Gordian III CE 238-244

AR Antoninianus, 23 mm, 5.11 g, Rome mint, CE 242-243
RIC IV 89, RSC 261, RCV 8648, Hunter 37
O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind

R: PM TRP V COS II PP Apollo seated left, holding branch, left elbow resting on lyre. Good VF, lightly toned.

Ex: B.P. Murphy

Acquisition: 2007

India; Western Satraps or Kshatrapas CE 35-405

Bhadramukhas or Kardamaka dynasty

Family of Chastana:

Vijayasena I CE 239-250

AR Drachm, 16mm 2.25 g,
O: Bust of Vijayasena, with corrupted Greek legend (Indo-Greek style), date in Brahmi numerals behind

R: Three-arched hill or Chaitya, with river, crescent and sun, within legend in Brahmi Rajno Mahaksatrapasa Damasenasaputrasa Rajno Mahaksatrapasa Vijayasanasa

map from Wikipedia article on the Western Satraps*

Rudrasena II CE 255-277

AR Drachm, 15 mm 2.26 g, CE 273

O: Bust of Rudrasena II right, with corrupted Greek legend (Indo-Greek style), date in Brahmi numerals behind (195 Saka Era = 273 AD) [date is most likely from those visible]
R: Three-arched hill or Chaitya, with river, crescent and sun, within legend in Brahmi Rajna ksatrapasa Viradamaputrasa Rajno mahaksatrapasa Rudrasenasa

According to Dr. Alexander Fishman of Ancient Coins Canada, Vcoins site, Year 195 SE on Rudrasena coins is EXTREMELY rare, with only one example known (from Sonpur hoard, NS.47,345,96N) - not listed or Illustrates in "Studies in the Coinage of Western Kshatrapas".

Both coins Ex: F.S. Robinson

Acquisition: 2007

China; Zhou Dynasty BCE 1122-221

Same example from different angles for perspective

Anonymous, 19 x 14 mm 1.35 g, circa BCE 800
Bone imitation cowrie
Ding Fubao 2 v, Schjöth---

Ex: F. S. Robinson

Acquisition: 2007

Constantine I CE 307-337

AE 3, 18 mm, 2.9 g, London mint, CE 319-320
RIC 158 Scarce
O:IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding spear
R:VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, Two Victories standing, facing each other,holding shield inscribed VOT/PR over altar, PLN in exergue.
According to dealers notes, “Traces of silvering, better than the photo.”

Ex: Alexander Fishman/Ancient Coins Canada

Acquisition : 2007

Gallienus CE 253-268

AE Antoninianus, 3.16 g, Antioch mint, CE265-267
RCV 10291, RSC 634
O: GALLIENVS AVG, rad cuir dr bust r
R: MINERV-A AVG in ex. VIIC dot, Minerva stg. l.

Found in Syria

Ex: Ancient Byways

Acquisition: 2005

Gallienus CE 253-268

AE Antoninianus, 3.55 g, Antioch mint, CE 267
RCV 10212, RSC 219b
O: GALLIENVS AVG, rad cuir bust r
R: FIDES AVG in ex. P XV, Mercury stg. l.

Found in Syria

Ex: Ancient Byways

Acquisition: 2006

Probus CE 276-282

AE Antoninianus, 3.68 g, Rome mint, CE 281
RIC 223
O: PROBVS PF AVG, rad cuir bust r
R: VICTORIA GERM in ex. R--A, trophy with captives on either side.

Ex: Silenos

Acquisition: 2006

Aurelian CE 270-275

AE Antoninianus, 3.97 g, Serdica mint, CE 274-275
RCV 11592 v
O: IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, rad cuir bust r
R: RESTITVT ORBIS in ex. KA Γ in field *, female presenting wreath to Aurelian.

Ex: Silenos

Acquisition: 2006

Probus CE 276-282

AE Antoninianus, 3.94 g, Antioch mint, CE 280-281
RCV 12021
O: IMP C M AVR PROBVS PF AVG, rad cuir bust r
R: RESTITVT ORBIS in field A in ex. XXI, female presenting wreath to Probus.

Acquisition: 2004

Probus CE 276-282

AE Antoninianus, 3.69 g, Cyzicus mint, CE 280
RCV 12041 v
O: IMP C M AVR PROBVS PF AVG, rad consular bust l.
R: SO-LIINVICT-O/CM in field in ex. XXIQ, Sol facing in quadriga.

