Okay, I've been delaying posting my top ten until I could get up the post of my Philip von Heinsberg coin. While I didn't have a large number of purchases, there was a good group to make a top ten: 10 French Feudal, Champagne Henry II, r. 1180-97 Troyes Mint, AR Denier, 20.52 mm x 0.9 grams Obv.: +HENRI COMES, Cross Pattee with annulet in 2nd and 3rd quarter Rev.: +TRECAS CIVITAS, TEBO Monogram Ref.: Roberts 4145 This coin is a part of a larger 'set' I am working on with Feudal French coins. I'll save the details for a future post, but for now, I was pleased to find a coin from either Henry I or II from the city of Troyes. 9 Imperial Rome Caracalla, r. 198-217 A.D. (203 A.D.) Rome Mint, AR Denarius, 20.4mm x 3.21 grams Obv.: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right Rev.: INDVLGENTIA AVGG, IN CARTH in ex, Dea Caelestis seated facing on lion galloping right over rushing waters, holding thunderbolt and scepter Ref.: RIC IV-1 Caracalla 130a, p. 231. C I have a shot spot for the denari of Caracalla, and enjoy the different reverse this coin has. I am hoping to build a portrait series of Caracalla, but this will be a long term side project. 8 England Henry VII, r. 1485-1509 (1494-1501) Durham Mint, mm 76b, AR Penny, 14.88mm x 0.6 grams Obv.: Henry enthroned facing, holding scepter and globus cruciger, throne pillar on either side surmounted by saltire cross Rev.: Coat-of-arms over long cross pattée, mitre above Ref.: SCBS 2234 Ex. R.D. Frederick, Ex. Tradewinds Collection This coin was a product of a good deal that I couldn't pass on, but I do enjoy the enthroned king Henry. The Durham mint is also special to me, it this is the only coin I have from that mint. 7 England John, r. 1199-1216 (1205-1216) London Mint, AR Short Cross Penny, 19mm x 1.54 grams Obv.: hEnricus R_ _ (ex) Rev.: WALTER . ON . LV (Walter on London) Ref.: SCBC 1353 Ex. Dr. Murray Gell-Mann Collection Another of my longer projects is the monarchs of England, and I am quite pleased to add this nice version of a short cross penny minted under John. 6 French Feudal, Aquitaine Henry II, r. 1152-1168 Bordeaux Mint, BL Denier, 16.57mm x 0.8 grams Obv.: +hENRICVS REX, cross pattée Rev.: º+º / AQVI / TANI / ºEº, in four lines Ref.: SCBC 8001 Ex. R.D. Frederick Collection. Ex. A.H. Baldwin Like the Henry VII of England coin, this came as a great deal, considering these coins of Henry II rarely come available. 5 German States, Cologne Archbishop Philipp von Heinsberg, r. 1167-1191 AR Denier, 3rd type, 18.05 mm x 1.4 grams Obv.: HITARCH EPICOV, Archbishop with mitre, crosier, and bible seated on lion throne Rev.: EIACOLONIA PAICHAI, Three towers over wall and gate, likely representing the Cathedral of St Peter, Cologne Ref.: De Wit 1993 Original thread here. Just a beautiful coin! 4 Italian States, Venice Pietro Zani, r. 1205-1229 AR Grosso, 19.79 mm, 1.9 grams Obv.: [·+·]P·ZIANI· ·S·M.VENETI outside (Z retrograde), D/U/X down banner held between doge and St. Mark facing Rev.: [I¯C] X¯C across field, Christ enthroned facing. Original thread here. Another beautiful coin with an historical significance. 3 French Feudal, Aquitaine Eleanor, r. 1185-1204 AR Denier, 17.86mm x 0.8 grams Obv.: +DVCISIT, M above, A below, two cross pattee on either side Rev.: +AQVITANIE, Cross Pattee inside Ref.: SCBC 8011 While not the prettiest coin, these are not easy to come by. I may have paid too much, but I am happy to have an Eleanor! There is some controversy surrounding the identification of this coin, but I intend to cover that in a future post. 2 England Stephen, r. 1135-1154 (c. 1136-45) AR Watford Type Penny, London Mint, 19.47mm x 1.1 grams Obv.: S_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X (Stiefne Rex), Bust right holding sceptre Rev.: ADEL_ _ _ : _ _ : _ _ _ (Adelard on Lun), Cross Moline Ref. SCBC 1278 Note: Irregular shaped planchet, small flan cracks, strong portrait, weak peripheral Original thread here. A hard to find coin with a strong strike. The planchette may not be pretty, but I think it adds to its character. 1 French Feudal, Toulouse William IX of Aquitaine, second reign r. 1109-1117 AR Denier, 18.82 mm x 1.1 grams Obv.: VVILELMO COME, Cross Pattee in center, S in second quarter Rev.: +TOLOSA CIVI around, PAX in center Ref.: Duplessy 1210 (as William IV), Roberts 4225 (As William IX) Another coin with some controversy over its issuer. I'm inclined to follow the argument that this was issued by William IX of Aquitaine. While perhaps not the prettiest coin I purchased this year, it was one of my most desired, and I was pleased to find one. Like some of the other coins above, I intend to post something more involved on this coin at a future date. All in all, I think it has been a good year! I'm a little surprised I did not grab more Roman coins, or any Greek coins (as I had initially hoped I would). I'm quite happy with the lot though!
I don't actively collect coins from the Middle Ages, but you have some very nice ones that could make me look into that area of numismatics. The Caracalla Dea Caelestis would fit nicely in my collection however.
Very nice coins. I especially like the Eleanor of Aquitaine. I have been actively looking for one of those but they do not come up often.
True Orfew - hence why I jumped on this one despite the flaws. The nicer ones go for a little more than I'm willing to spend at the moment. I'll probably upgrade in the future
Great collection @FitzNigel ! I only have a few Middle Ages, but seeing yours and others is really stirring my attention. I just did a cross-country move, so it looks like we may not bump into each other at a local show now... bummed, would have enjoyed meeting and sharing your coins.
Great coins, Fitz ... hmmm, I think that #9 and #5 are my favourites Thanks for showing-off your stuff
I recall you posting you were moving @Alegandron , but didn't realize it was so far away! Shame we didn't get a chance to meet up! Thanks for all the kind comments guys!
My hat off to you @FitzNigel! You are focusing upon an area of numismatics, European Mediaeval, which is very intricate and challenging to say the least. And, you already have a penny of Stephen (I don't know how many times I have tried to successfully bid on one of Steven's coins, no success so far). Yours shows a large amount of detail for the type. A very nice selection!
Thanks for the kind words @Eduard ! Medieval coins were my gateway to ancients (I think most here have gone the other way...), but I've always lived the history of the Middle Ages
Cool medieval posts although still an area I'm putting off for a while longer. Like Bing, that Caracalla denarius immediately caught my eye and made me drool
Oh-my-gosh! What have I done... went from 71 degrees F to having 2 snowfalls in the last 2 weeks and being 20 degrees F here. 4,500 miles of back and forth moving... HOWEVER, having 5 daughters, their families, and 6 Grandkids within an hour's drive, and setting up a new business with Families employed... well, maybe it is worth it for the next 5-10 years. THEN, it will be back to Civilization in the South again (or maybe Costa Rica or Thailand...)
Lovely coins, Fitz! You will be pleased to know that a "medieval" coin will be in my upcoming top ten list.
i think "oh, there's going to be some cool medieval coins in this list"..i was right! i had no idea who "elanor" was, had to wikipedia her!
