Tiberius; AD 14-37 AE As; 27mm/11.5g Obv: TI CAESAR AVGVST F IMPERAT-OR V, bare head right Rev: PONTIFEX TRIBVN POTESTATE XII around large S C. (RIC I 470, Cohen 27)
Emperor Heraclius and Constantine III Gold Solidus (!!!!!) aEF, 4.336 g., 19.3mm., Constantinople mint, 639-641 C.E.
I'm afraid I'm being drawn in to the world of ancients. I know it will be expensive, but how cool they are. This is Peloponnesus 400-300 BC
My newest acquisition & sadly, my only ancient so far in 2014! Egypt, Ptolemy II (r. 283 - 246 BCE), AE-47, 98.1 grams Supposedly these are not terribly common in this size, although their lighter counterparts (65 grams & less) are among the most common & cheapest large module ancients. This was a struck coin, but the pit in the center was used to help machine the cast planchlet prior to striking. As you may imagine striking 47 mm coins in the 3rd century BC posed problems for the dies. Yes I know the on-line sources seem to indicate Ptolemy III but I've been advised that the consensus of research indicates Ptolemy II. I suppose we're all waiting for the new book by Catharine Lorber.
Thanks, I've gotten fond of large coins. My only heavier one is my Aes Graves As which is 258 grams. This one just beat out my medallion of Caracalla which was 45mm dia but probably lighter than 98 grams.
Well, the earlier sestersii were around 28 grams, later declining to 20 grams around the time of Commodus I think. Eventually I think they may have been lighter around the time of Gallienus. Of course the very early sestersii during the Republic were quite light but these were made of high purity silver. After many years of collecting Ancients I got my first Aes Grave quite recently. Pictures do not do these coins justice. In person & held in one's hand they are very impressive. Also I've done some coin displays and do a display when I do Boy Scout merit badge classes. I've gotten used to coins which look impressive in a display case. Thus a sesterius is more impressive than a quadrans. Also when I was single, long ago, I had a display of Roman coins in a hangable display case in my apt in Houston. I had a Julius Caesar portrait, a sesterius of Caligula, possibly my Republican Quadrigatus and a bunch of other Roman pieces. Now you can probably buy a 67 gram nice Egyptian bronze quite cheaply. These were made late 3rd century BC, just after Egypt became independent again. They are possibly the cheapest "large module" ancient coins around, but are quite interesting although not yet fully researched.
I know a bit about early sestersii. I only avoided them for awhile due to bronze disease issues in the past. Plus I had a crispina dupondius that turned out fake only because the edge was filed and white metal showed. This was a coin from heritage mind you! Got the rebate though. Thats very cool you get to display your stuff for scouts. I enjoy sharing, which I am glad I can do online. I will acquire a big Egyptian bronze like that in time. I usually buy whatever I like & in my budget at the given time.
So true...you know my Modus operandi well. That's why it is "one day", I am focusing on all my missing CAC Type coins, but I want an Ancient along with a few key moderns. I bought a toned Kennedy recently, and paid a 3x toning premium (no CAC). Do...Not....Be...tempted.
jello => here is a pretty good link showing a whole lotta those Alex III examples (good luck hunting) http://www.cngcoins.com/Search.aspx?PAGE_NUM=&PAGE=1&TABS_TYPE=2&CONTAINER_TYPE_ID=1&IS_ADVANCED=1&ITEM_DESC=alexander+III+tetradrachm&ITEM_IS_SOLD=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_1=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_3=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_2=1 .... note that there are multiple tabs and auction types (enjoy)