Happy Collector Top 10 for 2021 (just added Faustina I)

I just received notice from Heritage that my recent Faustina Senior pickup from the December 5 auction will arrive soon. I guess it is a good time to finalize my top 2021 top 10.

2021 is a fruitful year for me. Although I got outbid many times and overpaid on many coins, I find myself filling up my coin tray pretty fast. My tiny ancient coins inventory has nearly doubled during this year. I have around 20 coins that are on my top list this year. Tough decision to shrink into 10. Therefore, instead of one long scrolling list, I decided to make two Top 10 lists. The first is this list, consisting of my silver and gold pickups. The other one would all be on my bronze pieces.

I try not to focus on collecting a single theme this year. At first I did, but I got outbid so much that I abandoned the idea. I continue to look for Faustina coins. I finally picked up 2 silver Syracuse coins (while got outbid on 12 others). This year’s coins will likely form the “backbone” of my coin collection. Next year, I plan to concentrate only on a few themes, such as empress portraits, or coins with mythic creatures.

Without more sidetracking, here are my top 10 pickups this year:


10. The Honorius solidus is my 2nd latest pickup of the 10 listed here. I recalled reading @DonnaML article regarding various bending leg design on the captives of this coin design. That interested me a lot. So, I picked this one up when it is offered at Heritage weeks ago.


Honorius. AV solidus.
Western Roman Empire. 395-423 AD.
20mm, 4.33 gm, 6h.
Obv: D N HONORI-VS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Honorius right, seen from front.
Rev: VICTORI-A AVGGG, emperor standing relaxed right, left foot on captive with bent knees and large bust, vexillum in right hand, Victory on globe in left; R-V across fields, COMOB inexergue.
RIC X 1321. NGC AU 5/5 - 4/5.
Heritage, Nov 2021.


9. I am unfamiliar with the history of this coin. I just like the coin’s large size and shiny surface. It is not a thick coin, so it is nice that this example has no flan crack. Overall a nice gold/electrum piece. I think I’ll dig up more about this coin’s background history during my winter break.


AV/EL Histamenon Nomisma Michael VII Ducas.
Constantinople AD 1071-1078
Obv: Facing half-length bust of Christ Pantocrator, with cruciform nimbus, five pellets within each bar; barred IC - XC in right and left fields;
Rev: + MIXAHΛ RACIΛO Δ, crowned facing half-length bust of Michael, wearing loros and saccos, holding jeweled vexillum with pellet on shaft in right hand and globus cruciger in left
31mm, 4.37 g
Sear 1868. DOC 2d


8. I like the reverse design of this solidus. During the first few months of 2021, I had only one Byzantine solidus in my collection, so it is a great area to acquire this piece. Never thought back then I’ll be picking up more solidus along this year. Anyway, it is nice to have an example of Eastern (this coin) and Western (#10 coin) Roman Empire coin side-by-side.


Arcadius, AV solidus.
Constantinople, 402-403 AD. 4.40g.
Obv: diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield
Rev: ARCADI-VS P F AVG // Constantinople seated facing, head right, with right foot on prow, holding scepter and victory on globe, CONCORDI-A AVGG E, much original luster
NGC Choice AU, 5/5 - 4/5.
RIC-7, Depeyrot-55/1
ex Chaudhury Collection.


7. I love the stern-looking face of Euthydemos I. Like the muscles shown on the face. The reverse design of a relaxing Herakles is pretty nice as well. A large-size shiny coin is always a plus in my coin tray.


Euthydemos I Theos Megas AR Tetradrachm.
Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. 215-210 BC.
Obv: Diademed head to right, with elderly features
Rev: Herakles seated to left on lion skin draped over rocks, holding club set on right leg; BAΣIΛEΩΣ and monogram toright, EYΘYΔHMOY to left.
Bopearachchi 12A; Bopearachchi & Rahman 113.
16.47 g, 30 mm
ROMA, 2021


6. Here is another nice-looking Seleukid coin, IMHO. I also like the muscle on the face. According to the coin dealer, this coin had been hidden in a secret compartment of the previous owner’s Victorian table for the past 100+ years. “Rediscovered” by a furniture dealer and later resold to Pavlos.


PTOLEMAIC EMPIRE. PHOENICIA.
Ptolemy VI Philometer, 1st sole reign 172-173 BC.
AR Tetradrachm. ARADUS Mint.
Obv: Diademed bust right of Ptolemy I wearing aegis.
Rev: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΠΟΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, in front year ΠΗ (year 88 = 172/3BC ).
13.89g, 29mm, 12h
Sv.1110, SNG Cop.546, Noeske.-.
Pavlos Pavlou, 2021.

I just found out I need to resize two of the first five coins. I'll add to this thread a little later today...

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

5. When I was thinking about my 2021 wish list last year, this coin is #1 on my list. I really like the examples of the same coin from our CT members. However, better quality examples are so expensive this year. XF suites my want better. I like this one showing a complete reverse design, with all the horses’ heads and legs within flan.


SICILY. Syracuse. Agathocles (317-289 BC).
AR tetradrachm (25mm, 17.03 gm, 10h).
Pre-royal coinage, ca. 310-305 BC, Fi-, magistrate.
Obv: Head of Persephone left, hair wreathed with grain ears, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; three dolphins swimming around, ΦI below neck truncation, dotted border
Rev: ΣYPAKOΣIΩN, charioteer driving fast quadriga left, reins in left hand, kentron in right; triskeles above, AN monogram in exergue, dotted border.
HGC 2, 1348. SNG ANS 643.
NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.


