I'd like to share with my CoinTalk friends a few pick-ups for this year. As a semi generalist collector, I tend to wander far and wide in the ancient coin world, so here is a representation of the results of that travel. 1 ) End of a search for a Starr Group II owl. Finding a decent example is not easy. At auctions the bidding for these owls is often, quite rapidly, in "blow out" territory for my budget. Also, many examples in the "affordable" price range have significant problems, such as off center strike, condition or metal quality. Towards the end of this year an owl became available, priced at the high end of my affordability range. Nonetheless I bit the bullet and purchased the coin. This owl is nicely centered but the reverse is weakly struck, or it was struck from worn dies. I'm still debating that issue, but it is relatively minor and of an academic nature. This owl is of the same Starr group that includes the decadrachms, and the obverse die does share similarities, especially with the modeling of the archaic "smile" and eye. Athens, tetradrachm, circa 475-465 BC. Starr Group II C 17.10 grams 2 ) Room for one more pharaonic owl. This owl came to me by way of CNG auction late this year. I certainly have enough of these critters, but I could not pass on this one, with its really nice centering and style. Egypt, pharaonic owl, late 5th-mid 4th centuries BC. Buttrey-Flament Style A 16.71 grams 3) And while we're on the subject of owls, here's a somewhat later new style. Okay, the coin is still in the NGC slab, and should crack it open. I probably will as part of a New Year's resolution. I set a very low bar when it comes to this sort of thing. This coin is quite high grade with even somewhat lustrous surfaces, but it is crude, as is the case with most of these later new style owls. It was minted a few years before the revolt against Roman rule, a revolt that failed in the end when Sulla laid a siege of Siege of Athens and Piraeus (87–86 BC), resulting in Romans occupation, the deaths of many of its citizens and the destruction of the Athenian economy. Athens, new style owl, 91-0 BC month Z, control ΔΑ. Thompson 1123 16.56 grams Roma seated on the reverse. 4 ) A "deified" early posthumous Alexander III tetradrachm. I don't often purchase an Alexander III tetradrachm unless it has something "say", weather this has to do with style or some interesting feature such as an interesting symbol on the reverse. This example came from my local coin dealer and was part of a trade that included a couple of bullion grade gold coins. While struck on a somewhat compact flan, the modeling of Alexander III's portrait, with eyes pointing upwards, suggests to me a form of deification. Alexander III, tetradrachm, 323-320 BC, Amphipolis. Price 103 Mueller 153 Demanhur 895-908 17.23 grams 5 ) A "plain Jane" Byzantine follis - but take a further look. This coin came out the Roma auction of Byzantine coins earlier this year. On first glance for many this coin would seem to be just another follis of Justin from Constantinople. However, the legends, which are complete, give the game away. This coin is actually from the very brief period when Justin I and Justinian I ruled jointly. The remarkable completeness of the obverse legend makes this coin very special indeed! Justin I and Justinian I, 1 April 527 to 1 August 527, follis of 40 nummi, Constantinople, officina A. MIBE 4; DOC 10; Sear 125 31mm, 17.25 grams 6 ) And now we go off to the fringes of the Seleucid Empire and visit Characene - a tetradrachm of Attambelos. I actually had an example of this tetradrachm many years ago. I sold it back in 1993 when we were buying our house and ever since I've been looking, very informally, for a replacement. I love obscure coins! The less known, the better. Here we have a line of kings who are known, in large part, only by the coins that they issued. This coin is from CNG and it does have quite a remarkable portrait. Characene, Attambelos I, 47/46 tp 25-24 BC, billion tetradrachm, dated SE 280 (33/2BC) Hill C 11.85 grams 7 ) Another diversion - a gold Kushan dinar of Vasudeva I. As with the previous coin, a owned at one time one of these fascinating gold Kushan dinars, in fact the first Kushan coin that I ever owned, purchased back in the late 1980s. Having sold it many a moon ago, I've looked for a replacement. This sort follows the line of Joni Mitchell: "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone." This is a recurring