Kamnaskires' Top 10 Coins of 2022

[Kamnaskires]

I focused more on antiquities than coins this year - I posted that top 10 list in the antiquities section. But here are ten of my coin pickups. Numbers four and three below are from Parthia. All others are from Elymais. Numbers seven and six are sellers' pics since those two coins are en route.

10.

Kamnaskires-Orodes*
AE drachm, early to mid 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff type 12.2
*This coin could be a transitional issue, from among the varieties of van't Haaff type 13.1, of Kamnaskires-Orodes' successor, Orodes II. With the reverse legend somewhat unclear and likely corrupted, it may be impossible to determine which of these two rulers actually issued the coin. Both types - VH 12.2 and VH 13.1 - exhibit the abstracted facing Belos on the reverse.

 

9.

Phraates
AE drachm, early to mid 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 14.1.1-1C

 

8.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
AE drachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.3.2-4

 

7.

Orodes II
AE tetradrachm, early to mid 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 13.3.1-3A

 

6.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
AE tetradrachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.3.1-1B

 

5.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
BI (AR?) tetradrachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.3.1-1A

 

4.

Vologases III
tetradrachm, 105 - 147 AD
(struck 124 - 125)
Sellwood 79.17

 

3.

Vologases III
tetradrachm, 105 - 147 AD
(struck 122 - 123 AD)
Sellwood 79.8 or 79.10

 

2.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
BI tetradrachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.1.1-1 variant (no pellet to left of anchor)

 

1.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
AR tetradrachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.3.1-1B

 

Edited December 17, 2022 by Kamnaskires

[Alwin]

Very nice selection of coins from Elymaïs, which makes me regret not having looked into this coinage yet.

[John Conduitt]

All really nice examples, which I imagine isn't easy.

[Al Kowsky]

4 hours ago, Kamnaskires said:

I focused more on antiquities than coins this year - and will post the top antiquities list soon. But here are ten of my coin pickups. Numbers four and three below are from Parthia. All others are from Elymais. Numbers seven and six are sellers' pics since those two coins are en route.

10.

Kamnaskires-Orodes*
AE drachm, early to mid 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff type 12.2
*This coin could be a transitional issue, from among the varieties of van't Haaff type 13.1, of Kamnaskires-Orodes' successor, Orodes II. With the reverse legend somewhat unclear and likely corrupted, it may be impossible to determine which of these two rulers actually issued the coin. Both types - VH 12.2 and VH 13.1 - exhibit the abstracted facing Belos on the reverse.

 

9.

Phraates
AE drachm, early to mid 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 14.1.1-1C

 

8.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
AE drachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.3.2-4

 

7.

Orodes II
AE tetradrachm, early to mid 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 13.3.1-3A

 

6.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
AE tetradrachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.3.1-1B

 

5.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
BI (AR?) tetradrachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.3.1-1A

 

4.

Vologases III
tetradrachm, 105 - 147 AD
(struck 124 - 125)
Sellwood 79.17

 

3.

Vologases III
tetradrachm, 105 - 147 AD
(struck 122 - 123 AD)
Sellwood 79.8 or 79.10

 

2.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
BI tetradrachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.1.1-1 variant (no pellet to left of anchor)

 

1.

Uncertain Early Arsacid Kings
AR tetradrachm, late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Van't Haaff 10.3.1-1B

 

Kamnaskires, I know virtually nothing about Elymean coinage but find the styles attractive & similar to late Parthian coinage. It looks like you added some fine examples to your collection this year 😊. Numbers 5 & 9 are my favorites 😍. Number 5 looks like a gem grade tetradrachm struck from fresh dies 🤨.

[Kamnaskires]

4 hours ago, Alwin said:

which makes me regret not having looked into this coinage yet.

Never too late to start!

 

Thanks, all.

[DonnaML]

Not my collecting area, and I know nothing about it, but they're all lovely coins!

[Simon]

Very nice year, congratulations. 

[kirispupis]

Very nice coins! I actually have an Elymais example on my to-buy list. Maybe next year one will be on my 2023 list.

[happy_collector]

Nice coins, @Kamnaskires. Although Elymais and Parthia coins are not my collecting area, I do find your coins #4, 9 and 10 having interesting designs.    

[Spaniard]

@Kamnaskires

Wonderful selection Bob!

[Kamnaskires]

Thanks, all, for taking a look.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Yes, very nice!

 

[Qcumbor]

Some very distinctive portraits out there. Those are certainly interesting coinages to explore more about

Q

[Hughie Dwyer]

These coins look beautiful - although I know nothing about them.

Congrats on a successful year.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

They're all nice, although #2 is probably my favorite.

 

[panzerman]

Neat coins, I am fascinated with Parthia as a military power and their great victories vs Rome. Probably, Carrhae was the most poetic/ resulting in the annihilation of Crassus and his army. Good won over evil.

Always found it strange that they never minted AV coinage?????

My pickd 9/ 5/ and 2

John