Best-of-type Specimens: Share yours!

[Salomons Cat]

Do you believe you possess one of the finest examples of a certain coin type? Or one of the most beautiful? Or you think that it's just "the best" in any other way?

Of course, beauty is subjective and often lies in the eye of the beholder. What's important is your own perception of your coin, not what NGC or others might think. Your reasons can be entirely personal, such as sentimental value because it was a gift from your grandfather. Or you like the toning. Or maybe it's a plate coin. I think that these choices should not be criticised.

So, what I mean is the finest or best specimen of a certain type according to your own personal standards.

It would be wonderful to hear a brief explanation behind your choice if it isn't immediately obvious. Some specialist collectors certainly have ultra rare coins for which no better specimens are known.

Personally, I often browse acsearch, and if I don't find a specimen I prefer over mine, I consider my coin to be "the best." 😊

I look forward to seeing many great coins shared here!

Edited July 24 by Salomons Cat

[ominus1]

...im waiting for this to get here today or Monday....it is my most fav at the moment...

[Romancollector]

My Vespasian denarius (photo 1) from Antioch might be the best example of its type (RIC 1547/RPC 1921). RPC only shows three specimens, including mine. https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1921 Another four examples appear in acsearch, but are still not comparable to mine. I would label the Nomos specimen sold in 2017 (photo no. 4) as the runner up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 20 by Romancollector

[Salomons Cat]

@ominus1, I know almost nothing about medieval (or Renaissance?) coins, but I quickly searched for this type and it seems to me that this is an exceptional specimen.
@Romancollector, great coin and I find especially the reverse very beautiful.
Thank you both for sharing.

Here's my selection. 

Postumius Albinus. AR Denarius serratus, 81 BC. I did not find one that I liked more.


Tiberius, Tribute Penny. I especially like the surface and toning. In this case, I think that the colors look even better in hand.


RPC I 4191; McAlee 266; Prieur 91. My favorite portrait of Nero. There's another specimen that hammered for $8000 recently, but I prefer mine because of the flan shape and I simply like the portrait on it.


Domitian, RIC II.1 921 (Vespasian); BMCRE 193 (Vespasian); RSC 47. One of the best of this type on acsearch.

 

Commodus denarius, Rome, 175-176 AD. RIC -; BMC -; Cohen -. MIR 342-14/15 (no example recorded). Apparently unpublished with this bust type. Ex Adrian Lang collection. I only found 1 other specimen that was sold by Forum Ancient Coins a few years ago.


Elagabal and the Stone of Emesa, BMC 284. Cohen 268. RIC 195. I did not find a specimen that I liked more on acsearch, although this is again, subjective.

Edited July 20 by Salomons Cat

[Ryro]

I doubt if I do. But here's some that'll make me stop and stare when looking through my collection. 

oh, wait! I do have a coin that is the best known example... cause it's the only known example! Geta, Makedon, MSC:

You always have beautiful coins to share. Do you have any @Salomons Cat?

[Salomons Cat]

@Ryro, great coins! I always like it when it's the only known example. That makes the choice easy. Cannot disagree 😄

13 minutes ago, Ryro said:

You always have beautiful coins to share. Do you have any @Salomons Cat?

Oh, do you mean me with the beautiful coins? ☺️
Yep, I just posted my choice above. Of course, there are others that I like a lot... But I decided for these as my top specimens.

But I forgot one. This one is also "unique" because it's an aureus fourrée, but everyone seems to dislike it and @Prieure de Sion even said that it's not Brad Pitt:


Still one of my favorites... and unique... So, I must post it here.
 

Edited July 20 by Salomons Cat

[Ryro]

Just now, Salomons Cat said:

@Ryro, great coins! I always like it when it's the only known example. That makes the choice easy. Cannot disagree 😄

Oh, do you mean me with the beautiful coins? ☺️
Yep, I just posted my choice above. Of course, there are others that I like a lot... But I decided for these as my top specimens.

