Romancollector Posted December 22, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 22, 2023 (edited) Hi everyone, I'm a bit late, but here are my top 10 coins of 2023. This year, my list is notably shorter compared to previous years as I was less successful in acquiring coins. Nevertheless, I managed to find several coins that have eluded me for some time, and with the help of rnumis, I've also managed to uncover some of their hidden provenances. Unlike in previous years, my list is not arranged chronologically. Without further delay, here are the first five: 1. Nero (AD 54-68) A sestertius Nero has been one of my top collecting grails for years. I was particularly disappointed when the example I liked in the Triton auction hammered for well above my price level. However, I was very happy to pick up this example from a Heritage auction a few months later. My example also boasts a much better pedigree, having once been in the Vierordt collection (joining my Volusian sestertius and Claudius/Agrippina denarius). Through rnumis, I also found an earlier Cahn pedigree (see below). AE Sestertius (34mm, 23.57 g). Rome mint. AD 64. NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head of Nero left / View of triumphal arch, showing front and left hand side; above, the Emperor in a quadriga escorted by Victory; arch is heavily ornamented and decorated with statues of Pax, Mars and two soldiers; RIC I 150. Ex George Joseph Bauer (1870-1961) Collection; M. L. Vierordt of Bloemendaal Collection; Alfred Oertel Collection; Heritage Auctions CSNS World Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction (4 May 2023), lot 31177; Glendining (23 January 1963), lot 1184; J. Schulman 145 (17 June 1924), lot 683; J. Schulman 139 (5 March 1923), lot 889; Adolph E. Cahn 32 (17 March 1913), lot 1133. Photo Credit Heritage/NGC Photo Credit Adolf Cahn via Rnumis 2. Ptolemy II (285-246 BC) A portrait coin of Ptolemy I has been on my list for several years. I was drawn to this particular example when I initially spotted it on the dealer's website; although it is technically a posthumous issue, I thought its style was captivating. However, I held off on purchasing until I found a pedigree, which I found a few weeks later (see below). AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 14.17 g). Sidon mint. 249-248 BC. Diademed Head of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck, dotted border / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt, dotted border, in left field ΣΙ above and ΔΙ below, in right field Λ𝖨. Lorber 539. Svoronos 751. Ex Ed Waddell. Inventory No. 56915; Pegasi Numismatics (1995); Italo Vecchi, Sale 5 (5 March 1997), lot 324. Photo Credit Italo Vecchi via Rnumis 3. Valens (AD 364-378) I really like late Roman silver, especially miliarenses. When I saw this coin at NYINC, I thought it was too overpriced, so I was very happy to score this later in the year at auction. AR Light Miliarense (23 mm, 4.40 g), Treveri mint, AD 367-375. D N VALENS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS EXERCITVS, emperor standing front, head to left, holding labarum in his right hand and placing his left on shield set on ground. Mintmark TRPS. RIC 26b. Ex Leu Numismatik Auction 14 (14 October 2023), lot 251; Fritz Rudolf Künker Auction 243 (21 November 2013), lot 5281. 4. Nero & Drusus Caesars. d. AD 31 and AD 33, respectively. As a Julio-Claudian fanatic, I was thrilled to acquire this coin of Caligula's ill-fated brothers. AE Dupondius (29mm, 15.59 g). Rome mint. AD 40-41, struck under Gaius (Caligula). NERO ET DRVSVS CAESARES, Nero and Drusus on horseback galloping right / C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR P IIII PP around large SC. RIC I 49. Ex Ernst Ploil Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 123 (24 May 2023), lot 592; Numismatica Ars Classica 125 (24 June 2021), lot 622; Numismatica Ars Classica 101 (24 October 2017), lot 107; Künker 83 (17 June 2003), lot 752. Photo Credit CNG 5. Valentinian I (AD 364-375) AR Siliqua (18mm, 2.23 g). Thessalonica mint. AD 364-367. DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right / RESTITVTOR REIP, emperor standing front, looking right, holding labarum and Victory on globe. Mintmark TES. RIC IX 12a. Ex Stack's Bowers World Collectors Choice Online Auction (27 February 2023), lot 71154; Spink Auction 16006 (27 September 2016), lot 2903; East Harptree Hoard (1887). Stay tuned for part 2! Edited February 7 by Romancollector 26 2 1 2 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panzerman Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 Awesome! All five are fantastic. Can hardly wait for your next 5....\ Old saying...."better late then never"🙄 John 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 That Nero is a stunner! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 I'm waiting until part two to pick a favorite. There's some great coins there! Hint; Nero will probably be my favorite! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Di Nomos Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 They are all great, but the Nero sestertius is something else. Love that reverse design. Will take something very special in your next five to knock Nero off top spot. 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted December 23, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 23, 2023 Stunning coins! Can't wait to see the others. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cazador Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 5 hours ago, Romancollector said: Hi everyone, I'm a bit late, but here are my top 10 coins of 2023. This year, my list is notably shorter compared to previous years as I was less successful in acquiring coins. Nevertheless, I managed to find several coins that have eluded me for some time, and with the help of rnumis, I've also managed to uncover some of their hidden provenances. Unlike in previous years, my list is not arranged chronologically. Without further delay, here are the first five: 1. Nero (AD 54-68) A sestertius Nero has been one of my top collecting grails for years. I was particularly disappointed when the example I liked in the Triton auction hammered for well above my price level. However, I was very happy to pick up this example from a Heritage auction a few months later. My example also boasts a much better pedigree, having once been in the Vierordt collection (joining my Volusian sestertius and Claudius/Agrippina denarius). Through rnumis, I also found an earlier Cahn pedigree (see below). AE Sestertius (34mm, 23.57 g). Rome mint. AD 64. NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head of Nero left / View of triumphal arch, showing front and left hand side; above, the Emperor in a quadriga escorted by Victory; arch is heavily ornamented and decorated with statues of Pax, Mars and two soldiers; RIC I 150. Ex George Joseph Bauer (1870-1961) Collection; M. L. Vierordt of Bloemendaal Collection; Alfred Oertel Collection; Heritage Auctions CSNS World Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction (4 May 2023), lot 31177; Glendining (23 January 1963), lot 1184; J. Schulman 145 (17 June 1924), lot 683; J. Schulman 139 (5 March 1923), lot 889; Adolph E. Cahn 32 (17 March 1913), lot 1133. Photo Credit Heritage/NGC Photo Credit Adolf Cahn via Rnumis 2. Ptolemy II (285-246 BC) A portrait coin of Ptolemy I has been on my list for several years. I was drawn to this particular example when I initially spotted it on the dealer's website; although it is technically a posthumous issue, I thought its style was captivating. However, I held off on purchasing until I found a pedigree, which I found a few weeks later (see below). AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 14.17 g). Sidon mint. 249-248 BC. Diademed Head of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck, dotted border / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt, dotted border, in left field ΣΙ above and ΔΙ below, in right field Λ𝖨. Lorber 539. Svoronos 751. Ex Ed Waddell. Inventory No. 56915; Pegasi Numismatics (1995); Italo Vecchi, Sale 5 (5 March 1997), lot 324. Photo Credit Italo Vecchi via Rnumis 3. Valens (AD 364-378) I really like late Roman silver, especially miliarenses. When I saw this coin at NYINC, I thought it was too overpriced, so I was very happy to score this later in the year at auction. AR Light Miliarense (23 mm, 4.40 g), Treveri mint, AD 367-375. D N VALENS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS EXERCITVS, emperor standing front, head to left, holding labarum in his right hand and placing his left on shield set on ground. Mintmark TRPS. RIC 26b. Ex Leu Numismatik Auction 14 (14 October 2023), lot 251; Fritz Rudolf Künker Auction 243 (21 November 2013), lot 5281. 4. Nero & Drusus Caesars. d. AD 31 and AD 33, respectively. As a Julio-Claudian fanatic, I was thrilled to acquire this coin of Caligula's ill-fated brothers. AE Dupondius (29mm, 15.59 g). Rome mint. AD 40-41, struck under Gaius (Caligula). NERO ET DRVSVS CAESARES, Nero and Drusus on horseback galloping right / C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR P IIII PP around large SC. RIC I 49. Ex Ernst Ploil Collection; Classical Numismatic Group Feature Auction 123 (24 May 2023), lot 592; Numismatica Ars Classica 125 (24 June 2021), lot 622; Numismatica Ars Classica 101 (24 October 2017), lot 107; Künker 83 (17 June 2003), lot 752. Photo Credit CNG 5. Valentinian I (AD 364-375) AR Siliqua (18mm, 2.23 g). Thessalonica mint. AD 364-367. DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right / RESTITVTOR REIP, emperor standing front, looking right, holding labarum and Victory on globe. Mintmark TES. RIC IX 12a. Ex Stack's Bowers World Collectors Choice Online Auction (27 February 2023), lot 71154; Spink Auction 16006 (27 September 2016), lot 2903; East Harptree Hoard (1887). Stay tuned for part 2! Absolutely fantastic Ptolemy II Tetradrachm, really a neat acquisition 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 (edited) Wow the way the arch is depicted at an angle on that Nero... Really comes to life. Edited December 23, 2023 by AETHER 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parthicus Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 The Nero sestertius is certainly impressive, but my favorite (out of the 5 posted so far) has to be the Nero and Drusus Caesars dupondius- the dynamic dual portrait on horseback really stands out as something special. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 Romancollector, Those are 5 grand additions to your collection 🤩! The Nero sestertius & the Valentinian siliqua are my favorites 😍. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted December 23, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted December 23, 2023 All fantastic, but the Nero sestertius is my favorite. I can't wait to see the next five! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy_collector Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 Both your Nero and Ptolemy II are stunning, @Romancollector. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your other 5. 