[Poll] #3 Alegandron vs #11 IdesOfMarch01 (round 2) CIT 2017

I’m excited to finally be underway with round 2 of the tournament. If you aren’t aware of the tournament or if you missed the results from round 1 then you can get caught up here.

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/an...intalk-coin-imperator-tournament-2017.293824/



Thank you to the participants as well as the voters for making this tournament a success so far and remember to keep in mind that it will all benefit a good cause

#3 @Alegandron



Africa, Zeugitana, Carthage
EL Stater, (also circulated as a Dekadrachm)
Anonymous, BCE 310-290
18.5 mm x 7.27 g
Obv: Grain-Wreathed head of Tanit left, triple-pendant earring and necklace; pellet before neck
Rev: Horse standing right; two pellets below ground line
Ref: Jenkins & Lewis Group V, 259–79; MAA 12; SNG Copenhagen 136
Ex: Private Collection in Colorado
Ex: Nathan Miller

Price: Approx. $2,000 (Purchased 2016)

Why It’s Cool:
Carthage was a Phoenician city-state situated in North Africa. Historically founded in 814 BCE by citizens of Tyre, it lasted until 146 BCE. During the 7th to 3rd Century BCE, the Carthaginian Empire covered much of North Africa and the Western Mediterranean. Carthage struggled through Greek-Punic Wars between 600-265 BCE over Sicily, and further, fought the well-known three Punic Wars with the Roman Republic. The last Punic war resulted in their complete and utter destruction in 146 BCE.

When this Stater was issued 310-290 BCE, Carthage was at the zenith of its power. It was during the Third Greek War in Sicily that Hamilcar, Grandson of Hanno had taken virtually all of Sicily. Syracuse was the last stronghold that Carthage did not control, and they laid siege. In desperation, Agathokles the Tyrant of Syracuse, lead 14,000 troops to the Carthage homeland in North Africa during 310 BCE. He won some victories but by 307 BCE Agathokles was completely defeated.

This EL Stater may have been raised to finance the War with Agathokles, particularly when he invaded the Carthaginian homeland in North Africa. It was probably the first time Carthage was seriously attacked at home. The Electrum Stater, according to Jenkins was worth a ratio of 10-1 silver to Electrum (Dekadrachm), during the reign of Agathokles. The production of EL Staters to finance Hamilcar's Army was critical for the successful defense of Carthage. The issue probably continued on during the height of Carthage's power and before the First Punic war with Rome.



#11 @IdesOfMarch01



TITUS 69 - 79 A.D.
AR Denarius, Rome 80 A.D.
Wt.: 3.31 g
Obv.: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM Laureate head of Titus right.
Rev.: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Elephant, wearing cuirass, advancing left.
RIC 115

Price: Approx. $1,900 (Purchased 2009)

Why It’s Cool:
Titus ruled from 79 AD to 81 AD, and soon after becoming emperor following the death of his father Vespasian, had to deal with two historically catastrophic events: the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, destroying Herculaneum and Pompeii, and a fire in Rome in 80 AD. His generosity in helping the Roman populace recover from these disasters was noted by Suetonius and other contemporary historians, who consider him a good emperor.

Titus completed the Colosseum in 80 AD and this coin historically commemorates the inauguration of the amphitheater, with 100 days of celebration, games and wild animals.



Elephants were exotic animals unknown to most Romans, despite having been used in many military campaigns, most notably by Hannibal. Furthering its historical interest, this coin depicts the now-extinct species of North African elephant.




All the comments in the first round were friendly, educational and lots of fun. I very much enjoyed it so let’s keep that going into this round also!

One small change for this round is that the polls will close after 4 days. It seems most everyone who wanted to vote in the first round was able to by about that time. If we need to make another adjustment we can do so in the semi-finals. Good luck to the players!

…and as before PLEASE post your relevant (or irrelevant) examples pile on style!

 

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Wow !
I'm blown away by the quality of those two coins !
BTW, I didn't know elephants could use a flying carpet

Tough choice once again : I'll take both, thanks ! would you be kind enough to wrap them for me ?

Q

 

Wow, VERY nice coin @IdesOfMarch01 ! Well done!

 

ha! don't bother wrapping them, i'm ina hurry

 

Geez... big guns pulled out here! Awesome coins guys!

 

This is the hardest one to vote in yet, both coins are both important and beautiful!

 

Very nice, they are both amazing. A lot of really cool history. Just think if Carthage had prevailed instead of Rome how different history would be. The two great superpowers of the Mediterranean are at it again. Also the same coin is on wiki for Ancient Carthage except without the pellets on each side.

 

Both are way out of my budget. Beautiful all the same on both accounts. Tough call for sure. I guess I'm third in line if either of you are giving them away, but I'll pay postage if that tilts the scales in my direction.

 

WOW, WOW, WOW unbelievably fantastic coins, very close one for me to choose but I had to give my votes to Alegandron, as I can't stop looking at the beauty of that gold coin, and good price. But having just recently gone out of my way to get what I thought was the best 79/80 AD Titus bust on a Denarius along comes one that blows mine away, congrats on such a perfect coin @IdesOfMarch01. Here is my example below.

 

Both are simply outstanding. The Titus is absolutely Best of Type, but for me, the history and beauty of that Punic stater just can't be beat.

 

Dang - it's on now!

 

Um, how am I supposed to choose which to vote? They're both gorgeous coins.

 

i've learned another thing today to from these illustrious coins, Titus had a beard.

 

Fun to watch



man, ya gotta love the animal coins

Well played, Gandalf

 

Domitian did too. My obverse descriptions of both of their portraits describe them as 'bearded'.


Domitian
AR Denarius, 3.38g
Rome mint, 82-83 AD
RIC 144 (R), BMC 52, RSC 320
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IVPPITER CONSERVATOR; Eagle stg. front on thunderbolt, wings outspread, head l.

 

@Alegandron wasn't that ANoobs coin?

Yup, both coins are magnificent!

 

Without a doubt, this is the hardest 'contest' for me to vote on...I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BOTH!!!

 

Both are amazing. Hard to decide which one is best.

 

There is still a few hours left to vote on this great match-up featuring two of the most beautiful and interesting coins that I've seen.

The the poll will close today at 7:42 PM CST.

 

Another of our great match-ups has come to a close. This was a battle of the titans with two of the most beautiful and interesting coins we've seen yet.

Results:
@Alegandron: 85 (WINNER)
@IdesOfMarch01: 62

The voters were impressed with Ides' flawless Titus denarius but Alegandron comes out ahead in the total score with his great EL stater. Thank you to both of you for participating in the tournament and teaching us all more about your great coins.

I am looking forward to seeing Alegandron face off with Ancient Aussie in the semifinals of the tournament. Thanks to everyone who voted.