robinjojo

Here's a very interesting recent arrival (today). It is a silver ("argent" on edge) medal issued by the University of France (1808-1896) in the 19th century. The obverse has Athena facing right, Skylla perched in the helmet also facing right, arm raised her forehead, Alphée Dubois below . The reverse has the following inscription: "University of France Advisory Committee for Higher Education". 38.3mm, 29.7 grams Here's the Lucania Thourioi, stater Circa 400-350 BC with a similar obverse design, albeit crude with some corrosion. 7.55 grams Alphée Dubois was a sculptor and medallist. Born in Paris. Son of J E Dubois. Studied under Barre and Duret. Won the Prix de Rome in 1855.

German engraved dies, along with its massive size puts this 50 reales of Segovia, 1635, right up there as one of the most beautiful coins of the 17th century. Among the first roller die produced crowns of the 16th century, this 8 reales, also from Segovia, 1590, marked a significant improvement over the hammered coinage of the period in terms of quality and overall beauty.

Yes, that is a Lihyan owl, similar to this one: Lihyan Kingdom, BI 'tetradrachm' owl, 2nd-1st centuries BC, 12.89g Generally speak the coinage grew progressively smaller, abstract and crude over time, to this point: Lihyan Kingdom, AE tetradrachm owl imitation 2nd-1st centuries BC, 7.4 grams.

Wonderful coins posted! Yes, the Iceland 1930 10 Kronour is a fine example of the Art Deco movement of the 1920s-1930s. Yes, detailed engraving enhances a coin no doubt, but sometimes simplicity also works, as with this 1 Quetzal, Guatemala, 1925. In the area of world gold coins, I think the design of the Mexican 50 pesos is quite beautiful. As is the caballito peso of 1910 to 1914. Both coins show definite classical influences on their obverses.

Beauty, as the truism goes, is in the eye of the beholder. The way an object conveys the feelings in the mind of what we call beauty is , of course, a purely subjective process that results in opinions as wide and varied as humanity itself. Here, there really aren't any absolutes, only the way our minds process the image or object that it beholds. Have you ever encountered a coin that, on first sight, clicks all the synapses and endorphins that evoke feelings that send one into almost another realm, that realm of meaning, and an appreciation that is reserved for very few occasions in one's life. To be sure, there are coins, ancient and modern, that are often rated as the most beautiful coins produced by human civilizations. The decadrachms of Syracuse are a good example. But, as collectors, and students of history and art, we know that beauty has many intangible aspects, with, as I said, no real absolutes. I made world coins the subject of this thread, since it is being posted in the World Coins Forum, but it is not necessarily limited to this field of numismatics. Of course parallel threads could be created in the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Non-Western forums as well. Well, to get ball rolling, here is my German New Guinea 5 marks, 1894, a coin admired for its depiction of a bird of paradise on the obverse. Purchased from Hal Blackburn around 1982. KM 7 27.8 grams So, please post your coins, along with why they have qualities of beauty. Thanks!

Thanks! It is a very interesting coin, since it incorporates Greek mythology (hippocampus) and Egyptian iconography: the vulture (the goddess Nekhbet, who the was the protector of Upper Egypt and especially its rulers) and the ram (the god Amun-Re, god of sun and air).

During my forays into the world of cyberspace auctions, I occasionally come across an interesting non-coin item, such as this Byzantine medallion. Byzantine bronze medallion, 7-12 centuries AD, possibly St Basil of Caesarea. 37.07 grams

Lovely coins, Donna., especially Crawford 374/1, a most unusual beast! Qcumbor, that is a beautiful denarius of Julius Caesar!

Some beautiful examples posted! My Seleucid tetradrachms, at least the ones photographed so far, are from Tyre, purchased fairly recently from what appears to a hoard or hoards that have hit the market over the past few years. Seleucid Empire, Antiochus VII Euergetes-Sidetes (138-129 BC), tetradrachm, Tyre. 14.0 grams

I came across this article in the Guardian today, regarding a Roman road in western Wales. Apparently the Romans ventured further west in Britain than thought, possibly, as the article suggests, because of silver deposits, which may or may not exist. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/05/romans-ventured-deeper-into-wales-than-thought-road-discovery-shows

Here's an ancient with a threesome of animals, one of which is mythic. On the obverse, under the trireme is a hippocampus facing left. On the reverse is a vulture facing left, below, an incuse ram, head turned right. Phoenicia, Bybos, Shekel, 435-425 BC.

