u/netosmorphy

Hadrian spent years touring the empire, and commemorated it with this “Travel Series” of denarii, each one personifying a province he visited. This is my personal slice: AEGYPTOS, AFRICA, and HISPANIA. Nearly 1,900 years old, and still marking exactly where he’d been.

Fitting for a summer of traveling, and hopefully one day being able to travel as much as this legend did!

Got home, checked the mail, and found a little piece of Rome waiting for me. The AEGYPTO CAPTA is the highlight for me, but I’m curious which one you guys like most.

Hello guys!

I’m looking for some help deciding which one of these three coins has to go.

They’re all the same type, but each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. If you could only keep two out of the three, which ones would you choose, and more importantly, why?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on things like:
- Eye appeal
- Strike quality
- Centering
- Portrait style
- Reverse detail
- Overall collectability

Feel free to be as picky as you’d like. I’m genuinely curious to see what experienced collectors notice that I might be overlooking.
I’d really appreciate any opinions or explanations behind your choices.

And thank you so much for taking the time to read my post

INFO ON PICTURE #2

One of my favorite parts of my collection, and definitely something I'm proud of. This isn't my complete Augustus collection, just a portion of it that I wanted to share.

It's still very much a work in progress, and a few of the coins aren't in the greatest condition, but I'm proud of what I've managed to put together so far. At 27 years old, I'd like to think I still have plenty of time to keep adding to it. My hope is that one day it can become a small legacy and eventually find a home where it will be appreciated and preserved for future generations.

I'm always looking for new pieces and ways to fill some gaps, and I'm extremely grateful for any opinions, recommendations, or advice.

Thanks for looking!

1. Hadrian Denarius – HISPANIA
Rome mint, AD 134–138
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head right
Rev: HISPANIA, Hispania reclining left holding a branch, resting on a rock; hare at left
Weight: 3.35 g.
Diameter: 17 mm.

2. Hadrian Sestertius – AEGYPTOS
Rome mint, AD 134–138
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head right
Rev: AEGYPTOS / S C, Egypt reclining left holding a sistrum, resting on a modius filled with grain ears; ibis at left
Weight: 23.88 g.
Diameter: 32 mm.

What fascinates me about these is how much symbolism Hadrian packed into the reverses:
Hispania is represented by the hare, a long-standing symbol associated with the Iberian Peninsula dating back to Punic and Roman times.
Aegyptos features both an ibis, sacred to Thoth, and a sistrum, linking the province to Egyptian religion and culture, while the grain-filled modius emphasizes Egypt’s role as one of Rome’s major grain suppliers.

The Aegyptos sestertius is larger and arguably more impressive as a display piece, but I think the Hispania denarius has one of the most elegant reverse designs of the entire Travel Series.

Its 54g

I purchased this very large painting from an antique shop in Rome, and I’m hoping someone can help identify the artist, age, and origin.

The painting depicts four cherubs beneath a large architectural arch, holding a shield or heraldic crest. There are palm trees framing the scene, and in the distance there appears to be a domed building that resembles Florence Cathedral (the Duomo in Florence).

I would greatly appreciate any help with:
- Deciphering the signature
- Identifying the artist
- Dating the painting

Thank you so much !

Obverse: bare head of Octavian with lituus behind

Reverse: crocodile with the legend AEGVPTO CAPTA (“Egypt Captured”)

This type commemorates one of the most pivotal moments in Roman history — the defeat of Marc Antony and Cleopatra and the annexation of Ptolemaic Egypt in 30 BC. The crocodile, a symbol of Egypt, paired with the stark two-word legend makes the message unmistakable: Rome had absorbed the last great Hellenistic kingdom.

Specs:

AR denarius, 21mm, 3.93g

Rome mint, 28 BC

RIC I 275a

NGC XF (4/5, 2/5, brushed)