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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;akeady, post: 8134855, member: 83175&quot;]Nearly the end of another year, so I might as well join the 85 (last time I looked) &quot;Best of&quot; lists which have appeared.</p><p><br /></p><p>So far in 2021, I&#039;ve added 113 coins to Tantalus - 74 Roman Republican coins, 19 Roman Imperial coins, 6 Greek coins and 14 others.</p><p><br /></p><p>The list is in chronological order of when I got them.</p><p><br /></p><p>No NYINC or BANS conference in 2021, but I did manage to get to Coinex in September and we hope for better times in 2022 with a bit more confidence than at this time last year.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>1 - Syracuse tetradrachm</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>I bought this at the end of 2020 mainly because it had an old provenance and who doesn&#039;t like a Syracuse tet?</p><p><br /></p><p>Obv.: Biga to left, charioteer crowned by Nike flying to right; marine monster (Ketos) in exergue</p><p>Rev.: ΣΥΡΑΚ-ΟΣΙ-ΟΝ - Head of Arethusa right, hair tied up in a hairnet, surrounded by 4 dolphins</p><p>Mint: Syracuse (ca. 450 - 440 BC)</p><p>Wt./Size/Axis: 16.76g / - / -</p><p>References:</p><ul> <li>Boehringer 604 (same dies)</li> <li>SNG ANS 199</li> </ul><p>Provenances:</p><ul> <li>Ex. Seaby, London, July 1948</li> <li>Ex. Hess-Leu list 4, 1956</li> </ul><p>Acquisition: Jean Elsen &amp; ses Fils Online auction Auction 146 #342 12-Dec-2020</p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_SyracuseTet2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>2. Fabia 6 denarius</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>Last year, the second coin on my list was the corresponding Servilia denarius from the same year, so this year here&#039;s the Fabia from the same year.</p><p><br /></p><p>Moneyer: Q. Fabius Maximus</p><p>Obv.: ROMA / Q. MAX / * - Laureate head of Apollo right; before, lyre</p><p>Rev.: Cornucopiae superimposed on thunderbolt; within wreath composed of ear of barley, ear of wheat and assorted fruits</p><p>Mint: Rome (ca. 82-80 BC)</p><p>Wt./Size/Axis: 3.86g / 17mm / -</p><p>References:</p><ul> <li>RSC 6 (Fabia)</li> <li>Sydenham 718</li> <li>Crawford 371/1</li> <li>RBW 1391</li> </ul><p>Provenances:</p><ul> <li>Ex. Kuenker Sale 193, lot 417, 26-Sep-2011</li> </ul><p>Acquisition: Naville Numismatics Online auction NN Live 63 #421 7-Feb-2021</p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr371_1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>3. 1928 Saorstát Éireann proof set</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Obviously, this isn&#039;t ancient, but I&#039;ll sneak it in anyway, as this set is one I&#039;ve wanted for many years and 2021 is the year when I&#039;ve actually bought one.</p><p><br /></p><p>These coins are special to any collector of Irish coins as the first coins of post-independence Ireland (Free State).</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Old Currency Exchange</b> has a good Blog entry on the process of selection of the designs for the coins - it&#039;s worth a read:</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2014/09/07/the-controversial-1927-irish-coin-design-competition/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2014/09/07/the-controversial-1927-irish-coin-design-competition/" rel="nofollow">https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2014/09/07/the-controversial-1927-irish-coin-design-competition/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>I like the comment by Yeats, the poet, senator and chair of the committee responsible for choosing the designs - <i>&quot;As the most famous and beautiful coins are the coins of the Greek Colonies, especially of those in Sicily, we decided to send photographs of some of these, and one coin of Carthage, to our selected artists, and to ask them, as far as possible, to take them as a model. But the Greek coins had two advantages that ours could not have, one side need not balance the other, and either could be stamped in high relief, whereas ours must pitch and spin to please the gambler, and pack into rolls to please the banker.