This new “Journal Entry” provides an update on the 5^th Page of my NGC Ancient Custom Set entitled “The Roman Empire.”

This Page is 67% complete (10 coins out of 15 slots), and for one of those 10 coins my “Owner’s Comments” are pending.

Here is a link to the Collection…

https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetGallery.aspx?s=16365

Here is the synopsis for the Page, entitled "PERSEVERANCE": The Empire weathers a civil war culminating in the rise of Emperor Vespasian and his Flavian dynasty.

The following are comments on the coins I choose for this Page and why…

1. Jewish Revolt.  This ancient bronze (graded XF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 4/5) is an example of coinage struck in Judaea during the “Great Jewish Revolt” there between 66-70 AD.  While Rome finally managed to regain control, the toll was enormous.  Besides the historical importance relevant to the Roman Empire (e.g., this war propelled the political power of Vespasian and he rode that success to become Emperor), the conflict also fits in well with the theme of this Page.  This war illustrates the desire of the Judaeans to persevere against oppression, and Rome’s more than equal determination to persevere in maintaining their control.
2. For this slot, I choose an ancient bronze depicting Rhescuporis I, Rome’s client King ruling the Kingdom of Bosporus.  This one graded VF, Strike =5/5, Surface = 2/5 (that surface grade is probably due to a perceived smoothed at some point, but to me does not detract from the coin’s fascination at all).  The reason I had to get it was the fascinating obverse imagery of the King maltreating some captives.  Such a depiction became a common theme of coinage later in Rome’s history, so it would seem Rhescupors was ahead of his time. I wanted to include some coinage to represent Rome’s client kings, and this one seemed very interesting to me.  See my essay for more interesting details about Rhescuporis and this coin in particular.  That research turned out far more interesting than I expected.  I can not resist pasting in my last sentence from the Owner’s Comments: “Alas, it is not within scope of this NGC Custom Set to represent all Bosphorus’ Kings, not to mention the myriad rulers of Rome’s other interesting client kingdoms. Instead, this collection relies on worthy exemplification, providing serendipitous opportunities for historical contemplation.”
3. Roman Civil War.  I don’t have this slot filled in yet.
4. Galba.  This denarius graded an impressive AU, Strike = 4/5, Surface=5/5.  Not only that it earned both a star for its eye appeal.  In addition, it also earned a “Fine Style” designation, which is pretty hard to get for Roman coinage (at least compared to, say, ancient Greek coinage).  Galba wanted to place Rome on the path to a new golden age, and his coinage is extremely interesting.  This particular  denarius features on the reverse a remarkable, unprecedented epithet of VICTORIA P • R; as such, Galba is not advertising personal achievement, but victory for the Roman populace, populi romani.  For more details, see my Owner’s Comments.
5. Otho.  I don’t have this slot filled in yet.
6. Vitellius. I don’t have this slot filled in yet.
7. Vespasian.  This coin is one of my favorites in my entire collection for its historical interest and outstanding state of preservation.  It graded MS, Srike = 5/5, Surface = 5/5, and earned a star for its amazing eye appeal.   This denarius features on the reverse the Emperor in a quadriga celebrating his victory of Judaea.  Such “Judaea Capta” coinage are highly sought after for the religio-historical importance.  As part of my research on this coin, I came across Josephus’ account of this particular triumph that Vespasian celebrated in Rome.  His writings – a fascinating read – describe the purple-clad and laurel-donning Emperor captivating the crowds with his prayers, elaborate parades featuring thousands of prisoners, enormous amounts of captured treasures, and stupendous, complex floats that re-enacted tales of bloody battle.  The ancient Romans sure knew how to throw a party!
8. Titus.  I don’t have this slot filled in yet.
9. Titus.  I included here a coin that was struck as part of the opening of the Roman Colosseum. It graded Ch VF, Strike = 5/5, Surface = 5/5.  I wanted to include two of Titus’ coins in the collection: for the first slot above, which I have not yet filled, I wanted to write my Owner’s Comments focusing on Titus himself, and for this second slot, I wanted to use the opportunity to provide some historical details regarding Roman engineering, and specifically, the impressive construction project that became the Colosseum.  I have not yet written my Owner’s Comments on this one, stay tuned. 
10. Domitilla the Elder, wife of Vespasian.  This one is a sestertius and graded VF Strike = 4/5 Surface = 2/5.  It represents the only issue appropriately attributed to the elder Domitilla.  To really appreciate the weight and presence of a sestertius, you really need to actually hold it in your hand.  This one features a carpentum.  Beyond mere conveyances, carpenta held social, political, and spiritual significance. Religious and political elite employed carpenta, particularly Rome’s wealthy and powerful women. Carpenta were tricked out with arched rooftops, elaborate and customized interiors, and even metal- and leather-strap based suspensions. Besides mules, optional powertrains included horses and oxen. Carpenta also sported metal-shod wheels, making them noisy, even at low speeds.  As a group, the so-called “carpentum sestertii” provide a fascinating insight into the early Roman Empire and a popular subject for ancient coin collectors.
11. Julia Titi.  I don’t have this slot filled in yet. 
12. Agrippa II, featuring Domitian as Caesar.  This ancient bronze graded VF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 3/5.  Agrippa II was the seventh and last sovereign descended from Herod the Great.  I felt that he played such an important role in Rome’s history in first century AD, for example he came to Rome’s aid during the Great Jewish Revolt.  See my Owner’s Comments to read more about this interesting client king and his role in the religio-political history of his time.  This coin certainly seems fitting for this Page with the theme of perseverance.  Agrippia II’s five-decade tenure was the longest of any Herodian client king, and even surpassed Augustus.
13. Domitian. This denarius graded an impressive MS, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 5/5. It is one of only a few coins in this collection that earned a "Fine Style" designation.  This denarius features on the reverse, the Emperor's personal favorite deity, namely Minerva, whom Domitian worshipped so zealously that he had a shrine dedicated to her in his bedroom.  One night Minerva appeared to him in a dream and confessed that Jupiter had disarmed her, and thus she could no longer protect her faithful and beloved emperor. Days later, in a palace conspiracy organized by court officials, Domitian was stabbed to death. 
14. This ancient provincial bronze features Rome's imperial couple, Domitia and Domitian.  This one graded Ch VF, Strike  = 5/5, Surface = 3/5.  Over the course of nineteen centuries, the coin’s surfaces have amassed circulation wear and chemical alteration. The resulting patina, particularly the complementary hues of green and red, lends an aesthetic appeal that is best appreciated firsthand. So, as a chemical engineer by nature, I could not resist the opportunity to provide some details in my Owner's Comments regarding the chemistry of the coinage metals, also known as Group 11 (according to the periodic table of the elements), whose species are relatively chemically inert, electronically conductive, and corrosion resistant. Group 11 includes Cu (copper), Ag (silver), and Au (gold), all of which occur in nature and, not surprisingly, represent the first elements ever discovered. 
15. For this final slot I included a coin representing Vespasian Jr, whom Domitian adopted in an attempt to gain more popularity as an Emperor with a defined heir.  This extremely rare ancient bronze graded Ch VF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 2/5.  The fate of younger Vespasian remains uncertain. Soon after this coin debuted, his father, Titus Flavius Clemens, was executed by Domitian for monotheism. Perhaps Domitian decided to pro-actively execute Vespasian Junior as well, even at the expense of becoming heirless once again. In any case, Domitian’s efforts to propagate the Flavian dynasty proved moot. After his murder, the Senate choose Nerva as Rome’s next Emperor.  The Empire persevered into the next Chapter...