Romancollector's Top 21 of 2021

terky · Dec 7, 2021

Romancollector said: ↑

Hey everyone,

It seems that I'm a little late, but I have finally made my list for 2021. As it turns out, I acquired 26 coins this year, but I wanted to restrict the list to 20 coins. Then I thought why not make the list 21 coins long! This year was challenging as hammer prices were generally through the roof, and consequently, I was outbid on many, many....MANY occasions. Still, I believe that I managed to make quality additions to my modest collection. I'm also happy to have added more coins with provenances this year. In my experience, it is actually rather difficult to find provenances for more common but high grade Roman coins as opposed to Greek coins. In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed contributing to this forum and in turn learning from many of its members! I've also had the opportunity to connect with some CT members, and I hope to meet some members in person at NYINC this January!

Anyways, here's the list. The numbering is strictly chronological and has nothing to do with rank. I will leave the ranking of the coins up to you!

I couldn't add more than 10 options for a poll on CT, so I've attached a link to a separate poll I made!
https://poll-maker.com/poll4050419x1ee183FA-127

1. Ti. Veturius (137 BC)
I wanted this coin since I was first made aware of it in my undergraduate Roman Republican history course. The type possibly refers to the Treaty of Caudine Forks, between the Romans and the Samnites, which occurred during the consulship of T. Veturius Calvinus, the moneyer's ancestor. It could also refer to the contemporary, disadvantageous treaty that Rome made with Numantia. In this instance, the Senate refused to recognize the treaty. Therefore, the scene of this coin may be interpreted as a call to support it.
View attachment 1404943
AR Denarius (19mm, 3.89 g). Rome mint. Helmeted and draped bust of Mars to right; TI•VET (ligate) downwards and X (mark of value) behind / Two soldiers face each other, one bearded and without armour, one bearded and in armour; each holds a spear in left hand and with sword in right hand touches pig held by figure kneeling between them; ROMA above. Crawford 234/1.

Ex Z.P. Collection, Austria.
Ex Roma Numismatics Auction XXII (8 October 2021), lot 565.

2. C. Naevius Balbus (79 BC)
While I wasn't looking for this specific type, I thought that the style of this coin was exceptional and that it had a decent provenance. As my collection is small, it is also my first denarius serratus. Photo by Nomos.
View attachment 1404952
AR Denarius (18mm, 3.88 g). Rome mint. S•C, diademed head of Venus to right, wearing pendant earring and pearl necklace / C•NÆ•B(AL)B, Victory driving galloping triga to right, holding reins in both hands; above, CLXXXVII. Crawford 382/1b.

Ex Swiss Collection in Geneva.
Ex Nomos 23 (30 November 2021), lot 194.
Ex M. de Mayo 1960s.

3. Cn. Pompey Jr. (30-29 BC)
I've wanted this type for a while. Though it is off centre, I thought it was an excellent coin nonetheless. The reverse is really what drew me to this coin, particularly the detailed rendering of the soldier's uniform.
View attachment 1404955
AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.90 g). Corduba mint; Marcus Poblicius, legatus pro praetore. Helmeted head of Roma right; M • POBLICI • LEG • PRO PR around; all within head and reel border / Hispania standing right, round shield on her back, holding two spears and presenting large palm frond to Pompeian soldier standing left on praw, armed with sword; CN • MAGNVS • IMP around. Crawford 469/1a.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Classical Numismatic Review Vol XLVI. No 1 (Winter 2021), no. 559027.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Auction 117 (16 September 2020), lot 592.

4. Octavian (31-30 BC)
What can I say about this coin other than the fact that it has an absolutely gorgeous portrait.
View attachment 1404978
AR Denarius (19mm, 3.96 g). Italian mint (Rome?). Bare head left / Victory standing to left on globe, holding wreath and palm; CAESAR DIVI F across fields. RIC I 54b.

Ex Roma Numismatics E-Sale (15 April 2021), lot 1078.

5. Augustus (27 BC-AD 14)

View attachment 1404977
AR Denarius (19mm, 3.91 g). Uncertain Spanish mint (Colonia Patricia?). 19 BC. CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head right / OB CIVIS SERVATOS in three lines within oak-wreath with ties inward. RIC I 77a.

Ex Leu Numismatik Web Auction 16 (24 May 2021), lot 3341.

6. Agrippina Sr.
I've always wanted a sestertius of Agrippina Sr. and this one fit the bill! I was particularly drawn to the intricacy of her hairstyle and the overall delicate rendering of her portrait on this coin.
View attachment 1404934
AE Sestertius (36mm, 26.92 g). Rome mint. AD 50-54, struck under Claudius. AGRIPPINA M F GERM-ANICI CAESARIS, draped bust right / TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P around S×C. RIC I 102.

Ex Roma Numismatics E-Sale 81 (25 February 2021), lot 1059.

