Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
My Top 10 for 2020
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="Al Kowsky, post: 5178321, member: 97383"]Last year I vowed to hide my credit cards & stop adding to my disorganized collection. That's like a drunk stumbling into a bar & asking for a bottle of spring water, it just doesn't happen <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie85" alt=":smuggrin:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. It looks like I'm a hopeless addict <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie65" alt=":meh:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. Anyway, I'll try not to be long winded with this thread.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211945[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>#1. Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum, 155-145 BC. Obverse: Artemis diademed, with bow & quiver over her shoulder. Reverse: Apollo leaning on tripod censer & holding a branch with tied fillet. AR Tetradrachm: 16.89 gm, 31 mm, 12 h. SNG von Aulock 7921. <i>Roma XX, lot 178, 2020, CNG Triton VI, lot 357, 2003. Previously in a NGC slab, Ch AU*, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5</i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I won this coin at Roma XX auction that featured the famous Brutus Aureus, & wanted a souvenir from that historic auction. The beauty of this coin mesmerized me & I snagged it for less than estimate <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211956[/ATTACH] <b>2. Celtic Britain, Atrebates & Regni, Commius, Circa 50-25 BC, Southern mint (struck c. 30-25 BC). Obverse: Devolved head of Apollo. Reverse: horse with chariot wheel below & arm above. AV Stater: 5.42 gm, 17 mm, 7 h. Van Arsdell 350-1, Bean COM 1-3. NGC AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5. <i>Ex Chris Rudd 2014, Ex Chris Rudd 2006. </i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p>For a long time, I wanted a Celtic gold coin from Britain that was affordable, well struck, in choice condition, & wasn't over-cleaned. Since these coins are easy to fake & alter, it had to be slabbed by NGC. I snagged this coin at a CNG auction & it came with the two sale tickets from Chris Rudd's auctions.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211960[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>3. Seleukis & Pieria, Seleukeia, Dated year 18 (92-91 BC). Obverse turreted head of Tyche with veil. Reverse: Thunderbolt on a stool. AR Tetradrachm: 15.00 gm, 34 mm, 12 h. <i>Roma XX Auction, lot 292. </i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p>This was the 2nd coin I won from Roma XX Auction. I won this coin in frenzied bidding & paid 3 times estimate for it <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie9" alt=":eek:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />! Admittedly I over-paid for the coin, but really didn't care after having the coin in hand <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie7" alt=":p" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211966[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>#4. Seleukid Empire, Antioch on the Orontes, Antiochos VIII Epiphanes (Grypos), Third reign, circa 109-96 BC. Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos VIII. Reverse: Zeus Nikephoros seated on throne. AR Tetradrachm: 16.24 gm, 28 mm, 1 h. HGC 9, 1200. <i>Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XVII, lot 439, June 1986.</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p>These coins are fairly common, however, rarely does an example of this quality come up for sale. The coin has a handsome high relief portrait, & deep cabinet tone. A 34 year old provenance urged me to bid on the coin too <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie50" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211974[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>#5. Syria, Roman Antioch, Philip I, AD 244-249, Obverse: Philip with radiate crown & dressed in battle dress, holding a shield. Reverse: Eagle with laurel wreath in beak. Billon Tetradrachm: 27 mm, 1 h. McAlee 959, Ex.Rare, Prieur 451, only 1 example cited. NGC AU.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>I considered this Tet of Philip I, an important addition to my collection because of the unusual portrait, high grade, as found patina, & rarity.