This one is also "unique" because it's an aureus fourrée, but everyone seems to dislike it and @Prieure de Sion even said that it's not Brad Pitt:


Still one of my favorites...

Thanks! Lol. You posted yours as I was making mine. Beautiful stuff. 

Ps, Brad Pitt is old and known for smelling bad. I'll go with Clooney. Very Clooney coin, my man. 

[Deinomenid]

This is humbling. I really thought given my areas are more Syracuse and Taras, where in the former there are  many (730 plus) versions of the tetradrachm in 100 years to ~400BC that one of  mine must be exceptional. So I checked - the answer's a resounding no. So I went to Taras, also a prolific producer of endless  variety. I found only one that might be seen as top decile in  its subseries. Reverse double struck though. Best I've got unless I cheat the system by going for  unique coins which are of course best and also worst!

 

Taras Didrachm, 315/281 BC BC; 7.88g rider right with spears and shield//Taras on dolphin left  with trident and shield, hippocamp on top, murex shell below.

 

[Salomons Cat]

5 hours ago, Deinomenid said:

This is humbling. I really thought given my areas are more Syracuse and Taras, where in the former there are  many (730 plus) versions of the tetradrachm in 100 years to ~400BC that one of  mine must be exceptional. So I checked - the answer's a resounding no. So I went to Taras, also a prolific producer of endless  variety. I found only one that might be seen as top decile in  its subseries. Reverse double struck though. Best I've got unless I cheat the system by going for  unique coins which are of course best and also worst!

 

Taras Didrachm, 315/281 BC BC; 7.88g rider right with spears and shield//Taras on dolphin left  with trident and shield, hippocamp on top, murex shell below.

 

Incredible coin.

I can imagine that depending on the area of collecting, owning several of the top specimens might be nearly impossible. 
It also depends on how detailed you get in defining what a “type” is.

But I would say that unique coins should definitely count 🙂

6 hours ago, Ryro said:

Very Clooney coin, my man. 

This is certainly the nicest thing that anyone has said about my aureus fourrée so far. Thank you, Ryro.

Edited July 20 by Salomons Cat

[kirispupis]

While I'm sure there are specimens I haven't seen, at least from those I have seen my example of this type is the best.

Kings of Bithynia. Ziailas, circa 250-230 BCE
AE 18 mm, 4.89 g, 1 h
Diademed head of Ziailas to right. Rev. BAΣIΛE[ΩΣ] / ZIAHΛA Tropy of arms. Mørkholm, Early Hellenistic Coinage, 416. SNG von Aulock 243
Ex Obolos October 2020

 

This one came with a tag stating it's the best of the type, though the auction listing made no such claim.

Cyprus, Kourion, Pasikrates
circa 325 BCE
Æ 17mm 5.12g, 2h.
In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress /
Bow-in-bowcase and club; laurel branch below, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ between.
Price 3113; Cox Curium, 8; ANS 1944.100.26537

[Alegandron]

Only 2 known… one in the BM and mine… so NATURALLY this is the finest specimen in MY eyes.  😄

 Rasenna, Fufluna, (Etruria, Populonia)
2-1/2 Asses: (Similar to a Roman AR Sestertius)

2-½ asses , AR 0.85 g
3rd century BC
Obv: Radiate female head r.; behind, CII.
Rev: Blank.
Ref: EC 104 (misdescribed, Female head with an Attic helmet). Historia Numorum Italy 179.
NAC Comment: Of the highest rarity, apparently only the second specimen known. Dark patina and about very fine.
Ex: From the collection of E.E. Clain-Stefanelli

 

[Phil Anthos]

This is one of only four known (at the moment), and although it looks like someone tried to clean it with a rasp it is still the finest of the four...

