JayAg47

I can definitely see this fooling some novices! especially with the radiating lines on the reverse, since we always tell them as one of the hallmarks of a genuine hand struck coin.

Temple of Divus Augustus Next- animal sacrifice

Nice! what language was it written in?

I see these on Ma-shops from 550 usd onwards, while the elephant type is more expensive, his other types are relatively less expensive. I'm sure you could get them for much cheaper on auctions.

I mean compared to the other three, a denarius of Julius Caesar is much more doable, although depends if you are after a portrait issue or a generic one.

I'd buy both If it is cheap enough, then you can treat for the BD. After some time you can decide which one to keep or sell. Otherwise I'd choose the first one.

Is there a reason why most sestertii/bronzes of the Julio-Claudian, especially of Caligula are pitted and corroded, the majority I've see have these micro pitting, is it due to their age? if so I don't see much damage from the Flavian issues, now they're only a few years younger.

Caligula aka Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Just received the coin after a 1.5 month transit from last year. A sestertius of Caligula, albeit a humble example, is a significant addition to my collection. Actually looks better in hand with the brassy elements against the dark field. This coin commemorates the finalisation of the Divus Augustus temple. Erected on the Palatine Hill, it stands on the grounds where Augustus once resided before entering public service. The Roman Senate made a vow to construct it shortly after the emperor's death in AD 14, and the project reached completion around AD 37. This coin was minted during that period, coinciding with the dedication of the temple over the last two days of August in the same year—the month renamed in honor of Augustus. Caligula as the Pontifex Maximus presided over the sacrificial ceremonies, as noted by Cassius Dio. Caligula's ordered commemorative events were exceptionally lavish, featuring a two-day horse race and the slaying of 400 bears and an equivalent number of wild beasts from Libya. Caligula also postponed all legal proceedings and suspended mourning to ensure widespread attendance. The temple's last recorded mention was on May 27, AD 218. Subsequently, it was entirely destroyed, and its stones were likely quarried for future construction projects. The site remains unexcavated, leaving its original appearance to be reconstructed solely from depictions on Roman coinage, with the present type being particularly significant in this regard. Caligula Ae sestertius 22.3 g, 34 mm 40-41 AD, RIC I (second edition) Gaius/Caligula 51 Obv: C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR P IIII P P PIETAS. Pietas, veiled, draped, seated left, holding patera in right hand and resting left arm on a small draped figure, standing on a basis, facing Rev: DIVO AVG S C. Front view of hexastyle garlanded temple surmounted by quadriga. In front, Caligula, veiled and togate, sacrifices with patera over garlanded altar right; one attendant leads bull to altar right; a second holds patera. Please share you coins of 'Little boots'.

It was actually from eBay!

My first acquisition of the year and a coin I've been searching for since 2019! I've never tried purchasing or bidding on a coin from a professional auction house, except for this particular type. Each attempt resulted in losing the coins, and retail hasn't been favorable either, often featuring overpriced examples of poor quality. While this type is not uncommon, it is extremely rare to come across one with a nice strike and full details on the face since most of these issues are crudely and flatly struck. What's more special is finding it locally at a great price. What I find interesting about this coin are the dimensions, at 20mm weighing 4.28 grams, it's the same as an early Islamic gold dinar, who copied their coins from the light-weight solidi meant for circulation outside the Byzantine empire. It's noteworthy that the Cholas, being a thalassocratic empire, generated significant revenues not only through conquering other kingdoms but also by engaging in trade with the Arabs and Chinese. Their influence extended to the extent of invading the Sri Vijaya empire (modern-day Western Indonesia) for imposing heavy taxes on Tamil Chola merchant ships. Shows you how the world was interconnected so much back in the day! On to the coin! Anonymous gold Kahavanu from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Type III-B 20 mm, 4.28 g Period of Chola invasion (970-1070 AD) Obverse: The depiction showcases a standing king facing right, adorned with a pointed crown. The king holds a lotus in his right hand and points at the Shrivatsa symbol with his left hand. A degenerate coconut palm tree is situated on the far left. The king is attired in a wavy Dhoti, characterized by two curved lines on either side and one line in between the legs, resembling tentacles and earning the moniker 'octopus man.' The king stands on a lotus plant stalk with a small circle in the center, concluding on the left in a conch shell and featuring a lotus bud on the right. Five pellets to the right, meaning 'Pala-Panca', Panca meaning 5, denoting 5 Pala coins weighing 1.10g each. While 5 of those coins weigh more than the Kahavanu itself, earlier types have only 4 dots, that would make 4 Palas equal 1 kahavanu (Probably a result of inflation). Reverse: Seated king facing right, with his left hand resting on his left leg and his right hand holding a conch shell. His right leg rests on a couch or bed-like throne known as asana. On the right side of the field, a Devanagari legend is inscribed in three lines, reading Sri Lan Ka Vi Ha. In these coins, Viha denotes the value, equivalent to 20 Silver Massas. Note: Despite common attributions identifying it as Sri Lan Ka Vi Bhu, a closer examination reveals the last letter to be Ha. This distinction becomes apparent when comparing the final letter with early Type-I issues or coins from SaHAsamalla or ParakramaBAHU. Additionally, in these anonymous gold coins, there is an absence of Bha that could combine to form the letter Bhu. Following the letter Vi, only Ha is present. Reference: https://sirimunasiha.wordpress.com/about/the-script-on-medieveal-coins-of-sri-lanka/ https://sirimunasiha.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/the-legend-on-gold-coinage-dr-s-paranavitane/ Here's my copper massa of Raja Raja Chola for size comparison. Please share your Chola or Sri-Lankan coins!

