Ancient Aussie's favorite ten coins 2018.

Well I don't look like buying anymore coins this year, it's Xmas and I'm broke so I might as well slip my ten in now.
I had a lot more buying opportunities this year than last, resulting in purchasing twice as many coins this year than last, some were bargains and others I probably paid too much but all balanced out to be a good buying year although the exchange rate for Aussie dollars was a huge handicap. As you can probably guess all architecture with some that I have been after for quite some time. No particular order as these ten favorites picked out of twenty-two or so coins.

1. Tranquillina.
MACEDON THESSALONICA
Tranquillina
Bronze. AD 238-244.
26 mm. 12,11 g.
Obv: CABINIA TPANKYΛΛΙΝΑ ΑΥΓ.
Diademed and draped bust right.
Rev: ΘΕCCΑΛΟΝΙΚΕΩΝ NEΩKOPΩN.
Tetrastyle temple seen in perspective to left ΠΥΘΙΑ below.
Cf. Varbanov 4657.
Rare
The Pythian Games (Greek: Πύθια) were one of the four Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. They were held in honour of Apollo every four years at his sanctuary at Delphi. They were held two years after each Olympic Games, and between each Nemean and Isthmian games
2.Gordian III
Roman Provincial, Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis ad Istrum, Gordian III (238-244 AD) Æ 27 (12.43g) Sabinius Modestus, legatus consularis., City Gate, Obv.: Laureate and draped bust right. Rev.: Arched gate flanked by two roofed towers with arched windows in uppermost story. Varbanov 4182. Rare! NGC XF.
The towers are actually rounded, raised off the face of the coin. Interesting details on top of the towers and along the top of the wall.

*Ex. Lanz 97, Munich 2000, Lot. 847

3.Septimius Severus
Septimius Severus, AD 193-211. AE29 (29 mm, 15,1 g). Pontus, Neocaesarea. AY K Λ CEΠ CEOYHPOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / KOI ΠON NЄO-KAI MHTPO, ЄT PMR, tetrastyle temple with wall visible in background, flaming altar within; date below. Rec Gen 13; SNG von Aulock 100. Very Fine with beautiful patina.
Temple of Zeus (Jupiter) at Neocaesarea In the 3rd century It is clear from the coins that the city of Neocesarea assumed considerable importance as a center for the cities of Pontus. The focal point of cult of the Pontic League was the monument that is found on numerous coins of the Severiana family. Each engraver gives us different details and so it is necessary to consider each variety in the search for real reconstruction. No other building has attracted such different details. With a few exceptions, the coins show a tetrastyle façade with carefully rendered Corinthian capitals. The statue standing in the center of the coins is probably that of a pontic deity identified with the Iranian Ahura-Mazda, whom the Greeks called Zeus Stratios, the dynastic god of the Mithridatis. Zeus, who, as a great god of the sky.

4.Augustus.
Augustus 27-14 BC. Spanish mint (Colonia Partica?)
Denarius AR
17mm., 3,48g. RIC 119. Ex Savoca silver auction.
CAESAR AVGVSTO, laureate head right / S P -Q R, temple of Mars Ultor: round-domed, tetrastyle temple set on podium of three steps, within which is a chariot right, carrying an aquila and miniature galloping horses.
It was built for two reasons: to fulfill a vow made by Augustus before the Battle of Philippi in 42 B.C.; and to celebrate the return, in 19 B.C., of the Roman legionary standards taken by the Parthians as booty after the disastrous defeat of Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 B.C.

5. Maximian. Temple of Roma.
RIC 118; Coh. 64 Weight: 7.11 g
Maximianus I. Herculius, 2nd Government 307-310 AD
RIC 118; Coh. 64 Aquileia, 1st Officina, 307 AD
Vs .: IMP C MAXIMIANVS PF AVG, head with laurel wreath on the
reverse: CONSERV VRB SVAE / AQP, six columnar Temple with cult image of the Roma
ex Münzzentrum Müller, auction 72, 1992, lot 533

6. Nero. Triumphal Arch.
Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 21.62 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 66. Laureate head left, globe at point of neck / Triumphal arch, showing the front, with a wreath hung across it, surmounted by the emperor in facing quadriga accompanied by Pax and Victory, flanked by two soldiers; statue of Mars in side niche; the faces and plinths of the arch are ornamented with elaborate reliefs. RIC I 500; WCN 452; Lyon 191. Near VF, brown patina.

