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<p>[QUOTE="jb_depew, post: 5334148, member: 88227"]I had been waiting on the arrival of one last coin this year, which thankfully arrived a couple of days ago in time to make my top 10 of 2020. Though the year has not been without its difficulties, I feel fortunate to have added some favorites in the last 12 months - most were acquired early in the year before the pandemic and the competitive collecting environment it created. Without further adieu:</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/XfvymXY.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>10. Cappadocia, Caesarea, Hadrian, AR Didrachm</b></font></p><p>117-138 AD</p><p>Obverse: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒΑϹΤΟϹ; laureate head of Hadrian right.</p><p>Reverse: ΥΠΑΤΟϹ Γ ΠΑΤΗΡ ΠΑΤΡ; Mount Argaeus surmounted by star.</p><p>References: Sydenham 267; Metcalf, Caesarea 107 var. (no drapery)</p><p>20mm; 6.71g</p><p><br /></p><p>I have a number of coins depicting Mount Argaeus (known presently as Mount Erciyes) struck under Hadrian and Lucius Verus. The style and sharp detail of this coin makes it the favorite of my sub-collection.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/qmJP623.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>9. Pisidia, Antioch, Severus Alexander Æ 34mm</b></font></p><p>222-235 AD</p><p>Obverse: IMP CAES SEVE-R ALEXANDER; Laureate head of Caracalla right.</p><p>Reverse: COL CAES ANTIOCH; She-wolf below tree, standing right, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, SR in exergue.</p><p>References: SNG Paris 1185-6</p><p>34mm, 22.65g</p><p><br /></p><p>Though Severus Alexander looks a bit extra-terrestrial, I bought this big, chunky bronze for the beautifully rendered reverse. After seeing the capitoline wolf statue in Rome a few years ago, I had been on the hunt for a decent example showing the subject matter. For a provincial coin, it has a very "Roman" look to it.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/e3VeMie.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>8. Faustina Major Æ Sestertius</b></font></p><p>141-146 AD</p><p>Obverse: DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA; Draped bust right.</p><p>Reverse: PIETAS AVG; Pietas, draped and veiled, standing left, holding pyxis in left hand and dropping incense with right hand onto lighted candelabrum; S-C across fields.</p><p>References: RIC 1146a (Pius); Cohen 249.</p><p>32mm, 27.02g</p><p><br /></p><p>Faustina the Elder, the wife of Antoninus Pius, is an interesting (if short-lived) figure in Roman history. I was drawn to this sestertius because of the portrait, with her fantastic beehive haircut.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/60yjrFx.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>7. Phrygia, Apameia AR cistophoric tetradrachm</b></font></p><p>166-133 BC</p><p>Struck circa 150-140 BC</p><p>Obverse: Serpent emerging from cista mystica; all within ivy wreath. </p><p>Reverse: Bowcase between two serpents; civic monogram to left; cap of Dioskouros to right.</p><p>References: SNG von Aulock 3451 var. (no star above); HGC 7, 655-8; Kleiner & Noe Series 21.</p><p>28 mm, 12.68g</p><p><br /></p><p>For a guy who hates actual snakes, I was a bit surprised when I realized that not one, but two coins depicting them made it into my top 10. This is my first cistophoric tet, though definitely not my last.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/NVgMY1m.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>6. Moesia Inferior, Tomis. Philip II (as Caesar) Æ Tetrassarion</b></font></p><p>244-27 AD</p><p>Obverse: M IOVΛ ΦIΛIΠΠOC KAI / CAP AVΓ; Bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip II right and draped bust of Serapis left, wearing kalathos.</p><p>Reverse: MHTPOΠONTOV / TOMЄΩC; Serpent-shaped Glycon coiled, bearded head left.</p><p>References: Varbanov 5803</p><p>27mm, 12.87g</p><p><br /></p><p>Glycon was a snake god created by Alexander of Abonoteichos in the 2nd century. A fascinating story involving puppets, fraud, and greasy showmanship. This coins is a nice example of the type. It was struck in Tomis, which was the remote city to which the poet Ovid was banished.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/zol9guj.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>5. Macedon, Neapolis AR hemidrachm</b></font></p><p>424-350 BC</p><p>Obverse: Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue.</p><p>Reverse: Head of nymph right; N-E-O-Π to right.</p><p>References: Sear 1417; SNG COP 229; SNG ANS 458.</p><p>12mm, 1.83g</p><p><br /></p><p>I picked up this coin from an FSR auction. I really like gorgons, and with the pandemic raging, figured I could use all of the protection I can get <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/jXMrh2B.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>4. Calabria, Taras (Tarentum), AR Didrachm/Nomos</b></font></p><p>315-302 BC</p><p>Obverse: Nude rider on horse galloping to right, stabbing with spear held in his right hand and holding two other spears and shield in his left; below, ΣA.</p><p>Reverse: TAPAΣ; Youthful oikist, nude, riding dolphin to left, holding kantharos in his right hand and trident in his left; to left, K; below, small dolphin to left.