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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Alwin, post: 5164673, member: 108806&quot;]The year 2020 has been a dark year from a numismatic point of view (and not only from this point of view...). So I have to add some coins acquired at the end of 2019 to be able to present a Top Ten.</p><p>Some are chosen mainly for, in my opinion, their aesthetic qualities, others especially for their rarity.</p><p><br /></p><p>In chronological order of their issue:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210325[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>1-</b> <b>Dynasts of Lycia</b>&nbsp; –&nbsp; 1/3 Stater&nbsp; –&nbsp; Pericles (c. 380-360 B.C.)</p><p>A common coin, and I will let it to you to choose the appropriate English word for the flan of this coin (in French: patatoïde!). But I really like it because the lion is intact and the legend is fully legible.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210327[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>2- Achaemenid Kingdom</b>&nbsp; –&nbsp; Siglos&nbsp; –&nbsp; (Lydia, c. 375-336 B.C.)</p><p>This type IV (Carradice) is much less common than type III. But what I especially appreciate is its style and its above average quality of conservation.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210328[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>3- Arsaces II</b> (211-185 B.C.)&nbsp; –&nbsp; Drachm S.7.1&nbsp; –&nbsp; Hekatompylos</p><p>The S.6 drachms of Arsaces II are common, but the S.7 and S.8 are rather rare. It takes a little luck to find one in good condition.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210329[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>4- Mithradates I</b> (164-132 B.C.)&nbsp; –&nbsp; Tetrachalkos S.12.9&nbsp; –&nbsp; Ecbatana</p><p>The bronze coins of Mithradates I are few in number and hard to find in good condition. I like the portrait of Mithridates on this bronze coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210331[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>5- Mithradates II</b> (121-91 B.C.)&nbsp; –&nbsp; Drachm S.28.2&nbsp; –&nbsp; Ecbatana</p><p>A common coin, but a powerful style, and for the Parthian drachms probably one of the issues where the engravers gave the best of themselves.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210334[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>6- Orodes II</b> (57-38 B.C.)&nbsp; –&nbsp; Drachm S.45.33 v.&nbsp; –&nbsp; Rhagae or Susa ?</p><p>It&#039;s an intriguing coin. Type 45.33 bears the Rhagae monogram on the reverse. But this specimen, by the style of its obverse and even more of its reverse, seems to be by the engraver of Susa. It is also possible that Sellwood noticed the differences in style between the various specimens of this type, because exceptionally he omitted to specify the mint. The mystery remains to be clarified ...</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210336[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>7- Phraates IV</b> (38-2 B.C.)&nbsp; –&nbsp; Drachm S.52.13&nbsp; –&nbsp; &quot;Court at Rhagae&quot;</p><p>Almost all of the drachms described as S.52.13 are in fact S.52.31 (&quot;Court at Susa&quot;). There is actually only a handful of S.52.13 drachms, which are easily identified by the style of the reverse, with in particular the archer who looks upwards, and the incoherent but well recognizable legend (as on the rare S.50.15).</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210338[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>8- Phraates IV </b>(38-2 B.C.)&nbsp; –&nbsp; Drachm S.54.-&nbsp; –&nbsp; Nisa</p><p>This drachm is not very attractive, but the crescent only / eagle combination on the obverse is unpublished for Nisa. So far, I do not know any other identical specimen.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210339[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>9- Artabanos</b> (10-38 A.D.)&nbsp; –&nbsp; Drachm S.63.10&nbsp; –&nbsp; Susa</p><p>This type was known by Sellwood. Yet it is the only specimen I have ever seen.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1210340[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>10- Unknown King</b> (c. 140 A.D.)&nbsp; –&nbsp; Drachm S.83.1&nbsp; –&nbsp; Mint?</p><p>This drachm is said to be rare, but uncommon would be more accurate. There are many dies, with several variants. The monogram is that of Ecbatana, but this type was probably struck in another mint, which we cannot locate.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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