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<p>[QUOTE="Orielensis, post: 8068190, member: 96898"]My "normal" favorite list will come later at some point in December, but for the newcomers and bargain hunters among you, this thread might be more interesting. In <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/an-affordable-hobby-2020-favorites-under-25.371149/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/an-affordable-hobby-2020-favorites-under-25.371149/">2020</a> and<a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/an-affordable-hobby-2019-favorites-under-25.351593/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/an-affordable-hobby-2019-favorites-under-25.351593/"> 2019</a>, I posted lists of my favorite ancient and medieval coin purchases under $25. Although the price tags on ancient coins have risen during the pandemic, I still found enough attractive coins to continue this small tradition in 2021.</p><p><br /></p><p>The reason for this list is simple: each year, new members looking for advice and inspiration are joining this board. Many of our favorite lists could give such new collectors the impression that ancient numismatics is a hobby only suitable for people with substantial piles of disposable cash. <b>To prove this wrong, I'll try to show what is possible on a budget, and I’d like to invite everybody else to show their own budget purchases from 2021.</b></p><p><br /></p><p>The rules for this list are the same as in the previous years: to illustrate the affordability of the hobby, I have violated the ‘never talk about money’-rule of polite conversation and mentioned prices. If necessary, amounts are converted to US dollars, include buyer’s premium, and are rounded up. Shipping is not factored in. I mention professional and semi-professional dealers but refrain from explicitly naming hobbyists who occasionally sell. Coins are in chronological order.</p><p><br /></p><p>1. Here is a small coin produced by the Leuci, a Belgic tribe that settled in what today is northern France and is mentioned in Caesar’s <i>De bello Gallico</i>. I especially like the cartoonish boar on the reverse. Celtic potin coins are unusual insofar as they were cast, not struck. They make for a very specialized but fascinating collecting field, and quite a few types can usually be found for little money.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1398806[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Western Celts: Leuci, cast AE (“potin”), 1st century BC, Gaul, region of Toul. Obv: bald head l. Rev: stylized boar l., ornament (trimount) below. 16mm, 3.56g. Ref: Castelin 595–597; De la Tour 9044. Ex Alain Mouret Numismatique (amso 336 on ebay France).<b> $10</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>2. Denarii of the adoptive emperors were struck in large quantities and circulated for a long time, so attractive examples worn to “F” don’t break the bank. And although this particular denarius has more wear than I usually like to see, its interesting reverse makes up for it. It shows the temple of Divus Augustus with a tiny double statue of Livia and Augustus. Construction on the temple started shortly after Augustus's death in 14 AD. My coin was minted when the temple was restored under Antoninus Pius.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1398808[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Antoninus Pius, Roman Empire, denarius, 145–161 AD, Rome mint. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP, laureate head of Antoninus Pius r. Rev: TEMPLVM DIV AVG REST COS IIII; front view of octastyle temple, containing statues of Divus Augustus and Livia. 17mm, 2.62g. Ref: RIC III Antoninus Pius 143 (denarius). Ex small seller on ebay Germany. <b>$17.50</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>3. Coins of the Gallic Empire are both fascinating and in most cases affordable. This one doesn’t only feature an early portrait from Postumus’ first regnal year but also a rather special reverse. <i>Hercules Deusoniensis </i>likely was a Romanized Germanic deity. His name probably refers to the Dutch town of Diessen. There is speculation about whether Diessen might have been Postumus' birthplace.