4. I love this coin’s obverse portrait design. This is why I choose it as my profile photo. I also like this earlier version of the coin design. I have read that there is a later version with a cruder design. Need to research more during Christmas break.


SICILY. SYRACUSE. AGATHOCLES, 310-306 BC
Silver Tetradrachm. 16.94 g, 24 mm.
Obv: KOPAΣ, wreathed head of Kore right.
Rev: AΓAΘOKΛ[EOΣ], Nike standing right, nailing armor to trophy, AI monogram beneath left wing, triskeles in right field.
NGC AU Fine Style.


3. This coin pickup is what I called a “chance purchase”. I was scrolling through vcoins one day to see if there is fresh inventory on sale. Suddenly, this nice Antoninus Pius aureus shows up. I really like the emperor’s portrait on this coin. Interestingly, the coin was originally NGC-slabbed, but was later “set free”. Good to know the coin had an NGC AU grade. Reverse scratch made it affordable to me.


Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). AV aureus.
Rome, 157-158 AD.
17mm, 6.90 gm, 6h.
Obv: ANTONINVS AVG-PIVS P P IMP II, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right.
Rev: TR POT XXICOS IIII, Salus standing facing, head right, feeding out of patera in left hand serpent held in her arms.
RIC III 279a. Calicó 1684.
Previously Graded: NGC AU 4/5 – 3/5. Edge filing, scratches.


2. With an Antoninus Pius aureus in my collection, I have been thinking about “pairing” it with a comparative Faustina Senior coin. This coin design is not rare, but most affordable examples I see in the market in 2021 are only of VF grades. I have happy to locate a good quality yet affordable example in the December 5 auction of Ed’s Treasures Collection at Heritage. I like Faustina’s portrait on this coin. Picking up from a showcase auction is a plus.


Diva Faustina Senior (AD 138-140/1). AV aureus
Rome, ca. AD 146-161.
Obv: DIVA-FAVSTINA, draped bust of Diva Faustina Senior right, seen from front, hair elaborately waved in several loops around head under thin band, braided, drawn up and coiled on top with pearls
Rev: AETER-NITAS, Fortuna standing facing, head left, patera in outstretched right hand, rudder in left.
RIC III (Antoninus Pius) 349a. Calicó 1743.
20mm, 7.13 gm, 6h.
NGC Choice AU
Ex Heritage, the Ed’s Treasures Collection of Ancient Coins Showcase Auction. Dec 5, 2021.


1. Here is the coin I like the most this year. I am a HUGE Faustina Junior fan, so picking up a nice Faustina Junior aureus is my BIG wish. I am very fond of her young portrait, so I have been keeping an eye on an affordable example. Super glad to find one this year in a ROMA auction. Other examples I see this year are mostly from her later years.


Faustina II (daughter of A. Pius). AV Aureus.
Rome, 138-161 AD.
Obv: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, draped bust to right, with a double band of pearls around head
Rev: VENVS, Venus standing facing, head to left, holding apple and rudder, around which dolphin entwined.
RIC III 517c (Pius); BMCRE 1064(Pius); Calicó 2097d. 7.17g, 19mm, 6h.
ROMA, 2021.

Looking forward to 2022, I hope everybody stays healthy and safe.

 

Wow, just wow. Stunning additions.

 

Beautiful additions, congratulations on a great year.

 

Wow !! , very hard to choose , even if I'm collecting mainly roman coins , I will take three greek coins : #5 Syracuse tetradrachm quadriga , #4 Syracuse tetradrachm Kore and #6 Ptolemy VI Philometer. Superb photos as well. Congratulations !!

 

A great year indeed, I can see why you're a happy collector

ATB for some more in 2022.
Aidan.

 

Beautiful coins, I like Syracuse coins and Faustina I aureus.

 

Very nice coins , congrats.

 

All absolutely gorgeous, but my favorite is the Faustina II. The dolphin around the rudder is rendered quite well.

 

Well, what can be said? Applause!

 

@happy_collector - all fantastic coins, but my vote goes for #4 & #5

i believe i was underbidder on 4 CNG

i agree, this style is much better than the other one

 

Amazing coins. I liked #5 and #9 especially.

 

Wow, you had a great year. It is hard to pick a favorite!

Your pic makes it look like Euthydemos and Herc are having a start off.

 

You happy collector, me happy for you!
Stunning haul for 2021!

 

Stunning coins......now I know why you are a "Happy Collector" I love all of them/ but #4 is my favorite/ follwed by #5 then the Faustina Sr. Aureus
John

 

Wow. I can't even begin to pick favorites. They're all amazing!

 

Many thanks, Chris.

Many thanks, @BenSi.

Many thanks, @singig. There are a number of Roman coinage areas I want to explore in 2022. For example, those issued by Roman Alexandria.

Many thanks, @akeady.

Thanks, @gogili1977. I agree many Syracuse coins have very beautiful designs.

Thanks, @Ancient Aussie.

 

What a splendid year. Congrats all the way. I'll take Faustina II and keep it for ever in my dreams. Cheers.

 

Wow!...Lovely selection!...Lots of gold flying around but my favourite is #7 A very skilled engraver, wonderful portrait!..A photo..
All beautiful coins , you certainly have a good eye...Congrats..

 

Thanks, @Roman Collector.
My favorite is also the Faustina II coin... that's why it is #1 on my list.