Your Most Expensive Ancient/Medieval Coins

Mat · Mar 19, 2017

4to2centBC said: ↑

My most expensive coin is probably someone else's least expensive coin, but when I bought it, my heart was racing...my coin equivalent of a modest Rolex (I don't wear a watch)

My money got me this. It's in my avatar. I feel like I know the old man, I've looked at it so often. In that sense, it is my least expensive coin per view.

DYNASTS of LYCIA. Mithrapata. Circa 390-370 BC

AR Stater (24.5mm, 9.80 g, 1h). mint probably Antiphellos Forepart of lion right / Head of Mithrapata left; MITHR-A-P-ATA in Lycian around, triskeles to lower right; all within incuse square. Mildenberg, Mithrapata Mildenberg, Mithrapata 6 Dies 3 and 5, Podalia 60 thru 67 A3 and P5, Falghera Reuter 98 and 99, SNG Copenhagen Supp. 472 same dies, Boston MFA Supp. 229 same dies, Kraay & Hirmer 658 same dies, EF, toned.

"The portraits on coins in the later Lycian series are among the finest of the Classical period. Among the earliest to attempt depictions of their rulers on coinage, the Lycians' first portraits in the later 5th century BC were innovative, but static, idealized forms lacking individual characterization. Over the next half-century, however, the style progressed significantly toward realism, culminating in the issues of the dynasts Mithrapata and Perikles in the early-mid 4th century BC. The coins of Mithrapata came first, depicting on their reverse the profile portrait of a man with distinctive elderly features. Through the relative chronology established in L. Mildenberg's die study, one can even see the portrait become more aged as time progressed, reflecting the realism that had been captured in these issues. The coins of Perikles, Mithrapata's successor, continue this trend, but also have two innovations that set them at the pinnacle of classical portraiture. First, the portrait is moved to the obverse of the coin, emphasizing the importance of the individual. Second, and most prominently, the portrait is not in the traditional profile, but in a dramatic facing state. Obviously influenced by Kimon's facing Arethusa-head coinage at Syracuse, these depict Perikles looking out from the surface of the coin with a serene countenance and his hair flowing around him as if blown by the wind. This depiction captures the essence of the earlier idealized portraits, conveying to the viewer a sense that Perikles was more than a mere man, but retaining the realism in its individualized features. Interestingly, both Mithrapata and Perikles are depicted without any sort of satrapal headgear, which was always included in earlier Lycian portraits, perhaps indicating that they had declared their independence from the Persian king. These astonishing developments in portraiture came to an abrupt end in Lycia when Maussollos of Caria invaded the region circa 360 BC." from the auction catalog ex Triton
Click to expand...

Wow thats a stunning coin!

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

akeady · Mar 19, 2017

This is my most expensive coin, bought in 2012 - a Leontinoi tetradrachm:

(Most of the coins of this type are from a large hoard. Unfortunately, there are good fakes also, made from transfer dies from these coins - however, as far as is known, the forgers "fixed" a die flaw, so fakes lack the flaw behind the eye of Apollo)

Since starting to collect mostly Roman Republican coins, I haven't spent as much per coin, but have ended up with hundreds of the things - I could have got 10 decent denarii for this

ATB,
Aidan.

Alegandron · Mar 19, 2017

akeady said: ↑

This is my most expensive coin, bought in 2012 - a Leontinoi tetradrachm:

(Most of the coins of this type are from a large hoard. Unfortunately, there are good fakes also, made from transfer dies from these coins - however, as far as is known, the forgers "fixed" a die flaw, so fakes lack the flaw behind the eye of Apollo)

Since starting to collect mostly Roman Republican coins, I haven't spent as much per coin, but have ended up with hundreds of the things - I could have got 10 decent denarii for this

ATB,
Aidan.
Click to expand...

That is a gorgeous coin! Well done...

RAGNAROK · Mar 19, 2017

4to2centBC said: ↑

My most expensive coin is probably someone else's least expensive coin, but when I bought it, my heart was racing...my coin equivalent of a modest Rolex (I don't wear a watch)

My money got me this. It's in my avatar. I feel like I know the old man, I've looked at it so often. In that sense, it is my least expensive coin per view.

DYNASTS of LYCIA. Mithrapata. Circa 390-370 BC

AR Stater (24.5mm, 9.80 g, 1h). mint probably Antiphellos Forepart of lion right / Head of Mithrapata left; MITHR-A-P-ATA in Lycian around, triskeles to lower right; all within incuse square. Mildenberg, Mithrapata Mildenberg, Mithrapata 6 Dies 3 and 5, Podalia 60 thru 67 A3 and P5, Falghera Reuter 98 and 99, SNG Copenhagen Supp. 472 same dies, Boston MFA Supp. 229 same dies, Kraay & Hirmer 658 same dies, EF, toned.