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted December 23, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 23, 2023 The Nero is truly outstanding, the Ptolemy is fantastic, the Valens miliarense is to die for, the Nero & Drusus is beautiful, the Valentinian siliqua is the best siliqua of his I've ever seen. Can't wait for the five next !! Q 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted December 23, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 23, 2023 All fantastic coins @Romancollector, congratulations. But for me, that Nero is my favorite. A mesmerizing coin. Fantastic portrait, although it's the reverse that really gets me going! Have a great 2024! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 19 hours ago, Romancollector said: 1. Nero (AD 54-68) A sestertius Nero has been one of my top collecting grails for years. I was particularly disappointed when the example I liked in the Triton auction hammered for well above my price level. However, I was very happy to pick up this example from a Heritage auction a few months later. My example also boasts a much better pedigree, having once been in the Vierordt collection (joining my Volusian sestertius and Claudius/Agrippina denarius). Through rnumis, I also found an earlier Cahn pedigree (see below). What the....?!? Fantastic! Stunning. Gratulation! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singig Posted December 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 23, 2023 I really like your Nero sestertius , also the dupondius is very nice . Congratulations ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmarcovan Posted December 24, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 24, 2023 The Nero is so obvious, and the crispness of the Ptolemy. But the one that caught my eye is one I know relatively little about: the Valens miliarense. That's a denomination I've never had. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted December 24, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted December 24, 2023 A stellar group! It's hard to choose a favorite, but I'd vote for the Nero sestertius - excellent quality in all aspects! Still, the others are equally meritorious. Congrats! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savitale Posted December 27, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 27, 2023 Outstanding coins! Truly beautiful to see. I was going to bid on that Valens Light Miliarense myself but I got distracted by other things. I recognized it right away. You did well! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romancollector Posted February 7 · Member Author Share Posted February 7 Hi Everyone, Sorry for the delay. The latter part of December and January have been rough for me. Here's the rest of my top 10. 6. Tiberius (AD 14-37) AR Denarius (18mm, 3.72 g, 4h). Lugdunum mint. Group 1, AD 15-18. Laureate head right / Livia (as Pax) seated right on chair, holding sceptre and olive branch; plain chair legs, two lines below throne. RIC I 26. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Inventory No. 5612152; MDC Monaco 1 (2 December 2016), lot 66; Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VIII (10 January 2005), lot 1091. 7. Caius (Caligula) (AD 37-41) AE As (28 mm, 12.98 g). Rome mint. AD 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, bare head left / VESTA above, S C across field, Vesta seated left, holding patera and sceptre. RIC I 38. Ex Dr. W. R. Collection; Fritz Rudolf Kuenker, Auction 396 (14 November 2023), lot), 1316; Bankhaus Aufhäuser München, Auction 10 (5 October 1993), lot 354; Kricheldorf Stuttgart, Auction XVII (8 May 1967), lot 193. 8. Octavian (30-29 BC) AR Denarius (20mm, 4.00 g). Italian mint (Rome?). Laureate head right / IMP - CAESAR, statue of Octavian on rostral column. RIC I 266. Ex Baldwins; Numismatica Ars Classica 92 (21 May 2016), 1992; Fritz Rudolf Künker 136 (10 March 2008), lot 895; Lanz 76 (31 May 1996), lot 360. 9. Otacilia Severa. Augusta, AD 244-249. AE Sestertius (27.5mm, 18.55 g, 12h). Rome mint, 4th officina. 11th emission of Philip I, AD 249. Draped bust right, wearing stephane / Pietas standing left, raising hand and holding acerrum. RIC IV 208a (Philip I); Banti 9. Dark brown patina, some faint smoothing. Near EF. Ex Leo and Paula Gorelkin Collection; Sternberg XXVIII (30 October 1995), lot 259; Baldwin’s, 1966. 10. L. Marcius Philippus (56 BC) AR Denarius. Diademed head of Ancus Marcius right, lituus behind, ANCVS below / Equestrian statue right on aquaduct with five arches within which AQVA MAR (in monogram) & C outside arches, PHILIPPVS in left field. Cr425/1. Ex Fritz Rudolf Kunker, Auction 382 (16 March 2023), lot 282; Fritzotto Bauss collection; Gadoury Auction 5, (Baden-Baden 1976), lot 28. I have finally photographed my Nero/Drusus, so here's the photograph below. 15 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted February 7 · Supporter Share Posted February 7 Absolutely beautiful coins and well worth the wait! That portrait of Octavian, in particular - stunning! 🤩 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted February 8 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 8 Wonderful! Of the new ones, my favorite is also the Octavian. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Di Nomos Posted February 8 · Member Share Posted February 8 They are all beautiful coins. I really like the Octavian & Caligula, however, Tiberius is my favourite of your second five. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeandAcre Posted February 16 · Member Share Posted February 16 All of this well and truly defies comment. Exactly none of it is any less than museum quality. I'm floored. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted February 16 · Supporter Share Posted February 16 Great additions! But to me, that Octavian is an absolute stunning coin. Would love to add that to my architecture-set. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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