My Top Ten 2021

I cannot say that I had a stellar year. In fact I acquired a grand total of 16 coins this year which is a long way off from my norm. In fact I found bidding really difficult and was shut out of the bidding in the Triton Both CNG Mail Bids and the NAC Auctions. However I did manage to pick up a few mostly as a result of private treaty. Oh well Stop complaining, most people would be happy just to have my problems My top 10 in no particular order.
1. Tetradrachm of Kos 280-250 BC Requier Group III D8 /R 24 15.16 grms 28 mm Photo by W. Hansen I had first seen one of these back in 2005 and decided even then I must have one. The obverse has this wonderfully baroque feel to it. Perhaps the most unusual aspect to this coin is that though it looks very much like an Attic weight tetradrachm it isn't . It is a remnant of the older Chian standard.
2. Tetradrachm of Temnos In the name and types of Alexander III 151/0-143/2 BC Price 1690 16.74 grms 35 mm. Photo by W. Hansen This coin has a massive diameter and is absolutely huge in comparison to most tetradrachms of this type. It would appear that the civic Alexanders minted during this period adopted these broad diameters in an effort to distinguish themselves from other issues of coins struck at a different weight standard.
3. Tetradrachm of Ephesos 350-340 BC Pixodaros Class G Obv 119 15.26 grms 21 mm Photo by W. Hansen If taking something like 16 years to finally nail down a coin that I have wanted seems like a long time, I have wanted one of these since 1986 when I first started to collect Greek coins. This series commenced sometime around 400 BC and despite being roughly contemporary to the coins of Philip II and Alexander III of Macedon, this coinage stubbornly clings to the thick dumpy flans of much earlier coinages.
4. Stater or Double Siglos of Aspendos. 330/325-300/250 BC. Tekin Series 5 10.47 grms 23 mm Photo by W. Hansen
l have read that Alexander had imposed a heavy fine upon the citizens of Aspendos during the course of his campaign in this region. I have often wondered if this series of coins was minted to pay that fine.
5. Stater of Archelaos King of Macedon. Aigai 413- 399 BC Obv. Head of apollo right Rv. Horse advancing right. HGC 795 10.54 grms 23 mm Photo by W. Hansen
Perhaps the most noteworthy thing about this coin is the stunning double striking. When you examine the reverse field to the left of the square you will see the mid section of the horse with the letter P above. Someone needs to stay far away from the fermented grape juice.
6. Tetradrachm of Alexander III Amphipolis 332-326 BC Price 4 Troxell AI 17.25 grms 24 mm Photo by W. Hansen
This coin is among the first coins minted in the name and types of Alexander III from the mint of Amphipolis. As such the symbol of the prow of a galley is shared with the tetradrachms minted in the name and types of Philip II. There are three symbols that are shared between these two series the Prow, The stern, and the Janiform head.
7. Sestertius of Faustina II 147-150 AD Rv Venus standing left RIC 1388 (Pius) 25.00 grms 31 mmm Photo by W. Hansen I guess what really attracted me to this coin is the portrait. I find that the image is rendered with such care, The face is rendered very simply and with elegant proportions giving it a youthful simplicity. This is contrasted by the attention to detail in the treatment of the hair. Overall a marvelous composition.
8. Sestertius of Septimius Severus 195-196 AD Rv. Fortuna standing left RIC 706 26.26 grms 30 mm Photo by W. Hansen When I saw this coin in London last fallI knew I was going to buy it. The image is so impressive on so many levels. This image is among the earlier images of Severus where he is yet to grow the "Serapis" locks on his beard.
9. Sestertius of Geta. 211 AD Rv, Fortuna seated left. RIC 168a 28.03 grms 30 mm Photo by W. Hansen This coin comes during the later period in which the sestertii of the Severan period are somewhat more readily available. The image presented here is very similar to that of his older brother Caracalla. However some of the coins struck later depict Geta with a beard more reminiscent of his father.
10. Denarius of Claudius featuring his wife Agrippina Jnr. Lugdunum 50-54 AD, Obv Head of Claudius right laureate Rv. Bust of Agrippina right. RIC 81 3.50 grms 19 mm Photo by W. Hansen Well that is it. I will in a bit try to show the six that did not make it. In many ways I think that despite everything I did okay.