I've lately focused on the last year of Maurice Tiberius' reign, year 20 and year 21 (part of). His regnal year 21 was literally cut short by the rebellion led by Phocas and others. Here's what I have so far. Constantinople Maurice Tiberius follis, RY 20 601/2 officina gamma. I thought it might be 21, but it's not. 12.42 grams Maurice Tiberius follis, RY 20 601/2, Sear 495. 12.13g Antioch Maurice Tiberius follis Antioch RY 20 AD 601/2.AD Sear 533. 10.61 grams Maurice Tiberius follis RY 21 AD 602/3.AD Sear 533. 9.86g Cyzicus Maurice Tiberius follis Cyzicus RY 20 AD 601/2.AD Sear 519. 9.96 grams I still need to add a RY 21 from Constantinople, which might be a bit of a challenge.

I don't want to replicate the excellent advice posted, except to say follow your passion! What interests you? Take your time, read, study what appeals to you, be that historical, artistic or a combination of the two. Being informed is the first step in beginning your journey into ancient numismatics.

Since this thread is in the General Forum, here's a 2 bahts of Thailand (Siam), 1860. KM-Y12 30.67 grams

I forgot - One more: Lucania Thurium tetradrachm double nomos 443-400 BC. 15.47 grams

Here are a few: Julius Caesar, denarius, circa 49 BC. 4.01 grams Otacilla Severa, sesteritus, 248 AD, RIC 200. 13.6 grams Athens, archaic tetradrachm, circe 485-480 BC (I just had to add this one because of the reverse). Apulia, Luceria, Æ Uncia. C. 225-217 BC. Frog, Corn-ear; • in field, 30 mm 45.7 grams Carthage, BI serrate dishekel, 160-149 BC, Roma E-Sale 69. 12.80 grams

Thank you, NewStyleKing, for posting these new style owls from your collection. Have you ever considered publishing a study based on your collection, either digitally or in print? I think a work of that sort would help collectors who are trying to collect owls from this complex and fascinating period of Athenian coinage.

The name Elizabeth does have considerable significance in the monarchial history of England and the UK. So, in honor of the anniversary, here is Elizabeth II's forbearer in name.

And there is Caracalla: And his brother Geta:

The Romans placed a high value in depicting a full head of hair on their imperatorial coinage, regardless of whether or not that was the case with a given emperor. Such as Vespasian:

Over the course of human civilization, men and women were portrayed on coins with a variety of hair styles, reflecting the times in which they lived. Here's an example from the later Baroque period, a thaler of Charles VI of Austria, Hall Mint, 1729. As was the fashion of that time, men, especially those of means, wore very elaborate hair pieces. The hair pieces, or wigs if you will, varied over the course of the 18th century, generally becoming simpler and smaller in design. An interesting aspect of this coin is that it came from a hoard of Hapsburg and other crowns, including 8 reales and Maria Theresa thalers, in Yemen. No doubt some Yemeni merchant or banker stored these popular trade coins back in the 18th century. Charles Vi, 1729 AR Thaler Obverse Laureate portrait facing right, the bottom of the bust reaches the rim, legend (start 1h) divided above, no inner circle. Lettering: CAROL VI D G R I S A GE HI HU BO REX Reverse Crowned double headed imperial eagle, composite arms at center with a small Tyrol shield, legend (start 1h) divided below, no inner circle. Lettering: ARCHID AUST DUX BU COM TYROL date KM# 1617; D 1054 28.19 grams So, please post your "good hair" portraits, ancient or world! Let the hair fly!

Byzantine portraiture is crudely done, compared to the portraits of Greek coins, such as those of Syracuse, but they reflect their times. Taking that into account I am happy to acquire Byzantine coins, especially bronzes, which offer a range of styles and varieties. The posted coins are fine examples.

That's an absolutely gorgeous example! Congratulations!

BTW: krispupis found another Qataban owl with the obverse monogram on acsearch.com, sold by CNG: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2461415 According to CNG the monogram is mq in South Arabian.