8. Galba (AD 96-98)
This coin is an upgrade from my 2019 list. I really liked the rendering of Galba's portrait on this coin because it echoes his austere persona described in the works of Suetonius and Tacitus.
View attachment 1405002
AE Sestertius (36mm, 27.09 g). Rome mint. June-August AD 68. IMP SER GALBA AVG TR P, draped bust of Galba right, wreathed with oak laurel, seen from behind / S P Q R OB CIV SER, legend in three lines within oak wreath (corona civica). RIC I 263.

Ex Ed’s Treasures Collection.
Ex Heritage Auctions, the Ed’s Treasures Collection of Ancient Coins Showcase Auction #61238 (5 December 2021), lot 99094.
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts, Auction V (February 1978), lot 396.

Ex Ed’s Treasures Collection.
Ex Heritage Auctions, the Ed’s Treasures Collection of Ancient Coins Showcase Auction #61238 (5 December 2021), lot 99094.
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts, Auction V (February 1978), lot 396.

8. Nerva (AD 96-98)
Due to the nature of my collection, a coin of Nerva was always must. However, I thought it likely be a denarius rather than a sestertius. When I saw this coin, I was immediately drawn to the portrait and decided that I had to have it!
View attachment 1404936
AE Sestertius (33 mm, 24.14 g). Rome mint. AD 97. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head right / PAX AVG, Pax seated left, holding branch in right hand and sceptre in left; S C in exergue. RIC III 88.

Ex Ploil Collection
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Spring Sale 2021 (10 May 2021), lot 1281.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 106 (9 May 2018), lot 1443.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Triton VII (12 Jan 2004), lot 907.

9. Trajan (AD 98-117)
I was looking for this type for a while due to its historical significance. This coin commemorates Trajan's Dacian campaign, which ultimately contributed to the expansion of the Roman Empire to its greatest extent. About a year ago, I was scrolling through NAC's archives and I stumbled across this coin. I thought it would be nice to own if it I came across it, and sure enough it appeared in NAC's spring sale.
View attachment 1404988
AE Sestertius (35mm, 27.71 g). Rome mint. AD 106-107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate head right with drapery on left shoulder / S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Dacia seated left on shield in attitude of mourning, before trophy; S C in exergue. RIC III 564 var.

Ex Ploil Collection.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Spring Sale 2021 (10 May 2021), lot 1299.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 101 (24 Oct 2017), lot 249.
Ex Gorny & Mosch Auction 125 (13 October 2003), lot 475.

10. Trajan (AD 98-117)
This was another upgrade from my 2019 list. It has a different reverse than my original aureus, but I thought that the portrait was excellent.
View attachment 1404995
AV Aureus (18.5mm, 7.31 g). Rome mint. AD 108-110. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / COS V PP SPQR OPTIMO PRINC, Ceres standing left, holding grain-ears and long torch. RIC III 109.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Triton XXIV (20 January 2021), lot 1081.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Triton XXI (9 January 2018), lot 750.

Next 10 to follow
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rg3 said: ↑

like your #4 with the beautiful portrait (I think this is 254b in RIC I - went on a goose chase looking for 54b in a cng search). picked up a battered right facing victory 255er myself this year:
View attachment 1405595
Click to expand...

I have 2 common ancient coins and I have little to no knowledge within the field, but from a total novice, I must say these coins you have are just wonderful in appearance. Very nice!!!!!

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panzerman · Dec 7, 2021

You had a heck of a year All 21 are special in their own unique way. The artistic designs, along with the supberb quality= perfection. Really hard to pick out favorites, so I will go for all twenty one Thanks for sharing....
John

eparch · Dec 8, 2021

Wonderful specimens - my favorites are 3,4 and 11

gogili1977 · Dec 8, 2021

Superb coins. I like #4, #6, #8, #9 and #14.

singig · Dec 8, 2021

So many beautiful coins , my preferred is the Agrippina sestertius. Congratulations !

Romancollector · Dec 10, 2021

Hey everyone, thanks for all your comments! They are very much appreciated!

Going through my initial posts, I noticed a number of errors so here are some addenda.

5. I forgot to add my comments on this coin....

I liked it due to the corona civica on the coin's reverse, which Augustus alludes to in his Res Gestae. The corona civica was awarded to him by the Roman senate on account of saving the lives of citizens after decades of civil war.

18. I seem to have forgot the coin's info entirely.

AE Follis (29.5mm, 10.29 g). Aquileia mint, 2nd officina. AD 300. IMP DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right / SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR, Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae; mintmark AQS. RIC VI 29a.

Ex CGB Numismatics Paris.

19. In this instance, I pasted the wrong information. I have a word document containing the info for all my coins and I copied and pasted the info for my follis of Cosntantius from Lugdunum, which is the entry that follows this coin.

AE Follis (25mm, 7.19 g). Cyzicus mint. AD 308. IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS PF AVG, laureate head right / VIRTVS MILITVM, campgate surmounted by four beacons or turrets. Mintmark MKB. RIC VI 39b.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 115 Session 3 (17 September 2020), lot 716.

Anyways....thanks again for your likes and comments!

jb_depew · Dec 10, 2021

Wow, those are some beautiful scores!

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Romancollector's Top 21 of 2021

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