Shogun's Top 10 for 2020

Greetings,

Here are my top ten of 2020 (in chronological order):

Augustus, as struck 7 B.C.

My coin collecting bug had always been in silver and gold, this coin below sparked my interest in bronze and I've added quite a diverse collection of Imperial Roman bronze coins. The portrait is what attracted me to this coin - not without it's flaws - a theme that continues in the following 9:

Augustus 27 B.C.–14 A.D. as RIC 428 Roma
CAES[AR AVGVST PONT MAX T]RIBVNIC [POT] [cutoff]
P LVRIVS AGRIPPA II VIR AAAFF
SC with triangle mark in between
25mm (clipped, oval) 11.36g

Caligula, as struck 37-38 A.D.

Attractive portrait with Vesta on the reverse and a strong obverse legend and interesting patina drew me to this one:

Gaius Germanicus (Caligula) 37–41 A.D. RIC 38 Roma CAESAR AVG GARMANICVS PON M TR POT / VESTA
Vesta between SC seated left holding patera and scepter
30mm 11.2g
ex-Sallent

Trajan, as struck 99-100 A.D.

I'm officially an as-man (sorry been thinking about that pun for a while...) as 2020 saw a nice collection of bronze come my way from Augustus to Commodus. Portrait, legend, and Mars...check, check and check:

Trajan 98–117 A.D. as RIC 410 Roma
IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM P M
TR POT COS III PP - SC
Mars, helmeted, in military dress, standing right, holding inverted spear in right hand and resting left on shield on ground between SC
26mm 11.6


Trajan, Antioch ae27 struck 102-114

So you like hockey pucks, eh? I can feel Doug rolling his eyes at my artistic picture style, but one really needs to see the thickness of this coin combined with the well-struck portrait and obverse wreath designs found in these eastern bronzes. With the legend worn from what we can assume is many transactions the portrait style of photo doesn't detract from the coins representation. But you do need to hold this one, trust me - Justin, am I right?

Trajan AE27 RPC 3595
[ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙϹ ΝΕ]Ρ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ [ΔΑΚ]
SC BI SC in Wreath, mintmark BI
27mm 19.5g
From the Iomega Collection

Marcus Aurelius, sestertius struck 166-167 A.D.

Really nice strike on this on both sides, rare for a coin of mine as I usually have to give up the obverse for an attractive portrait. This also has a Stoecklin provenance, a factor I had not before considered when purchasing coins via the "me like, me buy" tactic that I employ. Also a big coin, even has more than a few grams on the above ae27:

Marcus Aurelius 161–180 A.D. sestertius RIC III 948 Roma
M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX
TR POT XXI IMP IIII COS III
Victory in long dress, advancing to left, holding wreath in outstretched right hand and palm cradled in her left arm; S-C across fields.
30mm, 24.68g
Ex-Stoecklin, ex-MM

Septimius Severus, denarius struck after 201 A.D.

And finally the silver! The obverse appears to be a cowboy carrying two saddles, or a trophy with two shields - depending on one's perspective. Well struck, great curly-faced portrait and demonstrates the militaristic time of external conflict and civil war the empire is entering (don't leave the business to your dysfunctional kids - call me for business advice before one of them gets stabbed in front of their mother!).

Septimius 193–211 A.D. RIC IV 176 Roma
SEVERVS PIVS AVG / PART MAX P M TR P VIIII
Trophy of arms; captive seated to left and right, hands in front supporting their heads, each in attitude of mourning.
19mm 3.39g

Elagabulus, denarius struck 220-221 A.D.

This denarius is well-struck and lustrous. While not my favorite silver coin, it is in the best condition of any of my silver coins. This time period does provide an opportunity to add affordable well-struck coins. Quite a bit of detail on the obverse and he's got that little stash going. I saw an off-Broadway play where the main protagonist would randomly yell out Anthony in a drawn out way, for some odd reason this coin reminds me of that even as Broadway remains closed. The flan isn't perfect and I'm still trying to get a handle on grading ancients but the legend and strike look really good and may not be properly relayed in my limited photography language:

Elagabalus 218–222 A.D. den RIC IV 107 Roma
IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG / LIBERTAS AVG
Libertas standing left, holding pileus and vindicta; star to right
19.5mm, 2.65g
From the El Medina Collection

Maxentius, follis struck 309-312 A.D.

Maxentius likely moved the mint from North Africa to Ostia to prevent it from being lost to his enemies in this on-and-off civil war between freinemies. The story behind this coin is documented in a thread on the tetrarchy period where I was looking for ways to represent the mints and rulers of the time, this community is very helpful sharing ideas and helping out. Feels like somebody is trying to either represent military strength on coins or pumping them out to pay for a standing army and a strong cavalry that got clubbed to pieces:

Maxentius (Italy) 306–312 A.D. follis RIC VI Ostia (likely formerly Carthage)
IMP C MAXENTIVS PF ABG
AETERNITAS AVG N
Castor and Pollux standing facing each other leaning on scepters holding bridled horse
Mintmark: MOSTQ
25mm, 6.9g

Magnentius, ae3 or centenionalis likely struck 350-353 A.D.

