2017, Top 3 Potin Picks, Egypt

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by TJC, Dec 9, 2017.

  1. TJC

    TJC Well-Known Member

    2017, 3 Top Potin Picks
    OK, full discloser; I only purchased 3 potins this year. But stick around anyway since you have already clicked on this thread:)

    My focused, 2017, 3rd century coin quest has led me to an even more focused Gallienus quest. Which then led me to the purchase of these 3 Gallienus Potin or if you prefer Billon Alexandrian Tetradrachms from Egypt.

    Gallienus Potin #1: Prepare yourself, this first coin has suffered some genuine abuse but I welcome it to my collection for a couple of reasons. First because it has an excellent portrait and strong legends despite the rough surfaces, second because it is the harder to find regnal year 9, especially a regnal year 9 denoted with an actual “ϴ” (theta) rather than the more commonly spelled out or additive variations for the same year. I have not found another example in my searching. I had to ask a friend to look it up in his Emmet book to ID it. (Thanks David!)

    It seems that ϴ was often not used because ϴ is the first letter of the word “Θάνατος”, which means "death". See here: https://www.cointalk.com/members/voulgaroktonou.84047/
    See here for regnal year variations: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=greek%20dates

    As for the post minting damage, I suspect a jeweler’s saw at work here. It is a true shame to see such damage to this coin and I would much rather the coin be fully intact but… it is not.
    Which brings me to the forth reason I welcome this coin:
    I like it!:happy: Despite the abuse it has suffered, I like it!!:D
    GallienusPotin449xO4.jpg GallienusPotin449xR.jpg
    Gallienus, Alexandria, Egypt
    Potin Tetradrachm
    O: Laureate bust rt. AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB (A VT K P LIK GALLIHNOC CEB)
    Rx. Alexandria standing left, with scepter, holding bust of Serapis
    L – Theta, Regnal Year -9 (261-262). 23mm, 9.99 grams. Emmett 3793


    Gallienus Potin #2: This next potin has just right amount of grit and great surfaces to be given the TJC seal of approval! Add to this a strong portrait and fairly obverse legends then I am even a bigger fan. Often times these Tets of Gallienus (and others) have seriously hard to read legends. As for the reverse, I must say Eirene is winning me over. Maybe the strike is bit week around the palm and olive branch from a worn die but she is still attractive in my book.
    GallienusPotEirene449xO1_edited-1.jpg GallienusPotEirene449xR1.jpg
    Gallienus, Alexandria, Egypt
    Potin Tetradrachm
    O: Laureate bust rt. AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB (A VT K P LIK GALLIHNOC CEB)
    Rx: Eirene standing left, holding olive branch and scepter, palm branch in left field
    L IΓ, Regnal Year 13 (265-266). 9.76 grams, 22.5 mm. Emmett 3810, Curtis 1597.


    Gallienus Potin #3: I have almost purchased this type 3 or 4 times before. I passed on one in Anaheim last year at the ANA show that I was regretting not pulling the trigger on. I really like the reverse of this type with eagles wings spread below the wreath, LIB within; It’s got style!:happy: Each time I have come across one I have held off for various reasons: often times because of price, other times because of surfaces, poor legends, details of eagle were mushy, wreath was to mushy, vergis, etc, etc… then in November at a coin show I ran into this one! I am glad I passed on all of those previous examples. This one is just right for me! Great surfaces & color, off center enough to add style while centered enough not to lose any legend or detail that I care about, strong detailed strike, a very cool die crack at 10:00, and, and…yeah I like it!:D This one will certainly be making it into my top 10 of 2017.:happy:
    GallienusWreathEagleO3x449_edited-1.jpg GallienusWreathEagleR1x449_edited-1.jpg
    Gallienus of Alexandria.
    Potin Tetradrachm
    O: Laureate cuirassed bust right, AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB,
    Rx: Eagle standing facing, head left, wings spread, supporting wreath above, palm branch in left field
    LIB within wreath (Year 12 = 264-265 AD.) 9.7 grams, 22.5 mm. Emmett 3809.

    Share your Tets!:)
     
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  3. Smojo

    Smojo dreamliner

    #3 is fave.
    I need to add some more Alexandrian tets, can never have enough
     
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  4. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Couple of really nice Gallienus portraits. great Tets, congrats.
     
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  5. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Nice to see tets other then mine. Most of the time I get few comments.

    Great coins, I admit I couldn’t live with number one. But I have dogs others wouldn’t want and I like.
     
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  6. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    I agree, the eagle is awesome. But the Θ is also a great find, despite the damage! Are there emperors for whom these are more common, or are they scarce for all?
     
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  7. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    Here is a tenth anniversary tetradrachm of Gallienus:

    GallienusEgyptDEKA.jpg
    24 mm. 11.28 grams.
    ΔEKA/ETHPI/CKY/PIOY
    Dekaeteris Kyriou
    Decennalia of the lord
    LI = year 10, of course.
    Emmett 3840.
    Milne 4081. Giessen 2915
     
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  8. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    I like the third one. That eagle is great.
     
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  9. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I agree the first has modern damage and see no explanation for it. Otherwise I would love to find a coin of the type and date. Mine is a more normal 'nine' spelled out to avoid the theta. pa2585bb2871.jpg
     
  10. TJC

    TJC Well-Known Member

    Great Tet! Clear portrait and legends; nice eye appeal! Year 10 for Gallienus is on my hit list since he is only emperor between Severus Alexander and Diocletian to attain the DEKA mark. I am also on the hunt for a year 8 which coincides with the usurpation of Egypt by Mussius Aemilianus.

    Nice one! Like that original green patina.
     
  11. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    I really like all three but my fav is the eagle as well---it's wonderful and definitely eye candy!!:)
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2017
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  12. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    Three winners! I would keep the first one for the rare theta, but I would be careful handling it. Don't want to tempt Thanatos.

    :)
     
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  13. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    Oops, I forgot to post my best of the type (and apparently still my sole example;))---Claudius Gothicus

    Claudius II Tet Potin Tet Alexandria  year I.jpg
     
  14. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    I have a few tets so far. This one is Diocletian, who laid siege to Alexandria in 298 due to the usurpers Domitius Domitianus and his successor Achilleus. Achilleus was put to death by Diocletian following the sack of the city, when Diocletian promised that he would decimate the population until the rivers of blood reached his horse's knees.

    diocles1.jpg

    diocles2.jpg
     
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  15. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I have 3 ex Dattari Egyptian tets. 2 are plate coins from Salvio-Dattari.

    They are in order: Gallienus, Vespasian, Antoninus Pius

    Dattari_Gallienus_NN_lot_438.jpg
    Vespasian Dattari.jpg

    A Pius diobol Dattari.jpg
     
  16. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    This is my only Ex Dattari:

    upload_2017-12-9_15-11-46.png
    RI Alexandria Livia, w Augustus Diobol CE 1-2 Æ 23.5mm 7.46g. Rev. Athena holding Nike Sheild ex Dattari-Savio Pl. 3 60-this coin RPC pag. 692-5-this coin RARE
    (Sorry, not a Tet)
     
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