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Message:: [QUOTE="Curtisimo, post: 3921337, member: 83845"]This is a concept that was started by [USER=19463]@dougsmit[/USER] <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/dougs-2015-5-to-100-list.271503/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/dougs-2015-5-to-100-list.271503/">in 2015</a> and taken up by [USER=57495]@zumbly[/USER] and others <a href="http://www.cointalk.com/threads/another-list-favorite-coins-from-1-100.287819/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.cointalk.com/threads/another-list-favorite-coins-from-1-100.287819/">in posts</a> during subsequent years.  The <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/curtisimo%E2%80%99s-sensational-7-under-70.307075/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/curtisimo%E2%80%99s-sensational-7-under-70.307075/">last one I did</a> was in 2017. The concept is a variation on our popular “Top 10” lists and showcases favorite coins that fit within $10 increments. I’ve always liked this idea as it illustrates how accessible the hobby is for everyone, no matter the coin budget. I’m not ready to make the call on which coins made my top 10 but I hope you will at least enjoy these 6 favorite budget buys from my 2019 purchases. Category: $1 - $10 <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/my-first-ancient-cash-coin-china%E2%80%99s-first-unified-currency.350865/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/my-first-ancient-cash-coin-china%E2%80%99s-first-unified-currency.350865/">My First Ancient Cash Coin: China’s First Unified Currency</a>[ATTACH=full]1033714[/ATTACH]Ancient ChinaQin to Western HanAE Ban Liang, cast ca. 220-180 BCWt.: 4.62 gDia.: 27 mmObv.: Ban LiangRev.: Blank as madeRef.: Hartill 7.8Ex Sallent Collection, Ex AMCC 2, Lot 372 (Nov. 9, 2019) I’d like to give a special thanks to the Canadian Dollar and the other 11 coins that I bought from AMCC 2 for helping me keep this coin right around the $10 threshold. Defusing the shipping cost between multiple coins really helped me justify my dive into the pick bin and non-classical section of that auction. If you’re not perusing the pick bin and eastern sections you are missing out and this coin is case and point. As discussed in the above linked thread it is an important type from an important period in world history. I also love the colorful patina on ancient Chinese coins and this example has a really pleasant patina. Per note from TypeCoin this is an early Han Dynasty example ca. 180 BC. Category: $11 - $20 [ATTACH=full]1033727[/ATTACH]Medieval IndiaParamaras of MalwaBI Gadhaiya Paisa, struck ca. mid-13th century ADDia.: 12.5 mmWt.: 3.9 gObv.: Stylized bust rightRev.: Stylized fire altar on raised platform surrounded by dots and lines I find the evolution of the design on these coins fascinating. Over time the Sassanid inspired design became so stylized that it was barely recognizable. However, the basis of the original iconography was still intact over several centuries despite its separation from its original cultural context. The curling design in front of the obverse bust has sometimes been described as a nose. Maheshwari described this type of example as the “distinctive nose” type. One fascinating theory that [USER=98035]@Finn235[/USER] introduced me to (thanks for the help Finn!) is that the design is actually a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankha" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankha" rel="nofollow">shankha shell</a>. These shells were very valuable and highly prized in the Hindu religion. The idea that the obverse is showing a figure blowing into a shankha shell horn seems entirely plausible as well as fascinating to me. Category: $21 - $30 <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/amcc-2-my-first-bcd-coin-post-your-examples-also.350539/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/amcc-2-my-first-bcd-coin-post-your-examples-also.350539/">AMCC 2: My First BCD Coin! Post your examples also!