Choosing my top 10 for this year was no easy task, but I was persuaded by @Severus Alexander to make this thread, so I gave it my best shot. This is my 3rd year of coin collecting and I think it may have been my best year. I sold many of my early Roman Imperial coins that I got in the previous years, and turned my focus to mainly coins of the Tetrarchy and Byzantine coins. Without further ado, here's my top 10 list for 2019. #10: This is one of my favorite over-strike coins. You can see the under-type on both sides (that I am yet to identify), and the die for the new coin was small resulting in the flan folding onto it upon strike. This creates a pretty cool effect on the edges as you can see in the picture. Constans II AE Follis 659 - 668 A.D., Syracuse Mint 4.07g, 27.8mm, 6H Obverse: -, Constans, holding long cross, and Constantine IV, holding globus cruciger, standing facing Reverse: TKw monogram, Large M; monogram above, Heraclius and Tiberius standing facing to left and right, respectively Exergue: SCL Reference: SBCV 1110 #9: This one is ex. @TheRed, and its my first example of the series of huge Justinian folles from the Cyzicus mint. I am always impressed by the size of these coins and always wonder about the impression of the Romans while handling these coins in their day-to-day purchases. Justinian the Great AE Follis 542 - 543 A.D., Cyzicus Mint, 2nd Officina 19.765g, 39.4mm, 6H Obverse: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG, Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing, holding globus cruciger and shield decorated with horseman motif; cross to right Reverse: -, Large M; A/N/N/O - X/ς (R.Y. 16) across field, cross above, B below Exergue: KYZ Reference: SBCV 207 #8: This is a common coin from the London mint. The depiction of both Constantine and Sol are very good, and the coin is struck on a large and circular flan with very few missing details. I am especially fond of the rendition of Constantine's nose on this one, although I doubt it would make the cut for the "Crooked Nose" challenge thread. Constantine the Great AE Follis 309 - 311 A.D., London Mint 4.65g, 22.80mm, 12H Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Laureate and cuirassed bust right Reverse: SOLI INVICTO COMITI, Sol, chlamys falling from left shoulder, standing left, raising right hand and holding up globe with left hand Exergue: T/F//PLN Reference: RIC VI Londinium 121a, Cloke & Toone 6.02.010 #7: When the engraver was working on the obverse legend,it looks like he thought he was running out of room at first, until he was done 'MAXIMINVS', then realized he has a lot of room to fit in the 'NOB CAES' resulting in the legend we see here. Along with the hints of silvering, and nice brown patina, this coin makes it to my top 10. Maximinus II Daia AE Follis 308 - 313 A.D., Alexandria Mint, 6th Officina 6.730g, 23.1mm, 12H Obverse: GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES, Head of Maximinus Daia, laureate, right;ties divergent, with pointed truncation Reverse: GENIO CA-ESARIS, Genius, wearing modius, nude, chlamys draped over left shoulder, standing left, holding patera in right hand and holding cornucopiae in left hand; liquid sometimes flowing from patera Exergue: K/(ς on P)//ALE Reference: RIC VI Alexandria 99a #6: There is something really special about this coin and I can't understand why it is so. There are two distinct representations of the letter 'A': one in the obverse legend and another, more familiar representation, in the mintmark. Also to note, Constantius does not have a flowing beard in this representation of him. Constantius I Chlorus AE Follis 296 - 297 A.D., Heraclea Mint, 1st Officina 8.39g, 29.0mm, 12H Obverse: FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES, Head of Constantius Chlorus, laureate, right Reverse: GENIO POPV-L-I ROMANI, Genius, wearing modius, nude, chlamys draped over left shoulder, standing left, pouring liquid from patera in right hand and holding cornucopiae in left hand Exergue: -/-//HTA Reference: RIC VI Heraclea 18a #5: This one was a recent win showing very detailed portrayals of both Diocletian and Genius. At this time, coins minted in London began to show enlarged busts. This one shows an enlarged chest area, but the head remains small. I am still looking for an example with the enlarged bust. Diocletian AE Follis 296 - 303 A.D., London Mint 9.49g, 26.0mm, 6H Obverse: IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, Laureate and cuirassed bust right Reverse: GENIO POPV–LI ROMANI, Genius standing, facing left, head surmounted by a modius, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera in right hand and cornucopia in left arm Exergue: -/-//- Reference: RIC VI Londinium 6a, Cloke & Toone 2.01.003 #4: This coin was missed by RIC, and is fairly common. Its a coin of Constantine as Caesar minted in Antioch. The style is very similar to coins of the other Tetrarchs from around the same period of time. Constantine the Great, As Caesar AE Follis 306 - 307 A.D., Antioch Mint, 1st Officina 10.40g, 26.0mm, 6H Obverse: FL VAL CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES, Laureate head right Reverse: GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, liquors flowing from patera in right hand, cornucopiae in left Exergue: -/A//ANT: Reference: Not in RIC #3: I have a few Constantine Rome Mint Soli Invicto Comiti coins. This was a break in the tradition, a Marti Conservatori which I'm sure @maridvnvm would like. Its a nice coin with some residual silvering remaining underneath the bed of verigris. I would try to remove the verdigris if I knew how, as the details on both Constantine and Mars seem exceptional. This definitely is a worthy bronze winner. Constantine the Great AE Follis 313 A.D., Rome Mint, 2nd Officina 3.24g, 20.0mm, 6H Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, Bust of Constantine I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right Reverse: MARTI CO-NSERVATORI, Mars, helmeted, draped, cuirassed, standing right, holding reversed spear in right hand and resting left hand on shield Exergue: R/F//RS Reference: RIC VII Rome 6 #2: Coming in for silver is this beautifully silvered coin of Galerius as Caesar from Carthage. It has a beautiful depiction of a lion on the reverse with Africa wearing an elephant headdress. If you look closely, you can see the details on the elephant's trunk. Galerius AE Follis 298 A.D., Carthage Mint, 4th Officina 8.24g, 28.0mm, 6H Obverse: MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, Head of Galerius, laureate, right Reverse: FELIX A-DV-ENT AVGG NN, Africa, wearing elephant-skin head-dress, draped, standing front, head left, holding standard in right hand and tusk in left hand; to left, lion with captured bull Exergue: -/I//PKΔ Reference: RIC VI Carthage 26b #1 (Winner for CA's top coin of 2019): This might be a surprise for many, but I was so intrigued with @jamesicus work on London mint coinage, and my wins from AMCC 1, that I was always on the look for nice examples from London. This one was miss-attributed as Constantine, and it is an invasion follis that Constantius brought with him when he was re-taking Britannia for the Empire. You can read more about these coins here. I am fond of many aspects of this coin: the portrayals of Constantius and genius, the large flan and the large weight are some. It wins my gold award for top 10 of CA's 2019. Constantius I Chlorus AE Follis 294 - 296 A.D., Unknown Mint 11.15g, 28.5mm, 6H Obverse: FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, Head of Constantius Chlorus, laureate, right Reverse: GENIO POPV–LI ROMANI, Genius standing, facing left, head surmounted by a modius, naked except for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera in right hand and cornucopia in left arm Exergue: -/-//- Reference: RIC VI Lugdunum 17a Thanks all for looking.
