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Nice poster of beautiful coin ! Q

What about a heron ? C. Piso L.f. Frugi, Rome mint, 67 BCE Laureate head of Apollo right, behind, heron right C•PISO L•F•FRVGI Naked horseman galloping right, holding whip in his right hand; above, lituus. 3,75 gr - 16 mm - 6h Ref : RCV # 348, RSC (Calpurnia) # 24, Crawford # 408/1a, Sydenham # 865c, RBW -, Hersh, Piso # 29 (O10/R1005) Next : another bird, which is still not an eagle Q

Nothing here i'm familiar with, and it's exactly why those yearly selections are great as they open your mind to other fields. I like #3, #5 and #8 the most. The Brazil 6400 reis is great too (the coin, I mean 😉 ) Q

Hi friends, 2023 has been an above par year in terms of coins acquisitions. Not a lot of rarities, not a lot of coins, but some nice and enjoyable additions all year long Even though having too many themed collections, I must be a very predictable person : this year again will you see Dombes, Divi series, Roman republic, Bosporan kingdom, French Revolution, mainly because I get them as they come and have hard time focusing on just one thing. They are listed in order of how I like them as of today. Thanks for looking and comments are welcome ! 10 – Trajan Decius, Dupondius For I have previously completed the Divi series, I thought it might be smart (is there anything smart at collecting coins is another story…) to put together a denomination set for Trajan Decius, and why not later, his family, in order to keep the theme alive. The begining seems easy enough, antoninianus, sestertius, dupondius, as and semis being all over the place. The second step, double sestertius and aureus, while reachable, will be much harder due to the price they command. The last step, denarius and quinarius, will probably remain a dream… Anyway, here’s a dupondius : Trajan Decius, Dupondius - Rome mint, 250 CE IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right seen from behind LIBERALITAS AVG / S - C. Liberalitas standing facing, head left, holding abacus and cornucopia. S|C in field 9,07 gr - 26 mm Ref : RIC # 120c, Cohen # 72, RCV # 9418 Provenance : Numismatik Naumann auction # 131/757 9 – Monneron de 5 sols au serment (An IV), 1792 Birmingham, Soho Last year I initiated a new themed collection about the french Revolution, only because my dear wife likes them more than all the round bits of metal I usually show her. This year I expanded it a bit and three coins fit the bill of being in the yearly top 10. I wrote a little note about the monnerons on the forum. The following is a big chunk of metal, medallic-like with quite a rich iconography to it, but was actually minted and used as a hard time token, worth 5 sols back then. They were struck at the Soho mint, Birmingham, UK, the same where the famous cartwheel pennies and tuppence were made : Monneron de 5 sols au serment (An IV), 1792 Birmingham, Soho (Monnaie de confiance - hard time token) VIVRE LIBRES - OU MOURIR. // À L'EXERGUE 14 JUILLET. / 1790. Dans un cartouche ovale, scène du serment de la Fête de la Fédération avec PACTE FÉDÉRATIF, signé DUPRÉ F.. MONNERON FRERES NEGOCIANS A PARIS. / 1792. Au centre, légende en neuf lignes : MEDAILLE / DE CONFIANCE / DE CINQ-SOLS / REMBOURSABLE / EN ASSIGNATS / DE 50#. ET / AU DESSUS. / - / L'AN IV. DE LA / LIBERTÉ. Tranche inscrite en creux .DEPARTEMENS DE PARIS. RHONE ET LOIRE. DU GARD. &c 30,65 gr - 40 mm Ref : VG #291, Maz #145 Provenance : Ebay 09/2023 8 – Constitution - Ecu de six livres 1792 I (Limoges