&quot;</i></p><p><br /></p><p>The designs themselves were controversial at the time but fondly remembered now - the horse, salmon, bull and woodcock survived until the introduction of the Euro in 2002.&nbsp;&nbsp; The omission of the head of George V was notable at the time, as Ireland had only dominion status at the time and George was the head of state.&nbsp;&nbsp; The currency was pegged to the pound sterling and banknotes carried the legend &quot;Payable in London&quot; for many years.&nbsp;&nbsp; Irish banknotes are an interesting subject in their own right, but certainly not a subject for this forum! - <a href="https://www.irishpapermoney.com/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.irishpapermoney.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.irishpapermoney.com/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>While the coins had the same value as sterling, only the bronze denominations were the same in composition as the UK coins (the farthing, halfpenny and penny).</p><p>The threepence and sixpence were made of pure nickel initially, changing to cupro-nickel in 1942.&nbsp;&nbsp; They were larger than the equivalent UK coins, which at the time were minted in 50% silver.&nbsp;&nbsp; The shilling, florin and halfcrown were the same dimensions as the UK coins, but minted from 75% silver rather than 50%.&nbsp;&nbsp; The finer silver was probably used to inspire greater confidence in the currency.</p><p><br /></p><p>There&#039;s a display in the Central Bank&#039;s new HQ of the original designs from all the artists who made submissions.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Morbiducci designs were privately minted by the sculptor in bronze and silver and attract large sums when they appear at auction.&nbsp;&nbsp; For my money, Percy Metcalfe&#039;s designs were by far the best, and that was the view of the Coinage Design Committee at the time.</p><p><br /></p><p>6,001 sets were minted in 1928 and they seem to have been still in stock at the Central Bank until 1960, being occasionally used as diplomatic gifts.</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;ll finish by directing anyone interested in Irish coins to John Stafford-Langan&#039;s pages: <a href="http://www.irishcoinage.com/MODCAT.HTM#modsets" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.irishcoinage.com/MODCAT.HTM#modsets" rel="nofollow">http://www.irishcoinage.com/MODCAT.HTM#modsets</a></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Ireland_Proof_set_1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Ireland_Proof_set.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>4. Livineia 10 denarius</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Back to ancient coins <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>This is another coin I got for its provenance.&nbsp;&nbsp; It was in the Leo Benz Collection and before that, the Martini collection, sold in 1930.&nbsp;&nbsp; Additionally, it&#039;s a nice coin with great dark toning!</p><p><br /></p><p>Moneyer: L. Livineius Regulus</p><p>Obv.: REGVLVS·PR. - Head of Regulus right</p><p>Rev.: L·LIVINEIVS - Curule chair; on either side, three fasces</p><p>Exergue: REGVLVS</p><p>Mint: Rome (ca. 42 BC)</p><p>Wt./Size/Axis: 3.69g / 18mm / -</p><p>References:</p><ul> <li>RSC 10 (Livineia)</li> <li>Sydenham 1109</li> <li>Crawford 494/27</li> <li>HCRI 176</li> <li>Banti 5/6 (this coin)</li> </ul><p>Provenances:</p><ul> <li>Ex. Leo Benz Collection</li> <li>Ex. CNG 166, 2007 lot 150</li> <li>Ex. Lanz 100, 2000, 435</li> <li>Ex. J. Martini Collection (Ratto 23, Feb. 1930, lot 745)</li> </ul><p>Acquisition: Naville Numismatics Online auction NN Live 64 #467 21-Mar-2021</p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr494_27.