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Congratulations with a resonable purchase of beautiful coin! I think now the prices for middle range quality aureuses much more affordable than some time before. High quality in general $10k+ and out of my range, but I also catch my chance with this Faustina aureus with a bid I was thinking would not be the winner. It also was looking like an overbudget at the moment for me. But I never regret it after.

Wow! The shades are perfectly chosen, it looks like a real antique fresco. Here are my own attempts with Alexander's tet and franc a'cheval.

I can add an earlier EL stater from Lampsakos (c. 450 BC).

On my coin the Dionysos drunked and his panther dead 😀

Congratulations for amazing coin! I managed to buy a solid with a portrait of Irene at one of the last Roma's auctions.

I was forced to completely sell the collection 2 times (after a divorce and after ruzzian aggression against Ukraine) and learned in practice the meaning of the proverb “first you feed the collection, then it feeds you.” But even more important: you shouldn’t get too tied to any material objects. In terms of coins, you do not need to regret about any rarity of any kind, or "lifetime opportunity". Life is full of "lifetime opportunity" at every step.

Ok. Another try with a lion attacking the bull. In this case I hope this is an authentic heavy weight Lydian trite 😀

@ajax, @Deinomenid thank you very much for the information! This is a bad news for me bacause I've bought this coin at numismata exhibition in Munich this year from Italian dealer, I think, I even do not keep his visiting card... The coin was quite expencive... I've found it was sold via SAVOCA in 2020 and it looks very truthfully in hands... 😢

Here is mine lion attacking bull. Macedon. Akanthos 470-430 BC. Tetradrachm AR Lion to right, leaping upon and attacking bull crouching to left; in exergue, fish to left / AKANΘI[O]N in shallow incuse around quadripartite square, the quarters raised and granulated.

I like such a compositions. Here is my old photo from 2022 with ex-mine collection.

🤣🤣🤣💯 At the other end here is an example of Macedonian dynasty Renaissance (in impressive piece with 30 mm diameter): Constantine IX Monomachus AD 1042-1055. Constantinople Histamenon Nomisma AV 30 mm, 4,40 g + IhS XIS RЄX RЄςNANTIҺm, Christ, nimbate, seated facing on lyre-backed throne, wearing tunic and pallium, raising His right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in His left, all within triple border of dots / + CωҺSτA-nτҺ bASILEЧS Rm, bust of Constantine IX facing, wearing loros and crown with pendilia, holding cruciform scepter with tendril-ornament in his right hand and globus surmounted by patriarchal cross in his left, all within triple border of dots. good very fine DOC 1a3; Sear 1828.

I have beautifully toned Athens tet from pre-hoards time.

I think approximately the same level of historical importance can be found in connection with empress Irene sole reign and connected to this event rising of Holy Roman Empire of Charlemagne. I have a solidus with Irene portrait and all the members of iconoclastic dynasty (also historically significant period). Unfortunately these coins also not at the top of aesthetics. Constantine VI and Irene, with Leo III, Constantine V, and Leo IV AV Solidus. Constantinople, AD 787-790. COҺSTIҺOS C' C' b' [...], Constantine V, Leo III, and Leo IV seated facing, each crowned and draped / S IRIҺI AVΓ' MI[TR], crowned facing busts of Constantine IV, draped and holding globus cruciger, and Irene, wearing loros and holding [globus cruciger] and cruciform sceptre; two crosses above, pellet between. Cf. Füeg 2 (C.2.13 (same die as illustration?)/Ir.2); DOC -; Sear 1593; Gorny & Mosch 269, 1295 (same dies). 4.39g, 20mm, 6h. Extremely Fine; areas of flatness. Rare. Second cross added erroneously.

I can add to thread this attractive hyperpyron of Andronicus I. Andronicus I Comnenus AD 1183-1185. Constantinople Hyperpyron AV 29 mm, 4,30 g MP - ΘV, the Virgin Mary seated facing on throne, holding head of Christ on breast / ΑΝΔΡΟΝΙΚΟC ΔΕCΠΟΤΗC / IC - XC, Andronicus standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger, and being crowned by Christ standing to right. good very fine Sear 1983.

This is not an easy goal for lifetime Philipp II in both, gold or silver... but, done 😃