Welcome all to the well earned triumph of our 2018 CoinTalk Imperator! What a game this year! We literally doubled our tournament size and saw some truly amazing entries and write ups along the way. Every player truly brought their A game! The Triumph Even for those members who are not lovers of Roman history like many of us ancient collectors you may still recall from @Alegandron 's triumph last year that a triumph was a civic and religious event held in Ancient Rome to celebrate an individual for an important victory. Before we get to all that, however, let's recognize all the participants in this year's tournament that made it such a fun and successful event! The Brave 32@Ajax @Justin Lee @Clavdivs @Roman Collector @Theodosius @Nicholas Molinari @FitzNigel @AnYangMan @Ancient Aussie @Milesofwho @Parthicus @Ryro @ancient coin hunter @MontCollector @Dafydd @Jwt708 The Spectacular 16@dougsmit @Bing @frankjg @Terence Cheesman @TypeCoin971793 @BenSi @TheRed @panzerman The Elite 8@zumbly @Ryro @Jay GT4 @iamtiberius And finally, standing proudly on the digital winners podium... The Final 4!Our finals participants prove what a global event this year's tournament was as all four come from different countries spread all across the world. Bronze Medal - Representing France - the only participant to make the podium both this year and last year. A great asset to the forum and a good friend - @Cucumbor Silver Medal - Representing Greece - A new collector who took the tournament by storm and proved that you don't have to have multiple years of experience to enjoy collecting and have great taste in coins - @Pavlos Electrum Medal - Representing Canada - One of the bright stars of the tournament who faced down a grueling path to victory and delivered beautiful coins and compelling write ups in every single round! - @Severus Alexander Gold Medal and 2018 Imperator - Representing the USA - Finishing off a masterful game with a flourish, showing the wide breadth of her interest and knowledge in ancient and medieval coins, our 2018 winner - ALL HAIL IMPERATOR CAESAR @ancientcoinguru!!! It was customary for the ancient Roman Triumphator to parade the spoils of his victory in front of the Roman people during his triumph to enhance his prestige. Our Imperator, in her infinite magnanimity, would never dream to flaunt her spoils so garishly as all that... Whoa how did this picture get in here In any case I thought it would be worthwhile to showcase the fantastic coins and write ups that led our Imperator to victory. Round 1 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/poll-4-4-ancientcoinguru-vs-29-theodosius-round-1-cit-2018.320615/ The Perrhaiboi (also spelled Perrhaebi) Ca. 450-400 B.C. Thessaly, Olosson or Phalanna mint. AR trihemiobol (14 mm, 1.04 g, 3 h) Obv: Warrior on horseback, wearing petasos and holding two lances, riding left; below, small altar. Rev: Π-[E]-P-A, Athena seated left, holding helmet; all within incuse square. Reference: BCD Thessaly II 547. Provenance: Ex BCD Collection Round 2 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/poll-21-4-ancientcoinguru-vs-13-frankjg-round-2-cit-2018.322085/ KINGS of THRACE. Rhoemetalkes I 11 BC-12 AD Minted in Thrace AE25 – 12.72 grams Obv: BΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΡΟΙΜΕΤΑΛΚΟΥ, Jugate busts of Rhoemetalkes I and his Queen Pythodoris right. Rev: ΚΑΙΣΑΡΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ, Jugate busts of Augustus and Livia right, before Capricorn holding globe Reference: SGIC 5397, RPC I 1708, Youroukova 185. Round 3 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/poll-25-4-ancientcoinguru-vs-21-ryro-round-3-cit-2018.322856/ CRUSADER Cyprus 1310-1324 Henry II (second reign) AR gros 4.34gm - 16mm Obv: Henry II seated on curule chair, with foreparts of lions at sides, facing, cloak fastened with brooch on his right shoulder; holding a scepter in his right hand and a globus cruciger in his left "hENRI REI DE" Rev: Cross of Jerusalem "+IERUSALEM E DE ChIPR" Reference: CCS 52 Semifinal https://www.cointalk.com/threads/semifinal-2-4-ancientcoinguru-vs-24-pavlos-cit-2018.324552/ 16 BC Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) Struck by L. Vinicius L.f. Moneyer Rome mint AR denarius 3.72g - 19.50 mm Obv: Equestrian statue of Augustus riding right on a low square pedestal inscribed S.P.Q.R/IMP/CAES in three lines; all before city wall with arched entrance. Rev: Cippus inscribed in six lines S.P.Q.R./IMP.CAE/QVOD.V/M.S.EX/EA.P.QIS/AD.A.DE Reference: RIC632, RSC 543, SR1618 Championship https://www.cointalk.com/threads/championship-4-ancientcoinguru-vs-27-severus-alexander.325787/ SKYTHIA, Olbia, Danubian District later 5th-4th century BC AE 69 - 117.01 gm [cast coinage] Obv: Gorgoneion facing, of archaic style, with tongue protruding Rev: Sea eagle flying r., dolphin in talons, A-P-I-X around. Reference: SNG BM Black Sea-383, Anochin-168, SNG Stancomb-343, Sears 1682. 