[Ancients] Top 10 Index

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Curtisimo, Dec 6, 2019.

  1. Limes

    Limes Well-Known Member

    I'm in the process of compiling my top 10 list. Still awaiting a new arrival which will be on the list. And I'm currently contemplating to go for one more last coin, up for auction half december. So I won't be completing my list for now, although now I already have 8 of the 10 positions finalized.

    Yes, I'll play! Two coins which I'm really fond of but won't make it in this years list, are the coins of Hadrian and Commodus below. Somehow this sounds contradicting (really fond of, but not on the list) but I find other coins more interesting because of the history behind them. Anyway, I got the two coins below because I really like the portraits. In hand both coins look amazing, especially the Commodus. His portrait is really sophisticated, and the flow lines really draw you into this portrait.
    19.5.png
    23.3.png
     
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  3. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    That’s a wonderful portrait of Commodus Limes. It is not easy to find a portrait of him in good style but yours definitely fits that description.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2020
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  4. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    I have not even thought about a list yet, still hopeing to finish Fall work/ once the bloody snow melts. Winter in November here in Orleans:( -7 celsius and snowing....again!
     
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  5. AncientJoe

    AncientJoe Well-Known Member

    A top 10 of the decade would be a fun list to put together (I enjoy playing favorites with my coin children), especially if everyone includes the years of purchase for each coin. It would be interesting to see the distribution over time.

    I wouldn't include my former Eid Mar and, thinking through the coins I've sold, none of them would fit my top 10 (or top 20+) of my decade. I suppose that means I'm upgrading in the right direction.
     
  6. Orielensis

    Orielensis Well-Known Member

    I'm waiting for a last parcel to arrive before I post my list, but until then it's time to bump this thread and show another coin that almost made my top ten of 2020. In my eyes, this bust of Julia Paula is very easy on the eyes – but Elagabalus apparently thought differently:

    Rom – Julia Paula, Denar, Concordia.png
    Julia Paula, Roman Empire, denarius, 219–220 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA Paula AVG; bust of Julia Paula, hair waved and fastened in plait, draped, r. Rev: CONCORDIA AVG; Concordia, draped, seated l., holding patera in extended r. hand; in field l, star. 19.5mm, 3.00g. Ref: RIC IV.2 Elagabalus 211.
     
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  7. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Very nice denarius and a nice photo as well. I agree, it is a very pleasing portrait.
     
  8. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I'm probably the only one here that upgrades in the wrong direction. My #1 coin in 2015 was upgraded by my #2 coin in 2016 which was not as nice a coin to most people but I liked it better so I sold the first one.
    #1. in 2015 Sybaris AR starter (wide fabric-29mm) 530-510 BC
    [​IMG]

    #2 in 2016 shows signs of double strike which most people would call damage.
    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Clavdivs

    Clavdivs Well-Known Member

    Have you ever purchased a coin that you know will be a permanent fixture of your collection - but it doesn't make the yearly "Top Ten"?
    Probably... here is mine:
    I been searching for an AFFORDABLE large follis (29mm) of Constantine. Its not perfect but I am so very happy with it:

    upload_2020-11-28_0-31-44.png
     
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  10. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    In order to bump this thread again, I've decided to post my own "also-rans": a number of non-Republican coins that I bought in 2020 that I like a lot, but that didn't quite make the "favorite non-Republicans" list I posted the other day. (See https://www.cointalk.com/threads/my...vorite-non-republican-coins-from-2020.370679/ .) Again, they're in chronological order rather than in any order of preference. Although the first one happens to be the one I like best, I think, and I can't even tell you why I didn't put it among my favorites.

    I'll dispense with the full-fledged descriptions.