Taras, Calabria

375/70-370-65 BC AR Diobol (11.5mm, 1.15g, 2h) O: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with hippocamp. R: Naked Herakles seated half-left on dead lion left, holding cup in right hand and club in left. D'Andrea XXIV, 450 (this coin); D'Andrea Diobols D, 14d (this coin); Vlasto 1235 (this coin); SNG Cop 968 (same dies); HGC I, 829; HN Italy 910 Very Rare From the AG Collection. ex Michel Pandely Vlasto Collection; ex Vecchi 17; ex CNG Vlasto plate coin, #1235. D'Andrea plate coin, Series XXIV, 450. D'Andrea Diobols plate coin, Series D, Type 14. Yet another reverse featuring Herakles‘ first labor. Here we see the final scene with our Hero, having slain the Nemean lion, now resting on the dead carcass and raising his cup. One can easily imagine him wondering how he is going to skin this impenetrable beast. This coin is extremely rare, and Vlasto cites just this single die combination. I have found only three other specimens of this type listed.

 

Edited July 20 by Phil Anthos

[rasiel]

4 hours ago, Salomons Cat said:

 

That Domitian is just unreal 😱😱😱

Rasiel

[Al Kowsky]

[rasiel]

I think I might have a few in the running.

Likely best preserved Agrippina II dupondius in private hands

A candidate for best shape Vetranio bronze

Easily in the top ten best Pupienus portraits. Compares well to this $9,000 specimen, the highest price paid for a denarius of his.
 

One of the best preserved ants of Salonina. Better imo than this one, the highest priced antoninianus of hers based on condition.

Rasiel

 

[Postvmvs]

The Postumus antoninianus PAX AVG is a common type, but the same type with the expanded legend PAX AVGVSTI is much scarcer. The Cunetio hoard recorded 4 PAX AVGVSTI specimen, versus 303 PAX AVG and 511 PAX AVG with P in the field. While not an absolute rarity where only a handful of specimens exist, in my experience most Postumus / PAX AVGVSTI have a weak strike. I was thrilled when I acquired this example with a nice strike and great style on the portrait. Would anyone other than Postumus/Gallic specialist care? Probably not.

[Phil Anthos]

I've never seen a better one than this, but then I've never seen a die match either...

Thasos, Thrace

after 148 BC AR Tetradrachm (33mm, 16.86g) O: Head of young Dionysus right, wreathed in ivy and flowers. R: Herakles standing nude left, holding club and lion's skin; ΣΩTHPOΣ left, HPAKΛOYΣ right, ΘAΣIΩN in ex. SNG Cop 1040; Sear 1759 Inhabited since prehistoric times, the island of Thasos is said to be the mythological home of the Sirens. Phoenician traders occupied Thasos by the late ninth century BC, drawn by her prolific gold mines. A hundred years later Greek colonists from Paros settled on the island and prospered from Thasos’ gold and marble production, as well as her fertile vineyards. Thasian wine was renowned throughout the Mediterranean, for which they honored Dionysus on their coinage. A brush with the Persian army under King Darius at the beginning of the fifth century caused Thasos to increase her production of war ships, and after the defeat of Xerxes in 480 BC Thasos joined the Delian League. However a dispute with Athens over mining interests on the Thracian mainland led Thasos to revolt in 465 BC, only to submit after the Athenians destroyed her ships and razed the city walls. The island was occupied by Sparta from 404 until 393 BC, when Thasos fell to Athens, who eventually granted her independence. Thasos then came under the control of Phillip II of Macedonia around 340 BC, who immediately seized the gold mines. Thasos remained a part of the Macedonian Empire until falling under Roman rule in 197 BC.

[CPK]

Fun idea for a thread! I've got a few I would submit as being at least very close to the best-of-type.

First, this popular coin and one of only a few ancients to depict a two-horned, African rhinoceros. While there may be a few out there in better technical condition, I haven't seen one yet I prefer when it comes to overall eye appeal.

