What's the most aesthetically pleasing ancient coin in your collection?

Well, aesthetically speaking I would say this coin in my collection


Macedon, Tetradrachm : First Meris

But there is another side to collecting thats more about the history than eye appeal. Don't neglect those interesting coins over some pretty eye candy.

 

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I love the intricate border designs of this one.

 

You guys are better than me. I keep looking at my coins and I'm having a tough time. Here are four that I think people would generally consider nice looking coins. I'll give prices since @non_cents is on a budget. Now, I know you love copper U.S. coins so I'll include coins that aren't gold or silver.

Here's a couple in the $30-$40 range:


Constantine II, AD 317-340
AE, follis, 15.5mm, 2.65g; 6h; Lugdunum
Obv.: CONSTANTINVS I[V]N NOB C; laureate, cuirassed bust right
Rev.: GLOR-AI EXERC-ITVS; two soldiers hoding spears and shields with two standards between them; standards with Os on banner
In Ex.: SLC
$31


Constantius II
AE, 2.76g, 17mm; 6h; Alexandria
Obv.: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; laureate cuirassed bust right
Rev.: GLOR-IAEXERC-ITVS; two soldiers standing between two banners with dots, holding shield and spear
In Ex.: SMALB
$35


Constantine I, AD 306-337
AE, Follis, 2.95g, 23mm; 6h; Alexandria
Obv.: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; laureate (pearl diademed?) head right
Rev.: PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG; campgate with two turrets and star above, six rows, no doors
In Ex.: SMALB
$29


Constantine I, AD 306-337
Æ Follis, 18mm, 2.3g, 6h; ; Trier mint, AD 332-333.
Obv.: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG; rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS; two soldiers holding spears and shields with two standards between them with thin pointed banners
In Ex.: TR•S
$39

 

This type from Pantikapaeum in the north Black Sea region is among my favorites for aesthetics.
22 mm. 6.73 grams.
bearded Satyr (sometimes called Pan) right
protome of eagle-headed griffin left, sturgeon below (think caviar)
ΠAN around
c. 310-304 BC.
Sear Greek 1700. MacDonald 69. Anokhin 111.

 

Some of my favorites


RR Anon AR Didrachm 280-275 Mars-Horse FIRST Roman Silver coin...
- cool horse-head, cool bust of Mars


Marsic Confederation denarius 90-88 BCE Italia-Corfinium Sear 227
- The solemness of the Oath that the 8 Tribes of the Marsic Confederation made to take on Rome in the Social War.


Celtic Imitation Philip II AR Drachm Kugelwangel type
- The beauty and uniqueness of Celtic Art.


Iberia - Castulo AE14 Quarter Unit Bust - BOAR w-star 2nd C BCE
- I love the Boar - more of a farm pig from a simple pastoral time


Carthage - Zeugitana AR Shekel-Didrachm 360-264 BCE Tanit Horse r head l palm
- The Carthaginian Horse was revered across many of their coins. Regal, unbridled, SPIRIT.

 

Here is an affordable AE from my Greek collection. Too bad for the damaged flan...or maybe not:


Olbia, Sarmatia
Æ25, 10.5g, 12h; 3rd-2nd centuries BC.
Obv.: Horned, bearded head of river god Borysthenes (Dnieper) left.
Rev.: Bow in case and battle axe; OΛBI to right, API to left.
$60

 

I'd like to give a blanket "like" to everyone participating. Sure, some coins are more classically beautiful than others, but if you can find something aesthetic that really appeals to you about a coin, it is not our sense of aesthetics that should bind you, rather your own, which can find appeal in every price range and every series of coins.

 

Hmm... not sure. I've got one on the way which I suspect will be my top winner in this category, but I don't like to count them until they are in hand.

This Menander I is quite pleasing (forgive the old photo, I haven't uploaded new photos onto my iPad yet...)

Kingdom of Bactria
Menander I r. c. 165/55-130 B.C.
AR Drachm, 15.71mm x 2.5 grams
Obv.: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ / ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ. Diademed bust of the sovereign right, coat fastened on the right shoulder
Rev.: (Maharajasa tratarasa / Menamdrasa). Athena Alkidemos standing left. Monogram 'H' in right field
Ref.: Bopearachchi, Ménandre (I) Sôter, 67

For medieval Coins, it would probably be my current avatar:

German States, Cologne
Archbishop Philipp von Heinsberg, r. 1167-1191
AR Denier, 3rd type, 18.05 mm x 1.4 grams
Obv.: HITARCH EPICOV, Archbishop with mitre, crosier, and bible seated on lion throne
Rev.: EIACOLONIA PAICHAI, Three towers over wall and gate, likely representing the Cathedral of St Peter, Cologne
Ref.: De Wit 1993

 

dang i love that Menander... Thanks for the reminder...

 

Jealous of the Meanders guys!

 

Agreed, visually interesting items and designs would certainly be preferable. I'll take a look at VCoins as you mentioned...

 

I sincerely wish I had something to post here.

 

So buy something Kentucky, what are you waiting for. This is your official invitation to join the party.

 

I'm liking the sheer size of tetradrachms I am seeing listed online...the larger coins seem cooler to me personally

 

that is a beautiful coin....looking for one of these. Hopefully, ill find one this nice!

 

Here is one I picked up. A lifetime tetradrachm of Alexander, and it was far less than your maximum.

 

If I had to pick one I'd start with maybe this one due to its dark green patina, design, and serrated edges. And at 23mm it's a decent sized too.

Seleucus IV
Antioch
187 to 175 BC
AE Serrate
Obvs: Apollo right laureate.
Revs: BAΣIΛIEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY, Apollo standing holding arrow in right hand and resting left elbow on tripod. AB and control mark in left field
23mm, 9.8g

 

It is hard to say one, but this is one of my favorites -




On another day I might say -


And another day -

 

Did someone say Tetradrachms?

 

Very pleasing to the eye, great collection.