FurryFrog's Top 10 (really 11) of 2020

Now that it's officially 2021, I figured that it is time to post my top 10 of 2020.

I had a really hard time picking these since every coin is top in my book but since lists are a thing...

There isn't much rhyme or reason to my collecting besides collecting things that are interesting to me. FFIVN is still working on his top 10 but I imagine he will be finished in the next few days (lots of competing interests right now, including finishing up the school work he didn't do before x-mas break )

Ok, so here are the coins I picked for my top 10. They are not in "favorite" order since I couldn't decide so I went with chronological order:

#1 - I love this one for being the biggest chonker in the FF collection. I know it's not as big as some others, but it is still a beast!

Ptolemy IV, Philopater
AE38, 38.15g
221 - 205 BC
Obverse: Diademed head of Zeus Ammon right
Reverse: ΠTOΛEMIAOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, looking back at cornucopiae over right wing



#2 - FFIVN has a big fascination with Chinese cash coins and while I think they are pretty interesting and enjoy the history, I have a hard time differentiating between a lot of them. This is the oldest one in our collection and I like the simplicity.

Western Han Dynasty
118-113 BC
Five Zhu
Provincial Mint
Obverse: Wu Zhu, half moon below hole
Reverse: Blank as made
Hartill 8.10



#3 - This is a coin I think everyone should have in their collection and is the one that got me on a "Victory/Nike" kick. This is my 2nd of these and is a big upgrade from the one I bought at the first coin show that FFIVN and I attended with the express purpose of looking at ancients.

Amisos, Pontos
AE22
Time of Mithradates VI
Ca 85-65 BC
Obverse: Aegis facing
Reverse: AMI-ΣOY to left and right of Nike walking right, holding palm tied with fillet over left shoulder; monograms to left and right



#4 - Continuing with the Victory/Nike theme, I snagged this provincial of Gordian III with a beautiful green patina and a great depiction of Nike on the reverse.

Gordian III
AE25
Hadrianopolis, Thrace
Obverse: AYT K M ANT ΓOΡΔIANOC AV, laureate, draped bust right
Reverse: AΔΡIANOΠOΛEITΩN, Nike standing left with wreath and palm branch



#5/5b - This is a twofer, thus making my top 10 really the top 11...But I couldn't split them up! A pair of beautifully thick Alexandrian tetradrachms of Gallienus and his wife Salonina, both minted in year 15! They came from two different places but finally managed to be reunited after 1750+ years. How cool is that?!

Gallienus
Potin Tetradrachm of Alexandria
Year 15 = 267-268 AD
Obverse: AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB, laureate and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: Eagle standing facing, head left with wreath in beak; palm branch left, LIE to right


Salonina, wife of Gallienus
Potin Tetradrachm of Alexandria, Egypt
Year 15 (267/268 AD)
Obverse: KOΡNHΛIA CAΛΩNEINA CEB, draped bust right
Reverse: L-IE, eagle standing left, wreath in beak, palm-branch behind



#6 - Ok back to the regular countdown!
This one is special to be because 1) it was a gift 2) continuing with the Victory/Nike theme and 3) it was minted in London. I spent my first 2 years in the Navy stationed in London and loved it. I hope that some day I can take my family to visit and show them all the amazing things there. Especially the British Museum.

Constantine I
AE Follis
319-320 AD
Obverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS AG, helmeted, cuirassed bust left, spear over far shoulder
Reverse: VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, two Victories standing facing holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar decorated with diamond
Mintmark PLN



#7 - I got heavily into Byzantine coinage this year and this is one of my favorites. I love the patina (way better than what is showing in the picture!) and the detail. Something that seems to be lacking in a lot of the coins from Phocas.

Phocas and Leontia
AD 602-610
AE follis
Antioch as Theopolis
Obverse: DN FOCA NE PE AV or similar, Phocas on left, holding cross on globe and Leontia, usually but not always nimbate, on right, holding sceptre topped by cross, standing facing
Reverse: Large m (lower case), ANNO to left, cross above, regnal year (sometimes with dot above) to right, mintmark THEUP'



#8 - I had been wanting a coin of Theophilus after listening to the podcast "History of Byzantium" and hearing all about the iconoclasts.

Theophilus
AE Follis
830-842 AD
Constantinople
Obverse: ThEOFIL' bASIL', crowned, three-quarter length figure of Theophilus facing, pellets on crown, wearing loros, holding labarum and cross on globe
Reverse: ThEO-FILE AVG-OVStE SV-nICAS in four lines



#9 - Another Byzantine emperor who I learned of from the "History of Byzantium" podcast. He was "born into the purple" and an interesting reign. This is a follis that features his mother, Zoe who served as his regent when he was young, who was an interesting character in her own right.

