sand

@seth77 Excellent choice, for a top 10 list. You've acquired some interesting late trachy coins. I collect Byzantine coins, including late trachys. I've studied Ross G.'s web site www.glebecoins.org. I agree, that it's a very interesting web site. Here's my latest trachy, and my only Palaeologan trachy. My coin is also pictured, with some historical information, and more numismatic information, in @Severus Alexander's excellent thread "The epic Byzantine portrait thread".

https://www.numisforums.com/topic/4226-the-epic-byzantine-portrait-thread/page/19/#comment-60868

Andronicus III. AE Trachy. Minted 1328 AD To 1341 AD. Thessalonica Mint. DO 936. Grierson 1473. Lianta 844. Maximum Diameter 19.7 mm. Weight 1.83 grams. Obverse : Brockage Of Reverse. Reverse : On Left Saint Demetrius 3/4 Length Facing Front With Halo, At Center Staff Surmounted By Large Fleur-De-Lis Held By Saint Demetrius And Andronicus III, On Right Andronicus III 3/4 Length Facing Front, Top Left (Delta-H-M-H?), Top Right (A-N-Delta-Rho?). NOTE : Ross G. at his web site www.glebecoins.org (an interesting web site) disagrees with the reference books Dumbarton Oaks (DO), Grierson, and Lianta. Ross G. says that, based on hoard data, this coin type was minted during the reign of Andronicus II, with a calculated mint date of circa 1297 AD.

1st Rule Of Coin Club : Don't talk about Coin Club.

2nd Rule Of Coin Club : Don't take your coins to an airport.

Regarding "Cultural Property" or "Cultural Heritage" or "Cultural Assets" or "Italian Heritage" (or any other country's "Heritage") or "Cultural Appropriation". For me, there is no such thing. For me, there is nothing wrong, with owning historical items or artifacts, which were created in other countries. As long as the items or artifacts were obtained legally. I wonder, if the Peru officials, had any proof, that the coins had been obtained illegally.

@Al Kowsky You've acquired some interesting, valuable coins. My favorite is the Egyptian Ptolemy III hockey puck. I don't have one myself, but someday I hope to have one.

@robinjojo You've acquired some very interesting coins. My favorite is the pair of Eastern Arabian billon tetradrachms. I am fascinated with the history of the Middle East.

Thanks to everyone, for your votes, and Likes, and replies.

On 12/10/2023 at 6:38 AM, Al Kowsky said:

My favorite was the bizarre looking Bulgarian grosh 😍.

Thanks. Yes, the obverse portrait is certainly interesting.

On 12/10/2023 at 12:16 PM, Qcumbor said:

Among a nice and diverse selection, I choose the #3 Elmays. That portrait cracks me up !

Q

Thanks. I agree, about the Elymais portrait. For me, it's the smile, and the side eye.

Hello Nvmis Forvms members. I've enjoyed looking at other members' top 10 lists, during this holiday season. Here are my top 10 coin acquisitions during 2023. I've been collecting ancient and medieval coins since 2018, and US and world coins since childhood. I purchased way fewer coins in 2023, versus 2022 and 2021. Partly because, I'm trying to save money. And partly because, there aren't many coins remaining, which are known to me, which I want, which cost less than or equal to my maximum allowed dollars per coin. Nevertheless, during 2023, I purchased 30 coins. 13 were ancient (650 BC to 499 AD), 7 were medieval (500 AD to 1499 AD), and 10 were world coins (non-US 1500 AD or later). I also purchased 7 coin books during 2023. I'm a generalist. Therefore, my coin purchases are from all time periods, from all over the world. These coins are sorted by, how much I like them, with my favorite at the 1 position. Which coin is your favorite?

1. Seleukid Empire. King Tryphon. AE. Minted 142 BC To 138 BC. This is my favorite acquisition during 2023. I am fascinated with the Seleukid Empire, which was the eastern remnant of Alexander III The Great's empire. The Seleukid Empire initially spanned a vast territory, from the Middle East through part of northern India. However, the Seleukid Empire slowly decreased in size, during its 250 years of existence. I like the history, and the portrait, and the desert patina, of this coin.

