Show Us Your Top 10 Ancient / Medieval Coins / Artifacts / Swords / Prints Of 2022

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Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 12/11/2022 11:11 am Nearing the end of another year...... I've run a top 10 for the last few years now and thought it was time for fellow collectors to look back over the last 12 months and show us their "Top 10" purchases of 2022. Here are the 2018 - 2021 collections that were presented, as I do find it interesting to see how slight or huge the changes are in a collectors goals... 2018....http://goccf.com/t/335516&whichpage=1 2019....http://goccf.com/t/361908&whichpage=1 2020....http://goccf.com/t/387403 2021....http://goccf.com/t/412695 Mine has been a strange year as I've not really gone with any particular collecting focus... Here they are.....Please post your acquisitions of 2020 10... Phrygia, Laodikeia. Gaius Caesar, grandson of Augustus. AE 15mm (3.53 gm). Struck circa 5 AD under the magistrate Antonius Polemon Philopatris. Obv.: ΓΑΙΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ (GAIOS KAISAR), bare head right. Rev.: Eagle with spread wings between two monograms ΠΟΛΕ (left),ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤ (right),("Polemon" and "Philopatris"). ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ (LAODIKEON) below. RPC I 2900; BMC 154. VF Picked up this neat little provincial of a not so well known personage at the beginning of the year..Grandson of Augustus and future emperor but alas it was not to be.. His mother was "Julia the Elder" daughter of Augustus and his father was the great Roman General "Marcus Agrippa".. Gaius and his younger brother Lucius were both adopted by Augustus as his sons and joint-heirs to the Empire.Tragically they would both die young, Lucius of an unknown illness in Massalia (20th August AD 2) whilst travelling to Hispania and only 18 months later, Gaius of a wound incurred whilst in a peace treaty with Rebel leader Abbadon in the city of Artagira Armenia on 9th September AD 2 but didn't die until 21st February AD 4...Interestingly Tacitus and Cassius Dio both claim that possibly Livia, their step grandmother, had a hand in their demise wanting her own son Tiberius to become the next heir, "Food for thought"! 9..... Pontos, Neokaisareia. Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. AE 29mm (14.60 gm). Dated CY 142 (205/6 AD). Obv.: laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: Cult image of uncertain deity on tall base within tetrastyle temple; pellet in pediment. RG 147 var. (rev. legend); SNG Hunterian 1154 (same obv. die); SNG von Aulock 100 (same obv. die). VF. Suddenly started to become really drawn to the large provincial bronzes..This one caught my eye due to its lovely highlighted portrait and feels very nice in hand. 8... Caracalla. 198-217 AD. AR Denarius (3.50 gm, 20mm). Rome mint. Struck 207 AD. Obv.: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev.: PONTIF TRP X COS II, Caracalla standing facing, head right, holding reversed spear (The symbolism of the inverted spear is interesting meaning that the bearer has come to negotiate, prevent a fight or seek peace. Or that peace has been achieved.)...and parazonium;(A triangular shaped dagger usually sheathed symbolising virtue, or rather of valor.) at feet to left, river god reclining on urn right; to right, two bound captives seated left. River gods Euphraat & Tigris seated far left and right with Armenia seated at the Emperor's feet (right). *River gods Tyne & Eden seated far left and right with Britannia seatedcat the Emperors feet (right) "Take your pick!". RIC 96; RSC 441. Nice VF. For some reason Caracalla became my biggest collecting area this year (quite unintentional) and this nicely detailed portrait with its interesting reverse portrayal was my first... 7... Spain, Obulco. Circa 150 BC. AE As (14.94 gm, 30mm). Obv.: OBVLCO, female head right.CX behind. Rev.: L.AIMI-M.JVNI AVD, between plow and grain ear. SNG BM 2, Spain 1410-2; Villaronga pg. 343, 16; Burgos 1395. VF. Been looking for an affordable chunk of Spanish bronze for a while when this beauty came up and I bought it within a few minutes..The desert patina really helps the details zing out and again a nice heavy piece to hold in hand. 6... Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Philip I, 244-249 AD. AR Tetradrachm (10.97 gm, 27mm). Rome mint, for Antioch, 244 AD. Obv.: AYTOK K M IOYΛ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ CEB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rev.: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ EΞΟΥCΙΑC / S - C / MON VRB, eagle with spread wings standing facing, head to left and holding wreath in beak; to upper right, E (3rd officina). McAlee 901e; Prieur 309; RPC VIII online 29027. This is only my 2nd tet in my collection and find the portraits quite beautiful an area I will certainly look into more next year. 5... Kashmir. Ob...Ardochsho (Lakshmi) seated cross-legged facing in lalitasana (with right leg folded under and left leg hanging down), holding diadem in right hand and long-stemmed lotus in left hand, legend in Sharada script, at left: su, at right: ssala Rev..Highly stylized King standing facing, sacrificing at altar at left, legend at right in Sharada script: deva Date 1112-1120 CE Weight 6.16 gm. Diameter 18 mm. Die axis 1 o'clock Reference MNI 190 var Comments Rare type, beautiful example with good parts of the full legend identifiable. Variant legend, without the title sri, not listed in Mitchiner. Ex-William Spengler. Luckily added quite a few to my main collecting area this year, mostly upgrades or examples offset showing areas not normally seen....This was the rarist and an added bonus of being from the ex-William Spengler collection. 4... Caracalla Æ 30mm of Amasia, Pontus. Dated CY 209 = AD 207. 30mm (13.87 gm) Ob...AY KAI M AYP ANTΩNINOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right (seen from behind). Rev.. AΔP CεY ANT AMACIAC [M]Hε ΩΠ ΠO, Caracalla and Geta standing vis-à-vis, clasping right hands; ET CΘ (date) in lower field. SNG von Aulock 35 var. (legends); Rec Gen 77 var. (star in reverse field). Roma Numismatics Limited, E-sale 78, lot 852 (same dies). Rare. VF. Another big bronze provincial this time of Caracalla...The reverse really called to me showing the brothers clasping hands..Little did Geta know!...Again a great piece in hand. 3.. Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. AR Denarius (3.12 gm, 20mm). Antioch mint. Struck 222 AD. Obv.: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate and draped bust right. Rev.: P M TR P COS P P, Fortuna standing left holding rudder on globe and cornucopiae; star in left field. RIC #267. gVF. Eastern mints was another area I collected in this year and found this portrait absolutely stunning and of course unusual.. 2... Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. AR Denarius (3.26 gm, 18mm). Rome mint. Struck 193 AD. Obv.: IMP CAEL SEP SEV PERT AVG, laureate head right. Rev.: LEG XIIII GEM M V / TR P COS, legionary eagle between two standards. RIC 14; RSC 272; BMCRE 19. VF. My most recent purchase an iconic type that I didn't think I'd be able to afford...I've been picking this one up a lot lately! 1... Pescennius Niger. AD 193-194. AR Denarius. Antioch mint. Obverse..IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG, Laureate head right. Reverse...FORTVNAE REDVCI, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae. RIC IV 26d. A really difficult emperor (claiment) to score especially on a tight budget!...Thanks to @finn235 I was able to pay for this one by layaway and is my most treasured denarius.. Edited by Palouche 12/12/2022 03:40 am Report this Post to the Staff

Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 12/11/2022 12:30 pm A great and diverse set, Paul. I especially like big Provincial AE's - and the Caracalla, in particular, really appeals. They are all terrific, though. Thanks for sharing, and for starting this year's "top" thread. Personally, I'll need a little time to pull mine together since I'm still in bidding mode. Eyeing some things that could, perhaps, make it my list if I don't get blown out. Edited by Kamnaskires 12/11/2022 12:31 pm Report this Post to the Staff