"The portraits on coins in the later Lycian series are among the finest of the Classical period. Among the earliest to attempt depictions of their rulers on coinage, the Lycians' first portraits in the later 5th century BC were innovative, but static, idealized forms lacking individual characterization. Over the next half-century, however, the style progressed significantly toward realism, culminating in the issues of the dynasts Mithrapata and Perikles in the early-mid 4th century BC. The coins of Mithrapata came first, depicting on their reverse the profile portrait of a man with distinctive elderly features. Through the relative chronology established in L. Mildenberg's die study, one can even see the portrait become more aged as time progressed, reflecting the realism that had been captured in these issues. The coins of Perikles, Mithrapata's successor, continue this trend, but also have two innovations that set them at the pinnacle of classical portraiture. First, the portrait is moved to the obverse of the coin, emphasizing the importance of the individual. Second, and most prominently, the portrait is not in the traditional profile, but in a dramatic facing state. Obviously influenced by Kimon's facing Arethusa-head coinage at Syracuse, these depict Perikles looking out from the surface of the coin with a serene countenance and his hair flowing around him as if blown by the wind. This depiction captures the essence of the earlier idealized portraits, conveying to the viewer a sense that Perikles was more than a mere man, but retaining the realism in its individualized features. Interestingly, both Mithrapata and Perikles are depicted without any sort of satrapal headgear, which was always included in earlier Lycian portraits, perhaps indicating that they had declared their independence from the Persian king. These astonishing developments in portraiture came to an abrupt end in Lycia when Maussollos of Caria invaded the region circa 360 BC." from the auction catalog ex Triton
Click to expand...

dlhill132 · Mar 20, 2017

Beautiful coins everyone! My 5 all under 1k and no particular order. I'm retired now for last 10 years so my budget is way, way, down. I still get to look at everyones nice collections, so I'm a happy camper!

Doug

arnoldoe · Mar 20, 2017

My 10 most expensive
all under $500,
2 were over $230,
4 were under $110

Mikey Zee · Mar 20, 2017

Wonderful posts!!!

I'm reminded of so many that I still hope to own.

Alegandron · Mar 20, 2017

I have several within a few dollars of each other:

These are not in dollar order...

Roman Republic
Anonymous AR Didrachm
6.63g, 20mm, 12h
Rome mint, 234-231 BCE
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right
Rev: Horse prancing left, ROMA above.
Ref: Sear 28; Crawford 26/1; RSC 37

Marsic Confederation
AR Denarius.
Corfinium mint - renamed Italia by the Confederation (Capital of the Marsic Confederation), 89 BC.
3.60g, 20mm, 8h
Obv: Laureate head of Italia right, wearing pearl necklace; ITALIA behind, X (mark of value) below chin
Rev: Italia, seated left on shields, holding sceptre in right hand and sword in left, being crowned with wreath by Victory who stands behind; retrograde B(?) in exergue.
Ref: Campana 105 (same obverse die); HN Italy 412a
Comments: Cleaning marks to rev.
Very Rare.

PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Darios I to Xerxes II. Circa 485-420 BC. AV Daric (14mm, 8.30 g). Lydo-Milesian standard. Sardes mint. Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear in right hand, bow in left / Incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb, Group A/B (pl. XIII, 27); Meadows, Administration 321; BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 26. VF. Well

Roman Republic
Anonymous
AR Didrachm.
Rome mint, circa 265-242 BC.
Obv: Head of Roma right, wearing Phrygian helmet, cornucopiae behind
Rev: ROMANO, Victory standing right, attaching wreath to long palm, YY in right field.
Ref: Crawford 22/1; RSC 7. 6.55g, 18mm, 6h.
Ex: the Eucharius Collection

Africa, Zeugutana, Carthage
Anonymous (s. BC 310-290)
EL Dekadrachm (Stater)
18.5 mm x 7.27 grams
Obverse: Wreathed head of Tanit left, eleven pendants on necklace; pellet before neck
Reverse: Horse standing right; two pellets below exergue line
Ref:Jenkins & Lewis Group V, 259–79; MAA 10; SNG Copenhagen 975
Ex: my Buddy @@Ancientnoob

Marsic Confederation
AR Denarius
Bovianum(?) mint, 89 BC.
3.93g, 20mm, 3h
Obv: Laureate head of Italia left, VITELIV = ITALIA in Oscan script
Rev: Soldier standing facing, head right, foot on uncertain object, holding inverted spear and sword, recumbent bull to right facing; retrograde B in exergue.
Ref: Campana 122 (same dies); HN Italy 407
Ex: Eucharius Collection.

Deacon Ray · Mar 20, 2017

Johndakerftw said: ↑

...Bro's most expensive...
Click to expand...

Those are some amazing coins, Erin! Even though they belong to your brother I know that you must have had some significant influence in the creation of his excellent collection!

Jwt708 · Mar 20, 2017

This thread is just full of amazing coins! Wonderful collections everyone!