2018 Imperator Charity As with last year's tournament I pledge a donation to the charity of our Imperator 's choice. I have to say that that I think the charity chosen is especially appropriate. In the last several years many of our fellow CT friends have been seriously affected by natural disasters such as the devastating Hurricane Maria that hit Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in 2017, Hurricane Harvey that devastated parts of the Gulf Coast in 2017 and Hurricane Florence that affected much of the Atlantic Coast in 2018 (and many other such disasters too numerous to name!). Recovery from such events can take years and, unfortunately, the international spotlight often moves on long before the recovery is over, inadvertently taking a lot of much needed assistance with it. As such, our wise and noble Imperator has decreed that this year the charity to receive the pledged donation of $50 will be... All Hands and Hearts - Smart Response is dedicated to helping address the long term needs of those affected by natural disasters. They have many programs active to help with the recovery of many of the disasters I mentioned plus many more. You can take a look through their active programs at the below link to get a sense of how broad their mission is. https://www.allhandsandhearts.org/our-programs/ I chose to donate to general Hurricane relief in honor of ancientcoinguru and CoinTalk. My donation will also be matched by my employer which brings the total up to: $100 for AHAH-SR (the whole name's a mouth full) Below you can read the mission statement of this worthy charity: All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response efficiently and effectively addresses the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. By listening to local people, and deploying our unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, we rebuild safe, resilient schools, homes and other community infrastructure. Through volunteer and community engagement, we aim to help families recover faster after natural disasters using our “smart response” strategy. By rebuilding in a disaster resilient way, we prepare them for future events and, through the process, strengthen both volunteers and communities.
... in addition I'd like to thank all those who voted and commented during the tournament. We have two full years of tournament experience now so hopefully I'll be able to take what I learned from this year and apply it to making next year even more successful. The Armchair Imperator Challenge Some of you may have thought about participating this year but couldn't for any number of reasons (such as you were the one running it). If so I bet you at least gave a small amount of thought to which coins you might have played if you did enter. Perhaps some of our members who did participate in the game had several coins in mind as possible coins to play but didn't get the chance due to elimination? I invite you all to show me these coins now and tell me what categories you think the might have done well in! Here are a few of mine: Coin I thought would score well in Historical Interest, Bargain and Eye Appeal. Roman Republic, Second Punic War (218-201 BC) AR Denarius. Anonymous, struck ca. 211 BC Wt.: 4.2 g Dia.: 20 mm Obv.: Helmeted head of Roma right. X in left field Rev.: Dioscuri galloping right. ROMA in exergue and partially incuse on raised tablet Ref.: Crawford 44/5. Sydenham 167. RBW 169. Old cabinet tone Write up: The Story of the Coin Struck to Fight Hannibal: The First Denarius and its Influence Coins I thought would score well in Historical Interest and Bargain. Roman Empire Ulpia Severina Augusta, AD 274-275 BI Anoninianus, Antioch mint, struck ca. AD 275 Wt.: 4.1 g Dia.: 23 mm, 12h Obv.: SEVERINA PF AVG; Diademed, draped bust right, set on a crescent. Rev.: CONCORDIA AVG; Emperor and Empress standing, facing, clasping hands.; Q //XXI Ref.: RIC V 19 Write up: Heroes of the Third Century: Aurelian and Severina Hasmonean Dynasty of Judea John Hyrcanus I, 134-104 BC AE Prutah, Jerusalem mint, struck ca. 129-122 BC Wt.: 1.82 g Dia.: 15 mm Obv.: Paleo-Hebrew inscription in wreath; Greek letter alpha above Rev.: Double cornucopia with a pomegranate between horns Ref.: Hendin 1132 Write up: The First Jewish Coin and its Modern Descendant Coins I thought would score well in Historical Interest and Eye Appeal. Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt Ptolemy I Soter, (305-282 BC) AR Tetradrachm, Alexandria mint, struck ca. 300-285 BC Dia.: 26 mm Wt.: 14.13 g Obv.: Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis around neck. Δ behind ear Rev.: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ eagle with closed wings standing on thunderbolt. P above monogram ΠΑΡ Ref.: Noesje 41-42. SNG Copenhagen 70-71. Svoronos 255 Ex W.F. Stoecklin, Ex Karl Steiner (1940s), signed by Delta. Attica. Athens AR Tetradrachm, struck ca. 167-8 BC Dia.: 30 mm Wt.: 16.78 Obv.:Head of Athena right wearing triple crested attic helmet adorned with Pegasos Rev.: Α-ΘΕ above MI / KI and ΘΕΟ / ΦΡΑ (Miki[on] and Theophra[stos]) Owl standing facing on amphora Θ, AP below. Ref.: Thompson 320g Feel free to elaborate on any coins you considered playing in the game. Also feel free to tell us what you think the most memorable / interesting coin from the tournament was.