</p><p>23mm, 7.85g</p><p><br /></p><p>The horseman on the coins of Taras are thought to be an allusion to the worship of the Dioscuri at Sparta, Taras' mother city. Perhaps it's all the episodes of Flipper I watched as a kid, but I find myself drawn to coins depicting dolphins, as well as those showing mythology. There's something ridiculous and appealing about a guy riding a dolphin with a drink and a trident.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/4UrrdtL.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>3. Thrace, Lysimachos AR tetradrachm</b></font></p><p>305-281 BC</p><p>Possibly minted at Lysimacheia or Chalcedon</p><p>Obverse: Diademed head of the deified Alexander the Great right, wearing horn of Ammon.</p><p>Reverse: Athena enthroned left, holding Nike and resting left elbow on shield, spear resting to her right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΛΥΣΙΜΑΞΟΥ crowned by Nike to left, monogram in inner field.</p><p>References: Unpublished in the standard references.</p><p>28mm, 17.01g</p><p><br /></p><p>The fine style of the obverse was the main selling point of this coin. It's an unpublished variety, though the mint mark is usually attributed to Lysimacheia. I haven't made it all the way through Constantin Marinescu's work, but there seems to be some evidence it could be from Chalcedon as well.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/QnemZH1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>2. Commodus Æ Sestertius</b></font></p><p>177-192 AD</p><p>Struck 184 AD</p><p>Obverse: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG PIVS.</p><p>Laureate head right.</p><p>Reverse: P M TR POT VIIII IMP VI COS IIII P P / SC.</p><p>Pax seated left on throne, holding branch in right hand and cornucopia in left.</p><p>References: RIC 405; Cohen 453; BMC 531; MIR 6226/30.</p><p>31mm, 23.33g</p><p><br /></p><p>Yet another case where I bought the coin for the portrait - this one is exceptionally good in my opinion. It's a scarce issue, and all of the examples I've seen have exhibited the same die flaw on Commodus' forehead.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i.imgur.com/yste2Ts.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>1. Islands off Attica, Aegina AR Stater</b></font></p><p>Circa 456/45-431 BC</p><p>Obverse: Tortoise with segmented shell.</p><p>Reverse: Incuse square with skew pattern.</p><p>References: Milbank pl. 2, 12. SNG Copenhagen 516ii. SNG Delepierre 1836; Dewing 1683; ACGC 127.</p><p>20mm, 12.05g</p><p><br /></p><p>This coin is struck in very high relief, and almost feels like a mini-sculpture. It's a type I've wanted for years, and was pleased when I was able to pick it up at a Leu auction at a good price. Though off-struck, the turtle has lots of detail and appeal. My favorite coin of 2020 by far.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="jb_depew, post: 5334148, member: 88227"]I had been waiting on the arrival of one last coin this year, which thankfully arrived a couple of days ago in time to make my top 10 of 2020. Though the year has not been without its difficulties, I feel fortunate to have added some favorites in the last 12 months - most were acquired early in the year before the pandemic and the competitive collecting environment it created. Without further adieu: [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/XfvymXY.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]10. Cappadocia, Caesarea, Hadrian, AR Didrachm[/B][/SIZE] 117-138 AD Obverse: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒΑϹΤΟϹ; laureate head of Hadrian right. Reverse: ΥΠΑΤΟϹ Γ ΠΑΤΗΡ ΠΑΤΡ; Mount Argaeus surmounted by star. References: Sydenham 267; Metcalf, Caesarea 107 var. (no drapery) 20mm; 6.71g I have a number of coins depicting Mount Argaeus (known presently as Mount Erciyes) struck under Hadrian and Lucius Verus. The style and sharp detail of this coin makes it the favorite of my sub-collection. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/qmJP623.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]9. Pisidia, Antioch, Severus Alexander Æ 34mm[/B][/SIZE] 222-235 AD Obverse: IMP CAES SEVE-R ALEXANDER; Laureate head of Caracalla right. Reverse: COL CAES ANTIOCH; She-wolf below tree, standing right, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, SR in exergue. References: SNG Paris 1185-6 34mm, 22.65g Though Severus Alexander looks a bit extra-terrestrial, I bought this big, chunky bronze for the beautifully rendered reverse. After seeing the capitoline wolf statue in Rome a few years ago, I had been on the hunt for a decent example showing the subject matter. For a provincial coin, it has a very "Roman" look to it. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/e3VeMie.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]8. Faustina Major Æ Sestertius[/B][/SIZE] 141-146 AD Obverse: DIVA AVGVSTA FAVSTINA; Draped bust right. Reverse: PIETAS AVG; Pietas, draped and veiled, standing left, holding pyxis in left hand and dropping incense with right hand onto lighted candelabrum; S-C across fields. References: RIC 1146a (Pius); Cohen 249. 