I'm sure I'm not the only one here to have a collection focus that has a beginning and end in what can be collected. Mine is Roman Republican, mostly silver. The actual end of the series is not necessarily perfectly agreed by all. Some seem to feel it ends with the rise of Julius Caesar, some the Battle of Actium, and others the conferment of the title Augustus to Octavian. Being a big fan of Imperatorial issues, I end my collection with Augustus and here's my set stopper with the earliest provenance picture and the latest. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Denarius (3.60 g, 6h). Spanish mint (Colonia Patricia?). Struck 17-16 BC. Bare head right / Capricorn right, holding globe attached to rudder between front hooves; cornucopia on its back. RIC I 126; RSC 21; BMCRE 346-348 = BMCRR Rome 4374-4376; BN 1266-1267. Gorny & Mosch Auction 207, Oct 15, 2012 Lot 558 (pictured); Adolph Hirsch 1955, Lot 462; Munzhandlung Basel 6, March 18, 1936 Lot 1522 (pictured). Let's see your set stoppers!
Wow, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your coins! Not being a traditional "set" collector, I don't have a set stopper-- unless you count the last coin I bought for my set "Pink Floyd Animals on Ancient Coins".
I've added more coins since the initial collection was "finished". (Finished? What is that??) http://prezi.com/q7mw1k1zur65/pink-floyd-animals/
I'm not sure I understand. Is the Augustus denarius in your possession, or has it stopped you from completing a set?
It's mine. It's my only Augustus and acts as a final coin for the Roman Republican series after my post Actium Octavian's.
It's not like the collection is done...or could really ever be in my lifetime. I just don't collect beyond that Augustus. I usually don't even look at the Imperial section of catalogues unless it's one of those auction houses that includes Imperatorial in Imperial.
And TIF, love the Animals collection. Big PF fan here. I remember being on a train in London many years ago and rolling past the factory used for the album cover and being shocked it actually existed. I didn't know it was real! I think I recall you posting something about your Animals collection at Forvm, which is where I usually slum around. I have to say, I'm really enjoying the more laid back nature of this forum vs Forvm.
FORVM is more like a library. CT is the den where we chum about with a wee dram and a cigar. It's all good.
As a fairly broad collector of Greek and Roman coins, I've currently set a somewhat arbitrary end to my collection - the Millennial anniversary of Rome - represented by this sestertius minted by Philip the Arab:
Nice coin and great place to stop, AJ. A 1000 years should give you plenty of room to work on the Roman section of your collection!
Some members new to CT may not know that I have a substantial Nabataean type set, a collecting specialty of mine. There is a very clear set-stopper, this bronze of Rabbel II, minted AD 105/6. It is the last coin minted by the Nabataeans as an independent kingdom. Trajan annexed the empire as Provincia Arabia in 106...
@Carthago that is a gorgeous coin. Wonderful accomplishment. What is your next subset to complete? As of yet, I have no "stoppers" as I am a novice to collecting ancients. However, as I learn, I can see no stoppers for me! Or, perhaps my STOPPER will be the last coin that they pry from my dead hands.
I focus on Roman Republican because I have loved their history even as a teen. Just a fascinating time in human history. In the last several years I have branched out into their coins as placemarkers for those histories. Your captures have been fun and impressive to see as you post them. Generally, mine are more worn, but I enjoy the fact that the wear reflects the people of the Republican times have used and transacted the currency. All wonderful stuff!
I totally agree and collect the series for much the same reasons. I find it fascinating to study the massive change that occurred as the Republic slid off the cliff into perpetual dictatorship and how you can watch it occur over 20 years of Imperatorial coinage. Plus, the various designs are fascinating and offer a lot of variety to the series.