All hail @ancientcoinguru! Fantastic job to her and everyone who participated! I've added to the donation purse. This charity helps communities impacted by natural disasters. I live in such a community: the US Virgin Islands. More than a year after category 5 monster hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the islands, we are still in bad shape. Repairs on my own home probably won't even be started until some time next year (it's a condo so I can't do everything myself). Finding capable and honest contractors is difficult too... I've already been victim to a fraudulent repair person, which is why you haven't seen many new coins from me. Here are some pictures taken recently. Police station: Main post office: Landline phones still not repaired; box has been open to the elements for more than a year: Our solar farm, less than a year old before being destroyed, has been abandoned by the owners who didn't even clear the debris prior to this current hurricane season: FEMA blue roof tarps still abound: Random wrecked building: ... Thank you, @ancientcoinguru, for choosing this charity. And huge thanks to @Curtisimo for his hard work coordinating this spectacular tournament!
Great win and all hail @ancientcoinguru ! I've been following along but my time was very short, getting knocked out in the first round. Anyway @ancientcoinguru - enjoy the chariot ride and the palms of victory!!!
Congratulations and fantastic job @ancientcoinguru ! Beautiful coins, super write-ups, and a Tourny well played! Fantastic Tourny @Curtisimo !!! Just incredible work and presentation! Thank you for the expert job. I thouroghly understand the anxiety that everyone went through with their write-ups and their coins. You are truly putting your heart and soul out there, as well as the love of collecting. After the Tourny last year, I knew there was no way I could participate this year! I loved the competition last year, but was exhausted afterwards!
Hail @ancientcoinguru ! a well deserved triumph Hail @Curtisimo ! for your incredible input in the life of the CT community Q
Congratulations @ancientcoinguru on entering some of your spectacular coin collection, well deserved victory. And of course @Curtisimo for bringing us another great tournament.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who donates to this worthwhile charity. I sent them $50 today, and asked that they use the funds for their US Virgin Islands Relief - Hurricane Recovery efforts.
Thank you so much, @ancientcoinguru! We have been mostly forgotten by the media who have moved on to bigger and fresher news.
Sweeeet! That makes $200 this year to Hurricane relief Thanks guys! It has been my pleasure. I enjoy games and I enjoy hanging out at CT... win, win Ummm did no one want to take me up on the armchair challenge? I was genuinely curious what some our spectacular spectators would have considered playing
When Curtis started this year's contest, I pledged $100 to charity in honor of the winner. @ancientcoinguru used excellent strategy to take down every player she came up against, including myself in the first round! All hail to this year's champion! John
If I had lasted one more round, I would have played my Magnentius overstruck on Constantine II 'slabbed' in 1976 by David Sear. The write up would have featured explanation of how great ideas do not always jump fully formed from the heads of their creators. The 1976 slab consisted of a half flip held shut and attached to the certificate by one now rusty staple. The certificate states the fee to have been 40p which is in the new, decimal currency (introduced 1971) which was $0.67 US using December 10th, 1976, exchange rates. I would say that this is still a bit less than the value of the coin in that year. It might have been worth a whole dollar??? Certainly that is a bargain compared to the 2018 certification cost by any major brand. Before anyone asks, yes I did crack it out of its plasticy tomb sacrificing that rusty staple and risking injury to life and fingernail. Hitting the thing with a hammer and squeezing with a vice accomplished absolutely nothing but a little prying accomplished the desired result. You know I had to crack it out so I could take a photo or, for that matter, see the thing. I bought this treasure on eBay from a relative of the original certificate owner whose name was blacked out on the certificate to protect the family from the ignominy of being identified with slabbing ancient coins before it was fashionable. A couple of my CT friends also bought similar 'slabs' but mine was the best coin and the oldest date. I do wonder how much cash value I lost by destroying that stapled plastic tomb. Please don't tell me that there is a market for vintage Sear products in like new condition. How many 40p certificates still exist? Was the number 2036 on this one a sign that there were 2035 earlier ones issued? For an early round late Roman sacrificial entry, I might have identified the coin more fully but the fact remains that the old certificate is a power of ten cooler than the coin so this armchair entry will let anyone who chooses do their own research. I do have a practice of trying to buy an example of the undertype of my overstruck coins just for comparison. Not surprisedly, the plain non-overstruck Constantine II cost more than the Magnentius. Sorry you asked?
To play Curtisimo's advocate: to fend off the on rushing eventual victor (or Victoria), and hindsight being 20/20, I should have played a better looking coin. Her beautiful crusader coin absolutely creamed my tribute penny in the looks category. I feared going ATG heavy, but had this rock n roller in my back pocket and didn't use it... Lysimachos Obv: head of the diefied Alexander iii Rev: Athena wearing robes seated w/shield ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ ....coingrats @ancientcoinguru for the well deserved win. Simply beautiful coins (your game winning Gorgon might be my fav of the entire tourney) and wonderful work on your write ups.