Seleukid Empire. King Tryphon. AE. Minted 142 BC To 138 BC. Antioch Mint. SC 2034(2). Maximum Diameter 18.0 mm. Weight 4.5 grams. Obverse : Diademed Head. Reverse : Spiked Macedonian Helmet.

2. Indo-Greek. Apollodotus I. AE Hemi Obol. Minted Circa 174 BC To 165 BC. My 2nd favorite purchase during 2023. I find the Indo-Greek Kingdom to be quite interesting. The Indo-Greek Kingdom seems to be a descendant of the most eastern part of the Seleukid Empire, but I am not certain of that. I find the history of this coin, and the square shape of this coin, to be interesting. The square shape of the coin, seems to be common, for bronze coins minted in India, during this time period.

Indo-Greek. Apollodotus I. AE Hemi Obol. Minted Circa 174 BC To 165 BC. Sear 7594. HGC 12 120. Maximum Diameter 25.0 mm. Weight 10.14 grams. Obverse : Apollo Standing Facing Front, Holding Arrow In Right Hand, Holding Bow In Left Hand. Reverse : Tripod.

3. Elymais. Kamnaskires-Orodes. AE Tetradrachm. Minted 120 AD To 180 AD. A coin from the mysterious Elymais.

Elymais. Kamnaskires-Orodes. AE Tetradrachm. Minted 120 AD To 180 AD. Van't Haaff 12.1. Maximum Diameter 28.0 mm. Weight 14.6 grams. Obverse : Bust Facing Front, Anchor On Right, Star And Crescent Moon Above Right. Reverse : Short Dashes.

4. Bulgaria. 2nd Empire. Ivan Alexander. AR Grosh. Minted 1331 AD To 1371 AD. This is an interesting coin. This coin resembles the Italian grosso, and the Byzantine basilikon. Bulgaria shared a border with the Byzantine Empire, and was an important factor in the history of the Byzantine Empire.

Bulgaria. 2nd Empire. Ivan Alexander. AR Grosh. Minted 1331 AD To 1371 AD. R&Z 1.13.5. Maximum Diameter 19.0 mm. Weight 1.36 grams. Obverse : Jesus Standing Facing Front, Raising Both Hands In Benediction. Reverse : Ivan Alexander Standing Facing Front, Mikhail Asen IV Standing Facing Front.

5. Spain. Ferdinand V And Isabella. Billon Blanca. Minted 1474 AD To 1504 AD. This is a fascinating coin, minted during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. Ferdinand and Isabella paid for Christopher Columbus's ocean voyage to the unknown west, which led to Christopher Columbus's discovery of the New World.

Spain. Ferdinand V And Isabella. Billon Blanca. Minted 1474 AD To 1504 AD. Maximum Diameter 17.0 mm. Weight Not Yet Measured. Obverse : Crowned "F", "FERNANDVS ET ELISABET". Reverse : Crowned "I", "REX ET REGINA CAST LEON".

6. Judaea. Alexander Jannaeus. AE Prutah. Minted 104 BC To 76 BC. A fascinating ancient Judaean coin, minted during the time of the 2nd Temple.

Judaea. Alexander Jannaeus. AE Prutah. Minted 104 BC To 76 BC. Hendin 6181. Meshorer TJC P. Meshorer AJC E. HGC 10 638. Maximum Diameter 13.9 mm. Weight 2.1 grams. Obverse : Paleo Hebrew Inscription "Yehonatan The High Priest And The Council Of The Jews". Reverse : Double Cornucopia.

7. Japan. Tempo Tsuho. AE 100 Mon. Minted 1835 AD To 1869 AD. A large, fascinating Japanese coin.

Japan. Tempo Tsuho. AE 100 Mon. Minted 1835 AD To 1869 AD. Minted At Honza, Edo, Musashi Province. Hartill 5.5. Maximum Diameter 49 mm. Weight 20.38 grams. Obverse : "Tem Po Tsu Ho" Meaning "Currency Of The Tempo Era", The Vertical Sides Of The Hole Are Longer Than The Horizontal Sides Of The Hole. Reverse : Above Hole "To Hyaku" Meaning "Value 100", Below Hole Signature Of The Mint Official.

