ambr0zie

I love Greek silver fractions. I remember I bought my first ones in December 2020 from an auction. They were correctly attributed and the size and weight were mentioned, so I knew what to expect, but it was still shocking (in a good way) to see what level of detail and artistry they offer. I kinda prefer even smaller denomination, but if you prefer obols, here are my favorites 7 mm, 0.65 g. Korkyra, Korkyra. AR Obol. Circa 525-490 BC. Scallop shell / Floral-stellate pattern within incuse square. SNG Copenhagen 149; HGC 6, 57. 7 mm, 0,52 g. Troas, Tenedos circa 480-450 BC. AR obol. Janiform head of female, facing left, and bearded male (Philonome and Tenes), facing right / Labrys (double axe) within shallow incuse; T-E across fields. SNG München 340; SNG Copenhagen 509; HGC 6, 387; SNG von Aulock 7666. 10 mm, 0,88 g. Pisidia, Selge. AR obol (or trihemiobol). Circa 350-300 BC. Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue / Head of Athena to left, wearing crested Attic helmet; behind, astragalos. SNG France 1928; SNG von Aulock 5281. Archaic style and a scarce variety with Athena portrait left. Possibly pre-dating the usual date of 350-300 BC typically assigned to this type. 9 mm, 0,55 g. Cilicia, Kelenderis. AR obol. Circa 425-400 BC. Horse prancing right within beaded circle / ΚΕ, Goat kneeling right, head turned to look back. Göktürk 9; Cf. SNG BN 116-7 (obol, goat left); Cf. SNG Levante 29 (obol, goat left). 11 mm, 0,56 g. Cilicia, Nagidos. AR obol. Circa 400-380 BC. Head of Aphrodite facing slightly right; [N] to left / Wreathed head of young Dionysos facing slightly left; [N] to left. Göktürk 2; SNG France –; SNG Levante 6. Here is a medieval obol: 15 mm, 0,95 g. Moldova. Alexandru cel Bun 1400-1432. Ӕ obol. Auroch head, left rosette, right crescent, between horns star / Split coat of arms, horizontal bars on the left, lilies on the right, ᴙ in left. MBR (as half groats) 418 (type V).

I can't find it (slim chance being that old) but as a last resort they have it for sale: https://www.ebay.com/itm/230853019519

Great thread. I have (very) recently lost a P. Licinius Nerva denarius with voting scene (292/1). That was a bad decision. The only relevant coin I have is: 21 mm, 4,05 g. Q. Cassius Longinus. AR denarius. Rome. 55 BC. Q CASSIVS VEST, veiled head of Vesta right / Curule chair within circular temple of Vesta between urn and vota tablet inscribed AC. RSC Cassia 9; BMC 3871; Syd. 917; Craw. 428/1.

Eagle 11 mm, 1,19 g. Aeolis, Kyme. Ӕ. Circa 350-320 BC. Eagle standing right / K-Y to left and right of cup with one handle. BMC 16-20; SNG von Aulock 1625.

This requirement is more difficult than it seems. I think my only coin that fulfills it (and has a generous safety space outside the border) is also a Maximinus Thrax denarius. He probably informed the mint that if the coins are not perfectly struck, he will personally discuss with the workers so they complied in the best possible way. Here is one that ... shows a few borders, more than expected 20,2 mm, 2,9 g. Julia Domna. Augusta 193-211. AR denarius. Rome. 193-196. IVLIA DOMNA AVG, bust of Julia Domna, hair waved and coiled at back, draped, right / VENERI VICTR, Venus, with drapery falling below hips, standing with back turned, head right, holding apple in extended right hand and palm sloped to the left in left hand, resting left elbow on column. RIC IV Septimius Severus 536 (denarius); RSC 194. Next - serious error on a coin. Bad legend error, double strike etc.

You're welcome, glad to help anytime.

Both coins you bought are great, CPK. Lively, artistic Flavian portraits. I will not ask how much you paid but I totally echo what Qcumbor said - in a short time you will forget the sum you paid and you will be happy with a strong coin in your collection. I admit I usually follow a different path - condition is a secondary factor for me. And yes, I can cherish a coin even if it's worn but sometimes I (slightly) regret some coins I bought, being happy, for the moment, that I save some money and then I realize that I should have bought one good coin instead of 5 very modest ones. Currently I am quite annoyed on myself for buying a coin from a less-known emperor and my initial research was that it's an extremely rare coin. The condition is .... well, horrible. I still thought it was a very good deal (not a cheap one) until I noticed that the coin type is common and for that sum I could have bought a decent example. So in my case - wasted money. In your case - certainly not.

