sand's Top 10 Coins For 2023

[sand]

Hello Nvmis Forvms members. I've enjoyed looking at other members' top 10 lists, during this holiday season. Here are my top 10 coin acquisitions during 2023. I've been collecting ancient and medieval coins since 2018, and US and world coins since childhood. I purchased way fewer coins in 2023, versus 2022 and 2021. Partly because, I'm trying to save money. And partly because, there aren't many coins remaining, which are known to me, which I want, which cost less than or equal to my maximum allowed dollars per coin. Nevertheless, during 2023, I purchased 30 coins. 13 were ancient (650 BC to 499 AD), 7 were medieval (500 AD to 1499 AD), and 10 were world coins (non-US 1500 AD or later). I also purchased 7 coin books during 2023. I'm a generalist. Therefore, my coin purchases are from all time periods, from all over the world. These coins are sorted by, how much I like them, with my favorite at the 1 position. Which coin is your favorite?

1. Seleukid Empire. King Tryphon. AE. Minted 142 BC To 138 BC. This is my favorite acquisition during 2023. I am fascinated with the Seleukid Empire, which was the eastern remnant of Alexander III The Great's empire. The Seleukid Empire initially spanned a vast territory, from the Middle East through part of northern India. However, the Seleukid Empire slowly decreased in size, during its 250 years of existence. I like the history, and the portrait, and the desert patina, of this coin.

Seleukid Empire. King Tryphon. AE. Minted 142 BC To 138 BC. Antioch Mint. SC 2034(2). Maximum Diameter 18.0 mm. Weight 4.5 grams. Obverse : Diademed Head. Reverse : Spiked Macedonian Helmet.

2. Indo-Greek. Apollodotus I. AE Hemi Obol. Minted Circa 174 BC To 165 BC. My 2nd favorite purchase during 2023. I find the Indo-Greek Kingdom to be quite interesting. The Indo-Greek Kingdom seems to be a descendant of the most eastern part of the Seleukid Empire, but I am not certain of that. I find the history of this coin, and the square shape of this coin, to be interesting. The square shape of the coin, seems to be common, for bronze coins minted in India, during this time period.

Indo-Greek. Apollodotus I. AE Hemi Obol. Minted Circa 174 BC To 165 BC. Sear 7594. HGC 12 120. Maximum Diameter 25.0 mm. Weight 10.14 grams. Obverse : Apollo Standing Facing Front, Holding Arrow In Right Hand, Holding Bow In Left Hand. Reverse : Tripod.

3. Elymais. Kamnaskires-Orodes. AE Tetradrachm. Minted 120 AD To 180 AD. A coin from the mysterious Elymais.

Elymais. Kamnaskires-Orodes. AE Tetradrachm. Minted 120 AD To 180 AD. Van't Haaff 12.1. Maximum Diameter 28.0 mm. Weight 14.6 grams. Obverse : Bust Facing Front, Anchor On Right, Star And Crescent Moon Above Right. Reverse : Short Dashes.

4. Bulgaria. 2nd Empire. Ivan Alexander. AR Grosh. Minted 1331 AD To 1371 AD. This is an interesting coin. This coin resembles the Italian grosso, and the Byzantine basilikon. Bulgaria shared a border with the Byzantine Empire, and was an important factor in the history of the Byzantine Empire.

Bulgaria. 2nd Empire. Ivan Alexander. AR Grosh. Minted 1331 AD To 1371 AD. R&Z 1.13.5. Maximum Diameter 19.0 mm. Weight 1.36 grams. Obverse : Jesus Standing Facing Front, Raising Both Hands In Benediction. Reverse : Ivan Alexander Standing Facing Front, Mikhail Asen IV Standing Facing Front.

5. Spain. Ferdinand V And Isabella. Billon Blanca. Minted 1474 AD To 1504 AD. This is a fascinating coin, minted during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. Ferdinand and Isabella paid for Christopher Columbus's ocean voyage to the unknown west, which led to Christopher Columbus's discovery of the New World.

Spain. Ferdinand V And Isabella. Billon Blanca. Minted 1474 AD To 1504 AD. Maximum Diameter 17.0 mm. Weight Not Yet Measured. Obverse : Crowned "F", "FERNANDVS ET ELISABET". Reverse : Crowned "I", "REX ET REGINA CAST LEON".

6. Judaea. Alexander Jannaeus. AE Prutah. Minted 104 BC To 76 BC. A fascinating ancient Judaean coin, minted during the time of the 2nd Temple.

Judaea. Alexander Jannaeus. AE Prutah. Minted 104 BC To 76 BC. Hendin 6181. Meshorer TJC P. Meshorer AJC E. HGC 10 638. Maximum Diameter 13.9 mm. Weight 2.1 grams. Obverse : Paleo Hebrew Inscription "Yehonatan The High Priest And The Council Of The Jews". Reverse : Double Cornucopia.

7. Japan. Tempo Tsuho. AE 100 Mon. Minted 1835 AD To 1869 AD. A large, fascinating Japanese coin.

Japan. Tempo Tsuho. AE 100 Mon. Minted 1835 AD To 1869 AD. Minted At Honza, Edo, Musashi Province. Hartill 5.5. Maximum Diameter 49 mm. Weight 20.38 grams. Obverse : "Tem Po Tsu Ho" Meaning "Currency Of The Tempo Era", The Vertical Sides Of The Hole Are Longer Than The Horizontal Sides Of The Hole. Reverse : Above Hole "To Hyaku" Meaning "Value 100", Below Hole Signature Of The Mint Official.

