This year, Moneta has provided me with coins I never imagined I would own any time soon. I was able to check off all the coins from my long-time bucket list. While I don't usually focus much on provenance, this time I was a bit more conscious of it. If the ownership history wasn't available upon request, I made an extra effort to track down previous auction results or, when possible, die matches for some of my coins. As you will see, my list is not focused on one particular area, but spans multiple regions and time periods, so buckle-up! Here we go: 10: Vespasian Judaea Capta Denarius I wouldn't necessarily call it my 'favourite' coin per se for what it represents, but it is definitely one of the most historically significant pieces in my collection, adding a certain 'weight' to it. Beyond that, I really appreciate the even wear, the youthful bust of Vespasian, and the strong exergue on the reverse. Vespasian AR Denarius. 18mm, 3,02g Rome Mint, 69-70 AD RIC II.1 2; BMCRE 35; RSC 226. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head to right. Rev: Judaea seated to right against trophy (legs extended type); IVDAEA in exergue. Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd E-Sale 112, 7 Sep 2023, lot 911. Ex Biga Numismatics Online Auction 12, Nov 2022, lot 274. 9: Diocletian Argenteus The argenteus denomination has always fascinated me. It was such a short-lived type, why did this coin fail, while the siliqua endured for so long? Why isn't there a standard weight for the argenteus?, non counting clipping, I've seen non-billon, solid silver argenteii range from under 2g to over 4g. So many questions! It's also a coin that proudly marks the division of an empire. Diocletian Ar Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVS AVG, laureate head of Diocletian facing right. Rev: VIRTVS MILITVM, the four Tetrarchs sacrificing over a tripod, before a Roman camp gate, E mint mark below. 2.18g, 286-305 AD. Kampmann 119.78. Ex Christoph Gärtner auction 45, lot 4098, Oct 2019. 8: Aegina Turtle Stater Who doesn't love turtles? The issue with this type, though, is that they’re incredibly expensive, even for a worn, off-centered example. Luckily, I managed to get mine at a good price. I've always wanted a genuine turtle ever since I got a fake one, and as an added bonus, it comes from the collection of a well-known Australian numismatist. Aegina Ar Stater 500-490/480 BC 17mm, 11.85g Obv: Smooth shell sea turtle. Rev: Proto-skew incuse pattern (stylistic representation of the plastral scutes?) Asyut Group VIc 'late thin collar', cf.533-540, Sear 1857, SNG Delepierre 1681. Ex Colin E. Pitchfork. Ex Spinks Numismatic Circular, February 1984. 7: Marcus Aurelius Denarius It's a common coin, but sometimes you just see one and know you have to have it. I love the strike, the details, and the overall toning of this denarius. Marcus Aurelius Ar Denarius 2.94g Obv- Laureate bust of Marcus Aurelius right "M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVI" Rev- Roma seated left, holding victory and a spear, shield to her side. "IMP VI COS III" RSC 280 6: United States of America 1911 $5 A bit of an odd one out, but I've always wanted the iconic incused Indian Head gold coin, and I was able to acquire this one. It's also my first piece of American gold, making it deserving of a spot on this list. United States of America 5 Dollars 8.53g, 1911 AD. Minted under the presidency of William Howard Taft, Philadelphia mint. Obv- Indian head wearing a war bonnet, facing left in an incused design and the date below and stars around the rim. Rev- Eagle standing on arrows and olive sprig. 5: Otacilia Severa Antoninianus, 1000th Year Anniversary of Founding of Rome I got this coin only for the hippopotamus, not just any, but the most realistically looking hippo I could find on such a coin! Otacilia Severa Ar Antoninianus Obv: Diademed and draped bust to right of Otacilia Severa, on crescent, around OTACIL SEVERA AVG. Rev: Hippopotamus standing to right, around SAECVLARES AVGG, in exergue IIII, (RIC 116b, C.63, S.2633). Celebrating the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome. 248 AD, 4.47g. Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 49 (lot 2257), Nov 1995. Ex D.J.Foster Collection Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 109 (lot 3877), Jul 2015. Ex Status International - Auction 389, Lot 11305, Jun 2024. Double-die match to the following examples: 1. Numismatik Naumann, Auction 138, lot 723. 2. cgb.fr Internet Auction July 2022, lot 175. 