32mm, 27.02g Faustina the Elder, the wife of Antoninus Pius, is an interesting (if short-lived) figure in Roman history. I was drawn to this sestertius because of the portrait, with her fantastic beehive haircut. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/60yjrFx.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]7. Phrygia, Apameia AR cistophoric tetradrachm[/B][/SIZE] 166-133 BC Struck circa 150-140 BC Obverse: Serpent emerging from cista mystica; all within ivy wreath. Reverse: Bowcase between two serpents; civic monogram to left; cap of Dioskouros to right. References: SNG von Aulock 3451 var. (no star above); HGC 7, 655-8; Kleiner & Noe Series 21. 28 mm, 12.68g For a guy who hates actual snakes, I was a bit surprised when I realized that not one, but two coins depicting them made it into my top 10. This is my first cistophoric tet, though definitely not my last. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/NVgMY1m.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]6. Moesia Inferior, Tomis. Philip II (as Caesar) Æ Tetrassarion[/B][/SIZE] 244-27 AD Obverse: M IOVΛ ΦIΛIΠΠOC KAI / CAP AVΓ; Bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip II right and draped bust of Serapis left, wearing kalathos. Reverse: MHTPOΠONTOV / TOMЄΩC; Serpent-shaped Glycon coiled, bearded head left. References: Varbanov 5803 27mm, 12.87g Glycon was a snake god created by Alexander of Abonoteichos in the 2nd century. A fascinating story involving puppets, fraud, and greasy showmanship. This coins is a nice example of the type. It was struck in Tomis, which was the remote city to which the poet Ovid was banished. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/zol9guj.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]5. Macedon, Neapolis AR hemidrachm[/B][/SIZE] 424-350 BC Obverse: Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue. Reverse: Head of nymph right; N-E-O-Π to right. References: Sear 1417; SNG COP 229; SNG ANS 458. 12mm, 1.83g I picked up this coin from an FSR auction. I really like gorgons, and with the pandemic raging, figured I could use all of the protection I can get ;) [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/jXMrh2B.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]4. Calabria, Taras (Tarentum), AR Didrachm/Nomos[/B][/SIZE] 315-302 BC Obverse: Nude rider on horse galloping to right, stabbing with spear held in his right hand and holding two other spears and shield in his left; below, ΣA. Reverse: TAPAΣ; Youthful oikist, nude, riding dolphin to left, holding kantharos in his right hand and trident in his left; to left, K; below, small dolphin to left. 23mm, 7.85g The horseman on the coins of Taras are thought to be an allusion to the worship of the Dioscuri at Sparta, Taras' mother city. Perhaps it's all the episodes of Flipper I watched as a kid, but I find myself drawn to coins depicting dolphins, as well as those showing mythology. There's something ridiculous and appealing about a guy riding a dolphin with a drink and a trident. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/4UrrdtL.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]3. Thrace, Lysimachos AR tetradrachm[/B][/SIZE] 305-281 BC Possibly minted at Lysimacheia or Chalcedon Obverse: Diademed head of the deified Alexander the Great right, wearing horn of Ammon. Reverse: Athena enthroned left, holding Nike and resting left elbow on shield, spear resting to her right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΛΥΣΙΜΑΞΟΥ crowned by Nike to left, monogram in inner field. References: Unpublished in the standard references. 28mm, 17.01g The fine style of the obverse was the main selling point of this coin. It's an unpublished variety, though the mint mark is usually attributed to Lysimacheia. I haven't made it all the way through Constantin Marinescu's work, but there seems to be some evidence it could be from Chalcedon as well. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/QnemZH1.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]2. Commodus Æ Sestertius[/B][/SIZE] 177-192 AD Struck 184 AD Obverse: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG PIVS. Laureate head right. Reverse: P M TR POT VIIII IMP VI COS IIII P P / SC. Pax seated left on throne, holding branch in right hand and cornucopia in left. References: RIC 405; Cohen 453; BMC 531; MIR 6226/30. 31mm, 23.33g Yet another case where I bought the coin for the portrait - this one is exceptionally good in my opinion. It's a scarce issue, and all of the examples I've seen have exhibited the same die flaw on Commodus' forehead. [IMG]https://i.imgur.com/yste2Ts.jpg[/IMG] [SIZE=5][B]1. Islands off Attica, Aegina AR Stater[/B][/SIZE] Circa 456/45-431 BC Obverse: Tortoise with segmented shell. Reverse: Incuse square with skew pattern. References: Milbank pl. 2, 12. SNG Copenhagen 516ii. SNG Delepierre 1836; Dewing 1683; ACGC 127. 20mm, 12.05g This coin is struck in very high relief, and almost feels like a mini-sculpture. It's a type I've wanted for years, and was pleased when I was able to pick it up at a Leu auction at a good price. Though off-struck, the turtle has lots of detail and appeal. My favorite coin of 2020 by far.[/QUOTE]
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