Ex: Hermes Coins

Acquisition: 2006

Domitian, as Caesar under Vespasian CE 69-79

AR Denarius, 2.86 g, Rome mint, January to June CE 79
RCV 2641
O: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS VI, laur bust r
R: PRINCEPS IVVENTVTIS, Vesta enthroned l.

Ex: Alex G. Malloy

Acquisition: 2005

Domitian CE 81-96

AE Dupondius, 8.88 g, Rome mint, CE 92-95
RCV 2798
O: [IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM] COS XVI CENS PER PP, rad bust r.
R: [VIRTVTI AVGV]STI SC, Virtus adv. r

From Germany

Acquisition: 2004

Vespasian CE 69-79

AR Denarius, 2.66 g, Rome mint, CE 72-73
RCV 2316
O: IMP CAES VESP AVG PM COS IIII, laur bust r
R: VESTA, Vesta stg l.

Acquisition: 2004

This coin marks the dedication of the shrine on the Palatine that had burned in CE 64.

China; Xin Dynasty CE 7-23

Wang Mang CE 7-23

AE Ho Quan, 22 mm, 2.06 g, 5th Reform CE 14-23
Schjöth 150
O: Characters right to left HO QUAN
R: blank

Ex: F. S. Robinson

Acquisition: 2001

China; Qin Dynasty BCE 255-206

Qin Shi Huang Di BCE 221-209

AE Pan Liang, 31 mm, 6.17 g,
Schjöth 82 v
O: characters right to left PAN LIANG
R: Blank

Ex: F. S. Robinson

Acquisition: 2002

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/china/map/map.html

China; Bei Sung Dynasty CE 960-1126

Huizong CE 1101-1125

AE 10 Cash, 34 mm, 10.17 g, CE 1106-1106
Schjöth 621
O: Characters CHUNG NING TONG PAO
R: blank

Ex: F. S. Robinson

Acquisition: 2001

It is believed that calligraphy on this coin is an example of the Emperor’s own “thin-gold” style that later became known as “imperial” style.




Below is an example of a painting done by Huizong, who was also an accomplished painter. The painting is in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC:


Finches and Bamboo
Emperor Huizong (Chinese, 1082–1135, reigned 1101–25)
Handscroll; ink and color on silk; 11 x 18 in. (27.9 x 45.7 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
John M. Crawford, Jr. Collection, Purchase, Douglas Dillon Gift, 1981 (1981.278)

China; Bei Sung Dynasty CE 960-1126

Zhezhong CE 1086-1100

AE 2 Cash, 30 mm, 6.83 g, CE 1094-1097
Schjöth 595
O: Characters SHAO SHENG YUNG PAO
R: blank

Ex: F. S. Robinson

Acquisition: 2002

Gallienus CE 253-268

AR Antoninianus, CE 255-256, Joint Reign, Asia (RIC) Samosata (Göbl), Uncertain Syrian Mint (Sear)

O: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS P F AVG Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind

R: VIRT-VS AV-GG Gallienus and Valerian standing facing, heads turned toward each other, left emperor with spear upward in right hand and globe in left, right emperor with transverse spear in left hand and Victory in right

22mm x 24mm, 4.07g RIC V, Part I, 456; Göbl 1687m, RSC 1310, RCV 10414 v

Ex Vel Garnett Collection
Ex: Beast Coins

Acquisition: 2007

Judea; Herodian; Herod Agrippa CE 37-44

AE Prutah, 15 x 17 mm, 2.92 g, CE 41-42
H. 553
O: umbrella with fringe, AΓPIΠA BACIΛEWC
R: three ears of barley growing between two leaves, flanked by date, Lς

Ex: Amphora/D. Hendin

Acquisition: 2004

Illustrated below is the obverse of a 1 Agora (pl. Agorot) coin that was inspired by the reverse of the Herod Agrippa coin. Like many of Israel's modern coins, this one harkens back to an earlier design for its inspiration. This particular coin was utilized from 1960-1980 when it was finally taken from circulation.

