And, not to be completely one-note, one of my favorites from my now-dispersed Imperial collection. Note the Medusa on the breastplate:
I've been watching this thread and looking at all the wonderful coins everyone has posted. Like many I think it's a daunting task to consider any one coin to be the favorite and there is no way I could make a decision and be held to it...so far. Like @stevex6 my favorite will change probably about anytime I sit down and think about it. So here's the current favorite: Caracalla, AD 198-217 AE30, 14.9g, 7h; Thrace, Pautalia. Obv.: AVT K MAVP CEV ANTONEINOC, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: OVΛΠIAC ΠAVTAΛIAC, Asklepios standing front, looking left, leaning on serpent-entwined staff.
Superb posts everyone.!!!! It's been said before: I'd have to subdivide my favorites in so many ways----Greek, Roman etc etc.....and I'd still have immense difficulties choosing among them just like everyone else. Once you accumulate several hundred(s) each one has something about it that makes it a 'favorite' LOL
The slabbing gives them a more authentic look than one in a flip or even a round capsule. I've tried the Everslab capsules and they look too amateur. It's important to me that the person I'm giving one of these coins believes that it's real—without question. I believe they're real and people pick up on that. They can hear it in my voice and see it in my face. Thank you for your encouraging comments, TIF!
This non portrait denarius of Vespasian is absolutely my favourite coin in my collection. It's a former 'dream coin' I never thought I'd see in trade, let alone be able to acquire. Vespasian AR Denarius, 2.84g Rome mint, 74 AD RIC 688 (R), BMC 147, RSC 569 Obv: IMP CAESAR in exergue; Vespasian stg. r., with branch and sceptre, in quadriga r. Rev: VESP AVG across field; Victory on prow r., with wreath and palm Ex Nomos Obolos 4, 21 February 2016, lot 575. Ex GH Collection. Ex Superior Galleries, The Moreira sale, Part II, 10-11 December 1988, lot 2374.
Here is part of the little blurb I wrote about the piece when I purchased it earlier this year: This denarius is so rare I have only been able to locate six other examples, all of which are in public collections: BM 3 examples (one plated), Paris (obv die match with mine), Berlin (rev die match with mine), and ANA NY. Curtis Clay has kindly informed me of several other examples offered at auction: "Glendining, 1952, Ryan Part 5, part of lot 2147, not illustrated, 'only fine but rare.' Perhaps the same coin as Trau Sale, 1935, lot 625, pl. 8: a worn example. Stack's, Knobloch, May 1980, lot 300. VF, but small edge chip (the ANA NY coin). Leu, April 1982, lot 327, VF."
WOW, I was not aware that AR Imperials were struck without portraits! NICE! GREAT CAPTURE V70!!! I can see why that is your favorite! Favorite of MINE now!
Another coin which is very high on my list of favorites: Katane, Sicily, AR tetradrachm, c 464-450 BC, 26 mm, 17.31 g Among the finest of fewer than 20 specimens known. Purchased 6 January 2015, CNG Triton XVIII, Lot 355. ex Numismatica Ars Classica 64, 17 May 2012, lot 673. ex Phoenix Art Museum Collection, CNG Triton II, 1 December 1998, lot 171. From the Orme Lewis, Sr. Collection. From the Randazzo, Sicily Hoard, 1979/80 (CH VII, 17), Plate 3, 50.
A brand new day deserves a brand new favourite, eh? Lucius Axius L.f. Naso AR Denarius Rome mint 70 BC Diameter: 18 mm Weight: 4.04 grams Obverse: Helmeted head of Mars right, wearing crested helmet with plumes; XV¯ to left Reverse: Diana driving biga of stags right; behind, two dogs running right; below, dog running right Reference: Crawford 400/1b; Sydenham 795; Axia 2 Other: 4h … toned, banker’s mark on cheek. Rare Hey, that reminds me => Christmas is just around the bend!!
Hard to nail it down to one coin, but if I had to... https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinView.aspx?PeopleSetCoinID=1303777
Well, if I had to choose a favorite this evening, the choice is obvious. I'm still giddy with joy over this coin. I can't believe I finally own one of these. I always thought it would take me several years before I found one at a decent price and decent state of preservation. I was wrong...and I'm so happy I was.
This is an awesome piece, I was an underbidder. I'm very glad it found its way into such a great collection.