Constantine VII and Leo
AE Follis
Constantinople
913-959 AD
Obverse: CONSTANT CE ZOH b, crowned facing busts of Constantine, unbearded, on left, wearing loros, and Zoe, wearing chlamys, on right, holding patriarchal cross between them
Reverse: CONS / TANTINO / CE ZOH bA / SILIS RO / MEON, legend in five lines


To be continued:

 

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#10 - Last but not least, here is a fugly Byzantine overstrike. I like it because of the fact that I was able to ID it while surfing ebay and noticed that it was misattributed. I really like Byzantine overstrikes when you can identify the host coin.

Nicephorus II Phocas
AE Follis
Constantinople
Note: Overstruck on Constantine VII Follis
Obverse: NICIFR bASIL ROM, crowned bust facing with short beard, wearing loros, holding labarum and cross on globe
(reverse of Constantine VII CONST-EN QEO bA-SILEVS underneath bust)
Reverse: NICHF-EN QEW bA-SILEVS RW-MAIWN, legend in four lines
(bust of Constantine VII upside down on top of legend)




2020 was certainly an interesting (awful) year but FFIVN and I had a great time collecting and learning from and interacting with all of you here on CT. Looking forward to what 2021 has in store!

 

I have to favor the Byzantine overstrike partly because they make up a group that most dealers don't have time to research well so you can get some interesting things for low prices set by the ugliness of some coins. Yours is a bit prettier than some. My Nicophorus II is on Leo VI (I think).

I'll be interested in seeing the FFIVN list. I had a friend in college who advised, "Don't let your classes get in the way of your education." He flunked out but had taught himself to read Hieroglyphics while failing some required classes. He finished a few years later.

 

You got some nice coins furryfrog02 I have to agree with Doug/ that Byzantine overstrike is something you never see.
Thanks for sharing!
John

 

Great collection for 2020, @furryfrog02 & Son! Congrats.

 

#2,3,8

 

I think that Constantine VII & Leo is awesome! I also like the Gordie from Hadrianopolis. However, for me, on any list, a Ptolemaic hockey pucks always wins bigly.

 

I love the Western Han 5 zhu, just a splendid example, with an excellent patina.

Your Byzantine bronzes are also very nice, especially the Constantine VII and Leo follis.

Well done!

 

That is an interesting overstrike!

FFIVN has about 5 coins right now picked out and and is hemming and hawing over a couple others. He is of the same mindset as me: It's too hard to narrow down to just 10, or any number for that matter. But expect to see at least a couple of Chinese cash coins haha.

Every coin has a story and is interesting in its own right.

As for school, since FFIVN is only in 4th grade, he doesn't have the luxury of shunning his classes for other pursuits We do however, take every opportunity we get to learn something new.

 

Oh, I should also add:
Every coin on the list, minus the gifted coins (Constantine I and Gallienus), and the Ptolemy were less than $25, and that was only $38. Most of them were in the $10-$15 range.
It just goes to show, that you can assemble an interesting and diverse collection on a budget.
That was one thing that really kept me from pursuing ancients at first. The fear that it would be out of my budget.

 

Interesting coins FF. My favorites are the Ptolemy IV and Ageis / Nike coins.
In honor of your name I post a frog / anchor Aes Grave below.

Doug, you know some interesting folks!

 

You can also find many nice Byzantine bronzes in the large lots that come up at auction from time to time.

 

Oh man! We need to get one of those! Perfect because of my name AND the fact that I'm in the Navy

Also, Doug IS interesting people

 

Some interesting Byzantines, nice Gordian, all pretty cool coins FF. You did well in 2020.

 

Great group of coins all interesting but I love your Ptolemy IV, excellent eye appeal, brilliant coin, congrats on a great year of collecting.

 

I did not say that. You may never see gold ones but some Byzantine AE are rarely found NOT overstruck. Some/many are real messy. This may be my worst. It was $5 in 2015.
Heraclius / Justin II

 

I like that your coin is overstruck over a coin from several emperors prior to the "current" emperor.
I picked up this Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine/ Phocas (I think) in 2020 as well.

 

Nice 2020 selections. I like coins #4 and 5 (with 5b).

 

How can you NOT love 5 and 5b?
I can't help but wonder where those 2 coins have been over the last 1750 years before finally ending up together in our humble collection.

 

It is fun to see the variety in Top 10s, an interesting set @furryfrog02 with lots of good stories to tell. Having read a bit about Constantine VII, Zoe & Leo this year last year, #9 keeps pulling me in. (the reunited year 15 Egyptians do deserve a shout out ). Best Wishes for the New Year!