Kavax 2021 Top 10 Greek

I recently discovered the CT ancient coins community, thanks to a collector friend.

I really enjoy browsing the members’ Top 10 of the year, i learn a lot of things. I realize that the exercise of selecting a top 10 is difficult but very interesting. It allows to take stock of your own collection and reflect on its evolution.

As I am not very comfortable with writing in English, i won't write too much, just show the coins. I post them in the order of Strabo’s geography, i would be curious to know which one is your favorite.

Among the greek coins in general, I have two sub collections which are the incuse coinage of Magna Graecia and the fractions and the bronze coins of Sicily.

1- Poseidonia

I was happy to be able to add a stater of Poseidonia in my incuse coins tray. Staters are pretty rare for this city and it's difficult to reach a good quality/price balance



Italy Lucania Poseidonia. Circa 530-500 BC. Stater (Silver, 30 mm, 6.14 g, 12 h). ΠOM Poseidon, nude but for chlamys draped over both his arms, striding right, brandishing trident held in his right hand and extending his left hand; cable border. Rev. Same type as the obverse, but incuse and to left; to right, MOΠ (in relief); rayed border. Gorini 2. HN Italy 1107.

2 - Himera.
Under Theron, Himera came within the Akragantine sphere of influence, and the domination of Akragas in the decade 483–472 is reflected in the crab appearing on the coinage.



Sicily Himera. Circa 480-470 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 21.5 mm, 8.60 g, 9 h). ΗΙΜΕRΑ Cock standing to left. Rev. Crab within a shallow, circular incuse. SNG ANS 155 (same obverse die). SNG Copenhagen 302 (same obverse die). SNG Lloyd 1011 (same dies). Westermark, Himera 20.3 (O5/R18, this coin).
ex Leu FPL Herbst 1998, 17, Leu Numismatics 59, 17 May 1994, 57 and Monnaies et Médailles 47, 30 November 1972, 417

3 - Katane.
One of my favourite, a portrait of a fine style with a nice tone.



Sicily Katane - Tetradrachm circa 450-440, AR 17.18 g. Slow quadriga driven r. by charioteer, holding kentron and reins. Rev. KATANAIO – N Laureate head of Apollo r. Regling pl. 17, 391 (these dies). Rizzo pl. 10, 4 (these dies). SNG ANS 1244 (these dies).From the Moretti collection.
Ex NAC 13, 1998, formerly exhibited at the Antike Museum Basel, 324

4 - Syracuse electrum.
Agathocles has resumed the gold and electrum coinage in order to finance the war against Carthage.



Sicily Syracuse. 25 Litrae circa 310-305, EL 3.58 g. Laureate head of Apollo l.; in r. field, horse’s head. Rev. ΣYPAK – OΣIΩN Tripod. Jenkins, Essays Robinson, Group C, plate 15 (O18/R34). de Luynes 1268 (this obverse die).
Ex NFA 10, 1981, 67; Leu 72, 1998, 114

5 - A signed tetradrachm of Eumenes



Sicily, Syracuse. Second Democracy. Silver Tetradrachm (17.07g), 415-405 BC. Obverse die by Eukleidas (unsigned), reverse die signed by Eumenos . Struck ca. 415/3-405 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving galloping quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath. Reverse: [ΣYPAK]OΣIO-N, head of Arethusa left; below neck truncation, signature EVMHNOV; around, four dolphins. Tudeer 19 I (Vs12/Rs8) this coin; SNG ANS 256 (same dies); de Luynes 1180 (same dies); BMC 141 (same dies).
Ex de Nanteuil collection N.349 ; Rollin & Feuardent, Paris 11.-14. Juni 1913, Nr. 98.


I didn’t make many additions in 2021 on my bronze and fractions sub collection but i have selected two in my top 10

6 - A bronze coin of Syracuse under Agathocles




Sicily. Syracuse. Agathokles (317-289 BC). AE. 10.53 g. 22.00 mm., c. 317-310 BC. Obv. ΚΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ. Head odf Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet decorated with griphon; behind, palladion. Rev. Pegasos flying left; below, trident. HGC 2 1445; CNS II 115; SNG ANS 696.

7 - A Litra of Thermai Himeraiai.



Sicily. Thermai Himeraiai. Litra Ag. 0,90 g. 383-376 BC. Av.: Head of Hera right, wearing polos; ΘΕΡΜΙΤΑΝ before, AP front. Rev.: Herakles seated left on lion skin draped over rock, holding club, bow behind. HGC 1614

8 - The city of Kyzikos is well known for it’s abondant electrum coinage but it has also coined interesting silver ones.



MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 390-341/0 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 15.16 g). Wreathed head of Kore Soteira left, hair in sphendone covered with veil / Head of lion left; below, tunny fish left; amphora to right. Pixodarus Type 2, Group D; SNG France 400-1.

9 - I felt in love with Artemis on this coin of Magnesia ad Meandrum. Note the charming scar on the eye.



Magnesia ad Meandrum - Tetradrachm after 190, AR 16.95 g. Diademed and draped bust of Artemis r., bow and quiver over her l. shoulder. Rev. MAΓNHΤΩN – EYΦHMOΣ – ΠAYΣANIOY Apollo standing l. on a meander pattern, holding a branch and leaning against a tripod surmounted by a quiver, all within wreath. SNG Berry 1068. N. Jones, The Autonomous Wreathed Tetradrachms of Magnesia on Maeander, ANSMN 24, 8-25.
Ex Prospero collection New York XXVII, 2012 514 and M&M 64, 1984, 154

10 - A famous hellenistic portray.



Kingdom of Pergamon, Attalos I AR Tetradrachm. In the name of Philetairos. 241-197 BC. Laureate head of Philetairos to right / Athena enthroned to left, elbow resting on shield adorned with gorgoneion to right, transverse spear in background, crowning ΦIΛETAIPOY to left with wreath; grapes to outer left, A to inner left, bow to right. Cf. Westermark groups V XXXV;

 

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Wow, awesome coins, well done.

My favourite is #7, only small, but very attractive. 8 & 3 would be my next choices. And a special mention for #1, a type I'd certainly like to own.

They're all good though.

 

All are very nice but #2 would be my favorite.

 

#5, 9, 10

 

Nice detailed coins!

 

I like the Magna Graecia, all the Sicilians, I can see why you fell in love with that perfection of a Artemis, excellent Attalos (portrait and reverse). Just a stunning line up of coins.

 

Awesome selections, @Kavax.

Your #2, 4 and 5 are my top favorites. A signed Syracuse tet (such as your #5) and a wonderful Syracuse coin portrait (as in your #5) are on my lookout list. Your #9 and 10 have beautiful portraits as well. Congrats on your successful year!

 

Congrats @Kavax You had a great numismatic year! All of your coins would fit well in my collection I will go a bit against the tide and vote for the coin at 6. A wonderful bronze. Wishing you even better next numismatic year!

 

All coins are nice, but I like most the kyzikos. I was lucky to get an example before the hoarders appeared and I fondly remember the times that you could get VF grade coins without bidding wars....

 

The Magnesia ad Meandrum is stunning! All of the coins are highly interesting, though, and you had a great year.

 

@Kavax - fantastic set, i like 8,9,10 the best…would love to see your 2019, 2020 sets!

i was actually an underbidder on your #8 Kyzikos on a French Auction - watched it live slip through my fingers as well as Claudius Denarius in the same auction

Congratulations on a great year!

 

Stunning coins, well done!

 

The Greeks were true artistic masters that in my opinion have never been matched.

 

Welcome and wow, @Kavax ,

I really like the Rooster…and all of your coins are great!

 

A wonderful group of superb coins and some solid pedigrees. #3 and #4 are my two favorites, with #5 close behind. All show a selective eye and refined approach; congratulations!

 

Lovely selections! You picked some very attractive coins out with some wonderful pedigrees. I think my 3 favorites are numbers 9, 5 and 3. Though I find them all nice.

 

Wonderful collection! My favorites are the portrait and gorgoneion head shield on #10, the beauty of your electrum coin #4 and last but not least #2 your CC coin (Cock and Crab).

 

Nice selection of coins @Kavax!

#1 is an eye catching specimen of a type I’ve always wanted and #9 is about the best Artemis portrait I’ve ever seen

All the coins here are excellent - I don’t think I could pick a favourite with any conviction

 

Thank you all for your very encouraging comments.

ahah, sorry for that !
I was also the underbidder on many coins this year
For this auction, I gave a hand to the cataloguer who is a friend not familiar with greek coins and this Kyzikos stater was on the top of my list.

Thank you, your fantastic collection contributes to the education of the collector's eye.

 

Congratulations -- a truly beautiful group! Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 9 are particularly gorgeous, I think.