Ancient Aussies top 10, 2020

Easy picking ten this year as I only bought twelve, and three of them originated from CT friends with most of the others purchased in the last few months when the Aussie dollar appreciated a bit. I don't have a number one as favorite as I like them all equally, although the Tiberius Concordia and the Claudius Temple of Artemis have been on my want list for a long time so really happy to pick them up, would still be interested what all my CT friends like the best.
All had some interesting piece of ancient architecture that attracted me to them.
1. Spain Malacca, Vulcan.
Spain, Malika Æ Half Unit. 2nd century BC. Head of Vulcan right, wearing conical cap; Neo-Punic MLK' and tongs to left / Tetrastyle temple with pellet in pediment. ACIP 794; SNG BM Spain 385. 3.46g, 17mm, 5h.

Good Very Fine. Extremely rare variety with tongs to left, rated R9 by ACIP
CGB Monnaies 28, lot 481, Jan. 25 2007. Aegean October 2020

2. PHILIPPOPOLIS. Caracalla, 211 - 217 AD

PHILIPPOPOLIS. Caracalla, 211 - 217 AD AE ø 17mm (3.86g). Obv .: ΑΥ Κ Μ ΑΥ CΕΥ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙ, draped bust no Rs .: ΦΙΛΙΠ-ΠΟΠΟΛ / ΤΩΝ, tree-covered hill with a temple shown in three-quarter view on the summit. Varbanov, GIC -. RR! ex Gorny & Mosch Auction 200, 2011, Lot 2105. Ex. Gorny & Mosch e-auction 271, 2020 lot 340.


3. AUGUSTA TRAIANA. Commodus, 177 - 192 AD



AUGUSTA TRAIANA. Commodus, 177 - 192 AD AE ø 27mm (19.57g). 191-192 AD Governor Lucius Aemilius Iustus. Obv .: ΑΥ ΚΑΙ Μ ΑΥ ΚΟΜΟΔΟΣ, draped bust with laurel wreath rev ΗΓΕ Λ ΑΙΜ ΙΟΥΣΤ ΑΥΓΟΥ / ΣΤΗΣ ΤΡΑΙ-ΑΝΗΣ, Stadttor. Varbanov, GIC II -; RPC online IV.1 10823. Ex. Gorny & Mosch e-auction 271, 2020 lot 218.
Only seen one other of this type and it's a die match.

4. Tiberius Æ Sestertius. Temple of Concordia.

Tiberius Æ Sestertius.(33mm, 25.5gm) Rome, AD 35-36. The Temple of Concordia: Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and scepter, above altar within hexastyle façade set on podium; entrance flanked by statues of Hercules and Mercury; pediment decorated with statues of Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, and Victories in acroteria; wings of transverse cella with windows behind; pediments decorated with statues / TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST P M TR POT XXXVII around large S•C. RIC 61; C. 69; BMC 116; BN 100. NGC graded Choice Fine. Stack's Jan NYINC, lot 22114.

5.Temple of Julius Caesar.
Octavian, Southern or central Italian mint, Spring-early summer 36 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.92g, 6h). Bareheaded and bearded head r. R/ Tetrastyle temple of Divus Julius: statue of Julius Caesar as augur standing within temple; DIVO • IVL on architrave, star within pediment, figures along roof line; lighted altar to l. Crawford 540/2; RSC 90 (Augustus). Bankers' marks.

Ex London Ancient Coins.

6. CYPRUS. Koinon of Cyprus. Caracalla,

CYPRUS. Koinon of Cyprus. Caracalla, 198-217. Pentassarion (Bronze, 32 mm, 20.63 g, 7 h), Paphus. M ANTΩNЄINOC AYΓOYCTOC Laureate head of Caracalla to right. Rev. KOINON KYΠPIΩN Conical cult xoanon of the Aphrodite of Paphos within central distyle tower; distyle porticoes flanking, each containing candelabra and dove sitting above; the entire structure set on low basis; semi-circular forecourt; star inside crescent above. BMC 60-63. Parks 25. SNG Copenhagen 92.
Ex Leu Web Auction 14, lot 1075. (My most recent coin still in mail)


7.Ephesus, Claudius I (AD 41-54). AR cistophorus Temple of Artemis. (love a neck like that)


Claudius I (AD 41-54). AR cistophorus (26mm, 6h). NGC Fine. Ephesus, ca. AD 41-42. TI CLAVD-CAES AVG, bare head of Claudius I left / DIAN-EPHE, tetrastyle temple with three steps containing central standing figure of Diana Ephesia, polos on head and fillets hanging from wrists; shield, altars, two stags and figures in pediment. RIC I 118.
Ex Heritage online auction Dec 2020, lot 61118.

