Shogun's top 10 of '21

Greetings,

This is my top 10 list for 2021 - I tried to create a sample of what I collected. The list is in chronological order of when I believe the coins were struck.

This year I did purchase my first Republican coins and this corner of my team has expanded nicely in 2021, here are two (ok, just edging out the others to be my favorite Republicans!):


Anonymous denarius Crawford 198/1 Dioscuri 157 -156 B.C.E. Roma
Helmeted head of Roma right; X to left.
The Dioscuri, each holding spear, on horseback right; two stars above; ROMA in exergue.
18.0mm 3.98g 9h


Roman Republican L. Saufeius denarius Crawford 204/1 Victory 152 B.C.E. Roma
Helmeted head of Roma right; X behind
L. SAVF Roma, Victory driving biga to right, L.SAVF below
From the DePew Collection by way of John Anthony.
18.0mm 3.93g 11h


I love this type for some reason, the bitcoin of their day to drive the common transactions of the Imperial Empire. These are rarely in good condition given the circulation wear and sometimes crudely made - I was pleasantly surprised to see it as the Wildwinds example:


Augustus 27 B.C.–14 A.D. as RIC I 436 Tullus 7 B.C.E. Roma
Bare head left [CAESAR AVG]VST PONT MAX TRIBVN[IC POT]
M MAE[CILIVS TVLLVS III] VIR A A A F F Legend around large S C
Ex Helios 5 (25 June 2010), lot 211; Gorny & Mosch 118 (15 October 2002), lot 1991
28.5mm 11.75g

Luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan! Trajan is my favorite to collect, and remarkable times for the 100-year old empire. Between building projects and border expansion Trajan is well known for social spending with this coin referencing Alimenta or subsistence payments made to orphans. Duncan-Jones, R. (1964). The Purpose and Organisation of the Alimenta. Papers of the British School at Rome, 32(1), 123-146. doi:10.1017/S0068246200007261.

Truly fascinating that this battle has been going on since, well - forever!

Trajan 98-117 A.D. Denarius RIC II 243 Alim Ital 112-114 Roma
Laureate bust right, slight drapery IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P
S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI; ALIM ITAL in exergue
Annona standing left, holding grain ears and cornucopia; to left, child standing facing, head right
See also Woytek 395b–1 and RSC 9 ALIM ITAL
19.5mm 3.36g 7h

I need more Hadrian like a "Don't Fear the Reaper" needs more Cowbell.:


Hadrian 117–138 A.D. denarius RIC II.3 722 Roma 124-125 Roma
laureate head to right, slight drapery on right shoulder - HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS
COS III; Roma standing to left, holding Victory and spear
19.0mm 3.04g 6h

Fine style portrait makes up for the weak reverse for this denarius to land on my list:


Marcus Aurelius 161–180 A.D. denarius RIC 70 Providentia 162 Roma
Bare head of Marcus Aurelius to right. IMP M ANTONINVS AVG
PROV DEOR TR P XVII COS III; Providentia standing front, head to left, holding globe in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left.
18.0mm 3.41g 12h

The story of Carausius is amazing - a commander for the Tetrarchy who created an independent Romano-British empire held together with a mix of legions and mercenaries after he was sentenced to death. The Brits have always liked their independence it seems! Whatever history recalls of him is likely tainted by propaganda but he must've been a somewhat competent military leader to fend off Diocletian's Hercules:


Crisis of the Third Century Carausius 286-293 A.D. RIC V 881 Pax Unknown
radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right IMP CARAVSIVS P AVG PAX AVG
Pax standing left, holding branch and vertical sceptre
20.0mm 3.00g 6h

This year was a banner year for adding coins of the Tetrarchy. I'd put Ticinum ahead of Aquaelia as the two mints that produced fine styles:


Diocletian 284-305 A.D. Follis RIC VI 33a Genius 298-299 Ticinum
Laureate head right IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG
GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI; Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia; *|-//PT• 1st officina
28.0mm 10.45g 6h

Large, early Constantine nummus (or is it follis...) I feel like carving some Chi Rho's into those flags, you know he wanted to. Love him or hate him, this is a great area to collect given the dynamics behind his reign, the mints, styles and availability. I'm particular fond of these large, early ones before Constantine realized the same economic outcome could be achieved with less metal:


Constantine Dynasty Constantine I 307-337 A.D. nummus RIC VI 781 307-308 Treveri
laureate and cuirassed bust to right IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG PRINCIPI
IVVENTVTIS; Emperor standing to left, holding two standards; S-A across fields, PTR in exergue
25.0mm 8.11g 5h

2021 appears to be the year of the [British-"ish"] Usurper for me, but better described as the year of the siliqua. Magnus Maximus was eventually defeated near Aquileia by Theodosius and... Alaric - how different would the world be if he won! The rarity allows me to overlook the reverse weakness, that isn't a shaky hand but the flow lines of the coins, they were pumping these out:


