Red_Spork's "I forgot I had these" giveaway (now ENDED)

Well, my favorites are always in flux, depending on my interest and what I've acquired recently. Right now, my favorites are probably these two.

A coin of Julius Caesar seems like one of the quintessential ancients any collector should have. This one isn't in the greatest condition, but I love it for its historical significance: it was struck in a military mint to pay Caesar's troops in North Africa, so it was close to the action so to speak. And while it doesn't have his portrait, the iconography (Venus on one side, Aeneas and his father on the other) is significant to Caesar's personal propaganda, especially in light of how Virgil solidified the ties between Aeneas, Augustus, and the Roman people...


And this Hadrian tetradrachm, while very debased and worn (not to mention poorly photographed), seems like the quintessential Alexandrian coin: how can you get more Egyptian than a mummy? How cool is having a mummy (or at least a mummy god, the composite deity Ptah-Osiris-Sokar) on a coin? It sums up the reason I've been so interested in the exoticism of Alexandrian coins lately.

 

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Thanks for all the kind words everyone, and great entries so far. Some really nice coins have been posted.

 

12 and a half hours left in case anyone else wants to enter

 

It's such a sweet giveaway, red_spork, I might as well throw my hat into the ring!

My most favorite that I have currently is this earlier issue younger portrait Marcus Aurelius As. It's got a deep black patina, some matte black and some with a little lustre, and I also just really like the youthfulness of MA, full of hopes and new philosophies. I also found it an interesting one to ID where most have a reverse legend but this one is simple with no legend with Minerva standing flanked by the S-C.


My second favorite is this recent purchase (previously shared) Hadrian As. First, it was my first Hadrian Imperial (I had already gotten a provencial), and second, it's lusciously green and has a snake! SSSssss!!! How could you not love it!


Yea..... I like me some Roman bronze middle denominations. Good luck to all the other entrants (sp?)! And THANK YOU to RS!

 

I love that mummy, @SeptimusT!!!

 

I've just done the drawing and the winner is... @Ryro!

Please PM me your address and I will get your coins out in the next few days. Thanks all who entered for sharing some great coins.

 

Congrats @Ryro .

 

Way to go, @Ryro!!

 

Congrats Ryro!!

Thanks again for the chance at em and your generosity @red_spork . Good luck on the move as well.

 

Im in. @red_spork

 

What a wonderful surprise to wake up to! Thank you so very much @red_spork!!
They are coming to an ancients loving home. I'll make sure to catalog them and show them off to our CT friends as often as possible.
Again, a BIG THANK YOU!

 

Congrats @Ryro!

 

Way to go, Ryro!

Thanks for an awesome giveaway, Red_spork!

Erin

 

Congratulations on your win @Ryro and a big thanks to the generosity of @red_spork ! It's these kinds of members and their generosity that make the CoinTalk ancient section such a pleasure to interact with.

 

NLL mentioned Aurelian. Here some extremely limited info. He ruled 270-275, having succeeded Claudius. Aurelian had chosen a military career. Allegedly, he was very severe, even cruel. In 275, preparing to cross the Bosphorus, he was murdered, instigated by his private secretary, Eros, and perpetrated by members of his praetorian guard. He had achieved much in his 5 years of rule, and was beloved by his army. Tacitus succeeded him.

 

Congrats @Ryro

 

Alright @Ryro !

 

congrats!