8. China. Ming Dynasty. AE 1 Cash. Tai Zu. Minted 1368 AD To 1398 AD. An interesting Ming Dynasty coin. Less expensive than a Ming vase.

China. Ming Dynasty. AE 1 Cash. Tai Zu. Minted 1368 AD To 1398 AD. Hartill 20.57. Maximum Diameter 23.5 mm. Weight 2.7 grams. Obverse : Hong Wu Tong Bau. Reverse : Blank.

9. Greek. Phrygia. Apameia. AE. Minted 100 BC To 50 BC. An interesting coin from ancient Phrygia, during the later period of ancient Greece, with a nice portrait of Zeus on the obverse, and an interesting cult statue of the goddess Artemis on the reverse.

Greek. Phrygia. Apameia. AE. Minted 100 BC To 50 BC. SNG Copenhagen 171. Maximum Diameter 22.0 mm. Weight 8.7 grams. Obverse : Laureate Head Of Zeus Facing Right. Reverse : Cult Statue Of Artemis Facing Front.

10. Byzantine Empire. Constantine VI. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 792 AD To 797 AD. An interesting coin. Even though Constantine VI was the official Byzantine Emperor during his reign, his mother Irene was the real power, as one can tell, because the obverse has a portrait of Irene, and Constantine VI has a smaller portrait on the reverse. In 797 AD, supporters of Irene blinded Constantine VI, and Irene became the first Empress regnant of the Byzantine Empire. Believe it or not, this coin was an upgrade for me. Byzantine coins with portraits of Irene seem to be relatively expensive.

Byzantine Empire. Constantine VI. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 792 AD To 797 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 1598. DO 7. Maximum Diameter 21.9 mm. Weight 2.17 grams. Obverse : Irene Bust Facing Front, Wearing Loros, Wearing Crown With Cross And Pinnacles On Top, Pendilia Hanging From Crown, Holding Globus Cruciger In Right Hand, Holding Cruciform Scepter In Left Hand. Reverse : Constantine VI Bust Facing Front, Beardless, Wearing Chlamys, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Globus Cruciger In Right Hand, Pellet On Left, Cross On Right, Pellet On Right, Large M Below, "X" To Left Of Large M, "N" To Right Of Large M, "A" Below Large M.

@panzerman and @JeandAcre Interesting Latin Empire gold coins. I don't recall ever seeing any before. And some interesting Latin Empire bronze coins. Here's my Latin Empire bronze trachy. If anyone wants to learn more about the Latin Empire, then one can view my Latin Empire post on page 19 of @Severus Alexander's epic thread "The epic Byzantine portrait thread", as well as @voulgaroktonou's Latin Empire post on page 18 of that thread.

https://www.numisforums.com/topic/4226-the-epic-byzantine-portrait-thread/page/18/ 

https://www.numisforums.com/topic/4226-the-epic-byzantine-portrait-thread/page/19/

Latin Empire. Billon Trachy. Minted 1204 AD to 1261 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 2035. Maximum Diameter 20.5 mm. Weight 1.15 grams. Obverse : Jesus Christ Full Length Facing Front, Standing On Dais. Reverse : Emperor Full Length Facing Front, Right Hand Holding Labarum, Left Hand Holding Globus Cruciger. The coin has been clipped, which is typical.

Hello @harkonnen. Welcome to Nvmis Forvms.

The coin looks interesting. The inscription on the reverse seems neither Greek nor Latin. Perhaps the coin was minted in the Middle East or central Asia.

Can you measure the diameter and weight of the coin?

@ewomack That's a nice looking and interesting coin, and interesting historical information about Romanus I. I agree, that the portrait on the coin, looks like a courageous leader.

Interesting topic.

Coins Which Are Low Priority For Me

I'm a generalist. Therefore, most coins are in my collecting area. However, some coins have always been a low priority for me. Usually, it's because the price is too high, compared to my interest level for the coin.

