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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;TIF, post: 2298511, member: 56859&quot;]It was another fantastic and fun year <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.&nbsp; Most purchases were Greek, Roman Republican, and Provincial.&nbsp; Of course I love artistic dies, great strikes, and eye appeal but I also love the often gnarly Roman Egyptian coins.&nbsp; Coins with good or long pedigrees also pique my interest.</p><p><br /></p><p>Picking a top ten was difficult.&nbsp; Does anyone else feel guilty about leaving some coins off their Top Ten lists?&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p>In reverse order, although <strike>the top four</strike> <strike>top five are really a tie.</strike>&nbsp; I should just label them all #1.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>10.&nbsp; Antinous lead tessera from Antinoöpolis</b> (not previously posted to CoinTalk).&nbsp; Something depicting Antinous has been on my hit list for a couple of years.&nbsp; An Alexandrian drachm would be nice but this lead tessera a perfectly acceptable substitute.&nbsp; Until this, I had no lead coins or tesserae.&nbsp; Added bonus:&nbsp; unrecorded reverse.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]461580[/ATTACH]</p><p><b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!egypt-antinopolis--antinous-pb/c1bqm" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!egypt-antinopolis--antinous-pb/c1bqm" rel="nofollow">EGYPT, Antinoöpolis.&nbsp; Antinous</a></b></p><p>2nd-3rd centuries CE</p><p>PB tessera, 25 mm, 7.63 gm, 11h</p><p>Obv:&nbsp; draped bust of Antinous right, wearing hem-hem crown; crescent before, AN behind</p><p>Rev:&nbsp;&nbsp; Serapis standing right, head left, raising hand and holding scepter; to left, ЄYC/YBA/[...]</p><p>Ref:&nbsp;&nbsp; Milne –; Dattari (Savio) –;Köln –</p><p><i>Per CNG:&nbsp; &quot;A previously unseen reverse legend and unpublished tessera.&nbsp; Though difficult to read, the reverse legend appears to be some variation of the word Εὐσεβής (“pious&quot;).&quot;</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>9.&nbsp; Lucius Verus with Serapis Pantheos reverse</b> (not previously posted to CoinTalk).&nbsp; A year ago I failed to acquire the Emmett plate drachm of Antoninus Pius and Serapis Pantheos.&nbsp; It still hurts but this tetradrachm has mitigated the loss.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae43f8_b9ee9e2118184695ac4f9c105f0fe484.jpg/v1/fit/w_1702,h_1064,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ae43f8_b9ee9e2118184695ac4f9c105f0fe484.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!egypt-lucius-verus-serapis-pantheos-tet/clv6" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!egypt-lucius-verus-serapis-pantheos-tet/clv6" rel="nofollow">EGYPT, Alexandria.&nbsp; Lucius Verus</a></b></p><p>year 4, CE 163/4</p><p>billion tetradrachm, 24 mm, 13.51 gm</p><p>Obv:&nbsp; ΛAVPHΛI OVHPOCCEB; bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust left</p><p>Rev: Radiate and draped bust of Serapis-Pantheos right, wearing calathus and horn of Ammon; trident behind shoulder; ∆/L in right field</p><p>Ref: Emmett 2360 (4), R1; Köln 2148; Dattari (Savio) 9420; K&amp;G 39.77</p><p><br /></p><p><b>8.&nbsp; Mussidius Longus denarius</b>.&nbsp; I already had one of each type of <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-a-deity-worthy-of-respect.251682/#post-1980616" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-a-deity-worthy-of-respect.251682/#post-1980616">Venus Cloacina (Sewer Goddess)</a> denarius but this represents a very nice upgrade to the Concordia version.&nbsp; It was markedly less expensive than the one I bought at the 2014 Chicago ANA show.&nbsp; That was unexpected and welcome!</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]461599[/ATTACH]<b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!mussidius-longus-concordiacloacina/csuw" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!mussidius-longus-concordiacloacina/csuw" rel="nofollow">L. Mussidius Longus, 42 BCE</a></b></p><p>AR denarius, Rome mint.</p><p>Obv:&nbsp; Diademed and veiled head of Concordia right; CONCORDIA upwards behind; star in right field under chin</p><p>Rev:&nbsp; Shrine of Venus Cloacina: Circular platform surmounted by two statues of the goddess, each resting right hand on cippus, the platform inscribed CLOACIN and ornamented with trellis-pattern balustrade, flight of steps and portico on left; L • MVSSIDIVS • LONGVS around above.</p><p>Ref:&nbsp; Crawford 494/42b; Bab. 6; BMC 4244; Crawf. 494/42 b; Syd. 1093a</p><p><br /></p><p><b>7.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/mule-or-goat-both-gragulus-renius-four%C3%A9e-denarius.270214/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/mule-or-goat-both-gragulus-renius-four%C3%A9e-denarius.270214/">Fourrée mule denarius</a></b>.