</a>[ATTACH=full]1033723[/ATTACH]Thessaly, KrannonAE Chalkous, struck ca. 350-300 BCDia.: 15.4 mmWt.: 2.41 gObv.: Thessalian rider and horse, rearing rightRev.: KPAN Bull butting right, trident aboveRef.: BCD Thessaly II 118.5; HGC 4, 391Ex zumbly collection; Ex BCD collection with tag stating “V. Ex Thess., Apr. 94, DM 35”; Ex AMCC 2, Lot 5 (Nov. 9, 2019) This coin is well centered and has a beautiful dark patina with great detail and pleasant style. This coin belonged to my CT friend [USER=57495]@zumbly[/USER] and was once in the legendary BCD collection as well. To land a coin like this inside this price bracket is astounding. Throw in the interesting subject depicted on the coin and it should be clear why I consider this one of my highlight purchases of 2019. [ATTACH=full]1033722[/ATTACH]Tag from the BCD Collection.  Coin purchased by him in April of 1994 Category: $31 - $40 [ATTACH=full]1033720[/ATTACH]Roman EmpireSeverus AlexanderAR Denarius, Antioch mint, struck ca. AD 222-235Dia.: 18 mmWt.: 3.35 gObv.: IMP C AVR ALEXAND AVG; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust rightRev.: PROVID DEORVM; Providentia standing left, holding wand over globe and sceptreRef.: RIC 294Ex arnoldoe Collection, Ex Otto Helbing Nachfolger 86, Lot 1585 (Nov. 25, 1942) This is my first example of a denarius struck at Antioch and I am very pleased with it. I also love the toning and was drawn in by the fantastic provenance. This coin shows that just because a coin is not in FDC condition that does not mean that it hasn’t spent decades being appreciated by generations of collectors. This coin was part of the Helbing Nachf. Auction 86 held in Munich on Nov. 25, 1942 at the height of the Second World War. A humble coin with an old provenance might be rare but this coin is a great reminder than many, if not most, of our ancient coins have been comfortably residing in collections for a long time.  It is truly astonishing that the tag has stayed with the coin for almost 80 years! [ATTACH=full]1033719[/ATTACH]Tag from the Otto Helbing Nachf. Auction 86, held on Nov. 25, 1942 in Munich Category: $41 - $50 [ATTACH=full]1033715[/ATTACH]Roman EmpireDiva Faustina (died AD 141)AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck after  AD 141Dia.: 18 mmWt.: 3.25 gObv.: DIVA FAVSTINA; Draped bust rightRev.: AED DIV FAVSTINAE; Hexastyle temple, cult statue of Faustina insideRef.: RIC 343Ex J.B. Collection (Edmonton), Ex AMCC 2, Lot 153 (Nov. 9, 2019) One of my favorite reverse types on Roman coins is the AEDIS types showing the temple of Faustina. Many of the engravers chose to emphasize different architectural details on the types and denominations to the point that one can almost reconstruct a realistic view of the building by studying them all together. I bought this example specifically for the prominent depiction of the cult statue of Faustina which has miraculously survived from the waist down and can still be seen today if one visits the remains of the temple. This coin also comes with a known provenance back to 2002 as part of the J.B. Collection and was sold through AMCC.  I like it when collectors include their tag with their collection.  This collector was apparently friends with at least one of our members and it was revealed that he recently passed away.  I am honored to take ownership of this coin and will make sure it retains the link to his collection so long as I own it. [ATTACH=full]1033716[/ATTACH]Tag from the J.B. Collection Category: $51 - $60 [ATTACH=full]1033724[/ATTACH]Roman EmpireCommodus under Marcus AureliusAE Sestertius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 179Dia.: 33 mmWt.: 26.37 gObv.: L AVREL COMMODVS AVG TR P IIII; Laureate head of Commodus rightRev.: IMP III COS II P P S C; Minerva standing left extending right hand, left hand resting on shield on ground to right, spear resting against shieldRef.: RIC III 1607 p. 342 (under Marcus Aurelius)Ex Kenneth W. Dorney Auction 9, Lot 105 (Nov. 29, 2019) How about 33 mm and 27 grams of Commodus to close out my Roman purchases for the year? I purchased this coin from [USER=76086]@Ken Dorney[/USER] 's most recent auction and was surprised to win it for the price I did.  This is a fantastic coin for this price.  It is my largest coin of 2019 and has a pleasant dark colored patina.  I really like the younger portraits of Commodus under Marcus Aurelius because you can really see the family resemblance when compared to the young coins of Marcus.  Unfortunately, their leadership styles seem to diverge more and more in relation to their portrait style.[/QUOTE]

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