Curtisimo’s Best Coins of 2018 (8 Previously Un-posted)

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Curtisimo, Dec 15, 2018.

?

Please pick your 3 favorites!

  1. 10. Dyrrachion Stater

  2. 9. Maximinus Daia Follis

  3. 8. Nerva Denarius

  4. 7. Thasos Tetradrachm

  5. 6. Ragusa Dinar

  6. 5. Mn Aemelius Lepidus Denarius

  7. 4. Diocletian Argenteus

  8. 3. Trajan Denarius

  9. 2. Faustina I Denarius

  10. 1. Commodus Denarius

Multiple votes are allowed.
Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Curtis, not only are all of these excellent examples of excellent types, your write-ups, packed as they are with enlightening information, great photographs, sketches, and graphics, are always breathing new life into our old coins. Seriously, man, do you have to be such an annoying overachiever? :p I'm kidding, of course, my friend... you're one of the good ones. Great(ish), even. :happy:

    My poll choices went with the crowd because I think those coins are truly spectacular, but I'm also very proud to see my M. Aemilius Lepidus up there on your list. As I mentioned to you, before I sent that one off to Sev, I had to pause and ask him to remind me why I was selling it. It's a beauty and I'll miss it, but I'm very happy that you're its new owner. On that note, I'd like to thank you for picking it, but also thank @Ancient Aussie for bidding on it to ensure that the passing of custodianship wasn't a case of outright theft. :D

    It looks like you've had a good year both in and out of Coinland, but I'm sure I'm not the only one on this board wishing 2019 brings you more coins so we'll hopefully get to enjoy more of your fantastic writeups!
     
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  3. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Thanks Pavlos

    Thanks Pman. It nice to hear such a compliment from someone who's built a collection as outstanding as yours.

    Thanks TIF! I was surprised at the love the Maximinus / Hercules was getting as well but I shouldn't be. It's a great coin and one of the better ones of this scarce type I've seen. I had to fight off @Severus Alexander for it too ;)

    Thanks Ryan. Trajan was indeed a boss man :)

    Thanks for the kind words Kasia!

    Thank you Valentinian. That is one of the best compliments I have received in a long time. You are correct that for me studying the coins I buy makes them come alive in ways they didn't before. I also highly enjoy visiting the places they were minted / depicting / circulated when I am able. It's a fun hobby and I'm happy to share it with like minded friends such as yourself.

    Thanks Andres. Great Nerva portrait :)

    Thank you sir! Your example, as I have said before, is superb. A really neat type from one of my favorite places I've ever been.
     
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  4. benhur767

    benhur767 Sapere aude

    All incredible coins and great write-ups. Thank you.
    I love the ligature "MA" in ROMA on #5.
     
    Curtisimo likes this.
  5. Mike Margolis

    Mike Margolis Well-Known Member

    the Nerva denarius and the Thasos Tet are my favorites!
     
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  6. Nerva

    Nerva Well-Known Member

    It's been nearly two millennia and people are STILL making fun of my nose?

    Great coins and especially great write-ups. I like 9. I tend to skip through those sections in auctions, so I appreciate explanations of interesting ones. And I'm particularly keen on ancient sculpture.
     
  7. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Yes. I am still pouting. All of your top 10 coins are poopy. :shifty:

    In actual fact, of course, all of your top 10 are exactly the sort of coins I'd like to have in my own collection, not just #9! As Anne of Green Gables would say, we are clearly kindred spirits. (For another example, I think you waited for exactly the right Nerva portrait.) Congrats on a fantastic year, one in which you gave liberally of your own time to CT despite its meagre availability due to real life. We're all very grateful!

    Missing their companion (don't worry, I've told them they just have to be patient a little longer):
    Screen Shot 2018-12-16 at 11.40.30 AM.jpg
    Screen Shot 2018-12-16 at 11.40.39 AM.jpg
    Screen Shot 2018-12-16 at 11.40.49 AM.jpg
    Screen Shot 2018-12-16 at 11.41.01 AM.jpg

    And just for :p:
    Screen Shot 2018-12-16 at 11.39.33 AM.jpg
     
  8. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Your #1 has two relatives at my place. First is the as version of the same design. I wish I ha the sestertius since the larger flan really shows off the design.
    rc2710bb0456.jpg

    Second is the other denarius type with the more complex reverse design including bow and quiver as well as the club.
    rc2580bb2015.jpg
     
  9. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Maybe that's why my school mates never liked me much... that's a relief. I thought it was because I smelled funny ;)

    Thanks for the kind comments my friend. Glad you enjoyed the list and the write ups.

    You're Lepidus Denarius is already fitting right in in its new home :)

    thank you for the kind words sir!

    I was happy to snag both of those for what I thought were very fair prices. The Thasos is a really fun coin in hand which really helps kick it up the list a bit in my eyes :)

    Appreciate the comments Mike.

    Well in all fairness it's a once in a millennium type nose :troll:

    Glad you liked the Herc Nerva and thanks for your comment.