 

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Beautiful coins, all of them, @Terence Cheesman! Any of them would be the highlight of a fine collection.

 

Very nice!

 

My vote goes for #1 and #10 - true treasures!

thank you for sharing these!

 

Wow. 1, 2, and 10 for me. But they're all superb.

 

Amazing coins. I'd have to go with #1 and #5.

 

oops

 

The also rans. Some of these are about as good as the ones that made the top 10 but for various reasons, I chose other coins. So these are them
1. Tetradrachm of Kassander In the name and types of Philip II of Macedon Amphipolis 317-305 BC Troxell Group 9 323-5 14.10 grms 22 mm Photo by W. Hansen

2. Tetradrachm of Kassander In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon Amphipolis 315-294 BC 17.05 grms 28mm Photo by W. Hansen

I decided to treat these coins together. It is rather interesting that Kassander decided to maintain two separate issues of coinage both of which were at different weight standards. The Philip coinage probably was maintained as the type was very popular in the trans Danubian area. In fact I am not certain where Kassander's coinage ends and the local copies begin. The Alexander was of such a great style that I found it hard to resist.

3. Half Shekel of Taras 212-209 BC Issued during the alliance with Hannibal. Vlasto 977 3.56 grms 18mm Photo by W Hansen

I have always had a fascination with the coinage of the Second Punic Wars as it has to be one of the important wars in the ancient world. This coin is among the last minted at the great mint at Taras.
4. Tetradrachm of Seleukos I Nikator Minted with the types of Alexander III Seleukia in Pieria SC 29 1b 16.96 grms 23 mm Photo by W. Hansen This coin looks very much like the rest of the great mass of coinage minted in the name and/or types of Alexander III. However there is one subtle difference which was for some time unique to this mint. On the reverse the image of Nike replaces that of an eagle perched in the right hand of Zeus. This image did go on to become one of the main reverse types in the Seleukid series
5. Sestertius of Maximus Son of Maximinus Thrax. 236 AD Rv Priestly Implements RIC 6 16.90 grms 29 mm Photo by W. Hansen In this image he does look like dad. What can I say I love sestertii. Yes they are dangerous and not for the faint hearted but they are perhaps some of the most impressive coins ever minted as they present a broad enough canvas for the Roman die cutters to really display their talent.
Last but not least. 6. Ar 33 of nero from Perinthos 59-63 AD . Obv Head left laureate Rv Inscription within wreath RPC1754 25.43 grms 33 mm Photo by W. Hansen. This coin spoke to me and I relly loved the wreath on the reverse. This is an early example of a large diameter Roman provincial Ae.

 

NT

 

1, 3, 6... and 10, your Claudius Agrippina denarius


Ummm, and ALL of your runner ups are as stunning as your top ten.
Excited to see what next year will bring

 

Such wonderful coins, @Terence Cheesman.

My favorites are #1, 7 and 10. Superb portraits!

 

My favorite is #11. The details on the horse are super.

 

I like #5.

 

All I can say is WOW......

 

T.C., Looks like you had a successful year ! I find #1 & 4 the most aesthetically pleasing .

 

1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are my favorites but #1 probably the most. Wonderful choices and great finds! You have an excellent fixed price honey hole if private treaty is where most of these came from!

 

Wow, this is a fantastic group. My favorites are #10, 1, and 9…that Claudius/Agrippina denarius is really spectacular.

 

You only maybe added 16/ but 16 stellar coins is way better then a 1000 mediocre ones. I love #1/ 2/ 10.....exceptional Beautifull photography too!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing them.
John

 

Wow, phenominal group! #3 is undoubtedly my favourite, followed closely by #5 and #10.

 

I think you did awesome! But it just depends on where you set your bar, right? (hope I translated this one ok!) I think your coins would be no 1's or showcase stuff for most collectors.
I really like your no 1 to 10. Difficult to pick a favorite. But if I have to, I'd pick the Ephesos tetradrachm, and the Claudius denarius. Or maybe the other way around. I don't know, they're just too great!