A pinacotheca (Greek: πινακοθήκη) was a picture gallery in either ancient Greece or ancient Rome. The name is specifically used for the building containing pictures which formed the left wing of the Propylaea on the Acropolis at Athens, Greece. Though Pausanias (Bk. II., xxii. 6) speaks of the pictures "which time had not effaced," which seems to point to fresco painting, the fact that there is no trace of preparation for stucco on the walls shows that the paintings were easel pictures (J. G. Frazer, Pausanias's Description of Greece, 1898, ii. 252). The Romans adopted the term for the room in a private house containing pictures, statues, and other works of art.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Caesar's Coins part 1

via :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antiquitiesproject/sets/72157626380576998/with/4807436080/






Divus Julius Caesar. Denarius (Silver, 4.09 g 5), struck under the magistrate Q. Voconius Vitulus, circa 40 BC. Laureate head of Julius Caesar to right. Rev. C. VOCONIVS / S C /VITVLVS.Q. / DESIGN Calf standing left. Babelon (Julia) 121, (Voconia) 1. Crawford 526/4. CRI 331. Sydenham 1133. A lovely coin with an outstanding portrait of Caesar. Lightly toned and most attractive, extremely fine.



Imperatorial Rome. Julius Caesar, d. 44 BC. AR (Silver) Denarius (4.09 g), Rome mint, struck January-February 44 BC. Laureate head of Caesar right, simpulum and lituus behind; CAESAR.IMP. Reverse: Venus stands left, head lowered, holding Victory and reversed spear, shield at side; M.METTIVS, G in left field. Crawford 480/3; CRI 100; Alföldi (Caesar in 44 v. Chr.) plate XXI, 128 (these dies). Remarkably well-centered for this series, on ample flan of superb metal. With bold, naturalistic lifetime portrait of the aging Caesar. Very handsome collection toning. A stunning coin, without the usual striking and other problems, rampant in this series, and rare as such.
Octavianus with M. Agrippa. Aureus, mint moving with Octavian 38 BC, AV 8.10 g. IMP·DIVI·IVLI·F· TER·III·VIR·R·P·C Laureate head of Julius Caesar r.; on forehead, star. Rev. M·AGRIPPA·COS / DESIG. Bahrfeldt 99.7 (this coin) and pl. X, 7 (this coin illustrated). B. Julia 130 and Vipsania 2. C 33. Sydenham 1329. Kent-Hirmer pl. 33, 119 (this obverse die). Crawford 534/1. Calicó 46.
Extremely rare, eleven specimens known of which only four are in private hands.
Octavian and Julius Caesar. Late summer-autumn 43 BC. AV Aureus (8.15 g, 12h). Military mint traveling with Octavian in Italy. Bare head of Octavian right, wearing slight beard; C • CAESAR • COS • PO(NT) • (AV)G • around / Wreathed head of Julius Caesar right; C • CAESAR • DICT • PERP • PO(NT) • (MA)X •. Crawford 490/2; CRI 132; Bahrfeldt 28; Calicó 52a (same obv. die as illustration); Sydenham 1321; Kestner -; BMCRR Gaul 74-5; CNR 1 (same obv. die as illustration); Cohen 2. Good VF, well centered on both sides, typical small field marks. Extremely rare. Only five specimens recorded by both Bahrfeldt and Crawford. The most artistic portrait of Julius Caesar on an aureus.


The Roman Republic
Q. Voconius Vitulus. Aureus, Roma 40 BC or later, 8.09 g. IVLI·F – DIVI Laureate head of Caesar r. Rev. Q·VOCONIVS Calf advancing l.; in exergue, VITVLVS. Babelon Voconia 3. C 546. Bahrfeldt 100 and pl. X, 7 (these dies). Sydenham 1130. Crawford 526/1 (these dies, this specimen not recorded). Sear Imperators 328. Calicó 154 (this coin). Biaggi 74 (this coin). 
Of the highest rarity, only the eighth specimen known and one of four in private hands.