&nbsp; Now I can join the ZCC (Zombie Coin Club), and it is a mule to boot.&nbsp; Mules are not terribly uncommon among Roman Republican fourrees but I was happy to get one.&nbsp; This coin also fits a subset I’m working on:&nbsp; coins showing odd modes of transportation.&nbsp; A goat biga, in this case.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae43f8_8082b8ae176246d587794e21e2b76c71.jpg/v1/fit/w_1644,h_1028,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ae43f8_8082b8ae176246d587794e21e2b76c71.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!antestius-renius-mule-fouree-denarius/ca72" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!antestius-renius-mule-fouree-denarius/ca72" rel="nofollow">Roman Republic fourrée mule denarius</a></b></p><p><b>L. Antestius Gragulus, 136 BCE, and C. Renius, 138 BCE</b></p><p>ancient forgery, 3.18 gm</p><p>Obv: Roma helmeted head right, * below chin, GRAG behind</p><p>Rev: Juno Caprotina in a biga of goats, C・RENI below, ROMA in exergue</p><p>Ref: Obverse S.115, Cr.238/1, Syd.451, RSC Antestia 9; Reverse S.108, Cr.231/1, Syd.432, RSc Renia 1</p><p><br /></p><p><b>6.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/finally-brought-home-a-sikyon-stater.259225/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/finally-brought-home-a-sikyon-stater.259225/">Sikyon stater</a></b>.&nbsp; As with the Aegina, I can’t buy the one I <i>really</i> want (AJ’s, of course).&nbsp; This one has good eye appeal and didn’t break the bank.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]461600[/ATTACH]</p><p><b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!sikyonia-sikyon--ar-stater/ch2q" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!sikyonia-sikyon--ar-stater/ch2q" rel="nofollow">SIKYONIA, Sikyon</a></b></p><p>335-330 BCE</p><p>AR stater, 23 mm, 12.3 gm</p><p>Obv: Chimera standing left; wreath above, ΣE below</p><p>Rev: Dove flying left; A to left; all within wreath</p><p>Ref: BCD Peloponnesos 220; Traité III 775, pl. CCXX, 11</p><p><i>CNG 342, from the &quot;collection of a Southern Pathologist, purchased from C.H. Wolfe, 3 May 1989&quot;</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>5.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/yay-turtles.262921/#post-2138388" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/yay-turtles.262921/#post-2138388">Aegina stater</a></b>.&nbsp; These are readily available at auction and in fixed price stores.&nbsp;&nbsp; It took a while to find the right one at a reasonable price and I think this one hit that sweet spot.&nbsp; I wanted the turtle to be completely on flan, preferably with no banker’s marks on the shell.&nbsp; While greater detail on the shell would be nice, the price would not be nice.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae43f8_ba176498fc414002adb0d8aea1e69825.jpg/v1/fit/w_1702,h_1064,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ae43f8_ba176498fc414002adb0d8aea1e69825.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!ISLANDS OFF ATTICA, Aegina. AR stater/zoom/ckvo/c158y" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!ISLANDS OFF ATTICA, Aegina. AR stater/zoom/ckvo/c158y" rel="nofollow">ISLANDS off ATTICA, Aegina</a> </b></p><p><b>456/45-431 BCE</b></p><p>AR stater; 20mm, 12.32 g</p><p>Obv: land tortoise, head in profile, with segmented shell</p><p>Rev: large square incuse with skew pattern</p><p>Ref: SNG Delepierre 1774ff; BMC Taf. 24.11</p><p><br /></p><p><b>4.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/weeell-doggies-sauromates-ii-septimius-severus-stater.269821/#post-2257464" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/weeell-doggies-sauromates-ii-septimius-severus-stater.269821/#post-2257464">Sauromates II EL stater</a></b>.&nbsp; Once again from an extremely competitive auction.&nbsp; I was shot down on every coin except for this. Fortunately, there were many coins I dearly wanted and realistically I could only buy one or two, so this was definitely not a consolation price.&nbsp; Added bonus:&nbsp; it is ex Buddy Ebsen (aka Jed Clampett).</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae43f8_35ecbe1ac96d4784bbb7e605d7cf300c.jpg/v1/fit/w_1702,h_1064,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ae43f8_35ecbe1ac96d4784bbb7e605d7cf300c.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!kings-of-bosporus-sauromates-ii/cm22" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!kings-of-bosporus-sauromates-ii/cm22" rel="nofollow">KINGS OF BOSPORUS, Sauromates II</a></b></p><p>Bosporan Era 495 (CE 198/9)</p><p>EL stater, 19 mm, 7.72 gm, 12h</p><p>Obv: BACIΛЄωC CAVPOMATOV; diademed and draped bust of Sauromates right</p><p>Rev: laureate head of Septimius Severus right; pellet to right; ЄЧV (date) below</p><p>Ref: Frolova p. 177 and pl. XXXIII, 9-10 (same dies as illustrations); Anokhin 576a; MacDonald 506/2</p><p><i>ex Dr. Lawrence A. Adams collection</i></p><p><i>ex Buddy Ebsen Collection (Superior, 7 June 1987, lot 4114)</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>3.