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<p>[QUOTE="TIF, post: 5366999, member: 56859"]Goodbye, 2020 and Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s hope 2021 brings healing and prosperity to all.</p><p><br /></p><p>Life has been generally good for me in the last year but I just haven’t had time for coins and CoinTalk. I feel fortunate to have a work-from-home job now but between the new job and other time-consuming necessary projects, I don’t expect to have much time for coins in 2021. I hope to pick up a few coins here and there and I’ll try to make more time for CT this year.</p><p><br /></p><p>I bought 25 coins in 2020… a lot, really, but far less than in previous years. Of these purchases only a few ever made it to the light of CoinTalk. I still haven’t photographed some of them and none have had the investigation and consideration that was intended. Sigh. In past years I’d post the year end list with a link to their respective CT threads but I only started one or two threads in 2020! <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie3" alt=":(" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Here’s a basic breakdown of my coin year:</p><p><br /></p><p>25 coins, ranging from 500 BCE to 268 CE. </p><p><br /></p><p>7 Greek</p><p>1 Roman Republican</p><p>3 Roman Imperial </p><p>2 Roman Provincial (non-Egyptian)</p><p>12 Roman Egypt</p><p><br /></p><p>Pedigrees include Giovanni Dattari (of course <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />), Henry Clay Lindgren, Phil Peck (aka “Morris Collection”), Kerry Wetterstrom, James H. Joy, E.E. Clain-Stefanelli, Garth R. Drewry, Rocky Mountain Collection of Alexandrian, and Vinyeard Collection. Nine of the coins had no pedigree information. Several coins are rare and one is previously uncataloged.</p><p><br /></p><p>As is usually the case, the order is only somewhat representative of favorites. My #1 probably belongs there but you could argue first place for other coins in the list, and some which didn’t make the cut might be placed on the list if I were to take another look tomorrow <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p>...</p><p><br /></p><p><b>10. Macedonia, Stobi. Caracalla, the abduction of Persephone.</b> Who doesn’t like a nice mythological reverse? This is my second of the type. The first one, acquired last year, was nice for the price but this one is much nicer in all respects. You can see them both <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/c-gall-super-upgrade.364984/#post-4754360" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/c-gall-super-upgrade.364984/#post-4754360">here</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1228485[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>MACEDON, Stobi. Caracalla (198-217)</b></p><p>AE 24 mm, 8.25 gm</p><p>Obv: M AVR ANTONINV; laureate and cuirassed bust right</p><p>Rev: [MV] N I CIP [STOBE]; Hades in galloping quadriga right, carrying off struggling Persephone</p><p>Ref: AMNG III 12 var. (bust seen from front); Varbanov 4052 (R5, same dies)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>9. Nero tet/Roma contemporary counterfeit.</b> Contemporary counterfeits of Alexandrian coins are uncommon. I painfully missed out on one in 2015 (<a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/yesterdays-cng-auction-illustrated.260849/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/yesterdays-cng-auction-illustrated.260849/">Curses, Clio!</a>) and it grated on me ever since. Naville, the main source of pedigreed Alexandrian coins in the last several years, had a small run of ex-Dattari contemporary counterfeits this year and I was very happy to grab one <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. This coin may be from a small hoard of contemporary Alexandrian counterfeits acquired by E.T. Newell in Luxor, 1908, and written up by William E. Metcalf (“Two Alexandrian Hoards. 1. A Hoard of Forgeries from Luxor,” Revue Belge de Numismatique Vol. CXXII, 1976, pp. 65-69). </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1228486[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>EGYPT, Alexandria. Nero</b></p><p>Contemporary counterfeit</p><p>billon tetradrachm, 23.5 mm, 12.14 gm</p><p>c. 66-67 Regnal year 13 (66/7 CE)</p><p>Obv: radiate bust right, wearing aegis</p><p>Rev: AYTOKPA; helmeted and cuirassed bust of Roma right.; LIΓ in right field </p><p>Ref: RPC 5293; Dattari-Savio Pl. 316, 34 (this coin); Metcalf, Two Alexandrian Hoards. 