Magnus Maximus 383-388 A.D. siliqua RIC IX 54a Roma 387-388 Aquileia
Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right DN MAG MA-XIMVS PF AVG
VIRTVS RO-MANORVM; Roma seated facing, head left, on throne, holding globe and scepter; AQPS.
17.0mm 3.53g 7h



Those are 10 of my coins in a year where I learned quite a bit about ancient coins. Love to hear any of your thoughts or see your coins. I still have to find a Hadrian Sestertius that I like and can afford the - the collectors dilemma. In 2022 I hope to fill more gaps in my Imperial collection with plenty of room for provincials, and the enter the elusive Anglo-Saxon era.

I'd also like to add a Greek Tet from Athens (change my mind with another mint!)

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

For some reason the portrait and color of the Augustus really strikes me. Huge 11/10 on the whole list

 

Nice year @IMP Shogun ! My favorites;
#7 Trajan denarius - Excellent coin and type.
#5 Marcus Aurelius Denarius - I agree. Great portrait and style!
#1 Siliqua - I have a soft spot for these late Roman silvers.

...although it’s hard to argue with your logic in regard to Hadrian...

I can get on board with more Hadrian and more cowbell!

 

Dang! I'm pretty sure I just cut myself looking at that Hadrian!
Never have I seen a coin so unintentionally serrated.
And the detail on those Dioscuri steal the show for me
I LOVE early Roman Republic coins




(Looking for my identification to remember what is protrudingfrom his groin on the reverse?)

 

View attachment 1397430

 

I always enjoy this time of year. Get a chance to see all the Saturnalia's best.

 

The runners up, I think I penalize it for being over cleaned:


And put through the slot machines a few times:

It doesn't quite look that extreme in hand. I'm not sure if it was a test cut gone awry but it does look like a shuriken.

 

Nice selection, @IMP Shogun.
I like your two RR chariots, and the sharp Marcus Aurelius denarius portrait.

 

I love them all, but I think the two Roman Republicans are especially gorgeous; outstanding examples! I also voted for the Marcus Aurelius, for the particularly wonderful, sharp portrait. Congratulations.

 

The Augustus really stood out to me, a lovely coin with a charming portrait. I also voted for the disocuri denarius and the siliqua, but it was tough choosing from a great list, congrats!

 

Wonderful selection @IMP Shogun ...Very difficult to put any in front of another but if forced I went for the Magnus Maximus, Dioscuri and the Augustus....
Congrats on a great collecting year.

 

Congratulations! My choices would be 1. Dioscuri (love the reverse) 2. Marcus Aurelius (exceptional portrait) 3. Trajan for the overall look and for the reverse, reminding that ancient times had other things except wars and conquests.
Honorable mention to the Augustus coin, as the conservation is excellent for this issue.

 

Shogun, You scored a great selection of Roman coins, from early to late period ! My favorite is the Dioscuri denarius with beautiful engraving on both sides , followed by the handsome Constantine nummus with an exceptionally fine reverse, & my 3rd pick would be the Augustus bronze with impressive portrait .

 

You had a great year, @IMP Shogun, and each of them is worthy of a number one spot. I particularly liked the Marcus Aurelius denarius with the all-round legend (characteristic of AD 161-163), the TVLLVS as of Augustus, and the Constantine, but the RR denarii are lovely, too. I hope 2022 is good to you and your collection.

 

@IMP Shogun, an excellent set of coins and I appreciate a write-up that includes information on the history and why they interest you. An enjoyable post. I picked the two [British-"ish"] usurpers and the first of your RR denarii. All nice coins and I can see Augustus will be popular too.

Your Magnus Maximus siliqua is excellent! Between Attic Tet to Hadrian sestertius it seems that there will not be a shortage of options for "next coin" Congratulations and best wishes for 2022!

 

I voted for the two republican and the Augustus, but might as well have chosen others since they're all tied

My companion coin for your Augustus


Augustus, As - 7 BC
CAESAR AVGVST PONT MAX TRBUNIC POT, Bare head of Augustus left
M SALVIVS OTHO III VIR AAA FF, around SC
11.18 gr
Ref : RCV # 1685 var, Cohen # 516

Q

 

Your anonymous denarii are very nice, the RRC 198/1 particularly so, and you attributed it correctly - most dealers incorrectly assign this issue to RRC 53/2. Yours is better than mine:

 

All fantastic coins but I love that Augustus portrait, congrats on a great year of collecting.

 

Great year. My favorites: Trajan denarius and Constantine I.

 

Nice work, @IMP Shogun!

The Diocletian is a beauty, I think (that reverse!), and the galloping Dioscuri
on the Republican denarius are just lovely.