Not only Hercules but his coins have also got skinnier towards the end of his reign. This is my lowest weighing denarius at just 1.94g, my clipped siliqua of Gratian weighs more than this! Obv: M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT P P, laureate head right. Rev: CONC COM P M TR P XVI COS VI, Concordia standing left, holding patera and sceptre. 1.94g. 191 AD

My guess is a lifetime issue from lampsakos.

I frequent a dealer's website but often overlooked their gold section, but once I peeked and saw this one listed, at first look I was not interested but then read the name of the emperor whom I didn't know before, after some research I had to have it, so I bought the coin for a reasonable price (which was still more than twice as much as a normal solidus, but still cheap for a Basiliscus).

Bit late to the party. Compared to 2022, when I only bought a dozen coins focusing solely on quality, in 2023 however, I didn't have any focus and just kept buying whatever I found fancy and within my range. Last year being hectic didn't help me either as I tried to fill my time with mindless scrolling of coin listings. While I'm happy to have most of the coins in my collection, some I could've done better. Only a few acquisitions were planned, the rest simply found their way to me. I made around 25 purchases (with 36 coins), and couldn't trim the list down to 10. So here are my top 15 ancient coins for this year. 15 & 14- Serapis-Agathodaemon from Alexandria This is a 2-in-1 situation, as I like them both equally. The top one is a drachm issued under Antoninus Pius, featuring the human-headed snake Serapis-Agathodaemon riding a horse. When I first saw this type posted by @TIF on CT, it instantly became my favourite, and happened to grab this one at an ebay store for a nice price. The coin below is my first Agathodaemon, with thick red patina, and a nice portrait of Hadrian. 13- Overweight denarius of Severus Alexander Coins of SA are probably some of the most common Roman coins, but I lacked one till I saw this coin. Other than the great condition, what's more special is it's weight at 4.35 grams, which is an outlier for a 3rd century denarii. Severus Alexander 225 AD. 19mm, 4.35 grams, unusually heavy for a third century denarius. IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate and draped bust of Severus Alexander to right. Reverse - FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing front, head to left, holding two military standards. BMC 220; Cohen 52; RIC 139. 12- Gigantomachy Athena slaying the snake legged giant Enceladus might be my most favourite scene from Greek mythology. Despite someone biting a chunk off the coin, most important details are still present on both sides. Valerian I Seleucia ad Calycadnum Obv. laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerian, Α Κ ΠΟ ΛΙΚΙΝ ΟΥΑΛƐΡΙΑΝΟϹ Rev. Athena Promachos l. spearing at anguiped Enceladus who raises hands in resistance- ϹƐΛΕΥΚƐΩΝ ΤΩΝ Π[ ]ΚΛΥ(?) 253-260 AD, 6.3 g, SNG 1059. 11- Biggus Dickus An all-time favourite among ancient coin aficionados (unless you're a prude). One of my last acquisitions of 2023, featuring Priapus, the Roman god of fertility and gardens in his full glory. Septimius Severus- Nicopolis ad Istrum 193-211 A.D. 3.23g Obverse: AV KAI CEΠ CEVHPOC, laureate head right; Reverse: NIKOΠOΛI-TΩN ΠPOC IC, Priapus standing and pointing at his phallus. 10- Pandian commemorative issue Let's travel east for this coin, to the south Indian kingdom of the Pandyas. Issued by the Pandyan king Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I, it commemorates capturing the city of Kachi. What's special about this coin is that it's one of the few Pandiyan coins that can be dated, because of the event associated with it, also this coin shows that Pandyas have become the dominant power in the region, who by the way were subjugated by the Cholas for the previous 3 centuries. My write-up on this coin. Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I Copper Kasu, 2.85 g Obv: Twin fish interlinked, with sceptre to left, conch below, crescent above, and unknown symbol to right. Reverse: கச்சி வழங்கும் பெருமாள் Kachi-Valangum-Perumal in Tamil (The king who offers Kachi) 1258-1260 AD 9- LEG IIII of Mark Antony LEG IIII is considerably less common compared to LEG IV, and it remains a mystery why the Romans opted to mint coins in both variations, with the IIII being minted in even fewer numbers. Anyhow, I not only got an upgrade to my previous Legionary denarius, but a scarcer issue with legible numbers. Marcus Antonius LEG IIII (Legio Scythica) Ar Denarius, mint moving with M. Antony 32-31 BC. 3.42 g. Obv: ANT AVG – III·VIR·R·P·C Galley r., with sceptre tied with fillet on prow. Rev. LEG – IIII Aquila between two standards. Sydenham 1220, Crawford 544/16. 