mint) Last year I was able to show a demi écu de trois livres minted during the French Revolution, more precisely by the time of the « Constitution ». This year I could snag its big brother, an « écu de six livres » off of ebay at a decent price. I now have the ecu, demi ecu and 30 sols (quart d’ecu) denominations, lacking the 15 sols (huitième d’ecu) : Constitution - Ecu de six livres 1792 - Atelier de Limoges (I) LOUIS XVI ROI DES FRANCOIS . à l'exergue 1792, buste à gauche. Au dessus de la date, faisceau, différent du directeur François Alluaud (1791-An II) REGNE DE LA LOI, le Génie de la liberté à droite, gravant la CONSTITUTION. Dans le champ à gauche, faisceau de licteur surmonté d'un bonnet phrygien et croix, différent du graveur J-B La Vallée (1780-1793). Dans le champ à droite, coq et lettre d'atelier I (Limoges). A l'exergue L'AN 4 DE LA LIBERTE . en deux lignes. Signature Dupré sur le piédestal. Tranche inscrite : (rose) LA NATION (rose) (fleuron).. (losange).. (fleuron) (rose) LA LOI (rose) (fleuron) (lis) (fleuron) (rose) ET LE ROI (rose) (fleuron) (lis) (fleuron) 29,48 gr - 39 mm Ref : Ciani # 2238, Gadoury # 55 Provenance : Ebay 08/2023 7 – Roman Republic, Mn. Cordius Rufus, 46 BCE denarius Last spring, the CGB live auction had this nice, albeit not perfect, denarius showing Medusa on Aegis on the reverse. A good opportunity to add something looking « different » to my RR collection, especially to the Imperatorial era : Mn. Cordius Rufus, Denarius, minted at Rome 46 BCE RVFVS, Corinthian helmet right surmonted by an owl standing right Retrograde MN (ligate) C O R D I V S medusa on aegis 3.75 gr - 19 mm - 3 h Ref : HCRI # 64, RCV # 441, RRC # 463/2 Provenance : CGB e-auction 03/2023 6 – Convention - Sol aux balances 1793 D. Here’s the French Revolution again ! The sol aux balances is a very common coin, there are hundreds for sale any given day. The trick is to find one where the whole table is still readable, which is interesting and of high significance, as it says « men are equal in front of law ». It should have said « humans » instead of « men » since the latter excludes women, but you know, back then, it was not long ago that it was decreed that women have a soul… 😄 Convention - Sol aux balances 1793, Atelier de Dijon( D•) REPUBLIQUE FRANCOISE, la table de la loi, avec gravé LES HOMMES SONT EGAUX DEVANT LA LOI en six lignes, de part et d'autre une grappe de raisin et des epis de blé, a l'exergue L'AN II LIBERTE EGALITE, balance surmontée d'un bonnet phrygien, entourée d'une couronne de chêne, au centre I . S . a l'exergue D. 1793 en deux lignes Ref : Gadoury 2003 # 19 Provenance : Ebay 09/2023 5 – A run of 6 rare Dombes jetons/tokens A bit of cheating on my part here, since I will show six in a row, putting the total to 15 instead of 10 as advertised in the title. Last june, MDC Monaco has auctioned a whole collection of jetons. Among them was a big bunch of Dombes ones. Choosing is renoucing as they say : it’s been quite a torture to focus on some and let the others go, but I couldn’t buy them all. I’m more than happy to have grabbed six of them (four for Gaston d’Orléans and two for Anne-Marie Louise d’Orléans). I have yet to do some research as the latin legends on them have more often than not a hidden message behind their appearence 1634 - Gaston d'Orleans (1627-1650), Jeton, cuivre 1635 - Gaston d'Orleans (1627-1650), Jeton, argent 1644 - Gaston d'Orleans (1627-1650), Jeton, cuivre 1648 - Gaston d'Orleans (1627-1650), Jeton, cuivre 1633 - Anne