My Top 20 Acquisitions Of 2017

Inspired by Bob's post of his wonderful top 20, I thought I would heed his call to post my own top 20.

1.Vespasian (69-79). AR Denarius (18.08mm, 3.50g, 6h). Rome, AD 75.
Obv: Bare head l. R IMP CEASAR VESPASIANUS AUG
Rev: Pax seated l., resting l. elbow on throne and holding branch.
PON MAX TRP COS VI
RIC II 773 (this coin); RSC -. Extremely Rare variety, near VF.
Ex Vecchi sale 13, 1998, 757.
Ex: St Paul Antiques auction 7 Lot 285 June 11, 2017
Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database.

This is my #1 this year. I was very fortunate to get this one. It was in an obscure auction where I only had one other bidder who knew what it was competing with me. If this was in a more popular auction it is quite possible that the bidding would have been beyond me. It is a special coin because it is mentioned in RIC II Part 1. It is designated as R3-the only one known. ( as of 2 weeks ago there is now a second example known. It was found on ebay by David Atherton) There are only 2 types of denarii of Vespasian with a bare head. The other type has about 7 known examples, and the type below is only known from this example pictured.





2.Eleanor of Aquitaine (1137-1204)
Anglo-Gallic Aquitaine
Denier
(17.93 mm 0.69 g 12h)
12h (E 11; W 9; S 8011
Obv: two cross patt‚e divided by a pellet, m above, a below, +dvcis it,
Rev. +aqvitanie, cross patte
Coins and historical medals from the collection formed by the late Revd. Charles Campbell
Dix Noonan Webb Online Auction September 13, 2017 Lot 163

I searched for a coin of Eleanor for more than a year. When this one popped up it was buried in a group lot. I have no idea why, it is in excellent condition for the issue. Eleanor was the husband of 2 kings and the mother of 2 kings. She is one of the most fascinating women of medieval history.




3.GALBA, A.D. 68-69. AR Denarius
(3.38 gms),
Rome Mint, ca. A.D. July 68-January 69..
Obv: "IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG PM" Laureate bust of Galba facing right;
Rev:: Virtus standing facing, holding parazonium upwards and leaning on vertical spear.
NGC Ch F, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5.
RIC-236
Provenance: From the Graywood Collection.
Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database.

I am always on the lookout for rare or interesting coins for my 12 Caesars collection. This one appeared in a Stack's Bowers auction and I did not have much competition for it. The outstanding feature of this coin is the very distinctive portrait of Galba. The other interesting feature is the VIRTUS reverse. This is a rare coin and I am very happy that it is part of my collection.




4.Nero. A.D. 61. AR denarius
(18.40 mm, 3.37 g, 7 h).
Lugdunum (Lyon) mint.
Obv: NERO CAESAR AVG IMP, bare head right
Rev: PONTIF MAX TR P VIII COS IIII P P, EX S C across field, Roma standing right, holding and inscribing shield supported on knee, foot on helmet; dagger and bow at feet to right.
RIC 34 (R3); RSC 231. aVF, toned. Rare. From the D. Thomas Collection;
Ex Hohn Leipziger Munzhandlung. Auction 85 June 2-4 2016 Lot 1832
Ex: Agora Auctons sale 68 Lot 195 August 15 2017.

In my 12 Caesars collection I have a really nice Nero with the standards reverse. However, for the last year I had wanted to acquire a pre-reform denarius of Nero. When this can up for sale I knew I had to have it. Yes I know the surfaces are reticulated, but I love the look of it. Like all pre-reform denarii of Nero, it is not easy to find one of these on the market. When they do appear there is plenty of competition for them.





5.Roman Empire, Vespasian 69-79, Denarius,
(17.49 mm 3.24g)
Obv: Laureate head of Vespasian right "IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TRPPP" Rev: "AVG" within an wreath, Phi-Alpha monogram above ties. "AVG" in the center.
RIC 1414(R3).
Ephesos mint, Some roughness on the reverse.
Ex Savoca Auction #9, lot 533 8/21/16, realized 350 Euro + buyer's fee
Lot 152 Aegean Nuismatics Agora Auctions July 20. 2017.
Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database

Yet another rare Vespasian denarius. I had to have this one because I wanted one minted in Ephesus. I really like the portrait style of the Ephesian denarii. This one is in very nice condition with what I believe to be a standout portrait. I have 5 coins of Vespasian, and probably will not stop with this one. There is plenty of variety in both the obverse and reverse types of his coins.




6.Valentinianus I, 364-375. AV Solidus 364/367, Antioch. Offizina Z.
( 20.70 mm 3.90 g)
Obv: D N VALENTINI - ANVS P F AVG Draped, cuirassed bust with pearl diadem to r. Rev. RESTITVTOR REI PVBLICAE Emperor standing facing with labarum and victory on globus. In exergue ANTZ.
RIC 2a. C. 28.
Thin graffito on obv. Edge slightly clipped. Fine.
Sincona Auction #41 October 23, 2017.