Dolphin 12 mm, 0,77 g. Moesia, Istrus. AR obol or trihemiobol. 280-256/255 BC. Facing male heads, the left one inverted / IΣTΡIH, Sea-eagle left on dolphin, ΔI beneath dolphin. Dima, Tabelul III, Grupa IV, Subgrupa VII, II – Pl XXI, 10.

20 mm, 3,75 g. C. Mamilius Limetanus. AR serrate denarius. Rome. 82 BC. Draped bust of Mercury to right, wearing winged petasus and with caduceus over his left shoulder; behind, S. / C·MAMIL LIMET􀺏AN, Ulysses advancing right, holding walking stick in his left hand and extending his right towards his dog Argus, on the right, standing left. Babelon (Mamilia) 6; Crawford 362/1; RBW 1370 var. (differing control-letter on the obverse); Sydenham 741. Next: a mythological hero other than Herakles or Ulysses. I could raise the stakes and say other than Perseus also but I feel the game will be stuck again.

Very similar reverse 16 mm, 3,84 g. Thrace, Sestos. Domitian 81-96. Ӕ. ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑ-ΝΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ, laureate head of Domitian, right / ϹΗϹΤΙWΝ, lyre. RPC II, 359; SNG Cop 948; Moushmov 5542; Mionnet 93; BMC 16. I posted with Phil, in the same time, but my coin fits. However, for all the audience eagerly waiting to join this game, we have a special offer: 2 coins linked 7 mm, 0.65 g. Korkyra, Korkyra. AR Obol. Circa 525-490 BC. Scallop shell / Floral-stellate pattern within incuse square. SNG Copenhagen 149; HGC 6, 57.

17,69 mm, 3,46 g. Sicily, Katane. Æ. 216/5-206 BC. Jugate busts of Serapis and Isis; grain-ear behind / KATANAION, Apollo standing slightly l., leaning on column, holding laurel branch and bow; quiver and omphalos at feet. CNS III, 22; SNG ANS -; HGC 2, 609. Next - jugate

I will post this for other people who might be interested (I already discussed with Ryro). The coin is a very interesting one. After failing to get a right attribution I requested help from a gentleman who is extremely skilled in attributing coins (unfortunately he is not able to join our community - the reasons are objective and I will not say more about this). His verdict: - the reverse depics a stylized Greek version of the headdress of Isis - it appears to be an unpublished variety from Iasus in Caria (this was my guess as well) - similar to https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4337810 but from a different time ( another example - https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/11830?fbclid=IwAR3ko_oQc9RMibwvizzLkgGf-P3Ue7Hq4JnnC3Gga_2jmvHxovVjfVd0dqU ) - he suspects 1st century BC - 1st century AD period. I personally trust him a lot as I seeked his help a few times, for coins I found impossible (and I never give up easily) but he always got the correct attribution.

It's listed in Asia Minor Coins https://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=218&pid=14553#top_display_media Another example with a clear description- https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9588951

I have seen some great coins in this thread, but the gold medal goes to @Finn235. I see you are actively going for rarities. I don't remember seeing too many Decius semisses (I knew about them) or Volusian as caesar coins, to name just two. I am not sure if you are the member who also has a Diva Maesa antoninianus, as I saw one a long time ago and I had no idea these were produced.

I confirm that Ryro performed a serious research and I was hoping to help but I couldn't. Last night I researched all the Hydisus coins I could find (I am not sure if this is a Greek or a pseudoautonomous coin) but nothing is remotely related. Then, even if I am fairly sure the obverse legend ends in ΣEΩN I am not that sure it starts with YΔI so this could mean a different city - perhaps Iasus? This is exactly the type of coin I find the most challenging - the condition is good enough, but I am not sure at all of 3 things (and they would surely clarify - Obverse legend. - Obverse character. Zeus? Demos? Someone else? - reverse image - shield? (I would say it is indeed a shield). Isis headdress? Something else? In the meantime I messaged an expert I know. I only bother him on extremely difficult questions, and this looks like one.

Aegis with Medusa in centre 17 mm, 3,35 g. Mn. Cordius Rufus. AR denarius. Rome. 46 BC. Corinthian helmet with crest on which an owl stands; RVFVS left / The aegis of Minerva with head of Medusa in the centre; MN CORDIVS around. Crawford 463/2; Sydenham 978; Cordia 4; BMC 4042.

