Well I think I've done fairly well for the first year on a budget as well. I set a goal at the start to get a coin of Alexander the great but was getting outbid on all my attempts so I've put that off for now plus I'd prefer a macedon shield instead of the Hercules drachm/tetradrachm. This was hard to rank my coins in order but I think my newest is my #1 for now. My 2020 goal is to start on some byzantine coinage (really would like to find a overstrike like @dougsmit gordian III overstrike) and some crusader coinage (on the look out for Guy De Lusignan)! #1 I bought this today, couldn't say no after seeing it. I want to finish the Constantine family soon. Also missing the RIC for this (and theres another goal for 2020, some RIC books). Constantine II OBV: Laureate bust of Constantine facing right. REV: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS/Camp gate with row of dots in top layer ESIS (cresent) in exergue 18.29mm 3,16g RIC 216 #2 As you will see with my list I like animals on coins ILLYRIA, Dyrrhachion 229-100 BC AR drachm/victoriatus, issued under Xenon and Pyrba-, magistrates 3.18g 17mm Obv: ΞΕΝΩΝ, cow standing right, looking back at suckling calf standing left below, above, eagle standing right with wings open Rev: ΔΥΡ, ΠΥΡ-ΒΑ, and club around double-lined quadrilateral containing stellate pattern BMC 112 From the JB (Edmonton) collection #3 This was my first auction win at the beginning of collecting. The reverse is what led me to bid on it as I never saw it before. Constans AE Centenionalis OBV: D N CONSTANS P F AVG REV: FEL TEMP REPARTIO Trier Mint mark 346 AD 21mm 4,28g RIC 224 #4 A coin I got from Mike Vosper, listed as very rare saw it on his sale so took it for a very good price. Probus Antoninianus OBV: IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right. Wide ties REV: ADVENTVS PROBI AVG, Emperor riding left, right hand raised, left holding sceptre; captive at foot R star stigma mint mark - Rome 278AD 24mm RIC 160Ff; MPR287(1ex.); NOT in PROBVS.NET #5 Saw the little dove and I had to bid. Faustina II Denarius Faustina II denarius under Marcus Aurelius 161-170AD Rome mint 3.30g 17.5mm Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bust right Rev: VE–NVS, Venus stg. l. holding dove and sceptre. RIC 730 Scarcer than the variety in which Venus holds an apple From the Doug Smith collection #6 This coin was fairly cheap and it looks so much better in hand. Divus Constantine Constantine I Posthumous issue 16-17mm 2.6g A.D. 347- 348 DV CONSTANTINVS PT AVGG; Veiled head right. VN-MR [VENERANDAE MEMORIAE] Constantine veiled, standing right. In ex. SMALΔ RIC VIII Alexandria 32 #7 Saw this in AMCC2 with no bidders so I got it for the starting bid. My cheapest coin so far, very happy with it. Constantine II Follis Constantine II as Caesar 317-337 AD issued 321 Rome mint 3.46g 18mm Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate head right Rev: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM, VOT X in two lines within wreath RT in exergue RIC 242(R) From TheRed collection #8 @Bing was the first person I bought coins from and this was one of them Gordian III GORDIAN III AE 26, AMNG II 650, Sarapis OBV: AVT K M ANT GORDIANOC AVG CEB TPANKVLLINA, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right, facing diademed and draped bust of Tranquillina left REV: OVLPIANWN AGCIALEWN Sarapis standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, holding patera and cornucopia 12.44g, 26mm Minted at Anchialus, 238-244 AD #9 Another one from bing, I love coins from Carthage. They are so simple yet beautiful. Carthage CARTHAGE/SICILY-PUNIC AE20 OBVERSE: Date palm tree with fruit Rev: Horse head Struck at Zeugitana, Carthage or Siculo-Punic, 3d-4th Century BC 8.2g, 20mm SNG Cop-10 #10 and another... Carthage CARTHAGE/SICILY-PUNIC Æ15 SNG Cop 1024 OBVERSE: Head of Tanit left REVERSE: Galloping horse right 4.59g, 15.6mm Struck at Carthage, 3d-4th Century BC
Great group of coins!! That Constantine is certainly mint state! I am yet to own a coin of Carthage - I have been looking for quite awhile - so really great to see yours. I think my favorite is the Divus Constantine, great style (a type I do not own). Here are a couple of my favorite coins of Constantine:
Good work, an attractive set your built up. I'm particularly jealous of your Faustina which I've not seen before.
Nice selection! I especially like the many exceptionally attractive LRBs. The two Constantine II coins have a lot of eye appeal. The Venus with the dove is particularly nice, too.
Fantastic first year! Wow, that campgate is a sharp as they come-- I see why that coin followed you home . I love the Probus in part for its large flan.
Nice start! Great coins. I am partial to your Carthage coins... agreed, simple and beautiful. I collect them because they were an incredible adversary to the Roman Republic. Two dynamos vying for ultimate power in the Med. Carthage Zeugitana 400-350 BC AE15 6.1g Tanit Horse Galloping Carthage Zeugitania Æ17 6.1g 350-320 BCE Palm Tree Horse Head SNG Cop 102
A great first year! I remember my first year 3, almost 4, years ago. Here's my first Constantine coin, and my latest one:
Awesome start to a new collection! This has a little bit of everything to like, from FDC LRBCs to a delightful dual-portrait coin of Gordian III and Tranquillina.
Yorkshire, For your 1st year of serious collecting you've done well ! My favorite is #1, the Constantius II coin from Siscia. The die work is superb & the strike is perfect. The coin looks FDC .
Thank you. I have several coins from BCE Carthage, because they were always in conflict with the Roman Republic. And, they fought in three Punic Wars with them. This is one of my faves as it really has a great greenie patini to it. I also have the Horse-Head / Palm Tree combo in three flavors: Bronze: Carthage Zeugitania Æ17 6.1g 350-320 BCE Palm Tree Horse Head SNG Cop 102 Silver: Carthage - Sicily AR Litra 4th C BCE 9.5mm 0.65g Palm Tree Horse Head SNG Cop 74 EE Clain-Safanelli RARE Gold: CARTHAGE, ZEUGITANA AV GOLD 1/10 STATER or Trihemiobol. 350-320 BCE Carthage mint 7.50 mm, 0.94 g Obv: Palm tree with two date-clusters Rev: Horse’s head right Ref:Jenkins & Lewis Group III, 138; GC.6461-Müller II,87,81; Sear 6455; SNG Cop (Nordafrika) 132, MAA 8; SNG Lloyd 1613; Pozzi 3290-1; Boston MFA 500 Comment: two small scratches on reverse (neck of horse)