My Top Coins of 2022- Ancients

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by kazuma78, Nov 26, 2022.

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Please Choose Your Favorite Coins- Choose as many as you like

  1. Shekel of Tyre

    9 vote(s)
    45.0%
  2. Sikyon Stater

    4 vote(s)
    20.0%
  3. Mithradates VI Tetradrachm

    4 vote(s)
    20.0%
  4. Ptolemy I Tetradrachm

    8 vote(s)
    40.0%
  5. Magnesia ad Maeandrum Tetradrachm

    2 vote(s)
    10.0%
  6. Kyzikos Hemihekte

    4 vote(s)
    20.0%
  7. Catuvellauni Celtic Stater

    4 vote(s)
    20.0%
  8. Metapontum Nomos

    3 vote(s)
    15.0%
  9. Eukratides Tetradrachm

    5 vote(s)
    25.0%
  10. Kassander Tetradrachm- type of Philip II

    3 vote(s)
    15.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    I have been super blessed this year with my ancient coin purchases and barring some unforeseen luck in December (I have nothing left this year I am bidding on), I feel comfortable wrapping up my top coins list for the year. This has been a banner year for ancient coin additions and my best yet, mostly with a LOT of luck and so I wasn't able to narrow to a top 10, so I picked a top 20. Please feel free to vote or comment on your favorite(s) if you like and thanks for taking a look!!! I also apologize that not all of the photos are stellar. I need to get some better photos of a few of the coins.

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    #1) Phoenicia, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR shekel (29mm, 14.27 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 5/5. Dated Civic Year 24 (103/2 BC). Laureate head of Melqart right, lion skin around neck / TYPOY IEPAΣ-KAI AΣYΛOY, eagle standing left on prow, palm frond over left wing; to left, ΔK (date) above club; to right, M, Phoenician alef between legs. DCA Tyre 77. DCA 919. Amazing toning with blue and purple hues.

    Ex. Coin Galleries (Stacks) [​IMG]

    #2) Sikyonia, Sikyon. Circa 335-330 BC. AR Stater (25 mm, 12.23 g, 3h). Chimaera standing left; wreath above, ΣE below / Dove flying left; N to left; all within wreath. BCD Peloponnesos 218; HGC 5, 201. Superb EF with brilliant lustrous surfaces. NGC CH AU Star Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5 Fine Style

    [​IMG]

    #3) Kings of Pontos. Mithradates VI Eupator. Circa 120-63 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Pergamom mint, dated month 9, year 222 BE (June 75 BC) (32mm, 16.82 g). Diademed head right / Stag grazing left; to left, star-in-crescent above monogram, BKΣ (year) above monogram; Θ (month) below; all within Dionysiac wreath of ivy and fruit. NGC AU Star Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5 Fine Style.

    Ex. Gorny and Mosch Auction 138, lot 296 (March 2005)

    [​IMG]

    #4) Ptolemaic Egypt. Ptolemy I, as Satrap (323-305/4 BC). AR tetradrachm (26mm, 15.65 gm). Circa 311-305/4 BC. Diademed head of Alexander right, wearing elephant skin headdress / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟY, Athena Promachus advancing right, brandishing spear with right hand, shield on left arm; HA monogram within circle in left field, eagle and ΔI monogram in right field. Svoronos 142. SNG Copenhagen 21. NGC AU Star Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5.

    [​IMG]

    #5) Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum, circa 155-145 BC, Magistrate Herognetos, son of Zopryionos. AR Tetradrachm: 16.89 gm, 31 mm, 12 h (reduced Attic standard). Obverse: Draped bust of Artemis wearing a diadem, with bow and quiver over left shoulder. Reverse: Apollo Delphios leaning on tripod censer and holding a branch tied with fillet, meander pattern under feet. The inscription in the left field identifies the issuing authority, and the inscription in the right field translates "of the Magnesians", all within a laurel wreath. SNG von Aulock 7921, BMC Ionia pg. 162.

    Roma Numismatics Ltd. Auction XX, lot 178, Oct. 2020

    Heritage Auction 3081, lot 30081, NGC 2490574-004, Ch AU*, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, Jan. 2020

    CNG Triton VI, lot 357, Jan. 2003

    [​IMG]

    #6) Mysia, Kyzikos, Hemihekte circa 480-460, EL 1.35 g. Naked male figure kneeling l., holding tunny fish by tail. Rev. Quadripartite incuse punch with irregular surfaces. von Fritze 112. Boston, MFA 1489. von Aulock 1202. In an exceptional state of preservation and perfectly struck and centered.

    Ex Triton VI, 2003, 306.

    Graded Ch AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, NGC certification number 6159317-006.

    [​IMG]

    #7) Celtic, Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Addedomaros. Circa 40-30 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 5.43 g). Spiral type (Trinovantian J). Six-armed spiral of wreaths / Horse right; pellets-in-annulets around, 'cornucopia' below. Van Arsdell 1620-1; ABC 2517; SCBC 201. NGC AU Star, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5.

