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 Replies: 42 / Views: 7,974 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Always looking for new and interesting coins to collect, and we all have certain coins that we feel are a must have in our collections.
So let me suggest a Smackdown with a difference. In this one we don't have to own the coins we suggest, and at the end we can vote for coins and put together a top 25 for the coins.
We can run 4 of these with different categories. Roman, Greek, Medieval and Miscellaneous (Celtic, Barbaric, Byzantine etc)
Each person should enter 3 coins of their choice (but I think we should only enter coins that can be had for under $300 since most people can't be affording gold coins of Julius Ceasar etc) trying not to repeat selections other have made. Entries to be in by this time next week. Then we can have a week of voting (it won't be easy but I am suggesting we each choose 5 coins in our order of preference) We will be voting for the coin type rather than the specific coin...
I have only a modest selection of Roman coins and maybe this will give me some idea's for must have coins to add to my collection... the Greek category should be straight forwards (I predict wins for Alex III tetradrachm, Athena Owl and Aegina Turtle) but whatever the case I am sure we all will enjoy looking at each others favourite coin varieties.
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I will kick off with my suggestions. No Roman coin collection could be complete without a Silver Denarius of Hadrian I would submit. This is perhaps not the best coin in the world but was my first Roman coin. Being English Hadrian is of relevance to me for building a wall right across the upper edge of my country.  The second coin I would choose would be a republican denarius with quadriga reverse. Simply for aesthetic reasons.  And my third suggestion is a Constantine follis camp gate coin as these are commonly found and representative of the kind of currency that was commonly used.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
OK, sorry thought it was for all types.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Good suggestions, Keep your Roman coins coming ^^
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Pillar of the Community
United States
711 Posts |
Great idea for a thread, or a series of threads. As for the already mentioned, I agree on all counts. If I needed to add three to that mix, I'd add these three.
1. A Marc Antony legionary coin. A legendary figure from history on a very affordable coin. Slam dunk top 25 Roman coin on a budget.  2. A Commodus denarius coin. Commodus / Marcus Aurelius were the two emperors for the movie Gladiator. Decent movie and enough of a hook into ancients to get me to believe there may be some demand out there for Commodus / Marcus coins.  3. A Julian II / Julian the Apostate coin. My first ancient was a Julian II so I am biased here. Only coin of the three I posted I own FYI. Anyway I bought my Julian mainly for the great condition / low price combined with a greatly detailed sweet beard, myself being a big fan of beards. Lots of interesting stuff about the guy though. Ties to Christianity as the last Roman emperor to push Paganism. Stood for freedom of religion in that he allowed Christianity to happen as well as attempted to rebuild the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and re-legitimize Paganism. Also controversial in his wearing of a philosopher's beard back when they weren't popular. Just an interesting man all around from his childhood until his death in battle. I can't imagine a top 25 without him in it, but eagerly await 25 better stories to read proving me wrong.  Edited by BuckeyeCoinGuy
08/25/2015 1:12 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I think a decent Marc Antony is all the money (If I see one as good at the one you posted for less than $300 I will probably pounce on it) but a great choice, I am guessing that one may end up near the top of the pile. This one on V-coins for $660 has me drooling...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
good idea DUK! i'll show some roman coins that are a bit different than the ones already posted, if not my favorite. an alexandrian tet (i do love these things)...  rebublican AE AS (i love these things as well)...  and a follis of the tetrarchy...  |
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1849 Posts |
This is a great idea for a thread, even if I can only contribute with regard to Roman coinage. Anyway, for me the choice is clear: Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius.Trajan and Hadrian for taking the empire to its highest glory, and Marcus Aurelius for keeping it together in the face of severe adversity. As far as actual coin types, I would be flexible and say silver or Bronze whichever the collector prefers. I like both equally. Sestertius of Trajan: (this type should be obtainable for $300 or very close to it, but not more)   Denarius of Hadrian showing Roma seated with inscription ROMAE AETERNAE (Eternal Rome - you cannot get more 'roman' than that!)   Finally, a denarius of Marcus Aurelius shown in his later years, showing on reverse the god Mars, god of wars. Wars on many frontiers were unfortunately to mar and sour Marcus Aurelius' later years, during which he would undoubtedly have preferred to continue laying down his thoughts on the world in books like his 'Meditations'.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Chrsmat is that Nero on your first coin and who is on the other side?
Germanicus some nice looking coins there :)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
Great topic! Glad to participate. I have long had a preference for Late Roman Bronze, in part because there were several mints producing the same types but with a whole range of variation in its execution. Moreover, a single reverse inscription might be used with a number of different designs. The abdication folles of Diocletian and Maximian (305 A.D.) are must-have coins for the LRB collector, because of their historical significance and because the follis begins with Diocletian. Here is an example for Maximian who was forced to abdicate when Diocletian voluntarily chose to retire from the imperial office.  Who could collect LRB without including a coin for Constantine I, and what coin is more emblematic of that emperor than the "eyes-to-heaven" obverse type? It gets pricey as a siliqua, but is well within reach in any of a number of bronze types. Here it is represented by a CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE reverse of a bronze reduced follis (AE3) along with a Victory left reverse on a Siliqua (just for comparison).  I think the FEL TEMP REPARATIO reverses of the sons of Constantine are emblematic of the LRB period and one would be advised to get an example of design type. Here is a centenionalis of Constans featuring the Soldier-leading-captive-from-a-hut motif.  Edited by lrbguy
08/25/2015 4:58 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
dang, some nice lookin' coins everyone. DUK, the reverse features serapis on my Alexandrian tet. if you don't know him, he is an interesting fellow... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serapis |
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
 A Gordian III Antoninianus, I got this one for slightly under $50 + I might the other two tommorow |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
bump...i know some of you guys that haven't posted in this thread have some awesome roman coins.
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
1194 Posts |
very difficult to make a choise.I collect mostly silver coins and propose one for the Republic,one for the early Empire and one for the early 3th century. The Republic  Gens Memmia - AR denarius obv:male head right wearing oak wreath,below chin : star = XV:mark of value rev:L MEMMI , the Dioscuri standing facing between their horse and each holding a spear. Cr 304/1 , 19 mm , 3.88 , dieax 5 h , mintmaster L.Memmius : 109-108 BC mint : Rome Early Empire :  Augustus AR denarius obv: AUGUSTUS / DIVI.F : bare head right rev: IMP X : bull butting left RIC169,BMCRE548 , 19 mm , 3.57 gr , dieax 6 h mint : Lugdunun , 15 - 12 BC Early 3th century : Macrinus (AD 217-218): AR denarius obv:IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINUS AUGUSTUS :laureate and cuirassed bust right rev:FIDES MILITUM : Fides standing facing,head right,holding signum in each hand. RIC67 , 20 mm , 2.95 gr , die ax 12 h mint : Rome , minted AD 201. albert  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
You still have the weekend to post your coins, amazed we haven't seen Romulus and Remus yet.
20 coins to choose from so far, and some nice entries, keep them coming :)
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Replies: 42 / Views: 7,974 |
Posted 08/25/2015 10:46 am
