AncientJoe Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 (edited) This year has been atypically busy for me, leaving disappointingly little time for coins. However, I did want to drop in and say that I have greatly enjoyed reading everyone's Top 5-10-25 lists and am hoping to respond to many more! Here are my top coins received this year. I've limited the list just to five as these are my main additions although I did manage to "improve" some other coins through pedigree sleuthing done by myself or friends (most notably, an eagle-eyed friend found that my Colosseum sestertius belonged to a Tommaso Saulini (1793-1864) and also located a 1961 pedigree for my Nektanebo stater). 1) Julius Caesar aureus. I've long wanted a JC aureus but have been sorely outbid on every example I've attempted. However, this year finally saw one come home to my collection. The centering is a bit less than ideal but this coin has all of the important parts visible. I also coincidentally ran into an early pedigree prior to the auction while browsing catalogs looking for a different coin which makes the coin even more desirable to me: Ex. CNG Auction 45, March 18, 1998 lot 1813; Ex Münzen und Medaillen Auktion XXVIII (19-20 June 1964), lot 251; Helbing Auktion (April 1931), lot 290; Helbing Auktion (March 1928), lot 460 2) Pyrrhus tetradrachm (ex. Montagu, Weber, Locker Lampson). This is the second time I've tried to buy this coin and finally succeeded! I had what I thought was an excessive bid in 2019 and didn't even come close... but managed to buy it this time around for 1/3rd of my prior bid. It's a type which has been on my wantlist for 10+ years and I was losing hope of ever being able to cross it off. 3) Terina stater. This is the second Terina stater I've owned - they are rare enough and I'm picky enough to have waited for 10+ years for this coin and I think it's finally a "keeper" for me. Both obverse and reverse are some of my favorite dies of the series. 4) Gela tetradrachm. This is my first Man Faced Bull and I couldn't be happier: the engravers really captured the scene well on both sides. 5) Thurium distater. The obverse is one of the more attractive heads and the overall coin is a noticeable upgrade over an example I owned a while ago. I have not yet tracked down a published pedigree but it was sold alongside other coins as "Ex Ratto 1940" so I'm not giving up hope. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season filled with family, food, and fun. Here's to 2024 being a great coin year for all! (And, as always, please post anything related!) Edited December 25, 2023 by AncientJoe 20 1 3 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 They're wonderful coins and wonderfully presented! It's hard to pick a favorite - number two would be my vote. They're all stellar coins. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayAg47 Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 All are spectacular coins, my favourites are the Caesar aureus and Gela tetradrachm with the man faced bull. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy_collector Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 (edited) All are superb coins. Your Greek coins are such great artwork. Thanks for sharing! Edited December 25, 2023 by happy_collector 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panzerman Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 Definately all five are "stellar"! My picks... 1/ Terina AR Stater/ beautifull one word to describe it! Magnificent is another.... 2/ J.C. Aureus/ exceptional! 3/ Gela AR Tetradrachm/ both sides great artistry/ beautifull man-headed Bull! Lovely list/ thanks for sharing😇 John 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted December 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 25, 2023 Absolutely incredible selection @AncientJoe! Utterly magnificent. Your collection goes from strength to strength! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 Stunning coins as always AJ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor jdmKY Posted December 25, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted December 25, 2023 Joe - 5 superb coins (but we expect no less from you)! I love the JC aureus, the portraits are truly outstanding as some of these are much cruder and less attractive. And great news on the provenance. Kudos! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shea19 Posted December 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 25, 2023 (edited) Incredible as always, AJ. The hair/helmet on the Thurium coin is truly spectacular. Love the JC aureus as well. Thanks for sharing! Edited December 25, 2023 by Shea19 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted December 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 25, 2023 Eye candy as usual. I'm blown away with what you're able to find from the artistic point of view. It perfectly illustrates the fact that it's not just a question of how much one can spend on a single coin. Thanks for sharing these treasures Q 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rand Posted December 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 25, 2023 Wow. Each coin would be a highlight of a high-end collection and beyond scoring (certainly from me). I am stunned by their photography. If a studio took the photos, it is a great choice of studio. If personally, the results are outstanding and match the quality of the collection itself. The first coin opens the door to ’12 Ceasers in gold’, the holy grail of Roman numismatics. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Di Nomos Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 I could list any number of reasons to love each one, but my favourite is the Pyrrhus tetradrachm. The portrait of Zeus and the oak wreath in his hair is amazing. Plus Pyrrhus is a famous and interesting individual. I also like the heron? on the tetradrachm from Gela, as well as the man-headed bull of course. And not to try and ride on AJ's coattails, I do have something relevant to show. The Terina stater AJ owned before he upgraded to his current piece. The centering, strike, condition & style of his current coin are outstanding, but his previous piece wasn't too shabby either. Credit to Joe for the photo also. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 Seeing these superb coins is like a Christmas gift for me. Thank you for sharing. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted December 25, 2023 · Patron Share Posted December 25, 2023 Stunning coins, all of them, but the Terina stater is a real gem! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akeady Posted December 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 25, 2023 Super coins! I especially like the Terina stater, but all great! ATB, Aidan. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmarcovan Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 Oh, boy, OH BOY! The @AncientJoe list! My reaction is exactly what I expected it to be, upon clicking in. I'd cheerfully trade my Top Ten for your Top Five, any day! 😉 We definitely have the "quality versus quantity" thing, here. 'Tis good to see you around. Don't be a stranger. I hope to see one of the @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix interviews with you, someday. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmarcovan Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 4 hours ago, ambr0zie said: Seeing these superb coins is like a Christmas gift for me. Thank you for sharing. Agreed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted December 25, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted December 25, 2023 Wow! My favorites are #'s 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. I couldn't choose among them! Congratulations. 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmarcovan Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 1 hour ago, DonnaML said: Wow! My favorites are #'s 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. I couldn't choose among them! Congratulations. Ditto! 😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmarcovan Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 Then again… Julius. Caesar. aureus. WOW. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cazador Posted December 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 25, 2023 All fantastic coins, thank you for sharing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted December 26, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted December 26, 2023 Simply fantastic coins, all of them. Thanks for sharing the list. Have a great 2024. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savitale Posted December 27, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 27, 2023 A stunning and spectacular showing of coins! Really beautiful examples. I shouldn't be able to pick a favorite but I will: #3) Terina stater. I am just in love with with design. In fact, being outbid by a wide margin on one in 2020 marked the exact moment I threw in the towel on Greek coins of this quality and switched to Roman Imperial where my taste and budget are better aligned. I still have hope to own one someday, but yours is amazing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientJoe Posted December 31, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted December 31, 2023 On 12/25/2023 at 2:58 AM, Rand said: Wow. Each coin would be a highlight of a high-end collection and beyond scoring (certainly from me). I am stunned by their photography. If a studio took the photos, it is a great choice of studio. If personally, the results are outstanding and match the quality of the collection itself. The first coin opens the door to ’12 Ceasers in gold’, the holy grail of Roman numismatics. Thank you! The photography is my own, a love/hate relationship as I'm far from a professional photographer but have managed to cobble together a fairly reproducible approach through brute force effort. My other coins are listed on my website: https://www.colosseocollection.com/p444364358 I don't think I'll build the Twelve Caesars in gold but Julius' portrait is indeed one of the "keys". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientJoe Posted December 31, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted December 31, 2023 On 12/25/2023 at 3:20 AM, Di Nomos said: I could list any number of reasons to love each one, but my favourite is the Pyrrhus tetradrachm. The portrait of Zeus and the oak wreath in his hair is amazing. Plus Pyrrhus is a famous and interesting individual. I also like the heron? on the tetradrachm from Gela, as well as the man-headed bull of course. And not to try and ride on AJ's coattails, I do have something relevant to show. The Terina stater AJ owned before he upgraded to his current piece. The centering, strike, condition & style of his current coin are outstanding, but his previous piece wasn't too shabby either. Credit to Joe for the photo also. I was hoping you'd post your/our example here too! It's an excellent coin and took me this long to find a slight upgrade. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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