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/corinth-stater-with-chimaera.270945/#post-2277697" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/corinth-stater-with-chimaera.270945/#post-2277697">Corinth stater with rampant chimaera</a></b>.&nbsp; This coin jumped off the webpage and said BUY ME.&nbsp; I love it <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><img src="https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/corinthstater-chimaera-reflection-jpg.454729/" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </i></p><p><b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!corinthia-corinth--stater-chimaera/clw5" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!corinthia-corinth--stater-chimaera/clw5" rel="nofollow">CORINTHIA, Corinth</a></b></p><p>circa 375-300 BCE</p><p>AR stater, 22 mm, 8.55 g, 1h</p><p>Obv: Pegasus flying left; qoppa below</p><p>Rev: helmeted head of Athena left; A-P flanking neck truncation; to right, chimaera standing left</p><p>Ref: Ravel 1010; Pegasi 428; BCD Corinth 102; HGC 4, 1848</p><p><i>ex CNG Inventory 828126 (November, 2008)</i></p><p><i>ex Gorny &amp; Mosch 170 (13 October 2008), lot 1381</i></p><p><i>ex Giessener Münzhandlung 21 (22 March 1982), lot 37</i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>2.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!kings-of-macedon-alexander-iii/c1a0j" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!kings-of-macedon-alexander-iii/c1a0j" rel="nofollow">Alexander the Great, lifetime tetradrachm</a></b>.&nbsp; Great condition, strike, and toning; ex Colosseo Collection.&nbsp; I love it when AJ upgrades!&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae43f8_11183a0ec99f48bd9c4c99b40a89e3d2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1600,h_1000,q_90/ae43f8_11183a0ec99f48bd9c4c99b40a89e3d2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!kings-of-macedon-alexander-iii/c1a0j" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!kings-of-macedon-alexander-iii/c1a0j" rel="nofollow">KINGS OF MACEDON, Alexander III</a></b></p><p>AR tetradrachm, 17.14 gm</p><p>late lifetime issue, struck in Aradus c. 324/3 BCE</p><p>Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress.</p><p>Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ;&nbsp; Zeus seated left, holding eagle and scepter; I in left field; AP monogram below throne</p><p>Ref:&nbsp; Price 3325</p><p><i>ex Colosseo Collection (images by Colosseo Collection)</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b>1.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/selinos-litra-this-tiny-coin-has-it-all.258915/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/selinos-litra-this-tiny-coin-has-it-all.258915/">Selinos litra</a></b>.&nbsp; This was a tough auction and I am very happy to have won this coin despite paying more than initially planned.&nbsp; I missed earlier targets but that freed up money allowing me to bid higher.&nbsp; I do not regret it.&nbsp; It’s definitely a strong contender for the #1 spot:&nbsp; beautiful, rare, artistic; amazing detail for a 0.76 gm sliver of silver.&nbsp; Ex Money Museum, ex Athos Moretti collection.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae43f8_be19610cf0d0438296b9691d2c71c9cc.jpg/v1/fit/w_1702,h_1064,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ae43f8_be19610cf0d0438296b9691d2c71c9cc.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><b><a href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!sicily-selinos--ar-litra/clyv" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.tifcollection.com/#!sicily-selinos--ar-litra/clyv" rel="nofollow">SICILY, Selinos</a></b></p><p>Circa 410 BCE</p><p>AR litra, 11mm, 0.76 g, 1h</p><p>Obv:&nbsp; nymph seated left on rock, right hand raised above her head, extending her left hand to touch coiled serpent before her; selinon leaf above</p><p>Rev:&nbsp; man-faced bull standing right; ΣEΛINONTIOΣ above; in exergue, fish right</p><p>Ref:&nbsp; HGC 2, 1229; SNG ANS 711–2 var. (ethnic); SNG Ashmolean 1904–5; SNG Lloyd 1270 var. (same); Basel –; Dewing –; Rizzo pl. XXXIII, 6. Good VF, dark iridescent tone, some porosity. Rare.</p><p><i>ex MoneyMuseum, Zurich;</i></p><p><i>ex Leu 79 (31 October 2000), lot 404;</i></p><p><i>ex Athos Moretti collection, #482, unpublished manuscript</i></p><p><i></i>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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