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<p>[QUOTE="Orielensis, post: 3932300, member: 96898"]Unfortunately, many modern collectors and beginners wrongly assume that ancient and medieval coin collecting has to be prohibitively expensive. As a matter of fact, most “year end favorite lists” we saw so far in this forum contain quite pricy coins and might even support such impressions. Therefore, following [USER=44316]@Valentinian[/USER] 's and [USER=83845]@Curtisimo[/USER] ’s leads <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/valentinians-top-10-under-100.351359/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/valentinians-top-10-under-100.351359/">here</a> and <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/curtisimo%E2%80%99s-spectacular-6-for-under-60-2019.351286/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/curtisimo%E2%80%99s-spectacular-6-for-under-60-2019.351286/">here</a>, I thought it a good idea to do an alternative 2019 favorite list showing that it's possible to collect premodern coins on a budget. Below are my favorite 2019 acquisitions below $25 in chronological order.</p><p><br /></p><p>Since this list is meant to illustrate the affordability of the hobby, I felt it necessary to violate the ‘never talk about money’-rule of polite conversation and have mentioned prices below. All prices are converted to US dollars if necessary and include buyer’s premium. Shipping is not factored in, though, since it would have been somewhat distortive. Due to some extensive travels, my coins were mailed to different countries. Also, I usually did combined shipment for multiple coins.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Please let me know your favorites and, even better, post your own favorite sub $25 ancients of 2019!</b></p><p><br /></p><p><b>1. </b>This one should have been more expensive but illustrates how watching auctions for bargains can sometimes pay out.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036370[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><font size="3">Phokis, Federal Coinage, triobol, ca. 490–485 BC. Obv: frontal bull's head. Rev: head of Artemis r. set diagonally in incuse square, Φ-O[-K-I] around. 13mm, 2.63g. Ref: see BCD Lokris–Phokis 189; see Williams 1972, no. 17. Ex Savoca London, 2nd Blue Auction, lot 105. Price: $22.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><b>2. </b>Due to an enormous hoard, Lycian ⅙ staters can currently be found for very little money. If you want one, the time to buy is now. I have another one with a slightly better obverse, but this one was added because of the nice dolphin control mark.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036369[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Dynasts of Lycia, Mithrapata, AR 1/6 stater, ca. 390–370 BC: Obv: Lion scalp facing. Rev: METRAPA[T]A in Lycian script; triskele; in field, dolphin. 13mm, 1.13g. Ref: SNG Copenhagen Suppl. 476 var. Ex Redoubt Numismatics, TX. Price: $22.50.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><b>3. </b>A nice Carthaginian bargain from a trustworthy ebay-seller:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036366[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Zeugitania, Carthage, AE 18 (Shekel?), ca. 300–264 BC, mint on Sicily or Sardinia (?). Obv: head of Tanit l. Rev: head of horse r.; Punic letter (crescent-shaped) before. 18mm, 4.43g. Ref: SNG Copenhagen 151. Ex André Cichos (“cichosgladiator11” on ebay). Price: $24.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><b>4. </b>This one I picked up from Ken Dorney’s pick bin at the last Santa Clara coin show. Honestly speaking, the price was low due to Ken being nice. $5–$10 more would still have been a good deal in my eyes. It would have made this list nonetheless, though. (The green spots are rock hard and stabile.)</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036371[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Pontos, Amisos (Kingdom of Pontos under Mithridates VI Eupator), AE 21, ca. 105–85 BC. Obv: Gorgoneion in aegis. Rev: [A]MI-ΣΟ[Υ]; Nike advancing r. with palm branch; in fields, monograms. 21mm, 7.40g. Ref: SNG BM Black Sea 1177–1191. Ex Ken Dorney. Price: $10. (<i>Ceterum censeo Kynetum esse referendum</i>!)</font></p><p><br /></p><p><b>5. </b>Attractively worn denarii of the adoptive emperors can often be found for a good price. This is an example. The green mineral deposits likely stem from the coin getting cozy with a bronze item it was buried with together. I will not remove them.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036372[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><font size="3">Antoninus Pius, Roman Empire, denarius, 155–156 AD, Rome mint. Obv: [ANTO]NINVS AVG PIVS PP [IMP II], head of Antoninus Pius, laureate, r. Rev: TR POT XIX [CO]S III, Annona standing l., holding corn ears, resting l. hand on modius standing on prow with rudder leaning on it. 18mm, 3.27g. Ref: RIC III Antoninus Pius 249. Ex C.K. (“sesterzensammler” on ebay Germany). Price: $22.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><b>6. </b>Antoniniani of Gordian III come in many varieties, often are very attractive, and don’t cost a fortune.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036374[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Gordian III, Roman Empire, Ar antoninianus, 240 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: ROMAE AETERNAE; Roma, helmeted, seated l. on shield, holding Victory in extended r. hand and spear in l. hand. 22.5mm, 4.65g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 70. Ex Silicua, auction 1, lot 121. Price: $25.