Well 2016 was a decent year of collecting for me. I acquired 49 ancients/medievals this year, much lower than years past. But I have been distracted with other hobbies as well as world moderns, especially British coinage. This top 10 features a bit of everything. My #1 favorite this year is this Claudius/Antonia Tet. I was amazed it sat on ebay with "Buy It Now" for a month at a reasonable price. Pictures weren't great so maybe that's why, but luckily I was able to get it even though it was past my usual weekly budget. Claudius (41 - 54 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm EGYPT, Alexandria O: TI KLA[UDI KAIS SEBA GERMANI AUTOKR], laureate head of Claudius right; LB to right. R: ANTWNIA SEBASTH, draped bust of Antonia right, wearing hair in long plait. Dated RY 2 (41/2 AD) 23mm 11.62g Dattari 114; Milne 61-64; Emmett 73. Probably the #1 modern I have wanted since Childhood. Napoleon is important to history just as Caesar & Henry Viii. So to finally get one at a great price, 5 francs no less, deserves a near top spot. Napoleon Bonaparte (1804-1814) France AR 5 Francs O: Head right. R: Value in wreath, date below. Bayonne Mint 36mm 25g Badoury 583. Dav. 84 Rare Mint for this Date Although I had one of this type, this one was just a bit better then my old of the type & better date, if your religious, as well as good provenance. Augustus (27 BC-14 AD) AR Tetradrachm Syria-Antiochia ad Orontem O: KAIΣAPOΣ ΣEB_AΣTOY, Laureate head right R: ETOYΣ-ZK-NIKHΣ, Tyche seated right on rocks, palm branch in left hand, river god Orontes swimming right below, YPA monogram, IB / ANT monogram in right field Regnal Year 27 (5/4 BC), COS 12. 27mm 14.06g Prieur 51; RPC 4152; McAlee 181 Ex David Hendin, 2004 Note: The ZK breaking the reverse legend is the regnal year 27, IB is for consulship 12. Minted in what is possibly the year of the birth of Jesus Christ. A very tough reverse to get, was very excited to add this rare type to my side collection. Will 2017 finally yield the "Vota Outside Wreath" reverse? Lucilla (162 - 182 A.D.) AR Denarius O: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, Draped bust right. R: CONCORDIA, Concordia standing facing, head left, holding patera and double cornucopiae. Rome Mint 19mm 3.27g RIC III 760. Ex. Cabinet Numismatique, Genève. Been on a real Victoria kick this year, one of my favorites I got is a short lived denomination, the Double Florin. Queen Victoria (1819 - 1901) AR Double Florin O: Crowned and veiled (Jubilee) bust left. R: Sceptres divide crowned arms at corners. 22.6g 36mm KM# 763
A condition upgrade really for same price I paid for my old beater. Aquilia Severa (220, & 221 - 222 A.D.) AR Denarius O: IVLIA AQUILIA SEVERA AVG, Draped bust right. R: CONCORDIA, Concordia standing facing, head left, holding double cornucopia and sacrificing with patera over altar to left; star to right. Rome Mint 19mm 3.02g RIC IV(part 2), pg 47, #226 (Elagabalus) Scarcer with "Star in Right Field". Picked this one up real cheap, but I just really liked the toning. Dark silver is one of my favorites. Nero (54 - 68 A.D.) Billon Tetradrachm EGYPT, Alexandria O: NERW KLAY KAIS SEB GER, radiate head right, aegis on chest. R: AYTO-KRA, draped bust of Alexandria right, wearing elephant skin headdress; date LIB to right. Alexandria, Egypt. Dated Year 12 (65 - 66 A.D.) 12g 25mm RPC 5289; Milne 238; Dattari 204; Geissen 172; Sear 2004. Have a sixpence with a decent portrait, but got this in a trade and to be a schilling is a plus compared to the common pences. Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603 A.D.) AR Schilling O: ELIZABETH : D : G : ANG : FR : ET : HIB : REGI, Crowned bust of Elizabeth left; bust 6B. R: POSVI DEV: ADIVTORVM • MEV:, Long cross over shield. Second Issue, 1560-1561. 32mm 5.5g Mint mark: Martlet. Spink 2555. Picked this up in John’s weekly auction. Always liked medievals and the history of this fellow is sad, but appealing. This coin also led me to go on a buying spree of various other French Blancs during these last few months. Charles VI "The Mad”, (1380 - 1422 A.D.) AR Blanc Guénar O: + KAROLVS: FRANCORV: REX; Shield of arms. R: + SIT: nOmE: DnI: BENEDICTV; Cross with two crowns and two lis. 2.9g 29mm DuP 377 Gone through various Caracalla tets over the years, but to have acquired this for a measly $36 shipped in regular eBay bidding, and to be a better Laodicea ad Mare Tetradrachm, it’s a no brainer for a top 10 placement. Caracalla (198 - 217 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm Laodicea ad Mare, Seleucis and Pieria O: AYT K M A ANTΩNEINOC CEB, laureate head right. R: ∆HMAPX EΞ YΠATOC TO ∆, facing eagle, head left holding wreath in beak, star between legs. 27mm 12.5g Prieur 1179 Honestly I will not be placing any goals this year like years past. 2017, I plan on just being a year of adding whatever appeals to me, Ancient, Medieval and even World Moderns.
That is a wonderful top 10 Mat. I am partial to the Napoleon, the Elizabeth Shilling, and that Augustus tet.
A nice little group, Mat! I quite like the Napoleon as well. That's one of the handful of modern coins that I'm still interested in picking up an example of and that's a very attractive example.
Good group! I like the Lucilla especially. Looking at the monogram I would say it has the whole work YpiATO (the dot that croses the A is also the O). Mine from a different year has the T of the monogram hanging on the other side of the Y. Instead of the Consul number I got double dating Actian 36 and Caesarian 54.
nice diverse group of coins mat, i think a modern coin will make it in my top 10 as well. i'm with DS, i think the lucilla is my favorite, but i dig those tets and that elizabeth coin as well...great color.
Atta-boy, Mat => wow, those are 10 great additions!! Hmmm, my favourites are the Chubby Lucilla and I also like that sweet Alexandrian Nero (very cool eye appeal)
That Claudius tet is my favourite of the bunch too. Looks like you had a year full of numismatic variety!
Im surprised many like the Lucilla best since it's the usual "standing god" reverse. Boring concordia to boot!
@Mat , YOU are the reason that I capture several coins. I seem to get inspired by some of your great pick-ups, and you have pointed me into some great directions for my captures. These are all great Historical coins, and are super examples. Congrats, thanks for showing, but my pockets are empty because of your influence....
I didn't know you collected World coins as well. I think I remember you posting the Napoleon before...my favorite is the Augustus with Tyche reverse. My time as an Ancient collector hasn't actually found it's focus so here's hoping you find plenty of interesting types for 2017.
Great, eclectic group - I'm also drawn to world coins with important history, in addition to world coins that are struck using ancient techniques. Super eye appeal on the Lucilla!