Nabatean; Rabbel II & Gamilat CE 71-106

AE 17 mm, 2.46 g, Petra mint
SGI 5706 v
O: Jugate hds of Rabbel & Gamilat
R: Aramaic inscription naming “Rabbel/Gamilat”

Ex: Ancient Byways

Acquisition: 2006

Judea; Herodian; Herod “the Great” BCE 37-4

AE Prutah, 13 mm, 1.79 g.
H. 1188 variety
O: Anchor, HPWΔ BACI
R: Cornucopiae

Celtic; Britain, Durotriges circa BCE 58-45

Bi Stater, 17 mm, 2.55 g, cranborne chase
BMC 2525v, Spink 367
O: devolved hd of Apollo r.
R: disjointed horse l. lg pellet below

Ex: F.S. Robinson

Acquisition: 2005

Greek; Seleucid, Antiochus VII BCE 138-129

AE Prutah, 15mm, 2.39 g, Jerusalem mint, BCE 132-130
Minted under the authority of Yohanan Hyrcanus
Hendin 451, CSE 831-834 v
O: Lily
R: Anchor, BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ/ANTIOXOY/EYEPΓETOY

Ex: Ancient Byways

Acquisition : 2006

Cf. Hendin’s Guide to Biblical Coins, fourth edition, pp. 125-126 for further info.

Greek; Seleucid, Demetrius II BCE 129-126/5 (second reign)

AR Didrachm, 7.63 g, Tyre mint, BCE 129-128/SE 184
CSE 770 v, SC 2196.2c

O: diad. Hd of Demetrius II r.
R: Eagle stg l. Tyrian Club and monogram in left field, MY between eagle’s legs, ΔΠΡ in right field, [ΔHMHTPIOY] BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ

Ex: Amphora/D. Hendin

Acquisition : 2004

Theodosius II CE 402-450

AE 4, 11 mm, 1.06 g, Cyzicus mint , c. CE 425-435

RCV 21234

O: diad bust r. DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG

R: cross in wreath, in ex. SMK-

Ex: Nemesis

Acquisition: 2007

Valentinian II CE 375-392

AE 2, 22 mm, 4.24 g, Siscia mint, c. CE 379-383
CHK 1526, VM 32
O: diad bust r. DN VALENTINIANVS IVN PF AVG

R: emp with victory in left hand raising personification of the republic with rt., REPARATIO –REIPVB, in ex. Dot ASISC


Ex: Silenos

Acquisition: 2004

Valens CE 364-378

AE 3, 19 x 17 mm, 3.55 g, c. CE 364-367
CHK 1295
O: diad bust r. DN VALEN-S PF AVG
R: emp with labarum, chi-rho in center, dragging captive rt. GLORIA RO-MANORVM
Star and A in right field and DBSISC in ex.

Ex: Silenos

Acquisition: 2004

Theodosius I CE 379-395

AE 2, 23 mm, 5.05 g, Aquileia mint , c. CE 379-383
CHK 1067, RCV 20497
O: diad bust r. DN THEODOSIVS PF AVG

R: emp with victory in left hand raising personification of the republic with rt., REPARATIO –REIPVB, in ex. SMAQP

Ex: Silenos

Acquisition: 2004

Map of the Roman Empire at the death of Theodosius I in CE 395

Byzantine; Maurice Tiberius CE 582-602

AE 40 Nummia, 27 x 28 mm, 11.19 g, Antioch mint, Yr. 12/CE 593-594

Sear 533

O: δN MAUrICNPAUT, facing portrait of emperor.

R: Large M with cross above, Γ below, ANNO to left and XII to right, thεUP in ex.

Acquisition: 2004 sold: 2007

Byzantine; Leo VI CE 886-912

AE follis, 27 mm, 4.56 g,

Sear 1729v

O: cross, LEOn bASILEUS ROM’, facing portrait of emperor.

R: Inscription reading , cross LEOn/En ΘEO bA/SILEVS R/OMEOn

Acquisition: 2004 sold: 2007

Jovian CE 363-364

AE 3, 19 mm, 2.75 g, Heraclea mint, c. CE 363
CHK 1912 v, RIC 108 S
O: diad bust l. DN IOVIANVS PF AVG
R: VOT/V in wreath, in ex HERACB

Ex: Silenos

Acquisition: 2004

Gratian CE 367-383

AE 2, 23.5 mm, 4.45 g, Aquileia mint , c. CE 379-383
CHK 1064v, RIC X AQ 30a Rare
O: diad bust r. DN GRATIANVS PF AVG

R: emp with victory in left hand raising personification of the republic with rt., REPARATIO –REIPVB, in ex. SMAQS


