Bing's Top 10 for 2020

This should be relatively easy as I only added 12 coins to my collection so far this year. I do have a couple of bids still pending, but even if won, it may be 2021 before they arrive. So here they are, in no particular order. I'll let the members here decide which they like the best.

1.
ATTICA ATHENS
AR Tetradrachm
OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Athena right, in crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl
REVERSE: AΘE, owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind
Struck at Athens Circa 454-404 BC
17.2g, 26mm
Svoronos pl. 11, 20, Kroll 8; HGC 4, 1597
Former CNG


2.
DYNASTS OF LYKIA, MITARAPATA
AR Diobol
OBV: Facing lion's scalp
REV: Triskeles, Lycian script around; all within incuse square (possible arrow in field)
Struck at Lycia, 425 BC - 360 BC
1.25g; 14mm
Müseler VI, 86-90 var. (legend)


3.
LAMPSAKOS, MYSIA THRACE
AR Diobol
OBVERSE: Janiform female head, in circular earring and necklace
REVERSE: Helmeted head of Athena right
Struck at Lampsakos, Mysia 390-330 BC
1.28g, 13mm
SNG Cop 189 - 192; SNGFrance 1195, SNGvA 1295

4.
Q. POMPONIUS MUSA ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS POMPONIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Laureate head of Apollo right; sandal to left
REVERSE: Thalia, the Muse of Comedy, wearing long flowing tunic and peplum, standing left and leaning left arm on column, holding persona (comic mask) in outstretched right hand
Rome 55 BC
3.39g, 16mm
Crawford 410/9b; Sydenham 821; Pomponia 19

5.
LYCIA. MASIKYTES; LYCIAN LEAGUE
AR Hemidrachm
OBVERSE: Laureate head of Apollo right
REVERSE: Lyre, M - A across fields
Masikytes 48-42 BC
1.7 g, 15 mm
RPC I 3301


6.
MARCUS ANTONIUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley, thyrsos behind prow
REVERSE: LEG II, eagle between standards
Patrae 32-31 BC
3.75g, 17mm
Crawford 544/14; CRI 349; RSC 27


7.
MARCUS ANTONIUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley, thyrsos behind prow
REVERSE: LEG XV. Legionary eagle between two standards
Patrae 32-31 BC
3.19g, 17mm
Crawford 544/30; RSC I 47; CRI 371


8.
VESPASIAN
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate bust of Vespasian right
REVERSE: CAESAR AVG F COS CAESAR AVG F PR, heads of Titus & Domitian facing each other
Struck at Rome, 70 AD
2.69g, 19mm
RIC 16; RSC 5


9.
VESPASIAN
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right
REVERSE: COS VIII, Prow right, star of eight rays above
Struck at Rome, 77-78 AD
3.3g, 18mm
RIC 941; RSC 136


10.
TITUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP TITVS CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head right
REVERSE: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P, draped throne with triangular back
Struck at Rome, 80AD
3.07g, 19mm
RIC 124,BMC 61, RSC 313a

 

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And just for kicks and grins, here are the other two:

11.
PROBUS
AE Silvered Antoninianus
OBVERSE: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
REVERSE: CLEMENTIA TEMP dot, Emperor standing right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre, receiving globe from Jupiter, holding sceptre. Crescent in lower centre Mintmark KA
Struck at Tripolis mint, 277 AD
4g, 22mm
RIC 928, crescent
ex Warren Etsy


12.
JULIAN II
Siliqua
OBVERSE: FL CL IVLIA-NVS PP AVG, rosette-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: VOTIS V MVLTIS X in four lines within wreath. Mintmark SLVG
Struck at Lyons 360-363 A.D
1.7g, 16mm
RIC VIII Lyons 227 var (bust type); RSC 163b var (ditto); Sear 4071 var (ditto).

 

The attic tetradrachm is great! I'm also glad that you got the Vespasian prow. It's a great type and the connection to Antony can't be denied. Since we both seem to collect Flavians and Antony it's a must have coin! Mine will likely make it into my list too. Congrats!

 

I like the Athenian owl the most, and as 2nd and 3rd would choose the Probus and the Flavian dynastic (I leave the MA galleys for you )

Q

 

Congratulations with your additions Bing. I vote for your Athens owl as no. 1, it's a really good looking coin, although the reverse of the LEG II MA is very appealing too...

 

Great additions to your collection. My favorites are Owl, LEG II reverse and Probus.

 

I'm not a ancient Greek collector but I have to admit that your Athenian tetradrachm is the best coin. I also like the #8 Vespasian denarius and #11 the Probus antoninianus. Congratulations !!

 

Interesting selection. Is that your first OWL? It's still a coin on my list.

I found the Vespasian / Prow coin really interesting. Possibly a damnatio? Are any damnationes known for Vespasian? Was that common?

 

Part of me wants to say I like #11 best but I'll be good and say #3, the Lamsakos diobol. I am fond of Janiform heads that are not of Janus. I particularly like those that have distinctly different faces combined.

 

@Bing, nice additions: I really like the legion II reverse on the MA, and the Lampsakos diobol, and can see why the Athenian with extra tall owl would make #1. I will add another shout out for the Probus ex Warren Etsy for style of both obverse and reverse!

 

Nice group.....The owl tet is lovely but my fav's are the Janiform and Lyre.
Cool 12!

 

Nice to see so many Flavians on your list @Bing! But it's hard to disagree with your #1 pick. Congrats!

 

Oh baby! What a murderer's row!
I agree with your order of coins though feel the Flavian boys deserve to be higher but couldn't place them over those saweet MAs.
Man, your attic tet has done wonderful detail on Athena and a perfect owl
Coingrats on a wonderful year

 

Very nice coins! Congratulations. My vote goes to the lovely owl

 

A nice group, Bing.

I like #1. It is beautifully centered, well struck and, of course, an iconic ancient coin.

I also like #5 and #11, both nicely struck and with really nice obverses and reverses.

 

All twelve great coins Bing, but that owl is one of the best I have seen, the detail on the owl is perfect, congrats on some great acquisitions.

 

Classy as always @Bing! I have to say that Athenian Owl, Lycian Hemidrachm, and the additive Probus won me over! Congrats!

 

James, Great additions added this year ! The Owl leads the parade , followed by the unusual Lampsakos diobol. Lovely die work for a tiny coin . My 3rd favorite is the stunning antoninianus of Probus in mint state .

 

Congrats on your top 10 (12) @Bing ! Your Vespasian dynastic denarius and Athenian tetradrachm are my favourites!

 

The owl is classic but I love a Marc Antony denarius. Those 2 have to be my top favorites of your list.
Great group of coins!