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 Replies: 43 / Views: 6,781 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
When I said any coin, I mean it! Here are my favourites - two lowballs. First up, Marcus Aurelius, PROFECTIO - this coin shows Marcus aurelius and the roman army leaving Rome to fight the Germanic wars. I like this one because it was a challenge - the ID was tough to say the least and the state of preservation helped me learn how to treat coins properly and how to fix it. This coin is also rare and one of the only coins I have referring to a specific historical event. Theres only one picture because there isn't anything on the obverse to photograph.  Secondly, a provincial issue from Pergamum under roman rule around the time of Nero. This coin was a difficult clean and it was used as an experiment but I love how it came out. This coin shows Roma on one side and the Senate on the other. As one of my first coins I like it but also because it shows the senate as a youthful - it was anything but - in fact, the word Senate comes from the latin word 'Senex' which means 'Old man'. The legend is ΘϵΟΝ CΥΝΚΛΗΤΟΝ, ΘϵAΝΡΩΜΗΝ. I dont know what it means, but any translators out there could help. (this was one of my first cleaning experiences - I wouldnt be doing this today!)   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Theodahad - Ostrogothic Kingdom Decanummium Obv: INVICT-A ROMA, Roma helmeted, facing right Rev: DN THEODAHATHVS REX within wreath, X below Rome mint, 534-536 AD  Unknown/Anonymous - Visigothic Kingdom Nummus Obv: Bust facing Rev: Cross, SP in fields Spali (Hispalis) mint, mid-7th century AD  (My Felix Ravenna is one of my favorites also, but since I already had an Ostrogoth coin chosen, I thought I'd pick a favorite from another culture, the Visigoths) The Germanic kingdoms and the 5th century Roman era are my areas of focus in collecting and my favorite time periods to learn and read about. The Germanic coins of Western Europe and Vandal North Africa are some of the most scarce and rare in ancient/medieval coin collecting. Because of their history and rarity (I thought I'd be waiting years to find these kinds of coins at affordable prices), these are among my favorites in my collection. They are symbols that Rome's dominance over Europe had ended, and that a new chapter of European history had just begun.
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
300 Posts |
Great choice Ben and very personal ( hard to Judge ) My favourite is this Hadrian , I found it a few years ago detecting and had no idea it was silver until you guys told me The reason it's my favourite is because of how raised the obverse is , strange reason I know but I could sit for hours in front of the tv moving this around my fingers Strange ,but that's the reason .   My other favourite is this maximinus II Which I boxed in a small frame and gave to my mum because it was her favourite , this one made two people happier now that it probably ever did all those century's ago .   |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Off to a good start - lets get everyone entering. Even if you just post a picture!
We've already seen some super late barbarian rule roman stuff and the Genius of the Roman People! And a lovely Hadrian denarius to boot. Lets see your coins!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
I decline to pick favorites among my children.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Augustus - post anything you think is cool. Pick at random, even!
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
300 Posts |
Come on Augustus , pick two and tell us a story about them !
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Pride of Place was essentially this but I didn't get to enter because I was hosting :P So thanks for the chance :) I will choose a couple of unusual ones...the first is not technically ancient but was my first hammered coin and got me interested. Queen Elizabeth being historically interesting to me.   The second is a recent acquisition that I am quite fond of. A roman Bronze of good size and weight.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
David - Pride of Place was quite similar but my favourites dont really get pride of place! My Pergamum one is tucked away and wrapped safely. It rarely gets to come out.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3445 Posts |
When I was Bens age I worked part time in a small factory my father had started in the 1950's. I earned the whopping sum of $1.85 an hour making communications hardware. My eldest brother took me along to visit a 'dealer' he new who sold ancients from his home in New hampshire and when I saw this coin I fell in love. Most of my collection I don't remember what I paid (unless it was 'beeg bucks' or if I feel like I 'stole' it). Trajan AE As Obv. Laureate bust of Trajan right IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P Rev. Crossed German shields SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C RIC 584 11.27 grams 27mm   I paid the princely sum of $48 cash.For a seventeen year old in 1977 this was 'beeg' money !  This one has been seen here before ..... my 'mule' Obv Bare head of Caligula left Rev. Legend belonging to Germanicus As around large S C 12.74 grams and 25-28mm As far as I know a 'unique' specimen   And this one I 'stole' for $62 with shipping  I have since been offered a considerable amount for it. As I feel it cannot be replaced at any price I feel free to decline any offer under "One Meeeallion Dollars" |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
  True Cross Token I've posted this piece several times before. It's not a coin, it's a token made from clay and ash. This ugly little piece is by far my favorite ancient because of it's importance to my faith. During the war between the Byzantine empire ans the Sassaian empire in the 7th century, Rhsru II captured Jerusalem and took the True Cross of Christ as a spoil of war, it was taken back to persia. Several years later the Byzantine emperor Heraclius took won a victory against the Perisians and took back the cross. It was taken to Constantinople and than across Asis minor back to Jerusalem. Legend has it the the emperor had a small piece of the cross removed burnt and the ashes were mixed with clay and formed into this token. These token were than given to pilgrims to commerate the crosses return.   Byzantine billon trachy Manuel I 1143-1180 Christ enthroned IC-XC Sear 1966 |
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Valued Member
Spain
319 Posts |
It´s very difficult choose two favourites coins...at last all collector loves all his coins...but there are few favourites,and these are mine..... BALBINUS DENARIUS It is the perfection made currency ... without streaks,without marks.legends complete ... emperor rare and scarce,and lovely touch.In addition,i was looking it for a long time and with much patience ....I LOVE IT!!   SISEBUTO TREMISSIS It must be the rarest coin of my collection.People knows Roman Era and also Knows Islamic Era,but Visigothic time,is unknown...quasi no building,no churches,no palaces,no words,quasi NO COINS!!   I´m inside the 6 first month just to 10/april...if it counts...better!! Edited by malamute67
04/07/2013 05:21 am
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Come on guys, lets get this smackdown going. We need as many entrants as possible!
Its not about the winning with the smackdowns - its about showing off coins which you like and its about seeing coins we wouldnt normally see!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
My most favorite has to be this Trajan because I love big bronzes and it is probably my most stunning coin. Trajan Orichalcum Dupondius, A.D. 104-111, Rome, 27.7mm, 12.03g, 180°, RIC II 502. Obv: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P. Radiate, draped bust right. Rev: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI. Fortuna standing left, rudder in right with prow behind, cornucopia in left; S C in field.  Second favorite is quite a bit tougher for me to choose. I might have to choose this Severus II because it is probably the rarest coin in my collection and I love the reverse. Severus II AE Follis AE1, A.D. 306-307, Aquileia, 28mm, 7.36g, 180°, RIC VI 80b; rare. Obv: IMP C SEVERVS PF AVG. Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVS AVGG ET CAESS NN. Severus riding horse right, spearing barbarian; second barbarian lying on ground.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
ok, here are my favorite coins that I haven't posted in a smackdown yet (to the best of my memory).   hungary bella iii 1172-1196 ad this coin is one I wanted for quite a while and chased. kept looking on ebay and vcoins for several months before I found one a the right price.   here's one I also chased, but it's square, it has two languages on it (greek and kharosthi)....what's not to like? scythian spalhores with spalagadmes 75-65 bc king on horse hercules with club |
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Replies: 43 / Views: 6,781 |
Posted 04/06/2013 4:51 pm
