. Well struck and well centered with lovely deep iridescent toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200.
Ex Goldberg 75 (22-25 September 2013), 2623; Lepczyk 61 (13-14 March 1985), 411.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68
Lot 3195 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3195 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Caracalla. Silver Denarius (3.5 g), AD 198-217. Rome, AD 215. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head of Caracalla right. Reverse P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P, Fides standing facing, head left, holding standard in either hand. RIC 266; BMC 143-5; RSC 315. Well struck and perfectly centered. Lightly toned with hints of iridescense. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $200 - 250.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68
Lot 3219 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3219 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Diva Paulina. Silver Denarius (2.5 g), died ca. AD 235. Rome, under Maximinus I, AD 236. DIVA PAVLINA, veiled and draped bust of Paulina right. Reverse CONSECRATIO, peacock in full splendor standing facing, head left. RIC 1; BMC 135; RSC 1. Rare. A marvelous portrait of Paulina! Luster present, all delicately toned. Superb Extremely Fine.

Paulina was the wife of the Thracian emperor, Maximinus I, and predeceased his elevation to the throne in AD 235. In 236 Maximinus elevated his young son, Maximus, to the rank of Caesar and had Paulina deified by the Roman Senate.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68
Lot 3149 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3149 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Trajan. Silver Denarius (3.4 g), AD 98-117. Rome, AD 107-110. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust of Trajan right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Reverse COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; in background to left, forepart of ship. RIC 122; Woytek 271b; BMC 306; RSC 87. Boldly struck with needle sharp detail and lustrous surfaces. Nearly Mint State.
Estimated Value $600 - 700.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68
Lot 3169 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Lot 3169 - denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Marcus Aurelius, with Commodus, as Caesar. Silver Denarius (3.25 g), AD 161-180. Rome, AD 175. M ANTONINVS AVG GERM TR P XXIX, laureate head of Marcus Aurelius right. Reverse COMMODVS CAES AVG FIL GERM, bare-headed and draped bust of Commodus right. RIC 336a; Szaivert 302-4/30; BMC 625, note; RSC 1c. Boldly struck, well centered and attractively toned. Of the highest rarity, very few specimens known. Extremely Fine.

The underlying feature of the Adoptive emperors, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, and jointly Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, is that each had been adopted by his predecessor and cultivated to take over the reigns of power once the throne was vacant. This was an innovative and sound approach to the succession which provided Rome with excellent emperors and great stability throughout most of the second century AD. Marcus Aurelius, however, was a man thoroughly doting towards his family and broke with this tradition when he elevated his own son, Commodus, as Caesar in 166. As it turned out, once he had obtained sole rule Commodus proved thoroughly unsuited for the task, as he was mentally unbalanced and exceptionally cruel.

The dual-portrait dynasty denarii of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus as Caesar are exceptionally rare, having been struck for a very short time sometime between July 7, when Commodus received the toga virilis and then end of September, when Aurelius began using the title Sarmaticus on his coinage. Sear notes "perhaps only one or two of the last three [varieties of dynastic denarii of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus] exist," while RIC notes only one specimen of this particular variety with the bust of Commodus draped, Ratto (8 February 1928), 3098, of which this coin shares both its obverse and reverse dies (particular thanks goes to Dr. T. V. Buttrey, Honorary Keeper of Ancient Coins, Department of Coins and Medals at the Fitzwilliam Museum, who has built a monumental collection of auction sale catalogues for the department, for comparing the dies of our coin to the Ratto specimen).
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
Ex Imagines Imperatorvm Sale (Aureo & Calicó, 8 February 2012), 119; NAC 18 (29 March 2000), 557.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

denarii collection - the civil wars a.d. 68