Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="Justin Lee, post: 3947019, member: 87404"]Preface: I just want to say that I've been watching and reviewing most other's Top Coins of 2019 lists, but haven't had the time to review as deeply as I'd like as my wife and I just closed on a house last week and moving is proving to take lots of time, I just finished a course I was taking this last quarter last Friday, and the end of the year is super busy at work with preparing for the January launch of courses...  Yesterday was the start of my PTO through the rest of the year, so I'll be making my way through all the lists (thank you Curtis for curating them!) and giving them the attention they are due as the days/weeks continue...  Thanks!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2019 saw my second anniversary of ancient coin collecting as well as my membership to CT. As many of you said yourselves, narrowing a top down to 10 is excruciatingly tough. I started out about two weeks ago with about 2 dozen that I pulled out as possible candidates and placed them on my coffee table. I found myself as I was trying to filter it down, I’d often pick up a strong contender coin and was like “Well, if I want to include this coin, I’d probably want to have this one alongside it.”  This became more the rule than the exception.  So I eventually succumbed to it and realized that most of my top coins were in pairs (or even “couples”)… I just went with it, as I hope you will too. I ended up with 7 pairs + 3 singles (and ready-to-mingle in 2020).  Here we go… -------- #10 – Carthage, Tanit & Horse Head with Palm and Pellet“Hi, my name is Tanit. I’m single, I like horses, and long walks on the beach under the palm trees.” I’m fascinated with the power that was Carthage and love adding to that sub-collection as I can, as some of the coins below illustrate.  I already had a few Tanit/Horse Head coins, but didn’t have the palm version.  Interestingly, this one came with a pellet below the horse head which I hadn’t noticed until I had it in hand making it all the more special.<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/collagemaker_20190827_224104179.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Zeugitania, Carthage, 290-260 BCFirst Punic WarAE Shekel, Carthage (or Sardinia?) MintObverse: Head of Tanit left, wearing wreath of grain and earrings, pellet or control mark below.Reverse: Horse head right; palm tree to right, pellet below.References: MAA 57n, SNG Cop 174-176Size: 19mm, 4g</blockquote> #9 – Gallienus & SaloninaAwww, what a sweet couple! I got this Gallienus in early June liking how detailed it was and the price was really great. Later in the month, I then came across this Salonina and was just impressed with the crispness and even the depth of her hair in the back. They fit very well in my ever-expanding Roman Alexandrian sub-collection.<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/collagemaker_20190611_214303169.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Gallienus, Ruled 253-268 ADBL Tetradrachm, Egypt, AlexandriaStruck 261/262 ADObverse: AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB, laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from front, slight drapery on left shoulder.Reverse: Eagle standing left, holding wreath in beak, palm over shoulder, ENATOV to left and L to right (year 9=261/262 AD).References: Emmett 3802, Dattari 5286, Köln 2908Size: 22mm, -- g <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/collagemaker_20190727_180847427.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Cornelia Salonina, Wife of Gallienus who ruled 253-268 ADAE Tetradrachm, Egypt, AlexandriaStruck 264/265 ADObverse: KOPNHΛIA CAΛΩNЄINA CЄB, diademed and draped bust of Salonina right.Reverse: Eirene standing left, holding olive branch and sceptre; palm before, IB/L (date), (RY 12 = 264/265 AD).References: Köln 2969; Dattari 5331; Milne 4102; Emmett 3855Size: 18mm, -- gNotes: A very beautiful and intelligent woman, she was extremely loyal to her husband. Opinion is divided as to whether she was murdered in the purge of Gallienus’ family after his murder, or if she survived.</blockquote> #8 – Maximianus SquaredThis summer I saw this really interesting Maximianus/Hercules Alexandrian tet on Vcoins with a little B in exergue, which I had never noticed on an Alexandrian provincial before, and I had to have it. I did a <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/unique-evolution-in-alexandrian-tets-during-the-transition-into-the-tetrarchy.343624/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/unique-evolution-in-alexandrian-tets-during-the-transition-into-the-tetrarchy.343624/">little more research on this exergue phenomenon</a> and along the way found the <a href="https://www.beastcoins.com/RomanProvincial/Egypt-Alexandria/Emmett4131-Year7-OfficinaB.jpg" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.beastcoins.com/RomanProvincial/Egypt-Alexandria/Emmett4131-Year7-OfficinaB.jpg" rel="nofollow">reverse die match on a Zach “Beast” Beasley coin</a>. Last month I purchased a handful of other Alexandrian tets and discovered that one of them, another Maximianus, had a Gamma in exergue.  I’m now a bit more aware and on the lookout for more Alexandrians with exergue, specifically a Diocletian with one.<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/collagemaker_20190727_181017566.