Post Your Best !!!

My fav. is not even ancient, not expensive either. but its from my Country.
AV Dukat ND struck 1790
Imperial City of Regensburg
Franz II Holy Roman Emperor
obv. stunning city view of Regensburg
rev. arms of Holy Roman Empire

 

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Ptolemy V Epiphanes
Mint: Telmessus ca 197 BCE
Size: 27 mm
Weight: 13.97 g
Axis: 12hr
OBV: Ptolemy I head facing right, wearing diadem and scaly aegis. Dotted border.
REV: Εagle on thunderbolt facing left, wings closed. Legend to left: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ; To right: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ. In left field: tripod. Dotted border.

Lorber CPE-0979 temp; Svoronos-Unlisted
ex Freeman & Sear Fixed Price List 4, lot 49.

Per CC Lorber:
"The first specimens of this issue were recorded only in 1966. Its style places it in the reign of Ptolemy V, while its obscurity points to a provincial origin. The tripod, like the owl of the following series, is probably a symbol of significance to the mint city, ie, a mintmark. Bronzes with a tripod mintmark are represented in large numbers in the museum at Fethiye (ancient Telmessus) and were certainly minted locally at the time of the Third Syrian War. Bronzes of this type, of later style, seem to represent a revival in the reign of Ptolemy V (see CPE B602). Telmessus remained Ptolemaic until 197, when it was captured by Antiochus III. This issue, the only known silver coinage of Ptolemaic type from this region, and the corresponding bronzes were probably struck in connection with the defense of Telmessus against the Seleucids."

- Broucheion

 

It took me a while to realize that I am a lot less impressed by coins in unworn condition than I am by coins made from dies that were fine style or interesting in terms of subject. Bing's galley is a coin I have always admired. Not all of those capture the perspective as skillfully. I have a few coins that are in mint state but I tend not to buy coins which would impress only people who know little about ancient coins. Sometimes it is necessary for a coin to be high grade to show an important detail but there are more examples of coins I find interesting that are not known to exist in mint state. That said, these are my coins some people might like.

Parthian, Mithradates II drachm - nice dies, well struck and attractively toned but worn to VF


Byzantine Anonymous A3 overstruck on an as of Gordian III that was over 700 years old - I like overstrikes and other technically interesting coins.

I love the style of this Alexandria mint denarius of Septimius Severus with the beyond rare Venus reverse. I know you don't care for rare and it was not expensive all things considered. VF is good enough for me. Show me a better one.


At Fine, this is one of my finer denarii of Pescennius Niger but the attraction to me was it was from the mint at Caesarea rather than the common Antioch coins. Few people care to own one Pescennius Niger since they are hard to find in high grade and never in really good metal.

I know one other collector of ancients that lives only 18 miles from me. His coins are nicer and he is not a drooler.

 

@Al Kowsky —Your shekels are absolute GEMS!

Here is one of my favorites, in and out of confinement.

 

I agree. I think Nero's coins are hard to beat.

 

Some real beauties being shown here, thanks everyone. Also love the snippets of history pertaining to them.

 

Not sure what you mean by "best," but this has long been one of my favorites. It's big, it has a lovely patina, and it was created by a masterful die-engraver:

 

Wow is correct, nice coins!

 

Your Parthian stood out to me from the rest on your 99 1/2 page, really great portrait and that Byzantine is crazy wouldn't have thought they would have Gordian III coins laying around to use as overstrikes. Going to have to look for one for sale now

 

Acquired in the seventies, but still one of my favorites.

 

Fun thread! I think lrbs are getting short shrift, so here are two, a looker and a butt ugly but rare history gem.


Julian II AE1, Siscia, RIC 418
(Will it freak you out to learn that I traded a Caligula denarius for this in 1995? It was a crappy Caligula denarius, mind... )

One of a handful in existence:

Crispus as Caesar, issued 322-3, Trier, RIC 372var.
Among the earliest Christian symbols on a coin, the chi-rho on the shield evokes the famous vision of Constantine before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

(But y'all have seen these a million times already... )

 

I cannot say this is my best because I really do not have a best coin. I have a number of coins which are contenders but each one misses something that some of the others have. Ptolemy I Ar Tetradrachm in the name and types of Alexander III Memphis mint CPE 19 322-321 B.C. 17.20 grms 27 mm

 

Perhaps I should have titled this thread differently...
Post Your Best Ones !!!
Please feel free to post any that "you feel" are worthy.
Eye Candy if you will.

C'mon, don't be shy.

 

Not something amazing but this was my first ever auction win;

Constans AE Centenionalis
OBV: D N CONSTANS P F AVG
REV: FEL TEMP REPARTIO
Trier Mint mark
346 AD
21mm
4,28g
RIC 224

 

I would call that a very nice specimen. The reverse details are exceptional including the tree leaves which are important on this type since every mint used a different type tree. .

 

I think for a coin to be called "the best of type" it has to combine a superior state of preservation with unusual good style and eye appeal. I think the (rather common) Valens siliqua below from my collection fits the bill.

DN VALEN - S PF AVG // VRBS ROMA - TRPS .
Mint: Trier (Germany)

 

I don't know if these are my best, but here are some I like for their artistic engraving:


And this one:


John

 

My favorite Medieval coin:

AV Salut d'or ND Saint-Lo Mint/ First Emission
Henry VI of Lancaster 1422-61
Bought as unsold lot Gallery 51/ described "as struck"

 

He was defeated not too far from me, beautiful coin also