This is my second year of collecting ancients, and last year I went on a spree buying everything that caught my eye within my budget where I amassed more than 100 coins! However this year I severely restricted my purchases to around 40 coins that I find historically/artistically interesting, which allowed me to save up for large purchases (although still succumbing to my impulses from time to time). I also went on a bit of Trajan spree! This year I further explored into buying artifacts such as the Chola bronze pot, and also expanded my knowledge of ancient Rome by reading Pliny's Natural History. I just had to wait for all my coins to arrive before making this post, so here it goes. 10. Trajan Tetradrachm Antioch, 14.6g, 23 mm. Ex Zurqeih My favourite emperor, I just love his imposing bust so much that I chose it as my avatar. Regarding the coin it self, a Roman tetradrachm with the eagle reverse was on my bucket list, and it was a bonus that the coin depicts Trajan, and was also at a price that I agreed. 9. Raja Raja Chola 'Vishnu's feet' issue. Circa 988 AD This one's a niche addition, this extremely scarce type commemorates Raja Raja Chola's victory over Chera's in the battle of Kandalur Salai, my write-up. On normal issue Chola staters, the obverse bottom right has floral motif, but on this one there's Vishnu's feet, and a tiny bow next to it to signify the Cheras. I was really glad to come across this coin on ebay offered as a generic stater! 8. Denarius featuring the famous Trajan's Column! I actually came across this coin among a bunch of low grade coins in a dealer's lot at a local coin show. I still can't believe I got this coin for a fraction of what it is sold online. I really like the nice tall statue of Trajan on the column. RIC 307. 7. 1 Massa 'Pilocinto' of Sailendra dynasty 2.44g Incused Lingam with Nagari legend 'Tha' on the reverse. Circa late 8th century My oldest gold coin in my collection, comes from the Mataram/Medang Kingdom of central Java ruled by the Sailendra dynasty, they develpoed the Hindu/Buddhist culture in the Southeast Asia, they also intermarried with the Sri Vijayans of Sumatra (whom would be later invaded by the Cholas in the 11th century). 6. Republican Anonymous Dioscuri Denarius circa 179-170 BC. 3.77g Rome mint, Obv. Helmeted head of Roma right; X mark of value behind. Rev. The Dioscuri, each holding spear, on horseback right. My oldest Roman coin, also came from the same dealer at the show, I really like condition of the coin and the quality of the silver, it also ticks the box for a coin featuring the Dioscuri. 5. Augustus Quinarius This is my first- Augustus, Quinarius, and a coin minted in Iberia. Minted in Emerita Augusta between 25-23 BC, Legate P. Carisius, 1.9g. Ex Almanumis (Ma-shops) I had a budget of 100 bucks for a silver issue of Augustus ( what a cheapskate right!), luckily I came across this quinarius, I really like the portrait, the strong relief of the name AVGVST, and the toning. For the budget, it's either this coin or a cruddy worn denarius, and my choice was obvious. 4. Gratian Siliqua DN GRATIANVS P F AVG VRBS - ROMA, Roma holding Victory. 2.10g Trier mint, 367-375 AD. I was looking for a siliqua upgrade to my previous broken and clipped Valens. I like that it's not clipped with all legends visible, no flan cracks, and a minimal wear for a price that I could afford. Also I find the reverse just lovely! 3. Sri Lankan Roman imitative coins. Ex Alexander Fishman The coins that bridged my Eastern and the Western cultures in my collection. These particular coins came from an unnamed hoard from Sri Lanka, they are dated around 5th century AD when Sri Lanka was ruled by the Pandu kings of the Pandya lineage, and must have been in circulation until the 7th century. These are crude and weighs between 0.8-1.5 grams, while the official coins weigh between 2-3 grams. My write-up I simply can not choose a favourite among these three imitative coins, so all three, including the official Constans from Heraclea that also came from a Sri Lankan hoard get spot 3. 2. Athens Owl Tetradrachm A classical owl tetradrachm. 25 mm, 16.3g Ex Steve McBride, Incitatus coins. Classical Owl Type B, similar to the one from SNG Munich 52. Although a budget example, it looks really good in hand with a lovely the black patina. I only received this coin last week and it's been my favourite ever since (although still not top 1 lol) 1. Julius Caesar & his comet Even before I started collecting ancient coins, I've always dreamt of owning a coin of Caesar, or at least one that features his bust even posthumously since last year. Also a bonus is that this coin features the famous 'Caesar's Comet', right above Caesar's head. It commemorates Augustus celebrating the Secular games (Ludi Saeculares) in 17 BC. Obv: M SANQVINIVS (moneyer) III VIR, youthful laureate head of the deified Julius Caesar right, above, a comet with four rays and a tail. Rev: AVGVST DIVI F LVDOS SAE, herald or ludius standing left, wearing long robe reaching to ankles and helmet with two long feathers, and holding winged caduceus upright in right hand and round shield with a six pointed star. 2.48g, 17 mm. RIC 340; BMCRE 70; RSC (Julius Caesar) 6; BN 273-4; FFC 4. Ex Marcantica. While this coin has seen better days, it is still a crown jewel of my collection. Thank you for taking your time to read my post!
I love that Gratian! All of them are interesting and great adds to your collection but that one takes the cake for me. Thanks for sharing!
Excellent group!.....Only let me vote for 1... The Raja Raja is a great find, love the owl and of course the JC....Congrats on a good 12 months collecting.
I love the Augustas and the Julius Caesar; any portrait coin of Caesar would be an awesome addition to a collection. Congratulations on a good year.
A fun group! Not sure I can pick a top 3. Perhaps a top 5: #3, Sri Lankan imitatives. Cool! #5, Augustus quinarius. Uncommon. #8, Trajan column denarius. History. #1, JC. Because JC. #2, Owl tet. Because everyone needs an owl tet, especially now that there are so many on the market! Congrats on the fine year .
Congrats on your fruitful year, @JayAg47. I like your #1, 2, and 10. Julius Caesar and Owl tetradrachm are always my favorite type. I also like the standing eagle in your #10.
Great coins, @JayAg47 ! Your Sri Lankan Romans are fascinating. I missed your original post back in May.
I keep hearing this discovery of a 'large' owl hoard for more than a year now, some say it's 10,000 while others 30,000. But never saw a coin being attributed to any particular hoard, nor saw any prices coming down!
I'll add another vote for #3 : Sri Lankan imitatives. Cool! Nice set - congrats and best wishes for 2022!
Those are awesome @JayAg47. My favorites : #8 - Trajan's column (one of these is on my wish list) #5 - because it is Augustus #2 - a great owl #1 - Julius Caesar always in my favorites list
I could only vote for one, so I picked the Gratian siliqua. But I also found those Sri Lankan imitatives to be completely fascinating.
I cast a vote for the Sri Lankan imitatives as well. Those are always interesting. The Trajan column and Augustus with JC portrait are neat types too.
I'll go for Trajan's column. Looking for my own example right now. Anything related to history (especially if it's still standing!) is very high on my want list.
I couldn't vote for more than one, hence I chose the Gratian siliqua. If allowed three, the Trajan Column and the Augustus quinarius would have been 2nd and 3rd Q
My favorite(s) are the imitatives in #3. A close second is your oldest coin. I'd like a Trajan's column.
I've had an Owl on my want list for a long time, but just can't bring myself to spend the money on one that's a higher grade. I also hoped that this hoard find would lower prices somewhat. If anything, the prices seem even stronger to me. Guess I can wait a while longer..............
