AJ's top 10 for 2021

Canvas size is certainly a significant limiting factor but the broader complication is facing vs portrait. This drachm is a relatively early (~380BC) facing portrait, especially outside of a few superb dies from Syracuse. (It's also possibly the only facing portrait attempted in Leukas, although I'd need to check references and don't have them on-hand at the moment)

BCD had an interesting observation when this coin was sold as part of his collection: "Why is it that "beauty" in late classical times never wears a smile? Perhaps in the art of these days a grin was considered unnecessary, even inappropriate. Is it the blend of sadness and charm, so characteristic of the period, what makes this coin so desirable?"

 

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A fine list for 2021, with each coin a splendid example! I cannot really choose anyone of them above the other, but I would say that the Gortyna half stater has great artistic merit.

 

All are amazing coins. If I had to pick a favorite it would be the Gortyna. Well done!

 

An impressive showing. It would be difficult to pick a favorite however if I had to it would have to be #6 the Doson. Well actually according to the new book on the subject by Panagopoulou the Gonatas. Ever since I saw one of these back in the mid 1980's I wanted one. However as both obverse and reverse are such wonderful examples of Hellenistic numismatic art it is one of those coins that both sides have to be really nice. So I know how difficult it can be to get one of these. I managed to get mine back in 2020 at the NYINC and it made my top ten last year.

 

@AncientJoe, please accept my congratulations on the excellent result of 2021! Surprisingly, despite the wonderful stater Panticapaeum, I liked the aureus with the Vestals the most.
I also love a lydian trite, but I believe that the first coin is a four rays sun lion head, wonderful example of which I also remember at your collection.
Best numismatic wishes for 2022 year!

 

That Antigonos is ridiculous. The strong and detailed portrait takes up so much of an already large flan and the coin has so much "pop" and realism while still retaining a divine aura. Absolutely wonderful.

I also love the Commodus. It screams "Rome" to me. Coins that produce scenes of everyday Imperial life in such detail are almost like time machines.

 

Wow!!!!! All of them! It's impossible to pick favorites. Lots of Kudos for your 2021 coins.

 

Your pictures are top-notch. I have a coin from Syracuse on my 2022 wish list, hopefully it looks like yours!

 

Glorious coins as always - my favorite is 3 with its wonderful artistry

 

These are all wonderful @AncientJoe . My favorite is your Medusa aureus... wow!

I think your Doson and your Pharos drachm deserve special praise. Both of these coins are on my list and your examples are the best I’ve every seen of either type. Well done.

I’m glad to see you had a good 2021. Hopefully 2022 will be just as good or better.

 

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I mistakenly didn't utilize the poll feature but have tallied up the responses (displayed below in the sequence I originally placed them in). Seeing the forum's cumulative opinion is very intriguing and shows how we each have our own tastes/perspectives.

Pantikapaion - 6
Medusa - 9
Gortyna - 7
Vesta - 3
Commodus - 4
Doson - 9
Syracuse - 5
Aphrodite - 3
Pharos - 4
Lydian Trite - 1