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Maximianus, Ruled 286-305 AD (First Reign)AE Tetradrachm, Egypt, AlexandriaStruck Year 7, 291/292 ADObverse: ΜΑΞΙΜΙΑΝΟC CЄΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Reverse: Hercules standing facing, head left, leaning on club with right hand, apples of the Hesperides in left hand, lion’s skin over left arm, date L-Z (year 7 = 291/292 AD) across fields, B in exergue (officina).References: Emmett 4131, Milne 5027 var, Curtis 2086 varSize: 19mm, 8.2g <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/collagemaker_20191120_182728987.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Maximianus, Ruled 286-305 AD (First Reign)AE Tetradrachm, Egypt, AlexandriaStruck Year 8, 292/293 ADObverse: MAΞIMIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Reverse: Tyche standing l., holding rudder and cornucopiae, date L – H (year 8 = 292-293 AD) across fields, Γ in exergue (officina).References: Emmett 3160, Dattari 5993</blockquote> #7 – Augustus DenariusAugustus is one of my favorite emperors. This denarius came up for auction earlier this year and I put in a proxy bid just a little over the starting bid and I ended up being the happy winner. Maybe it being broken scared other bidders away, but it doesn’t bother me and is relegated to only a small edge on one side. And when I received it I was pleasantly surprised to see there was some toning beginning to occur and it has continued with a beautiful cool blue.<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/collagemaker_20190415_191616624.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Augustus, Ruled 27 BC-14 ADAR Denarius, Lugdunum Mint, Struck 2 BC-4 ADObverse: CAESAR AV[GVS]TVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE Laureate head of Augustus to right.Reverse: AVGV[STI F C]OS [DESIG PRINC IVVENT] / [C] L CAESARES•, Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing, each, togate, resting hand on shield and spear, simpulum, left, and lituus, right, flanking, right and left respectivelyReferences: RIC 210, RSC 43cSize: 19.5mm, 3.6gEx: Pliego, 43rd Online Auction (March 26, 2019), Lot #81</blockquote> #6 – Galba Antioch & Caracalla AntiochOne of my first sub-collections was a focus on Roman Antiochene bronze coins, specifically the simple SC in wreath types.  Galba AE Antiochene coinage is not very common and he was a ruler that I was on the hunt for and ended up being successful in finding one. After receiving it, I was able to find an exact double die match with McAlee Collection coin that is a very rare obverse legend variety. Caracalla AE Antiochene coinage is more common, though not entirely common as he just started striking coinage there after a hiatus during his father’s reign. Similar to the Maximianus coins above, this <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/antiochene-caracalla-brought-to-you-by-the-letter-b.339041/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/antiochene-caracalla-brought-to-you-by-the-letter-b.339041/">Caracalla coin was special and included a mysterious B</a> to the right of the eagle at bottom. Its purpose is not entirely known, but it is believed to have some reference to denomination, maybe as the mints were starting back up again (I think it might have to do with this die being a prototype of the denominations). It is a reverse die match with the McAlee plate coin, and I found an <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/antiochene-caracalla-brought-to-you-by-the-letter-b.339041/#post-3526715" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/antiochene-caracalla-brought-to-you-by-the-letter-b.339041/#post-3526715">obverse die match</a> with a coin on ACSearch.  Both these coins are quite fascinating in what most might think of as mundane Antioch AE SC wreath types.<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/collagemaker_20190514_132445592.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Galba, Ruled Jun 8 68 AD-Jan 15, 69 ADAE23, Syria, Antioch MintObverse: [IMP SER GALBA] CAE AVG, laureate head right.Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened at top with pellet, between inner circle and outer dotted border.References: RPC I 4315 var (obverse legend), McAlee 314 (same dies)Size: 23mm, 8.99gNotes: Very rare variety (obv legend), only two known to McAlee, but not this one (?). Does that make this the third known?Ex: Savoca Coin Auction, 2nd Blue, Lot #887 (5-3-2019)Double die match with this exact coin from McAlee Collection: <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=573121" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=573121" rel="nofollow">https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=573121</a>[ATTACH]1040098[/ATTACH] <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/collagemaker_20190514_133958522.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Caracalla, Ruled 198-217 ADAE22, Syria, Antioch MintStruck 213-215 ADObverse: AYT KAI• ANTΩNEINOC, laureate head right.Reverse: SC within laurel wreath of fourteen leaves fastened at top with pellet, eagle  facing right with head turned left and wings spread below, B to right of eagle.References: McAlee 698, Butcher 455Size: 21mm, 7.48gReverse die match with Butcher plate coin 455.Obverse die match with this coin (different reverse): <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=428430" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=428430" rel="nofollow">https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=428430</a></blockquote> #5 – Julia Domna & Septimius SeverusThe Power Couple This reverse type of the Domna, the bootilicious Venus, has been on my list for a most of my collecting duration and I have been just lying in wait until one appeared at the right price. Well, this is that one!  