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1398814[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Postumus, Gallic Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, mid–end 260 AD, Trier mint. Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS.P.F.AVG; bust of Postumus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: HERC DEVSONIENSI; Hercules stg. r., with r. hand leaning on club, and holding bow in l. hand and lion’s skin over I. arm. 23 mm, 3.57g. Ref: Mairat 15; RIC V Postumus 64. Ex Alain Mouret Numismatique (amso336 on ebay France). <b>$19</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>4. Another attractive coin from the short-lived Gallic Empire. Do you wonder what the “V” in the reverse field signifies? Probably, it is an initial that points to the emperor Victorinus. Earlier on, Postumus struck the same type with a “P”.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1398815[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Victorinus, Gallic Roman Empire, AE antoninian, 270–271 AD, Trier mint. Obv: IMP C VICTOR[INVS P]F AVG; radiate, draped, cuirassed bust of Victorinus r. Rev: PAX AVG; Pax, standing l., holding branch and sceptre; in field l., V; in field r., star and palm branch. 19mm, 2.35g. Ref: Mairat 600–601. Ex small seller on ebay Germany. <b>$9</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>5. This is one of the more unusual tetrachical types, which nonetheless tend to come at low prices. On the reverse, we see Hercules and Jupiter, who in this case refer to the two <i>augusti</i>. Diocletian and Maximian had taken the titles “Jovius” and “Herculius.” This form of identification with traditional Roman religion was programmatic for the first tetrarchy.</p><p><font size="3">[ATTACH=full]1398810[/ATTACH] </font></p><p><font size="3">Diocletian, Roman Empire, AE antoninianus, 285 AD, Antioch mint. Obv: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate, draped, cuirassed bust of Diocletian r. Rev: IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG; Jupiter, standing r., holding globe in r. hand and sceptre in l. hand, and Hercules, standing l., holding Victory in r. hand and club and lion's skin in l. hand; in central field, crescent above B; in exergue, XXI. 19 mm, 3.89g. Ref: RIC V Diocletian 323. Ex Savoca, Blue Auction 102, lot 1158.<b> $19</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>6. Many ancient collectors start with late Roman bronze coins, also known as LRBs. Cheap and readily available, LRBs provide an ideal field for collectors on a budget. (Tip: Don’t buy “uncleaned” lots, which tend to consist of barely identifiable slugs!)</p><p>This LRB, which I won in AMCC 3, was produced at a turning point in late Roman history. Struck by Constantine at London in 313–314 AD, it depicts the co-emperor Licinius. Later on in 314 AD, civil war would erupt between the two emperors. For now, though, Constantine was happy to strike coins for his rival.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1398813[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Licinius I, Roman Empire, AE2, 313–314 AD, London mint. Obv: IMP LICINIVS PF AVG; bust of Licinius I, laureate, cuirassed, r. Rev: GENIO POP ROM; Genius standing l., holding patera in r. hand, cornucopia in l.; in fields, S-F; in exergue, PLN. 21mm, 3.04g. Ref: RIC VII Londinium 3. Ex JB collection; ex AMCC 3, lot 584. <b>$11.</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>7. A nice LRB struck for Constantine. Arelate (Arles) is not a very common mint. Note the good reverse style:</p><p><font size="3">[ATTACH=full]1398811[/ATTACH] </font></p><p><font size="3">Constantine the Great, Roman Empire, AE3, 317–318 AD, Arles mint. Obv: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; bust of Constantine I, laureate, draped cuirassed, r. Rev: SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol standing l., radiate, chlamys draped across r. shoulder, raising r. hand and holding up globe in l. hand; in fields, C–S; in exergue, PARL. 19mm, 3.43g. Ref: RIC VII Arelate 145. Ex small seller on ebay Germany. <b>$12.50</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>8. Some LRB reverses are considerably scarcer than others. This type showing Sol running right and referencing the <i>claritas reipublicae</i> (“splendor of the state”) is a good example. I’m happy that I still got this coin at a bargain price:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1398809[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Constantine II Iunior, Roman Empire, AE3, 317 AD, Arelate mint. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES, bust of Constantine II, laureate, draped, cuirassed r. rev: CLARIT-A-S REIPVB; Sol, radiate, chlamys flying, running l., raising r. hand and holding globe in l. hand; in fields, R–S; in exergue SARL. 20mm, 3.00g. Ref: RIC VII Arelate 120. Ex André Cichos. <b>$18.50</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>9. One can argue about whether something like “fine style” even exists on LRBs. But if so, this coin struck at Antioch as part of the posthumous issues for the deified Constantine has it. Look at the drapery! Also, I like the strongly abbreviated reverse legend "VN-MR," which can be dissolved as <i>venerandae memoriae</i> ("of venerable memory").</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1398812[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Constantine I (posthumous issue), Roman Empire, AE3, 347–348 AD, Antioch mint. Obv: DV CONSTANTINVS PT AVGG; bust of Constantine I, veiled, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: VN-MR; Constantine I, veiled, draped, standing r.; in exergue, SMAN∈. 16mm, 1.52g. Ref: RIC VIII Antioch 112. Ex small seller on ebay Germany. <b>$13.50</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>10. Finally, a small medieval silver coin with an interesting history. The denari of Lucca are mainly famous for having been used in the First Crusade. Raymond of Aguilers, the chronicler of the crusade, writes: <i>Erat haec nostra moneta: pictavini, cartenses, mansei, <b>lucenses</b>, valentinenses, megorensi, et duo pogesii pro uno istorum </i>("This was our money: [coins] of Poitou, of Chartres, of Les Mans, <b>of Lucca</b>, of Valence, of Melgueil, and two [coins] of Le Puy for each of these"). The type itself is very common but usually poorly struck. I wanted an example with full legends and had to search for a long while.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1398807[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Italy, Lucca, civic issue, under Henry II-V, AR denaro, c. 1004–1125 AD. Obv: +IMPERATOR; H-monogramm in circle. Rev: +ENRICVS; L-V-C-A around central dot. 16mm, 0.91g. Ref: Biaggi 1098. Ex Savoca, Blue 98, lot 2016. <b>$20.50</b></font></p><p><font size="4"><br /></font></p><p><font size="4"><b>Please post your comments, name your favorites, and show your own 2021 budget coins!</b></font>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Orielensis, post: 8068190, member: 96898"]My "normal" favorite list will come later at some point in December, but for the newcomers and bargain hunters among you, this thread might be more interesting. In [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/an-affordable-hobby-2020-favorites-under-25.371149/']2020[/URL] and[URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/an-affordable-hobby-2019-favorites-under-25.351593/'] 2019[/URL], I posted lists of my favorite ancient and medieval coin purchases under $25. Although the price tags on ancient coins have risen during the pandemic, I still found enough attractive coins to continue this small tradition in 2021. The reason for this list is simple: each year, new members looking for advice and inspiration are joining this board. Many of our favorite lists could give such new collectors the impression that ancient numismatics is a hobby only suitable for people with substantial piles of disposable cash. [B]To prove this wrong, I'll try to show what is possible on a budget, and I’d like to invite everybody else to show their own budget purchases from 2021.[/B] The rules for this list are the same as in the previous years: to illustrate the affordability of the hobby, I have violated the ‘never talk about money’-rule of polite conversation and mentioned prices. If necessary, amounts are converted to US dollars, include buyer’s premium, and are rounded up. Shipping is not factored in. I mention professional and semi-professional dealers but refrain from explicitly naming hobbyists who occasionally sell. Coins are in chronological order. 