1. Julius Caesar coins : They are interesting, but way more expensive, than I'm willing to pay.

2. Marc Antony denarius : Like @kirispupis, I'm worried about fakes. And, the price is too high, compared to my interest level.

3. Shekel Of Tyre : Too expensive, compared to my interest level.

4. Cleopatra VII coins : Too expensive, compared to my interest level.

5. Chinese knife money and spade money : Too expensive, compared to my interest level.

6. Chinese "ghost face" money or "ant nose" money : Too expensive, compared to my interest level.

7. Chinese cowrie shell money : Too expensive, compared to my interest level.

8. Very expensive coins : They just cost too much. For example, I'd like to have a Roman Republic Aes Grave Janus As, but the $3,000 price tag is way beyond what I'm willing to spend for a single coin.

9. Brutus coins : Too expensive, compared to my interest level.

10. Tribute penny : Too expensive, compared to my interest level.

Interesting. It's interesting, that these coins were found in Japan, and not China. Here's another photo from the same article. In this photo, one can see, that the coins seem to have an interesting green patina, or a green and white patina, or an aqua and white patina, which is often seen on ancient Chinese bronze coins, and on ancient bronze coins in general. I wonder, what percentage of these coins, are Japanese, versus Chinese. The article says "a cache of over 100,000 ancient coins, some of which are of Chinese origin and are more than 2,000 years old". According to Hartill "Early Japanese Coins", Japan started minting its own coins at approximately 700 AD.

@ewomack That's an interesting, large Tiberius II 40 nummi bronze coin. Tiberius II was 1 of the last Byzantine Emperors from the "glory days" of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century AD. On your coin, perhaps the dark areas, are where the patina was more stubborn, when the coin was cleaned. The dark areas have a grayish purple color, which is similar to the color of the patina within the pitting on the coin. I agree, that large Tiberius II 40 nummi bronze coins seem to be difficult to find. It took me approximately 6 months of searching and waiting, to find my large Tiberius II 40 nummi bronze coin. Then, 1 day, it magically appeared, and I got it. It was a bit expensive, for me. It's my 4th most expensive Byzantine coin, and my 9th most expensive coin overall. Here it is.

Byzantine Empire. Tiberius II. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Regnal Year 5. Minted 578 AD To 579 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 430. Maximum Diameter 36.7 mm. Weight 17.60 grams. Obverse : Tiberius II Bust Facing Front, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Mappa And Eagle Tipped Scepter, Cross Above Eagle. Reverse : Large Lower Case "m", Mint "CON", Officina E.

This is an interesting topic. It's interesting to see, what each person chose, as his/her favorite coins, in his/her collection. I'm a generalist. I collect ancient coins, medieval coins, and modern coins, from all areas of the world. Here's my favorite coin, in my collection. It's also my most expensive coin, in my collection. I won it, at a Sedwick auction. It was minted during the Age Of Exploration, in the New World, approximately 100 years after Columbus discovered America.

Spain. Philip II. Silver 8 Reales "Piece Of Eight". Minted 1589 AD To 1591 AD. Potosi Mint (In What Is Now Bolivia). Assayer RL. Maximum Diameter 37.7 mm. Weight 27.20 grams. Paoletti 97. Sedwick P13. KM 5.1.

Here's my 2nd favorite coin, in my collection. I finally got this coin, after 3 years of searching and waiting, for the right coin at the right price.

Athens. AR Tetradrachm. Minted 449 BC To 413 BC. Sear 2526. Maximum Diameter 24.8 mm. Weight 17.15 grams. Obverse : Head Of Athena Wearing Helmet Facing Right. Reverse : Owl Standing, Olive Twig And Crescent On Left, Alpha Theta Epsilon On Right, All Within Incuse Square. Test Cut.

Here's my 3rd favorite coin, in my collection. It was minted, at the height of the Byzantine Empire.