    Ex. Chris Rudd List 69, Lot 55 (Sold in 2003)

    Found in Kings Langley, UK [​IMG]

    #8) LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 290-280 BC. AR Nomos (21mm, 7.82 g, 1h). Head of Demeter right, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and necklace; Π behind neck / Barley ear with leaf to left; to left, head of ram right and |-A above leaf; META downward to right. Johnston Class D, 3.1 (this coin referenced and illustrated); HN Italy 1617; SNG Gale 663 (same dies). Good VF, deep gray tone with iridescent hues, small spot of weak strike on reverse.

    Ex CNG Triton XXII (January 2019), lot [​IMG]

    #9) Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas AR Tetradrachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull's horn and ear / The Dioskouroi on horses prancing to right, each holding spear and palm; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ above, ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ below, monogram in lower right field. Bopearachchi 6T; Mitchiner 177i; SNG ANS 468; HGC 12, 131. 16.95g, 33mm, 12h. Good Extremely Fine; magnificent old cabinet tone.

    From the Oxus Collection

    [​IMG]

    #10) KINGS of MACEDON. Kassander. As regent, 317-305 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 14.41 g). In the name and types of Philip II. Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 316-311 BC. Laureate head of Zeus right / Youth, holding palm frond and rein, on horseback right; aphlaston below, • in Π below raised foreleg. Le Rider pl. 46, 17–8; Troxell, Studies, Group 9, 323-5; SNG ANS 738–46. Pretty iridescent toning with a razor sharp strike and excellent centering. Essentially mint state, NGC CH AU 5/5, 4/5
     
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  3. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    [​IMG]

    #11) SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysius I (406/5-367 BC). AV 20-litrai or tetradrachm (10mm, 0.99 gm, 8h). Attic standard, ca. 406/5 BC. ΣYPA, head of Heracles left, wearing lion skin headdress / Σ-Y/P-A, quadripartite incuse square; small head of Arethusa in central incuse circle, all within incuse circle with double border. SNG ANS 351-4. HGC 2, 1289. NGC Choice AU 4/5 - 5/5.

    Ex Gustav Philipsen Collection (Hirsch XV, 1906), lot 1175

    [​IMG]

    #12) Roman Republican, The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. April-August 49 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 4.12 g, 10h). Military mint traveling with Caesar. Elephant advancing right, trampling on horned serpent / Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis, and apex. Crawford 443/1; CRI 9; Sydenham 1006; RSC 49; RBW 1557. Fairly well centered with a good strike and iridescent toning. EF.

    Ex. Duke’s Auctioneers ([​IMG]

    #13) Roman Republic, Anonymous AR Didrachm (Quadrigatus). Rome, circa 225-214 BC. Laureate head of Janus / Jupiter, holding sceptre and brandishing thunderbolt, in quadriga driven to right by Victory; ROMA in relief in linear frame below. Crawford 28/3 & Pl. IV 1-5; Sydenham 64c; RSC 23; RBW 68. 6.88 grams. Extremely Fine; nice cabinet toning with iridescent highlights. NGC CH AU star 5/5, 5/5.

    Ex. Jonathan K. Kern Collection

    [​IMG]

    #14) Northeast Gaul, the Ambiani AV Stater. Gallic War uniface type. Circa 56-55 BC. Plain / Devolved horse to right; pellet triad and 'charioteer's arms' above, crescent and pellet below, exergual line with crescents and pellets below. D&T 241; cf. LT 8704, 8707, 8710 (reverse detail variants); ABC 16; Van Arsdell 56-1. 6.33g, 18mm, Mint State.

    [​IMG]

    #15) SKYTHIA, Geto-Dacians. Koson. Mid 1st century BC. AV Stater (8.40 g). Roman consul accompanied by two lictors advancing left; monogram to left; KOΣΩN in exergue / Eagle standing left on scepter, holding wreath. Hourmouziadis dies B/f; Iliescu 1; RPC I 1701A; HGC 3, 2049. NGC MS Star 5/5, 5/5

    [​IMG]

    #16) Sicily, Kamarina Æ Tetras. (4.11 grams, 18mm, 10h) Circa 420-405 BC. Facing Gorgoneion with tongue protruding / Owl standing right head facing, grasping lizard in its talons; three pellets below ground line. CNS III, 8; SNG ANS 1121-1124, Westermark & Jenkins 185. Mint State and exceptional for the type. NGC MS Star Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, Fine Style.

