Top 10 of 2017(including one I haven't shared yet)

I've put my coin purchasing on hold for now in the interest of having plenty of Coin-Cash for NYINC in January so it seems like a good time to share my "top 10". I honestly love all the coins I purchased in 2017 and for the first time since I began collecting I honestly do not regret any of my purchases, so I had a really hard time picking out those that I liked a little more than the others but I've finally come upon the group that I think are my favorites. Many of you have seen the first 9 coins but number 1 is one I've had for a few months that only one or two members here have seen thus far and I'm excited to finally share it with the world.

#10. L Hostilius Saserna

Roman Imperatorial period AR denarius(4.04g, 18mm), L Hostilius Saserna, moneyer, 48 B.C., Rome mint. Female head(Pietas or Clementia?) right, with head covered by oak branches / Victory advancing right, holding winged caduceus and trophy. Crawford 448/1a; Sear HCRI 17; Sydenham 951.
Ex Dr. Lawrence D. Sporty Collection, ex CNG e-auction 259, July 6 2011, lot 287

There's not much not to like about this particular coin, but what particularly made it call to me was the interesting and sloppy obverse engraving. Unlike most of these denarii which have a neat little oak wreath worn like a headband on the obverse figure's head, the engraver of this obverse die and a handful of others has completely covered the head with oak branches. That's probably a lame reason to buy a coin, but I found it interesting enough to warrant bidding on and was quite happy to win it. It also helped me towards a personal goal of better filling out the "Imperatorial" side of my collection which at the beginning of the year I felt was lacking due to my previous focus on earlier Roman issues.


#9. Right-Right Minerva-Horsehead litra

Roman Republic Æ litra(5.75g, 18mm), anonymous, after 264 B.C., Cosa mint. Helmeted head of minerva right; border of dots / Horse's head right, on base; behind, ROMA[NO] upwards. Crawford 17/1d; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 12; Sydenham 3a
Ex Thersites Collection, Roma e-sale 32 lot 662, ex Andrew McCabe Collection, acquired in 2009.

This humble bronze was the first pre-denarius type and first First Punic War-era issue I was able to add to my collection. I was excited when I saw it because I liked the style and that it was a scarcer variety with both heads facing right, but most of all because I could legally import it because it had a pre-MOU provenance, a requirement I've been trying to satisfy for all restricted types(and which has in some cases stopped me from picking up coins I otherwise really wanted).



#8. Later-style "H" quinarius

Roman Republic AR quinarius(2.16g, 16mm, 9h). Anonymous. ca. 212-196 B.C. Apulian mint. Helmeted head of Roma right, V behind / ROMA, the Dioscuri riding right, each holds a spear; H below. Crawford 85/1a; Sydenham 174; RSC 33b; Russo RBW 348/NAC 61 lot 356(these dies)

This "H" quinarius falls into that interesting category of coins that, while not "unpublished" per se, probably warrant more discussion than the usual texts give them. The "H" quinarii and bronzes come in a variety of styles that form at least 3 distinct groups suggesting they likely comprise multiple issues struck over several years possibly all at the same mint in Apulia or simply under the same commander. Hoard evidence confirms that at least the silver was struck in multiple issues as there are early hoards containing many "H" quinarii with years of circulation but all are of the more common earlier style and none of this later style. At the end of the day, I just find it a really cool variety of this type and one that I hope one day hoard evidence will help shed more light on. If you want even more info, see this thread from when I originally posted it.


#7. "Victory" uncia

Roman Republic Æ Uncia(5.10g, 20mm), anonymous("Victory" series), 211-208 B.C., Central Italian mint. Helmeted head of Roma right. Behind, • / Prow right; above, Victory flying right with wreath and ROMA; below •. Crawford 61/7

Sometimes as a specialist of a particular series you come across a coin that you immediately know you want because you don't think you'll ever see another one. This little uncia was one of those coins for me. This comes from a series struck at a central Italian mint during the period shortly after the introduction of the denarius during the Second Punic War. While there are several common denominations from the "Victory" series(it seems like the sextans of the series comes up once a month or more), the uncia is so rare that when I purchased this coin I didn't have a single example in my photofile because I'd never come across one in the sale record or in the collections of other collectors I correspond with.


#6. Spanish imitative semis

Indigenous imitations of Roman Republic coinage, Spain, Æ Semis(6.41g, 21mm). 150-100 B.C., Spanish mint. Laureate head of Saturn right, S behind/Prow of galley right; above, S; below, ROMA. Rippolès-Witschonke group C dies O28 R25
Purchased from Shanna Schmidt Numismatics at the Denver ANA World's Fair of Money 2017, 8/2/2017, ex an American collection formed in the 1990's.

As a collector of Republican bronzes I find the imitations to be extremely interesting as well, so I was excited when I found a whole tray of Spanish coins including several of these imitative prow semisses at Shanna Schmidt's table at Denver ANA in August. I selected this particular one because I liked the shaggy Saturn and the neatly engraved prow of the reverse. When I got home I found that it added a previously-unrecorded die link to the die study assembled by Rippolès Witschonke, a nice little detail. I hope that I can add several more of these imitative bronzes in 2018 as they are, in my opinion, an important part of the story of the small change that everyday people used in the Roman Republic.


