Ancient Roman Eagle Coins

If you had to make a list of the top three ancient Roman eagle coins (any denomination), which ones would it be and why?

P.S. Coins that feature eagles.

 

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Somewhere at the top of that list has to be the extensive variety of Tetradrachms struck at Antioch since the depicted eagle is always boldly presented and the 'series' include numerous rulers of interest. For instance this coin of Philip Jr.---

 

This one would make the top 3 imho

 

This is a proud looking eagle. Same type as Andres'.

As for Divus Augustus.

 

I chose the eagles of Trajan Decius and commemorative Licinius.

 

Augustus dupondius


Vespasian As

Antonius Pius Denarius

thats are my eagle coins

 

Exceptional coins. Keep 'em coming!

 

Look at the beak.. Gordian III.

 

here are my 3 favorite roman eagles...

 

Here's another vote for the tets from Antioch:


Herennius Etruscus, AD 251
Tetradrachm, 27mm, 11.7g; 12h; Antioch, Syria
Obv.: EPENNE TPOY ME KY ΔEKIOC KECAP; bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right, three dots beheath bust (=officiana 3)
Rev.: ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC; eagle standing right on palm branch, head right, tail left, wreath in beak
In Ex.: SC

I have another from Caracalla...but I'll have to dig up an image.

 

Eagle, eagles everywhere.

As the primary reverse detail...




A minor detail

At the end of a sceptre



At the foot of Jupiter




As a mid-sized attribute (legionary eagle)

 

Yes! The legionary eagle!


Constantine I, AD 306-337
AE, Follis, 4.48g, 22mm; 6h; Rome, AD 312-313
Obv.: IMP CONSTANTNVS PF AVG; laureate draped bust right
Rev.: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI; legionary eagle between two vexilla
In Ex.: R P

 

I also like the type with the eagle on globe. Here's a provincial:


Marcianopolis, Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE27, 10.2g, 6h.
Obv.: ΠIOC AVΓ ANTΩNINOC; Laureate head right, seen from behind.
Rev.: YΠ KYNTIΛIANOY MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN (Quintillianus magistrate); Eagle standing left on globe, head right, holding wreath.

Another legionary eagle:


Elagabalus, AD 218-222
AE, 23mm, 6.41g; 12h; Nicaea, Bithynia
Obv.: M AVPH ANTΩNINOC AVG; Laureate head right
Rev.: N-IK-AI-E-[ΩN] beneath the masts of legionary standards; eagle facing, head right, wings spread, between two standards surmounted by capricorns.


Something missing from my posts was an explanation of why these are my favorites. The tetradrachm from Antioch shows a large, powerful, and proud eagle. The eagle on the globe I see a representation of Roman dominance over the world. Did the ancients see it this way? Finally the legionary eagle representing Roman military dominance. I'll have to look over my coins and make sure I'm not missing anything.

 

Have you noticed that there are very few that are Imperial but many Provincials? Almost all Imperials are posthumous issues. Why?
Two Republicans, a Vespasian and the largish eagle attribute with Jupiter on a Licinius are not posthumus. The Augustus, Septimius and Constantius are.



Divus Augustus as by Nerva

Vespasian
Divus Septimius Severus

Divus Constantius I

Licinius I with Jupiter

 

I noticed this or more precisely I noticed that in my modest collection all my eagles that are major devices are provincials. Does the question above have an accepted answer or is this a rhetorical question? I have a couple thoughts but they're not based on any research.

 

I love Eagles, HS mascot was Eagles when I played sports, had two Bald Eagles nests within a mile of my home when I lived in No. WI for several years (watching them circle for the hunt was incredible), and I have several Eagle coins.

My #1 Favorite is the very FIRST COIN that I ever collected when I was 9 yo almost 50 years ago...

CIVIL WAR TOKEN: My Coin #1 - FIRST coin ever collected.



GOLD: Any, and a lot



ANCIENTS:

Makedon
Amyntas III 393-369 BC
Herakles lion skin
Eagle Serpant
SNG ANS 100ff


Roman Imperatorial
Marc Antony
AR Denarius 32-31 BC
Legio III Ship
Eagle Standards
Sear 1479 Craw 544/15


Roman Republic
Anon AE Sextans 217-215 BCE
She-Wolf Twins
Eagle
Syd 95 Craw 39/3 Sear 609


Roman Republic
Plaetorius Cest 67 BC
AR Den
Helmtd Diety quiv cornuc S-C
Eagle tbolt
Sear 349 Craw 409/1

 

My favourite eagle coin.

 

I'm curious about your recent enthusiasm for posting in the ancients section, @silverbullion. I'm not knocking it, just curious. I don't recall seeing you post any ancient coins. Are you considering collecting ancients?

As for eagles on ancient coins, they're very common-- especially on provincials, as others have noted. Eagles are extremely common on ancient Greek coins as well.

 

Here are a couple of my eagles.