7. Nero. Galley
Egypt. Alexandria under Nero (AD 54-68). Billon tetradrachm (23mm, 13.09g). Struck in reginal year 13 (AD 66/7). Radiate bust of Nero l., wearing aegis; date below chin / Galley sailing r. with dolphins below. Köln 186; Dattari 264; RPC I 5296; Emmett 121.13.

8. Romulus.
DIVUS ROMULUS (Died 309). Follis. Ostia.
Obv: IMP MAXENTIVS DIVO ROMVLON V FILIO.
Bare head right.
Rev: AETERNA MEMORIA / MOSTT.
Domed hexastyle temple; on roof, eagle standing right, head left.
Weight: 6.0 g. Diameter: 25 mm.
RIC 33.

9.Alexander the Great. Macedon
Roman Provincial. MACEDON. Koinon of Macedonia. Pseudo-autonomous 222 AD to 249 AD
. Æ (27mm, 11.19 g, 6h). Beroea mint.
OBV: AΛEΞANΔPOC bust of Alexander the Great right, flowing hair.
REV: KOINMA KE ΔONΩN.B.NE Two tetrastyle temple façades; in field between, column surmounted by statue.
Unpublished in the standard references. VF, green surfaces, ragged edge, some smoothing and roughness.
From the Belgica Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 242 (13 October 2010), lot 100

10. Maxentius. Temple of Roma.
Maxentius follis. Quite scarce with Dioscuri in pediment.
6.79 g, 23.1 x 25.2 mm.
RIC VI:208 for Rome. Struck 308-310 AD.
OBV.: Maxentius right, IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG.
REV.: Roma seated facing, head left, in hexastyle temple, holding globe and scepter, shield at side; Dioscuri in pediment and Victories as acroteria, CONSERV VRB SVAE, REP in exergue.

I hope you like the ten as much as I do, thanks for looking.

 

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Those are amazing! The architecture is really special.
I am struggling to pick a favorite .. first thought is the Augustus as I have never seen that reverse before - the chariot ... wow. Then both Neros and Alexander.. oh darn I love them all.
You've had a wonderful year.. congratulations. A top 10 top to beat most - Be proud - you have a great eye.

 

A spectacular year, AA!! I think #2 (I love that coin!), 6, and 8 are my favourites, but they're all fantastic.

Probably my most recent architectural coin (I don't have many):

Hostilian as Augustus (w/ Trebonianus Gallus), hexastyle temple with statue inside

 

Thanks I am glad you like them, I am looking forward to seeing more of your coins in the future.

 

Thanks Sev, that's a great Roma temple type that's on my want list. It was actually your Nero Triumphal arch that drove me to purchase one nearly as nice as yours.

 

Excellent additions to your collection, AA. I really love the relief and detail on that city gate! The Maxentius with the waving Dioscuri in the pediment is very cool, too, and of course that Nero triumphal arch sestertius is an extremely enviable example. All in all, it looks like you had a great year.

 

Another fine year of architectural acquisitions, @Ancient Aussie! It's hard to pick a favorite but right now I favor the Gordian III. Or the Nero triumphal arch. Or the Maximian. Or the Tranquillina.

Any of them, apparently .

 

Gosh, I love your speciality. It looks like you had a great numismatic year too! Congrats my friend!

 

I tried to pick out my favorite, but more than one could claim that title. Great acquisitions.

 

A wonderful list. My favorite is the Mars the Avenger coin— great historical context, as Augustus vows to avenge “daddy“ Julius.

 

All are fantastic and you should be proud of all of them! I particularly like the Nero, the Gordian III, and the Alexander the Great!

 

wonderfull focused collection , my favourite is number 5
we probably bought these at the same time:

 

Nice coins, AA. The reverse on the Gordian III provincial is what catches my eye the most. The Romulus is cool too.

 

Great coins @Ancient Aussie - I'll throw in a Maxentius which was recently acquired.

 

Great architecture coins, @Ancient Aussie ! I must confess however that my favorite is the awesome Nero galley.

 

I love them ALL @Ancient Aussie ! Your architecture collecting focus is fascinating. My favorites are your #1, #9 and #5

My photo of the temple of Romulus from earlier this year (your #8).

 

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Here's my Maxentius...Victory crowning Roma on the reverse RIC VI 108

 

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