Hello everyone! I don't normally do this, but I got a couple of new coins I wanted to share with everyone because I'm just so excited to add them to my collection. @Sallent scroll past the first two...they'll only get you worked up. First up was purchased as an upgrade to a coin I already own. This is a first for my ancient collection. I plan on keeping both coins. First the original coin: Constantine I AE, follis, 3.2g, 16.5mm; 6h; Trier, AD 330-335 Obv.: CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev.: GLOR-IAEXERC-[ITVS]; two soldiers standing facing each other, each holding spear and resting hand on shield, palm branch between two standards, Os on standards In Ex.: TRS The upgrade: Constantine I, AD 306-337 Æ Follis, 18mm, 2.3g, 6h; ; Trier mint, AD 332-333. Obv.: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG; rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS; two soldiers holding spears and shields with two standards between them with thin pointed banners In Ex.: TR•S Ex YOC Collection Ok, so they're not the same coin! Same ruler, same reverse type, same mint... Anyway, the new addition is just a really wonderful coin. Fine style, nice strike, little wear, and very glossy. Also this is a reverse type I have a soft spot for and will buy any nice one I can afford. My second latest addition happened when I messaged our own John Anthony and asked him to find something I would like at Baltimore. Well man did he come through! Thrace, Mesembria. Æ21, 6.0g, 12h; 450-350 BC. Obv.: Crested Macedonian helmet r. Rev.: METAM-BPIANΩN; Shield seen from back with handle and supports projecting from the central boss. I'm big into military themed coins and this one fits the bill! Helmet and shield! I can't be more pleased. I love this coin! I feel like @stevex6 when he gets a coin with an animal on both sides, and one has wings! I suppose keeping with the helmet theme, John had got a coin for me before he thought I would like, and just like now he hit the nail right on the head: Diodotus Tryphon, Selecuid Kingdom, 142-138 BC AE18, 5.4g; 2h; Antioch Obv.: Diademed head left Rev.: BΑΣΙΛΕΩS TPYΦANO AYTOKPATOPOS; Legend to left and right of spiked Macedonian helmet left ornamented with ibex-horn; monogram ΙΛΣ in left field I think this was another Baltimore pickup. Feel free to post anything relevant!
the O's on the standards are Phalera -- sculpted discs which were awarded for various military exploits
Great pickups, esp. the Constantine I AE Follis/ really nice reverse design. The obverse portrait is very realistic looking Always such a good feeling to acquire new coins.
Beautiful coins, Jwt708—all of them! I'm never going to tell anyone that their 2000 year old coin is boring! When I think that a coin that was made and handled by people 2000 years ago is boring then it's time for me to find a new hobby. Sometimes a classic coin can benefit from some creative packaging.
Ah, I'm just teasing Sallent because he has "beef" with Constantine. I love my LRBs and coins from Constantine.
I think the bronze of Mesembria is quite rare. It's the first one I've ever come across in real life, and I've only seen a few recorded at auction. Here's one at CNG and another at NN. There's nothing wrong with those coins of course, but they just don't have the commanding style of yours, and yours appears to be struck from much fresher dies. It was a surprising find - you never know what's going to turn up when some older collections get sold, which is what happened at Baltimore. (It behooves one to get chummy with dealers that will set aside the new stuff just for you.)
It is a really stunning coin in hand. The picture captures it well but there is just something to having it "in hand" that is impossible to capture. The lines on the obverse are crisp and neat with a dusty patina. Even though I didn't post it first, it will be making my list of top ten in 2017.
Wow, Jwt => those are very cool coins!! (congrats) Oh, I happen to have one of those cool Thrace Mesembria helmet-coins ... Congrats again on scoring those 4 OP-winners!
Nice upgrade with the Constantine/soldiers, but the Messembria helmet is really something ! Congrats Q
My only Constantine... RI Constantine I Folles 306-337 CE Captives VOTA Banner His Mommy: RI Helena mother Constantine AE Follis Securitas Nicomedia mint 325-326 CE 19mm 3.3g RIC-95 Sear 16619
Thank you for posting, Alegandron! Helena was an impressive woman. The History Channel featured a show about the "True Cross" a while back. She was convinced that what she found in Jerusalem was the remains of the Cross used in the Crucifixion.
