Well, here we are at the end of the year, and since many of you have been sharing your favorite acquisitions of the year with us, I figured I would do the same. 2018 has been a fantastic year for my collection and it will be hard to top. It’s difficult enough for me to find ‘only’ 10 favorites, let alone rank those, so take the order with a grain of salt. There are far more than 10 coins that I acquired this year which I love. These coins cover a wide range of prices, going to show that price really has nothing to do with the appeal of our favorite coins. Even if some of them have vastly ‘better’ eye appeal or condition, great historical associations or just plain old subjective fancy has a lot to do with it too, and so I see no contradiction in listing my beautifully struck and toned P. Licinius Nerva denarius alongside a far more humble tetradrachm of Hadrian. But since this thread is going to be long enough as it is with all of the picture I’ve included, I’ll shut up and let you see for yourself. By all means please share any coins you have that you think go well with these, or just feel like sharing – after all, that’s what this is about. Pontus Amisos under Mithradates VI While I only have a few Greek coins, this one features a magnificent scene from mythology, plus a fairly good strike for this type. Besides that it has a nice connection to Mithradates VI, who is quite important historically. The ‘patina’ might turn some off, but I am very happy with this nice, chunky bronze. Augustus AE As from Lugdunum I think this coin has a fantastic portrait of Augustus (Augustan asses, even the Rome issues, often don’t seem to have the best portraiture) and an overall attractive look, even if the ‘patina’ isn’t for everyone. I acquired this coin to add to my now complete set of Julio-Claduian asses (that is, I have one coin of each ruler), which recently received a new addition from my Secret Saturnalia gifter in the form of a lovely Nero from the Rome mint, which inspired me to set a new goal: a Rome mint as from each ruler. Marcus Aurelius de Germ Denarius While this one is quite humble compared to some others here, the unusual iconography on the reverse is quite appealing to me. The reverse imagery and inscription (‘de’ being short for devictis, defeat, or subdual) commemorates the Triumph of Marcus Aurelius in 176, which honored their victories against the Germans and Sarmations. Some day I hope to acquire its twin, with the inscription De Sarm. Julius Caesar Denarius It isn’t a lifetime portrait denarius, but it’s still pretty awesome to have a coin that was struck in one of Julius Caesar’s military camps, and no doubt passed through the hands of the soldiers in his army. I got this from Frank Robinson’s auction, and while it has some crystallization/roughness, it’s farless noticeable in hand than in photographs, I am glad for the opportunity to have it. Horus and Isis Drachm of Antoninus Pius This beauty was badly infested with bronze disease when I got it, and I am very proud of how well it turned out once that was removed. Here’s hoping the treatment holds. The iconography on the back is simply beautiful, it has a beautiful red and green patina, and it is in sterling condition for an Alexandrian drachm. Ptah-Sokar-Osiris (mummy!) Tetradrachm of Hadrian While not the best specimen (it might respond to cleaning, but I don’t dare attempt it), this is a coin that I never imagined I would have an opportunity to own, so I’m not complaining. To me, the imagery on this coin really is the most iconic Egyptian iconography in Alexandrian coinage. I had doubts about its authenticity when I acquired it, since it really did seem too good to be true, but after asking here and at FORVM I was much relieved to find that most didn’t find it overly suspicious. Thanks is due to @Okidoki for helping me investigate its authenticity. Osiris Canopus Tetradrachm of Hadrian If the Ptah-Sokar tetradrachm is the quintessential Egyptian coin, then this coin and other issues depicting the Canopus of Isis and Osiris must be close runners up. While the research I’ve done indicates that it depicts a form of Osiris which was worshipped in the city of Canopus, and a favorite deity of Hadrian’s, rather than the ‘canopic jars’ used in mummification, it’s still a lovely issue for those fascinated by Egyptian imagery. Augustus and Agrippa As of Nemausus I’ve posted it a few times recently, but I can’t show off this wonderful Nemausus as that I acquired from @Gavin Richardson. It has a magnificent patina with lovely portraits of Augustus and Agrippa that come to life with shifting light, and seems to reveal a new aspect of beauty from every angle. Anonymous 2nd Punic War Denarius I believe that the reasons I love this one are simple: it has great history behind it, has fantastic eye appeal, and thanks to a more or less invisible defect (the flan is slightly bent, but even in hand it’s hardly noticeable), I got it at a fantastic price. It has fantastic toning, and my photograph actually came out quite nice for once. It was my phone wallpaper for many months. Denarius of P. Licinius Nerva I had coveted this issue for as long as I knew it existed. A voting scene really is about as Republican as you can get. This one is very beautifully struck, with great toning, even overlooking the weird 'alien arm' of the voter. This one was part of the collection Hildebrecht Hommel, a German scholar, so it came with a great provenance to boot. Someday I hope to add a Cassius Longinus voting denarius as its twin. Honorable Mentions Since it was hard to pick just ten favorites, here are a few runners up. I could've picked a completely different 5, but these caught my eye first. I won’t go into detail on them (an few have been posted before), but I won’t leave them out. The types are probably recognizable to most, so I won’t go into detail on them unless asked, though I will say that I love one of them for a very peculiar reason.
Awesome pickups, thanks for showing them to us I like #1 the best, since I really like Pontus/ Kings of the Bosphorus coins. John
Very interesting coins @SeptimusT. Like many who collect Ancients, the reverse is what makes most coins interesting, and your coins all have interesting reverses. And there are several here that I have been looking to obtain like the Osiris Canopus Tetradrachm and Amisos under Mithradates VI. Congratulations on a successful coin year.
Man, you just *had* to post that Nemausus croc I let go! But I'm glad it found an appreciative home and am honored it made your Top 10. I miss that wonderful Augustus portrait and that pimply crocodile. Among the others is another fave of mine: the Aeneas denarius. I hope to acquire one in 2019 or 2020. I've actually purchased three: a first one, an upgrade that never arrived from Spain, and a fake from Spain that I got my money back on. That money was then applied to a JC lifetime portrait denarius, but it left me without an Aeneas. Maybe this time next year I'll have my own to post. It's my favorite denarius of JC, really, and yours shows good centering and detail for a high-end coin.
That's a Top 10 that I really like. Each one on your list is either something I already have, or want to have. I'm quite envious of that excellent P Nerva voting scene and the mummy tet. Nice scores!
Great selection! +1 on the Nerva The virgo lactans is stunning, the reverse is particularly nice. Wonderful job saving it. Do you have a picture of the coin before the healing?
I do, though it’s a seller photo rather than my own. Maybe I exaggerated a little by calling it badly infested, but it’s the worst case I had encountered... lots of soft powdery stuff that piled on deep enough to cover the features.
Oh wow, so much better! Glad it made it into your hands. Your Roman Egypt lineup is KICK @##! Dig the "voting" denarius also, that reverse grabbed my attention the first time I saw it, has been on my list ever since.
A strong showing of Roman Egypt ! Not sure which is my favorite among them... probably the Hadrian Ptah-Sokar-Osiris. The Amisos is fantastic-- what a well-centered reverse! Super duper Licinius Nerva denarius .
Great coins @SeptimusT - I love the Egyptian ones, especially Isis with the infant Horus, some great mythology there...
You have some very fascinating types on that list! The RR voting denarius and the Augustus and Agrippa As are especially iconic.