It seems appropriate to be having it on this list during this season, as the patina is both green and red, xmas colors. The Septimius was a coin that I sort of stumbled upon and I was surprised that I actually won it. It is a very pleasant “natural” patina and is nice and smoothly warn with a great feeling in the hand, while still maintaining some of the more important detail such as a great portrait. They certainly are partners!<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/collagemaker_20190727_173548168.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Julia Domna, Wife of Sept. Severus,Empress 193-217 AD, AE Sestertius,Rome Mint, Struck 193-196 ADObverse: IVLIA DO-MNA AVG, Bust of Julia Domna, hair waved and coiled at back, draped, right.Reverse: VENERI VICTR, Venus, naked to waist, standing left, holding apple in extended right hand and palm sloped over left shoulder in left hand, resting left elbow on column, S-C across fields.References: RIC IV 842Size: 30mm, 18.3g[ATTACH]1040097[/ATTACH] <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/collagemaker_20190925_185005259.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Septimius Severus, Ruled 193-211 ADAE Sestertius, Struck 193 AD, Rome mintObverse: IMP CAES L SEPT SEV PERT AVG, laureate head right.Reverse: VICT AVG TR P COS, Victory, winged, draped, advancing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and palm sloped over left shoulder in left hand; S-C across fields.References: RIC IV 656Size: 30mm, 21.2g</blockquote> #4 – Timoleon DilitronWhen I got this coin I had just done some basic research on it as to estimate the value and place a bid I felt comfortable with… I think I did well price-wise.  But it was afterwards that I did even more research on Timoleon and the history surrounding him and the era and am holding out hope for 2020 that more of his coinage finds their way into my collection.  Isn’t that the great way that getting new coins goes—spurring on research and learning new things about it?  This coin has such an amazing dark emerald green patina, lovely and honest wear, and has great heft and feel in hand.<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/collagemaker_20190727_181908304.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Syracuse, SicilyTimoleon and the Third Democracy, Ruling 344-317 BCAE Dilitron, Timoleontic Symmachy coinage2nd series, struck circa 339/8-334 BCObverse: [ZEYΣ EΛ-EYΘEPIOΣ], Laureate head of Zeus Eleutherios with long hair left (Eleutherios is “Pertaining to Freedom”).Reverse: [ΣYPA-K-OΣIΩ-N], free horse prancing or galloping left.References: Castrizio Series II, 1; CNS 80; HGC 6, 1439Size: 27mm, 18.06g</blockquote> #3 –Hieron II (Sicily) imitating Ptolemy II & a legit Ptolemy II (Alexandria)When I first purchased the Hieron II coin, doing so for the wonderful Zeus portraiture on the obverse, I wasn’t aware of the history surrounding it’s linkage to Alexandria 1,000 miles away. It was only after receiving it that <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/hieron-ii-imitating-ptolemy-ii-how-flattering.335423/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/hieron-ii-imitating-ptolemy-ii-how-flattering.335423/">I did more research about the situation at the time</a>, how there may have been Ptolemaic celators in Sicily at the time with Ptolemy II supporting Hieron II, and the later issuing coinage to pay soldiers in a design that they were familiar with (similar to what was regularly done with the Athenian Tet). I then set out to find a decent example of the original Alexandrian type that this design was “borrowing” from, and sure enough during the summer one appeared from a go-to Ebay seller and I picked it up.  Notice how the Alexandrian has the “Σ” and Sicilian does not, and the pretty obvious Greek style of the Sicilian.<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/collagemaker_20190320_195516773.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Syracuse, Sicily imitating Ptolemaic Issues of Ptolemy II Philadelphos in AlexandriaMinted under Hieron II, Ruled 270-215 BCAE Litra, Uncertain mint in SicilyStruck post-reform circa 264-263 BCObverse: Laureate head of Zeus right (Sicilian Portrait Style B).Reverse: ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, with wings spread; oval shield to left, control mark A to lower right near eagle tail; all within sold circle border.References: Svoronos 615; Wolf & Lorber, ‘Western Greek’ Style, Subgroup 3 (First Issue), H69 (A42/P56)Size: 27mm, 18.3g <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/collagemaker_20190727_181635795.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Ptolemy II Philadelphos, 285-246 BCAE Diobol, Alexandria mint, Series 2Struck circa 285-261/0 BCObverse: Laureate head of Zeus-Ammon right.Reverse: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, with wings spread; Σ above Galatian shield to left, A between legs.References: Svoronos 560Size: 29mm, 14.37g</blockquote> #2 – Carthage ¼ AR Shekel & Carthage 1½ BL ShekelAs I mentioned earlier, 2019 brought with it a founding and fascination with the history and coinage of Carthage.  