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><b>7. </b>Many ancient collectors, including myself, started with late Roman bronze coins: they come in many types, are easily attributable and in ample supply, and don’t break the bank. Often, extremely attractive examples of the more common types can be found for little money:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036375[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Constantine I, Roman Empire, AE3, 312–313 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; bust of Constantine I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol, chlamys hanging behind, standing l., raising r. hand and holding up globe in l. hand. 20mm, 2.96g. Ref: RIC VI Rom 323a. Ex AMCC 2, lot 244 (their picture). Price: $21.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><b>8. </b>Another very attractive late Roman. Note the quality of the Trier mint portraiture.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036373[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Constantine II, Roman Empire, AE3, 326AD, Trier. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, bust of Constantine II, laureate, draped, cuirassed, l. Rev: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS, globe on altar inscribed VOT/IS/XX; camp gate with two turrets, star above; in exergue, STR crescent. 19mm, 3.01g. Ref: RIC VII Treveri 479. Ex Tauler y Fau, Auction 34, lot 4519. Price: $25.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><b>9. </b>Finding affordable yet interesting medieval coins can be hard. “Friesach pfennige” do not only have a <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/common-medieval-coins-info-thread.337725/#post-3498305" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/common-medieval-coins-info-thread.337725/#post-3498305">fascinating history</a>, they are also accessible for collectors on a budget.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036367[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Adalbert III of Bohemia, Prince–Archbishopric of Salzburg, Friesach pfennig, ca. 1170–1200 AD, Friesach mint. Obv: E[R]IAC[EN]SIS (retrograde), bishop standing facing, holding crosier and book. Rev: church building with two towers, cross above pediment, four ringlets (windows?) below. 19mm, 0.97g. Ref: CNA, Ca9. Ex Minerva Moneta. Price: $20.35.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><b>10. </b>The same is true for “hand hellers.” The type is very common and only very few collectors specialize on these. The obverse shows a glove, symbolizing the right of a town to have a market and a mint (see my <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/common-medieval-coins-info-thread.337725/#post-3496344" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/common-medieval-coins-info-thread.337725/#post-3496344">write-up on the type</a>).</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1036368[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Schwäbisch Hall, imperial mint, heller, mid-13th c. Obv: Hand in line border, remains of blundered legend (HALLA-type). Rev: Cross with forked ends and pellet in each end in lined border, remains of blundered legend. 17.6mm, 0.55g. Ref: Raff 8 or 9. Ex Enjoy Treasure (“enjoytreasure” on ebay). Price: $16.50.</font>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Orielensis, post: 3932300, member: 96898"]Unfortunately, many modern collectors and beginners wrongly assume that ancient and medieval coin collecting has to be prohibitively expensive. As a matter of fact, most “year end favorite lists” we saw so far in this forum contain quite pricy coins and might even support such impressions. Therefore, following [USER=44316]@Valentinian[/USER] 's and [USER=83845]@Curtisimo[/USER] ’s leads [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/valentinians-top-10-under-100.351359/']here[/URL] and [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/curtisimo%E2%80%99s-spectacular-6-for-under-60-2019.351286/']here[/URL], I thought it a good idea to do an alternative 2019 favorite list showing that it's possible to collect premodern coins on a budget. Below are my favorite 2019 acquisitions below $25 in chronological order. Since this list is meant to illustrate the affordability of the hobby, I felt it necessary to violate the ‘never talk about money’-rule of polite conversation and have mentioned prices below. All prices are converted to US dollars if necessary and include buyer’s premium. Shipping is not factored in, though, since it would have been somewhat distortive. Due to some extensive travels, my coins were mailed to different countries. Also, I usually did combined shipment for multiple coins. [B]Please let me know your favorites and, even better, post your own favorite sub $25 ancients of 2019![/B] [B]1. [/B]This one should have been more expensive but illustrates how watching auctions for bargains can sometimes pay out. [ATTACH=full]1036370[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Phokis, Federal Coinage, triobol, ca. 490–485 BC. Obv: frontal bull's head. Rev: head of Artemis r. set diagonally in incuse square, Φ-O[-K-I] around. 13mm, 2.63g. Ref: see BCD Lokris–Phokis 189; see Williams 1972, no. 17. Ex Savoca London, 2nd Blue Auction, lot 105. Price: $22.