1. A Hoard of Forgeries from Luxor," (Revue Belge de Numismatique Vol. CXXII, 1976, pp. 65-69) Obv. IV/Rev. 4</p><p><i>ex Dattari collection (Giovanni Dattari, 1858-1923)</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><br /></p><p><b>8. Gallienus zoo series antoninianus with criocamp.</b> I’ve wanted one of these since seeing [USER=57495]@zumbly[/USER]'s. The man has a knack for finding unusual coins. You can’t go wrong coin-stalking Z! This was the first purchase of 2020 and I didn’t hesitate one second when I saw it in Marc Breitsprecher’s new inventory. I mean, who wouldn’t want a ram-fish, right? Also, this zoo series type is not very common so its scarcity further fueled my coinlust.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/gallienuscriocamp-rt-jpg.1050355/" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><b>Gallienus</b></p><p>struck 267-268 CE, Rome mint, 8th officina, 10th issue</p><p>AE antoninianus; 3.40 gm, 20.7 mm</p><p>Obv: GALLIENVS AVG; radiate head right</p><p>Rev: MERCVRIO CONS AVG; criocamp (sea ram) right; H below</p><p>Ref: MIR 36, 741b; RIC V (sole reign) 242; Wolkow 21a8 (R); Cunetio 1389</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>7. Volteius denarius, Ceres driving a serpent biga.</b> This type had languished on my hit list for many years-- a necessary coin for the Alternative Modes of Transportation set <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. They aren’t uncommon but it can be tough to find one with good centering on the reverse. I’m very happy with this nicely toned beauty and love the bizarre serpents. Duck heads? Rooster heads? That engraver must’ve been trippin’!</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/volteiusdenarius-serpentbiga-jpg.1121669/" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><b>Roman Republic</b></p><p><b>Moneyer M. Volteius M.f., 78/75 BCE</b></p><p>AR denarius, 18 mm, 3.91 gm, 6h</p><p>Obv: Head of Bacchus or Liber right, wearing ivy wreath </p><p>Rev: Ceres standing in biga of snakes right, lit torch in each hand; crescent upward behind; in exergue, M•VOLTEI•M•F•</p><p>Ref: Crawford 385/3; Sydenham 776; Volteia 3.</p><p>Removed from slab, NGC Choice VF 5/5 - ⅘</p><p><i>Ex Phil Peck (“Morris Collection”)</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>6. Thasos “running” satyr diobol.</b> These are hard to find with good strikes and good preservation. This is the best example of “running” that I’ve seen. The anatomy and activity are both quite clear so let’s just call it what it is: wanking satyr. I understand that sexuality and nudity were viewed differently back then but a coin depicting <i>this</i>? Really, Thasos?! I’d love to have a better understanding of why. Six or so years ago I recall reading a web page discussing this iconography but I can’t find it now. It may have been a Reid Goldsborough article and his website appears to be mostly defunct now. Do any of you remember such an article?</p><p><br /></p><p>I bought two of these in the same auction. There were several, which in itself is unusual. I picked out the two best-- one clearly the best of the bunch. The best one was the last and, not wanting to miss altogether, I bid on my second favorite which came hundreds of lots before the primary goal. I won it but was still compelled to chase the better one and I won it as well <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. Below is the better of the two.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1228488[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>ISLANDS OFF THRACE, Thasos</b></p><p>500-480 BCE</p><p>AR 13 mm, 1.29 gm (diobol? trihemiobol?)</p><p>Obv: Satyr “running” right </p><p>Rev: Quadripartite incuse square</p><p>Ref: HGC 6, 333. Le Rider, Thasiennes 4. (I do not have these reference works)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>5. Caracalla denarius with Four Seasons reverse.</b> I’ve wanted one of these for a while because I find them simply charming. They’re not plentiful and this one has the typically poor dies, strike, and general workmanship. I’d really hoped for a nicer example but was happy enough to snag this one… doesn’t mean I won’t get a second one someday <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1228489[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>Caracalla</b> </p><p>AR denarius; 19 mm, 3.19 gm, 1h</p><p>Rome mint, 206-210 CE</p><p>Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG; laureate head of Caracalla right</p><p>Rev: FELICIA TEMPORA; the Four Seasons depicted as children at play</p><p>Ref: RIC IV.I 153</p><p>Removed from NGC slab; Choice XF 3/5 - 4/5.