Your irreplaceable coins?!

This one would probably be impossible to replace.
1 of 3 known.





I tracked down another of the 3, and apparently it is sitting in a museum in Delaware. Not sure about the third example.

Here is an excerpt from Ashton and Kinns. Also the plate showing the example in the Delaware museum which is coin B.

 

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I've shared this one before, but it fits this theme well.

Since Rasiel Suarez's ERIC II was published in 2010 (I think I got it as a gift that year), I've used it as my go to RIC & Byzantine identification reference. Anyone who has a copy will be familiar with the oversize closeup of Constantine IV staring out from the cover in gold (also on the laminated boards if the dj is missing).

I always thought it was a really cool cover and actually spent time staring at that face wondering how it could seem so "real" despite not being "realistic":


Maybe it's clear where the story is heading... Last year the coin appeared at CNG e-Auction 484 (27 Jan 2021), Lot 978. CNG did not use the usual headline banner for a "plate coin" or "pedigree" coin, which I assume worked heavily to my advantage (I got it WAY below my max bid), but I recognized it right away.

I collect "plate coins," but this may be my only "cover coin" (not counting sale catalogs). And one that I specifically wanted before I ever knew it would be available.

Since Suarez put a lot of care into the photography (he shared a different image, same coin, in that thread) and made it "Free to reproduce with copyright holder acknowledgement" (and it's a lot better than mine!), I usually use his photo from Tantalus (yes, Tantalus still exists!), which is my favorite, though I think the obv isn't in full resolution:


It also came with a signed copy of ERIC II (my collectible/shelf copy -- I also collect signed ancient coin literature -- the other is my desk/working copy) and an XRF report/photo-certificate.

 

I have several that I would have to be very hungry before I let them slip away, but I have one that is "priceless" to me. It's not the coin, but the story behind it. It's a simple 1912 D Liberty Nickel, my mother gave to me. She wore it in her shoe, November 19, 1930, when she and my dad got married. Then my Daughter-in-law wore it in her shoe, November 03, 2019, when she married my son. And, I was honored when they asked me to perform the ceremony, and gladly accepted their offer. So, this one at stays in the family.

 

A truly fantastic coin