1st anniversary on cointalk

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Pavlos, Jul 14, 2019.

  1. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    Yesterday I came home from my holiday in Tuscany, Italy with my wife-to-be, and I noticed I have been registered on this forum for 1 year now. I thought to celebrate this 1st anniversary with a thread. I would like to thank everyone on this forum for all the help and knowledge shared. I have learned most of my knowledge about coins here on the forum, and hopefully I can be part of the long-time community on here.

    I will also create a thread somewhere in this week with pictures of my journey in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence. There were a lot of (shiny gold) Roman (and some Greek and Medieval) coins there that were owned by the Medici family including their notebook where they write about the coins. Very interesting I think for everyone.

    My idea was to place my favorite coin I obtained each month from July 2018 to July 2019 (so kind of a top 12).

    My first coin
    [​IMG]
    Alexander III the Great Bronze Coin (336 B.C. - 323 B.C) four chalkoi (hemiobol)
    Obverse:
    Head of Herakles, wearing lion skin.
    Reverse: AΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, thunderbolt and club above, quiver and bow below.
    4,85; 17mm

    I think I have shown my first (circulated) coin quite much on here!

    Favorite coin of month 1
    [​IMG]
    Mithridates VI Amisos Bronze Coin (80 - 70 BC)
    Obverse:
    Head of Perseus right, wearing Phrygian helmet.
    Reverse: AMIΣOY, Pegasus grazing or drinking left, monograms below and left.
    11.01g; 23mm

    When I bought this coin I started to become really fond of Mithridates VI, that he actually got into my top 3 most favorite generals (next to Pyrrhos and Alexander). I also developed huge interest in the bronze coinage of Pontos/Paphlagonia.

    Favorite coin of month 2
    [​IMG]
    Rhodes AR Drachm. Magistrate Ainetor (Circa 205-190 BC).
    Obverse:
    Facing head of Helios with flowing hair
    Reverse: Magistrate ΑΙΝΗΤΩΡ (Ainetor) above, P-O below, rose in bloom with side
    branch bud to right & butterfly to left.
    2.28g; 15mm.

    This is a coin that to the day of today I am so happy to have this one in my collection. I remember that I was bidding for several coins and I lost them all, and then when I stumbled on this one it was like love at first site.

    Favorite coin of month 3
    [​IMG]
    Ephesos, Ionia. Drachm (500 B.C. - 420 B.C)
    Obverse:
    Bee with curved wings, EΦ-[EΣION]
    Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square
    3.20g; 14mm

    I really like this coin, it has a lot of character and this nice 'archaic' touch to it.

    Favorite coin of month 4
    [​IMG]
    Epirote League Drachm (234/3–168 B.C.)
    Obverse:
    Head of Zeus Dodonaeus right wearing oak wreath, monogram below and behind.
    Reverse: ΑΠΕΙ - ΡΩΤΑΝ; eagle with closed wings standing right on thunderbolt, oak wreath around.
    4.23g; 22mm

    Since my whole family is from Epeiros, one of my main targets in coin collecting is getting pretty much all the coins from Epeiros, this is the first coin of the series.

    Favorite coin of month 5
    [​IMG]

    Sicily, Kentoripai Æ Hemilitron (Ca. 344-336 B.C.)
    Obverse:
    Laureate head of Apollo right.
    Reverse: KENTO-ΡIΠINΩN; lyre, three pellets to left and right.
    8.77g; 22mm

    My first coin from Magna Graecia, and a nice one in my opinion as well.

    Favorite coin of month 6
    [​IMG]
    Syracuse, Sicily - Pyrrhos AR Oktobol (278–276 B.C.). Toned.
    Obverse:
    Head of Persephone to left, wearing wreath of grain leaves and pendant earrings; poppy seed behind.
    Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΠΥΡΡΟΥ; Athena Alkidemos advancing left, brandishing spear with her right hand and holding shield aloft in her left.
    5.20g; 20mm

    I am happy I got this silver oktobol from Pyrrhos, for my Epeiros collection a great addition. The condition of the coin is not amazing but with my current budget (and pretty much in the future as well) I can not get (near) extremely fine condition of this coin as they can go for 1000-1500 dollars. It is also beautifully toned, the kind of 'old collection' toning.

    Favorite coin of month 7
    [​IMG]
    Lakonia, Lakedaimon (Sparta) triobol (Ca. 90–60/50 B.C.)
    Obverse:
    Laureate head of Herakles right.
    Reverse: Amphora; caps of the Dioskouroi flanking, Λ-A across central field, A monogram to lower left, MO to lower right; all within wreath.
    1.96g.

    This coin is kind of an impulse buy, but I do not regret it, it is very cool to have a coin from Sparta. Also, I think I even got it for kind of a bargain, I guess the flan crack scared off a lot of bidders. The obverse is struck quite sharply.

    Favorite coin of month 8
    [​IMG]
    Alexander III. "the Great". AR Tetradrachm. Civic issue, Mesembria mint (100-72/1 B.C.). Struck in the time of Mithridates VI.
    Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
    Reverse: ΒAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY / ΔIO / MEΣAM. Zeus seated left with eagle and sceptre.
    33mm; 16.10g

    This coin is kind of an impulse buy as well, but I also do not regret it at all.
    What attracted me the most is the kind of "barbaric" style, yet it is still an official civic issue from a Greek polis. I have seen imitations that have a nicer style then this one. I think the head is nice and preserved and the reverse show the inscriptions nicely. Also a plus is the big flan size of 33mm.