livingwater Pillar of the Community United States 2220 Posts	Posted 12/11/2022 2:37 pm Nice additions! Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34397 Posts	Posted 12/11/2022 3:06 pm Quote: I'll need a little time to pull mine Me too, but def want to participate! "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 12/11/2022 6:02 pm Paul, all of your denarii pick-ups are enviable, to say the least. Reeeally nice! Sharp portraits on each. The other specimens are quite interesting, in both their style and their history. Especially the Kashmir. I do agree with your choice for number one. That Pescennius Niger is a winner. You've done well, my friend. Impressive! I am in the process of putting together a 'Top Ten' to make an ancient Letterman proud. Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7936 Posts	Posted 12/11/2022 7:18 pm I, too, am still in bidding mode, having pulled down a couple of medievals in the Elsen auction Friday/Saturday, and eyeing a few things at an auction mid-week. (I hope medievals will be OK for the annual round-up, as I got nothin' remotely ancient ). Report this Post to the Staff
Novicius Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1168 Posts	Posted 12/11/2022 7:43 pm You have picked up some really nice coins this year, Paul. Your top ten is very impressive, and every one is desirable in it's own right. The detail on the Philip I, Tetradrachm portrait and eagle is amazing. The Pescennius Niger denarius is definitely a winner though. Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7936 Posts	Posted 12/12/2022 1:34 pm Here is a top 8 for me, all medievals (sorry): 6 - 8 These help me catch up with Dave in the OFEY game while staying in my theme of saints on coins. From top to bottom Republic of Florence quattrino (undated,1334), St. John the Baptist Republic of Florence grosso guelfo (1405), John again Archbishopric of Cologne weisspfennig (1376), St. Peter 3 -5 I am not patient (or generous) enough to push my Brabant collection back any earlier, so I shifted a bit south and east where 10th and 11th century Low Countries coins can be found more easily. 3. Lower Lotharingia, Liege mint, immobilized Carolingian type denier (911-922) 4. Lower Lotharingia, mint unknown, denier in name of Henry I of Germany, imitating Cologne denier (925-936) 5. Lower Lotharingia, Royal Mint of Huy, denier in name of Otto I (936-962) 2. My first Byzantine follis! Basil II (976-1025) Sear 1813. 1. Bishopric of Utrecht, St. Martinsgoudgulden (1464). Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 12/12/2022 2:41 pm Absolutely fascinating, tdz! Your focus on saints is a fine idea...and has certainly paid off. I am especially impressed with #7. Very nice! 2022 has been good to you. I am also impressed with those "final presentation" pics. How is that done? Collected into one image...and numbered no less! Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7936 Posts	Posted 12/12/2022 8:36 pm Yes, the defect(s) in #7 probably scared off some potential bidders, but didn't bother me. As for how I composed that slide (probably the same as @palouche)... Powerpoint to import all the photos, and do the numbers, then you save it as "jpeg file interchange format' so it can be uploaded here. Edited by tdziemia 12/12/2022 8:38 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 12/13/2022 03:44 am Thanks for all the comments guys... Looking forward to seeing your selections... That is a lovely selection @tdziemia really like the #2 Basil II with that wonderful portrait and colouring. Congrats on a great 12months of collecting. Title edited to include medieval, apologies, I just assume anything is ancient up to 1600AD. Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 12/13/2022 06:47 am Quote: Here is a top 8 for me. Impressive group! Quote: the #2 Basil II with that wonderful portrait and colouring. I agree. Given how often the busts and other devices on Byzantine folles are worn, this coin is really exceptional. The patina is icing on the cake. Great coin. Report this Post to the Staff
samoth Valued Member United States 218 Posts	Posted 12/13/2022 6:29 pm Quote: 1. Bishopric of Utrecht, St. Martinsgoudgulden (1464). My favorite out of the bunch, but I'm biased towards late Burgundy. (I was hoping to see some early dateds in your group!) I really need to get a coin-friendly camera so I can participate in threads like these :( Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 12/14/2022 6:01 pm Looking over my records for the years 2020, 2021, 2022...I found quite the disparity in the rate of acquisitions. Nine in 2020. TWO in 2021. Ten in 2022 (which makes it convenient, as it meets the requirements of a 'Top Ten' list). Even with the low total for 2021, this three-year span stands in sharp contrast to the previous twenty-five years. During which I averaged perhaps four coins per year. Still, that's a decent sum total for a