I’ve been in aww of the silvers (and electrum/gold) coins that our fellow @Alegandron has in his collection, and had been hoping to find a decent AR Carthage example in my budget. I saw this ¼ Shekel on biddr come and go unbid upon, so I reached out to Savoca and was able to purchase it post-auction at the starting bid! Woohoo!! I think it’s really cool the variety of denominations based upon the shekel. This billon 1½ Shekel was posted on Ebay by a non-ancient coin seller with dark photos, no size info, and an odd substance on the obverse (Tanit’s face).  I took a gamble at a Buy It Now price that I was really comfortable with.  When I got it, it ended up being some gummy adhesive that I was able to remove easily with GooGone, to reveal the pretty face underneath.<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/collagemaker_20190919_190124504.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Zeugitania, Carthage, 2nd Punic WarAR ¼ Shekel, Hannibal’s time in ItalyPunic military mint in Campania (Capua) Carthaginian occupation, Circa 216-211 BCObverse: Head of Tanit-Demeter left, wreathed with grain, wearing necklace and pendant earring.Reverse: Free horse standing right on ground line, linear border.References: MMA 78, SNG Cop 335Size: 14mm, 1.67gEx: Savoca Coin Auction, 3rd Silver, Lot #90 (9-15-2019) <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/collagemaker_20190129_195707782.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Zeugitania, Carthage, 203-201 BCBL 1½ Shekel or Tridrachm, Second Punic WarObverse: Wreathed head of Tanit left.Reverse: Horse standing right, head left; pellet between hind legs.References: SNG COP 396, MAA 81cSize: 23.5mm, 9.1gNotes: Black surfaces; The billon of this issue has extremely low silver content, such that nearly all examples appear to be bronze.</blockquote> And, Numero Uno… #1 – Mamertinoi + Mamertinoi = Collecting BlissThe story of the Mamertines and their role in the Punic Wars is what got me into my fascination with coinage of Carthage, and the Punic War coinage in general (a gateway drug of sorts).  In Fall of 2018, I picked up my first Mamertine coin and it got me hooked. So  in February 2019, when I saw this Zeus and Nude Soldier coin appear in the same seller’s store as the 1 ½ Shekel above the month after, not quite as dark, but with a Buy It Now more than double the price of the Tanit (but still very reasonable for the type), I snapped it up.  I was very happy to see the relative lack of wear, the clear Mamertine name called out on reverse, and the exquisite design of the dies used. Then in July, I bid for my first time in a CNG auction and was successful on my 2 targets, one of them being this earlier Mamertine Quadruple unit! During Spring, I had bought a coin that didn’t have its’ size listed and assumed it was a quadruple unit only to have it delivered and it ending up being a rarer double unit. So, in doing research on that coin, I started to build my knowledge on the earlier Mamertine coinage and their earlier denominations.  Therefore, I knew exactly what I was bidding on in this case and I put in what had been a measly bid and won it for less than half of what it had sold for in 2004. The style of the dies, the very minimal wear, and the relatively nice state of preservation of the coin (and it’s a wonderful green!) made me really happy with it when I ended up getting it in hand.  The provenance of it being in the Tony Hardy Collection, the clear legend of Ares on obverse and Mamertine on reverse, as well as the beautifully recognizable helmet behind are all additional elements going for it.<blockquote> <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/collagemaker_20190302_123308638.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Sicily, Messana, The MamertinoiCirca 220-200 BC, AE PentonkionObverse: Laureate head of Zeus right, dotted border around.Reverse: MAMEPTINΩN, warrior advancing right, wearing helmet and holding shield and spear; Π (mark of value) to right; dotted border around.References: CNS 41, SNG ANS 441Size: 29x26mm, 11.7g <img src="https://iomegacollectionhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/collagemaker_20190713_171931925.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />Sicily, Messana, The MamertinoiCirca 288-278 BC, AE Quadruple UnitSeries I struck circa 288-285 ADObverse: APEOΣ, Laureate head of Ares right; helmet head behind.Reverse: MAMEP-TI-NΩN, Bull butting left.References: Särström Series I, Group A; Calciati I pg. 91, 1; SNG ANS 399; SNG Copenhagen 428; SNG Morcom 623Size: 27mm, 17.51gEx: CNG Auction 447, Lot 20 (7/3/2019);CNG Mail Bid Sale 67, Lot 287 (9/22/2004);From the <a href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=24590.0" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=24590.0" rel="nofollow">Tony Hardy Collection</a></blockquote> Thank you all for your support, camaraderie, knowledge, and general friendship.  Each and every one of you have made this hobby so much more enjoyable. Sincerely, thank you! Which are your favorites?[/QUOTE]

Create my FREE Account!

Log in or Sign up

Reply to Thread

Useful Searches