Kazuma78

@AncientJoe I was lucky to be able to acquire a copy of Jenkins & Lewis this year and here is a photo of your coin from the book (though I'm sure you already have it). Again, spectacular coin!

Awesome additions @AncientJoe!!! particularly impressive are the long provenance many of those have. Incredible! My favorites in order would be: Carthage Trihemistater, Maximian Hercules Aureus, Akanthos Tetradrachm and Kyrene Teteobolus. Spectacular as always and cheers to a great 2023 for you!

Awesome picture! Love the Calvin and Hobbes drawings on the cabinet too!

I thought it was excessive also. When I ordered ABC a couple months ago, it was the same as yours- which is what I expected for this order.

I won a copy of Hirsch XV which I had been looking to find for awhile, for the sale of the Gustav Philipsen Collection, which I have a coin from. I was happy to get it, but bummed that the shipping from the UK office was $35.

Very nice additions this year! My favorite is the owl. Despite the test cut its super attractive and a gorgeous piece.

Great selections this year! I have to go with the Thasos Stater and Alexander Stater. Both types on my want list and yours are beautiful!

Beautiful coin @lordmarcovan! The iridescent tone, style and size of the flan really make this coin pop!

Accidental duplicate post

@NewStyleKing @Severus Alexander @Sulla80 Thanks for the information and analysis of the Mithradates Tetradrachm Mint. To be honest, I didn't get a chance to research it as much as I would like to yet. I found a sale of the identical die type (I believe) and used most of the attribution from that. I attached it so you can see where I got the information from.

Great list and top 10 for the year! I specifically enjoyed the Anglo-Saxon gold- I can't say I recall seeing any of those types before. Congratulations!

Thanks! It's nice to see the Sikyon getting a little love. It's really a beautiful coin in hand. Even though I don't like white ancient coins, it's very well struck and the details in the Dove wings are fantastic- as you point out.

Thanks! It seems like the Ptolemy I is a favorite, it has the most votes currently. Always fun to see what is the most popular just for the heck of it.

Beautiful! A great addition to your early RR set

Thank you!! It's been a fun year for new acquisitions! Thanks! I'm glad you like them since you also have a great eye! Thanks! I think that is also my favorite for the year! The toning and luster is quite fantastic in person. Thanks! Thanks for voting! The style of the Mithradates is artistic, which I love, and the Eukratides has some wonderful toning that makes it striking.

Thanks Joe! I sincerely appreciate your help throughout the year! Thanks! This is exactly why I had such a tough time narrowing my picks down this year. Thanks! I actually kept this one over another with a technically higher grade because I liked this style of portrait and toning better. There are a lot of them floating around these days so it's nice to have choices!

Thank you! I really appreciate the extra attribution! Thank you! Looking at everyone's top lists for the year are almost always my favorite threads to read. I always look forward to posting mine also, especially when the year has been exceptional for new additions like this one was. You guys get more excited about the additions than my wife, though she does try to humor me lol Thank you! Some of the portraits this year were fantastic- I was very thrilled to add those. Thanks! All good picks! So hard to just a few!

Thanks!! Good picks! Thanks! All good choices-I think the shekel is my favorite. The Roman pieces were additions of unexpected opportunity that I was thrilled to run across. Thanks! Thank you! I never would have anticipated such a great year on January 1st! It's been crazy! Thank you! That's why I had a hard time narrowing to only 10. There were some great coins in 11-20. Thanks! Thanks! I'm looking forward to seeing your list for the year! Thanks! You helped with that Al! I will cherish your contribution in my collection for many years!