collection. Then came 2015: the year I sold off two-thirds of my collection in order to keep heating oil in the tank. More coins left my hands between 2016 and 2018. Heartbreaking, but necessary. As I've said many times, I am but a caretaker of these beautiful ancient specimens, and while it saddened me a bit to see them go, I was more grateful for the chance to hold them for a time. Thankful that I was now part of their story. By 2019 I found myself in a better position and set myself to the task of rebuilding the collection. This time with a focus on the portraiture of the larger variety coinage. Without further ado...my 'Top Ten' ranking for 2022...including TWO coins seen here for the first time! #10-Volusian Sestertius: circa 252 CE. Just love the portrait and cragginess of this specimen. 29mm, 16 grams. #9-Phillip I Sestertius: circa 246 CE. Rough but fine portrait. Awesome weightiness in-hand! 29mm, 18.16 grams. #8-Domitian As: 80/81 CE, struck under Titus. Searched high and low to find a distinctly realistic portrait. This also completed my set of the Flavian emperors. 28.5mm, 10.31 grams. #7-Gordian III Sestertius: 238/239 CE. Another long search for a youthful portrait of this boy-emperor. Great toning! 29mm, 17.55 grams. #6-Marcus Agrippa As: struck under Caligula between 37 and 41 CE. Great remaining detail on this brooding portrait. 29mm, 12.62 grams. #5-Vespasian Dupondius: circa 73/74 CE. Wonderfully fleshy portrait of this down-to-earth man. 28mm, 12.11 grams. #4-C Furius Purpurio AR Denarius: Circa 169-158 BCE. My only silver...and my only denarius. Could not resist this fine portrait of the goddess Roma. Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind. Reverse: Luna in a biga (two-horse chariot), right, PVR below horses, murex shell above. The murex shell symbol is a punning allusion to the moneyers name. The shell was used to produce a highly prized purple dye. 'Purpura' being the latin word for purple. 17.5mm, heavy 4.3 grams. #3-Faustina As: struck during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-176 CE). Born around 130 CE, Faustina is the daughter of Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Elder. Her 30-year marriage to Aurelius produced (at least) fourteen children (in a fifteen-year span). Very nice portrait with fine detail, including what appears to be a necklace! This is the first Augusta since my sell-off in 2015. Love it! Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA. Draped bust, right. Reverse: HILARITAS. Hilaritas with palm branch and cornucopia, standing left, S-C in the fields. 29mm, 11.49 grams. #2-Hadrian As: struck in Rome in 121 CE. Although this specimen has likely been cleaned, I was nevertheless delighted with the look. Excellent Greek-style portrait and nice copper lustre. This coin appears to have been made into a pendant at one point. A remnant of the copper ring can be seen filling the hole above Hadrian's head. Fascinating! 27.5mm, 10.7grams. #1-Carthage Trishekel: struck during the Second Punic war, between 210-202 BCE. I am fascinated by the Phoenician roots of Carthage and the fact that Sicily plays a central role in the violent conflicts between two of history's great powers. Very excited to be the steward of such a marvelous piece of history. The obverse depicts the wreathed head of Tannit, the patron mother-goddess of Carthage. Worshipped as both a goddess of war and fertility. The reverse: a horse with palm tree behind. A bit of corrosion is obscuring a Punic T and S that would ordinarily appear below the horse. Large and heavy with a very nice dark brown patina! 30.23mm, 20.31 grams. There you have it. Ancients 2022 in a nutshell. I anticipate that 2023 will get off to a slow start. The funds from a recent illustration project were earmarked for my next acquisition...but a harsh winter is looming here in New England. So that cash might not be there when inspiration strikes. C'est la vie! I guess I could always choose to not look. But...what are the chances of that? Edited by circusmax120 12/15/2022 04:07 am Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 12/14/2022 7:02 pm Some outstanding portraits in that group. Well done. Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34397 Posts	Posted 12/14/2022 7:12 pm Some really great coins posted so far! "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
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