line for me. Well, through Roma this time, I was able to purchase a replacement for type. Kushan Empire, Vasudeva I, AV dinar, Balkh Bactria, circa 190-230AD. MK 528(O1a,R34, Vasudeva II) 8.12 grams 8 ) A Turkoman bronze fals of the Seljuqs of Rum (Not a rum deal!) I've had an interest for several years now in the portrait bronze coins of the Turkomans spanning the period of the 1200's to 1300s. This coin, while quite common, has a very appealing obverse. The star to the left of the rider is very interesting, and I wonder if it refers to an astronomical event or is an astrological symbol. Seljuqs of Rum, Sulayman II, AE fals, AH 592-600 (1196-1204). Mitchiner 964; Resht 596 8.50 grams 9) Who can have Laurel without Hardy or Abbott without Costello? Two Eastern Arabia imitation BI tetradrachms of Alexander III. I was initially going to purchase only one of these crude imitations for type, but was offered a decent discount for the the two by the seller, which, being the softy that I am, couldn't refuse! Eastern Arabia, Oman Peninsula, Mleiha, Abi'el, BI tetradrachms 1st century BC to 1st century AD. 14.98 grams (left); 15.01 grams (right). 10) Sabina, how could I not include Sabina! Sabina, BI tetradrachm, Alexandria, Year 15 (130-1 AD). Cologne-1262; Dattari-2063; BM-918; RPC-5774 (9 specimens). 12.84 grams It has been said that Hadrian was particular about the quality of his portraits that appeared on the coins of his reign. This wonderful portrait of Sabina on an Alexandrian tetradrachm helps to support this point.
A lovely, eclectic selection. 4,3 and 10 appeal to me. Thanks for sharing some of your acquisitions with us.
Thanks! As a fairly long time owl addict, the addition of the Starr Group II owl and others, many of which need further research and photographing all contribute to an ever-expanding owl section or parliament if you will.
Very nice all around, though my favorites are the New Style Athenian tetradrachm and the Alexander III. My third vote went to the Kushan gold, though I know little about Kushan coinage. Honorable mention: I love the Sabina as well.
PS- those funky faces on the Arabian imitations are great. I initially found myself thinking "Celtic?" before I read the description.
Dunno if that's true or not. Interesting, if so. I hadn't heard that. In any event, Alexander's legs aren't on the coins- it would be Zeus' legs. Had to check my one AtG coin (a lifetime drachm). Legs not crossed, so there's that...
Fine examples all. Hard to choose, but I will try. In order: 6, Tetradrachm of Attambelos 3. New Style Athenian Tet 7, Kushan dinar
Thanks! I keep telling myself enough is enough with owls, but for some reason they keep showing up at my door! Thanks! I am beginning to collect in a more concentrated manner, at least for me, the new style owls. Given the large number of magistrates, symbols, month/control letter combinations in Thompson's epic work, I'll never be able to assemble even a semi representative collection. They are very pricey now, drawing very healthy bids at auctions for even halfway decent examples. The same applies to the massive field of Alexander III and successor tetradrachms. The Amphipolis coin is almost a one-off for me. Had my local dealer not shown it to me earlier this year, it wouldn't be on the 2023 list. I just love the portrait styling on the obverse. My Kushan coins, what few I have, are bronze, except for the gold dinar. As a type collector, I am pretty sure this will be the only one. The Sabina tetradrachm is indeed lovely, the best Alexandria tetradrachm that I own. Happy holidays and 2024! Thanks! I've always enjoy the coins that you've posted, Bing, and look forward to your contributions next year!
That Kushan dinar looks spectacular! I don't know much about that civilization, I just know a beautiful coin when I see it. I also like the Sabina coin and Alexander III tetradrachm.
Thank you all for your votes and comments. This has certainly been an eventful year to say the least, and I think the future of our hobby is full of the promise of new hoards discovered, interesting coins entering the market and hopefully new collectors bitten by the ancients bug! This is truly a hobby that can unite a diverse array of people from all walks of life and differing views and beliefs through a common interest and passion for ancient coins, and other coins for that matter. May everyone's journey of discovery and bliss continue in the New Year! Happy Christmas and 2024!