    21. Tarentum, Calabria. AR Nomos (didrachm), ca. 302-280 BCE.

    Tarentum AR Nomos.jpg

    22. Augustus AE (Brass) Dupondius, 9-3 BCE, Colonia Augusta Nemausus [Nîmes] (Galla Narbonensis province) Mint.

    Augustus-Agrippa Dupondius.jpg

    23. Augustus, Æ As, 11-12 AD Rome Mint.

    Augustus As jpg version.jpg

    24. Tiberius AR Denarius, 18-35 AD, Lugdunum (Lyons) Mint.

    Tiberius denarius jpg version.jpg

    25. Divus Vespasian AR Denarius, 80 AD Rome Mint.


    Divus Vespasian AR Denarius - Capricorns jpg version.jpg
    26. Trajan AR Drachm, 115-Feb. 116 AD [before granting of Parthia title], Arabia Bostra (or Rome) Mint.

    Trajan - Drachm, Arabia Bostra, Camel reverse - jpg version.jpg

    27. Hadrian, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 11 (126/127 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint.

    Alexandria Tetradrachm - Hadrian - Osiris Canopus.jpg

    28. Marcus Aurelius, AE Sestertius, 173 AD, Rome Mint.

    Marcus Aurelius sestertius jpg version (Marcus Aurelius & Italia on reverse).jpg

    29. Faustina II [Junior) (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AR Denarius, Rome Mint, Dec.160 AD.

    COMBINED Faustina II - FECVND AVGVSTAE.jpg

    30. Faustina II [Junior] (wife of Marcus Aurelius & daughter of Antoninus Pius), AR Denarius, Rome Mint, 161 AD.

    Faustina II with children - jpg version.jpg

    [To be continued.]
     
  11. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    Continuation:

    31. Septimius Severus, AR Denarius 197 AD, Rome Mint.

    Septimius Severus elephant COMBINED.jpg

    32. Septimius Severus, AR Denarius 203-204 AD, Rome Mint.

    Septimius Severus, Indulgentia, Dea Caelestis & lion - jpg version.jpg

    33. Macrinus and Diadumenian Caesar, AE Pentassarion [5 Assaria], 217-218 AD, Marcianopolis Mint, Moesia Inferior.
    Macrinus & Diadumenian - Hermes photo jpg.jpg 34. Philip I AR Antoninianus, ca. 247 AD, Rome Mint.

    Philip I elephant combined image.jpg

    35. Gallienus, Billon Antoninianus, 267-268 AD, Rome Mint (4th Officina).

    Gallienus Gryphon jpg version.jpg

    36. Hostilian Caesar (son of Trajan Decius), AR Antoninianus, 251 AD, Rome Mint.

    Hostilian - Mars COMBINED.jpg

    37. Diocletian, silvered AE Follis, 294-295 AD, Nicomedia Mint.

    Diocletian silvered follis COMBINED.jpg

    38. Constantine I, Billon reduced Centenionalis, Siscia Mint 334-335 AD.

    1001-CONSTANTINOPOLIS Constantine I jpg version - RCV IV 16469.jpg

    39. Constantine II Caesar (son of Constantine I), Æ reduced Follis. small bust type, Heraclea Mint (5th Officina), 317 AD.

    Constantine II (small bust) jpg version.jpg

    40. Valens, AR Siliqua, 364-367, Rome Mint (from East Harptree Hoard, 1887).

    Siliqua - Valens - jpg version.jpg

    So basically, if I ever post my top 10, I'll end up with a Top 40 for the year.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2020
  12. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    And, since I can't post my favorite Roman Republican coins of 2020 yet, and because I wasn't here last year, here are my three favorite Republican coins that I bought in 2019:

    1. Roman Republic, Q. Thermus M.f., AR Denarius 103 BCE. Obv. Head of Mars left with crested, plumed helmet/ Rev. Roman soldier advancing right, fighting with uplifted sword a barbarian soldier before him, while protecting with shield a fallen comrade at his feet, Q THERM.MF. in exergue (THE and MF in monograms). RSC I Minucia [Q. Minucius Rufus] 19 (ill.), Crawford 319/1, Sear RCV I 198 (ill.), BMCRR Italy 653. 19.4 mm., 3.97 g.

