As I have only been collecting ancients for less than 2 years, this year I have acquired a mixed batch of coins. Greek, Republican and Imperial for the main part. I am attracted to coins with reverses that are different to the standard deity/god, but sometimes the obverse trumps that. Here are my 10 favorite purchases 10 Nerva Rome mint 97 AD AE As, 10.15gr, 27mm RIC 77, Cohen 7, BMC 127 IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head right / AEQVITAS AVGVST S-C, Equitas standing left with scales & cornucopiae. 9 GORDIAN III AR Drachm. Caesarea mint. ETDelta - Mount Argaeus. Obverse: AV KΔI M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC C. Laureate head to right. Reverse: MHTPO KAIC B N. Mount Argaeus, pellet to left, ETΔ in exergue. Syd 603d Var. Caesarea (Cappadocia) mint, A.D. 241 (year 4). 2,7 g - 18 mm 8 Faustina II Orichalcum Dupondius, 13.55g, 27mm. Rome 161-164 CE. RIC 1671, Sear 5303, BMCRE 995, Cohen 201. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, diademed draped bust right / SALVTI AVGVSTAE, SC below, Salus seated left on a low decorative chair, feeding from a patera a serpent coiled around and raising up from altar. 7 DOMITIAN (92 AD). Denarius. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XI. Laureate head right. Rev: IMP XXI COS XVI CENS P P P. Minerva advancing right on rostral column, with chlamys blowing backwards, brandishing spear and holding shield; to right, owl standing left, head facing. RIC² 730, RSC 274. Weight: 3.23 g. Diameter: 19 mm. 6 Lysimachos, Kingdom of Thrace, AE 20mm, 5.20 gr. Generous flan. Lysimachia mint. 305-281 BC. Helmeted head of Athena right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, above and beneath lion leaping right, spearhead and M on O monogram below. Mueller 74. 5 AR denarius (3,87 g. 17 mm.). Rome, 138 B.C. C Renius Head of Roma right, wearing winged helmet and 5 drop earring; behind, X designating value/ C•RENI below, ROMA in exergue, Juno Caprotina, holding crook, reins and scepter, driving biga of goats right. Crawford 231/1; Sydenham 432; Renia 1. 4 Elagabalus AR Denarius, Rome 220-222 AD IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate draped bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory flying left, open diadem in both hands, shields to both sides, star in right field. RSC 300. RIC 161. BMC 234. 2,8 g - 18,5 mm 3 TACITUS Antoninianus. Ticinum mint. Obverse: IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Reverse: PAX AVGVSTI. Pax standing left, holding olive branch and transverse sceptre; P in exergue. RIC 150, Cohen 72. Ticinum mint, early-June 276. 3,5 g - 22,5 mm 2 Faustina Sr AR Denarius, RIC 361, RSC 101a, BMC 417, SEAR 4583. DIVA FAVSTINA, with elaborate hairstyle and draped bust right / AVGV-STA, Ceres standing left, long hair tied behind, raising right hand & holding long torch with left. Rome mint, A.D. 141. 3,0 g - 15 mm 1 Trajan 109 AD Rome . IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP, laureate bust right, draped left shoulder / COS V PP SPQR OPTIMO PRINC, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and leaning on column. RIC 120s, RSC 81b. Woytek 286a. AR Denarius, 3.61gr, 19mm. This has been a very enjoyable collecting year. It has also been an insight to explore the various bits of history pertaining to each acquisition, and to be given great insights from other much more knowledgeable collectors. Feel free to state your favorite of those posted above.
Nice coins! I think my favorites are 10 (always been partial to Nerva), 3 (stunning portrait of Tacitus), and 1 (just a very sharp coin, all around) Congrats on a great year!
Congrats @expat, really nice and interesting coins, all of them, though I am in particular fascinated by the Tacitus antoninianus.
Great lineup. I have to admit I like the Tacitus as well - very sharp portrait, and it looks like there is still some of the original silvering on the reverse and obverse.
Awesome top "ten" expat I cannot pick any favs/ since they are all super coins. Thanks for sharing!!!!!! John
Great coins all! You really have an eye for aesthetic appeal. The detail on the Tacitus antoninianus is outstanding.
Nice coins @expat Tacitus from Ticinium mint, Lysimachos lion, and Gordian Mt Argaeus would be my first picks - although I had to break a three way tie for 3rd pick. Best wishes for 2024!
The Tacitus antoninianus is easily my favorite coin. I love the fine style engraving and centered, medallic flan
Love the patina on that Nerva, and the Elagabalus is sharp. The Tacitus caught my eye, though I don't usually fall for stuff that late, chronologically speaking. It's got that great centering and full-circle borders on both sides, plus it appears to still have a trace of the silvering. Nice one. (I'd like a Florian that looked like that.)
