My top 7 for 2020

I haven’t done one of these before, but thought I’d have a go. Really enjoy looking at other peoples coins. I haven’t bought ten coins for the year though. Tend to go for less coins but the highest quality I can afford, rather than more coins of slightly lesser quality. Probably over paid for most of them, but I don’t mind as they are what I wanted.

So will be a top seven. The order is subject to change, but is how they sit in my tray at the moment. Also, all the photos are from the coin companies I purchased from, not my own photos. Only exception is one that formerly belonged to Ancient Joe, I have used his photo, hope he doesn’t mind.

Also, special thanks to Joe who I have corresponded with by email, he’ll know who I am now if he sees this and sees his coin. Has given me some great advice and looked out for coins of interest for me. Though I’m a bit impulsive and my interests change constantly when I see something new I like.

I was lucky that I sold off a large number of coins at a local auction earlier in the year, which gave me a monetary boost and allowed me to indulge in the latest NAC auction from last month as well as a couple of purchases earlier in the year. Hope people like some of them.


#1. Islands off Ionia, Chios. Tetradrachm c. 350 BC. I purchased this as an unsold lot from the recent NAC auction. Not sure why it didn’t sell, (apart from being expensive), but I love the lifelike female head of the sphinx and the centering which isn’t always present on these coins.




#2. Ptolemy I. Tetradrachm c. 310 BC. Also purchased in the recent NAC auction. I have always loved the elephant skin Alexander head, and this one just stood out as the one I wanted. It’s a really beautiful coin in hand too. It was right on the limit of what I could afford though!




#3. Amphipolis Drachm. c. 370 BC. The Amphipolis Tetradrachms are my favourite facing heads on Greek coins, but will never have the money to own one, but the drachms are also quite nice, and this is my favourite obv. die in the drachm series. (This one may have been from Dec last year, but it was borderline 2020 when I received it).




#4. Terina Nomos. c. 380 BC. This coin was originally in Ancient Joe’s collection, though I purchased it from HJB. The coins of Terina are beautiful, and this is undoubtedly one of the best die pairings. I actually wasn’t going to buy it at first, as the HJB photo didn’t excite me greatly, but as I like to do, was browsing Joe’s collection when I spotted he had a similar coin, so compared them, and realised they were the same coin! Joe’s photo is much more representative of how the coin actually looks.




#5. Syracuse. Tetradrachm c. 500 BC. This is one of those coins that I’ve always wanted, but always out of reach or hadn’t had the money at the right time. Bought this earlier this year in a local auction. I’m trying to build a collection comprising coins from Archaic/Classical and Hellenistic times, and this is an archaic coin that I particularly wanted. It is unusual for coins like this to show up over here, so it was good timing and convenient.




#6. Korkyra. Stater c. 400 BC. This was from the same auction as #5. Was right at the limit of what I wanted to pay, but it is a beautiful coin, and ex. Prospero Collection, which would have added to the price. The whole scene with the cow and calf is very serene and lifelike.



#7. Metapontum. Stater c. 340 BC. Bought this from NAC a few months ago. I really love the detail in the hair, a very pretty coin, and a rare variety. Also ex. Prospero collection. It has been smoothed, but was ok with that as I love the design. Managed to knock a few dollars off their advertised price too.

 

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Those are absolutely stunning!
My favorite of the group is easily the Terina Nomos. I've never seen one before! The female head is wonderfully sculpted and the Nike on the reverse is just beautiful.
You had a great year!

 

These are all terrific, but I’m especially drawn to the Chios and ex Prospero Korkyra. I’ve always liked the issues of Terina too and find the style on yours exceptional. Excellent selection!

 

The Magnificent Seven

 

Di Nomos, You did well this year ! My favorite by far is the Ptolemy I Tet. Both obverse & reverse are stunning & the coin has lovely toning. The Terina Nomos is my 2nd favorite. I love the reverse of Nike holding a dove. This coin is a great example of high classical art .

 

Here's me haplessly opening this spectacular thread with no expectations getting more and more excited scrolling down:


That Chios, Syracuse archaic classical bridging the gap and every other coin are masterpieces. You've an amazing eye and collection!

 

Just wow... great coins. Each one would be an amazing centerpiece to any collection.

 

Such beautiful coins.

 

...yeah...like MUSEUM style...fantastic!..

 

Wow, thanks for the kind comments everyone. I think most people on here would have a great eye for style and beauty in ancients. I'm just lucky that I managed to sell quite a few lesser coins to build up enough to make some big purchases this year. Still have a few more to sell - so we'll see what next year brings.

 

Very nice, @Di Nomos . All wonderful, but I am really attracted to your Syracuse Tet.

 

Oops, I just realised the Terina Stater was purchased in late 2019. Oh well, it's in the 2020 list now. The time goes by so fast.

 

Thanks. It's a type I've always been attracted to. Archaic coins aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I really like that late archaic style.

 

Wow, with quality like that you have no need to apologize for only posting seven! I think my favorite is the Syracuse- even though I don't collect Archaic and Classical Greek, that coin just speaks to me.

 

Wow - beautiful coins! Terina Nomos. c. 380 BC - Wow.

 

Amazing coins! I can't choose a favorite - they are all stunners.

 

Absolutely fantastic, what else can I say.

 

I would be happy with seven coins like that a year !
Chios and Syracuse for me please (I quite like archaic style), with honorable mention to Ptolemy

Q

 

Stunning group!!..Love the sphinx and Syracuse Tet, you have a really good eye.
I'm just gonna slink off back into my office and play with my bronzes.....
Congrats on a beautiful collection great to see....

 

A real quality selection, well done.