    Roman Republic, Q. Thermus M.f., AR Denarius 103 BCE. RSC I Minucia 19, Crawford 319-1.jpg

    2. Roman Republic. C. Poblicius Q.f. AR Serrate Denarius, 80 BCE. Obv. Head of Roma right, wearing helmet decorated with grain ears; ROMA behind, V above / Rev. C•POBLICI•Q•F; Hercules standing left, strangling the Nemean Lion; bow and quiver to left, club below, V above lion. Crawford 380/1, RSC I Poblicia 9, Sear RCV I 308 (ill.), Harlan, RRM I Ch. 5 at pp. 23-27, BMCRR Rome 2896. 20.13 mm., 3.84 g.

    Poblicius (Hercules & Nemean Lion).jpg

    3. Roman Republic, L. Lucretius Trio, AR Denarius, 76 BCE. Obv. Laureate head of Neptune right, XXXIII above and trident behind/ Rev. Cupid (or Infant Genius) on dolphin right; L LVCRETIVS TRIO. Crawford 390/2, Sydenham 784, RSC I Lucretia, Sear RCV I 322 (ill.), Harlan, RRM I Ch. 16 at pp. 98-103, BMCRR Rome 3247. 19 mm., 3.9 g.

    Lucretius Trio (boy on dolphin).jpg
     
  13. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Both are great but I actually agree with your choice and prefer the second one even without seeing the overstrike at first. The detail in the incuse is nice.

    That is a nice one Clavdivs. I like these genius types where the engraver showed the actual liquid poring from the patera. I bought an example this year just for that purpose.

    Wow Donna, if none of these made your final list I can’t wait to see your top 10! Looks like you had a tremendous year.

    I like the Nemausus, Faustina II and the small bust Constantine II. Thanks fir sharing these here.
     
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  14. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    I guess it is time for another almost-made-it coin. This one from 2018.

    Khusro II: My First Tentative Step into a new Collecting Area
    051CF591-D721-4AE4-BB04-ED003B7AC6EE.jpeg
    Sasanian Empire
    Khusro II (AD 590 – 628)
    AR Drachm, BBA mint (court mint), Regnal year 30, struck ca. AD 619 / 620
    Obv.: Pahlavi script at left and right. Khusro bust facing, head right, wearing winged crown with star and crescent, inside double dotted border, crescent and stars at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock.
    Rev.: Date (left) and mint mark (right). Fire altar with two attendents, inside triple dotted border, crescent and stars at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock.
    Ref.: Göbl SN type II
    Ex Sallent Collection, Ex JAZ Numismatics, Ex Aegean Numismatics


    Why it almost made my 2018 list:
    When I bought this coin I knew almost nothing about Sassanian coins and only knew of Khusro as the adversary of Heraclius. There is always a lot of fun that comes with studying an interesting type you know nothing about. These drachms are also incredibly pleasant in-hand because even though they are the weight of a denarius they have a diameter closer to a tetradrachm.
     
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  15. Caesar_Augustus

    Caesar_Augustus Well-Known Member

    Well, to say 2020 was heck of a year is to be understating the obvious. Out of this whole year, I have only managed to acquire one coin. With the events of the year, my focus was driven towards non-coin related tasks. It is time I rise back from the depths I fell into. A provincial tetradrachm from the wealthy province of Aegyptus of the Oriensis diocese. A beautiful coin portraying the old god of hope, Elpis, or Spes as she was known in the western prefectures.

    Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt
    [​IMG]Alexandria mint, weight 7.744g, maximum diameter 20.2mm, die axis 0o, 29 Aug 292 - 28 Aug 293 A.D.; obverse ∆IOKΛHTIANOC CEB, laureate and cuirassed bust right; reverse Elpis (hope) walking left, flower in extended right hand, lifting hem of chiton with left hand, ENATOV - L (year 9), ∆ in exergue; from the Errett Bishop Collection​

    Quite a lovely coin. This coin will mark the year 2020 in my books.
     
