Ursus

What a spectacular list, Curtis! It is very hard to pick favorites, but the Syracusan tetradrachm and the denarus with a lifetime portrait of Caesar stand out to me. You certainly had a great collecting year. I wish you all the best for 2024.

2023 has been an all-around eventful year for me both at home and at work. Most importantly, my wife and I became parents. We are incredibly happy but still in the process of settling into a new rhythm of life together with our little daughter – which is why I haven’t been that active on this board recently. When it comes to coin collecting, I made comparatively few purchases in 2023. On the one hand, I simply didn’t have much time to hunt for coins between some new projects at work and the big baby project at home. On the other hand, prices for quality ancient and medieval coins appear to have risen again, and now often reach a point where I have to tap out. Nonetheless, I managed to add some pieces that sum up to a – for my standards respectable – top ten. Here they are in chronological order: 1. This is my second Alexander tetradrachm. It’s a coin that somehow grew on me. Initially, I was attracted to it because of its rather unusual style and it surprised me that I won it at auction with a lowball bid. The auction house had tentatively attributed it to the Amphipolis mint. With the help of some other forum members (see this thread), though, I was able to identify the control mark as a naval ram and thus attribute it correctly and find some die matches. It is from the Soli mint on Cyprus - which has an interesting history and is not a common mint for Alexander tetradrachms. Alexander III "the Great," Kingdom of Macedonia, AR tetradrachm, c. 325/3-319/8 BC, Soli (Cyprus) mint (under Pasikrates). Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin. Rev: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, naval ram (prow). 25mm, 17.21g. Ref: Price 3097. 2. I like Celtic and other “barbaric” imitations of Greek and Roman coins. This coin imitates a drachm of Massalia and gives the lion on the reverse distinctive insect-like features. Its great luster makes it hard to photograph. Western Celts: Insubres, Cenomani, or Salluvii, AR drachm (imitation of Massalia), minted in southern Gaul, c. 2nd century BC. Obv: stylized head of nymph r. Rev: scorpion-like lion standing r.; barbarous legend above. 18mm, 2.62g. Ref: de la Tour 2126, CCCBM II 9; KMW 125. 3. Some of you will probably yawn at this coin. It is a common type, yet I had wanted to add one to my collection since I saw an example at the Bode museum in Berlin some years ago and learned about the history of this coinage. The large 1st century issues of tetradrachms from Thasos were struck by Roman officials in the province of Macedonia in order to pay Thracian and Danubian auxiliary troops that fought in the Mithridatic Wars. Thasos, Island of Thrace, AR tetradrachm, c. 90–75 BC. Obv: head of Dionysos r., wearing ivy-wreath. Rev: HPAKΛEOYΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ ΘAΣIΩN, youthful Herakles standing l., holding club and lion's skin; monogram in l. field. 31mm, 16.07g. Ref: Prokopov, Silberprägung, Group XVI, 174; Le Rider, Thasiennes 52; HGC 6, 359. 4. I have been intrigued by this type for a while, mainly because of the reverse depicting the Roman ritual of swearing an oath while touching a pig. It is up for debate whether this scene here refers to a specific actual historical event. Crawford argues for a reference to the agreement at the Caudine Forks in 321 BC, but this is far from certain. It might also simply copy the design from a much earlier gold stater (RRC 28). In any case, it is an unusual type showing a culturally interesting scene. Roman Republic, moneyer: Ti. Veturius, AR denarius, 137 BC, Rome mint. Obv: Bust of Mars r., draped and helmeted behind, X and TI VE downwards. Reverse: oath-taking scene: two warriors facing each other, each holds spear in l. hand and with sword in r. hand touches pig held by figure kneeling between them; above, [ROMA]. 18mm, 3.93g. Ref: RRC 234/1. 5. The reverse of this denarius shows Cupid (or an infant Genius) riding a goat. It is likely derived from a statue that stood in the temple of Veiovis. The goat probably refers to the animal from whose hide the aegis was made, while the caps of the Dioscuri point to the Tusculan origin of the moneyer’s family. Roman Republic, moneyer: Mn. Fonteius, AR denarius, 85 BC, Rome mint. Obv: MN. FONTEI CF; head of Apollo r., below, thunderbolt. Rev: Cupid on goat, right; around, laurel-wreath; above, pilei; below, thyrsus. 19mm, 3.90g. Ref: RRC 353/1. 6. I like Roman Republican coins that don’t show a head of Roma on the obverse and a horse-drawn chariot or the dioscuri on horseback on the reverse. This one is not only interesting because it was struck during the turbulent years after Caesar’s assassination, it also combines different references to the cult of Liber/Bacchus on both obverse and reverse. Roman Republic, moneyer: C. Vibius Varus, AR denarius, 42 BC, Rome mint. Obv: head of Liber r., wearing ivy-wreath. Rev: garlanded altar, on which rests mask of Silenus and against which rests thyrsus; on r., panther springing up towards altar; in exergue, C VIBIVS; on r., VARVS upwards. Ref: RRC 494/36. 7. Most forum members know that I mainly collect medieval bracteates, which explains the next forum coins. The first one comes from the royal mint at Ravensburg and belongs to the group of bracteates struck in the region around Lake Constance. Its design later on became the coat of arms of the city and is a visual pun on its name: “Burg” means castle. Ravensburg, royal mint, likely under Frederick I Barbarossa, AR bracteate penny, c. 1185–1200 AD. Obv. three towers with central gate, small ringlets above flanking towers, pseudo-lettering around. Rev: incuse design (bracteate). Ref: Berger 2533, Slg. Bonhoff 1842, Slg. Wüthrich 255. 8. This episcopal issue from Augsburg is not exactly rare but in very attractive condition. I like that it shows the bishop performing the rite of blessing. The seller apparently got their hands on a small hoard, so I was able to get it for a bargain price. Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg, under Udalschalk von Eschenlohe or Hartwig II von Hirnheim, AR bracteate, ca. 1184–1208. Obv: bishop facing, raising both hands, pellets above hands. Rev: incuse design (bracteate). 22mm, 0.67g. Ref: Berger 2640; Slg. Bonhoff 1903; Slg. Wüthrich 313; Steinhilber 61. 9. Another bracteate from the Lake Constance region. The Rottweil mint is special insofar as it only struck a single type over a long period of time. Other bracteate mints usually changed types rather often in order to declare the old types invalid and have them exchanged for new coins at a premium. This way of collecting taxes is known as renovatio monetae but apparently did not happen at Rottweil. There is a very detailed studies of all known dies from Rottweil. Mine was struck from die #113. This die may date a bit later than the bulk of coins from Rottweil that were struck during the reign of Frederick II. Rottweil, royal mint, under Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, AR bracteate penny, 1215–1250 AD. Obv: stylized eagle facing, head r. Rev: incuse design (bracteate), 18mm, 0.36g. Ref: Slg. Bonhoff 1875, Slg. Wüthrich 270, Berger 2565 (die: Klein, Rottweil, no. 113, tentatively dated c. 1270–1280). 10. Last but not least, a 13th century bracteate from a monastic mint. The Benedictine abbey of Kempten was founded by St. Hildegard of Vinzgouw, the wife of Charlemagne and queen of the Frankish realm. Her bust is shown on this coin. It is also present in the abbey’s arms. I can appreciate the slightly comical style of the portrait. Princely Abbey of Kempten, AR bracteate penny, c. 1230 AD. Obv: crowned bust of St. Hildegard with lily and cross; pseudo-lettering around border. Rev: incuse design (bracteate). 20mm, 0.38g. Berger 2512–3; Slg. Bonhoff 1837–40. Please name your favorites and post anything related!

I will post my top ten for 2023 in the next couple of days, and they will contain a fair number of medieval bracteates. This recent purchase is my inofficial no. 11. I have searched for a medieval bracteate from the royal mint at Frankfurt for quite some time due to the historical significance of that city. Unfortunately, many of the attainable coins from this mint are of rather mediocre artistic quality. This one is attractive enough in my eyes. Furthermore, it was struck at an interestic point in German history, during the turbulent times following the death of Frederick II: Frankfurt am Main, royal mint, AR bracteate, c. 1260/70 AD. Obv. crowned bust facing, holding lily sceptre and imperial orb; below, arch. Rev: incuse design (bracteate). 22mm, 0.35g. Ref: Berger 2371–3; Slg. Bonhoff 1529.

This morning, I opened the envelope @Qcumbor sent me a while ago and found a very thoughtful letter as well as this gorgeous coin: Constantius II, Roman Empire, AR reduced siliqua, 360–363 AD, Lugdunum mint. Obv: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG; bust of Constantius II, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: VOTIS/XXX/MVLTIS/XXXX within a wreath; in exergue, LVG. 18mm, 2.31g. Ref: RIC VIII Lugdunum 216. I absoloutely love it and am struck by your generosity, Q. While I have a fairly good selection of late Roman bronze coins, silver from that period has been somewhat of a hole in my collection that this siliqua now has plugged. Thank you so much! Also, since you wrote me that you chose this coin because it was struck in your home region at Lyon, I wanted to let you know that this place has a special significance for me, too: I proposed to my wife while we were stuck in a traffic jam in the Tunnel de la Croix-Rousse. (Not the most romantic spot in the city, I know, but opportunity tends to present itself at strange moments...) So, everytime I hold a coin from Lyon, I have to think of that joyful day, which makes your gift even better. Happy Holidays and Io Saturnalia to all of you! (Also, I'm glad you like the denarius, @JayAg47!)

Nice selection! The Antiochus tet is fantastic, but I also have to single out the Aethelred penny. What a splendid example (despite the plastic coffin)!

Nice Tancred and Septimius Severus sestertius! You obviously had a good collecting year.

Maybe: naval ram pointing upwards? See the picture of the Athlit ram below for comparison.

Lovely group of coins! The Elymaean tetradrachm is particularly outstanding imho.

Hey, what's the issue with severed heads on coins?! If you're otherwise into medieval coins, everything with a catalog entry and a halfway sensible date and attribution appears pretty close to the surface... Roman Republic, moneyer: M. Sergius Silus, AR denarius, 116–115 BC, Rome mint. Obv: EX·S·C ROMA; helmeted head of Roma, r., denominational mark X. Rev: Q M·SERGI SILVS; one-armed horseman (Marcus Sergius Silus) l., holding sword and severed head in l. hand. 17mm, 2.84g. RRC RRC 286/1.

A very nice and varied selection of coins! The Egyptian Hadrian obol and the sceatt stand out to me.

Lovely coin! My last bracteate for 2023 is below. A common high medieval type from Augsburg, yet in very attractive condition. Künker recently sold some twenty examples of this coin (Berger 2640) as well as Berger 2632 via their ebay profile. I managed to snatch this one for a good price. The fact that all the coins they offered had a similar patina makes me assume Künker got their hands on a small hoard. Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg, under Udalschalk von Eschenlohe or Hartwig II von Hirnheim, AR bracteate, ca. 1184–1208. Obv: bishop facing, raising both hands, pellets above hands. Rev: incuse design (bracteate). 22mm, 0.67g. Ref: Berger 2640; Slg. Bonhoff 1903; Slg. Wüthrich 313; Steinhilber 61.

I just received an unexpected envelope from a lovely neighboring country, and I very much suspect it to be from my Saturn. (Looking at the sender's address, I have somewhat of a hunch who it is.) Now I have to wait and resist the temptation of opening it right away!

Cassius Dio wrote from a senatorial perspective and under the patronage of Severus Alexander. That means he had a vested interest in making Elagabalus look as bad as possible. The details Dio gives about Elagabalus' unconventional sex life thus must be read as political propaganda. It is unclear how much truth is contained in his account, but his message can be summarized as follows: "Elagabalus was a crazy, outrageous, and effeminate decadent – look how great Severus Alexander is in comparison!" I find it a bit naive to uncritically take what is meant to be slander as historical fact. Reading a modern transgender biography into Dio's account furthermore ignores how different ancient Roman ideas about gender and sexuality were from our current debates. But I guess that is what happens when you try to reshape history in your own image...

Even further back, see, for example, the shield on the reverse of this coin: Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Sigismund III Vasa, AR Ort (¼ Taler), 1622 AD, Bromberg mint. Obv: SIGIS • III • D • G • REX • POL • M • D • LI • RVS • PRV • M; bust of Sigismund III, crowned, with ruff and in ornamented cuirass, holding sword and orb. Rev: SAM • LIV • NEC • N • SV • GOT • VAN : Q : HRI : R; crowned and quartered shield with eagles (Poland) and rider (Lithuania), central inescutcheon with Vasa withy; in fields, 16-22; mint sign: arrow and stars. 29mm, 6.83g. Ref: Kopicki 1278.

A highly educational website! Thanks for posting it here. I bought this one from you a couple of years ago, @Valentinian: Roman Provinces: Mesopotamia, Edessa, under Caracalla, AE 21, 198–217 AD. Obv: M AVR ANTONINV[S PF AVG]; head of Caracalla, laureate, r. Rev: COL MET ANTONINIANA AVR ALEX; bust of Tyche, draped and turreted, r. 21mm, 6.17g. Sear Greek Imperial 2702; BMC 19 (for Carrhae).

I've just been to the post office. My gift is on its very long way to the other side of the globe, and I hope it will arrive safely and in time for Saturnalia.

Rumor has it that the "anatomical" look of the two Scandinavian countries on the early euro coins was a major reason for introducing the new design that now includes Norway despite it not being a EU member state. (Also, a Finnish friend once told me that it gave rise to a popular joke in his home country: stating that "the Swedes are d***s but we've got balls" and pointing at a piece of change to prove the point.)

Happy birthday to a hapless emperor! I haven't shown this denarius in a while, which I refuse to call a "tribute penny" (a term mostly invented to market these to religious people not otherwise interested in ancient coins): Tiberius, Roman Empire, denarius, 15–18 AD, Lyon mint. Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate portrait right. Rev: PONTIF MA[XIM], Livia as Pax seated right on chair with ornately decorated legs, holding sceptre (or spear) and branch. 18mm, 2.8g. Ref: RIC I Tiberius 28; RSC II 16b; Sear 1763; Giard: Le monnayage de l'atelier de Lyon 1 (1983), group 2, 146.

I very much like these exactly because of the precise dates. Mine is Apellaios (November) 152 AD, too: Parthian Empire, under Vologases IV, AR tetradrachm, SE 464, month Apellaios (November 152 AD), Seleukeia on the Tigris mint. Obv: Diademed and draped bust l., wearing tiara; B behind. Rev: [SEΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Ν - ΑΡΣΑΚΟY / O]ΛΑΓΑΣΟ[Υ - ΔΙΚΑΙΟY - Ε]ΠΙΦΑΝΟY[Σ / ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ], date: ΔΞY – ΑΠΕΛΑΙΟΥ; Vologases seated l. on throne, Tyche standing r. before him, presenting a diadem and holding sceptre. 27mm, 13.81g. Ref: Sellwood 84.13.

Nice idea for a thread! Chirple (also has an additional lizard): Macedonia, Eion, AR trihemiobol, ca. 460-400 BC. Obv: Goose standing r., head turned l.; lizard curving l. above; H to lower r. Rev: quadripartite incuse square. 12 mm, 0,71g. Ref: SNG Cop 179. Glurple (a tunny, a lion, and a boar on one tiny coin – what's not to love about it!): Mysia, Kyzikos, AR hemiobol (?), c. 480–450 BC. Obv: roaring lion’s head l.; star above. Rev: forepart of boar l.; tunny behind. 8mm, 0.25g.

Here they are: Domitian, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 88/89 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P VIII, laureate head of Domitian right. Rev: IMP XIX COS XIIII CENS PP, Minerva standing left holding thunderbolt and spear, leaning on shield. 19mm, 3.22g. Ref: RIC II (2007) Domitian 669. Julia Domna, Roman Empire, denarius, 196–211 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA; bust of Julia Domna, draped, r. Rev: IVNO, Iuno standing l., holding patera and sceptre, peacock at feet l. 18mm, 3.20g. Ref: RIC IV Septimius Severus 559. Septimius Severus, Roman Empire, denarius, 197–198 AD, Rome mint. Obv: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, head of Septimius Severus, laureate, r. Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter seated left, holding Victory and sceptre. 17.5mm, 3.30g. Ref: RIC IV.1 Septimius Severus 130.

...and sometimes, they even made their own! The coins in the picture below may look like Abbasid silver dirhams, but they are in fact forgeries cast from an alloy of lead and tin. They were found in the harbour of the Viking settlement of Haithabu/Hedeby in northern Germany. Numerous both real and fake Arabic dirhams unearthed at Haithabu are on display at the museum of this archeological site. Apparently, the local Vikings were rather apt when it came to both amassing and faking Arabic coins...

Nice haul! I particularly like the two LRBs – the bug-eyed Constantius is quite charming. The Trajan provincial is a good find, too. @Nerosmyfavorite68 already pointed you into the right direction. More specifically, your coin is: Regensburg, anonymous joint episcopal and ducal issue, AR pfennig, c. 1315–1374 AD. Obv: Head of duke above merlons, between H-O. Rev: Heads of bishop and duke facing within double arcade. Ref: Emmerig 246. As usual with late medieval Vierschlagpfennige, the reverse on your coin is weakly struck.

A fantastic write-up and lots of beautiful coins in this thread. I am excited to see what happens once you get to the more unusual deities, @Curtisimo. How many portraits of, for example, Hephaestus are there on Greek coins? I have no idea... For now, here is an attractive Apollo type not yet shown in this thread: Thessaly, Thessalian League, AR drachm, mid-late 2nd century BC. Obv: head of Apollo, laureate, r.; behind ΓAYANA (eroded). Rev: ΘΕΣΣΑΛΩΝ; Athena Itonia striding right, hurling spear, shield on arm; in fields, , Π-Ο-Λ-Y; to r., grape. 18mm, 3.90g. Ref: BCD Thessaly II 819.

Getting one shouldn't be hard. These are sold for little more than melt value in attractive condition. In my eyes, it's probably the most attractive mass-produced silver coin from the time of the German Empire 1871–1918.