1. Here is a small coin produced by the Leuci, a Belgic tribe that settled in what today is northern France and is mentioned in Caesar’s [I]De bello Gallico[/I]. I especially like the cartoonish boar on the reverse. Celtic potin coins are unusual insofar as they were cast, not struck. They make for a very specialized but fascinating collecting field, and quite a few types can usually be found for little money. [ATTACH=full]1398806[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Western Celts: Leuci, cast AE (“potin”), 1st century BC, Gaul, region of Toul. Obv: bald head l. Rev: stylized boar l., ornament (trimount) below. 16mm, 3.56g. Ref: Castelin 595–597; De la Tour 9044. Ex Alain Mouret Numismatique (amso 336 on ebay France).[B] $10[/B][/SIZE] 2. Denarii of the adoptive emperors were struck in large quantities and circulated for a long time, so attractive examples worn to “F” don’t break the bank. And although this particular denarius has more wear than I usually like to see, its interesting reverse makes up for it. It shows the temple of Divus Augustus with a tiny double statue of Livia and Augustus. Construction on the temple started shortly after Augustus's death in 14 AD. My coin was minted when the temple was restored under Antoninus Pius. [ATTACH=full]1398808[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Antoninus Pius, Roman Empire, denarius, 145–161 AD, Rome mint. Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP, laureate head of Antoninus Pius r. Rev: TEMPLVM DIV AVG REST COS IIII; front view of octastyle temple, containing statues of Divus Augustus and Livia. 17mm, 2.62g. Ref: RIC III Antoninus Pius 143 (denarius). Ex small seller on ebay Germany. [B]$17.50[/B][/SIZE] 3. Coins of the Gallic Empire are both fascinating and in most cases affordable. This one doesn’t only feature an early portrait from Postumus’ first regnal year but also a rather special reverse. [I]Hercules Deusoniensis [/I]likely was a Romanized Germanic deity. His name probably refers to the Dutch town of Diessen. There is speculation about whether Diessen might have been Postumus' birthplace. [ATTACH=full]1398814[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Postumus, Gallic Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, mid–end 260 AD, Trier mint. Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS.P.F.AVG; bust of Postumus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: HERC DEVSONIENSI; Hercules stg. r., with r. hand leaning on club, and holding bow in l. hand and lion’s skin over I. arm. 23 mm, 3.57g. Ref: Mairat 15; RIC V Postumus 64. Ex Alain Mouret Numismatique (amso336 on ebay France). [B]$19[/B][/SIZE] 4. Another attractive coin from the short-lived Gallic Empire. Do you wonder what the “V” in the reverse field signifies? Probably, it is an initial that points to the emperor Victorinus. Earlier on, Postumus struck the same type with a “P”. [ATTACH=full]1398815[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Victorinus, Gallic Roman Empire, AE antoninian, 270–271 AD, Trier mint. Obv: IMP C VICTOR[INVS P]F AVG; radiate, draped, cuirassed bust of Victorinus r. Rev: PAX AVG; Pax, standing l., holding branch and sceptre; in field l., V; in field r., star and palm branch. 19mm, 2.35g. Ref: Mairat 600–601. Ex small seller on ebay Germany. [B]$9[/B][/SIZE] 5. This is one of the more unusual tetrachical types, which nonetheless tend to come at low prices. On the reverse, we see Hercules and Jupiter, who in this case refer to the two [I]augusti[/I]. Diocletian and Maximian had taken the titles “Jovius” and “Herculius.” This form of identification with traditional Roman religion was programmatic for the first tetrarchy. [SIZE=3][ATTACH=full]1398810[/ATTACH] Diocletian, Roman Empire, AE antoninianus, 285 AD, Antioch mint. Obv: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG; radiate, draped, cuirassed bust of Diocletian r. Rev: IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG; Jupiter, standing r., holding globe in r. hand and sceptre in l. hand, and Hercules, standing l., holding Victory in r. hand and club and lion's skin in l. hand; in central field, crescent above B; in exergue, XXI. 19 mm, 3.89g. Ref: RIC V Diocletian 323. Ex Savoca, Blue Auction 102, lot 1158.