    Whoa now who are you calling poopy sir! Have you seen the biceps on my new Herc? He don't take kind to name calling :D:p jk

    From someone with such fine taste in coins I am honored by your compliments, my friend. Your collection of weary hercules types is superb. Your Gordian III is particularly exceptional. Is that a denarius or an ant?

    Here is my new GIII "weary Hercules" ant from... well, you know who ;)
    IMG_7168.JPG

    ... also that big 'ol bull is great. You've got me on that one. I have my eye on one of those now. Not as nice as yours though and I'm on the fence about buying any more coins this year. Time will tell if I make a go at it.

    These are great coins Doug. I like the bow and quiver reverse on your denarius. It would be great to have one of each type but considering how long it took me to settle on my new Commodus it might be a while before one speaks to me within my price zone. Of course we never know what will become available and we all take what we can get. My top 10 looks nothing like I would have expected it to a year ago... time will tell.

    Thank you for your post. I always highly respect your opinions and feedback.
     
  10. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Look at the crown, dude. :D

    I think I saw that one. Go for it!!
     
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  11. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    IMG_7244.GIF
     
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  12. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Very nice group of coins @Curtisimo - I'm having a lot of trouble making up my mind as to which should be the top three. But I will vote now.
     
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  13. Smojo

    Smojo dreamliner

    What a year you had @Curtisimo
    1 and 3 have to be my favorites on the list.
    Both have been on my want list but obviously the Trajan has been the longest, almost had it a couple of months ago but was outbid.
    And that Diolcetian, wow, I hadn't thought about adding another until now. Sweeet
     
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  14. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    I've been keeping it under my hat the last couple days but...I FREAKIN LOVE YOUR #1!!! Just a freaking beauty on all levels for me.
    So much in fact, I'd been waiting for an auction to close today with a Commodus/akles, and not wanting to bring attention to the beauty and historicity of the type that, I didn't mention it in my initial congratulations of your magnificent Top 10!
    Good news, I still won it. And think it's beautiful.
    Though I think it's a bit of a light strike more than excessive circulation, I like his portrait and the lions face and hair.
    Check it out!
    016629_l.jpg
    Commodus (177-192 AD). AE As (24-25 mm, 10.34 g), Rome, 192 AD.
    Obv. L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, Head to right, wearing lion skin headdress.
    Rev. HERCVL / ROMAN / AVGV / S C, Legend divided by club within laurel wreath.
    RIC III 644; C. 193; BMC 722.

    An interesting type. Fine to very fine
     
  15. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    That is awesome Ryan! Very nice patina and excellent centering. At 10 g and the larger diameter I bet that is going to be a sweet coin in hand too! Congrats buddy.
     
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  16. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    A big thanks on all the kind comments and votes on my top 10! It's a great group we have here :)

    As promised in the OP here is the first of a handful of "Bonus" posts that will highlight some coins that are special additions to my collection this year. It seems I have a lot of CT posting to catch up on in my year end thread!


    .....................................................

    Curtisimo's coins

    From the James Pickering Collection of Britannic Coinage
    I was extremely excited to add several coins from this amazing collection in 2018. Most of you know James as @jamesicus here on CT. He has been a wonderful mentor and an irreplaceable source of information on the coins of Britain (particularly during the tetrarchy) and maintains a must read website for anyone interest in this collecting area. Linked below:

    Britannic coinage and the Tetrarchy


    Constantius' Invasion Coinage

    Constantius_Chlorus_British_Invasion_AD_296.jpg
    Roman Empire
    Constantius Chlorus (AD 293-306)
    AE Follis, silvered, Lugdunum/traveling mint, struck ca. AD 296
    Obv.: FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; Laureate bust right
    Rev.: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI; genius standing left holding patera and cornucopia
    Ref.: RIC VI 17a

    Ex James Pickering Collection of Britannic Coinage

    This coin would have easily made my top 10 list in the OP but I thought it would be more appropriate to showcase it together with the other pieces that I acquired from the JPCOBC.

    Constantius is well known to have made careful and meticulous preparations in advance of his campaign to invade Britain and overthrow the usurper Allectus in AD 296. Part of that was striking enough coins to pay his troops while on campaign. Constantius seems to have used the mint workers at Lugdunum as a flexible means to fill his monetary needs. He reassigned 2 of the 4 officinae to the Trier mint and then used workers from at least 1 of the remaining officinae to strike his "invasion coinage". Early researchers were puzzled as to why these unmarked coins showed strong stylistic resemblance to Lugdunum issues and yet were to be found overwhelmingly in Britain. The answer (as discovered by Bastien) is that the coins were struck by Lugdunese workers, possibly at a traveling mint in Gaul, and were paid to the troops while on campaign in Britain! You can't get a much better historical connection than that! We actually know when, roughly where, and why this coin was struck. Great stuff in my opinion.