Marie Louise d'Orleans (1650-1693), Jeton, cuivre 1653 - Anne Marie Louise d'Orleans (1650-1693), Jeton, cuivre 4 – Divi series, Trajan antoninianus Well, yes, my Divi series is over, but when a friend (and a member here) sends you a message saying they’ve found an upgrade for you, and this upgrade is three steps above what you already have, what should you do. I don’t want to show any disrespect to a friend (I simply cannot). So here it is in all its splendor, and below it is the one it replaces. Thank you @Barzus for that !! Trajan, Antoninianus (under Trajan Decius) - Rome mint AD 250/251 DIVO TRAIANO Radiate head right, wearing light drapery on left shoulder CONSECRATIO Large altar 21 mm - 3,44 gr Ref : RIC IV # 86a, Cohen #664, RCV #9471 Provenance : privately acquired 06/2023 and the "old one" 😞 3 – Dombes, Louis II de Montpensier, essai en argent du denier tournois – 1576 Pursuing my quest of the Holy Grail, i.e. putting together as complete as possible a collection of Dombes coins, I have to go through lots of traps and obstacles MDC Monaco had this beauty auctioned a few weeks ago and I had to have it. It’s a rare essai in silver of the denier tournois, such as the ones minted for his grand-son Henri II or his great grand-daughter Marie that I’ve shown previously Dombes, Louis II de Montpensier (1560-1582), Essai du Denier Tournois type 1, argent - 1576 (pièce de plaisir) - Atelier de Trévoux + LVDO • P • DOMBAR • D • MONTIS, buste à gauche, cuirassé avec un col plat dans un cercle lisse + DENIER • TOVRNOIS • 1576 deux lis et une brisure dans un cercle lisse 1.11 gr - 17 mm - 6h Ref : Divo Dombes # 58, CGKL # 714, Poey d'Avant # 5123, Mantellier # 31v Provenance : MDC Monaco e-auction 7, # 1607 2 – Roman Republic, 115/114 anonymous denarius For decades I’ve been in search for a nice example of the following. My requirements were a good style portrait, a full she-wolf and Roma on the reverse had to have a head on her shoulders. Otherwise I could live with an imperfect centering or preservation, hence the sacrifice of the ROMA legend on obverse doesn’t bother me too much. Roman Republic, Anonymous, Denarius - Rome mint, 115/114 BCE Head of Roma right in winged and crested corinathian helmet, X behind, [ROMA] below Helmeted Roma seated right on pile of shields, holding spear, two birds flying in field, she-wolf to right suckling twins at Roma's feet. 3,93 gr Ref : RCV # 164, RSC # 176, Crawford # 287/1 Provenance : Jean Elsen auction # 156/273 1 – Bosporan kingdom, Kotys II & Hadrian El stater (RPC online plate coin) The BIG buy of 2023 ! I feel a growing interest for Bosporan Kingdom staters since 2020, when I bought one from Naville. Our fellow collector Okidoki auctioning his great Hadrian collection last summer, I was softly browsing through the vast offering when I stumbled upon this tremendous example. It sure wasn’t cheap, but wow, it’s really something I like to hold and admire ! Bosporan kingdom – El stater, dated 420 (123-124 CE) ΒΑϹΙΛΕⲰϹ ΚΟΤΥΟϹ (anticlockwise). Draped and diademed bust of Cotys II right. Laureate and draped bust of Hadrian right. KY at exergue (year 420) 7,71 gr – 19 mm - 1 h Ref : RPC III # 878 (this coin illustrated), Anokhin # 471, MacDonald # 422 Provenance : Ex CNG e-auction # 454/236, In NGC encapsulation 4285327-002, graded Ch VF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Ex Eric (Okidoki) Ten Brink collection, Leu web auction # 26/2523 I hope you all have a great time, a merry christmas and a fantastic year in 2024 ! Q

