I was cataloging my 2021 coin pickups during Christmas time, and noticed a few "holes" in my collection. I plan to slowly "fill them out" in 2022. Here are three coins I picked up recently with that purpose in mind. My first 2022 coin is a Calydonian Boar RR denarius. I like coins with mythic animal designs within my budget. Glad to find one for sale. Roman Republic. C Hosidius Geta. AR Denarius Rome Mint 64 BC. Obv: Diana; bow and quiver over shoulder; III VIR left, GETA right. Rev: Calydonian Boar right, pierced by spear and harried by hound below 3.53g, 18mm Crawford 407/2 For the second coin, I was specifically looking for a young Marcus Aurelius portrait to pair up with my young Faustina II denarius. I am happy to find one that fits my criteria. The A. Pius portrait is pretty nice also! Antoninus Pius, with Marcus Aurelius. 140-144 AD. AR denarius Obv: Bare head of Antoninus Pius right Rev: Bare head of Marcus Aurelius right. 17mm, 2.85g. RIC 415a After picking up a Nero/Poppaea Alexandrian tetradrachm late last year, I started looking for coins with another Roman empress portrait. This one comes up in my recent search. This coin just arrived in my mailbox earlier today. Domitia. Phrygia, Laodicea ad Lycum. Æ 82-96 AD. Obv: Kornelios Dioskourides, magistrate.Draped bust r. Rev: Tetrastyle temple. 20mm, 4.89g, 6h RPC II 1290; SNG von Aulock 3846; BMC 188
All outstanding, but I especially like the Hosidius Geta: a great boar (and hound), and a terrific portrait of Diana.
Wonderful selection of coins Stephen Fry tells the tale of the Calydonian Boar to perfection in his Mythos series. I purchased 2 of these 3 last year!
What a great bunch. The C Hosidius Geta is on my wish list. Short list. Also the Pius with Marcus Aurelius denarius. As for Domitia, one of the surprises from last year was getting this Domitia for 10 EUR. Not an attractive coin overall, but attributable and Domitia's portrait is decent.
@happy_collector - what are those holes, if you don’t mind me asking? i know we competed for Kyzikos Tetradrachm at the french auction so want to hedge myself against your bets/bids…
Nice trio to start off the year with! The Hosidius Geta is one of my favorite RR types. ROMAN REPUBLIC AR Denarius. 4.03g, 18.8mm. Rome mint, 64 BC. C. Hosidius C.f. Geta, moneyer. Crawford 407/2. O: Draped bust of Diana right, wearing stephane, earring, and double necklace of pendants; bow and quiver over shoulder; III VIR down left, GETA down right. R: Calydonian Boar standing right, pierced by spear and harried by hound below; C HOSIDI C F in exergue.
Thanks, @Cucumbor. I am happy to find it available for purchase. No need to wait for auction. Thanks, @Limes. I am glad to locate one with good reverse details. Have to sacrifice for some missing reverse legend though.
Nothing fancy actually. I hope to find some coins with mythic creature design, and some with Roman empress portraits.
Thanks, @zumbly. Your RR denarius has a wonderful Diana portrait, and a very lively Calydonian Boar. Beautiful coin!
H.C. The R.R. denarius has a great composition, not the typical Roma/Victory in a chariot we commonly see .
Managed to get myself a Hosidius too. Off center and with a decent amount of wear, but it's nice to add one of the coins that were in my wish list for a while.
Hehe - I saw that roll by a few minutes ago in Savoca I got one of the similar serratus versions from the same year recently (bought before Christmas, but it arrived this month) - Cr. 407/1: ATB, Aidan.