[/SIZE] [B]2. [/B]Due to an enormous hoard, Lycian ⅙ staters can currently be found for very little money. If you want one, the time to buy is now. I have another one with a slightly better obverse, but this one was added because of the nice dolphin control mark. [ATTACH=full]1036369[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Dynasts of Lycia, Mithrapata, AR 1/6 stater, ca. 390–370 BC: Obv: Lion scalp facing. Rev: METRAPA[T]A in Lycian script; triskele; in field, dolphin. 13mm, 1.13g. Ref: SNG Copenhagen Suppl. 476 var. Ex Redoubt Numismatics, TX. Price: $22.50.[/SIZE] [B]3. [/B]A nice Carthaginian bargain from a trustworthy ebay-seller: [ATTACH=full]1036366[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Zeugitania, Carthage, AE 18 (Shekel?), ca. 300–264 BC, mint on Sicily or Sardinia (?). Obv: head of Tanit l. Rev: head of horse r.; Punic letter (crescent-shaped) before. 18mm, 4.43g. Ref: SNG Copenhagen 151. Ex André Cichos (“cichosgladiator11” on ebay). Price: $24.[/SIZE] [B]4. [/B]This one I picked up from Ken Dorney’s pick bin at the last Santa Clara coin show. Honestly speaking, the price was low due to Ken being nice. $5–$10 more would still have been a good deal in my eyes. It would have made this list nonetheless, though. (The green spots are rock hard and stabile.) [ATTACH=full]1036371[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Pontos, Amisos (Kingdom of Pontos under Mithridates VI Eupator), AE 21, ca. 105–85 BC. Obv: Gorgoneion in aegis. Rev: [A]MI-ΣΟ[Υ]; Nike advancing r. with palm branch; in fields, monograms. 21mm, 7.40g. Ref: SNG BM Black Sea 1177–1191. Ex Ken Dorney. Price: $10. ([I]Ceterum censeo Kynetum esse referendum[/I]!)[/SIZE] [B]5. [/B]Attractively worn denarii of the adoptive emperors can often be found for a good price. This is an example. The green mineral deposits likely stem from the coin getting cozy with a bronze item it was buried with together. I will not remove them. [ATTACH=full]1036372[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Antoninus Pius, Roman Empire, denarius, 155–156 AD, Rome mint. Obv: [ANTO]NINVS AVG PIVS PP [IMP II], head of Antoninus Pius, laureate, r. Rev: TR POT XIX [CO]S III, Annona standing l., holding corn ears, resting l. hand on modius standing on prow with rudder leaning on it. 18mm, 3.27g. Ref: RIC III Antoninus Pius 249. Ex C.K. (“sesterzensammler” on ebay Germany). Price: $22.[/SIZE] [B]6. [/B]Antoniniani of Gordian III come in many varieties, often are very attractive, and don’t cost a fortune. [ATTACH=full]1036374[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Gordian III, Roman Empire, Ar antoninianus, 240 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; bust of Gordian III, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: ROMAE AETERNAE; Roma, helmeted, seated l. on shield, holding Victory in extended r. hand and spear in l. hand. 22.5mm, 4.65g. Ref: RIC IV Gordian III 70. Ex Silicua, auction 1, lot 121. Price: $25.[/SIZE] [B]7. [/B]Many ancient collectors, including myself, started with late Roman bronze coins: they come in many types, are easily attributable and in ample supply, and don’t break the bank. Often, extremely attractive examples of the more common types can be found for little money: [ATTACH=full]1036375[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Constantine I, Roman Empire, AE3, 312–313 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; bust of Constantine I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol, chlamys hanging behind, standing l., raising r. hand and holding up globe in l. hand. 20mm, 2.96g. Ref: RIC VI Rom 323a. Ex AMCC 2, lot 244 (their picture). Price: $21.[/SIZE] [B]8. [/B]Another very attractive late Roman. Note the quality of the Trier mint portraiture. [ATTACH=full]1036373[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Constantine II, Roman Empire, AE3, 326AD, Trier. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, bust of Constantine II, laureate, draped, cuirassed, l. Rev: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS, globe on altar inscribed VOT/IS/XX; camp gate with two turrets, star above; in exergue, STR crescent. 19mm, 3.01g. Ref: RIC VII Treveri 479. Ex Tauler y Fau, Auction 34, lot 4519. Price: $25.[/SIZE] [B]9. [/B]Finding affordable yet interesting medieval coins can be hard. “Friesach pfennige” do not only have a [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/common-medieval-coins-info-thread.337725/#post-3498305']fascinating history[/URL], they are also accessible for collectors on a budget. [ATTACH=full]1036367[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Adalbert III of Bohemia, Prince–Archbishopric of Salzburg, Friesach pfennig, ca. 1170–1200 AD, Friesach mint. Obv: E[R]IAC[EN]SIS (retrograde), bishop standing facing, holding crosier and book. Rev: church building with two towers, cross above pediment, four ringlets (windows?) below. 19mm, 0.97g. Ref: CNA, Ca9. Ex Minerva Moneta. Price: $20.35.[/SIZE] [B]10. [/B]The same is true for “hand hellers.” The type is very common and only very few collectors specialize on these. The obverse shows a glove, symbolizing the right of a town to have a market and a mint (see my [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/common-medieval-coins-info-thread.337725/#post-3496344']write-up on the type[/URL]). [ATTACH=full]1036368[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Schwäbisch Hall, imperial mint, heller, mid-13th c. Obv: Hand in line border, remains of blundered legend (HALLA-type). Rev: Cross with forked ends and pellet in each end in lined border, remains of blundered legend. 17.6mm, 0.55g. Ref: Raff 8 or 9. Ex Enjoy Treasure (“enjoytreasure” on ebay). Price: $16.50.[/SIZE][/QUOTE]
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