I was going to say that the Justinian was my favorite but then I got to the Galerius. I've never seen a reverse like that and I really like it. All your coins are great but those are my top two! Thanks for sharing!
Wow, that’s a superb set of coins, @Caesar_Augustus ! I’m amazed at how beautifully centered all of the images are. The renditions of Genius are interesting!
Glad that Severus Alexander persuaded you Otherwise we all would have missed out on seeing your new additions. They are all amazing, thanks for sharing! John
Thanks @furryfrog02! The silvering on that one is also nice in hand. I like the unique lettering style of the Carthage mint. Thank you, @Deacon Ray. I find it amazing how Genius still had the same look and basic pose amongst all mints during this time period. Look at the coins from London all the way to Alexandria. Genius is basically Genius! @panzerman He more encouraged me to make it. Glad you enjoyed seeing these coins. Here's a runner up of a Galerius from Antioch, Ex. Dattari Collection. The flan on this one is rather nice. Galerius AE Follis 302 - 303 A.D., Antioch Mint, 7th Officina 10.03g, 29.0mm, 6H Obverse: GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, Head of Galerius, laureate, right Reverse: GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI, Genius, wearing modius, nude, chlamys draped over left shoulder, standing left, pouring liquid from patera in right hand and holding cornucopiae in left hand Exergue: -/Z//ANT✱ Reference: RIC VI Antioch 57b
Wonderful additions to your collection! I really like the Galerius. I also like the uncertain mint Constantius I. May 2020 be good to you!
I am much a fan of the Maximinus II Daia, its simple and elegant obverse and profound reverse stuck out to me in this list. Most excellent!
Nice to see some cool Byzantine coins (I always dig a crazy overstrike) but that silvered Galerius is great!
Very nice indeed, I'm glad you decided to show them I like them all but the Diocletian follis is absolutely great, strong detail.
The Africa reverse is one of my favorites from the Tetrarchy, and that is an excellent coin. The lion and bull are especially clear. Here's my Big Max version. I think the Maximinus II and Diocletian are exceptional as well. Great list!
What a wonderful collection! I am very pleased that you got that particular coin @Caesar_Augustus - it couldn’t have found a better home, in fact it is where it belongs! James
C.A. You scored an excellent run of handsome folles this year ! I have shared your enthusiasm for Diocletian era folles for a long time & managed to score some high grade examples before the prices went crazy . My favorites from your group are #10 & 1. I like #10 because it's an excellent example of a medieval Sicilian coin struck before the island was overrun by Saracens . Hopefully someone will write a detailed study on folles from the mints of Trier & Lyon equal to the study done by Cloke & Toone on the London Mint. Pictured below is a follis of Constantius I as Caesar from the London Mint, done in the same style as your #5 example of Diocletian from the London Mint. AD 300-303, RIC 22
Thanks, everyone! That's a very nice one. I love the portrait of Maximian on that one. His nose and chin are quite... profound. I have two threads coming to showcase more coins from the London mint. In particular, I'll focus on the evolution of the coinage from the London mint. That's a very nice one! This looks like its part of the later large bust issues from the London mint which proceeded the smaller bust issues. Great find! Great candidate for "Crooked Nose" challenge.
The whole set is enviable, but #2 has my preference for its fantastic reverse Here's a Galerius struck not far away from where I stay Galerius, Follis Lyon mint (Lugdunum), 1st officina, AD 303-305 MAXIMIANVS NOB C, Laureate and cuirassed bust of Galerius rigtht GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius standing left holding cornucopia and wreath, before him an altar. PLG at exergue, star in right field 10.01 gr Ref : Cohen #92, RCV # 14356 (100), RIC VI # 178b Q
Q, That's a nice looking high grade example . I've got a nice looking follis of Galerius as Caesar, c. AD 301-303, from the Lugdunum Mint, also from the 1st Officina (letter A) with the same style reverse. The obverse is a rare variety, RIC 167b.
Great group of 2019 coins. The Carthage Galerius has special charm. Great type, and fabulous surfaces and early die state on both sides.
Great set of coins! I am a fan of over-strikes. Your #10 is interesting. You will have to repost when you ID the under type. The bug eyes on the reverse are neat.