I was able to find my way to the Frankfurt Numismata Show after all in spite of my severe recent foot injury (got to thank my wife who drove me there and picked me up again in the late afternoon - lots of kilometers, bless her!). The convention hall, 3 full rooms, was packed with dealers and visitors. I was impressed by the number of French and Spanish dealers in attendance, more than previous years. There were LOTS of ancients coin dealers, as well as all of the major german auction houses to visit and many interesting coins. Unfortunately much of the better imperial bronzes (my focus area) was very highly priced. I struggled my way (painfully) limping through the aisles, but had a successful day after all. I Picked up my recent win from the Peus Stand, and spent the rest of the day looking for roman bronzes and interesting U.S coins. I was able to find this interesting sestertius of Hadrian with the DISCIPLINA reverse. I guess I am just a fan of 'interesting' reverse types. It is a scarce sestertius which I've had on my sights for quite a while. The coin is in quite low grade, but it has a nice tan and brown tone, and still shows the major design elements. It also goes well with my EXERCITVS SYRIACUS sestertius. Good enough for me! Hope you like. This is an excerpt of a description of this coin type from acsearch: ''The discussion in RIC notes that this reverse type "celebrates the military reforms of the Emperor" without defining what specific event triggered the commemoration on this sestertius. It is most likely related to the conclusion of the last great military campaign of Hadrian's reign, the Bar Kochba revolt in Judaea (AD 132-135). As an internal revolt, not an operation against foreign foes, the war did not warrant a coinage commemorating its end, but this coin would indirectly mark its conclusion, praising the legions for their steadfastness while stressing the reordering of the armies for peacetime and the standing down from a war footing''. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius. Rome mint. Struck circa AD 134-138. Obv: Laureate, draped bust right Rev: DISCIPLIN AVG in emerge, Hadrian, holding roll, advancing right, followed by officer and three soldiers carrying standards. RIC 746; C. 542, 24,67 g
Very attractive new acquisition, Eduard. Also, an interesting reverse type, even though I can't identify much with the idea of DISCIPLINA, having very little of it myself .
Nice coin. Hope your foot injury heals up. A week ago I fell off a fifteen foot ladder on my leg, but amazingly only received a few scratches and sore muscles. A Bottle of wine promptly fixed that problem up!
And 30 years from now, things are going to hurt, ache, and be in pain... and you will say: "Oh yeah! I almost FORGOT about that over a bottle of wine!"
Thanks all for your comments. I have to admit I am really attracted to reverses 'which show something'. I am probably therefore not a sophisticated collector. My tastes are simple: I prefer heroic reverses, or reverses which refer to historic events, or those which shows buildings or monument, or an emperor actually doing 'something'. History also plays a big part for me, so I will make an exception with regard to the reverse If the coin portrays a person whom I find historically interesting. I have to confess that I tend not to go for reverses which just show a figure 'just standing there'. Give me some action! (There is an expression among german dealers/collectors about such coins - they call them the 'Stehende Langweiligkeit' or 'standing impersonation of boredom'. Not very polite, I know.
that's a sweet sestertius edward! that coin demands to be fondled. i'm going to try and make one small coin show this moth, i'll be happy if there is one dedicated ancient coin dealer. i'd love to run into LOTS of them!
Yes, I have to say ancients seem to be as common (well, almost) at coins shows in here as Morgans are in the U.S. If you ever get a chance, you should plan to attend one of the Numismata Shows. I believe they are now the largest. You certainly get a lot to chose from. But as I said, the 'good stuff' is still pretty expensive! Very, very nice! nice smooth planchet. And none recorded in acsearch. I did not know that variety even existed.
Well sophisticated or not I think that's the wisest way to collect - coins that interest and "speak" to you!