</p><p><i>Ex Phil Peck (“Morris Collection”)</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>4. Domitian obol with sphinx reverse.</b> Sweeeet! Another one for my riddle of sphinges subcollection. I love these Egyptian sphinx coins-- the ones in a pose similar to the Great Sphinx of Giza. I have three now: Domitian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. I’m gunning for one from each issuer so expect me to bid against you when they appear at auction <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/domitianobolsphinx-emmett326-rt-jpg.1180946/" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><b>EGYPT, Alexandria. Domitian</b></p><p>Æ obol; 17.5 mm, 3.40 gm</p><p>RY 11 (91/92 CE)</p><p>Obv: laureate head right</p><p>Rev: Andro-Sphinx seated right; L A in exergue</p><p>Ref: Dattari (Savio) 570-1 var. (same); K&G 24.181 var. (same); RPC II 2645; Emmett 326.11; Köln 395 var. (position of date)</p><p><i>ex Rocky Mountain Collection of Alexandrian, purchased from William M. Rosenblum</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>3. Pontos, Amasia. Geta, Altar of Zeus Strateus.</b> This one placed high on the year-end list for many reasons. Bottom line: I simply love it. It’s one of the few coins I wrote up for CoinTalk this year so I won't rehash those details here. <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-geta-provincial-more-questions-than-answers.365737/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-geta-provincial-more-questions-than-answers.365737/">https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-geta-provincial-more-questions-than-answers.365737/ </a></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/geta-amasia-zeusstrateusaltar-rt-jpg.1165514/" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><b>PONTOS, Amasia. Geta (Caesar, 198-209)</b></p><p>Dated CY 208 (208/9)</p><p>AE, 31 mm, 16.73 gm</p><p>Obv: [Π?] CЄΠTIMI ΓЄ[TAC + illegible under bust] sandwiched between dotted borders; bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust right</p><p>Rev: AΔ CЄV ANT AMA[illegible] / ЄT CH; Altar of Zeus Strateus, surmounted by eagle standing facing, head left, wreath in beak, with wings spread; tree to left.</p><p>Reference: <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ob0WAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ob0WAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false" rel="nofollow">W. H. Waddington, Recueil général des monnaies grecques d'Asie Mineure, Volume 1, Part 1, p. 40, #96</a> (variant; obverse legend and style; reverse legend)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>2. Caracalla diobol, Agathodaemon on horse.</b> Another Snake Cowboy, <i>and</i> a Caracalla (!), <b>and</b> previously unknown for regnal year! Of course it placed high on the list <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. Sure, it’s not in great shape but it’s a freakin’ Caracalla Alexandrian (Alexandrian tets, drachms, etc are rare for most of the Severans). I can see now that I’m going to have to acquire one of every issuer for the Snake Cowboy type. My all-time favorite, and one of my tip-top all-time favorite coins of the ones I own, is a Domitian Agathodaemon on horse Many of you are familiar with that thread but I jump at pretty much any opportunity to mention it <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> so here's that link once again: <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/so-these-exist-snake-cowboys.314032/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/so-these-exist-snake-cowboys.314032/">https://www.cointalk.com/threads/so-these-exist-snake-cowboys.314032/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1228490[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>EGYPT, Alexandria. Caracalla as Caesar</b></p><p>RY 9 of Septimius Severus, 200/1 CE</p><p>Diobol</p><p>Obv: [illegible but probably AVT] KMAVPHΛANTωNINOCCEB; laureate draped bust right</p><p>Rev: Agathodaemon standing erect right, "holding" grain ear; atop horse galloping right; LΘ below</p><p>Ref: Dattari 4050; Emmett 2774. This rare type was previously known only for Caracalla’s 10th regnal year.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>1. Cossura bronze, c. 1st century BCE.