I was genuinely surprised when I received this coin in the mail. In the auction house photo the coin is dull, looks quite worn, and has graffiti. The photo is probably why I got it at the price I did. Upon examining the coin I realized that it has a beautiful soft lustre to it that cannot be captured in a photo. I also noticed that the graffiti was much lighter in reality than in the photo. It was was also clear to me that the wear was not as pronounced as it appeared in the photo. To be honest, the graffiti did not bother me anyway because imho it adds interest to the coin. The overall condition was however a pleasant surprise.





7.Valens, 364-378 Solidus Nicomedia circa 364-367, AV
(20.5mm., 3.93g.)
Obv: Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r.
Rev. Emperor standing facing, head right, holding labarum and Victory on globe. In exergue, SMNS.
RIC IX Nicomedia 2c; Sear 19556; Dep. 18/2; Cohen 32.
Naville Numismatics Auction 31 Lot 559
Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database.

I knew months ago that I wanted solidii of a pair of brothers who ruled opposite ends of the empire. I thought their story was interesting. This coin is the one I bought first. I liked the graffiti and the normal wear on the coin reminded me that actual people handled and used these coins almost 1700 years ago. I am glad now to have both of these coins in my collection. I may in the future try to pick up more solidii from this time period.




8.Heraclius (AD 610-641) & Heraclius Constantine (AD 613-641). AV solidus
(14.27 mm 4.46 gm).
XF. Carthage, Indictional Year 9, 1st cycle (AD 620/1).
OBV: D N #1028;RACLIO #1028;T #1028;RACOS P P Θ, facing busts of Heraclius, with short beard (on left) and Heraclius Constantine, smaller and beardless (on right), each wearing chlamys and crown, cross in field above
Rev: VICTORI-A AVGG Θ, cross potent on three steps; CONOB in exergue.
Sear 867.
Ex: Heritage Auctions September 14, 2017

The reason for buying this coin was simple-I wanted a gold coin minted in Carthage. I really like this little chunk of gold. It is the weight of a normal solidus but the diameter is only 14 mm. This means the flan in much thicker than that of a normal diameter solidus. I also bought this coin because I wanted to add another Byzantine gold coin to my collection.




9.MAURICE,GOLDSolidus, AD 582-602
(21.16 mm 4.55 g)
Obv: Facg bust, DN MAURC TIB PP AUG
Rev: Angel stg, VICTORIA AVGGB;
EF, not badly struck with only minor crudeness, sharp portrait details.
Sb 478,
Frank Robinson Auctions August 15 2017 Lot 443

When I bought this coin I was on the hunt for another Byzantine solidus. This time I wanted one with a nice strike and very clear details. So, when this one popped up in one of Frank Robinson's auctions I put in a bid. I was not disappointed when I received the coin. As usual Frank was very accurate in his description.




10.France; François I (1515-1547)
gold ecu d'or au soleil.
Attractive lustrous issue Nice lustre with minor nick and scratch.
3.3gr .917 gold.
Duplessy 775; Fr. 345
The Canadian Numismatic Auction Company. November 2017 public TOREX Auction, Lot 518

I have looked at many listings for French Hammered gold. I just received this one in the mail today and knew immediately it would be one of my top coins of the year. I bought this in a Canadian auction and got it for what I think was a very good price. I have wanted a coin of Francois I for my historical figures collection for a while. However, I had a difficult decision to make, did I want the silver portrait coin or the gold coin with no portrait. As it turned out the price of this gold coin was much less than that of the silver portrait coin so it was an easy decision in the end.






The rest of my top 20 are not numbered. I knew they were top 20, but it was too difficult for me to rank them.


I bought this coin because I liked the look of. Yes, it is a bit rough, but for me that was part of the charm. It looked like a coin that needed a good home.


Marcian (450-457). AV Semissis (17mm, 1.98g, 6h). Constantinople. Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust r. R/ Victory seated r. on cuirass, holding shield inscribed XVXXX; star in l. field, Christogram in r.; CONOB. RIC X 514 (R2) Wavy flan, otherwise near VF
St Paul Antiques Auction 13 November 19 2017 Lot 629






Another rough Semissis. I like this denomination and I did not have a coin of Anastasius so...


Anastasius I (491-518), Semissis, Constantinople, c. 507-518,
(17.90 mm. 2.00g,)
Obv: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Anastasius PP AVG
Rev: Victory seated right, inscribing shield set on knee; star to left, staurogram to lower right;
Victoria AVGG. CONOB in Exergue
CONOB. MIBE 10; DOC 9; S. 7. Very fine.
London Coin Galleries, Auction 4 - Part 1Lot 1144 June 1, 2017




I wanted a coin of Al-Mansur because he was an interesting historical figure. One of his accomplishments was the founding of Baghdad in the 750s.

Abbasid. temp. al-Mansur (AH 136-158 / AD 754-775)
gold Dinar AH 153 (AD 770/1)
(3.69g )
Fine - Clipped, no mint, , A-212.
Heritage Auctions November 2, 2017 Lot 61251




Another interesting historical figure. This is a coin of Sulayman the Magnificent. A very influential figure in his time.


