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Fin's Top 10 For 2020 - Year Of The Biga
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<p>[QUOTE="finny, post: 5282277, member: 114280"]These are in no particular order, it's too hard to rank them. It was hard enough limiting this to 10 coins since this was a rather prolific coin year for me. For the sake of this i also chose screenshots from the vendor instead of doing my own with the cell phone camera. Coins 5 - 10 you will notice why i titled this "Year of the Biga". Here goes:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1221209[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. </b>As satrap, 323-305/4 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26.5mm, 17.00 g, 11h). In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Arados mint. Struck circa 320/19-315 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, legs crossed; AP (civic) monogram in left field. Price 3426 (Byblos). Toned, slightly off center on reverse. VF.</p><p>Provenance: </p><p><i>* Ex. CNG 479 Lot 68</i></p><p><i>* Ex. El Medina Collection, purchased in 1993.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>I included this one because it was my first Alexander Tet. It is way more amazing in hand - i love the feel of it and the detail is amazing. </p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>[ATTACH=full]1221212[/ATTACH] </i></p><p><i><b>Otacilla Severa. <i>RIC IV Rome 200a</i></b></i></p><p>A.D. 248</p><p>Æ Sestertius (<i>27x30mm 17.3g)</i></p><p>MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG; diademed and draped bust right.</p><p>SAECVLARES AVGG; hippopotamus standing right, S C in exergue.</p><p>Provenance: <i>Ex. Victor Clark (Victor's Imperial Coins).</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>Because HIPPO!!!! I didn't have an Otacilla yet for my collection. My broadest collection type is one of each ruler for Rome + bust coins of their family. Another collection type i am working on is animals. So this one filled a slot for both, but it's just one of my overall favorite coins because it's big, heavy, and the hippo is so cute!</p><p><i>[ATTACH=full]1221226[/ATTACH] </i></p><p><i><b>Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Antiocheia, Pisidia</b></i></p><p>RP92553. Bronze AE 34, Krzyzanowska p. 175, X/-; SNG BnF 1186; SNG Cop 55; SNGvA 4948; SNG Pfalz 81; SNG Leypold 2002; BMC Lycia p. 186, 63, F, well centered, obverse legend weak / part unstruck, highlighting earthen deposits on the reverse, Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvac, Turkey) mint, weight 23.03g, maximum diameter 33.5mm, die axis 180o, 222 - 235 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES SEVER ALEXANDER, laureate head right; reverse COL CAES ANTIOCH, she-wolf right suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, fig tree behind, S R (Senatus Romanum) in exergue; </p><p>Provenance: </p><p><i>* Ex. Forum</i></p><p><i>* Ex. Errett Bishop Collection</i></p><p><br /></p><p>I liked the city commemorative coins featuring the wolf and twins, but those are rather small. This one fills my spot for Severus Alexander AND it's a large chunky bronze with the wolf and twins. I liked the wolf stylized in this coin. I like the wolf and twins coins also because of the origin mythology.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1221249[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>THRACE, Mesambria. </b>4th century BC. AR Diobol (11mm, 1.28 g). Helmet facing / Ethnic within spokes of wheel; rays around. Karayotov I 37–94; HGC 3, 1560. Toned, slightly off center on obverse. VF.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Provenance: </i></p><p><i>* Ex. CNG 480, Lot 92</i></p><p><i>* Ex. Raintree Collection</i></p><p><br /></p><p>This one is not really in a particular category of my collection, but it just caught my eye. The facing helmet is haunting, almost hypnotic. It's like history is reaching out directly to you when you look at it. Also, this is from 4th century BC so it's quite old and this year i've watched a few documentaries on the search for Atlantis. In those were some interesting information about the significance of the circular patterns, including city layouts. So this one having the wheel on the back split into 4 was also interesting to me because of that. This is one i want to learn more about.