My Top 10 LRB's for 2021

It's in English in Numismatic Chronicle 13 (1973)

 

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The Licinius coin is awesomely cool.

 

Even as a Constantine collector, I also voted for #7, the confronted Licinii. Just a great example of a rare coin. The #9 SPES PVBLIC would be a close second.

Victor, do you know if anyone has ever tested the metallic composition of these Licinius IOM types?

 

Nice additions, @Victor_Clark.

#7, 8 and 10 are my favorites. I like #7 the most.

 

I don't remember ever seeing any data and checked Cope, but nothing. Bastien in his NC article, talks about PRD and tries to see if this issue fits in at 1/96 to a pound or 1/72 but decides that this issue fits neither and is exceptional.

 

As it happens, yes there is one!

Due to the interest, and to avoid getting buried here, I've started a new thread on this topic:

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/licinius-iom-ivpiter-optimvs-maximinvs-types.389777/

 

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments, but I have to add the coin I was most excited to win this year, even though it did not make the top ten. I also won it the same day I won this Constantine SPES PVBLIC



which I was excited to win, but it cost a bit; so it evened out the thrill.


The coin I was really excited to win was this coin with a heroic Herculean bust, not listed in RIC. There are fewer known of these bust types than SPES PVBLIC's; but the CONSERVATOR type can of course never compete with the SPES for desirability.




Maximianus
A.D. 289- 290
22mm 3.9g
IMP C M A VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG; heroic nude bust right, with drapery over shoulders.
CONSERVATOR AVGG; Maximianus holding sceptre, and Hercules, leaning on club; standing face to face, sacrificing at altar; B in right field
In ex. XXIKOY
RIC V Siscia 580


part of the coded series from Siscia

http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/CONSERVATOR/


part of the reason I was really excited to win this coin was, im my opinion, the ridiculously low price--

 

Congrats ! , 2 , 7 and 8 are the winners for me.

 

8 is a cracker...probably 3 for me. Nice thing is that the year is not over yet, more treasure on the horizon.

 

I just got some more coins in today...nothing top tennish (though the DAFNE may have been a contender)...but not too bad. Here are three highlights--



Constantine I
A.D. 319
Ӕ nummus 21mm 3.2gm
IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate helmet and cuirassed bust right.
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP; two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding wreath [shield] inscribed VOT PR; Victory on left holding a stylus.
in ex. ΓSIS•
RIC VII Siscia 59





Constantine I
A.D. 320- 321
19mm 2.9g
CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; laureate and trabeated bust left, holding eagle-tipped sceptre in right hand.
BEATA TRAN-QVILLITAS; globe set on altar inscribed VOT/IS/XX; above, three stars; in fields F/B
in ex. PLON
RIC VII London 225; LMCC 9.03.007





Constantine I
A.D. 328
Ӕ nummus 21mm 3.4g
CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, with left shoulder raised up.
CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE; Victory seated l. on cippus, palm branch in left hand and laurel branch in right hand, looking r.; trophy at front, at the foot is a kneeling captive with head turned being spurned by Victory; Z in left.
in ex. CONS
RIC VII Constantinople 35

 

@Victor_Clark....#7777777777777777777777...A beautiful example and sooooo difficult to find in this condition!.....I also like #2 , Nicely cleaned really like the portrait style.....Paul

 

thanks...I got a bit lucky and don't recommend people try to clean rare coins, unless you are willing to ruin them.

and another coin I got today



Constantinopolis
A.D. 330-333
17x19mm 2.4g
Obv. CONSTAN-TINOPOLI laureate, helmeted, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter.
Rev. Victory stg. on prow, holding long scepter in r. hand, and resting l. hand on shield.
in ex. CONSIA
RIC VII Constantinople 63

and my Constantinople tray gets "mas fuerte"

http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/Constantinople/

 

WOW! What an enviably esoteric bunch of LRB's. Great collecting. My top three were 7, 9, and 10. Looks like 7 is leading the pack, and for good reason - it's a superb example of a rare type.

 

The Licinius was my favorite coin of the year until I got the Constantine from Arles. Since the Licinius is going to easily beat it out, I will probably change it to my avatar. edit-- the people have spoken -- it is my new avatar

 

I have to concur with these sentiments and choices. Outstanding curation, indeed!

And as it seems to be a recurring theme on your list, I thought I'd post a "Not in RIC" that I photographed today.

CRISPUS
AE3. 1.8g, 15.6mm. Trier mint, AD 326. RIC VII Trier 488 var. (one star). O: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left. R: CRISPVS / CAESAR / PTR, two stars above.

 

Yes, about half are "not in RIC" coins; which are easy enough to find; but I also try to get coins that are actually rare and/or interesting. Congrats on your new acquisition.

 

All of these are wonderful but your #8 Rome Campgate with closed doors is exceptional! Some day I hope to add a “closed doors” to go with my “open door” example from Arles.


Great list thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks, the campgate is a favorite of mine. This guy missed out on the top 10; but he was in the running.



Constantine I
A.D. 318- 319
Ӕ nummus 19mm 3.4g
CO-NSTANTI-NVS AVG; cuirassed and laureate helmeted bust left, spear pointing forward and shield on left.
VIRTVS AVGG; camp gate with open doors and four turrets, across fields P-R
In ex. RS
RIC VII Rome –

Not in RIC…should come after after 190

 

I just picked this one up and it would have been a contender for a top 10 spot. It's the rarer diademed head only, versus entire bust, and it has a workship not listed in RIC, though other examples are known.




Constantine I
A.D. 328
18mm 3.3g
CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG; head with rosette-diadem facing right.
CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE; Victory seated l. on cippus, palm branch in left hand and laurel branch in right hand, looking r.; trophy at front, at the foot is a kneeling captive with head turned being spurned by Victory; Δ in left.
in ex. CONS
RIC VII Constantinople 30

 

I like #5, the Constantine I from Arles. That coin has a very nice, expressive portrait for the period, one that is punctuated by stiff, flatly rendered portraits. The style of portrait for #5, for me, harkens back to more refined portraitures before the introduction of the "severe" style in the third century AD. That the coin is also very rare is a definite bonus.

Nice set!