    Favorite coin of month 9
    [​IMG]
    Kings of Macedon. temp. Perseus. 179-168 BC. AR Drachm. Third Macedonian War issue. Magistrate Hermias, Uncertain mint in Thessaly (Struck circa 171/0 B.C).
    Obverse:
    Head of Helios facing slightly right.
    Reverse: Rose with bud to right; EPMIAΣ above, Z-Ω flanking stem.
    2.67g; 17mm.

    I think one of my most favorite coins of my collection. I could not resist the attractive iridescent tone. I actually expected to lose this coin, I did a relatively low bid compared to other examples that were sold previously. Somehow I still won it, I think I was lucky no other bidder 'really' wanted to have it. I guess the coin had an eye on me as well :p

    Favorite coin of month 10
    [​IMG]
    Alexander I Balas (152/1 B.C. - 145 B.C.) Æ Denomination B (double). Apameia on the Orontes mint. Dated 150/49 B.C.
    Obverse:
    Diademed head of Alexander I right.
    Reverse: AΠAMEΩN; Zeus standing left, holding Corinthian helmet and sceptre; monogram and ΓΞΡ (date) to left; c/m: palm fond within incuse rectangle.
    7.23g; 22mm.

    I think it is time to start appreciating bronze coin again above all that shiny silver. This coin is a really nice example of the type with interesting history behind the issue and countermarking of this coin.

    Favorite coin of month 11
    [​IMG]

    Alexander I (Balas). 152/1-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm. Tyre mint. Dated SE 167 (146/5 BC).
    Obverse:
    Diademed and draped bust of Alexander Balas right.
    Reverse: Eagle standing left on prow of galley, palm-branch over right shoulder; club surmounted by monogram to left, ΙΞΡ (date) and monogram to right.
    13.73g (Phoenican standard)

    This is my favorite, my most expensive and most beautiful coin I have in my collection. It has a stunning portrait of the king Alexander I Balas. This king started to become my favorite Seleukid king after I have read some stories about him.

    Favorite coin of month 12
    [​IMG]

    Alexander II Zabinas (128 B.C. - 122 B.C.) AR Drachm. Toned.
    Obverse:
    Diademed head of Zabinas right
    Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, Athena standing left, resting hand on shield, spear propped in left elbow, extending right hand beyond legend and holding Nike left, in left field Δ, monogram above.
    4.12g; 16mm

    To my surprise I won this coin. I didn't even put a high bid, but I ended up winning this coin. It is in extremely fine condition and quite rare. I saw previous sold coins of this type that were sold for a higher price than this coin but in worse condition! I guess I was just lucky.

    I hope you guys enjoyed my coin collecting journey. Please feel free to post any relevant coins. Preferably, anniversary coins!
     
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  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Congrats on the 1st year and great coins.
     
    Pavlos likes this.
  4. dadams

    dadams Well-Known Member

    Wow! Great coins from your 1st year! Big congrats and always appreciate your sharing.
     
    ominus1 and Pavlos like this.
  5. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Very nice acquisitions. I hope you have many more years on cointalk.
     
    Pavlos likes this.
  6. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Happy anniversary Pavlos!!!:cigar::woot::singing::D
    Keep on posting your wonderful coins!
    Congrats on the trip with your fiance. Sounds amazing.
    And coingrats on the rare new (to you) Alexander Zabs! It's always a rush getting a great deal on a coin so nice:greedy:
     
    Pavlos likes this.
  7. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Lovely coins! Congratulations on your CT anniversary!
     
    Pavlos likes this.
  8. spirityoda

    spirityoda Coin Junky

    I like the bee coin, but this toned 1 wow...

    XDMjIqX.jpg
     
  9. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Congrats on your 1-year anniversary Pavlos. Keep on postin'.
     
    ominus1 and Pavlos like this.
  10. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Thank you for being with us. You have been a great addition to the family.
     
    ominus1, Pavlos and Theodosius like this.
  11. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    Congrats on your first year!

    You have a great eye for attractive coins and your areas of interest are off the beaten path, which is a nice change.

    John
     
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  12. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    Time sure does fly when you're having fun, doesn't it! It's hard for me to believe I've been here since 2011. That's a beautiful and interesting collection you've assembled in time you've been here.
     
    Pavlos likes this.
  13. Sulla80

    Sulla80 Well-Known Member

    Thanks for sharing the beautiful coins and best wishes for many more coins, threads and years in CT, and trips to Tuscany...:)
     
    ominus1 and Pavlos like this.
  14. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Congrats on your CT anniversary! You've picked up some really great coins and I've enjoyed all your writeups. Glad you're with us.

    You didn't say when your wife-to-be will become your wife, but congrats on the future nuptials, too. :)
     
    Pavlos likes this.
  15. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Great coins!
     
    ominus1 and Pavlos like this.
  16. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Congrats on the anniversary, Pavlos, and on your engagement! Looks like you had a fine year :).
     
    ominus1 and Pavlos like this.
  17. JBGood

    JBGood Collector of coinage Supporter

    Nice first year coins! Well done!!
     
    Pavlos likes this.
  18. lrbguy

    lrbguy Well-Known Member

    You have a very good eye for coins, Pavlos. That progression shows real growth and potential for an excellent collection. Congratulations!
     
    Pavlos likes this.
  19. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    Thank you all very much for the nice responses!

    Thank you both! We do not have a specific date yet but it will probably be in 2 or 3 years. No reason to rush it :)
     
    zumbly likes this.
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