DOMITIAN, AD 81-96
AE Quadrans (17.62mm, 2.58g, 6h)
Struck AD 84/5. Rome mint
Obverse: African rhinoceros, head down, charging left
Reverse: IMP DOMIT AVG GERM around large S C
References: RIC II 250, RCV 2835
A choice specimen, perfectly centered and well-struck from artistic dies. This type recalls a rhinoceros which fought in the Colosseum during Domitian's reign; these coins were likely distributed as largesse to the crowds in attendance on that occasion.

 

This antoninianus of Diocletian is probably my best in terms of condition and strike.

DIOCLETIAN, AD 284-305
AE Antoninianus (23.53mm, 4.15g, 6h)
Struck AD 285. Ticinum mint
Obverse: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust of Diocletian right
Reverse: IOVI CONSERVAT, Jupiter standing left holding thunderbolt and scepter; P XXI T in exergue
References: RIC V 222, RCV 12660

Darkly toned silvering. A superb specimen, virtually as struck and well-centered on a large flan.

 

Lastly, I'd like to submit this coin as the best of its type - or worst if you prefer, because it is an (apparently) unique and previously unrecorded variant!

CARAUSIUS, AD 286-293
BI Antoninianus (23.77mm, 3.31g, 1h)
Struck AD 286-293. Camulodunum mint
Obverse: IMP C CARAVSIVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Carausius right
Reverse: PAX AVGGG, Pax standing left holding branch and transverse scepter, S-P across fields, MC in exergue
References: Unpublished variant of RIC V 335 (obv. legend & scepter angle.)
This coin illustrated on wildwinds.com.
Corroded surfaces. The triple "G" ending in the reverse inscription was a propagandistic attempt by the rebel emperor Carausius to place himself as an equal among the ruling Augusti Diocletian and Maximian.

[Al Kowsky]

2 hours ago, Phil Anthos said:

I've never seen a better one than this, but then I've never seen a die match either...

Thasos, Thrace

after 148 BC AR Tetradrachm (33mm, 16.86g) O: Head of young Dionysus right, wreathed in ivy and flowers. R: Herakles standing nude left, holding club and lion's skin; ΣΩTHPOΣ left, HPAKΛOYΣ right, ΘAΣIΩN in ex. SNG Cop 1040; Sear 1759 Inhabited since prehistoric times, the island of Thasos is said to be the mythological home of the Sirens. Phoenician traders occupied Thasos by the late ninth century BC, drawn by her prolific gold mines. A hundred years later Greek colonists from Paros settled on the island and prospered from Thasos’ gold and marble production, as well as her fertile vineyards. Thasian wine was renowned throughout the Mediterranean, for which they honored Dionysus on their coinage. A brush with the Persian army under King Darius at the beginning of the fifth century caused Thasos to increase her production of war ships, and after the defeat of Xerxes in 480 BC Thasos joined the Delian League. However a dispute with Athens over mining interests on the Thracian mainland led Thasos to revolt in 465 BC, only to submit after the Athenians destroyed her ships and razed the city walls. The island was occupied by Sparta from 404 until 393 BC, when Thasos fell to Athens, who eventually granted her independence. Thasos then came under the control of Phillip II of Macedonia around 340 BC, who immediately seized the gold mines. Thasos remained a part of the Macedonian Empire until falling under Roman rule in 197 BC.

Phil, Your Thasos Tet is a handsome coin in choice condition 🤩. The coin pictured below has been in my photo file a long time & unfortunately I can't find the auction info on it ☹️. Who ever engraved the dies for it was certainly a master craftsman.

[Salomons Cat]

6 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

Phil, Your Thasos Tet is a handsome coin in choice condition 🤩. The coin pictured below has been in my photo file a long time & unfortunately I can't find the auction info on it ☹️. Who ever engraved the dies for it was certainly a master craftsman.

This is from Numismatik Naumann, Auction 43, 01.05.2016 🙂

THRACE. Thasos. Tetradrachm (After 146 BC).
Obv: Wreathed head of Dionysos right.
Rev: HPAKΛEOYΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ / ΘAΣIΩN.
Herakles standing left, holding club and lion skin; monogram to inner left.
SNG Copenhagen 1040 ff.
Condition: Very fine.
Weight: 16.92 g.
Diameter: 31 mm.