I have been super blessed this year with my ancient coin purchases and barring some unforeseen luck in December (I have nothing left this year I am bidding on), I feel comfortable wrapping up my top coins list for the year. This has been a banner year for ancient coin additions and my best yet, mostly with a LOT of luck and so I wasn't able to narrow to a top 10, so I picked a top 20. Please feel free to vote or comment on your favorite(s) if you like and thanks for taking a look!!! I also apologize that not all of the photos are stellar. I need to get some better photos of a few of the coins. #1) Phoenicia, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR shekel (29mm, 14.27 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 5/5. Dated Civic Year 24 (103/2 BC). Laureate head of Melqart right, lion skin around neck / TYPOY IEPAΣ-KAI AΣYΛOY, eagle standing left on prow, palm frond over left wing; to left, ΔK (date) above club; to right, M, Phoenician alef between legs. DCA Tyre 77. DCA 919. Amazing toning with blue and purple hues. Ex. Coin Galleries (Stacks) September 10, 2008, lot 138 Ex. Spink, April 1939 #2) Sikyonia, Sikyon. Circa 335-330 BC. AR Stater (25 mm, 12.23 g, 3h). Chimaera standing left; wreath above, ΣE below / Dove flying left; N to left; all within wreath. BCD Peloponnesos 218; HGC 5, 201. Superb EF with brilliant lustrous surfaces. NGC CH AU Star Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5 Fine Style #3) Kings of Pontos. Mithradates VI Eupator. Circa 120-63 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Pergamom mint, dated month 9, year 222 BE (June 75 BC) (32mm, 16.82 g). Diademed head right / Stag grazing left; to left, star-in-crescent above monogram, BKΣ (year) above monogram; Θ (month) below; all within Dionysiac wreath of ivy and fruit. NGC AU Star Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5 Fine Style. Ex. Gorny and Mosch Auction 138, lot 296 (March 2005) #4) Ptolemaic Egypt. Ptolemy I, as Satrap (323-305/4 BC). AR tetradrachm (26mm, 15.65 gm). Circa 311-305/4 BC. Diademed head of Alexander right, wearing elephant skin headdress / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟY, Athena Promachus advancing right, brandishing spear with right hand, shield on left arm; HA monogram within circle in left field, eagle and ΔI monogram in right field. Svoronos 142. SNG Copenhagen 21. NGC AU Star Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5. #5) Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum, circa 155-145 BC, Magistrate Herognetos, son of Zopryionos. AR Tetradrachm: 16.89 gm, 31 mm, 12 h (reduced Attic standard). Obverse: Draped bust of Artemis wearing a diadem, with bow and quiver over left shoulder. Reverse: Apollo Delphios leaning on tripod censer and holding a branch tied with fillet, meander pattern under feet. The inscription in the left field identifies the issuing authority, and the inscription in the right field translates "of the Magnesians", all within a laurel wreath. SNG von Aulock 7921, BMC Ionia pg. 162. Roma Numismatics Ltd. Auction XX, lot 178, Oct. 2020 Heritage Auction 3081, lot 30081, NGC 2490574-004, Ch AU*, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, Jan. 2020 CNG Triton VI, lot 357, Jan. 2003 #6) Mysia, Kyzikos, Hemihekte circa 480-460, EL 1.35 g. Naked male figure kneeling l., holding tunny fish by tail. Rev. Quadripartite incuse punch with irregular surfaces. von Fritze 112. Boston, MFA 1489. von Aulock 1202. In an exceptional state of preservation and perfectly struck and centered. Ex Triton VI, 2003, 306. Graded Ch AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, NGC certification number 6159317-006. #7) Celtic, Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Addedomaros. Circa 40-30 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 5.43 g). Spiral type (Trinovantian J). Six-armed spiral of wreaths / Horse right; pellets-in-annulets around, 'cornucopia' below. Van Arsdell 1620-1; ABC 2517; SCBC 201. NGC AU Star, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5. Ex. Chris Rudd List 69, Lot 55 (Sold in 2003) Found in Kings Langley, UK September 17, 2002 #8) LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 290-280 BC. AR Nomos (21mm, 7.82 g, 1h). Head of Demeter right, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and necklace; Π behind neck / Barley ear with leaf to left; to left, head of ram right and |-A above leaf; META downward to right. Johnston Class D, 3.1 (this coin referenced and illustrated); HN Italy 1617; SNG Gale 663 (same dies). Good VF, deep gray tone with iridescent hues, small spot of weak strike on reverse. Ex CNG Triton XXII (January 2019), lot 51 from the Gasvoda Collection, Ex Waddell inventory 51792 (April 2015); Numismatica Ars Classica P (12 May 2005), lot 1068; A. D. Moretti Collection. #9) Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas AR Tetradrachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull's horn and ear / The Dioskouroi on horses prancing to right, each holding spear and palm; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ above, ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ below, monogram in lower right field. Bopearachchi 6T; Mitchiner 177i; SNG ANS 468; HGC 12, 131. 16.95g, 33mm, 12h. Good Extremely Fine; magnificent old cabinet tone. From the Oxus Collection #10) KINGS of MACEDON. Kassander. As regent, 317-305 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 14.41 g). In the name and types of Philip II. Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 316-311 BC. Laureate head of Zeus right / Youth, holding palm frond and rein, on horseback right; aphlaston below, • in Π below raised foreleg. Le Rider pl. 46, 17–8; Troxell, Studies, Group 9, 323-5; SNG ANS 738–46. Pretty iridescent toning with a razor sharp strike and excellent centering. Essentially mint state, NGC CH AU 5/5, 4/5 #11) SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysius I (406/5-367 BC). AV 20-litrai or tetradrachm (10mm, 0.99 gm, 8h). Attic standard, ca. 406/5 BC. ΣYPA, head of Heracles left, wearing lion skin headdress / Σ-Y/P-A, quadripartite incuse square; small head of Arethusa in central incuse circle, all within incuse circle with double border. SNG ANS 351-4. HGC 2, 1289. NGC Choice AU 4/5 - 5/5. Ex Gustav Philipsen Collection (Hirsch XV, 1906), lot 1175 #12) Roman Republican, The Caesarians. Julius Caesar. April-August 49 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 4.12 g, 10h). Military mint traveling with Caesar. Elephant advancing right, trampling on horned serpent / Emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis, and apex. Crawford 443/1; CRI 9; Sydenham 1006; RSC 49; RBW 1557. Fairly well centered with a good strike and iridescent toning. EF. Ex. Duke’s Auctioneers (10 March 2016), Lot 18 #13) Roman Republic, Anonymous AR Didrachm (Quadrigatus). Rome, circa 225-214 BC. Laureate head of Janus / Jupiter, holding sceptre and brandishing thunderbolt, in quadriga driven to right by Victory; ROMA in relief in linear frame below. Crawford 28/3 & Pl. IV 1-5; Sydenham 64c; RSC 23; RBW 68. 6.88 grams. Extremely Fine; nice cabinet toning with iridescent highlights. NGC CH AU star 5/5, 5/5. Ex. Jonathan K. Kern Collection #14) Northeast Gaul, the Ambiani AV Stater. Gallic War uniface type. Circa 56-55 BC. Plain / Devolved horse to right; pellet triad and 'charioteer's arms' above, crescent and pellet below, exergual line with crescents and pellets below. D&T 241; cf. LT 8704, 8707, 8710 (reverse detail variants); ABC 16; Van Arsdell 56-1. 6.33g, 18mm, Mint State. #15) SKYTHIA, Geto-Dacians. Koson. Mid 1st century BC. AV Stater (8.40 g). Roman consul accompanied by two lictors advancing left; monogram to left; KOΣΩN in exergue / Eagle standing left on scepter, holding wreath. Hourmouziadis dies B/f; Iliescu 1; RPC I 1701A; HGC 3, 2049. NGC MS Star 5/5, 5/5 #16) Sicily, Kamarina Æ Tetras. (4.11 grams, 18mm, 10h) Circa 420-405 BC. Facing Gorgoneion with tongue protruding / Owl standing right head facing, grasping lizard in its talons; three pellets below ground line. CNS III, 8; SNG ANS 1121-1124, Westermark & Jenkins 185. Mint State and exceptional for the type. NGC MS Star Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, Fine Style. Ex. Roma Numismatics Auction 8, Lot 69 (September 2014) #17) SELEUCID KINGDOM. Seleucus I Nicator (312-281 BC). AR tetradrachm (25mm, 17.09 gm). Seleucia II (2nd Workshop), from ca. 296/5 BC. Laureate head of Zeus right; dotted border / BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΣEΛEYKOY, Athena, brandishing spear overhead in right hand, shield on left arm, in car of quadriga pulled by horned elephants right; flanking anchor right above, KPA monogram in inner left field, HIXP monogram to lower right, dotted border. SC 130.17. SNG Fitzwilliam 5511. HGC 9, 18a. Excellent Metal for the issue, NGC CH XF Star Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5. #18) CELTIC BRITAIN, Atrebates & Regni. Verica, 10-40. Quarter Stater, 1.34 g, 'Stars' type. VERIC / COM•F with a crescent above and a six-rayed star below. Rev. REX Horse galloping to right; above, seven-rayed star. ABC 1208. BMC 1223-1236. S 127. Van Arsdell 501. Well-struck for the issue, Extremely Fine. NGC AU 5/5, 4/5 #19) Pergamon, Attalos I (241-197 BC) AR Tetradrachm, in the name of Philetairos, 17.06g. Diademed head of Philetairos right. Rev. Athena seated left on throne, holding wreath and sceptre, and resting arm on shield, bow behind. (Westermark 62). Good Very Fine. NGC CH VF 5/5, 4/5 Fine Style #20) Thessaly, Larissa AR Drachm. Circa 356-342 BC. Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly to left, with hair in ampyx / Horse standing to right, preparing to lie down; ΛAPIΣ-AIΩN above and below. Lorber, Hoard, Phase L-II, 40 (same dies); BCD Thessaly II 316; HGC 4, 454. Extremely Fine.

Congratulations! All great buys! Hard for me to pick a favorite because I like them each for different reasons.

I chose the Solidus, great additions!

Great addition! The strike and detail on this coin is exceptional. Even better that it's so great on such a rare piece.

I also much prefer Joe's example because of the better centering and toning, but as these don't come this nice very often (maybe a couple times a year), I couldn't turn it down. I wouldn't mind potentially upgrading it if the right example comes along at some point that's not in the nosebleed section in terms of cost. I did bid competitively on this coin when it crossed the block, and lost. I must say, I probably prefer it over my OP coin.

A spectacular example as always! That toning is absolutely stunning. I've seen a few that were displayed there, and they all had acquired similar fantastic toning. If I had loaned them out, I would have been thrilled to get them back that way. I may have lent them some more! Haha

That is an excellent example and well centered! Interesting history on the events of the time. I've read a little bit about it, but not as much as I'd like- sounds even more interesting than I could have hoped.