</b> This goes well with my <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-coins-of-melita.342722/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-coins-of-melita.342722/">coins of Melita</a>. Cossura is another tiny island off Sicily, in this case an 83 square kilometer island halfway between ancient Carthage and Sicily. There are only two basic types of coins struck on Cossura and they have similar obverse iconography. The earlier type has a Punic inscription on the reverse. My coin was struck during the second period of coinage. The coin certainly deserves a nice write-up… maybe someday. Instead I’ll tell the tale of its arrival. It will take some space though so I’ll plop that tale in this thread as soon as I post this list.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1228491[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>Islands off Sicily, Cossura</b></p><p>AE 25 mm, 10.07 gm</p><p>1st century BCE</p><p>Obv: Nike crowning bust of Isis to right; thymiaterion in field to right; REG counter-stamp to right</p><p>Rev: symbol of Tanit; COSSVRA below; all within wreath</p><p>Ref: Lindgren III, 37 (this coin); RPC 675. Calciati 6. </p><p><i>Ex: MM Germany, Stuttgart, James Joy collection, Auction 2007, lot 222</i></p><p><i>Ex: NAC, Zurich, Auction 64, 2012, lot 2157</i></p><p><i>Ex: Künker, Auction 318, 2019, lot 451</i>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="TIF, post: 5366999, member: 56859"]Goodbye, 2020 and Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s hope 2021 brings healing and prosperity to all. Life has been generally good for me in the last year but I just haven’t had time for coins and CoinTalk. I feel fortunate to have a work-from-home job now but between the new job and other time-consuming necessary projects, I don’t expect to have much time for coins in 2021. I hope to pick up a few coins here and there and I’ll try to make more time for CT this year. I bought 25 coins in 2020… a lot, really, but far less than in previous years. Of these purchases only a few ever made it to the light of CoinTalk. I still haven’t photographed some of them and none have had the investigation and consideration that was intended. Sigh. In past years I’d post the year end list with a link to their respective CT threads but I only started one or two threads in 2020! :( Here’s a basic breakdown of my coin year: 25 coins, ranging from 500 BCE to 268 CE. 7 Greek 1 Roman Republican 3 Roman Imperial 2 Roman Provincial (non-Egyptian) 12 Roman Egypt Pedigrees include Giovanni Dattari (of course :D), Henry Clay Lindgren, Phil Peck (aka “Morris Collection”), Kerry Wetterstrom, James H. Joy, E.E. Clain-Stefanelli, Garth R. Drewry, Rocky Mountain Collection of Alexandrian, and Vinyeard Collection. Nine of the coins had no pedigree information. Several coins are rare and one is previously uncataloged. As is usually the case, the order is only somewhat representative of favorites. My #1 probably belongs there but you could argue first place for other coins in the list, and some which didn’t make the cut might be placed on the list if I were to take another look tomorrow :). ... [B]10. Macedonia, Stobi. Caracalla, the abduction of Persephone.[/B] Who doesn’t like a nice mythological reverse? This is my second of the type. The first one, acquired last year, was nice for the price but this one is much nicer in all respects. You can see them both [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/c-gall-super-upgrade.364984/#post-4754360']here[/URL]. [ATTACH=full]1228485[/ATTACH] [B]MACEDON, Stobi. Caracalla (198-217)[/B] AE 24 mm, 8.25 gm Obv: M AVR ANTONINV; laureate and cuirassed bust right Rev: [MV] N I CIP [STOBE]; Hades in galloping quadriga right, carrying off struggling Persephone Ref: AMNG III 12 var. (bust seen from front); Varbanov 4052 (R5, same dies) [B]9. Nero tet/Roma contemporary counterfeit.[/B] Contemporary counterfeits of Alexandrian coins are uncommon. I painfully missed out on one in 2015 ([URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/yesterdays-cng-auction-illustrated.260849/']Curses, Clio![/URL]) and it grated on me ever since. Naville, the main source of pedigreed Alexandrian coins in the last several years, had a small run of ex-Dattari contemporary counterfeits this year and I was very happy to grab one :). This coin may be from a small hoard of contemporary Alexandrian counterfeits acquired by E.T. Newell in Luxor, 1908, and written up by William E. Metcalf (“Two Alexandrian Hoards. 