expat

As shown above in many examples, improperly mixed compositions can tone dramatically along the lines of imperfection. Even on silver coins such as this .925 silver/ .075 copper 1000 Yen

My first ancient coin, which I won in a competition 2 days ago and can't wait for it's arrival. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161.Æ dupondius, 28mm, 12.7g, 6h; Rome mint, AD 157.Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP IMP II; Radiate head right.Rev.: TR POT XX COS IIII, S-C; Annona standing right, foot on prow, holding rudder and modius set on knee.Ref.: RIC 969.From the Sulla80 Collection

Thanks. There were 5 coins to choose from in the competition and that one appealed to me the most, although I had not the slightest idea about what I was choosing if I won it. Now I can read up about it and take my own images when it arrives

Thank you, I will have a look when I get home from work.

Thank you, I have a lot of learning to do, and am going to enjoy every minute of it.

After saying a week or so ago that I am looking to start collecting ancient coins, I have just won my first in a giveaway contest over at CT. It is from a member there and apparently came from a collection by @Sulla80 Now my total ignorance is showing. Can someone tell me which ref to give it when it arrives. Roman Republic, or something else. Here is the description and posters images Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ dupondius, 28mm, 12.7g, 6h; Rome mint, AD 157. Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP IMP II; Radiate head right. Rev.: TR POT XX COS IIII, S-C; Annona standing right, foot on prow, holding rudder and modius set on knee. Ref.: RIC 969.From the Sulla80 Collection. I can't wait for it to arrive, I am like a kid in a sweetshop at the moment, excited as heck. Sad but true

In the mountains at the weekend and stopped at a village to stretch the legs and partake of a beverage. We came across someone who was selling stuff that he had created. We often come across weavers who use local reeds to make baskets and hats etc. This guy was carving rocks that he finds in the river valley. We left him a business card with the offer to display and sell his stuff in our shop which sells only artesania from many countries. We took with us 4 turtles of different color rock for our personal collection of figures. They are about 3in long, 2in wide and 2in high. The first image looks more like a fat seal as the head broke apparently and had to be redone, shortening it in the process

Those are lovely and I think you are correct in that already being in possession from before the laws were changed is OK. Just can't sell them on.

@Paddy54nice objets d'art my friend.

Beautiful engraving on this reverse and a stylish obverse

I dug this up from the garden in our mountain home. If someone could narrow down its type I would be grateful. It is 13 in wide, 6 in high and 7 in deep. It weighs just under 10 pounds

Fantastic. First time I have seen one, thanks for sharing

Beauty applies to many in my collection. I am always on the lookout for standard circulating coinage with interesting designs.

The two above look like water snails. Nice finds. We live 100 yards from the beach and walk it every day. We really look forward to the morning after a combination of high tide and a storm. We have found many great pieces that way. Here are two entire specimens, a sea urchin and a seahorse.

Seeing the Nautilus above, this takes pride of place in our shell collection. It was found and we were granted permission for it to be retained by us. I have placed a silver dollar against it so you can judge its size.

Paddy, that is a great Nautilus. Generally unchanged for about 500 million years. The word nautilus is derived from the Greek word ναυτίλος nautílos "sailor", it originally referred to a type of octopus of the genus Argonauta also known as 'paper nautilus', which were thought to use two of their arms as sails

Lovely frog. We have some carved tortoises very similar. I cant find them so assume they are at our mountain home. Going there next week so will have a look.

They are great Paddy. We have about 200 animal figures carved from Jade, Turquoise, Soapstone and other minerals on display in our shop.

The spear shaped "guard" of the Belemnite a squidlike creature. They became extinct during Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, 66 million years ago. Belemnitella was declared the State fossil of Delaware on 2nd July 1996. I have 1 au natural and 2 still encased in rock.

A real beauty. Agate is just great to look at

Agate is something that fits well on this site. Ornamentally, it was used for the seal stones of Ancient Greek warriors and is part of Minoan history. Before that, to the 3rd Millennium BCE, polished agate was used as jewellery in the Indus Valley Civilisation.

An impressive display

What a wonderful image, thanks for sharing that one

One of the most popular items sold in our shop are amonites. Some of them I drill and insert a silver ring. People wear them or attach to their keyrings

Yeah! Join in the fun