Carausius' Top 10

The coin-buying year has come to a close for me. I had a productive year, adding several key "bones" to the skeleton of my Roman Republican collection. The following are my favorites of the year in no particular order:

1. AR Didrachm-Quadrigatus. Crawford 29/3. Attractive, toned, with a strong relief ROMA on raised tablet (not an easy combination), and a known auction provenance to 1992.



2. AE Aes Grave As. Crawford 35/1. This example was particularly desirable because it has a provenance to 1966 and therefore is exempt from any MoU. And I love its heft - 254 grams of joy.



3. AR Denarius. Crawford 53/2. Strong condition example with a 1989 provenance. It was misattributed as a 44/5, but what Roman Republican collector could mistake that peaked visor?



4. AE Aes Grave Quadrans. Crawford 21/4; ICC 44. Close to 70 grams. This nice example of a scarcer type has pretty surfaces, and an important 1950's pedigree.



5. AR Sestertius. Crawford 44/7. Now the lightest RR coin in my collection, weighing a mere 1 gram, and ex August Voirol Collection.



6. L. Piso Frugi, AE As. Crawford 340/4. A common coin, but in uncommonly nice condition.



7. C. Vibius C.F. Pansa, AR Denarius. Crawford 352/2. A strong example of a very rare coin - this being the scarcer variety with the names beneath, rather than behind, the masks of Pan and Silenus. The mask of Silenus has a die break in the eye socket, which is commonly found on coins made from these dies; suggesting that the die break occurred early in production. Ex Clain Stefanelli Colllection.



8. AE 27. Crawford 23/1. Very rare ROMANO-ROMANO, early struck bronze from a Sicilian mint.



9. Brutus, AR Denarius. Crawford 433/1. A beautifully toned example with perfect surfaces, ex Frederick Knobloch Collection. It's been freed from its slab.

 

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10. L Series, AE Semiuncia. Luceria Mint. Crawford 97/8. Solid condition coin of a rare type - only 4 specimens in Paris.

 

A superb group @Carausius

My favourites are the Brutus and the Pansa.

 

Any one of your coins would have been in my top 5 if I had them. Wow! Nothing but winners!

 

#9 is straight up coin porn.

 

Yeah, that is definitely coin porn. However, I personally think #1 and #3 should be illegal as they are so stunning they are liable to give someone a heart attack from the visual excitement.

 

A handsome group!

 

Wow, Carausius ... congrats on ten amazing additions!!

I like #2, #4, #6 and #7

... #2 is sooo cool (254 grams!! = awesome)

 

After looking through the list, I thought I'd be able to go back and choose one or a few favorites. Couldn't do it... they're all remarkable. Congrats on a great coin year!

 

WOW, Carausius-- fantastic coins!! The didrachm is amazing in every regard. I particularly like how Jupiter's throwing arm looks like it's coming off the coin. Very 3-D

The aes grave-- great score. Ditto for the quadrans, and basically all of your coins!

 

WOW!! I LOVE them all...but my absolute favorites are Brutus and Pansa with all the rest tied for second

 

Excellent set of coins, an A+ in my books!
I like the fine details on Liberty in #1 & #7 and the ROMANO eagle.

 

I don't think there is a better top 10 posted. Outstanding coins all.

 

You had a great year. Obviously my favorite is the aes grave as!

 

Really outstanding coins, Carausius!! Love the depth of coinage your key aquisitions cover, and those Aes are starting to talk to me as you know. Lovely stuff, congrats!

 

Nice coins! I think of the two my favorites are probably the sestertius and the Piso Frugi as simply because of the fact that while both are common, both are in exceptional condition. I picked up a similar little anonymous sestertius in 2016 and it would have made my list but I forgot that it was a 2016 coin until I was looking at my records later and realized that I purchased it on 1/1/2016. Gah.

 

@Carthago the Aes aren't talking to you, they are screaming at you to STAY AWAY.

 

You can post it as an addendum or honorable mention.

 

Post it here @red_spork , I'd like to see it!