Kens Top List of 2018

Severus Alexander · Dec 16, 2018

The Octavian/Caesar sestertius is hard to beat, but I also love the Vespasian Tyche for its eye appeal (a certain je ne sais quoi!) and the Domitian as, both for the tie to the secular games (very cool!) and the fact that that reverse must look fantastic on the small flan of an as.

I'm quite partial to the Bostran types under Sev Alex and Mamaea. Do you agree with the view that they were cast?

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Clavdivs · Dec 16, 2018

Not bad.

lol - The Triumvirs, Octavian and Julius Caesar, 38 BC
Just drop the mic right there...

But that Domitian.. wow

Cucumbor · Dec 16, 2018

The Octavian/Caesar is my overall favorite, congrats on a nice example at a decent price

Q

Svarog · Dec 16, 2018

Ken Dorney said: ↑

No, no top ten. I didn't even buy that many for myself this year. Well, originally I thought I had only added five this year but it turned out to be a lucky seven. I know many people like to comment on why they picked the coins that they did, but I would prefer not say anything. Sometimes a buy a coin just because I 'like it', and others for some reason it somehow seems to speaks to me. As in 'please, please put me in your collection!'. Sometimes I just dont know why I like a coin so much. Maybe its just the design, the history, rarity, etc. Take your pick:

View attachment 860047
Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, Ptolemy VI, Second Sole Reign, 163 – 145 BC
Æ29, Alexandria Mint, 17.67 grams

Obverse: Head of Isis right wearing wreath of grain ears, hair in long curls.
Reverse: ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt with wings open, PA monogram in left field.

References:
Svornos1384 (Ptolemy VI & Cleopatra as Regent) // SNGCopenhagen 279-87 (Ptolemy VI & Cleopatra I as Regent) // Weiser147 (Ptolemy VI & Cleopatra I as Regent) // Noeske201-7 (Ptolemy VI) // Lorber & Faucher Series 7B

Cost:
$70

Provenance:
Ebay, February 2018.

View attachment 860048
The Triumvirs, Octavian and Julius Caesar, 38 BC
Æ Sestertius, Southern Italian Mint, 31mm, 21.58 grams

Obverse: CAESAR DIVI F, Bare head of Octavian right.
Reverse: DIVOS IVLIVS, Wreathed head of Divus Julius Caesar right.

References:
RPC 620 // Sydenham 1335 // Crawford 535/1

Cost:
$575

Provenance:
CNG 420, May 2018, Lot 440.
Ex Andrew McCabe Collection.
Ex Inciatus Coins.

View attachment 860049
Vespasian, 69 – 79 AD
Æ Hexachalkon, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch, 20mm, 3.77 grams

Obverse: IMP VESPA AVG P M T P, Laureate head of Vespasian left.
Reverse: ANTIOCHIA, Turreted, veiled and draped bust of Tyche right.

References:
RPC II 1988 // McAlee375, Rare

Cost:
$120

Provenance:
CNG 413, January 2018, Lot 285.

View attachment 860050
Domitian, 81 – 96 AD
Æ As, Rome Mint, 28mm, 11.97 grams

Obverse: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII CENS PER P P, Laureate head of Domitian right.
Reverse: COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC, Domitian standing left sacrificing from patera over lighted and garlanded altar, two lyre and flute players on left facing him, pentastyle temple with wreath in pediment in the background, S C in exergue.

References:
RIC623

Cost:
$300

Provenance:
Glenn Schinke, Santa Clara Coin Show, September 21st, 2018.
Ira & Larry Goldberg Auction 104, June 2018, Lot 3303.

View attachment 860051
Reign of Antoninus Pius to Marcus Aurelius, 138 – 180 AD
Æ Quadrans, Pannonian Mint, 16mm, 2.76 grams

Obverse: Radiate head of Sol right.
Reverse: METAL PANNONI CIS in three lines.

References:
BMC1860 (Hadrian) // Woytek111-2

Cost:
$52

Provenance:
WNC Online (Teresa Darling), Ebay, May 2018.

View attachment 860052
Lucius Verus, 161 - 169 AD
Æ Sestertius, Rome Mint, 33mm, 24.73 grams

Obverse: IMP CAES L AVREL VERVS AVG, Bare headed and cuirassed bust of Lucius right.
Reverse: CONCORD AVGVSTOR TR P S C COS II, Marcus Aurelius standing facing right holding scroll and clasping hands with Lucius Verus who stands facing left.

References:
RIC1286

Cost:
200 CHF

Provenance:
Leu Numismatic Web Auction 3, February 2018, Lot 880.

View attachment 860053
Julia Mamaea, 222 – 235 AD
Æ21, Arabia Petraea, Bostra Mint, 6.94 grams

Obverse: IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA, Draped bust of Julia right.
Reverse: COLONIA BOSTRA, Draped bust of Zeus-Sarapis right wearing solar disk.

References:
Lindgren2538 // SNG ANS 1237-40 // Kindler42

Cost:
$375

Provenance:
Glenn Schinke, Santa Clara Coin Show, September 21t, 2018.
Ira & Larry Goldberg Auction 106, September 2018, Lot 1285.
Superior Galleries, 1970’s-80’s.
Click to expand...

Great stuff Ken, and thanks for posting cost figures as well - this is extremely helful in benchmarking and analysis, hopefully more CT folks will follow your lead ;thank you again

AncientJoe · Dec 16, 2018

I'll add my vote for the Verus sestertius: a beautiful portrait!

Aethelred · Dec 16, 2018

I think I like the Domitian As best, but that Julius/Octavian is a very close second, here is mine which isn't nearly as nice:

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