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1221262[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>Man. Aquillius. </b>109-108 BC. AR Denarius (20.5mm, 3.49 g, 5h). Rome mint. Radiate head of Sol right; X (mark of value) below chin / Luna driving galloping biga right, holding reins in both hands; crescent moon and three stars above, one star below. Crawford 303/1; Sydenham 557; Aquillia 1; RBW –. Toned, a few light marks. VF.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Provenance: </i></p><p><i>* Ex. CNG 479, Lot 118</i></p><p><i>* Ex. El Medina Collection</i></p><p><br /></p><p>You'll notice the biga variety theme. That was a sub-theme to my animals (mythical and/or real) collection. This one in particular was due to the level of detail in the coin in hand and because of the stars - it's just a super eye-appealing coin for me given the plain old horse biga <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1221265[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>Q. Creperius M.f. Rocus. </b>69 BC. AR Serrate Denarius (18.5mm, 3.87 g, 12h). Rome mint. Draped bust of Amphitrite right, seen from behind; squid to left, F to right / Neptune, holding reins and brandishing trident, driving sea-chariot drawn by two hippocamps right; F above. Crawford 399/1a; Sydenham 796; Crepereia 1; RBW 1440 var. (control symbol and letter). Lightly toned, a few bankers’ marks, light marks and scratches. Fine.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Provenance:</i></p><p><i>* Ex. CNG 481, Lot 455</i></p><p><i>* Ex. Raintree Collection.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>Because hippocamps + the squid.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1221267[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>M. Aurelius Cotta. </b>139 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.70 g, 6h). Rome mint. Helmeted head of Roma right, wearing necklace of beads; X (mark of value) to left / Hercules driving biga of centaurs right; centaurs each carrying a branch. Crawford 229/1a; Sydenham 429; Aurelia 16; RBW 958. Lightly toned with light deposits in the devices, a few marks. VF.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Provenance:</i></p><p><i>* Ex. CNG 481, Lot 306</i></p><p><i>* Ex. Raintree Collection.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>Because centaurs.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1221272[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>Roman Republic, C. Caecilius Metellus, 125 B.C.</b></p><p>RR90087. Silver denarius, Crawford 269/1, Sydenham 485, RSC I Caecilia 14, Russo RBW 1085, SRCV I 145, F, toned, banker's marks, scratches, Rome mint, weight 3.833g, maximum diameter 17.5mm, die axis 90o, 125 B.C.; obverse head of Roma right in winged Phrygian helmet, ROMA behind, X (XVI monogram) below chin; reverse Jupiter in biga of elephants left, reins in right hand, thunderbolt in left hand, Victory flying right above crowning Jupiter with wreath, C METELLVS (ME in monogram) in exergue;</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Provenance:</i></p><p><i>* Ex. Forum (2011)</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>Because elephants.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1221275[/ATTACH] </p><p><b><font size="4">78 BC - Roman Republic. M. Volteius M.f. AR Denarius / Ceres in Serpent Biga</font></b></p><p><font size="4">Crawford 385/3; Volteia 3; Sydenham 776</font></p><p><font size="4">Head of Liber right, wreathed in ivy</font></p><p><font size="4">[M.]VOLTEI•M[•F]; Ceres holding two torches right, in biga drawn by two serpents; scorpion in left field</font></p><p><font size="4">18.14 mm, 3.78 grams</font></p><p><font size="4"><br /></font></p><p><font size="4"><i>Provenance: </i></font></p><p><font size="4"><i>* Ex. Marc Breitsprecher</i></font></p><p><font size="4"><i>* Ex. Schaefer Die Study (die #34, last example coin):</i> <a href="http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.processed_300-399#schaefer_clippings_output_385-3_03_od" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.processed_300-399#schaefer_clippings_output_385-3_03_od" rel="nofollow">http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.processed_300-399#schaefer_clippings_output_385-3_03_od</a> </font></p><p><font size="4"><br /></font></p><p><font size="4">Because snakes & scorpion. And the provenance of being part of a die study was a sweet sweet bonus.