8- Tetradrachm of Mazakes An imitation of the Athens owl tetradrachm, issued by Mazakes. He was the last Achaemenid satrap of Egypt under Darius III. Despite the numerous test cuts, I won this coin as a part of a lot for really cheap, making it one of my favourite scores. Mazakes Persia/Alexandrine Empire. Satrap of Mesopotamia, circa 331-323/2 BC. AR Tetradrachm, 17.08g Imitating Athens. Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; olive spray and crescent to left, "Mazakes symbol" and Aramaic MZ[DK] to right in retrograde. 7- Pompey Magnus Possibly a lifetime issue minted between 64/63 BC to 48 BC, the time between the founding of Pompeiopolis to his assassination. Definitely a cheap way to own a portrait coin of Pompey Magnus with his iconic hairstyle. Obv: Head of Pompey the Great right; A behind. Rev: ΠΟΜΠΗΙΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ. Nike advancing right, holding palm frond and wreath; two monograms to right. Countermark in the center. 4.62g. 6- Massive Alexander Tetradrachm I've always wanted one of those tetradrachms minted on a broad flan of >35mm, and these ones from Temnos seem to be the cheaper option. I love the feel of this coin in hand! In name of Alexander III, Aeolis, Temnos mint circa 188-170 BC, 35mm., 15.2 g. Obv: Head of Heracles wearing lion skin headdress. Rev: Zeus Aëtophoros seated holding eagle and sceptre; monogram and E above knee, oinochoe within vine tendril at feet. Price 1676. 5- As of Nero This one is not really special, and most of us have one in our collection. But I've always wanted one of the 'fat busts' and I really love the imperial portraiture of Nero on this coin, and also the strong legends that state his name. Obv: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P PP. Nero, bare head right. Rev: SC left and right in the field. Victory, draped, flying to the left, holds a shield inscribed SPQR. 10.2g 4- Julia Domna Veneri Victr Another one of my long-sought coin, Julia Domna's denarius featuring the nude Venus. I waited for the right specimen with definite features. They say that the gods on coins often represent the attributes of the emperor/empress, I'm not sure what Domna and Severus were trying to prove having naked Venus and ithyphallic Priapus on their coinage! Julia Domna, 193-195 AD, 2.36g. IVLIA DOMNA AVG VENERI VICTR, Venus standing right, naked to waist, leaning on column to left, holding palm and helmet. 3- Lysimachos Tetradrachm One of my dream coins that depicts Alexander as himself and not as idealised Hercules. I love the high relief and the upward gaze of these Greek portraits. Moreover, there were no specific attribution when I bought it, and part of the fun was hunting down the mint as well as the obverse die-match. Kings of Thrace (Macedonian). Lysimachos, AR Tetradrachm, 16.43 g, 27 mm. 305-281 BC, Sardes mint. Obv: Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, wearing horn of Ammon. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ. Athena seated left on throne, holding Nike and spear over shoulder. ΠPΕ monogram outer left, ΔK monogram in exergue. Ref: Thompson 86; HGC 3.2, 1750d. The Rise... 2. Denarius of Augustus I bought this coin from ebay as nothing more than an unattributed junk covered in thick layers of horn silver, and after some cleaning, I turned it into one of my favourite coins that I own. My post on this coin. Augustus AR Denarius (3.32 gm), Lugdunum mint. circa 15-13 BC. Obv: AVGVSTVS DIVI F, bare head right with chopmarks. Rev: IMP X Bull butting to right. ...and The Fall 1- Solidus of Basiliscus Sometimes a coin just finds its way to you. I never intended to acquire such a coin, in fact, I wasn't even aware of who Basiliscus was until a few months ago. Nevertheless, I now own it, and it has become my most cherished possession. Regarding the significance of the coin, It was minted right around the year when Rome, at-least the Western-half fell to the Barbarians! Obv: Basiliscus in Military dress standing facing. DN BASILISCVS PP AVG Rev: Victory standing left supporting long jeweled cross. In right field star. VICTORIA AVGGG Δ. CONOB in exergue. Weight: 4.45g 475 - 476 AD RIC 1003 Honourable mention: While not an ancient, this is certainly a coin that I've wanted for a long time in this grade, even before I started collecting ancient coins. I think it deserves a place in this thread. And that concludes my list of favourite coins from 2023. Thank you for viewing and please vote for your favourites!

Nice coins, my favourites are the sestertii of Caligula and Domitian.