Edited July 20 by Salomons Cat

[Greekcoin21]

My choice with outstanding patina.

Sicily, Syracuse. Struck under Hiketas, circa 287-278 BC . Laureate head of Zeus Hellanios facing right / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt. CNS II. 167-168. HGC II 1449. ( I do apologize for my poor skills, coin better in hand).

[Hrefn]

I have only a few folles of the Tetrarchy, but this one may be in competition for best example of type.

Ticinum mint, IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head to right. / SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR, Moneta standing to left, holding scales and cornucopia - star in right field,  in exergue P T for first officina.

“A superb example with the best Moneta reverse I've seen”.  Mike Vosper

Date: 304-305 AD

Diameter: 28mm\\\Weight: 9.56g  Catalogue ref: RIC 47a

Edited July 21 by Hrefn
Typo

[David Atherton]

On 7/20/2024 at 11:44 AM, Romancollector said:

My Vespasian denarius (photo 1) from Antioch might be the best example of its type (RIC 1547/RPC 1921). RPC only shows three specimens, including mine. https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1921 Another four examples appear in acsearch, but are still not comparable to mine. I would label the Nomos specimen sold in 2017 (photo no. 4) as the runner up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The "runner-up" is my coin!

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=138483

[AncientCoinnoisseur]

Ok, I'm not sure I have THE best, but some of my coins (or part of them) can definitely be AMONG the best.

1) Septimius Severus Neptune Denarius:

This one is probably among the very best of this type. Neptune is often weakly struck / worn, and this is basically FDC. My best looking coin and one of my cheapest ever bought at around 150€.

 

2) Rhodos plinthophoric drachm:

This is among the best of the type, and the best Anaxidotos one by far. The Kuenker pic probably shows it better, and it has a wonderful iridescent toning:

 

3) Vespasian capricorn denarius:

 

Not the best, but surely among the best of the type, with a phenomenal portrait and a very good capricorn.

 

Bonus: Rhegion AE with Kithara.

This one feels a bit like cheating, since there are only a few specimen of this type with the kithara (professional 7 stringed lyre), and they are often mislabelled by calling it a lyre (so a few more of these might lurk among the 5-stringed lyre). They are all quite worn, so of course, being only a couple of them, mine is 'among the best'. This was also another cheap one at around 150€.

 

Bonus: very nice reverses! Not the best or among the best, but very very good for the particular type.

A) Quintus Cassius Longinus - Temple of Vesta.

 

B) Euboia, Histiaia tetrobol (with a nice iridescent toning and visible mark on the bottom left):

 

C) T. Carisius denarius (all tools clearly visible).

 

[Salomons Cat]

Great to see so many impressive coins here 😊

I reviewed my collection again and did some additional research. I hope that I‘m not getting too generous by mentioning 2 more coins. You must appreciate what you have.


Severus Alexander, RIC 133. From Andy Barret, 2003. Neither on acsearch nor Coryssa I found a specimen with a better reverse, although this specimen comes close. So, it's likely that this is one of the best of its type.

And here is a close candidate for a best-of-type specimen:

Julia Maesa, RIC 263. This might be the finest specimen of this type if you look at both sides of the coin. But the portrait on this specimen is probably the most impressive that I have seen of Julia Maesa. This portrait beats the slightly better reverse on my coin. So, while I consider my coin a close candidate, it is not the winner.

I also want to give a BIG compliment and say thanks to @rasiel. I used Coryssa alongside acsearch. And suprisingly, Coryssa was actually more helpful than acsearch for these 2 coins because I found the best (or close to best 🙂) specimens there and not on acsearch. I feel that Coryssa hasn’t received enough recognition here yet.

Edited July 21 by Salomons Cat