Byzantine Empire. Justinian I The Great. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Regnal Year 12. 538 AD To 539 AD. Nicomedia Mint. Sear 201. DO 116b.1. Maximum Diameter 44.0 mm. Weight 21.73 grams. Obverse : Justinian I Bust Facing Front. Reverse : Large M Mint "NIK" Officina B Under Large M.

Here are 2 of my Justinian I 40 nummi follis coins. Coin 1 has a thinner patina. It may have been cleaned, and then perhaps it gained a cabinet patina. Or, the patina may be original. I don't know. Coin 2 has a thicker patina, in some areas of the coin. Unfortunately, the color of Coin 2 in the photos is not quite correct, because I had not yet mastered the calibration of the white balance in my camera (I was using auto white balance), when I took the photos of Coin 2. The color of Coin 2 is greener, than its appearance in the photos. The 3rd image is Coin 2, clipped from a group photo, which shows the color of the coin more accurately, but it is not as high resolution. Someday, now that I have mastered the calibration of the white balance in my camera, I'll re-take photos of both coins. Regarding your coins, I'm not expert enough, in the lore of coin patinas, to know if your first 2 coins' patinas are original versus artificially repatinated versus cabinet repatinated. However, the patinas look okay to me. The patinas don't scream "fake patina" to me. The worst patinas, are the ones that look painted on. Your first 2 coins' patinas don't look painted on, which is good. Regarding your 3rd coin, the coin that you cleaned and then artificially repatinated, I agree that the patina resembles the patina of your 2nd coin, in some ways. I didn't look at your video, because I'm reluctant to click on attachments in posts, unless it's 1 of those Youtube embedded videos. My Coin 1 has maximum diameter 44.0 mm, weight 21.73 grams. My Coin 2 has maximum diameter 40.0 mm,  weight 23.02 grams.

Thanks @robinjojo. That was very interesting.

12 hours ago, Al Kowsky said:

Halloween was a big bust last night in Churchville because of the weather 🥹. It was brutally cold with rain turning to snow. Only 6 kids rang my doorbell, so I loaded them up with candy but still had a lot left over 😖.

You had 6 more Trick Or Treaters than I did. I decorated my front porch with Halloween decorations, but no one showed up, therefore no dollar bills given. I live on a dead end street, and the houses are sort of far apart, and it's not a wealthy neighborhood, so maybe that's why. That's okay. More money for me to buy coins. I had fun reading, and watching spooky videos on Youtube.

I'm ready. I've got plenty of scary movies and videos to watch, on Prime Video and Youtube. Trick Or Treat is not a big deal in my neighborhood. I may decorate my front porch a bit. If any Trick Or Treaters show up, I'll give each Trick Or Treater a dollar bill. Here's 1 of my ancient Greek coins, which looks sort of like the Man In The Moon.

Mysia Parion. AR 3/4 Drachm. Circa 480 BC. Sear 3917. Diameter = 12.14 mm. Weight = 3.07 grams. Obverse : Gorgon. Reverse : Incuse Punch.

P.S. : In my instructions, which will be in the same place as my coins, I'll probably list the names of some Vcoins dealers, to whom my coins could be sold. And maybe a few auction houses, to whom my coins could be consigned for auction. And, in my instructions, I'll list the approximate retail value of each coin, and what someone could expect to receive from a Vcoins dealer or auction house, for each coin.

I like @Roman Collector's idea of having a document, in the same place as my coins, which will contain instructions, of where to sell the coins. I can't imagine ever selling my coins, even if I'm at death's door. Even if I'm gravely ill, I'll probably be eternally optimistic, that I'll somehow live forever. Therefore, my coins will be sold, after I pass away. Perhaps at a garage sale. Perhaps at a pawn shop. Perhaps at a local coin store. Any of those would be fine, because the coins would eventually end up, in the hands of collectors. Hopefully, my coins will be found, so that they won't end up in a landfill. I'll try to leave instructions, or a treasure map or something, with directions for finding my coins, so that they can be sold. I agree, that we are caretakers of these artifacts of history. I don't want my coins to disappear from the world.

@voulgaroktonou Nice and interesting coin. Unfortunately, my latest gas station cost was $55.93, and there are no Byzantine coins with Sear number higher than 2645. I can't remember, the last time my gas station cost was $26.45 or less.