Johndakerftw · Mar 21, 2017

Deacon Ray said: ↑

Those are some amazing coins, Erin! Even though they belong to your brother I know that you must have had some significant influence in the creation of his excellent collection!
Click to expand...

Thanks Deacon Ray!

I'm pretty proud of his collection. He started collecting a while after I did, after he realized my coins weren't fake.

The shekel was mine for a few months, lol. I ended up needing some extra $$ when I got an unexpected bill in the mail. Thankfully, it was able to stay under the same roof and I can look at it whenever I want.

I also forgot to add this coin to my post. As some know, I'm also totally into reptiles. I got this with my Christmas money last year:

Erin

icerain · Mar 21, 2017

Here are a few of mine in no particular order...

DBDc80 · Mar 21, 2017

icerain said: ↑

Here are a few of mine in no particular order...

Click to expand...

that first meris is gorgeous!!!

Alegandron · Mar 21, 2017

icerain said: ↑

Here are a few of mine in no particular order...

Click to expand...

Ima JONESIN' on yer Makedonwn...

Jwt708 · Mar 21, 2017

Ya too many great coins here! Hard to look away!

ValiantKnight · Mar 21, 2017

Jwt708 said: ↑

Ya too many great coins here! Hard to look away!
Click to expand...

Jwt708 · Mar 21, 2017

ValiantKnight said: ↑

View attachment 602417
Click to expand...

Ya! Exactly!

Sallent · Mar 21, 2017

I probably overpaid for this coin, but in the world of English hammered coins, this is as impecable a provenance one can dream of. All top names of renowned experts and scholars in the field, and then there is me. I figure adding my name to the list raises the price another 20%.

The old collection ticket written in J.J. North's own handwriting is a nice touch too.

ENGLAND, Henry III (1216-1272), Penny, 1.32g., Voided Long Cross Coinage, Class 5g, (1251-1272), Walter - Canterbury, crowned facing bust of Henry, HENRICVS REX III, rev., voided long cross with trefoil of pellets in each angle, WALTER ON CANT, (N.997; S.1373), very fine.
Ex York Coins
Ex Patrick Finn.
Ex W. J. Conte Collection
Ex J. J. North Collection (ticket included).
Ex Glendinings Auction, June 15th, 1954, part lot 266.

iamtiberius · Mar 22, 2017

In no specific order. $500-1000 USD. I haven't spent over 1k on a single coin, yet.

Caria, Rhodes Didrachm

Lycia Stater

Eucratides I Tetradrachm

Attica, Athens Tetradrachm

Cucumbor · Mar 22, 2017

Some fantastic stuff all along this thread

Most expensive roman coins

ROMAN IMPERATORS, Sextus Pompeius and Q. Nasidius, Denarius Mint moving with Sextus Pompeius, Sicily, 42-39 BC
NEPTVNI, head of Pompey the great right, trident before head, dolphin below
Q.NASIDIVS at exergue, galley sailing right, star in upper field
3.92 gr
Ref : HCRI # 235, RCV # 1390, Crawford # 483/2, Sydenham # 1350, Cohen # 20
Ex Freeman & Sear, Ex Barry Feirstein collection
Ex Roma Numismatics

Constantius II, Light miliarense, Ferrando II plate coin Arles mint (Arelate), 3d officina
DN CONSTAN TIVS PF AVG, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Constantius right
VIRTVS EXERCITVS, Constantius (soldier) facing holding spear and shield. TCON at exergue
4,54 gr ; 22,6 mm
Ref : RIC VII # 252, Ferrando II # 1026 (this coin), Cohen #326, RC #3993v

Q

Log in or Sign up

Your Most Expensive Ancient/Medieval Coins

Mat Ancient Coincoholic

Guest User Guest

akeady Well-Known Member

Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

RAGNAROK Naebody chaws me wi impunitY

dlhill132 Member

arnoldoe Well-Known Member

Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

Deacon Ray Well-Known Member

Jwt708 Well-Known Member

Johndakerftw Mr. Rogers is My Hero

icerain Mastir spellyr

DBDc80 Numismatist

Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

Jwt708 Well-Known Member

ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

Jwt708 Well-Known Member

Sallent Live long and prosper

iamtiberius SPQR

Cucumbor Well-Known Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Your Most Expensive Ancient/Medieval Coins

Mat Ancient Coincoholic

Guest User Guest

akeady Well-Known Member

Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

RAGNAROK Naebody chaws me wi impunitY

dlhill132 Member

arnoldoe Well-Known Member

Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

Deacon Ray Well-Known Member

Jwt708 Well-Known Member

Johndakerftw Mr. Rogers is My Hero

icerain Mastir spellyr

DBDc80 Numismatist

Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

Jwt708 Well-Known Member

ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

Jwt708 Well-Known Member

Sallent Live long and prosper

iamtiberius SPQR

Cucumbor Well-Known Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches