Ursus

I am going to post my "real" 2022 favorite list closer to Christmas since I am still waiting for two coins to be shipped. In this post, though, I will continue a small tradition that I started over at CoinTalk three years ago. In 2021, 2020 and 2019, I posted lists of my ten favorite ancient and medieval coin purchases under $25. In 2022, such bargains were especially welcome to my collection since due to a recent home purchase and extensive (and expensive) renovations, my coin funds were much more limited than in previous years. My reason for doing this list is simple: each year, new collectors looking for advice and inspiration join this and other online forums. Many of our favorite lists could create the impression that ancient and medieval numismatics are a hobby only suitable for people with substantial piles of disposable cash. To prove this wrong, I'll try to show what is possible on a budget, and I’d like to invite everybody else to show their own budget purchases from 2022. The rules for this list are the same as in the previous years: to illustrate the affordability of the hobby, I have violated the ‘never talk about money’-rule of polite conversation and mentioned prices. If necessary, amounts are converted to US dollars, although I will, since I by now have relocated permanently to Europe, probably switch to giving prices in Euros next year. All prices include buyer’s premium and are rounded up. Shipping is not factored in. I name professional and semi-professional dealers but for reasons of privacy refrain from giving the names of hobbyists who occasionally sell pieces from their collections. Coins are in chronological order. 1. I have a small subcollection focusing on Postumus, whose coins can often be found for little money. The reverse showing Aesculapius with his snake staff in my eyes makes this coin a little more interesting than those showing more common deities or allegorical figures: Postumus, Gallic Roman Empire, AR antoninian, 266–7 AD, Trier mint. Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG; bust of Postumus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: SALVS AVG; Aesculapius stg. r., head l., with r. hand leaning on serpent-staff which rests on the ground; at feet, r., globe.. 21mm, 3.12g. Ref: Mairat 348. Ex small seller on eBay, $21. 2. Late Roman bronze coins make up a substantial part of this list for good reason. They are the ideal ancient collecting field when on a budget. This coin has a relatively scarce reverse type and a nice green and red patina. Iḿ happy with this purchase: Constantine II Iunior, Roman Empire, AE3, 317 AD, Siscia mint. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES, bust of Constantine II, laureate, draped, cuirassed r. rev: CLARITAS R–EIPVB; Sol, radiate, chlamys draped across l. shoulder, standing l., raising r. hand and holding globe in l. hand; in exergue ΔSIS. 18mm, 3.36g. Ref: RIC VII Siscia 37. Ex Herm Numismatik, $11. 3. Living in southwestern Germany, I was especially interested in this reverse type, which refers to the Alamanni, a tribe living in this area in late antiquity. I bought this coin at a Savoca auction. Although prices at Savoca's auctions have risen in recent years, bargains are still possible now and then: Constantine II Iunior, Roman Empire, AE3, 324–326 AD, Sirmium mint. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES, bust of Constantine II, laureate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: ALAMANNIA DEVICTA, Victory, winged, draped, advancing r., holding trophy on r. arm and branch in l. hand, spurning a seated captive; mintmark .SIRM. . 19mm, 3.06g. Ref: RIC VII Sirmium 50. Ex Savoca, Blue Auction 130, lot 1624, $23. 4. The "campgate"-type, which probably shows a watchtower and not a campgate, is abundantly common. Yet, I couldn't resist the nice patina and portrait on this example: Constantine II Iunior, Roman Empire, AE3, 326–327 AD, Antioch mint. Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, bust of Constantine II, laureate, draped, cuirassed, l. Rev: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS, “camp gate” with two turrets, star above; dot in gate, in exergue, SMANTH. 20mm, 3.83g. Ref: RIC VII Antioch 73. Ex Herm Numismatik, $14. 5. Who doesn't like a large falling horseman? This one has a bit more wear than I would wish for, but at this price, one must compromise: Constantius II, Roman Empire, AE2, 351–355 AD, Constantinople mint. Obv: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG; bust of Constantius II, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO; helmeted soldier to l., shield on l. arm, spearing falling horseman; shield on ground at r.; horseman wearing pointed cap, slumping forward and clutching horse’s neck; in field l., Γ•; in exergue, CONSθ. 23mm, 4.11g. RIC VIII Constantinople 106. Ex small seller on eBay, $21. 6. Probably my favorite bargain purchase of 2022. Aquileia is not a common mint, and the quality of this example is exceptional: Valens, Roman Empire, AE3, 367–375 AD, Aquileia mint. Obv: DN VALENS PF AVG; bust of Valens, draped, cuirassed, and pearl-diademed, r. Rev: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE; Victory advancing l., holding wreath and palm; in exergue, SMAQP. 18mm, 2.75g. Ref: RIC IX Aquileia 12B. Ex Herm Numismatic, $10. 7. Medieval Islamic coins are a good field for budget collecting. I like this coin for its square shape and the connection to medieval Iberian history: Almohad Caliphate in Spain and Northern Africa, anonymous, AR square dirham, c. 1163–1269 AD (558–668 AH). Obv: “No God except Allah / It's all for God / No power except God”. Rev: “God is our Lord / Mohammed is our messenger / The Mahdi is before us”. 14mm, 1.40g. Ref: Album 496. Ex NSW Leipzig, $18.50. 8. Crusader coins are a popular medieval collecting field and often command a premium. This little but nice bronze from Cyprus went under the radar at an eBay auction. It was a lucky purchase: Lusignan Kingdom of Cyprus, under Janus, AE sezin, 1398–1432 AD. Obv: + IA[nU]S . R[OI D]Є . , lion of Cyprus rampant l., pellet to l. of lion. Rev: [+ IЄR]LM [Є D]Є C[IP]; cross of Jerusalem. 20mm, 1.45g. CCS 124b. Ex Berlinum, $7. 9. Medieval German coins are probably my main collecting focus. This Hanseatic witten from Lübeck is a reasonably attractive example that came at an affordable price: Lübeck, Imperial City, AR witten after the recesses of 1410. Obv: +MONETA LUBEN; double eagle. Rev: CIVITAS IMPER; long cross. 18mm, 0.90g. Ref: Jesse 446; Behrens 51a. Ex Knopik, $21. 10. When it comes to early modern European coins, most collectors think of large silver talers, golden ducats and écus. Such coins are sold at often extreme prices. But budget collectors interested in the early modern period can still bargain hunt for smaller change. This 1683 Nuremberg pfennig is sharply struck, has full detail, and retains most of its original luster. Not bad for ten bucks, eh? Nuremberg, Imperial City, AR pfennig, 1683 AD. Obv: arms of Nuremberg between 16-83; in field r., cross; mark of value above. Rev: blank. 13mm, 0.36g. Ref: Kellner 335. EX NSW Leipzig, $10. Please post your comments, name your favorites, and show your own 2022 budget coins!

A fabulous list of British and Britain-relatet coins! You obviously had a fantastic collecting year. The thrymsa stands out even in this illustrous group, and I also have to especially mention the "Winetavern Street" jeton. That piece certainly has a fascinating background story, which I very much like.

Those are ten beautiful coins that show both your excellent taste and multifaceted collecting interests! The demi-pistole is, of course, objectively fantastic. Personally, though, I have a huge soft spot for the Republican didrachm. That is a very attractive example of the type.

Yesterday, I found a mysterious envelope in my mailbox. A first glimpse at its contents, a small cardboard package and a letter, revealed it to have come from my Secret Saturn. Although I'm incredibly curious, I will wait until the 17th to read the letter and unwrap the present.. My own gift is still in the mail but will hopefully arrive in time.

I would tend to interpret this object as a Dacian draco (a type of battle standard, see here) rather than a carnyx. Also, here is my example of the Furius denarius: Roman Republic, moneyer: M. Furius L. f. Philus, AR denarius, 119 BC, Rome mint. Obv: M. FOVRI. L. F; head of Janus. Rev: ROMA; Roma standing l., holding sceptre, crowns trophy with carnyx and two shields; in exergue, PHL I. 19mm, 3.81g. Ref: RRC 281/1.

Although I don't specialize in collecting Commodus, I have three coins minted for him. The first I bought for the reference to the Marcomannic Wars, the second one for the Liberalitas reverse after reading this article on cash distributions in ancient Rome, and the third one for the portrait: Commodus, Roman Empire, sestertius, 177 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP L AVREL COMMODVS AVG [GERM] SARM; laureate and draped bust of Commodus r. Rev: T[R P] II COS [P]P; pile of Germanic arms; in fields, S-C; in exergue, DE GERMANIS. 31mm, 21.84g. Ref: RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1570.. Commodus, Roman Empire, denarius, 182 AD, Rome mint. Obv: M COMMOD[VS ANTON]INVS AVG, laureate head of Commodus right. Rev: LIB AVG V TR P VII IMP IIII COS III PP, Liberalitas standing left holding counting board and cornucopiae. 18mm, 2.24g. Ref: RIC III Commodus 36A. Commodus, Roman Empire, sestertius, 183 AD, Rome mint. Obv: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG PIVS; laureate head of Commodus r. Rev: [TR] P VIII [IMP VI] COS IIII P P; Roma, helmeted, draped, seated l. on shield, holding Victory in extended r. hand and vertical spear in l. hand; in fields, S-C. 30mm, 25.14g. Ref: RIC III Commodus 369.

I picked up this small bracteate for a bargain price in October and finally found time to take pictures yesterday. It is a common type, but it was still missing from my collection and I like the bug-eyed boar's head: Schweidnitz (Silesia), civic mint, AR hohlpfennig, 14th/15th c. Obv: boar’s head r. Rev: incuse design (bracteate). 14mm, 0.29g. Friedensburg 358; Saurma 212; Slg. Bonhoff 1071.

I'm absolutely in once more. In order to bump, here are my Secret Saturnalia gifts from the previous years. They became cherished and permanent parts of my collection. A lovely Septimius Severus I received in 2019 from a very thoughtful Secret Saturn who found a coin that fits my collecting tastes perfectly: Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 202–210 AD, Rome mint. Obv: SEVERVS PIVS AVG; head of Septimius Severus, laureate, r. Rev: INDVLGENTIA AVGG IN CARTH; Dea Caelestis, draped, riding r. on lion, holding thunderbolt in r. hand and sceptre in l. hand; below, water gushing from rock. 19mm, 3.32g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 266. Ex Marc Breitsprecher; ex Secret Saturnalia 2019. A terrific early modern French coin that came from @Qcumbor in 2020: Kingdom of France, under Henry II, AR douzain aux croissants, 1550 AD, Lyons mint. Obv: + HENRICVS 2 · DEI · G · FRANCORV · REX · F · (lis); crowned French coat of arms; to l. and r., crown above crescent. Rev: + SIT · NOMEN DNI · BENEDICTVM · 1550 · (lis); pellet below 12th letter; cross fleurée with H and crown alternating in quarters; D below. 27mm 2.46g. Ref: Duplessy 997. Ex Cucumbor (Secret Saturnalia 2020). An extremely generous (and treasured) gift of three coins from an anonymous Saturn that arrived last year: Megaris, Megara, AE dichalkon, ca. 275–259 BC. Obv: Prow of galley l. Rev: Tripod flanked by two dolphins. 12mm, 2.09g. Ref: BCD Peloponnesos 17; HGC 4, 1798. Ex BCD collection; ex CNG; ex Secret Saturnalia 2021. Anonymous, Roman Empire, ca. 81–161 AD, AE quadrans, Rome mint (?). Obv: head of Minerva r. Rev: owl standing r. 14 mm, 2.86 g. RIC II Anonymous 7. Ex Secret Saturnalia 2021. Faustina II, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 145–161 AD, Rome mint. Obv: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL; bust of Faustina the Younger, band of pearls round head, with hair waived and coiled on back of head, draped, r. Rev: VENUS; Venus, draped, standing l., holding apple in r. hand and rudder set on dolphin, which coils round it, in l. 18mm, 3.06g. Ref: RIC III Antoninus Pius 517C (denarius). Ex Secret Saturnalia 2021. I'm very excited about this year's round of Secret Saturnalia and can't wait to find out who my giftee will be. Thanks a lot for once more organizing this, @Curtisimo!

That's a very attractive new acquisition! I just have this one here to show: Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, AE sestertius, 195–196 AD, Rome mint. Obv: L SEPT SE[V P]ERT AVG IMP VII; 29.5mm, bust of Septimius Severus, laureate, with drapery on l. shoulder, r. Rev: [DIVI] M PII F [P M] TR P III COS II P P; Felicitas, draped, standing l., foot on prow, holding caduceus in r, hand and cornucopiae in l. hand. 29.5mm, 20.23g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 701b.

Oh, don't get me started... much of my collection consists of medieval and early modern German coins. To keep this post small enough, I'll just show some small change from the region I grew up in: Duchy of Schauenburg and Holstein, under Ernst III, AR Groschen (1/24 Taler), 1603 AD, Altona mint. Obv: EDGC HSESD, helmeted and quartered shield with star (Sternberg) and fess (Gemen), in central inescutcheon, nettle-leaf (Schauenburg); above, I-G. Reverse: RUDOL. II: 😧 G: RO. I. A.; imperial orb with 24, date .603., moneyer’s mark: lion on hook (Daniel Kostede of Altona). 20mm, 1.65g. Ref: Weinmeister 243. Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein Gottorp, under Johann Adolf, AR Groschen (1/24 Taler), 1602 AD. Obv: IADG . . DSHS, helmeted and quartered shield with lion (Norway), two lions (Schleswig), swan (Stormarn), nettle-leaf (Holstein), in central inescutcheon, arms of Oldenburg-Delmenhorst. Rev: MONE. NOVA. SCLES; imperial orb with 24, date 602. 22mm, 1.7g. Ref: Lange 301c. Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein Gottorp, under Friedrich III, AR 1/16 taler (düttchen), 1670 AD, Schleswig mint. Obv: FRIDERICVS D G N D SEH; bust of Friedrich III r. Rev: VIRTVT GLORIA MERCI; 1653; XVI / 1 REIC/ HSDA / M-M; crossed hooks (moneyer’s mark). 19mm, 1.61g. Ref: Lange 351. Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein Gottorp, under Christian Albrecht, AR 1/16 taler (düttchen), 1670 AD, Schleswig mint, Obv: * CHRIST . ALB . DG . H . N . D . S . & . H; bust of Christian Albrecht r. Rev: PER . ASPERA . AD . ASTRA . 1670 .; XVI / REICHS /./ THAL.; .C*P. (for moneyer Christian Pfahler). 19mm, 1.68g. Ref: Lange 389.

Here are two coins of Constantine struck in 312/3: Constantine I, Roman Empire, AE3, 312–313 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; bust of Constantine I, laureate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol, chlamys hanging behind, standing l., raising r. hand and holding up globe in l. hand. 20mm, 2.96g. Ref: RIC VI Rom 323a. Constantine I, Roman Empire, AE2, 312–313 AD, Rome mint. Obv; IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG; bust of Constantine, draped and laureate, r. Rev: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI; legionary eagle between two standards; in exergue, RP. 23.5mm, 3.43g. Ref: RIC VI Rome 348a.

Nice! E is also for the other Edwards: Kingdom of England, Edward II, AR penny, 1305–1310 AD (class 10cf(3?)), London mint. Obv: +EDWA R ANGL DNS hYB, crowned bust facing within a tressure of arches, fleurs on cusps. Rev: CIVI-TAS LON-DON; long cross, three pellets in each angle. 18mm, 1.40g. Ref: Spink 1410–1414. Kingdom of England, Edward III, AR groat, 1361–1369 AD (“treaty period”), London Tower mint. Obv: +EDWARD: DEI: G: REX: ANGL: DNS: hYB: Z: AQT, crowned bust facing within a tressure of arches, fleurs on cusps. Rev: +POSVI x DEVM x ADIVTOREM x MEVM; long cross, three pellets in each angle; CIVITAS LONDON around inner circle. 26mm, 4.30g. Ref: Spink 1616. Kingdom of England, Edward IV (second reign), AR groat, 1471–1483, London mint. Obv: EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC, pierced cross with pellet in lower l. angle; saltire stops; crowned bust facing within a tressure of arches, fleurs on cusps, none above crown. Rev: POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM; long cross, three pellets in each angle, rose after DEVM; CIVITAS LONDON around inner circle. 25mm, 2.90g. Ref: Spink 2098.

C is for Cyprus: Lusignan Kingdom of Cyprus, under Henry II, AR gros grand (second series 1b), 1285-1324 AD (probably struck after 1310 AD), Famagusta (?) mint. Obv: + hЄnRI RЄI DЄ (triple pellet stops), Henry seated facing on throne decorated with lions, holding lis-tipped scepter and orb. Rev: + IЄRuSAL'M Є DЄ ChIPR; Jersualem cross. 26.5mm, 4.50g. Ref: Metcalf; The Gros grand and the Gros petit of Henry II of Cyprus, part 2 (1983), no. 279–280; CCS 52. Lusignan Kingdom of Cyprus, under Janus, AE sezin, 1398–1432 AD. Obv: + IA[nU]S . R[OI D]Є . , lion of Cyprus rampant l., pellet to l. of lion. Rev: [+ IЄR]LM [Є D]Є C[IP]; cross of Jerusalem. 20mm, 1.45g. Ref: CCS 124b.

B is for Basel: Bishopric of Basel, probably under Heinrich I. von Horburg, “vierzipfliger Pfennig”, ca. 1180–1190 AD. Obv: thick cross with annulets in quadrants. Rev: wheel with six spokes (or: star/flower in circle). 17mm, 0.37g. Ref: HMZ - (see 1-203, uniface issue); Wielandt 49; Slg. Wüthrich 5; Lanz 29, no. 240 (Barbarossa-Fund). Prince-Bishopric of Basel, under Johann II. Senn von Münsingen, Angster ("vierzipfliger Pfennig"), 1335–1365 AD. Obv: head of a bishop wearing mitre (three pellets at each side) left, between B-A, ring above. Rev: negative design (bracteate). 17–20mm, 0.33g. Ref: Wielandt: Basler Münzprägung (1971), no. 117; HMZ 255; Catalogue Wüthrich, no 31; Berger: Brakteaten (1993/6), no. 2415–1416. Basel, City and Canton, AR "Rappen," 17th c. Obv: crosier ("Baselstab") in shield with three v-shaped ornaments; all in dotted border. Rev: negative design (bracteate). 17.5 mm, 0.27g. Ref: HMZ 2–89a.

A recent small and opportunistic purchase. It was very cheap and I have been to Neuchâtel not long ago, so I couldn't resist: Principality of Neuchâtel, under Henri II d’Orléans Longueville, BI halbbatzen, 1648 AD. Obv: HE AV DVX LONG D:G PRI NOVICAS; crowned shield of arms, date 4-8. Rev: OCVLI DOMINI ET PAX SVP IVST; ornate cross with fleurs de lis in angles. 23mm, 1.63g. Ref: HMZ 687.

Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, AE sestertius, 195–196 AD, Rome mint. Obv: L SEPT SE[V P]ERT AVG IMP VII; 29.5mm, bust of Septimius Severus, laureate, with drapery on l. shoulder, r. Rev: [DIVI] M PII F [P M] TR P III COS II P P; Felicitas, draped, standing l., foot on prow, holding caduceus in r, hand and cornucopiae in l. hand. 29.5mm, 20.23g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 701b. Next: Julia Domna in bronze

