Top 10 of 2021

Nearly the end of another year, so I might as well join the 85 (last time I looked) "Best of" lists which have appeared.

So far in 2021, I've added 113 coins to Tantalus - 74 Roman Republican coins, 19 Roman Imperial coins, 6 Greek coins and 14 others.

The list is in chronological order of when I got them.

No NYINC or BANS conference in 2021, but I did manage to get to Coinex in September and we hope for better times in 2022 with a bit more confidence than at this time last year.


1 - Syracuse tetradrachm

I bought this at the end of 2020 mainly because it had an old provenance and who doesn't like a Syracuse tet?

Obv.: Biga to left, charioteer crowned by Nike flying to right; marine monster (Ketos) in exergue
Rev.: ΣΥΡΑΚ-ΟΣΙ-ΟΝ - Head of Arethusa right, hair tied up in a hairnet, surrounded by 4 dolphins
Mint: Syracuse (ca. 450 - 440 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 16.76g / - / -
References:

• Boehringer 604 (same dies)
• SNG ANS 199

Provenances:

• Ex. Seaby, London, July 1948
• Ex. Hess-Leu list 4, 1956

Acquisition: Jean Elsen & ses Fils Online auction Auction 146 #342 12-Dec-2020



2. Fabia 6 denarius

Last year, the second coin on my list was the corresponding Servilia denarius from the same year, so this year here's the Fabia from the same year.

Moneyer: Q. Fabius Maximus
Obv.: ROMA / Q. MAX / * - Laureate head of Apollo right; before, lyre
Rev.: Cornucopiae superimposed on thunderbolt; within wreath composed of ear of barley, ear of wheat and assorted fruits
Mint: Rome (ca. 82-80 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 3.86g / 17mm / -
References:

• RSC 6 (Fabia)
• Sydenham 718
• Crawford 371/1
• RBW 1391

Provenances:

• Ex. Kuenker Sale 193, lot 417, 26-Sep-2011

Acquisition: Naville Numismatics Online auction NN Live 63 #421 7-Feb-2021



3. 1928 Saorstát Éireann proof set

Obviously, this isn't ancient, but I'll sneak it in anyway, as this set is one I've wanted for many years and 2021 is the year when I've actually bought one.

These coins are special to any collector of Irish coins as the first coins of post-independence Ireland (Free State).

Old Currency Exchange has a good Blog entry on the process of selection of the designs for the coins - it's worth a read:

https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2014/09/07/the-controversial-1927-irish-coin-design-competition/

I like the comment by Yeats, the poet, senator and chair of the committee responsible for choosing the designs - "As the most famous and beautiful coins are the coins of the Greek Colonies, especially of those in Sicily, we decided to send photographs of some of these, and one coin of Carthage, to our selected artists, and to ask them, as far as possible, to take them as a model. But the Greek coins had two advantages that ours could not have, one side need not balance the other, and either could be stamped in high relief, whereas ours must pitch and spin to please the gambler, and pack into rolls to please the banker."

The designs themselves were controversial at the time but fondly remembered now - the horse, salmon, bull and woodcock survived until the introduction of the Euro in 2002. The omission of the head of George V was notable at the time, as Ireland had only dominion status at the time and George was the head of state. The currency was pegged to the pound sterling and banknotes carried the legend "Payable in London" for many years. Irish banknotes are an interesting subject in their own right, but certainly not a subject for this forum! - https://www.irishpapermoney.com/

While the coins had the same value as sterling, only the bronze denominations were the same in composition as the UK coins (the farthing, halfpenny and penny).
The threepence and sixpence were made of pure nickel initially, changing to cupro-nickel in 1942. They were larger than the equivalent UK coins, which at the time were minted in 50% silver. The shilling, florin and halfcrown were the same dimensions as the UK coins, but minted from 75% silver rather than 50%. The finer silver was probably used to inspire greater confidence in the currency.

There's a display in the Central Bank's new HQ of the original designs from all the artists who made submissions. The Morbiducci designs were privately minted by the sculptor in bronze and silver and attract large sums when they appear at auction. For my money, Percy Metcalfe's designs were by far the best, and that was the view of the Coinage Design Committee at the time.

6,001 sets were minted in 1928 and they seem to have been still in stock at the Central Bank until 1960, being occasionally used as diplomatic gifts.

I'll finish by directing anyone interested in Irish coins to John Stafford-Langan's pages: http://www.irishcoinage.com/MODCAT.HTM#modsets





4. Livineia 10 denarius

Back to ancient coins

This is another coin I got for its provenance. It was in the Leo Benz Collection and before that, the Martini collection, sold in 1930. Additionally, it's a nice coin with great dark toning!

Moneyer: L. Livineius Regulus
Obv.: REGVLVS·PR. - Head of Regulus right
Rev.: L·LIVINEIVS - Curule chair; on either side, three fasces
Exergue: REGVLVS
Mint: Rome (ca. 42 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 3.69g / 18mm / -
References:

• RSC 10 (Livineia)
• Sydenham 1109
• Crawford 494/27
• HCRI 176
• Banti 5/6 (this coin)

Provenances:

• Ex. Leo Benz Collection
• Ex. CNG 166, 2007 lot 150
• Ex. Lanz 100, 2000, 435
• Ex. J. Martini Collection (Ratto 23, Feb. 1930, lot 745)

Acquisition: Naville Numismatics Online auction NN Live 64 #467 21-Mar-2021



5. Cornelia 65 denarius

I won this back in September 2020, but it took a long time to get an Italian export licence. It was worth waiting for.

Moneyer: L. Cornelius Lentulus
Obv.: L·LENT·C·MARC COS - Head of Apollo right
Rev.: Q - Jupiter standing facing, holding thunderbolt in right hand and eagle in left hand; on left, star; on right, altar decorated with garland
Mint: Illyrium (49 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 4.09g / - / -
References:

• RSC 65 (Cornelia)
• Sydenham 1030
• Crawford 445/2
• HCRI 5
• RBW 1563

Provenances:

• Ex. NAC 52, October 2009, lot 264

Acquisition: Varesi Online auction #169 20-Sep-2020




6. Valeria 10 denarius

I included this because it's a scarce coin, though it's well off-centre and with some banker's marks. Anyway, I like it

Moneyer: L.Valerius Acisculus
Obv.: ACISCVLVS - Head of Apollo right, wearing taenia; above, star; to left, pickaxe; all within laurel wreath
Rev.: L•VALERIVS - Head of Sybil to right; all within laurel wreath
Mint: Rome (45 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 3.54g / 20mm / 1h
References:

• RSC 14 (Valeria)
• Sydenham 1000
• Crawford 474/3a
• RBW 1661

Acquisition: Leu Numismatik Online auction Web Auction 16 #3317 24-May-2021




7. Dodrans

I picked up a couple of unusual denominations this year - a bes and a dodrans. The bes was worth 8 unciae and the dodrans, which has made the list, was worth 9 unciae. The name is a contaction of de quadrans (less a quarter).

The dodrans was only minted on two occasions and this is the second year of minting.

Moneyer: C. Cassius Longinus
Obv.: Draped bust of Vulcan right, wearing laurel-wreathed cap; thongs over left shoulder; behind, S and three pellets
Rev.: C·CASSI / ROMA - Prow right; before, S and three pellets
Mint: Rome (126 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 11.45g / 26mm / 9h
References:

• Sydenham 503
• Crawford 266/2
• Babelon Cassia 2

Provenances:

• From a German Collection

Acquisition: Naville Numismatics Online auction NN Live 65 #354 30-May-2021




8. Fonteia 8 denarius

Coinex in London in September 2021 was the first coin fair I'd been to since February 2020, so I picked up a few books and three coins. Here's one of them, which I'm happy with.

Moneyer: Mn. Fonteius
Obv.: Jugate, laureate heads of Dioscuri right; below chins, *
Rev.: MN·FONTEI - Ship right; below, control mark (D); above and in front, three dots
Mint: Rome (108 or 107 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 3.96g / 20mm / -
References:

• RSC 8 (Fonteia)
• Sydenham 566b
• Crawford 307/1d

Acquisition: Baldwin's Coinex 2021, London 25-Sep-2021




9. Antestia 3 denarius

This is another slightly dubious entry in the top 10, but I got it because it has the dog walking down on the obverse, which is rarer than the dog walking up and the coins with the dog on the obverse are rarer than those with it on the reverse, so that's why it's included here.

Also, I've been looking up some of my coins on Dick Schaefer's RRDP, now housed at the ANS and accessible through CRRO and this is one of several that I've found:
http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b10#schaefer.rrdp.b10_0034

Moneyer: C. Antestius
Obv.: X - Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, dog walking downwards
Rev.: C·ANTESTI - Dioscuri galloping right
Exergue: ROMA
Mint: Rome (146 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 3.84g / - / -
References:

• RSC 3 (Antestia)
• Sydenham 406a
• Crawford 219/1b
• BMCRR 858
• FFC 146

Provenances:

• Bought from Herrero, Dec. 2005

Acquisition: Soler y Llach Online auction 1122 #73 26-Oct-2021
Notes: Dec 29, 21 - On RRDP - "eH54" - Emporium Hamburg, 1954?