</font></p><p><font size="4"><br /></font></p><p><font size="4">[ATTACH=full]1221288[/ATTACH] </font></p><p><font size="4"><b>103 BC - Roman Republic. L. Julius L. F. Caesar AR Denarius / Venus in Biga of Cupids</b></font></p><p><font size="4">Crawford 320/1; Julia 4; Sydenham 593</font></p><p><font size="4">Obverse: CAESAR behind head of Mars in crested helmet</font></p><p><font size="4">Reverse: Venus Genetrix right, holding scepter, in biga drawn by two Cupids, lyre before; L•IVLI•L•F in exergue</font></p><p><font size="4">15.81mm, 3.93 grams</font></p><p><font size="4">Description: XF with light red hues on the obverse. This is an example of the first Roman coin type on which the name CAESAR appeared.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Provenance: Ex. Marc Breitsprecher</i></p><p><br /></p><p>Because cupids, first CAESAR, and the toning is really nice.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="finny, post: 5282277, member: 114280"]These are in no particular order, it's too hard to rank them. It was hard enough limiting this to 10 coins since this was a rather prolific coin year for me. For the sake of this i also chose screenshots from the vendor instead of doing my own with the cell phone camera. Coins 5 - 10 you will notice why i titled this "Year of the Biga". Here goes: [ATTACH=full]1221209[/ATTACH] [B]PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. [/B]As satrap, 323-305/4 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26.5mm, 17.00 g, 11h). In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Arados mint. Struck circa 320/19-315 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, legs crossed; AP (civic) monogram in left field. Price 3426 (Byblos). Toned, slightly off center on reverse. VF. Provenance: [I]* Ex. CNG 479 Lot 68 * Ex. El Medina Collection, purchased in 1993.[/I] [I][/I] I included this one because it was my first Alexander Tet. It is way more amazing in hand - i love the feel of it and the detail is amazing. [I] [ATTACH=full]1221212[/ATTACH] [B]Otacilla Severa. [I]RIC IV Rome 200a[/I][/B][/I] A.D. 248 Æ Sestertius ([I]27x30mm 17.3g)[/I] MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG; diademed and draped bust right. SAECVLARES AVGG; hippopotamus standing right, S C in exergue. Provenance: [I]Ex. Victor Clark (Victor's Imperial Coins). [/I] Because HIPPO!!!! I didn't have an Otacilla yet for my collection. My broadest collection type is one of each ruler for Rome + bust coins of their family. Another collection type i am working on is animals. So this one filled a slot for both, but it's just one of my overall favorite coins because it's big, heavy, and the hippo is so cute! [I][ATTACH=full]1221226[/ATTACH] [B]Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Antiocheia, Pisidia[/B][/I] RP92553. Bronze AE 34, Krzyzanowska p. 175, X/-; SNG BnF 1186; SNG Cop 55; SNGvA 4948; SNG Pfalz 81; SNG Leypold 2002; BMC Lycia p. 186, 63, F, well centered, obverse legend weak / part unstruck, highlighting earthen deposits on the reverse, Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvac, Turkey) mint, weight 23.03g, maximum diameter 33.5mm, die axis 180o, 222 - 235 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES SEVER ALEXANDER, laureate head right; reverse COL CAES ANTIOCH, she-wolf right suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, fig tree behind, S R (Senatus Romanum) in exergue; Provenance: [I]* Ex. Forum * Ex. Errett Bishop Collection[/I] [I][/I] I liked the city commemorative coins featuring the wolf and twins, but those are rather small. This one fills my spot for Severus Alexander AND it's a large chunky bronze with the wolf and twins. I liked the wolf stylized in this coin. I like the wolf and twins coins also because of the origin mythology. [ATTACH=full]1221249[/ATTACH] [B]THRACE, Mesambria. [/B]4th century BC. AR Diobol (11mm, 1.28 g). Helmet facing / Ethnic within spokes of wheel; rays around. Karayotov I 37–94; HGC 3, 1560. Toned, slightly off center on obverse. VF. [I]Provenance: * Ex. CNG 480, Lot 92 * Ex. Raintree Collection[/I] [I][/I] This one is not really in a particular