I won it in Teutoburger 149, about a month ago. In my eyes, the easy and safe way of storing bracteates is to put them in a hard plastic coin capsule with a small piece of cotton wool or medical gauze underneath. That way, they are fixed in place and don't rattle around. To illustrate the point, I'll post a picture: Due to concerns about possible PVC damage over time, I do not use plastic foam. Some auction houses do, though. When outside of their capsules, bracteates can be handled like "normal" coins, just with a bit of extra care due to their fragility. Thanks for the compliment – and for posting your great Henry short cross penny! That is a fabulous coin. The coinage of the Kingdom of Sicily is quite fascinating, especially due to its bilingual nature. A tari with both Arabic and Latin legends similar to the one @Hrefn posted is still on my wish list. A couple of nice examples went under the hammer recently, but my pockets unfortunately were too empty to get one. So for now, here is Frederick's predecessor and maternal cousin William II: Norman Kingdom of Sicily, under William II "the Good" follaro, bronze 1166–1189 AD, Messina or Palermo mint. Obv: Lion's head left. Rev: Kufic legend: "al-malik Ghulyalim al-thani" ('King William the second'). 14mm, 1.87g. Ref: Spahr 118. And here are both of Frederick's parents, Henry IV and Constance of Sicily: Kingdom of Sicily, under Heinrich VI of Hohenstaufen, BI denaro, 1194–1196 AD, Brindisi mint. Obv: .HE. INPERATOR; cross with two stars in quadrants. Rev: .C. INPERATRIX; AP with omega-stroke above. 16mm, 0.52g. Ref: Spahr 30; MEC XIV 485–487.

Mattingly, the author of the respective RIC volume, assumed there had been two western mints (Rome and Milan) because of the different obverse legends. He considered coins of Volusian and Trebonianus Gallus bearing obverse legends beginning with "IMP C C VIB" to be from Milan, and those reading "IMP CAE C VIB" from Rome. @Severus Alexanderhas given the arguments that disproved Mattingly's theory above.

Because I attributed it using RIC back when I purchased it, and now have copied and pasted my attribution without taking a second look... RIC (via OCRE) attributes the obverse with the legend "IMP C C VIB VOLVSIANVS AVG" to Milan. As far as I understand, this attribution is now considered incorrect. The British Museum, for example, gives Rome as the mint location.

Frederick II of Hohenstaufen (1194–1250 AD) is one of the most intriguing figures in European medieval history. Born as the son of emperor Henry VI, Frederick grew up in Palermo, the capital of the realm of his mother, Constance of Sicily. His ascension to the German throne in 1215 marked the end of the power struggle between the House of Hohenstaufen and the House of Welf. In 1229, he peacefully entered Jerusalem after negotiating a treaty with sultan al-Kamil. As king of Sicily, Germany, Italy, Jerusalem and as Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick ruled over a vast multinational realm. At his cosmopolitan court, Italian, German, and Arabic influences created a unique cultural atmosphere in which art and science flourished. Much of Frederick's reign was shaped by an ongoing conflict with the papacy, which led to drastically different contemporary opinions about his rule and person: While one contemporary chronicler called him stupor mundi ("the astonishment of the world"), pope Innocent IV declared him the preambulus Antichristi ("the predecessor of the Antichrist"). I had long wanted a coin showing Frederick II, and I am happy to have won the bracteate below. It was minted at Ulm, a city in the Swabian heartland of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. In the high medieval period, Ulm was the location of both a royal palace (Königspfalz) and a royal mint presumably located at this palace: Ulm, royal mint, under Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, 1215–1250 AD. Obv. crowned bust of king facing, branch to l., tower to r. Rev: incuse design (bracteate). 23mm, 0.33g. Ref: Berger 2598–9; Cahn 168 (for Lindau); Slg. Wüthrich 303. Please post your coins of Frederick II or his contemporaries!

I've got two antoniniani of Volusian. My Rome example, the same type as @Tejas' coin, is nothing special. I like my Volusian from the Antioch mint a bit better: Volusian, Roman Empire, antoninian, 251–253 AD, Mediolanum mint. Obv: IMP C C VIB VOLVSIANVS AVG, bust of Volusian, draped, cuirassed, radiate, r. Rev: VIRTVS AVGG, Virtus, helmeted and in military attire, standing r., holding spear in r. hand and leaning on shield with l. 22mm, 2.47g. Ref: RIC IV,3 Volusian 206. Volusian, Roman Empire, antoninian, 251–252 AD, Antioch mint. Obv:IMP C V AF GAL VEND VOLUSIANO AVG; radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust r., seen from front; •••• below. Rev: PAX AVGVS; Pax standing l., holding branch and transverse scepter; •••• in exergue.. 22mm, 3,92g. Ref: RIC IV Volusian 230a. Ex AMCC 3, lot 276; ex Shea19 collection; ex CNG, e-auction 475, Lot 301c; ex Richard McAlee collection.

Let's agree to disagree on this point. For my part, I consider a working legal framework to protect archeological sites important. The PAS in Great Britain in my eyes is a very positive example. On the other hand, the situation in Turkey and a number of Balkan countries, where the sale of antiquities is illegal but looting and smuggling are common, is deeply lamentable. That is a different topic, though... I concur. To me, the difference between coin cleaning and coin collecting is somewht analogous to the difference between liking nice furniture and woodworking. You don't need to be a craftsperson in order to appreciate a Chippedale chair. And if you are a hobby woodworker, you'll enjoy the activity of building stuff yourself despite the fact that you'll likely have to invest much more time and money on it than you would on simply buying furniture of the same quality.

Like many others, I started collecting ancient coins by buying several uncleaned lots. I soon learned to regret that. By now, almost all of the coins from these lots have left my collection again. They were not easy to unload. It would have been wiser to spend my money on a small number of attractive cleaned coins instead. Speaking from that experience, I generally do not recommend buying uncleaned lots for three reasons: First, you mostly don't know how, where, and in what sort of legal situation the coins were dug up. Secondly, uncleaned lot tend to consist mostly of junk coins: worn slugs, identifiable but common and less than optimally preserved LRBs of the Constantinian era, maybe salted with a few of the usual 3rd century bronzes (Gallienus, Claudius Gothicus, and so on). Don't expect to find any treasures – the lots you buy will have been cherry picked by more than one pair of expert hands before they end up on Ebay. Third, cleaning coins is a very different hobby from collecting coins. If you don't know what you are doing and aren't prepared to invest a lot of time and money in acquiring the right tools and learning the right techniques, you will likely do more damage than good to the coins you are trying to clean. The LRB below was probably the best coin I got from cleaning a bit more than 200 uncleaned Romans back then. You can imagine how much of the rest looked like: Constantine I, Roman Empire, AE3, 327–329 AD, Heraclea mint. Obv: CONSTANTINVS AVG; head of Constantine, diademed, r., looking upward. Rev: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG; “VOT/XXX” within a laurel wreath. 19mm, 3.20g. Ref: RIC VII Heraclea 92.

Philip III Arrhidaios (in the types of Philip II), Kingdom of Macedonia, AR 1/5 tetradrachm, 323–317 BC, Amphipolis mint. Obv: head of Apollo right, wearing tainia. Rev: [Φ]IΛIΠΠ[OY]; horseman riding right; branch below. 13mm, 1.78g. Ref: Le Rider pl. 46, 28; Troxell, Studies, Group 8, 385. Next: Macedon silver, yet not a drachm or tetradrachm

Nice coins. I like the portrait on your denarius! My Securitas coins are all a bit younger: Gallienus, Roman Empire, AE antoninianus, 260–268 AD, Rome mint. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG; head of Gallienus, radiate, r. Rev: SECVRIT PERPET; Securitas standing l., legs crossed, leaning on column, holding sceptre; in field r., H. 21mm, 2.96g. Ref: RIC V Gallienus 280. Quintillus, Roman Empire, AE antoninian, 270 AD, Rome mint. Obv: [IMP C M] AVR CL QVINTILLVS A[VG]; bust of Quintillus, radiate, draped, r. Rev: SECVRIT AVG; Securitas, draped, standing l., legs crossed, leaning on column, holding sceptre; in field r., XI. 21mm, 3.00g. Ref: RIC V Quintillus 31. Helena, Roman Empire, AE3, 327–328 AD, Trier mint. Obv: FL HELENA AVGVSTA; bust of Helena, wearing necklace and mantle, r. Rev: SECVRITAS REIBUBLICE; Securitas, draped, standing l., raising robe with r. hand and lowering branch with l. hand, in exergue, PTRE. 19mm, 2.88g. Ref: RIC VII Treveri 508.