However, just for fun, I'll post 1 of my related Byzantine coins. Here's 1 of my Byzantine coins, with 3 portraits.

Constantine V. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 751 AD To 775 AD. Syracuse Mint. Sear 1569. DO 19. Maximum Diameter 19.1 mm. Weight 3.14 grams. Obverse : On Left Constantine V Standing Facing Front, Short Beard, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Akakia In Right Hand, On Right Leo IV Standing Facing Front, Beardless, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Akakia In Right Hand, On Left "K", On Right "Lambda-E-O-N". Reverse : Leo III Standing Facing Front, Short Beard, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Cross Potent In Right Hand, On Left "Lambda-E-O-N", On Right "Delta-E-C-Pi".

This is an interesting discussion, regarding the various reactions (Confused, Laugh, Cry, Cookie, Like, etc). I vote for eliminating all of the reactions.

Hello @ewomack. Interesting coin. According to my notes, perhaps from Grierson, or perhaps from somewhere else, in 498 AD, Anastasius I created a 40 nummi bronze coin, called a "follis" by present day numismatists, which was supposed to be worth 40 of the old small nummus coins (therefore it had the Greek numeral for 40, the letter "M", on the reverse). However, the first version of the 40 nummi coin weighed only 3 grams to 10 grams, and had a diameter of 20 mm to 25 mm. Numismatists call this version the "small module". Ordinary citizens were unhappy with it, because its weight was nowhere close to the weight of 40 of the old small nummus coins. Therefore, in 512 AD, Anastasius I created a larger version of the 40 nummi coin, which weighed between 15 grams and 20 grams, and had a diameter of 31 mm to 40 mm. Numismatists call this version the "large module". This coin still did not weigh as much as 40 of the old small nummus coins, but it was large enough and impressive enough that ordinary citizens accepted it.

Therefore, if my notes are correct, then your coin is a "large module" 40 nummi coin, and was minted from 512 AD to 518 AD. Therefore, your coin seems to be from the 6th century AD. However, there are some relatively inexpensive late Roman coins, from the Western Roman Empire, and from the Eastern Roman Empire, which were minted in the 5th century AD, which you could try to acquire. Or, you could go after a nonclassical coin from the 5th century AD (barbarian, Middle East, India, Central Asia, East Asia, etc).

Here's my Anastasius I 40 nummi large module coin.

Anastasius I. AE 40 Nummi Follis Large Module. 512 AD To 518 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 19. Maximum Diameter 32.0 mm. Weight 15.33 grams. Obverse : Anastasius I Bust Facing Right. Reverse : Large M Greek For 40 Mint "CON" In Exergue Officina A Under Large M.

All of the Spanish colonial gold coins, which have been posted in this thread, are very interesting, and quite expensive. I'm quite fascinated with Spanish colonial coins, which were minted in the New World, during the Age Of Exploration. It's interesting, to think of the Spanish ships, sailing on dangerous journeys, across the unknown oceans. And to think of the Spanish explorers, discovering new lands, and discovering unknown civilizations. Here's my oldest Spanish colonial coin, a silver piece of eight from the late 16th century, minted in the New World, approximately 100 years after Columbus discovered the New World.

Spain. Philip II. Silver 8 Reales "Piece Of Eight". Minted 1589 AD To 1591 AD. Potosi Mint (In What Is Now Bolivia). Assayer RL. Diameter 37.7 mm. Weight 27.20 grams. Paoletti 97. Sedwick P13. KM 5.1.

It may just be a light gray patina, on a bronze coin.

@voulgaroktonou Very nice and interesting silver and gold Constans II coins with a short beard. Here's my bronze Constans II, which seems to be an early, beardless example.

Constans II. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 641 AD To 647 AD. Syracuse Mint. Sear 1104. DO 176. Maximum Diameter 23.2 mm. Weight 4.19 grams. Obverse : Constans II Bust Beardless Facing Front Holding Globe Cross, No Legend. Reverse : Large M, Monogram Above.