Volodya's Top Coin of 2017

Well, I only bought eight coins all year, which sort of blows the whole top ten thing right out of the water... so here's my favorite. It's a common enough coin, but it took me decades to find the "right" example. I guess I can finally stop mourning another great example, which I was the underbidder on in three separate auctions. On the time-honored, deeply considered theory of a bird in the hand, I now prefer this one, so all's well...

The portrait of Antony is first rate, but I especially like the revealing portrait of Octavian. Some of his portraits on this type are merely insipid (and some, interestingly, resemble Antony, showing who was boss in their relationship then...), but this one brilliantly depicts him as the smirking bloodthirsty twerp he truly was:



Phil Davis

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Great coin. Well worth waiting for imho.

 

Seems like a coin that talks to people. If I had the chance to own this coin, I would immediately search for 2 other coins depicting Cleopatra VII and commander Agrippa. That would complete the ancient story of war and love. Congrats..

 

Well done Phil. Wonderful example. And, yes, the portraiture clearly reflects him! Wow, just absolutely great! Congrats on bagging your prey!

LOL, I HAVE to do this. Let me "usurp" your post. Here is MY version... JUST to make YOUR coin look even that much BETTER!!! (You can see why mine did not make my Top 10 of 2017 - although I really like this coin!)


RImp Antony-Octavian AR Denarius 41 BCE 3.65g 18.7mm Military mint Syria star Craw 528-2a Sear 1507

 

Utterly fantastic! Interesting that Antony's portrait is larger than Octavian's - almost as if Antony's saying 'we're not equals kid!'

 

Sounds like you knew him personally.

Is this you?



It would explain your 'minty' collection.

 

Excellent coin Phil. I would love to see your top 5 or even all 8!

 

Gorgeous coin/ great quality! Congrats Phil Can hardly wait to see theother "seven".
John

 

Wonderful coin, but you really leave us wanting to see the other seven!

 

Jaw-dropping!

 

Here's one of the other seven anyway. Five of the remaining six are from this same victoriatus hoard gradually being dispersed by CNG. I don't have photos of those five right now.



The last is different, another type I've been looking for forever. This is an old dealer's photo (not where I got the coin) that doesn't do the piece justice at all. It's the best example I've ever seen. It's very very difficult to find with reverse detail like this, despite the minor weakness in the center of the quiver. It almost always looks vaguely softly-struck; I suspect that most of the dies were shallowly-engraved and lacked detail even when made.

 

Awesome!

 

Simply stunning!

 

Fabulous coins, V. I was there when you won the Antony/Octavian and it's truly top of it's class.

C

 

Looks like you had an excellent year, Phil! Really well done on the 3 coins shared in this thread and I completely agree with you on the first coin. That's gotta be both the best die pair for that type and the finest example of that type I've ever seen.

 

That OP Mark Antony - Octavian denarius is truly gorgeous. The style on the two portraits stands out. I especially like MA's one with plain cheeks and the little "something" in his eyes and smile, just as if he were presented a big cheesecake (or a young virgin maybe...)

I have always though of mine as a good example of the type, but am now considering throwing it away to the bin. Really astounding example



Q

 

Just to make the point that it can take decades to find the 'right' coin, I'll post a fourree that will make you appreciate Alegandron's middle of the road specimen. I have always lied he C shaped core exposure on Antony's cheek and the 'sweet' expression on Octavian's face. I like the style of this ugly thing. I believe it shows that 'Fake News' was around in 41 BC.

 

Wonderful OP coin!! Very minty indeed!!! Love the style!

 

Wonderful coins, Phil. I'm amazed at the restraint required to build a collection of this quality. 8 coins for the year indicates how rarely this stuff comes to market, as well as the resources required to capture them.

 

Some gorgeous coins but the OP is in a league of its own.