    Ex. Roma Numismatics Auction 8, Lot 69 (September 2014)

    [​IMG]

    #17) SELEUCID KINGDOM. Seleucus I Nicator (312-281 BC). AR tetradrachm (25mm, 17.09 gm). Seleucia II (2nd Workshop), from ca. 296/5 BC. Laureate head of Zeus right; dotted border / BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΣEΛEYKOY, Athena, brandishing spear overhead in right hand, shield on left arm, in car of quadriga pulled by horned elephants right; flanking anchor right above, KPA monogram in inner left field, HIXP monogram to lower right, dotted border. SC 130.17. SNG Fitzwilliam 5511. HGC 9, 18a. Excellent Metal for the issue, NGC CH XF Star Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5.

    [​IMG]

    #18) CELTIC BRITAIN, Atrebates & Regni. Verica, 10-40. Quarter Stater, 1.34 g, 'Stars' type. VERIC / COM•F with a crescent above and a six-rayed star below. Rev. REX Horse galloping to right; above, seven-rayed star. ABC 1208. BMC 1223-1236. S 127. Van Arsdell 501. Well-struck for the issue, Extremely Fine. NGC AU 5/5, 4/5

    [​IMG]

    #19) Pergamon, Attalos I (241-197 BC) AR Tetradrachm, in the name of Philetairos, 17.06g. Diademed head of Philetairos right. Rev. Athena seated left on throne, holding wreath and sceptre, and resting arm on shield, bow behind. (Westermark 62). Good Very Fine. NGC CH VF 5/5, 4/5 Fine Style

    [​IMG]

    #20) Thessaly, Larissa AR Drachm. Circa 356-342 BC. Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly to left, with hair in ampyx / Horse standing to right, preparing to lie down; ΛAPIΣ-AIΩN above and below. Lorber, Hoard, Phase L-II, 40 (same dies); BCD Thessaly II 316; HGC 4, 454. Extremely Fine.
     
  4. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    Apparently I can only poll up to 10 choices, so if you like any of numbers 11-20 best, you'll have to comment about it- Sorry!
     
    panzerman likes this.
  5. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Quality coins each and every one! I would welcome each into my collection except they would put all my coins to shame. I just can't pick one out from the others. Well done!
     
  6. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Outstanding!
    It's hard to pick favorites but I would say they'd have to include the Ptolemaic Tetradrachm of Alexander III, the gorgeous Tyrian Shekel (finest I've ever seen!), the Julius Caesar denarius, and that Roman Republic didrachm.
    But really all of them are beautiful coins! Well done!
     
    panzerman and kazuma78 like this.
  7. expat

    expat Remember you are unique, just like everyone else Supporter

    I voted 5,10 and 13 as my personal favorites. Lovely selection
     
    kazuma78 likes this.
  8. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    Thanks! I'm certainly thrilled at all the quality acquisitions this year!

    Thanks! The Tyrian shekel is my favorite for the year I think though it's VERY close with a few others I have in the top 10. And even though I don't seek out RR coinage, I couldn't resist the ones in this list.

    Thanks!
     
    expat likes this.
  9. romismatist

    romismatist Well-Known Member

    Each and every one of these coins is absolutely breathtaking. Congratulations on your acquisitions!
     
  10. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    Those are acquisitions in a single year? That could be a lifetime top 10 or top 20 list. The toning on that shekel is unusual and extremely attractive.
     
  11. Cherd

    Cherd Junior Member Supporter

    I can't say that I specialize in many of these types, but I've seen enough of them before to know that these are all outstanding examples. Congrats!
     
    kazuma78 likes this.
  12. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    Thanks! It's been a thrilling year for sure!

    Thanks! The Shekel is my favorite I think, though there are several others tied for a very close 2nd for me.
    Thanks! Most of them would be somewhat difficult to improve on, which is always what I shoot for in my long term acquisitions!
     
  13. kountryken

    kountryken Well-Known Member

    I think that's an understatement. That's a thrilling decade, or maybe even a lifetime. Those are some fantastic coins. I don't know ancients, but I can usually see quality in a coin. And I see quality plus in every one of these. You truly have had a blessed year. I very glad for you.
     
  14. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    Thank you!!! That is very kind!
     
    kountryken likes this.
  15. Tall Paul

    Tall Paul Supporter! Supporter

    So hard to chose a favorite. I would be proud to be the custodian of any of them. Still, if I have to chose I'm voting for #6.
     
  16. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    Thanks! Nice to see the Kyzikos Hemihekte getting a little love. It's small but mighty!
     
  17. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    I just can’t pick. On this viewing, #7 (the Celtic stater) and #8 (Metapontion) probably resonated the most.

    But oh, that Baktrian in #9…

    That’s it. I’ll go with #7, 8, and 9 this time. Next look might leave a totally different impression.

    Suffice it to say, they’re all amazing. :greedy:
     
    kazuma78 likes this.
  18. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    I think/ know everyone (coin) is special in its own right. The one that stood out to me was the Kyzikos EL Hemihekte/ seems its more gold coin then electrum. From what I saw/ I would say you had a GREAT year. Congratulations Kazuma:D
    And wishing you much happiness in your collecting pursuits.
    John
     
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