Here it is, folks. I decided against a top five list and will show my top favorite coin of all. I love this coin above all the others in my collection. I started collecting ancients around May of this year and I have 41 ancients (including the 11 uncleaned coins Victor Clark sent me to try cleaning - I hope to post photos of my progress with those over the holidays if clients will agree to settle down). Do I love it the best because it is so chocolate with a peanut butter patina? Nope. Because Tyche is veiled and I have no other coin with a veil? No. Because is says COL on reverse and that reminds me of croc coins? Uh uh. Because the king is so darn handsome and Tyche so beautiful? Naw. Because the coin feels so heavy in my hand? Not that either. Because it has a bust on both sides and I didn’t have one like that yet? Nope. I love the coin for all of those reasons, but that is not the reason I adore it above all the other coins that came into my collection this year. I honestly can not imagine that this coin will not still be my favorite at the end of 2018. Somehow, I feel I do not need another coin. This one fills me up completely. Septimius Severus, AD 193-211. Æ26, 8.9g, 12h; SYRIA. Heliopolis. Obv.: IMP L S-EV PERT AVG; Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: COL HEL; Turreted, veiled and draped bust of Tyche left, branch and cornucopiae at shoulder. Reference: BMC I, Sawaya 84
Fantastic #1 Coin! Great patina, cool reasons, and just a great overall coin. CONGRATS on you new foray into Ancients Collecting. Personally, I REALLY enjoy this side of Coin Collecting... My Tyches: Roman Empire Publius Quinctilius Varus 5-4 BCE AE20 8.0g Tetrachalkon Obv: Zeus Rev: Tyche Orontes Mint: Antioch Yr ZK Ref: RPC 4252 SNG Cop 92 "When Augustus heard of the disaster, he tore his clothes and screamed: "Varus, bring back my legions!" " Cilicia - Tarsos turret counterstamped Bow Pompei Pirates AE 19 164 BCE Tyche-Zeus seated
Thank you all for liking my coin and for showing your own beauties! i wanted to respond to each of you but every time I came and saw my coin I could not find words. Very little affects me that way. (Hey! I heard that! You all are going to take turns sending a picture of it to me each morning?! LoL. Niiice.)
Brutal? Well, yes, my king and Tyche are facing towards each other and I think that helps give my coin a romantic, gentle feel. There is nothing brutal about my coin. But the king is strong and serious. I like your coin, too.
Yes. That is what I meant. I did not express myself well. I was looking for the brutality in your coin and I do see the “hardness” in the king’s features and expression. And your Tyche looks like she has not had a completely easy time of it! . Still, I like your coin. It has a certain flavor.
Lovely coin @LaCointessa! I can see why it would be your favourite. Tyche also shows up on denarii struck at Ephesus under Vespasian. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.28g Ephesus Mint, 71 AD RIC 1434 (R). BMC 459 var. RSC 293 var. RPC 835 (14 spec.) var. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS III TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: PACI ORB TERR AVG; Bust of woman, draped, wearing crown of towers, r.; EPHE in l. field Acquired from Künker, June 2016. Ex Nudelman Numismatica Auction 10, 13 June 2011, lot 46.
It looks like your Tyche is veiled also @Cucumbor; and, the more time I spend time with your coin, the more I like it. The king has a very musclebound neck. Or is he wearing a garment I have never seen before?
Thank you@Panzerman! Nope! I won't be posting more favorites for 2017. This is my absolute fave for this year! I don't think one of your coins could nudge this one out of its first place position!! (Now, that's saying something!).