    All Hail Diocletian

    Diocletian_Follis_AD_295.jpg
    Roman Empire
    Diocletian, AD 284-305
    AE Follis, Lugdunum Mint, 1st officina, struck ca. AD 295
    Dia.: 28 mm
    Wt.: 8.5 g
    Obv.: IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; Laureate bust right
    Rev.: GENIO POP-VLI ROMANI: Genius standing left holding patera and cornucopia /LA in exergue
    Ref.: RIC VI 2a, Lugdunum Group I, Class II

    Ex James Pickering Collection of Britannic Coinage

    Write up:
    Diocletian: One of the Earliest Post Reform Coins from Lugdunum

    Much to my embarrassment this is the only of the 3 coins I obtained from the Jamesicus Collection that I have finished my research and write up on (I need to get my act together, huh?). This is a Lugdunum issued coin and is a precursor to the above invasion coinage. You can read more about this interesting piece in my above linked write up and on James's site.

    Below is a diagram from my write up that shows how this issue fits into the sequence leading up to the invasion coinage.

    IMG_7245.JPG

    Commodus Celebrates Victory in Britain

    Commodus_Den_187.jpg
    Roman Empire
    Commodus (AD 177-192)
    AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 187
    Dia.: 18 mm
    Wt.: 2.77 g
    Obv.: M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT; Laureate bust right
    Rev.: AVCT PIET P M TR P XII IMP VIII COS V P P; Pietas standing left, sacrificing over altar with incense and patera, holding box.
    Ref.: RIC III 146, scarce

    Ex James Pickering Collection of Britannic Coinage

    This is a scarce coin with great eye appeal. I had to have this coin for two reasons:
    1. It showcases Commodus' connection with Britain through the BRIT clearly shown in the obverse titulature (and was therefore included in the JPCOBC).
    2. It fits neatly into my collection of Nerva-Antonine dynasty figures (such as my coins 1, 2, 3 and 8 in the OP).
    This coin was struck in AD 187. In this year Commodus survived a plot to assassinate him that was carried out by a group of brigands who travelled in disguise from Gaul. The BRIT refers to the title Britannicus which was assumed by Commodus after his general Ulpius Marcellus quelled a major uprising that developed after hostile tribes breached Hadrian's Wall.

    This pietas type was issued by Commodus from AD 183 onward when Commodus added the PIET and ANT to his titles. At the time this seems to have been driven by his desire to deflect blame from himself for exiling (and executing) his sister in connection with a plot against him. The ANT reinforced his connection to his revered grandfather, Antoninus Pius, while the PIET was to suggests that it was Lucilla, and not Commodus, who had acted impiously toward the family.

    .....................................................
    Please feel free to post any relavent coins or comments.
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2018
  17. jamesicus

    jamesicus Well-Known Member

    Thank you very much for the nice things you said about me and my reference web pages Curtis - you are most generous with your praise. And of course your write up was, as always, brilliant! (and most enjoyable and informative).

    I owe you an apology, Curtis: as you were writing your post I was installing a new web page menu for my current Britannic coinage and the Tetrarchy web pages at http://jp29.org/romanimp.htm - also now added in my signature block.

    I apologize for throwing you a curve like that because the link you provided in your post points to a new directory I have installed that relates to Roman Imperial coinage in general. Sorry for the confusion I have caused, Curtis.
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2018
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  18. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    That Dicletian argenteus was my fave of faves. It’s getting really hard to fine nice ones that are affordable. I still don’t have one, and I wish I had bitten the bullet in earlier years and picked one up. Yours is spectacular.
     
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  19. Alegandron

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

    Fantastic Top 10 @Curtisimo ! All are super and I would have in my collection. Personally, I lean towards the Aemillius Lepidus as I do not have one and yours is a great example. (And, yes, admittedly, I am biased towards the Republic.) All of the others are wonderful. Great write-up, explanations, and super presentation!

    Sorry, I cannot vote. All the coins are well presented and have a great History that you have built around each one.

    Kindest,
    Brian
     
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  20. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    I believe I have it fixed and linked to the right place now :). Thanks for the heads up James!
     
  21. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Okay... time for my second bonus post!

    Curtisimo's coins
    That were Featured on CoinTalk
    I really love the featured article function of the site because it allows me to view high quality content I might have missed by checking out the homepage every so often. I have even read a few non-ancient coin related featured articles that I found interesting! :bookworm::eek:

    I have had a handful of threads featured this year which is always something I am happy and excited to see. :) This year I spent some time digging a little deeper into learning about some coins that are a bit outside my usual collecting area and was gratified to have two of them end up featured!

    Khusro II: My First Tentative Step into a new Collecting Area
    IMG_5810.JPG

    The Great Savior Needs No Name… He Still Has One Though
    Vima_Takto_AD_80-100.jpg

    And also happily two of the "top 10" in my OP were featured as well.

    Trajan: the Best Emperor and the Mystery of the River God

    Dyrrachion Stater: A Frustrating Coin to Study
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2018
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