1. A Hoard of Forgeries from Luxor,” Revue Belge de Numismatique Vol. CXXII, 1976, pp. 65-69). [ATTACH=full]1228486[/ATTACH] [B]EGYPT, Alexandria. Nero[/B] Contemporary counterfeit billon tetradrachm, 23.5 mm, 12.14 gm c. 66-67 Regnal year 13 (66/7 CE) Obv: radiate bust right, wearing aegis Rev: AYTOKPA; helmeted and cuirassed bust of Roma right.; LIΓ in right field Ref: RPC 5293; Dattari-Savio Pl. 316, 34 (this coin); Metcalf, Two Alexandrian Hoards. 1. A Hoard of Forgeries from Luxor," (Revue Belge de Numismatique Vol. CXXII, 1976, pp. 65-69) Obv. IV/Rev. 4 [I]ex Dattari collection (Giovanni Dattari, 1858-1923) [/I] [B]8. Gallienus zoo series antoninianus with criocamp.[/B] I’ve wanted one of these since seeing [USER=57495]@zumbly[/USER]'s. The man has a knack for finding unusual coins. You can’t go wrong coin-stalking Z! This was the first purchase of 2020 and I didn’t hesitate one second when I saw it in Marc Breitsprecher’s new inventory. I mean, who wouldn’t want a ram-fish, right? Also, this zoo series type is not very common so its scarcity further fueled my coinlust. [IMG]https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/gallienuscriocamp-rt-jpg.1050355/[/IMG] [B]Gallienus[/B] struck 267-268 CE, Rome mint, 8th officina, 10th issue AE antoninianus; 3.40 gm, 20.7 mm Obv: GALLIENVS AVG; radiate head right Rev: MERCVRIO CONS AVG; criocamp (sea ram) right; H below Ref: MIR 36, 741b; RIC V (sole reign) 242; Wolkow 21a8 (R); Cunetio 1389 [B]7. Volteius denarius, Ceres driving a serpent biga.[/B] This type had languished on my hit list for many years-- a necessary coin for the Alternative Modes of Transportation set :). They aren’t uncommon but it can be tough to find one with good centering on the reverse. I’m very happy with this nicely toned beauty and love the bizarre serpents. Duck heads? Rooster heads? That engraver must’ve been trippin’! [IMG]https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/volteiusdenarius-serpentbiga-jpg.1121669/[/IMG] [B]Roman Republic Moneyer M. Volteius M.f., 78/75 BCE[/B] AR denarius, 18 mm, 3.91 gm, 6h Obv: Head of Bacchus or Liber right, wearing ivy wreath Rev: Ceres standing in biga of snakes right, lit torch in each hand; crescent upward behind; in exergue, M•VOLTEI•M•F• Ref: Crawford 385/3; Sydenham 776; Volteia 3. Removed from slab, NGC Choice VF 5/5 - ⅘ [I]Ex Phil Peck (“Morris Collection”)[/I] [B]6. Thasos “running” satyr diobol.[/B] These are hard to find with good strikes and good preservation. This is the best example of “running” that I’ve seen. The anatomy and activity are both quite clear so let’s just call it what it is: wanking satyr. I understand that sexuality and nudity were viewed differently back then but a coin depicting [I]this[/I]? Really, Thasos?! I’d love to have a better understanding of why. Six or so years ago I recall reading a web page discussing this iconography but I can’t find it now. It may have been a Reid Goldsborough article and his website appears to be mostly defunct now. Do any of you remember such an article? I bought two of these in the same auction. There were several, which in itself is unusual. I picked out the two best-- one clearly the best of the bunch. The best one was the last and, not wanting to miss altogether, I bid on my second favorite which came hundreds of lots before the primary goal. I won it but was still compelled to chase the better one and I won it as well :). Below is the better of the two. [ATTACH=full]1228488[/ATTACH] [B]ISLANDS OFF THRACE, Thasos[/B] 500-480 BCE AR 13 mm, 1.29 gm (diobol? trihemiobol?) Obv: Satyr “running” right Rev: Quadripartite incuse square Ref: HGC 6, 333. Le Rider, Thasiennes 4. (I do not have these reference works) [B]5. Caracalla denarius with Four Seasons reverse.[/B] I’ve wanted one of these for a while because I find them simply charming. They’re not plentiful and this one has the typically poor dies, strike, and general workmanship. I’d really hoped for a nicer example but was happy enough to snag this one… doesn’t mean I won’t get a second one someday :). [ATTACH=full]1228489[/ATTACH] [B]Caracalla[/B] AR denarius; 19 mm, 3.19 gm, 1h Rome mint, 206-210 CE Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG; laureate head of Caracalla right Rev: FELICIA TEMPORA; the Four Seasons depicted as children at play Ref: RIC IV.I 153 Removed from NGC slab; Choice XF 3/5 - 4/5. [I]Ex Phil Peck (“Morris Collection”)[/I] [B]4. Domitian obol with sphinx reverse.