8. China. Ming Dynasty. AE 1 Cash. Tai Zu. Minted 1368 AD To 1398 AD. An interesting Ming Dynasty coin. Less expensive than a Ming vase.

China. Ming Dynasty. AE 1 Cash. Tai Zu. Minted 1368 AD To 1398 AD. Hartill 20.57. Maximum Diameter 23.5 mm. Weight 2.7 grams. Obverse : Hong Wu Tong Bau. Reverse : Blank.

9. Greek. Phrygia. Apameia. AE. Minted 100 BC To 50 BC. An interesting coin from ancient Phrygia, during the later period of ancient Greece, with a nice portrait of Zeus on the obverse, and an interesting cult statue of the goddess Artemis on the reverse.

Greek. Phrygia. Apameia. AE. Minted 100 BC To 50 BC. SNG Copenhagen 171. Maximum Diameter 22.0 mm. Weight 8.7 grams. Obverse : Laureate Head Of Zeus Facing Right. Reverse : Cult Statue Of Artemis Facing Front.

10. Byzantine Empire. Constantine VI. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 792 AD To 797 AD. An interesting coin. Even though Constantine VI was the official Byzantine Emperor during his reign, his mother Irene was the real power, as one can tell, because the obverse has a portrait of Irene, and Constantine VI has a smaller portrait on the reverse. In 797 AD, supporters of Irene blinded Constantine VI, and Irene became the first Empress regnant of the Byzantine Empire. Believe it or not, this coin was an upgrade for me. Byzantine coins with portraits of Irene seem to be relatively expensive.

Byzantine Empire. Constantine VI. AE 40 Nummi Follis. Minted 792 AD To 797 AD. Constantinople Mint. Sear 1598. DO 7. Maximum Diameter 21.9 mm. Weight 2.17 grams. Obverse : Irene Bust Facing Front, Wearing Loros, Wearing Crown With Cross And Pinnacles On Top, Pendilia Hanging From Crown, Holding Globus Cruciger In Right Hand, Holding Cruciform Scepter In Left Hand. Reverse : Constantine VI Bust Facing Front, Beardless, Wearing Chlamys, Wearing Crown With Cross On Top, Holding Globus Cruciger In Right Hand, Pellet On Left, Cross On Right, Pellet On Right, Large M Below, "X" To Left Of Large M, "N" To Right Of Large M, "A" Below Large M.

Edited December 10, 2023 by sand

[JayAg47]

Nice list of coins! my favourites are the Japanese Tempo Tsuho, and the 40 Nummi depicting Irene.

Edited December 10, 2023 by JayAg47

[Al Kowsky]

My favorite was the bizarre looking Bulgarian grosh 😍.

[John Conduitt]

Interesting coins. The Elymais tetradrachm is great.

[Roman Collector]

Good year for you, @sand! I like the square hemiobol. Interesting shape and lovely turquoise patina. 

[Sulla80]

#3 from Elymais is my first pick - it's always fun to see the different collecting styles reflected in top 10's - yours an interesting and diverse set from Seleucid to 19th century Japan! Ivan Alexander AR Grosh and Constantine VI were also in my top 3!  Best wishes for 2024!

[LONGINUS]

Great post, @sand and awesome collection of coins for 2023.

I like all of them but I’m going to have to select your superb Indo-Greek quadruple—hemi-obol as my favorite.

[kirispupis]

Nice pickups for the year! My favorite is probably the Japanese Tsuho. I've been debating picking one up for some time just because they look really cool, but I always debate too long and someone else buys it (probably for the best). 🙂

[Qcumbor]

Among a nice and diverse selection, I choose the #3 Elmays. That portrait cracks me up !

Q

[Xeno]

Love the square Indo-Greek! The Japanese one is a close second. Happy collecting in 2024!

[DonnaML]

Very nice group. I liked no. 2, the square coin, the best.

[robinjojo]

A wonderful group for 2023! 

My favorites are the  Apollodotus I AE hemi obol and the obverse of the Elymais, Kamnaskires-Orodes AE tetradrachm.

[sand]

Thanks to everyone, for your votes, and Likes, and replies.

On 12/10/2023 at 6:38 AM, Al Kowsky said:

My favorite was the bizarre looking Bulgarian grosh 😍.

Thanks. Yes, the obverse portrait is certainly interesting.

On 12/10/2023 at 12:16 PM, Qcumbor said:

Among a nice and diverse selection, I choose the #3 Elmays. That portrait cracks me up !

Q

Thanks. I agree, about the Elymais portrait. For me, it's the smile, and the side eye.

Edited December 11, 2023 by sand

[Limes]

Here's something completey different from what I tend to collect. Nevertheless, very interesting coins and I like to read about them. Thanks for sharing your list. I voted for the third coin, the Kamnaskires-Orodes tetradrachm. The portrait is kind of freaky, and the pinecone earrings suit it perfectly 😄 

[savitale]

Really neat coins! I appreciate the diversity and for going for coins that are interesting to you as opposed to following some model. I voted for #2, the square coin. Although they may have been common in India I certainly have not seen many.