I’ve been collecting coins for over 10 years. My main collecting focus are US coins. However, I’ve always been an admirer of Greco-Roman history, but haven’t branched into ancient coins until 2 years ago. Over the 2 years since I started collecting ancients, I’ve accumulated 25 Roman Republican coins, 22 Roman Imperial coins, and 8 Greek coins. Lurking the CoinTalk forums proved to be very helpful to me when learning about ancient numismatics. Here are my first 2 purchases of 2022, both from Incitatus Coins (Steve McBride) LUCIUS MEMMIUS AR silver denarius. Struck 109-108 BC. Bust of Apollo Vejovis right, wearing oak-wreath; before, XVI monogram of value before, thunderbolt underneath. Reverse - The Dioscuri standing facing between their horses, each holding spear; L MEMMI in exergue. 19mm, 3.9g. RCV 181, RSC Memmia 1, Crawford 304/1. PTOLEMY I SOTER AR silver tetradrachm. 294-285 BC. Diademed head right, wearing aegis around neck; small Δ behind ear, banker's marks in right field. Reverse - BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, eagle standing left on thunderbolt; to left, P above Φ in left field. Svoronos 263; SNG Copenhagen 70; BMC p. 15, 16. 26mm, 13.5g.
First of all, buying from Incitatus Coins is a wise decision, especially for someone starting out. Steve seems to have developed a nice niche--offering interesting, generally medium-grade coins at reasonable prices. Perfect for someone genuinely interested in the coins themselves, rather than in just monetary speculation. Second: both your coins are very nice. I'm particularly struck by the Memmius denarius. I started out with LRBs, then branched into Roman Imperial coins in general. Recently I've discovered Greek bronzes. But your denarius, along with several others posted by other members recently, are tempting me to make the plunge into RR denarii.