Nice selection. I voted #3 (great portrait) and #6 (greatgreat portraitportrait 🙂 ) Q

You never disappoint @Phil Davis ! Having a soft spot for MA, my votes go to #5 and #9, but each of them is a gem. Your Foslus puts mine to shame (I used to see it as very nice, now I'm not so sure...) Q

PVC flips are OK for transport, since it doesn't last more than a few days (yes OK, sometimes weeks or months). I then take them out of their flips to put them on trays (only the world coins, generally worthless, are in PVC free albums Q

Glad it made it to you @Furryfrog02 : being myself awaiting something coming via USPS, it gives me some hope it will show up soon. I'm starting to light candles and hang lucky charms everywhere in the house though... 😄 Q

Beautiful portrait on such a tiny coin, great score Q

Looks like you had a great year, thanks for sharing Q

I didn't see any rference to the price other than reasonable 🙄 Doesn't look good to me either Q

@DonnaML, I'll have to take the whole lot of alexandrian at once... I can't decide which to choose 😞 Fabulous group of coins ! Q

#1 and #9 are my favorites : you don't see often a parthian bronze this nice, and the Khusro III is something special Q

The NIKE is really attractive, congrats !

France, Constitution - Ecu de six livres 1792 - Atelier de Limoges (I) LOUIS XVI ROI DES FRANCOIS . à l'exergue 1792, buste à gauche. Au dessus de la date, faisceau, différent du directeur François Alluaud (1791-An II) REGNE DE LA LOI, le Génie de la liberté à droite, gravant la CONSTITUTION. Dans le champ à gauche, faisceau de licteur surmonté d'un bonnet phrygien et croix, différent du graveur J-B La Vallée (1780-1793). Dans le champ à droite, coq et lettre d'atelier I (Limoges). A l'exergue L'AN 4 DE LA LIBERTE . en deux lignes. Signature Dupré sur le piédestal. Tranche inscrite : (rose) LA NATION (rose) (fleuron).. (losange).. (fleuron) (rose) LA LOI (rose) (fleuron) (lis) (fleuron) (rose) ET LE ROI (rose) (fleuron) (lis) (fleuron) 29,48 gr - 39 mm Ref : Ciani # 2238, Gadoury # 55 Next : a coin from earlier than 1792 🙂 Q

Dombes,Anne Marie Louise d'Orleans (1650-1693), Jeton, cuivre - Atelier de Trévoux - 1633 (rose) . MADᴸᴸᴱ . FILLE . VNICQVE . DE . MONSIEVR . Armes d'Anne-Marie-Louise d'Orléans couronnées, losangées aux armes d'Orléans, cernées de deux palmes. QVOT . DOTES . TEGIT . Grenade ouverte (Combien de dots elle renferme !). A l'exergue .1633. Cu, 5,07 gr - 26,5 mm - 6 h Ref : F.10867 Next : another jeton (token) Q

Could I vote for two, I would for the Poseidonia and the Amisos. Since there's only one vote, I've chosen the Amisos. You're right, the portrait is outstanding Q

VIRTS EXERCITI ! Arcadius, AE 2 - Alexandria mint, 3rd officina D N ARCADIVS P F AVG, Diademed bust of Arcadius right VIRTS EXERCITI (sic !), Arcadius, standing right, a captive at right foot, holding globe and standard. ALE gamma at exergue 6.28 gr Ref : RIC # 18, RC #4230, LRBC #2896 var Next : orange(y) patina Q

My vote goes to the Georges II crown too : spectacular ! I sadly only have the "poor man's" shilling of his : Q

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

GLORIA ROMASORVM ! Magnus Maximus, Siliqua - Treveri, 2nd officina D N MAG MAX IMVS P F AVG, draped, cuirassed and diademed bust right VIRTVS RO MASORVM (sic !!) Roma seated facing, holding globe and spear. TRPS at exergue 1.91 gr Ref : Cohen # 20 var, Roman coins # 4201 Next : follow up with a legend error Q

Henry III long cross penny and Norfolk stater for me, please ! Nice group of coins Q

Excellent selection. The first one reminds me of the Huffington horse so much ! I like very much the Penny of Sihtric III, king of Dublin ca. 989-1036 too Q

I can't but have a bad feeling about it : very "cheeky" and Valerian like portrait and the name PACATIAN highlighted while the rest of the legend is worn are the things I don't like. On the other hand, if proven legit, Wow, just Wow on a fabulous acquisition ! I'm far from a Pacatian expert though, hence my comment should be taken with a grain of salt Q

That one is among my preferred coins in the 4th Century CE Valentinianus II, AE2 - Constantinople, 4th officina D N VALENTINIANVS P F AVG, Helmeted, diademed, cuirassed bust of Valentinian, holding spear in right hand GLORIA RO-MANORUM, Valentinain standing on a galley, driven by a victory, Wreath in field, CON delta at exergue 4.93 gr Ref : RIC # 52, Cohen #22, RC #4161, LRBC #2151 Q