Ex: Silenos

Acquisition: 2004

Constans CE 337-350

AE ½ Centenionalis, 19 mm, 2.02 g, Siscia mint, c. CE 348-350

RIC VIII Siscia 230 (C2)

O: diad bust r. DN CONSTA-NS PF AVG

R: Constans in galley with labarum, galley piloted by Victory sailing l. FEL TEMP-REPARATIO in ex. ΓSIS

Ex: Silenos

Acquisition: 2004

Gordianus III CE 238-244

AR Antoninianus, 6.05 g, Antioch mint, CE 242-244
RCV 8659, RSC 319
O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, rad cuir bust r
R: Gordian stg rt with transverse spear in rt hand and orb in left., SAECVLI FELICITAS

Valerian CE 253-260

Bi. Antoninianus, 3.82 g, Uncertain Syrian mint CE 256-260
RIC 286, RSC 188
O: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, rad cuir bust r
R: Personification of the Orient presenting Valerian with wreath., RESTITVT ORIENTIS

Likely minted for the payment of the troops stationed with Valerian in the east prior to his capture by Shapur I.

Ex: Lynne’s Curio

Acquistion: 1976, paid $5.00

Trajan Decius CE 249-251

AR Antoninianus, 5.19 g, Rome mint CE 250-251
RCV 9378, RSC 86
O: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, rad cuir bust r
R: Pannonia Sup & Inf stg with standards, PA-NNONI-AE

Ex: Ancient Byways

Acquistion: 2005

Tacitus CE 275-276

AE Antoninianus, 2.87 g, Rome mint
Cohen 148a
O: IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, rad cuir bust r
R: Uberitas stg l., VBERTAS AVG, in ex. XXI

Ex: from Germany

Acquistion: 2004

Probus CE 276-282

AE Antoninianus, 3.22 g, Antioch mint c. CE 280-281
Cohen 89 v
O: IMP C M AVR PROBVS PF AVG, rad cuir bust r
R: Probus receiving orb from Jove., CLEMENTIA TEMP, in ex. XXI in field E dot.

Ex: Lynne’s Curio

Acquistion: 1976, paid $4.50

Herenius Etruscus, as Caesar CE 249-251; Provincial Syria Palaestina

AE 20 mm, 6.52 g, Caesarea Maritima mint
SNG VI; 848 v “Hostilian”
O: partial legend reading MES Q EREN ETRVSCO DECIO CAES when complete, rad dr bust r
R: bust of Tyche left., COL P F AVF C[CAES METRO]

Ex: Amphora/D. Hendin

Acquistion: 2004

Geta, as Caesar CE 198-209

AR Denarius, 3.23 g, Rome CE 207
RCV 7186, RSC 104, RIC 34
O: P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES, bare hd draped bust r.
R: PONTIF COS, Minerva stg. l

Acquisition : 2004

Elagabalus CE 218-222; Provincial Syria Palaestina

AE 20 mm, 6.61 g, Neapolis (Nablus) mint Samaria
Similar reverse as that of an issue from same local of Maesa in the ANS collection.
O: AV K M AVP [-], laur bust r.
R: Elpis advancing l., ΦΛ NEACΠOΛ [-]

Ex: Amphora/D. Hendin

Acquistion: 2006

Caracalla, as Caesar CE 196-198; Provincial Moesia Inferior

AE Assarion, 17 mm, 2.93 g., Nicopolis mint

O: M AYP KAI ANTΩNINO, bare hd bust r.
R: NIKOΠOΛIT ΠPOC ICTP, Homonoia stg l.

Ex: Ancient Byways

Acquisition : 2005

Caracalla & Geta, circa CE 209-212; Provincial Moesia Inferior

AE Pentassarion, 22 mm, 10.83 g, Marcianopolis mint
Moushmov 462
O: AV K M AV ANTΩNINOC AV K Λ CEΠ, facing busts of Caracalla l and Geta on r., beneath is the remaining inscription ΓETAC
R: Apollo naked rt., VΦ Λ OVΛΠIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛ, in field, ε

Ex: Windsor Antiquities

Acquistion: 2005

Antoninus Pius CE 138-161

AE Dupondius, 9.41 g, Rome CE 159-160
RCV 4280
O: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP XXIII, radiate bust r.
R: PIETATI AVG COS IIII SC, Pietas (Faustina II) stg. l with children at her feet

Ex: Silenos
Acquisition : 2004