Ancients: What are you hunting for?

This is how I role as I buy all of my coins from shows. Ya' never know what you might find! But, I want a Sybaris bull nomos!!!

 

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There are a ton of coins I still really want to find but a recent one I learned about is the "COZANO" Coza(local god)/Horsehead and Mars/Horsehead bronzes from Cosa in Etruria. These are related to the early Roman Minerva/Horsehead bronzes and are considered by some to be the first Roman Provincial coin. While the Roman types as a whole are relatively common the Cozano examples are fairly rare. My dream would be to find one misidentified by a dealer and priced like a common Roman issue but if I could afford it I'd jump at the price to buy a correctly ID'd one as well.

 

I'm with the random mayhem. My favorites and flavors change every time I browse. I know my favorite time periods and empires but I discover more awesome coins and artifacts almost daily.
It's to difficult to be focused.

 

That's probably for the best. If it comes down to a tussle, we all know how it'll turn out...

 

Lots of things. Right now, I would really like to have a 1574 dated coin of Elizabeth 1 with a clear, bold date and nice portrait.

 

One can dream I suppose, that coin is spectacular! I can't help but imagine it alongside my Vespasian / Titus Didrachm!

 

Love that, very nice.

 

Of course, I was being cheeky about the Sol coin. Your didrachm, on the other hand, is one type I do not have and is a realistic member of my 'Want List'.

 

Out of curiosity Paul - why 1574?

 

Family connection.

 

In another Thread, @John Anthony said he finally figured out my collecting strategy:

 

At the top of my list is an attractive Vespasian JUDAEA CAPTA denarius. I've budgeted about $200-250 for one. Not uncommon, but in high demand. I could go get one right now from VCoins, but the ones that catch my eye are $300 and more. I'm browsing auctions for them periodically.

I also like the scarcer reverses of Constantine.

And I'm about halfway to an accidental Twelve Caesars set, though I may be cheating to some because I'm counting my Venus/Aeneas denarius for Julius Caesar. I'm afraid a lifetime portrait of JC is not in my lifetime. I still need Claudius (easy), and the year of the four emperors (much harder).

 

You might be in for a shock if you're looking for a denarius of Claudius.

 

Interesting question!
Generally speaking, the funds I am likely to have available this year for new coins is likely to be (very) limited. Too many more important financial obligations elsewhere! Besides, I really do believe I already have enough coins.... At least, that is what I tell myself when I see something I really like.

However (!), If I see something that really appeals to me and can afford at that moment, I will not hesitate. A good example of this was stumbling upon an old dealer friend back in September who had some really nice 1st century sestertii. I was not planning on any more roman acquisitions, but I am glad I decided to go for them.

Otherwise, in my general wish list, I would list:

- upgrade to my Germanicus 'Signis Receptis' dupondius.
- upgrade to my Nero 'Macellum' dupondius
- Caligula denarius (yes, here is another person wishing one!)
- Nice or interesting Legionary denarius: for Mark Anthony or Septimius Severus
- and lastly, an aureus of Hadrian (simple tastes, huh?!)

 

The best coins are never planned, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking for certain coins.

I'd like get and Otho, Galba and Vitellius as well as a portrait of JC (postumus is fine) though I do count my JC fouree denarius as part of my 12 Caesars.

Falling horseman for sure, and a few of the other Fel Temps.

Maybe more Greek coins and Dog/wolf coins too.

 

Thanks for the feedbacks!
It is clear that in our hobby we are highly dependant of the offer and of the availability of coins. Opportunity plays an important role. My best purchases (ie attractive specimens at correct price) are coins that were not in any list. On the contrary, I often found myself paying far too much for the coins that I was actively hunting for. So maybe is it better to navigate without goals...


@FitzNigel: thanks for the references (I thought there was a reference book like the Sear or the Hoover for the Greeks and the Romans).

 

For my accidental Twelve Caesars, I'm not limiting myself to denarii. It will be mixed denominations but no provincials. Maybe that's a little more cheating.

 

I do not think it is cheating at all. There are many ways to put this set together and they are all legitimate as I see it. Part of the fun is taking your own path to your goals. There is a lot of variety possible with a 12 Casear's set. I have never seen 2 the same. The other fun part is knowing you can always upgrade or swap coins in and out of the set. My 12 Caesars is now not the same as it was a few months ago. It will probably change agin in the next few days when I receive a particular coin I have been waiting a month for.

In short, have fun with it. There are no hard and fast rules for putting this set together. Do not be constrained by the ideas of others (even mine) and enjoy the process.

Best of luck!

 

I've said this myself many times. Until my collection reaches the stage that it has very holes, I prefer to buy opportunistically. I do keep general collecting "blocks" in the back of my head, based on perceived weak areas of my collection; but I rarely look for particular types. For instance, right now I am very weak in pre-denarius silver coinage of the Roman Republic. I'd like to buy some didrachms and quadrigati when the right ones come along.

 

an early Cycladic silver coin