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>5. Cornelia 65 denarius</b></p><p><br /></p><p>I won this back in September 2020, but it took a long time to get an Italian export licence.&nbsp;&nbsp; It was worth waiting for.</p><p><br /></p><p>Moneyer: L. Cornelius Lentulus</p><p>Obv.: L·LENT·C·MARC COS - Head of Apollo right</p><p>Rev.: Q - Jupiter standing facing, holding thunderbolt in right hand and eagle in left hand; on left, star; on right, altar decorated with garland</p><p>Mint: Illyrium (49 BC)</p><p>Wt./Size/Axis: 4.09g / - / -</p><p>References:</p><ul> <li>RSC 65 (Cornelia)</li> <li>Sydenham 1030</li> <li>Crawford 445/2</li> <li>HCRI 5</li> <li>RBW 1563</li> </ul><p>Provenances:</p><ul> <li>Ex. NAC 52, October 2009, lot 264</li> </ul><p>Acquisition: Varesi Online auction #169 20-Sep-2020</p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr445_2_Obv.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr445_2_Rev.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>6. Valeria 10 denarius</b></p><p><br /></p><p>I included this because it&#039;s a scarce coin, though it&#039;s well off-centre and with some banker&#039;s marks.&nbsp;&nbsp; Anyway, I like it <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Moneyer: L.Valerius Acisculus</p><p>Obv.: ACISCVLVS - Head of Apollo right, wearing taenia; above, star; to left, pickaxe; all within laurel wreath</p><p>Rev.: L•VALERIVS - Head of Sybil to right; all within laurel wreath</p><p>Mint: Rome (45 BC)</p><p>Wt./Size/Axis: 3.54g / 20mm / 1h</p><p>References:</p><ul> <li>RSC 14 (Valeria)</li> <li>Sydenham 1000</li> <li>Crawford 474/3a</li> <li>RBW 1661</li> </ul><p>Acquisition: Leu Numismatik Online auction Web Auction 16 #3317 24-May-2021</p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr474_3a_Obv.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr474_3a_Rev.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>7. Dodrans</b></p><p><br /></p><p>I picked up a couple of unusual denominations this year - a bes and a dodrans.&nbsp;&nbsp; The bes was worth 8 unciae and the dodrans, which has made the list, was worth 9 unciae.&nbsp;&nbsp; The name is a contaction of de quadrans (less a quarter).</p><p><br /></p><p>The dodrans was only minted on two occasions and this is the second year of minting.</p><p><br /></p><p>Moneyer: C. Cassius Longinus</p><p>Obv.: Draped bust of Vulcan right, wearing laurel-wreathed cap; thongs over left shoulder; behind, S and three pellets</p><p>Rev.: C·CASSI / ROMA - Prow right; before, S and three pellets</p><p>Mint: Rome (126 BC)</p><p>Wt./Size/Axis: 11.45g / 26mm / 9h</p><p>References:</p><ul> <li>Sydenham 503</li> <li>Crawford 266/2</li> <li>Babelon Cassia 2</li> </ul><p>Provenances:</p><ul> <li>From a German Collection</li> </ul><p>Acquisition: Naville Numismatics Online auction NN Live 65 #354 30-May-2021</p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr266_2_Obv_small.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr266_2_Rev_small.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>8. Fonteia 8 denarius</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Coinex in London in September 2021 was the first coin fair I&#039;d been to since February 2020, so I picked up a few books and three coins.&nbsp;&nbsp; Here&#039;s one of them, which I&#039;m happy with.</p><p><br /></p><p>Moneyer: Mn. Fonteius</p><p>Obv.: Jugate, laureate heads of Dioscuri right; below chins, *</p><p>Rev.: MN·FONTEI - Ship right; below, control mark (D); above and in front, three dots</p><p>Mint: Rome (108 or 107 BC)</p><p>Wt./Size/Axis: 3.96g / 20mm / -</p><p>References:</p><ul> <li>RSC 8 (Fonteia)</li> <li>Sydenham 566b</li> <li>Crawford 307/1d</li> </ul><p>Acquisition: Baldwin&#039;s Coinex 2021, London 25-Sep-2021</p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr307_1d_Obv.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr307_1d_Rev.