Mats Top Coins of 2020

Sorry for your losses, Mat, but I'm glad you were able to find some great coins in the meantime. The Antioch Vespasian is a standout in my eyes: the reverse alignment lines and obverse style indicate that the engravers took particular care with the coin and it really shows in its quality.

 

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Of the coins, my favorite is the hogmouth thaler. Before I collected ancients someone gave me a 3 kreuzer and I decided then that I wanted that thaler. I never got that thaler but I still have the tiny coin with the big lip.

What I really like is the way each coin was explained as to why it was wanted. You know I have no use for cut and paste labels with catalog numbers by the dozen. If I want to know a catalog number, I can research it but knowing what makes a coin special means more to my style collecting. Matt provided both in his extensive comments. That is great. BTW, I do like catalog numbers when the discussion includes what it is that made that coin to have that catalog number and whether the poster thought it was a good idea to separate two variations that look so much alike. For example, catalog numbers mean more with the Constantinopolis and Urbs Roma coins that come in two weight groups to match the two soldiers with one or two standards coins. While catalog numbers in themselves don't do much for me, the differences they acknowledge certainly do. Thanks to Mat for a good list.

Condolences on the loss of you family members. My mother in law passed 18 months ago at age 104. You can not imagine how often my wife has said how glad she was that her mother was spared 2020 and Covid running through the nursing home.

 

I don’t know much about coins from that era, but the Leopold “Hogmouth” is definitely my favorite...what a great coin. A couple of centuries worth of Hapsburg inbreeding all in one face.

Great list overall. Sorry for your loss and hope you have a much happier 2021.

 

A wonderful show Mat! I love the Claudius and the Domitia.

Very sorry that you have suffered these losses.

 

@Mat Per usual, not only did YOU add some excellent coins, you’ve also made me want to add more excellent coins to my collection. When I do my 2020 top 10, I’m sure you’ll see coins that I started collecting because of you. I’m not sure if I should thank you or not, lol.

Ive always wanted a hog mouth so that is pretty cool to see in your collection. A fine example too.

The JC, Claudius and Domitia all tug at my “one for every emperor” heart strings. The Domitia is particularly nice with the very clear name.

The Byzantine is the sleeper of the bunch, I think. I like these anyway but the image of Mary is really nice. My Grandmother (and therefore me) had a particular devotion to her.

I know what your Mom meant to you. Hopefully she is out there waiting to see you again.

 

Thanks, look forward to your list.

 

Sure hope next year is better, @Mat. ...Some serious convalescence is called for all around.
...Lots of cool coins! Even the modern stuff you landed is Top Drawer Iconic. ...Speaking of iconic, that Mary on your follis really is exceptional. Great Stuff!

 

Excellent bunch @Mat . Tough to pick my favorite, a toss up between Dmotia and CLaudius.

 

What a tough year for you, Mat! I'm glad you had coins and coin friends to help you through it.

There are many notable acquisitions on your list. My favorites are the JC portrait denarius, the Vespasian denarius with prominent engraving guide marks, the excellent Romanus IV follis, and the Maximus tet.

 

@Mat, some great pick ups. It appears you and I share similar interests in coins. Whilst ancients form a large part of my collection it is not near the majority, my other keen interest is proclamation and colonial coins, (my original interest was Canadian coins now of which I have near complete collection). Something about those large 16th to 18th century gold and silver coins I find very satisfying!