I decided that I want to do a Coin of the Month thread for each month, where we post the singular best coin that you got that month. A little late, but let's start with January: My Jan CotM is this lovely 33mm 10-cash of Emperor Huizong, from the Northern Song Dynasty.
Very good idea. I keep records of every purchase and after a short debate between me, myself and Ambr0zie, the winner is Trajan AD 98-117. Rome Denarius AR 20 mm., 2,96 g. RIC II Trajan 130 Date Range: AD 103 - AD 111 Obverse Legend: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P Type: Bust of Trajan, laureate, right (sometimes draped on left shoulder) Reverse Legend: COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC Type: Victory, naked to hips, standing right, left foot set on a step, inscribing DACICA on shield
I've only acquired a few ancient coins so far this year, such as this Claudius Gothicus antoninianus that I bought back in early January. Claudius II AE Antoninianus 268-270 A.D. Obverse: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG; Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Reverse: FELICITAS AVG; Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia. Diameter: 20x21mm Weight: 2.9g
A year ago I would have put it in lye to remove the verdigris/green. Now I really appreciate that color
Picked this bad-boy up just after the New Year. "Show me the Moneta" Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ As (29mm, 13.19 g). Rome mint. Struck AD 86. Obverse: Laureate bust right, wearing aegis. Reverse: Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia. RIC II.1 493.
I think this is the most interesting coin from January. Coins like it helped solve a century-old mystery about which "Caesarea" may have struck the issue. Claudius, AD 41-54. Roman provincial Æ 23.2 mm, 7.13 g, 12 h. Cilicia, Caesarea (formerly Mopsuestia), AD 50/1. Obv: ΤΙΒЄΡΙΟϹ ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ; bare head of Claudius, right. Rev: ΚΑΙⳞΑΡΕΩΝ ΕΤΟΥⳞ Ε; veiled Tyche, seated right, on rocks and holding ears of corn; below, river god. Refs: RPC I 4086; SNG von Aulock 6348 (Caesarea in Cappadocia); SNG Copenhagen 177 (Caesarea in Cappadocia); SNG Schweiz II (Righetti) 1759 (Caesarea in Cappadocia); SNG Österreich (Caesarea in Cappadocia) 2759-60; RG 4744-45; BMC 21.31,4 (Anazarbus?).
Easily this coin. Cilicia, Tarsus; Satrap Mazaios, (361-334 B.C.) AR Stater O: Baal of Tarsos seated left, holding eagle, grain ear, grapes, and scepter; TR (in Aramaic) to lower left, M (in Aramaic) below throne. R: Lion attacking bull, monogram below. 10.35g 25.1mm Casabonne Series 2, Group C; SNG BN –; SNG Levante 106 Ex.Philip Ashton Collection Ex Harlan J Berk Buy or Bid, #214, Lot #89
Cool idea, and some great acquisitions posted above! I would pick this Starr Group II (II.b or II.c) Athenian tetradrachm, which was misidentified as an ordinary mass issue:
