Most beautiful Coin you own...

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I collect Ancient Coins historically. I really do not value "beauty" of a coin as a reason to collect. Rather, what historical significance the coin has is more of interest to me. (Well, yeah, and US and World Gold also. Just never post them.)


Roman Republic
Anon AR Heavy Denarius
310-300 BCE
7.3g 21mm
Mars, left
Horse head
FIRST AR coin ever minted by the Roman Republic
Craw 13-1
Comment: Used to pay for the BUILDING of Via Appia and Aqua Appia. These were the first major projects that Rome embarked, creating their first "super-highway" and first major Aquaduct program.



Roman Republic
234-231 BCE (first ever closing of the gates of the Temple of Janus, signifying peace)
AR Heavy Denarius (Pre-Reform)
Apollo, left
Horse prancing, ROMA
Crawford 26-1 Sear 28



Roman Republic
265-242 BCE (First Punic War)
AR Heavy Denarius (Pre-Reform)
Roma, left
Victory, ROMANO
Crawford 22-1 Sear 25



Roman Republic
Anon AR Heavy Denarius -Quadrigatus
225-215 BCE (Second Punic War - at nadir of the Republic)
Janus
Incuse Roma, Jupiter in fast Quadriga
Craw 28-3 Sear 31

 

Thanks to the teachers here, I know what that anomaly to the left of her right knee is on your coin. A Die Clash (from the letter "E" in E. Pluribus Unum on the reverse)! Very nice piece that!

 

Sometimes it's hard to select just one... or two... or three...

 

Lucky for you, I’m an expert in the matter. It’s the ‘03

 

I can understand why!

 

A favorite proof,



And a favorite business strike.

 

A tiny gem.

 

For US would come down to these two. The 1C is just insanely lustrous I could twirl it all day in the light and watch the color pop. The $20 has great PL luster and the color is the look I try to find with pre-33. 1904 is as common as can be but for my taste it's probably close to impossible to find a better type example without having to sell my house to buy so glad I found this one.





Here's a couple dark side ones in contention as well

 

Although I'm primarily a collector of Roman coins, my most beautiful coin is Greek:


Philistis, wife of Hieron II.
Greek AR 5 litrae.
Syracuse 270-230 BCE, 4.46 gm, 18.1 mm.
Obv: Diademed and veiled head, l., palm branch behind.
Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ, Nike driving biga to left, E in l. field.
Refs: SNG ANS 893; SNG III (Lockett) 1017; Forrer 196.