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  16. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    Thanks, @Curtisimo. But please don't build your expectations too high. My top 10, when -- hopefully not if! -- I'm able to post them, won't really be any "better" than the second 10 I posted the other day. They'll just be different, in being all Roman Republican coins. Because that's the aspect of collecting I pursued the most enthusiastically and purposefully in 2020, after I kind of fell in love with certain kinds of Republican reverses -- and many obverses as well -- a bit more than a year ago. So my decision to have my top 10 consist entirely of Republican coins is essentially an affirmation of that "love affair"! Even though I'm well aware that many of you far prefer other kinds of ancient coins.
     
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  17. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Well it is not even December yet and we have already had 24 "Top 10" lists. That means that by necessity not all of them can fit on page 1 so hopefully people are utilizing this thread to go back and find the ones they missed.

    I'm sort of running out of real almost-made-it contenders for the purposes of bumping the thread but here is a coin that I bought and have continued to like more and more over time. Pontos issued some nice coins.
    AEAA12B7-300D-49D0-B073-B7E7A689BA32.jpeg
    PONTOS, Amisos.
    Time of Mithradates VI Eupator. Circa 85-65 BC. Æ 21
    Dia.: 21 mm
    Wt.: 7.3 g
    Obv.: Aegis.
    Rev.: Nike advancing right, holding palm; monograms flanking.
    Ref.: RG 44; cf. Callataÿ pl. XLIX, D; SNG BM Black Sea 1177-1179.
    Ex Arnoldoe Collection
     
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  18. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

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  19. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Thanks for the heads up Z! These budget lists are some of my favorites.

    This seems like a good time to point out that if you notice that I missed a list of yours either from this year or years past, don’t be shy. Let me know like Z did above and I’ll get it added.

    I’m still adding to the list periodically to find ones I missed as well. For instance I’ve added some lists from a few of our no-longer-active members such as @stevex6 and @Mikey Zee . Going back through the threads has reminded me of lots of folks who no longer post that are still sorely missed.
     
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  20. ancientone

    ancientone Well-Known Member

    I'm not a regular by any means but I didn't even make the list? Just joking Curtis. This is a great idea and your effort is much appreciated. Here are a couple from a few years back.

    https://www.cointalk.com/threads/top-9-for-17.307331/

    https://www.cointalk.com/threads/top-10-from-2016.287822/


    And a few that didn't make the 2020 list.
    normal_deultum.jpg Thrace, Deultum. Gordian III AE23
    Obv: GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield.
    Rev: COL FL PAC DEVLT, Zeus standing front, looking left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre.

    anemurium_(2).jpg Cilicia, Anemurium. Gallienus. AD 253-268.
    Obv: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
    Rev: Artemis advancing right, holding bow in extended hand and drawing arrow from quiver; stag at feet to left; ЄT B (date) in legend.
    SNG France –; cf. SNG Levante 522 (dated RY 3); SNG Levante Supp. –.
    Dated RY 2 (AD 254/5).

    maximinus_II.jpg Maximinus II Persecution issue. AD 310-313.
    Obv: GENIO ANTIOCHENI / Tyche seated facing; river-god Orontes swimming below.
    Rev: APOLLONI SANCTO / Apollo standing left, holding patera and lyre; A//SMA.
    Æ16, Antioch mint, 1st officina.

    normal_getanicaea2a.jpg Bithynia, Nicaea. Geta, AE17. Infant Dionysos
    Obv: Π CEΠTI ΓETAC K, bare head r.
    Rev: NIKAIEΩN, Infant Dionysos in cradle r., raising hands; thyrsos behind.
     
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  21. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    :eggface::eggface::facepalm: Oops. Sorry ancientone! I imagine you are not the only member with lists that I missed. Great threads though and I notice I did read them both back when you posted them in 2016 and 2017. Both are now in the OP index.

    Nice coins and thanks for posting them. I especially like the Infant Dionysos.
     
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