[/B] Sweeeet! Another one for my riddle of sphinges subcollection. I love these Egyptian sphinx coins-- the ones in a pose similar to the Great Sphinx of Giza. I have three now: Domitian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. I’m gunning for one from each issuer so expect me to bid against you when they appear at auction ;) :D. [IMG]https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/domitianobolsphinx-emmett326-rt-jpg.1180946/[/IMG] [B]EGYPT, Alexandria. Domitian[/B] Æ obol; 17.5 mm, 3.40 gm RY 11 (91/92 CE) Obv: laureate head right Rev: Andro-Sphinx seated right; L A in exergue Ref: Dattari (Savio) 570-1 var. (same); K&G 24.181 var. (same); RPC II 2645; Emmett 326.11; Köln 395 var. (position of date) [I]ex Rocky Mountain Collection of Alexandrian, purchased from William M. Rosenblum[/I] [B]3. Pontos, Amasia. Geta, Altar of Zeus Strateus.[/B] This one placed high on the year-end list for many reasons. Bottom line: I simply love it. It’s one of the few coins I wrote up for CoinTalk this year so I won't rehash those details here. [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-geta-provincial-more-questions-than-answers.365737/']https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-geta-provincial-more-questions-than-answers.365737/ [/URL] [IMG]https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/geta-amasia-zeusstrateusaltar-rt-jpg.1165514/[/IMG] [B]PONTOS, Amasia. Geta (Caesar, 198-209)[/B] Dated CY 208 (208/9) AE, 31 mm, 16.73 gm Obv: [Π?] CЄΠTIMI ΓЄ[TAC + illegible under bust] sandwiched between dotted borders; bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev: AΔ CЄV ANT AMA[illegible] / ЄT CH; Altar of Zeus Strateus, surmounted by eagle standing facing, head left, wreath in beak, with wings spread; tree to left. Reference: [URL='https://books.google.com/books?id=ob0WAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false']W. H. Waddington, Recueil général des monnaies grecques d'Asie Mineure, Volume 1, Part 1, p. 40, #96[/URL] (variant; obverse legend and style; reverse legend) [B]2. Caracalla diobol, Agathodaemon on horse.[/B] Another Snake Cowboy, [I]and[/I] a Caracalla (!), [B]and[/B] previously unknown for regnal year! Of course it placed high on the list :D. Sure, it’s not in great shape but it’s a freakin’ Caracalla Alexandrian (Alexandrian tets, drachms, etc are rare for most of the Severans). I can see now that I’m going to have to acquire one of every issuer for the Snake Cowboy type. My all-time favorite, and one of my tip-top all-time favorite coins of the ones I own, is a Domitian Agathodaemon on horse Many of you are familiar with that thread but I jump at pretty much any opportunity to mention it :D so here's that link once again: [URL]https://www.cointalk.com/threads/so-these-exist-snake-cowboys.314032/[/URL] [ATTACH=full]1228490[/ATTACH] [B]EGYPT, Alexandria. Caracalla as Caesar[/B] RY 9 of Septimius Severus, 200/1 CE Diobol Obv: [illegible but probably AVT] KMAVPHΛANTωNINOCCEB; laureate draped bust right Rev: Agathodaemon standing erect right, "holding" grain ear; atop horse galloping right; LΘ below Ref: Dattari 4050; Emmett 2774. This rare type was previously known only for Caracalla’s 10th regnal year. [B]1. Cossura bronze, c. 1st century BCE.[/B] This goes well with my [URL='https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-coins-of-melita.342722/']coins of Melita[/URL]. Cossura is another tiny island off Sicily, in this case an 83 square kilometer island halfway between ancient Carthage and Sicily. There are only two basic types of coins struck on Cossura and they have similar obverse iconography. The earlier type has a Punic inscription on the reverse. My coin was struck during the second period of coinage. The coin certainly deserves a nice write-up… maybe someday. Instead I’ll tell the tale of its arrival. It will take some space though so I’ll plop that tale in this thread as soon as I post this list. [ATTACH=full]1228491[/ATTACH] [B]Islands off Sicily, Cossura[/B] AE 25 mm, 10.07 gm 1st century BCE Obv: Nike crowning bust of Isis to right; thymiaterion in field to right; REG counter-stamp to right Rev: symbol of Tanit; COSSVRA below; all within wreath Ref: Lindgren III, 37 (this coin); RPC 675. Calciati 6. [I]Ex: MM Germany, Stuttgart, James Joy collection, Auction 2007, lot 222 Ex: NAC, Zurich, Auction 64, 2012, lot 2157 Ex: Künker, Auction 318, 2019, lot 451[/I][/QUOTE]
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