I wouldn't refuse one (no secret here) but I only saw one example recently. Pretty modest condition (but good price). I have 2 coins from Provincia Dacia, one from Volusian, one from Philip. But I wouldn't mind at all completing a set of emperors from this mint.

Agathokles 16,6 mm, 4,58 g. Sicily, Syracuse. Agathokles 317-289 BC. Ӕ litra. Period I, circa 317-295 BC. ΣYPAKOΣION, head of Kore-Persephone / Bull butting, club and T, IE. SNG ANS 586-589.

20 mm, 3,2 g. Marcus Aurelius 161-180 AD. AR denarius. Rome. 175-176. M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM, head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right / TR P XXX IMP VIII COS III, Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak flying behind, advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and trophy, sloped over left shoulder, in left hand. RIC III Marcus Aurelius 349. Next - Marcus Aurelius

No leaping and jumping today it seems ... Her's a centaur/Sagittarius leaping. Too bad I can't take a decent photo of this coin as I have problems with dark coins. It's not in the best condition but still nice and finallly solved my Tranquillina problem. 31,3 mm, 21,27 g. Mesopotamia, Singara. Gordian with Tranquillina 238-244 AD. Ӕ. 243-244 AD. ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟΝ ϹΑΒ ΤΡΑΝΚΥΛΛΙΝΑ ϹΕΒ, confronted busts of Gordian III, laureate and cuirassed, r., seen from rear, and Tranquillina, diademed and draped bust, l. / ΑΥΡ ϹΕΠ ΚΟΛ ϹΙΝΓΑΡΑ, draped, veiled and turreted Tyche, seated l., on rock, holding ears of corn, with centaur (Sagittarius) l. leaping l., shooting bow, above her; below, lower l., half-length figure of river-god Mygdonius swimming l. RPC VII.2, 3468. Lions can leap too. 21 mm, 2,38 g. Gallienus 253-268 AD. Billon antoninianus. Mediolanum. GALLIENVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust of Gallienus on the right draped over the left shoulder, seen from three quarters forward / LEG IIII FL VI P VI F, lion leaping to the right. Reverse translation: “Legio quarta Flavia sextum pia, sextum fidelis” (Fourth legion Flavia pious and faithful for the sixth time). RIC V-1, Milan 343 (Joint Reign).