OTTOMAN EMPIRE. Sulayman I Qanuni (AH 926-974 / 1520-1566 AD). GOLD Sultani. Misr (Cairo) mint. Dated AH 926 (1520/1 AD).Obv:Titles of the Sultan above mint formula ("duribe fi Misir") and accession date (AH 926), Legend: "Sultan Suleyman Sah bin Sultan Selim Sah azze nasruhu duribe fi Misir sene [926]"
Rev:Inscriptions in four lines within border of pellets.Decorative ornaments (dots) in fields.
Legend: "Daribun nadri sahib-ul-izzi ven-nasri fil-berri vel-bahr"
Obv: Legend.
Rev: Legend, with mint and AH date.
Pere 181; Album 1317.
Condition: Very fine.
Weight: 3.38 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.
Ex Numismatik Naumann Auction 53 May 6, 2017 Lot 1007




Saladin is yet another interesting Islamic figure. He fought against Richard I the Lion Hearted, and he conquered Jerusalem in 1187.

Ayyubids. Al-Nasir Yusuf I (Saladin), (564-589 AH/1169-1193 AD) AV Dinar. Al-
Iskandariya mint, 585 AH = 1189 AD.
(19mm, 4.33g, 2h).
"In the name of God, the Compassionate, the
Merciful, was struck this dinar in al-Iskandariya in the year 5 and 80 and 500" in outer
margin; citing the Abbasid caliph "Abu l-Ábbas al-Nasir li-din Allah, commander of the
faithful" in inner margin; "al-Imam/Ahmad" in two lines across field / Kalima and Qur`an
9:33 in outer margin; title "`alin al-Malik ghaya Salah al-Din" in inner margin;
"Yusuf/bin Ayyub" in two lines across field. Album 785.2; Balog 58.
Ex: Roma Numismatics Auction 35 Lot 1360 May 3, 2017




Yet another gold coin with a condition issue. I really wanted a piece of hammered gold of an English king. This has another interesting attribute. The cross within a circle at the top of the shield represents the scarce Calais int of the coin.

Edward III AV Quarter Noble (c.1361-1369AD)
(18.49 mm 1.65 g)
Treaty-Period Calais Mint,
Obv: shield within tressure, cross in circle above, French title omitted, pellet before edward,
Rev. floriate cross, arms extending from central panel containing an annulet
Bold, very fine detail, clipped with a little damage on one edge.
(Schneider 100; Stewartby B2, p.258; N.1245; S.1513)
Halls Hammered Coins October 9, 2017



I wanted a nice groat of an English king so I bought this one. It went unsold in Harlan Berk's Bid or Buy auction. Why? I have no idea. It is a very attractive coin imho made more so by the grumpy portrait.

Great Britain, House Of York, ND Groat, F, Edward IV, First Reign, 1461-70.
Light coinage. London mint. 25.2mm, 2.9g.
No marks by neck. S-2002. Nice grumpy portrait. Dark toning.
Purchased from Harlan J Berk 201st Bid or Buy sale July 14, 2007 Lot 517




I always wanted a coin of Constantine (who doesn't need at least one). So when this example came up for auction I jumped at the chance to own it. I love the Dafne reverse.


Constantine I. Follis. Constantinople (328-9)
(19.6 mm 2.60 g)
Obv: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, rosette-diademed, draped bust right
Rev: CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE, Victory seated left on cippus, looking right, holding palm branch in each hand, trophy in background, captive seated left at foot.
Officina letter B in left field. Mintmark CONS star.
RIC VII 38 (R4). EF-/EF. Very scarce.
Ex: Dattari Collection
Jesus Vico Auction 147 March 9, 2017



Louis IX is also know as St Louis-a name that appears in many different places and contexts. He was the only French king ever canonized by the church. In my books that makes him an interesting historical figure.

Louis IX (1226-1270) AR Gros Tournois
(25.20 mm, 3.55 g)
Obv: legende interieure : + LVDOVICVS. REX
legende exterieure : + BNDICTV: SIT: NOmE: DHI: nRI: DEI: IhV. XPI, (ponctuation par trois besants superposes).
Rev: TVRONVS. CIVIS,
Purchased from ebay February 2017




Last but not least is this coin of King Cnut. I really like these pennies. There is a certain artistry in the obverse that I find attractive. I also think he is an interesting historical figure.

ENGLAND. CANTERBURY, Royal Mint, Cnut (1016-35), Silver Penny,
(, 17.52 mm 0.91g),
Short Cross type moneyer Wulfwig.
Obv: Diademed bust left with lis sceptre, +CNVT - RECX:
Rev: Short voided cross, central annulet enclosing pellet, +PVLFPIGONCANT
Good Very Fine, slightly creased and pecked
North 790 S 1159
London Coin Galleries, Auction 4 - Part 1Lot 1144 June 1, 2017

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