#5. Eraviscan imitation of a denarius of C Postumius

Imitations of Roman Republic, Eravisci, AR Denarius(18.6mm, 3.31g, 6h), circa 50-20 B.C., mint in modern-day Hungary. Imitating types of C. Postumius. Bust of diana right, bow and quiver on shoulder / Hound running right, spear below. POSTVMI TA(in ligature) in exergue. Freeman 24(this coin), dies 17/P; Davis Class B, Group II Pannonian, Eraviscan E15(these dies); cf. Crawford 394/1a for prototype
Ex RBW Collection(Agora 69, 9/26/2017, lot 1). From a hoard partially published in 1998 in "A group of Eraviscan denarii" by Robert Freeman in "Coins of Macedonia and Rome: Essays in Honour of Charles Hersh".

Like the semis that holds the #6 spot above, this coin is also an imitative issue. Whereas the semis and imitative bronzes in general were probably a reaction to a lack of small change, these imitative silver issues were likely the result of a surplus of bullion in the areas at the fringes of Roman influence. I was also attracted to this coin because of its provenance to a published hoard, something you rarely see with the coins I collect due to the current legal climate but something I always put a premium on and which I think adds interest on top of the physical characteristics of the coin itself.


#4. Cassius as Imperator with Lentulus Spinther, legate, denarius

The Liberators, AR denarius(19mm, 3.71 g, 6h). Gaius Cassius Longinus, Imperator with Publius Cornelius Lentulus Spinther, Legate, late 43-early 42 B.C., military mint in Asia Minor with Cassius and Brutus, possibly Smyrna. Head of Libertas right, wearing veil and diadem; before, LEIBERTAS upwards; behind, C•CASSI•IMP updwards. Border of dots / Jug and lituus; below, LENTVLVS SPINT in two lines. Border of dots. Crawford 500/5; Sear HCRI 223.
Ex Andrew McCabe Collection, CNG e-Auction 408, October 25 2017, lot 440, ex JD Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica 78 part II, May 27 2014, lot 1892, ex Jacques Schulman 265, September 28 1976, lot 454, ex Monnaies et Médailles Basel Auctiones 3, December 4 1973, lot 328

At the end of 2016, my "Imperatorial" collection only included a denarius of Julius Caesar and another of Marc Antony. I was eager to add at least one more of the important figures of this period to my collection in 2017 and this coin struck under the Liberator Cassius in Asia Minor fit the bill nicely. Rather than re-hashing the discussion of the history of the type, I will simply refer readers here for my previous discussion of it.


#3. Post-semilibral uncia with dolphins at keel

Roman republic Æ Uncia(7.81g, 22mm, 3h), anonymous "post-semilibral" series. 215-212 BC. Head of Roma right, wearing attic helmet; to left, • / Prow right; above, ROMA; below, •. McCabe Group A1; Crawford 41/10

Of all the anonymous bronze issues of the Roman Republic, the number of surviving examples suggests the "post-semilibral" group is one of the largest. These coins come in several stylistic varieties which must have been engraved by many hands and ever since I began studying them, one of my favorite varieties was this particular uncia reverse style where the keel is decorated by dolphins. I don't think there's any significance to it other than it being a stylistic choice by the engraver but it's something you only see on a handful of Roman Republic bronzes and a cool little diversion from the norm.


#2. Cr. 90/2 anonymous victoriatus

Roman Republic AR Victoriatus(2.72g, 17mm). Anonymous. ca. 211-208 B.C. Uncertain mint. Laureate head of Jupiter right. Border of dots / Victory standing right, crowning trophy with wreath. ROMA in exergue. Line border. Crawford 90/2

When I found this victoriatus, uncleaned and unidentified, while surfing eBay, I was both excited and a bit nervous. You never know what you're gonna get cleaning a coin and while I originally planned to send this off and pay for cleaning I was encouraged by a professional cleaner I know to do it myself. With a lot of coaching and help I was able to clean it and get it to where it is today. The type is very rare and known to Crawford in only 3 examples and while more are known now it is still rare enough to be missing from most major RR collections. I've still got several victoriati to go if I'm ever to complete them but this one was certainly one I was excited to check off the list and one that I doubted I'd ever find an affordable example of.