Continuing the unique mint theme is this barbarous-like product of Amiens. Magnentius is an interesting character with his wife ending up being married to Valentinian I (is this Game of Thrones or history?) makes me think his support didn't go away after his military defeats. Also marks a period of time when Roman and Germanic (Frankish/Saxon/Gallic) cultures are already blurred. Chi Rho also represents that the support Magnentius received was due in part to religious as well as cultural changes disrupting the empire - although it was ultimately a pagan revival that brought him support and ultimately defeat (good thing Contsantius stayed away from the battle and did all that praying).

Magnentius 350–353 A.D. ae3 RIC 27 Amiens
bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right, A behind head
D N MAGNEN-[TIVS P F] AVG
VICTORIAE DD NN AVG [ET CAE]
two Victories holding shield inscribed VOT-V-MVLT-X in four lines above altar, chi-rho above shield. Mintmark AMB*
24mm, 4.13g

Honorius, solidus

The fall of Rome is a very dynamic period of time and attracts quite a bit of interest. Having read Gibbons, and other sources, and really enjoying playing Honorius in Rome Total War: Atilla are some of the reasons I acquired this solidus. It also adds a coin type I did not have at a reasonable pricing point for the type in a period where the quality of the bronze is in decline and the silver is wicked expensive. The wars with the goths and internal drama with Stilicho further made me want to "invest" in this one:

Honorius 395–423 A.D. solidus RIC X 1287d Ravenna
DN HONORIVS PF AVG
VICTORI-A AVGGG R|V//COMOB
Honorius standing right, spurning captive, holding labarum and Victory on globe
22mm, 4.43g

I've enjoyed everyone sharing their 2020 collecting journeys and hope you enjoy mine as well. Here's to at least 10 more in 2021!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Gorgeous coins. My favorites are solidus and Elagabal.
I was also attracted by the lustrous of the Elagabalus denarius with the same reverse:

 

You obviously had a good collecting year – congrats!

The Marcus Aurelius sestertius is in extraordinarily good style, and I also like the looks of your Trajan as a lot.

 

That solidus is going to be a fan favorite. But I’m drawn to the more humble Maxentius. I think it’s a fascinating coin and context. I will be posting one of these in my top 10 list as well, with wolf and twins.

 

Nice selection, and yellow is a very attractive colour for coins. That said, I like Augustus' monneyer's issues asses, and the Maxentius too (but I like it even better with a hint of shewolf.... )


Maxentius, Follis - Ostia mint, 3rd officina AD 309
IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG, Laureate head of Maxentius right
AET ERNITAS AVGN, Dioscuri facing each other, holding their horse by bridle. Between them she wolf suckling Remus and Romulus. MOSTΓ at exergue
7.43 gr
Ref : Cohen # 10, RCV # 14976 (100), RIC VI # 16

Q

 

Great coins all with fantastic eye appeal, but I really like your Trajan Mars. Congrats on a great year of collecting.

 

Q: terrific!!!

 

Nice captures, @IMP Shogun ! Great selection, great quality.

 

Love the Trajan AS and the Marcus Aurelius Sestertius a lot!

 

I always appreciate the 'uncommon' mint theme. The Amiens Magnentius looks like it could use a better photo and certainly deserves a try. Overall it is a good group lead by the solidus.

 

..very impressive

 

IMP Shogun, You acquired an excellent variety of choice Roman coins this year ! My favorite is the gold solidus of Honorius. I have a coin of the same type, however, your coin has a more detailed reverse than mine. My 2nd favorite is the handsome sestertius of Marcus Aurelius. The coin has an excellent portrait & attractive patina. My 3rd favorite is the as of Trajan. The coin has a great portrait, an excellent depiction of Mars, & a handsome milk chocolate patina .

 

A man of taste! Personally I think Atilla is one of the best Total War games CA have churned out in awhile.

Nice coins btw!

 

A wonderful group. I think my favorites are the bronzes with portraits of Augustus, Trajan, and Marcus Aurelius.

 

Excellent acquisitions for your collection, @IMP Shogun! My favorite is the very attractive and historically important sestertius of Marcus Aurelius that once belonged to Dr. Stoecklin.

 

Excellent!

 

The Aurelius is my favorite, but all the others are excellent too. Very nicely done!

 

Nice solidus!

Very nice coins, indeed.

 

Lovely selection, the Nerva-Antonine bronzes being my particular favourites.

 

Some really great coins, you had a good year! I really like the bronze of Augustus (lovely portrait, despite the wear) and the MA sestertius. That one is well struck, attractive patina, and great portrait indeed. Lovely coin.