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211980[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>#6. Syria, Roman Antioch, Herennia Etruscilla, wife of Trajan Decius, AD 249-251, 3rd Officina. Obverse: Draped bust of Etruscilla on a crescent, wearing a stephane, & hair braided in ridges & tucked in back in a chignon. Reverse: Eagle on palm frond with a laurel wreath in his beak. Billon Tetradrachm: 27 mm, 11.37 gm, 11 h. McAlee 1165c, Rare. NGC MS, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5. </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>This coin was an important upgrade. I had a similar Tet of Etruscilla that made her look like an old frump. Unhappy with that coin, I ended up selling it in a Heritage auction. This coin has a finely engraved portrait, is a razor sharp strike, & has an as found patina <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1211996[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>#7. Diocletian, circa AD 303-305, London Mint. Obverse: Laureate & cuirassed bust right. Reverse: Genius with patera & cornucopia. AE Follis: 10.17 gm, 28 mm, 6 h. RIC 28a, C & T 3.03.005. Ex Brian Henry Grover Collection. </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>I have a number of folles of Diocletian, but was lacking an example from the London Mint until I saw this coin. This coin has a handsome, forceful portrait of Diocletian, is struck from fresh dies, & has an attractive dark patina.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1212011[/ATTACH] <b>#8. Maximian Hercules, AD 286-310 (struck AD 305), Aquileia Mint, 1st Officina. Obverse: Bust of Maximian facing left, with helmet, decorated shield, & spear over shoulder. Reverse: Fides Militum holding two standards. AE Follis: 11.98 gm, 28 mm, 12 h. Rare. RIC VI 61b.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>I was thrilled to score this rare follis at a Heritage auction for a bargain price <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1212014[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>#9. Galerius as Caesar, AD 303-305, London Mint. Obverse: Laureate, draped, & cuirassed bust. Reverse: Genius with patera & cornucopia. AE Follis: 29 mm, 10.46 gm, 6 h. RIC 33, C & T 3.01.031. Ex Brian Henry Grover Collection.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>An important goal of mine this year was to complete a set of the original members of the Tetrarchy from the London Mint. This coin has an outstanding portrait & is in choice condition despite the light porosity on the reverse.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1212017[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>#10. Constantine I as Caesar, AD 306-307 (struck summer of AD 307), Trier Mint, 1st Officina. Obverse: Laureate bust with cuirass & slight drapery. Reverse: Genius with turreted crown, holding patera & cornucopia. AE Follis: 8.73 gm, 29 mm, 8 h. RIC 719b. Ex CNG Inventory 774824, July 2006.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>This coin is an upgrade from an example I bought many years ago <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. The portrait is excellent, & the coin is struck from fresh dies. The reverse on this coin has unusually fine detail.</p><p><br /></p><p>All comments are welcome on the coins posted in this thread <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b></b>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Al Kowsky, post: 5178321, member: 97383"]Last year I vowed to hide my credit cards & stop adding to my disorganized collection. That's like a drunk stumbling into a bar & asking for a bottle of spring water, it just doesn't happen :smuggrin:. It looks like I'm a hopeless addict :meh:. Anyway, I'll try not to be long winded with this thread. [ATTACH=full]1211945[/ATTACH] [B]#1. Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum, 155-145 BC. Obverse: Artemis diademed, with bow & quiver over her shoulder. Reverse: Apollo leaning on tripod censer & holding a branch with tied fillet. AR Tetradrachm: 16.89 gm, 31 mm, 12 h. SNG von Aulock 7921. [I]Roma XX, lot 178, 2020, CNG Triton VI, lot 357, 2003. Previously in a NGC slab, Ch AU*, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5[/I][/B] I won this coin at Roma XX auction that featured the famous Brutus Aureus, & wanted a souvenir from that historic auction. The beauty of this coin mesmerized me & I snagged it for less than estimate :D. [ATTACH=full]1211956[/ATTACH] [B]2. Celtic Britain, Atrebates & Regni, Commius, Circa 50-25 BC, Southern mint (struck c. 30-25 BC). Obverse: Devolved head of Apollo. Reverse: horse with chariot wheel below & arm above. AV Stater: 5.42 gm, 17 mm, 7 h. Van Arsdell 350-1, Bean COM 1-3. NGC AU, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5. [I]Ex Chris Rudd 2014, Ex Chris Rudd 2006. [/I][/B] For