Here are my picks for my top 10 ancient coin acquisitions in the first 6 months of 2020. As a poor man, all of these are very cheap, most are no more than $10, and some were as low at $0.73. Accordingly, quality is mostly lacking. However, I enjoyed acquiring and collecting these specimens. In order of acquisition: Augustus As. This is the one that started it all. This was my first ancient coin purchase that spurred this spat of collecting. This helped me realize just how affordable collecting lower grade coins could be. This one has a reasonably clear legend on both sides, with a nice portrait. Acquired: March 5, 2020 COST: $10.67 Constantine I Silvered Follis. This coin features an astonishing 95% intact original silvering. It almost looks silver, save for the small flan crack with a bit of corrosion peeking out, betraying its copper core. I also really like Constantine's mullet. Acquired: March 7, 2020 COST: $15.22 Postumus Billon Antoninianus. I really LOVE the reverse, which I affectionately call "Spaghetti Victory." It's very interesting how the bust is so realistically detailed, while Victory is an exercise in abstraction. Acquired: March 7, 2020 COST: $13.95 Elagabalus AE16. A surprise find in a large batch of largely junk coins, after sitting with a heavily encrusted reverse for a few months, it underwent a very worthwhile cleaning to reveal the snake on the reverse. Acquired: March 28, 2020 COST: $0.73 Antoninus Pius AE14. This very small and very poor coin still is still really endearing to me. I like the color and the lovely, action-packed Artemis on the reverse. This came from the same lot as the Elagabalus. Acquired: March 28, 2020 COST: $0.73 Soter Megas AE19 tetradrachm. I don't collect non-Roman coins, but I went out of my zone in Frank Robinson's bargain list. This very thick, heavy, and detailed coin is quite a stunner. Acquired: April 13, 2020 COST: $13.50 Geta AE20. This came from a large lot of mostly junk. This was 95% encrusted in a very thick rock-like coating. It was destined for the slag heap, but I was able to see 3 well formed letters. I figured if those letters looked that nice then the rest may be as well. After an extremely painstaking mechanical cleaning, the result isn't great, but at least it does reveal most of this rather rare coin. Acquired: April 25, 2020 COST: $0.81 Rome commemorative AE18. This came from Noble Roman Coins, advertised as "premium uncleaned." Well, in this case premium was right. After attacks with harsh chemicals and hard mechanics, we end up with a technicolor coin of rather excellent form. Acquired: May 15, 2020 COST: $1.70 Constans AE24, barbaric imitation. This came from an uncleaned lot, and has one of the most dramatic before-and-after transformations ever. At first this seemed to be a crude official issue, but the uncharacteristically alien-like appearance of Constans seems to indicate a rather fine unofficial issue. Caracalla AE25. This hefty provincial issue is very worn, but I absolutely adore the gorgeous blue-green patina. The Apollo on the reverse is in a neat pose as well. Acquired: June 8, 2020 COST: $6.87 Which one is your favorite?
An enjoyable and educational group! You've had a lot of fun so far this year! My favorite is the Elagabalus provincial with the snake in a basket reverse. Very cool!
Very nice... I am a big fan of the Constans AE24, barbaric imitation... very unique with excellent details.
Great start to the year! My fave is this Augustus moneyer As, as I'm partial to Augusta AE coinage. The moneyer's series have lots of moneyer names to collect as a sub-collection. Any idea who's name is on your's? I think I see it starting with VA at 12 o'clock. P LVRIVS AGRIPPA Probably came from Reate and was from a relatively new senatorial family. Nothing is known about his further career after the vigintivirat. (C. Pannekeet) CN PISO Cn. (Calpurnius) Piso Cn. F came from an old senatorial and consular family. He was consul ordinaris in 7 BC together with Tiberius who was a friend of his. He was governor of Hispania and proconsul of Africa from 5 BC - 2 AD and governor of Syria from 17 - 19 AD. It is suggested that Tiberius secretly chose him to keep a close eye on Germanicus in Syria. They frequently clashed and Piso had to leave the provence in 19 AD. Germanicus died in the same year and Piso was accused of poisoning Germanicus. He was trailed for treason and committed suicide around 8 december 20 AD. (C. Pannekeet)
I think it's C Gallius Lupercus, because according to your list he's the only one with a name ending in -CVS
Great coins, especially in that price bracket, great buying. For around 10 bucks your Augustus As with a great portrait is my favorite, but basically you can't go wrong as all good inexpensive buys.
