Three recent favorites

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by jb_depew, Apr 1, 2020.

  1. jb_depew

    jb_depew Well-Known Member

    I wanted to share a few favorites that I picked up earlier this year. I haven't been bidding much lately because of the high hammer prices I've been seeing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. I guess boredom trumps economic uncertainty in the ancient coin market:) I'll be focusing on studying my existing collection in the coming months, and will hopefully post a few more favorites soon.


    [​IMG]
    Commodus Æ Sestertius
    Struck 184 AD
    Obverse: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG PIVS.
    Laureate head right.
    Reverse: P M TR POT VIIII IMP VI COS IIII P P / SC.
    Pax seated left on throne, holding branch in right hand and cornucopia in left.
    References: RIC 405; Cohen 453; BMC 531; MIR 6226/30.
    Size: 31mm
    Weight: 23.33g

    I was drawn to the detailed portrait on this coin. What a beard!

    [​IMG]
    Islands off Attica, Aegina AR Stater
    Circa 456/45-431 BC
    Obverse: Tortoise with segmented shell.
    Reverse: Incuse square with skew pattern.
    References: Milbank pl. 2, 12. SNG Copenhagen 516ii. SNG Delepierre 1836; Dewing 1683; ACGC 127.
    Size: 20mm
    Weight: 12.05g

    I've wanted one of these iconic tortoise coins since I was a kid. I finally caught one. The fact that it's headless doesn't bother me much. The coin is struck in extremely high relief, which makes it feel more like a mini-sculpture than a coin.

    [​IMG]
    Thrace, Lysimachos AR tetradrachm
    Uncertain mint. Struck circa ?
    Obverse: Diademed head of the deified Alexander the Great right, wearing horn of Ammon.
    Reverse: Athena enthroned left, holding Nike and resting left elbow on shield, spear resting to her right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΛΥΣΙΜΑΞΟΥ crowned by Nike to left, monogram in inner field.
    References: Unpublished in the standard references.

    I picked this coin up in the last FSR (Frank Robinson) auction. The portrait really did it for me. It is apparently unpublished. If anyone recognizes the lambda mint mark and has any insight, I'd love to know more.

    Please post anything you think is relevant!

    -Jeremy
     
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  3. JulesUK

    JulesUK Well-Known Member

    Beautiful purchases, especially the Tortoise, irresistible.
    That Alexander obverse is stunning.
     
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  4. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    All three of those are pretty much spectacular. Good eye!
     
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  5. J.T. Parker

    J.T. Parker Well-Known Member

    Hi Jeremy,
    Ditto the Tortuga...A+
    & the Lysimachos Tet aint half-bad either.
    Congrats on a handsome purchase.
    J.T.
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2020
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  6. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    All are very nice examples. My poor example from Islands off Attica: ATTICA AEGINA aa.jpg
     
  7. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    That is the rare tortoise variation where he has just pulled his head into his shell.

    Three super nice coins!

    John
     
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  8. jb_depew

    jb_depew Well-Known Member

    Nice turtle coin, @Bing ! The sea turtle variety is really cool.
     
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  9. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    I can see why these are your favorites... They are fantastic!!! Congrats on adding such gems to your collection!
     
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  10. TheRed

    TheRed Well-Known Member

    Those are some great coins @jb_depew. My favorite is the stater from Aegina. The height of the turtle must be great in hand. Congrats on the the additions.
     
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  11. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    jb_depew, That's a wonderful portrait of Commodus :jawdrop:! Lovely patina on that coin too.
     
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  12. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Absolutely fantastic coins, you have a good eye for quality.
     
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  13. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Those are wonderful examples.
     
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  14. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    Beautiful cons. I love the colors of the sestertius' patina!
     
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  15. Agricantus

    Agricantus Allium aflatunense

    Excellent selection. The patina on the sestertius is fabulous!

    The ΛO monogram is intriguing. I have not seen it before. An entry on wildwinds says uncertain mint. Another one says Herakleia Pontika. All I have seen from HP was with the HP monogram.

    This one is not exactly you r monogram but similar. It is attributed to Lysimacheia.

    there are a bunch of bronzes with the LO monogram attributed to Lysimacheia. Example

    in conclusion, if I were to choose something other than 'uncertain mint' I would choose Lysimacheia.

    if you have time, maybe Marinescu's research can shed more light:
    https://www.academia.edu/6997759/Co...nd_Chalcedon_and_their_Socio-Cultural_Context

    https://www.academia.edu/6997785/Co...cio-Cultural_Context_-_High_Resolution_Plates
     
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  16. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    The city Lysimacheia was founded in 309 BC and the style might suggest this was not long after that. Since the title king is on the coin and L. too that in 305, I'd call that a not earlier than number.
     
  17. jb_depew

    jb_depew Well-Known Member

    I really appreciate the information, @Agricantus and @dougsmit ! I think you've put the mystery of the Lysimachos mint mark to rest.
     
  18. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Very nice coins. The high relief tortoise coin is especially beautiful. :happy:
     
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  19. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Cool coins. I would be very happy with them.
     
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  20. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    Wow, I would have bought the tortoise also. It has a really nice look.

    oh, the other 2 are nice too.
     
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  21. CaptHenway

    CaptHenway Survivor

    That tortoise is amazing! Congratulations!
     
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