a long time, I wanted a Celtic gold coin from Britain that was affordable, well struck, in choice condition, & wasn't over-cleaned. Since these coins are easy to fake & alter, it had to be slabbed by NGC. I snagged this coin at a CNG auction & it came with the two sale tickets from Chris Rudd's auctions. [ATTACH=full]1211960[/ATTACH] [B]3. Seleukis & Pieria, Seleukeia, Dated year 18 (92-91 BC). Obverse turreted head of Tyche with veil. Reverse: Thunderbolt on a stool. AR Tetradrachm: 15.00 gm, 34 mm, 12 h. [I]Roma XX Auction, lot 292. [/I][/B] This was the 2nd coin I won from Roma XX Auction. I won this coin in frenzied bidding & paid 3 times estimate for it :eek:! Admittedly I over-paid for the coin, but really didn't care after having the coin in hand :p. [ATTACH=full]1211966[/ATTACH] [B]#4. Seleukid Empire, Antioch on the Orontes, Antiochos VIII Epiphanes (Grypos), Third reign, circa 109-96 BC. Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos VIII. Reverse: Zeus Nikephoros seated on throne. AR Tetradrachm: 16.24 gm, 28 mm, 1 h. HGC 9, 1200. [I]Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XVII, lot 439, June 1986. [/I][/B] These coins are fairly common, however, rarely does an example of this quality come up for sale. The coin has a handsome high relief portrait, & deep cabinet tone. A 34 year old provenance urged me to bid on the coin too :happy:. [ATTACH=full]1211974[/ATTACH] [B]#5. Syria, Roman Antioch, Philip I, AD 244-249, Obverse: Philip with radiate crown & dressed in battle dress, holding a shield. Reverse: Eagle with laurel wreath in beak. Billon Tetradrachm: 27 mm, 1 h. McAlee 959, Ex.Rare, Prieur 451, only 1 example cited. NGC AU. [/B] I considered this Tet of Philip I, an important addition to my collection because of the unusual portrait, high grade, as found patina, & rarity. [ATTACH=full]1211980[/ATTACH] [B]#6. Syria, Roman Antioch, Herennia Etruscilla, wife of Trajan Decius, AD 249-251, 3rd Officina. Obverse: Draped bust of Etruscilla on a crescent, wearing a stephane, & hair braided in ridges & tucked in back in a chignon. Reverse: Eagle on palm frond with a laurel wreath in his beak. Billon Tetradrachm: 27 mm, 11.37 gm, 11 h. McAlee 1165c, Rare. NGC MS, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5. [/B] This coin was an important upgrade. I had a similar Tet of Etruscilla that made her look like an old frump. Unhappy with that coin, I ended up selling it in a Heritage auction. This coin has a finely engraved portrait, is a razor sharp strike, & has an as found patina :D. [ATTACH=full]1211996[/ATTACH] [B]#7. Diocletian, circa AD 303-305, London Mint. Obverse: Laureate & cuirassed bust right. Reverse: Genius with patera & cornucopia. AE Follis: 10.17 gm, 28 mm, 6 h. RIC 28a, C & T 3.03.005. Ex Brian Henry Grover Collection. [/B] I have a number of folles of Diocletian, but was lacking an example from the London Mint until I saw this coin. This coin has a handsome, forceful portrait of Diocletian, is struck from fresh dies, & has an attractive dark patina. [ATTACH=full]1212011[/ATTACH] [B]#8. Maximian Hercules, AD 286-310 (struck AD 305), Aquileia Mint, 1st Officina. Obverse: Bust of Maximian facing left, with helmet, decorated shield, & spear over shoulder. Reverse: Fides Militum holding two standards. AE Follis: 11.98 gm, 28 mm, 12 h. Rare. RIC VI 61b. [/B] I was thrilled to score this rare follis at a Heritage auction for a bargain price :). [ATTACH=full]1212014[/ATTACH] [B]#9. Galerius as Caesar, AD 303-305, London Mint. Obverse: Laureate, draped, & cuirassed bust. Reverse: Genius with patera & cornucopia. AE Follis: 29 mm, 10.46 gm, 6 h. RIC 33, C & T 3.01.031. Ex Brian Henry Grover Collection. [/B] An important goal of mine this year was to complete a set of the original members of the Tetrarchy from the London Mint. This coin has an outstanding portrait & is in choice condition despite the light porosity on the reverse. [ATTACH=full]1212017[/ATTACH] [B]#10. Constantine I as Caesar, AD 306-307 (struck summer of AD 307), Trier Mint, 1st Officina. Obverse: Laureate bust with cuirass & slight drapery. Reverse: Genius with turreted crown, holding patera & cornucopia. AE Follis: 8.73 gm, 29 mm, 8 h. RIC 719b. Ex CNG Inventory 774824, July 2006. [/B] This coin is an upgrade from an example I bought many years ago :D. The portrait is excellent, & the coin is struck from fresh dies. The reverse on this coin has unusually fine detail. All comments are welcome on the coins posted in this thread :D. [B] [/B][/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
My Top 10 for 2020
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...