I'm a bit late to the punch, but I figured it would be fun to go back and review my biggest year yet!
My primary focus last year was on Roman imperial coins, focusing on filling the many holes in my emperor set, and also upgrading the ratty hole fillers as I was able. In addition, I added some very important and significant Indo-Sassanian coins, and indulged a bit in a "world survey" side project, aiming to get some important representative coins from all civilizations, great and obscure. 2017 was a good year for me, although the wife and bank account may be inclined to disagree!
25. India, Chaulukyas of Gujarat, Gadhaiya Paisa
It's easy to get burned out collecting minute variations of the same old coin, so the few that stand out are even more special! This is one of the best examples of the type that I have seen.
24. Unknown AR obol
I will probably never figure this little guy out, but it will be fun to hold on to it, just in case that Eureka moment ever comes!
23. Crispus AE Follis
Mmmmmmm.... chocolate!
22. Umayyad AR Dirhem, 119 AH
These are pretty, cheap, and a must-have coin for a world collection!
21. India, Satavahana empire, Yajna Satakarni AR Drachm
These *very* rarely ever make it out of India, so I am especially blessed to be able to have this one in my collection!
20. India, Kuru Janapada 1/2 Karshapana
The triskeles design on these has always captivated me, and so I jumped on the chance to finally own one of these. Fun tidbit, this coin was previously owned by Robert Tye, author of
Jitals19. Seljuks of Rum, Kaykhusraw II AR Dirhem
18. Himyar, Amdan Bayyin AR Quinarius
I love these delightfully odd coins!
17. Roman Republic, Mn. Aemilius Lepidus denarius
Pure and simple eye candy, and I got a killer deal on it!
16. India, Gandhara AR Shatamana
Certainly unique as far as archaic coin types go, this is one of the most distinctive. While this has most likely been bumped from its position as "oldest coin in the collection" it certainly deserves an honorary mention.
15. Vitellius AR Denarius
Who doesn't love making progress on a 12 Caesars set?
14. Nero AR Denarius
This is a very welcome portrait upgrade from the ratty bronze I started out with way back in 2015.
13. Aemilian AR Antoninianus
It feels good to fill in holes, and Aemilian is one of the tougher holes to fill for a Roman emperor set. I also got a great deal on it!
12. Hunnic state in Sindh, Yashaaditya AR obol
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this one for auction, and doubly so when I won it for much less than my maximum bid! These are extremely rare coins, although I am beginning to suspect more than 200 are known since their initial discovery.
11. Constantine the Great, Campgate follis, unpublished mule
This lot was supposed to be a quick flipper, but coughed up multiple rare coins, but this one takes the cake. Constantine the Great obverse with a Caesar reverse, from an officina that did not mint coins for Constantine!
10. Anonymous, early Indo-Sassanian
The "Hun Portrait" is easily my favorite type from the Gadhaiya track (although my avatar is my favorite individual specimen, but it was a 2016 purchase).
9. Trajan AR Denarius
Pure eye candy. I simply love the portrait of Rome's greatest emperor!
8. Faustina II, AR Denarius
I had spent the first half of the year drooling over a more expensive yet lesser quality denarius of this type on Vcoins. While most Roman coins are rigid and formal, the sweet image of baby boys playing on a throne just strikes a personal chord with me.
7. Marcus Aurelius, AR Denarius
Sublime portrait, but better yet, an extremely rare variety; it's listed in RIC but I can't find another example illustrated in any database, anywhere.
6. Kyzikos AR Hemiobol
I did not expect to fall head over heels with this one, but I did! The workmanship and eye appeal just blow me away every time I see it.
5. India, Gupta Empire, AR Drachm
Not a rare coin by a long shot, but gosh this thing is pretty! Easily a top 5% coin for its type.
4. Iberia, Bolskan AR denarius
This one is just delightfully unusual, and I love it. I had been eyeing the type for a very long time, and I am happy to finally own one for the price I paid.
3. Indo-Sassanian, Unknown AR drachm, "Unusual Nose"
Even after looking vigilantly, I still have not encountered another coin of this type, save for the other one of degenerate style still offered by ACSB-Rich. I will still have to see what Maheshwari says of this type, but this is likely one of my rarest coins.
2. Quintillus AE Antoninianus
Focusing on portraits, it's hard not to fall head over heels with a stupendous portrait of a rare emperor, and I still stand by my assertation that this is the finest Quintillus portrait I have seen, outside of his gold aureii.
1. Alexander III "The Great" Lifetime AR Tetradrachm
This is probably my favorite, because it finally gave closure to my lifelong dream to own one of these, in a condition I would be proud to show off.
I could keep going on, but I had to call it quits somewhere! Thanks to all of you for your kind words and support throughout 2017 and here's to a fruitful and fun 2018!
Posted 01/04/2018 01:42 am
Nice job.
