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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Terence Cheesman, post: 8070561, member: 86498&quot;]I cannot say that I had a stellar year. In fact I acquired a grand total of 16 coins this year which is a long way off from my norm. In fact I found bidding really difficult and was shut out of the bidding in the Triton Both CNG Mail Bids and the NAC Auctions. However I did manage to pick up a few mostly as a result of private treaty.&nbsp; Oh well Stop complaining,&nbsp; most people would be happy just to have my problems My top 10 in no particular order.</p><p>1. Tetradrachm of Kos 280-250 BC Requier Group III D8 /R 24 15.16 grms 28 mm&nbsp; Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1399808[/ATTACH]I had first seen one of these back in 2005 and decided even then I must have one. The obverse has this wonderfully baroque feel to it. Perhaps the most unusual aspect to this coin is that though it looks very much like an Attic weight tetradrachm it isn&#039;t . It is a remnant of the older Chian standard. </p><p>2. Tetradrachm of Temnos In the name and types of Alexander III 151/0-143/2 BC Price 1690 16.74 grms 35 mm. Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1399814[/ATTACH]This coin has a massive diameter and is absolutely huge in comparison to most tetradrachms of this type. It would appear that the civic Alexanders minted during this period adopted these broad diameters&nbsp; in an effort to distinguish themselves from other issues of coins struck at a different weight standard. </p><p>3. Tetradrachm of Ephesos 350-340 BC Pixodaros Class G Obv 119 15.26 grms 21 mm Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1399821[/ATTACH] If taking something like 16 years to finally nail down a coin that I have wanted seems like a long time, I have wanted one of these since 1986 when I first started to collect Greek coins. This series commenced sometime around 400 BC and despite being roughly contemporary to the coins of Philip II and Alexander III of Macedon, this coinage stubbornly clings to the thick dumpy flans of much earlier coinages. </p><p>4. Stater or Double Siglos of Aspendos. 330/325-300/250 BC. Tekin Series 5&nbsp; 10.47 grms 23 mm Photo by W. Hansen </p><p>[ATTACH=full]1399834[/ATTACH]l have read that Alexander had imposed a heavy fine upon the citizens of Aspendos during the course of his campaign in this region. I have often wondered if this series of coins was minted to pay that fine. </p><p>5. Stater of Archelaos King of Macedon. Aigai 413- 399 BC Obv. Head of apollo right Rv. Horse advancing right. HGC 795 10.54 grms 23 mm Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1399845[/ATTACH]</p><p>Perhaps the most noteworthy thing about this coin is the stunning double striking. When you examine the reverse field to the left of the square you will see the mid section of the horse with the letter P above.&nbsp; Someone needs to stay far away from the fermented grape juice.</p><p>6. Tetradrachm of Alexander III Amphipolis 332-326 BC Price 4 Troxell AI 17.25 grms 24 mm Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1399849[/ATTACH]</p><p>This coin is among the first coins minted in the name and types of Alexander III from the mint of Amphipolis. As such the symbol of the prow of a galley is shared with the tetradrachms minted in the name and types of Philip II. There are three symbols&nbsp; that are shared between these two series the Prow, The stern, and the Janiform head. </p><p>7. Sestertius of Faustina II 147-150 AD Rv Venus standing left RIC 1388 (Pius) 25.00 grms 31 mmm Photo by W. Hansen [ATTACH=full]1399853[/ATTACH]I guess what really attracted me to this coin is the portrait. I find that the image is rendered with such care, The face is rendered very simply and with elegant proportions giving it a youthful simplicity. This is contrasted by the attention to detail in the treatment of the hair. Overall a marvelous composition. </p><p>8. Sestertius of Septimius Severus 195-196 AD Rv. Fortuna standing left RIC 706 26.26 grms 30 mm Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1399860[/ATTACH]When I saw this coin in London last fallI knew I was going to buy it.&nbsp; The image is so impressive on so many levels. This image is among the earlier images of Severus where he is yet to grow the &quot;Serapis&quot; locks on his beard. </p><p>9. Sestertius of Geta. 211 AD Rv, Fortuna seated left. RIC 168a&nbsp; 28.03 grms 30 mm Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1399871[/ATTACH]This coin comes during the later period in which the sestertii of the Severan period are somewhat more readily available. The image presented here is very similar to that of his older brother Caracalla. However some of the coins struck later depict Geta with a beard more reminiscent of his father.</p><p>10. Denarius of Claudius featuring his wife Agrippina Jnr.&nbsp; Lugdunum 50-54 AD, Obv Head of Claudius right laureate Rv. Bust of Agrippina right. RIC 81 3.50 grms 19 mm Photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1399878[/ATTACH]Well that is it. I will in a bit try to show the six that did not make it. In many ways I think that despite everything I did okay.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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