#1. A doubted variety of M Aemilius Scaurus and P Plautius Hypsaeus

Roman Republic AR denarius(3.80g, 18.31mm). M. Aemilius Scaurus and P. Plautius Hypsaeus, 58 BC, Rome mint. Camel right; before, kneeling figure, holding reins in left hand and olive-branch tied with fillet in right hand; above, M SCAVR; on either side, EX SC; below, AED CVR. Border of dots / Jupiter in quadriga left, holding reins in left hand and hurling thunderbolt with right hand, ; above, P HVPSAEVS; AED CVR in two lines. Below, C HVPSAE COS; PREIVER in two lines. On right, CAPTVM upwards. Border of dots. Crawford 422/1-(obverse 422/1a, reverse 422/1b), cf. Bahrfeldt, Nachtrage i, pl. I, 9

Coin #1 is one that I'm excited to finally share with CoinTalk. This coin and this variety are the subject of a short note drafted by Richard Schaefer and I titled "A Doubted Variety of M Aemilius Scaurus and P Plautius Hypsaeus" which will be published in the forthcoming first volume of the new journal KOINON. The denarii of M Aemilius Scaurus and P Plautius Hypsaeus come in two main varieties, Cr. 422/1a and 422/1b with the main differences being that "AED CVR" of 1a's obverse is moved above the camel with "REX ARETAS" in its original exergual location on 1b and in addition, a scorpion is added below the quadriga of the reverse. This variety, with the obverse of 1a and reverse of 1b was originally published in 1897 by Bahrfeldt but was rejected by Crawford because all examples known to him were plated but this coin has the weight and appearance consistent with an official silver denarius and a specific gravity of 10.41, confirming its solid status. For the full discussion of the variety, you'll have to wait for the publication of the first volume of KOINON.


Well, that's my list. I look forward to seeing other CoinTalkers' lists and also your reactions to my selections.

 

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Great buys, especially the silver coins and the standout Cassius. Congrats on some incredible buys.

 

Great coins all, but I love the Cassius. I am still trying to find one for myself.

 

Hard to believe it is already that time of year again!

You did very well in 2017. Your #1 pick would be my choice as well, but all of them are fantastic!

 

Even without a specialist's appreciation for your area of collecting, I'm finding this a really enviable selection of coins. I especially enjoyed hearing your thoughts on why each one merited inclusion on your top 10 list. Nicely done on the #1, and congrats on the upcoming publication!

 

Wow !
A great selection from a specialized collection/collector !
Love the in depth description of details making them so special to you that you had to have them. I'm fond of all the examples above.

Well done and thanks for sharing

Q

 

2017 was good for you and your collection. A very nice set @red_spork

 

Wow that quinarious H is Amazing! I think it's safe to say you have a great taste in ancients!


Thanks,
Jacob

 

A wonderfully interesting variety---all are most welcome in my collection!!!

I'm most drawn to numbers 10, 8 and 1----especially since I lack even one example of that precise type....and I love #4 too

 

Congrats on the nice additions, Spork. Your victoriatus is indeed quite rare and a nice example for the type. I really like your Hostillia and your small H quinarius as well.

Here's my long haired, 90/2 victoriatus that I also bought this year.

 

Great 2017 coins!!! I like them all! The AE litra and the H quinarius are favorites! Fantastic RR set; I have been focusing on 3rd century but...the RR stuff is always on my mind. Y

 

Seems it was a great year for you @red_spork. I really like that Saserna... great coins.

 

Admirable focus and selection. Well done!

 

Very nice! Double die match too.

 

I enjoy it when a knowledgeable collector discusses his coins. Back in the 80s I had a collection of Roman Republican silver and worked them up for a library/museum exhibit. Nonetheless, I don't think I ever got as far into "Republic" as you have come. Good show! When I sold it off I kept the key references and a couple of dozen of the coins, but had to move on. So it's nice to see what you are doing. Thanks for sharing.

 

I wasn't aware of that. Have you ever shared any of your RR coins? I'd love to see them.

 

KILLER coins @red_spork !!! I watched you go from collecting, then FOCUSING on RR. You sold off a few so that you could take a pragmatic RR collecting process. WELL DONE.

You know I enjoy collecting the Republic also. Rather than bore you with them, I will toss on a few of their Punic War ANTAGONISTS that I grabbed this year:

CARTHAGE - ENEMY of ROME:

Carthage Zeugitania AR ½ Shekel 17mm 3.8g 2nd Punic War 218-202 BC Sicily mint 216-211 BC Tanit l Horse r sun as double uraeus SNG COP 359


Carthage 300-264 BCE AE 19 Sardinia 19mm 5.62g Tanit wreathed Horse hd r ayin SNG COP 151 JP Righetti collection


Carthage Zeugitania Æ17 6.1g 350-320 BCE Palm Tree Horse Head SNG Cop 102


Carthage 201-175 BC Æ 15 Shekels 45 mm 7.5 mm thick. 102g WreathTanit Horse uraeus above. MAA 104 SNG Cop 400 RARE


Carthage Zeugitania First Punic War 264-241 BCE Double Shekel 26 mm 13.9 g Wreathed Tanit Horse stndng r star above SNG Cop 185 Rare


Carthage Third Punic War Serrate Double Shekel 149-146 BCE 12.8g 26mm Wreathd Tanit-Horse pellet raised leg SNG COP 404


Zeugitania Carthage 400-350 BCE Æ unit 15.3 mm, 2.7g Tanit l earring necklace - Horse r palm tree two pellets r MAA 18a

 

All are nice coins. I especially like the couple lightly rainbow coloured toners.
Congrats on your pick ups, and another good year for collecting.

 

Awesome Top 10 @red_spork !

I love this time of year... looking forward to more top 10s!

 

Nice coins. I like #2 best since I like the toning/dirt combination, for some reason. #10 would be my second favorite.