[B] $19[/B][/SIZE] 6. Many ancient collectors start with late Roman bronze coins, also known as LRBs. Cheap and readily available, LRBs provide an ideal field for collectors on a budget. (Tip: Don’t buy “uncleaned” lots, which tend to consist of barely identifiable slugs!) This LRB, which I won in AMCC 3, was produced at a turning point in late Roman history. Struck by Constantine at London in 313–314 AD, it depicts the co-emperor Licinius. Later on in 314 AD, civil war would erupt between the two emperors. For now, though, Constantine was happy to strike coins for his rival. [ATTACH=full]1398813[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Licinius I, Roman Empire, AE2, 313–314 AD, London mint. Obv: IMP LICINIVS PF AVG; bust of Licinius I, laureate, cuirassed, r. Rev: GENIO POP ROM; Genius standing l., holding patera in r. hand, cornucopia in l.; in fields, S-F; in exergue, PLN. 21mm, 3.04g. Ref: RIC VII Londinium 3. Ex JB collection; ex AMCC 3, lot 584. [B]$11.[/B][/SIZE] 7. A nice LRB struck for Constantine. Arelate (Arles) is not a very common mint. Note the good reverse style: [SIZE=3][ATTACH=full]1398811[/ATTACH] Constantine the Great, Roman Empire, AE3, 317–318 AD, Arles mint. Obv: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; bust of Constantine I, laureate, draped cuirassed, r. Rev: SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol standing l., radiate, chlamys draped across r. shoulder, raising r. hand and holding up globe in l. hand; in fields, C–S; in exergue, PARL. 19mm, 3.43g. Ref: RIC VII Arelate 145. Ex small seller on ebay Germany. [B]$12.50[/B][/SIZE] 8. Some LRB reverses are considerably scarcer than others. This type showing Sol running right and referencing the [I]claritas reipublicae[/I] (“splendor of the state”) is a good example. I’m happy that I still got this coin at a bargain price: [ATTACH=full]1398809[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Constantine II Iunior, Roman Empire, AE3, 317 AD, Arelate mint. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES, bust of Constantine II, laureate, draped, cuirassed r. rev: CLARIT-A-S REIPVB; Sol, radiate, chlamys flying, running l., raising r. hand and holding globe in l. hand; in fields, R–S; in exergue SARL. 20mm, 3.00g. Ref: RIC VII Arelate 120. Ex André Cichos. [B]$18.50[/B][/SIZE] 9. One can argue about whether something like “fine style” even exists on LRBs. But if so, this coin struck at Antioch as part of the posthumous issues for the deified Constantine has it. Look at the drapery! Also, I like the strongly abbreviated reverse legend "VN-MR," which can be dissolved as [I]venerandae memoriae[/I] ("of venerable memory"). [ATTACH=full]1398812[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Constantine I (posthumous issue), Roman Empire, AE3, 347–348 AD, Antioch mint. Obv: DV CONSTANTINVS PT AVGG; bust of Constantine I, veiled, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: VN-MR; Constantine I, veiled, draped, standing r.; in exergue, SMAN∈. 16mm, 1.52g. Ref: RIC VIII Antioch 112. Ex small seller on ebay Germany. [B]$13.50[/B][/SIZE] 10. Finally, a small medieval silver coin with an interesting history. The denari of Lucca are mainly famous for having been used in the First Crusade. Raymond of Aguilers, the chronicler of the crusade, writes: [I]Erat haec nostra moneta: pictavini, cartenses, mansei, [B]lucenses[/B], valentinenses, megorensi, et duo pogesii pro uno istorum [/I]("This was our money: [coins] of Poitou, of Chartres, of Les Mans, [B]of Lucca[/B], of Valence, of Melgueil, and two [coins] of Le Puy for each of these"). The type itself is very common but usually poorly struck. I wanted an example with full legends and had to search for a long while. [ATTACH=full]1398807[/ATTACH] [SIZE=3]Italy, Lucca, civic issue, under Henry II-V, AR denaro, c. 1004–1125 AD. Obv: +IMPERATOR; H-monogramm in circle. Rev: +ENRICVS; L-V-C-A around central dot. 16mm, 0.91g. Ref: Biaggi 1098. Ex Savoca, Blue 98, lot 2016. [B]$20.50[/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=4] [B]Please post your comments, name your favorites, and show your own 2021 budget coins![/B][/SIZE][/QUOTE]
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