8. Tiberius AE28 of Italica, Spain


Tiberius
Minted: Italica, Spain.
Size: 28mm Weight: 14.09 grams
Obverse: TI CAESAR AVGVSTVS PONT MAX IMP, bare head right
Reverse: MVNIC ITALIC PERM DIVI AVG, altar inscribed PROVIDENTIAE AVGVSTI.

Burgos 1250.

9. CARIA. Antiochia ad Maeandrum. Gallienus


CARIA. Antiochia ad Maeandrum. Gallienus, 253-268. Hexassarion (?) (Bronze, 30 mm, 13.65 g, 6 h). AY•K•Π•ΓAΛ[ΛIHNOC] Radiate, helmeted, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to left, holding spear and shield. Rev. ANT[IOXЄΩN] Bridge of six arches spanning the Maeander, with gateway to left and river-god Maeander reclining left on bridge, holding reed. BMC 57. SNG von Aulock 2430.

10. Julia Domna, Temple of Vesta.

Julia Domna. Augusta, AD 193-217. Æ As (26mm, 10.65 g, 5h). Rome mint. Struck under Caracalla, circa AD 214. Diademed and draped bust right / Four Vestal Virgins sacrificing over altar in front of the Temple of Vesta. RIC IV 607a (Caracalla). Dark brown patina, some roughness. Near VF. Very rare.

From the Gary R. Wilson Collection. Ex Naville 51 (21 July 2019), lot 594.
CNG E/auction 480, lot 642. (Special thanks to fellow CT member Gary R. Wilson for making this coin available)

Hope you like them, because I tell you what I can't remember a previous year where I have seen so many top notch coins presented in the top 10's.

 

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I like your Vulcan coin best. I do not see him on coins often.

 

3 and 4 are my favorites. But the Vulcan coin is fascinating!

 

Great list! I've always enjoyed your area of specialisation so everything here appeals to me. The Gallienus bridge and Temple of Aphrodite at Paphos are on my want list as well and those are nice examples. My favorite may be the Caracalla from Philippopolis... what a cool scene!

 

Nice reverse types all around. The Gallienus, Commodus and Claudius have my votes

Q

 

Beautiful temples on coins, my favorites are #3 Commodus and #7 Claudius.

 

2, 5, and 7 stand out to me, especially the portrait on 2. They're all beautiful though!

 

All nice! I especially like those Vestals plus Temple on No.10

 

A.A., You made some great additions this year ! My favorite is the hefty bronze of Commodus, #3 . The cistophorus of Claudius, #7 is my 2nd favorite, & the Vulcan bronze, #1 is my 3rd favorite . Your architectural theme got a serious boost this year .

 

There is not a coin in the bunch that is not interesting. I love 'em all.

 

2, 3, 4 are my favored on your list. Congrats.

 

Valuable collection of temples. I won't hesitate to choose number 7. Man.. That's one of the "Seven Wonders of the World". Congrats..

 

You have a good eye - I especially like the Temple of Concordia with all its detail

 

All great.. 4 and 5 are my favorites.

 

#10 stands out for having something going on in the foreground rather than just an architectural specimen.

 

I always enjoy your collecting theme...these are all great. My favorites are #3 and #7.

 

Nice reverse designs. I like coins #2 and 3.

 

Loving all the architectural motifs. ...Okay, maybe 9 and 6, in that order.

 

Nice Vulcan - Vulcans are not as plentiful. Like them all - nice finds, @Ancient Aussie

 

I have never seen a Vulcan/ except of Star Trek Congratulations on a nice haul in 2020. I like the Spain/ Malika AE half Unit/ neat Vulcan Head.
John