10. Segesta didrachm

And finally, a fairly ugly coin, but a recent arrival and I'd wanted a coin of Segesta since 2015 when I went there and wandered around what remains of the Sicilian city (a large unfinished temple and a theatre).

Silver Didrachm
Obv.: Σ[ΕΓΕΣ]ΤΑZ[ΙΒ] - Hound to right, three stalks of barley behind
Rev.: ΣΕΓΕΣΤΑZΙΒ - Head of nymph to right, wearing necklace with lion pendant
Mint: Segesta (ca. 412-400 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 7.26g / 23mm / 12h
References:

• HGC 2, 1151
• Hurter 189
• Jameson 711
• SNG Munchen 861

Provenances:

• "From the inventory of a European dealer"

Acquisition: Roma Numismatics Online auction E-Sale 91 #98 2-Dec-2021





And that's it, roll on 2022. Sadly, it doesn't look like I'll be in NY in 2022 either, but hopefully will be more active after that

Happy New Year, all!
Aidan.

 

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Great pickups Aidan!

Looking closer I really like that 1928 Saorstet Eireann proof set. It's got a charming simplicity to it.

Dog, horse, pig, fish etc.,

As far as the ancients I really like the Syracuse tetradrachm.

Best of luck in your 2022 collecting!

 

Wow! What a nice years collection!...My favs are the #2 Favia a wonderful looking coin both ob and rev...#5 Cornelia is a stunning coin! and lastly#8 the Fonteia..Lovely reverse!....Congrats on a great collecting year Aidan.

 

I didn’t know Yeats weighed in on numismatic designs. Fascinating.

 

Thanks for sharing. Numbers 2, 4, 5, 8 are my favorites. #2 and #5
are really nice. Great write ups!!

 

Very nice pickups, Aidan.

I agree that Syracuse tets are very attractive. My favorites would include your #1, 2 and 8. I like the Apollo portrait of your #2, and I hope to pickup a coin with Roman galley in the future.

 

Same here. I'd like to go, but not this year.
I like your dodrans, S-dot-dot-dot. A 3/4 As is pretty neat!

 

1, 2 & 5 for me. I would have voted for 1 twice if that were an option. But they all have their appeal. VERY nice top 10. But then again, with 74(!!!) new RRs alone added this year (I think that may be more RRs than I have in my entire collection) the coins were stacked in your favor

 

Aidan, Great year for you. Of the ancients I'm most fond of the Cornelia denarius. It is an excellent example in great style and lovely toning in the interstices. I must add that I'm also very impressed with the 1928 proof set. I have always been charmed by Irish coinage, medieval to modern, and occasionally this bug emerges such that I have actively searched for a proof or mint state silver half crown to add to my small world coin collection (to no avail so far).

I have also unfortunately cancelled my plans to attend the NYINC this year. Very disappointing but it just doesn't make sense in the current circumstances.

 

Aiden, You scored some great coins this year ! My favorites are #4, 5, & 3, in that order. Despite the banker's mark #4 is a gem. The portrait is finely engraved, the coin has lovely steel/grey toning & a great old provenance . Aesthetically, the 1928 Eire proof set has some of the finest designs in 20th century coinage . The coins are clearly inspired by Classical, Carthaginian, & Celtic coinage. Despite the tattered condition it's great to have the original presentation case .

 

Beautiful coins with a lot of character. The banker’s marks and graffiti is fascinating and tell a story by themselves. The Irish coins are great.

 

I'd like to attend again.... one day. I was there in 2019 and came away with a Spink coin coloring book, an Abfil tray and a couple of neat coins.

 

I got a great deal on RIC X from Spink there.

ATB,
Aidan.

 

Quick correction to your listing for #8 (Fonteia denarius):
You have the reverse description as: "Rev.: Ship right;..."
It should read as: "Rev.: The coolest rendition of a galley you will ever see on a coin, right;..."

 

I like the effort at 3D

ATB,
Aidan.

 

These are all great Aidan. I voted for your #1, #4 and #5. I love the dark tone of your Livineius Regulus denarius.

 

Awesome, @akeady !

I have always felt Ireland has some of the best “modern” coins!

 

The pre-decimal coins were good, the decimal coins were a bit unbalanced, with a mixture of the old designs on the cupro-nickel and some odd Celtic-inspired designs on the bronzes.

Sadly, since the Euro came in our coins are very bland! Since the pandemic I haven't even used cash much

ATB,
Aidan.

 

Your Syracuse #1 is my favorite: the portrait style is very attractive and the pre-1970 pedigree is a nice addition.

 

I love the style of the Syracuse and Segesta. My other pick was the Fonteius (another one on my want list), with an honorable mention going to the Livineius Regulus and the Cornelius Lentulus... both beautiful coins!