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>9. Antestia 3 denarius</b></p><p><br /></p><p>This is another slightly dubious entry in the top 10, but I got it because it has the dog walking down on the obverse, which is rarer than the dog walking up and the coins with the dog on the obverse are rarer than those with it on the reverse, so that&#039;s why it&#039;s included here.</p><p><br /></p><p>Also, I&#039;ve been looking up some of my coins on Dick Schaefer&#039;s RRDP, now housed at the ANS and accessible through CRRO and this is one of several that I&#039;ve found:</p><p><a href="http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b10#schaefer.rrdp.b10_0034" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b10#schaefer.rrdp.b10_0034" rel="nofollow">http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b10#schaefer.rrdp.b10_0034</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Moneyer: C. Antestius</p><p>Obv.: X - Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, dog walking downwards</p><p>Rev.: C·ANTESTI - Dioscuri galloping right</p><p>Exergue: ROMA</p><p>Mint: Rome (146 BC)</p><p>Wt./Size/Axis: 3.84g / - / -</p><p>References:</p><ul> <li>RSC 3 (Antestia)</li> <li>Sydenham 406a</li> <li>Crawford 219/1b</li> <li>BMCRR 858</li> <li>FFC 146</li> </ul><p>Provenances:</p><ul> <li>Bought from Herrero, Dec. 2005</li> </ul><p>Acquisition: Soler y Llach Online auction 1122 #73 26-Oct-2021</p><p>Notes: <i>Dec 29, 21</i> - On RRDP - &quot;eH54&quot; - Emporium Hamburg, 1954?</p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr219_1b_Obv_1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Cr219_1b_Rev_1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>10. Segesta didrachm</b></p><p><br /></p><p>And finally, a fairly ugly coin, but a recent arrival and I&#039;d wanted a coin of Segesta since 2015 when I went there and wandered around what remains of the Sicilian city (a large unfinished temple and a theatre).</p><p><br /></p><p>Silver Didrachm</p><p>Obv.: Σ[ΕΓΕΣ]ΤΑZ[ΙΒ] - Hound to right, three stalks of barley behind</p><p>Rev.: ΣΕΓΕΣΤΑZΙΒ - Head of nymph to right, wearing necklace with lion pendant</p><p>Mint: Segesta (ca. 412-400 BC)</p><p>Wt./Size/Axis: 7.26g / 23mm / 12h</p><p>References:</p><ul> <li>HGC 2, 1151</li> <li>Hurter 189</li> <li>Jameson 711</li> <li>SNG Munchen 861</li> </ul><p>Provenances:</p><ul> <li>&quot;From the inventory of a European dealer&quot;</li> </ul><p>Acquisition: Roma Numismatics Online auction E-Sale 91 #98 2-Dec-2021</p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Segesta_didrachm_.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://www.tantaluscoins.com/images/coins/lg_Segesta_didrachm__1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E31L9Ti0F-kKD88j4jkxPPMbyh4oj4T7Gu5SPU_-rlajefJorJeSIZBd6z71iZzT9bUFphDdGT9fAd2kTmbf9OGD7c1chuDynz6Kofel3NvEGguTabbs9mmIKmTBxD7upeyU1Q82EOfQ5MZyE3nRVU7SW_XYQwiup5jUyfLB5FvU0Db8T0g1rLPQncLBJLhEMTb2kZCHpxtpWUaIDSWCJIdp1dOCzNe0d5o-nYS-7k7QuvqihZ9HajQBbnaJRkUiPvwCtTojpABKqOMJTmv_a9259r0ODmJEQZ3inpg7_iF1IaIaFXoeExlYCRER9PZ39P8I6DdJaQFwNiQFKD-_xHPuJRvk6UFTGFpF389Va46vLIm9dX5fcGGzBlUXVOVIg4MjnZA8RTjHMwBhukGO4dcUPtsiUmYud_uH7miDE6iIhbBzMCcmfZfj0uZ-e-w5_g78Ghu2gDEQzInSvh2UGXKHNxZZZNw8O38Oo5zJRNH0iUZg0e0YBUfPf-9Xs0pl_OxU9u8PW5AJBhWmH8iS5IoSX8kMDurFghHxSB0lFFYKsFCkntTXMfWoZI_kRkQhzIpdE53LL_uiRt6B7YTPSAOPuImwP0AUmOfd_C85n80ZAMhZPVkEY3UOfX9fKBEWVWtruh2OLlMCQRMUk4Pda6LUJ3ERn2tIIPswYPJSzU4LYmiflNNvJQ3Qgx1jLjSpIK0X-Ewkepi6e9C2NbMN0Bfchw=w2519-h1889-no?authuser=0" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And that&#039;s it, roll on 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sadly, it doesn&#039;t look like I&#039;ll be in NY in 2022 either, but hopefully will be more active after that <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Happy New Year, all!</p><p>Aidan.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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