Although for me, the goal "1 coin for each emperor" is no longer an active chase, because I realized a long time ago that it's simply not worth it for me. Some obscure emperors, some - not so obscure but very expensive - we all know them. But adding new figures in my collection is still an active goal and I am happy when I tick a box - especially a family. After adding Decius and Herennia Etruscilla coins, I often looked for Herennius Etruscus and Hostilian but I never found the perfect examples - eye appeal and price. Decius is one of the many examples of barracks emperors from the chaotic 3rd century. More or less they followed the same pattern - they were proclaimed emperors (the army had a big influence), more than once overthrowing/killing the current emperor, had a short reign, ending in the same way it started. But Decius was a little different than the normal barracks emperor. He was not an ordinary soldier, he was a senator, suffect consul, governor of Moesia, Germania Inferior, Hispania Tarraconensis, urban prefect of Rome. So he had large experience in administration. When Pacatian's revolt started, Decius was assigned by the emperor Philip the Arab to deal with this revolt. Decius succeded, but ... he was proclaimed emperor and killed Philip. Some sources claim Decius was not willing to accept this position and he was almost forced by the Senate, who also gave him the attribute Traianus, referencing emperor Traian. As an emperor, Decius tried to revive the old Roman traditions and lifestyle. Including religion (he persecuted the Christians in a worse way than all his predecessors). He restored some historical buildings - the most importan one being the Colosseum and ordered the building of Baths of Decius. But Decius remains in history for another event - he was the first emperor dying in battle against the enemies - in this case the Goths, in the battle of Abritus, along with his his son, Herennius Etruscus. The next emperor was general Trebonianus Gallus who immediately named Hostilian, the only surviving son of Decius, as co-emperor. Hostilian died soon after - the most probable cause being the plague. That was the shortlived Decius dynasty. Adding a Decius (or Herennia Etruscila) in a collection is not a difficult task. Things are getting a little more complex with the sons. Especially if quality is a major factor. Note - Herennius Etruscus as Augustus coins are very rare. It would have been nicer to have 4 coins from the same mint (Imperial or a province - note - I have the information that at least one certain member has all 4 from the same province and might share them). But I am very happy with the current status too. First - Decius - a coin type that was a major target due to Dacia reverse. 21 mm, 2,28 g. Trajan Decius 249-251. AR antoninianus. Rome. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, bust of Trajan Decius, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right / DACIA, Dacia, draped in long robe reaching feet, standing left holding staff topped with a wolf's head (Draco). RIC IV Trajan Decius 12b. I couldn't resist this tetradrachm from Antioch. 26 mm, 12,18 g. Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Trajan Decius 249-251. Billon tetradrachm. ΑΥΤ Κ Γ ΜƐ ΚΥ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ΔƐΚΙΟϹ ϹƐΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Decius, r., seen from rear; below bust: ••••• / ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ƐΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ, S C, eagle standing on palm, l., spreading wings, holding wreath in beak. Group 3, officina 5. RPC IX, 1745; Prieur 584 (15); McAlee 1126e. Herennia Etruscilla - I wanted to add a variation as I think 90% of Herennia Etruscilla coins in collections are antoninianii with Pudicitia or Antioch tetradrachms. I added a denomination that's not very common - an as. 26 mm, 8,79 g. Herennia Etruscilla 249-251. Æ as. Rome. HERENNIA ETRVSCILLA AVG, bust of Herennia Etruscilla, diademed, draped, right / PVDICITIA AVG S C, Pudicitia, draped, veiled, seated left, drawing veil with right hand, holding sceptre in left hand. RIC IV Trajan Decius 136c. Herennius Etruscus - well this was the first challenge. I tried to get an antoninianus a few times but failed, many times failed big time. So I did not hesitate at all when I had the chanvce to buy an Antioch tetradrachm. Not the best example out there but the coin is decent and perfect to illustrate Herennius in my collection. 26,6 mm, 11,5 g. Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Herennius Etruscus as Caesar 249-251. Billon tetradrachm. ΕΡΕΝΝ ΕΤΡΟΥ ΜΕ ΚΥ ΔΕΚΙΟϹ ΚΕϹΑΡ, bare-headed and draped bust of Etruscus, right, seen from rear; below bust: •••• (Group 3, Officina 4) / ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ, S C, eagle standing on palm, right, spreading wings, holding wreath in beak. RPC IX, 1743; Prieur 635 (27); McAlee 1152d. As for Hostilian, this was a bigger challenge. We can't consider him a very rare ruler (although I am not even mentioning his coins as Augustus) but it can become pricy. I also checked the provincial coins for more obscure provinces, to make it more interesting, but did not find an example to like, and, of course, to afford. In the end, even if for my style I feel I slightly overpaid, I added a Hostilian coin - a sestertius. It has the classic characteristics of a 3rd century sestertius - irregularly shaped flan (also small flan). 28,4 mm, 18,07 g. Hostilian as Caesar under Trajan Decius 250-251. Ӕ sestertius. Rome. 251 AD. C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C, bust of Hostilian, head bare, draped, right / PRINC IVVENTVTIS S C, Apollo, half-draped, seated left, holding branch in right hand and resting elbow on lyre. RIC IV 215 (Decius); Banti 3; C 31. Let's see mister Decius and his family - bonus points for the sons.

A 3rd century sestertius with full, round flan and correct strike is a very good sign. But if it's sitting unsold for a while, this simply means the deal is not that great.

I think I would have done the same for this price. For me - EU to EU the situation is a little different. I noticed bad delays on postal shippings in the last months. The cherry on the cake was my last event described earlier. So when I was in the next auction, different house, even if my invoice was small (2 coins - 140 euros hammer prices) I chose FedEx for 25 euros rather than Post for 15. The suprise is (and hope they will not do a stupid error right now) that FedEx Priority was used. The house shipped the parcel on Tuesday and it's already in my local center, should arrive tomorrow morning. Postal shipments take 2-3 weeks ...and more than once I had to clarify myself the situation, the "best" one being the previous shipment, when our post intended to send the envelope to a different town (without being the sender's fault). So they intended to return it to the sender.

Novody has a coin from the great emperor Caeras Llovnahnir (I was hoping we can create a fan club) so I will post another well known emperor - Severus Alexandrv 25 mm, 5,26 g. Troas, Alexandreia. Severus Alexander 222-235. Ӕ. M AV S ALEXANDRV (sic), laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander, r. / COL ALEX AVG TROA, Apollo nude standing, l., placing foot on pedestal, holding laurel branch. RPC VI, 4031 (temporary); Bellinger A334. Next - Apollo

It's up to you. For 63 CHF you can buy a nice enough coin. Sure, not a Julius Caesar UNC aureus, but I personally have a lot of coins I paid similar prices for and I am happy with them.