robinjojo

Yes, very interesting charts. However, these numbers apply only for coins appearing at auction, so if one were to somehow factor in coins sold at the retail dealer level they of course would be higher. Getting to the point of this thread, what is the future for ancient numismatics, I think that would be dictated on: 1) the supply of coins entering the market primarily through hoards and individual finds; 2) the types of coins entering the market; 3) the world economic and geopolitical situation and ; 4) the number of new collectors entering the ancient coins arena. Now, being a forgetful old foggie I might have missed a factor or two, but I think those are the main ones. As a general observation I have noticed a significant influx of coins that were considered to be in the past quite rare, such as the Tigranes II tetradrachms that now seem to be coming out the woodwork. Also, I have the impression that as conflict increases in parts of the world, or persists, it seems that lots of coins are entering through back channels, something that I am sure has existed almost since the dawn of collecting ancient coins, and other types as well. Lots of pharaonic have been coming out of Syria and other places in the Middle East for the past few years, which in turn seems to have increased collector interest in these coins. This might be just my impression, but there is definitely an ebb and flow in the supply of these and other coins.

A truly golden group for 2023! They are all truly exceptional coins and picking a favorite is difficult, given my proclivity to like just about everything. The Kushan and Sassanian coins are absolutely beautiful, so I would pick them as one and two, respectively, as my favorites. The Ostrogothic Kingdom AV tremissis is a true gem of a coin!

A wonderful group for 2022! It is truly amazing to see the hairstyle variations, as well as other varieties for Faustina I and II. I learn a lot reading your threads. I really like the portrait on #9, very well executed and reminiscent of my lesser quality, corroded young Faustina II sestertius:

"Gently" to the point of caricature!

Since I am partial to owls, #1 is my pick - really nice centering for this type.

Very nice coins for 2023. #8 is very interesting, especially the reverse.

Wonderful, just wonderful! I am not at all familiar with these coins, but just on the aesthetic level, they are very appealing. Kudos for the Anglo-Saxon Sceat, the Penny of Sihtric III and the Penny of Anund Jakob!

That's a nice, creative presentation. The follis of the Heraclius and his dad is excellent coin and very, very rare. All are excellent examples!

Excellent denarii, Phil! Some look as if they just came out of the mint. #1 has a wonderfully styled portrait and the surfaces are lustrous. The legionary denarii are stunning! I could go on but I'd run out of adjectives of praise.

Nice grouping for 2023! As mentioned the portraits are really nice. I like the patina of #1 and the portraits of #3 and #10.

Wow! Wonderful coins listed! The portrait and centering of #1, the Trajan Decius dupondius is really nice. The Medusa on Aegis of #7 is really cool. Coins #2 and #1 are outstanding. A great lineup for 2023!

Armenia, Tigranes II "The Great", tetradrachm, 95-56 BC. Bedoukian (CAA) 40 15.8 grams This is a lezginka dance, part of Khachaturian's Gayane Suite. This dance has it roots in the Caucasus Mountains of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. So, please feel free to stand up and take a few whirls!

Given the shape of the nick, I wonder if it might actually be a flan flaw such as a bubble? Judging from the photos the inner surface of the depression seems very even, bubble-like in shape. I would expect to see more of a point-of-impact in the center, spreading outwards. Now it is possible that a blunt, round tool might have been used that would create this effect. This is just speculation on my part. A wonderful coin in my view.

That's a really nice example. I understand your disappointment with the edge nick, but for me that isn't a major factor. This coin is ancient, hammer struck, thousands of years old and not a modern coin, where nicks and bumps are much more of a factor. As mentioned the portrait is wonderful, the legends are full and the reverse is very nice. Ancient coins and hammered modern coins, such as cobs, have a nature about them that makes the results of circulation, including surface deposits, surface marks, edge nicks, etc. a secondary consideration, at best. I think you have a keeper!

That lot offered by Leu is a group of bronzes with what appears to be "desert" patina on all of them. I wonder if the repatination applies to that, the higher darker details or both? My experience with creating a patina on a bronze coin usually means the application of a chemical, such as liver of sulfur, diluted with distilled water and heated. That process will darken the coin to a degree that is determined by the composition of the alloy. The application of a desert-like patina to an ancient bronze coin is another matter, and it is a step too far, in my opinion, bordering on deception.

Thanks! Yes, I think the portrait is wonderfully nuanced and expressive.

Wonderful coins, as usual! My choices are the Nikokles tetradrachm (love coins with added characters in odd places) and the Hyspaosines tetradrachm. You're right about the apparent recent influx of Characene coins. Now seems to be the time to snag some examples of the obscure kingdom. May your 2024 be equally fun and fulfilling!

Those are all nice coins in their own rights. I really like the reverse of the Philotas coin, with the nicely centered high relief eagle, no mean feat with such a small flan! The obverse of the Tyra coin is also very nice.

I wasn't intending to create a thread for Roman coins this time, since I wasn't particularly active in this sector of the ancient coins realm. However, going through the photos that I took this year I decided to post some of them for your viewing pleasure (I hope). They're listed in no particular order. Thanks! Julius Caesar, denarius, circa 48 BC. Crawford 452/2 3.76 grams Although somewhat over cleaned, this coin has pretty good centering, particularly the obverse. This example came by way of my local coin dealer. Hadrian, Æ Sestertius, ADVENTVS AVG MAVRETANIAE, circa 123 AD. RIC II.3 1784 25.28 grams This coin has clearly been around the block, or perhaps Mauritania, a few times. Still the obverse is quite nice. Another local acquisition. Claudius II Gothicus, antoninianus, 268-270 AD, Rome. RIC 54 2.65 grams I don't venture much into the late 3rd century and later Roman coinage, but when this coin popped up on eBay I decided to go for it because of the nice portrait and, more importantly, the nice centering, patina and toning. This is an eBay acquisition. Sabina, BI tetradrachm, Alexandria, Year 15 (130-1 AD). Cologne-1262; Dattari-2063; BM-918; RPC-5774 (9 specimens). 12.84 grams It has been said that Hadrian was particular about the quality of his portraits that appeared on the coins of his reign. This wonderful portrait of Sabina on an Alexandrian tetradrachm helps to support this point. Gallienus, antoninianus, Rome, 267 AD. Reverse: SALVS AVG, Salus holding a staff while a feeding snake. C 940 2.64 grams This is fairly common coin, and typically crude, but the portrait is very nice, as is the reverse figure and snake. This is another local coin shop purchase. I must say that whatever Salus is feeding the snake is odd. Did then have mangoes back then? Salonina (Wife of Gallienus), AE As, Rome, 260-268 AD. Reverse: IVNO REGINA SC Juno. RIC 49 10.04 grams While fairly worn, this is actually quite a scarce coin with nice centering. This is another local acquisition. Vespasian, tetradrachm, Antioch Seleucis Pieria, RY 4 (71-72 AD). RPC II 1973; Prieur 137; SNG Copenhagen 169. 14.91 grams This coin appears to have been struck with clashed dies, but I cannot say this for certain. A negative impression of the reverse can be seen on the obverse above Vespasian's nose. Antoninus Pius, BI tetradrachm, Alexandria, year 3 (139-140 AD). Eirene reverse. Milne 1638 25 mm; 13.42 grams Julia Mamaea, sestertius, Rome, 228 AD. Reverse: FELICITAS PVBLICA S C. RIC 676; Sear 8228. 19.24 grams While obviously cleaned, and a common coin as well, I really like the portrait and centering, especially on the obverse.. Postumus, double sestertius, Treveri, 260-69 AD. Reverse: LAETITA, galley. RIC 143 33mm; 27.97 grams Here's a chunky, typically crude and relatively inexpensive coin at $66. The weight range of these double sestertii is very wide, with this example on the heavier side of the scale.

Thanks! I did go somewhat off the path with the Alexander III tetradrachm and the Kushan AV dinar, but was a nice diversion from all those owls!

Thanks! I wasn't sure how to allow multiple choices when setting the poll. Three per member would have been nice. Maybe next year I'll figure this out.

Thanks! I really need to get off my duff and photograph more cobs!

Those are wonderful Roman provincial coins, Donna! Your detailed writeups for each coin are awesome and reflection of your dedication to the scholarly side of our hobby. The coins we collect are reflections of the history and your descriptions of those you post help widen our understanding of their historical contexts. Now, for the coins posted, I like the Nero galley tetradrachm for its quality of strike, and ditto for the Gallienus billon tetradrachm (great portrait).

Wow! What a lineup for 2023! I especially like the Lucania, Metapontion stater, with its wonderfully modeled portrait. Also, I'm always a pushover for a cherub powered biga - nice coin!

Great coins for 2023, Chris! I'm a sucker for a wildman taler, so with the Russian countermark, that Jefimok rouble is really special. The Tarragona 5 pesetas is also a beautiful example. Congrats!