4: Anonymous Kahavanu My first purchase of the year, a coin I've been wanting to add for five years. While it's not a rare issue, this one has always managed to elude me. What I especially like about it is the sharp strike and its overall eye appeal. Ceylon anonymous gold Kahavanu Type III-B 20 mm, 4.28 g Period of Chola invasion (970-1070 AD) Obverse: The depiction showcases a standing king facing right, adorned with a pointed crown. The king holds a lotus in his right hand and points at the Shrivatsa symbol with his left hand. A degenerate coconut palm tree is situated on the far left. The king is attired in a wavy Dhoti, characterized by two curved lines on either side and one line in between the legs, resembling tentacles and earning the moniker 'octopus man.' The king stands on a lotus plant stalk with a small circle in the center, concluding on the left in a conch shell and featuring a lotus bud on the right. Five pellets to the right, meaning 'Pala-Panca', Panca meaning 5, denoting 5 Pala coins weighing 1.10g each. While 5 of those coins weigh more than the Kahavanu itself, earlier types have only 4 dots, that would make 4 Palas equal 1 kahavanu (Probably a result of inflation). Reverse: Seated king facing right, with his left hand resting on his left leg and his right hand holding a conch shell. His right leg rests on a couch or bed-like throne known as asana. On the right side of the field, a Devanagari legend is inscribed in three lines, reading Sri Lan Ka Vi Ha. In these coins, Viha denotes the value, equivalent to 20 Silver Massas. 3: Marc Antony/ Julius Caesar Denarius Let’s return to Rome, or more accurately, the Cis-Alpine. Here’s a 2-in-1 coin featuring portraits of both Marc Antony and Julius Caesar. I also appreciate the clear legends "Caesar Dic" next to Caesar's bust. Mark Antony & Julius Caesar denarius Obv: M. ANTON. IMP. R. P. C., (Marcus Antonius Imperator Rei Publicae Constituandae) [Imperator for] the Restoration of the Government), bare head of Mark Antony right; lituus behind. Rev: CAESAR DIC, (Caesar Dictator), laureate head of Julius Caesar right; capis behind. Ar denarius, 43 BC. (18 mm, 3.55 g, 10h). Military mint traveling with Antony in Cisalpine Gaul. Crawford 488/2; CRI 123; Sydenham 1166; RSC 3. Ex Savoca 98th Blue Auction, Lot 1092, (March 2021). 2: Raja Raja Kahavanu What's better than an anonymous Kahavanu? The much rarer version issued by Arulmoli Varman, better known as Raja Raja Chola. His copper coin was my very first ancient/medieval coin, and adding one in gold has always been a priority for me in this hobby, and I'm thrilled to have accomplished that this year. Raja Raja Chola AV Kahavanu Chola Empire 985-1014 AD 20 mm, 4.24 g Ceylon type, period of Chola invasion. Obverse & Reverse are the same as the anonymous Kahvanu, except the title SRI RAJA RAJA replaces SRI LANKA VIHA on the reverse. Codrington 104; Mitchiner 729; Biddulph 5. Ex Heritage Auctions Europe, Auction 82, Lot 7499 (May 2024). Ex Podlaski Gabinet Numizmatyczny Marek Melcer, June 2024. 1: Titus as Caesar Aureus The crown jewel of my collection, my dream coin: a Roman Aureus. It was a tough decision, torn between purchasing this or using the funds for other coins. But I felt the time was right, so I bit the bullet and made the purchase. I absolutely love the heft, centering, portrait, honest wear, and especially the butting bull reverse. Titus under Vespasian Aureus Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN. Head of Titus, laureate, right. Rev: COS IIII. Bull butting right, lashing his tail, left. AD 75, 7.09 g, 20 mm. RIC II.1 780 (Vespasian), Biaggi 361 (same rev die), Calicó 731. Ex H.D. Rauch E-Auction 43, Lot 423. 3-7 Apr 2024. Ex Numismatika Pešek (Ma-shops, Apr 2024). Reverse die matches to the following examples: Example 1 is a coin from the Boscoreale Hoard sold by H.D. Rauch Auction 102, Lot 55. 7-10 Nov 2016. Example 2 from the Bertolami Fine Art E-Auction 92, Lot 1179. 2-6 Oct 2020 Example 3 from Roma Numismatics Auction XXIII, Lot 889. 24-25 Mar 2022 Thank you for taking a look! Choose your top picks or comment on the ones that catch your eye from the group shot. Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Here’s a group shot of my top 10 picks, along with other coins I acquired this year. Although I purchased the Caligula sestertius last December, I only received it in January.
All excellent picks, I think I would agree with you that the Titus aureus is the standout. Congrats on these additions!
I voted for 8, 7, and 1 with 7 being my favorite of the lot. That one is most pleasing to the eye for me.
Great additions JayAg, If it wasn't for a thread last week about the Cholas I would have never known anything about them. Your Raja Raja Chola is my fav.
I voted for the Titus aureus/ and the two Lankan AV Kahavanus. I find them hilarious/ most goofy designs ever. I have 9 in my collection from AV Fanams/ Akas/ fractions. Merry Christmas! John