category of my collection, but it just caught my eye. The facing helmet is haunting, almost hypnotic. It's like history is reaching out directly to you when you look at it. Also, this is from 4th century BC so it's quite old and this year i've watched a few documentaries on the search for Atlantis. In those were some interesting information about the significance of the circular patterns, including city layouts. So this one having the wheel on the back split into 4 was also interesting to me because of that. This is one i want to learn more about. [ATTACH=full]1221262[/ATTACH] [B]Man. Aquillius. [/B]109-108 BC. AR Denarius (20.5mm, 3.49 g, 5h). Rome mint. Radiate head of Sol right; X (mark of value) below chin / Luna driving galloping biga right, holding reins in both hands; crescent moon and three stars above, one star below. Crawford 303/1; Sydenham 557; Aquillia 1; RBW –. Toned, a few light marks. VF. [I]Provenance: * Ex. CNG 479, Lot 118 * Ex. El Medina Collection[/I] [I][/I] You'll notice the biga variety theme. That was a sub-theme to my animals (mythical and/or real) collection. This one in particular was due to the level of detail in the coin in hand and because of the stars - it's just a super eye-appealing coin for me given the plain old horse biga ;) [ATTACH=full]1221265[/ATTACH] [B]Q. Creperius M.f. Rocus. [/B]69 BC. AR Serrate Denarius (18.5mm, 3.87 g, 12h). Rome mint. Draped bust of Amphitrite right, seen from behind; squid to left, F to right / Neptune, holding reins and brandishing trident, driving sea-chariot drawn by two hippocamps right; F above. Crawford 399/1a; Sydenham 796; Crepereia 1; RBW 1440 var. (control symbol and letter). Lightly toned, a few bankers’ marks, light marks and scratches. Fine. [I]Provenance: * Ex. CNG 481, Lot 455 * Ex. Raintree Collection.[/I] Because hippocamps + the squid. [ATTACH=full]1221267[/ATTACH] [B]M. Aurelius Cotta. [/B]139 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.70 g, 6h). Rome mint. Helmeted head of Roma right, wearing necklace of beads; X (mark of value) to left / Hercules driving biga of centaurs right; centaurs each carrying a branch. Crawford 229/1a; Sydenham 429; Aurelia 16; RBW 958. Lightly toned with light deposits in the devices, a few marks. VF. [I]Provenance: * Ex. CNG 481, Lot 306 * Ex. Raintree Collection.[/I] [I][/I] Because centaurs. [ATTACH=full]1221272[/ATTACH] [B]Roman Republic, C. Caecilius Metellus, 125 B.C.[/B] RR90087. Silver denarius, Crawford 269/1, Sydenham 485, RSC I Caecilia 14, Russo RBW 1085, SRCV I 145, F, toned, banker's marks, scratches, Rome mint, weight 3.833g, maximum diameter 17.5mm, die axis 90o, 125 B.C.; obverse head of Roma right in winged Phrygian helmet, ROMA behind, X (XVI monogram) below chin; reverse Jupiter in biga of elephants left, reins in right hand, thunderbolt in left hand, Victory flying right above crowning Jupiter with wreath, C METELLVS (ME in monogram) in exergue; [I]Provenance: * Ex. Forum (2011) [/I] Because elephants. [ATTACH=full]1221275[/ATTACH] [B][SIZE=4]78 BC - Roman Republic. M. Volteius M.f. AR Denarius / Ceres in Serpent Biga[/SIZE][/B] [SIZE=4]Crawford 385/3; Volteia 3; Sydenham 776 Head of Liber right, wreathed in ivy [M.]VOLTEI•M[•F]; Ceres holding two torches right, in biga drawn by two serpents; scorpion in left field 18.14 mm, 3.78 grams[/SIZE] [SIZE=4] [I]Provenance: [/I] [I]* Ex. Marc Breitsprecher[/I] [I]* Ex. Schaefer Die Study (die #34, last example coin):[/I] [URL]http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.processed_300-399#schaefer_clippings_output_385-3_03_od[/URL] Because snakes & scorpion. And the provenance of being part of a die study was a sweet sweet bonus. [ATTACH=full]1221288[/ATTACH] [B]103 BC - Roman Republic. L. Julius L. F. Caesar AR Denarius / Venus in Biga of Cupids[/B] Crawford 320/1; Julia 4; Sydenham 593 Obverse: CAESAR behind head of Mars in crested helmet Reverse: Venus Genetrix right, holding scepter, in biga drawn by two Cupids, lyre before; L•IVLI•L•F in exergue 15.81mm, 3.93 grams Description: XF with light red hues on the obverse. This is an example of the first Roman coin type on which the name CAESAR appeared.[/SIZE] [I]Provenance: Ex. Marc Breitsprecher[/I] Because cupids, first CAESAR, and the toning is really nice.[/QUOTE]
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