top 10 filolif 2024 Top 10 Coins

[filolif]

Happy Holidays everyone! It's that time of year again. I was able to add a number of very interesting and exciting pieces to my collection this year. Overall, the continued goal was locating unlisted provenance and focusing on pieces of finer style and quality across much of the history of the Greek world.

Starting with Number 10:

1️⃣0️⃣ Paeonia Fallen Warrior Tetradrachm

Patraos, 335-315 BC Tetradrachm, damaskion. Head of Apollo / rider with helmet and lance over fallen warrior. SNG ANS 1031 HGC 148 12.65 g. Fine tint. Very nice.

I bought this coin at retail because it had not one but two (!) unlisted provenances. A Radolfo Ratto auction in 1926 as well as a Michele Baranowsky auction in 1931. It's crude style portrait of Apollo is compensated for by a somewhat better style for the reverse fallen warrior. Not a terribly expensive coin but a nice piece of numismatic history. 

Provenance:
Radolfo Ratto, April 4, 1926, Lot 752
Michele Baranowsky, Feb 25, 1931, Lot 453

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/p442ug

9️⃣Seleukos I Nikator Tetradrachm

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Babylon II, circa 311-305 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; [BAΣIΛEΩΣ] below, AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, anchor and monogram in left field, Π below throne. SC C94.7d; Price 3349; HGC 9, 10g. 17.13g.  NGC graded AU 5/5 - 4/5 (#4279252-008).

The portraiture of this Seleukos tetradrachm was really striking to me. A wonderfully executed head of Heracles as well as seated Zeus. Heracles' flowing hair is really wonderfully rendered. I also appreciate the large Seleukid anchor symbol on the reverse. 

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/wgjapg

8️⃣ Antiochus I Tetradrachm

Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus I (280-261 BC), tetradrachm, Seleukeia on the Tigris, diademed head right, rev., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Apollo seated left on omphalos holding bow and arrow; flanked by monograms, 17.11g (SC 379.6a; ESM 162), tiny edge knock, good very fine with high relief portrait.

Provenance:
Tradart, Geneva, December 12, 1991, Lot 195
Morton & Eden, September 26, 2023, Lot 531

Continuing with Seleucid coinage, is this wonderfully toned and expressive coin of Antiochus I. Coins with Tradart provenance often seem to be quite exquisite for their issue and this coin is no exception.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/obhnra

7️⃣Antiochus I Tetradrachm

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos I Soter AR Tetradrachm. Seleukeia on the Tigris, circa 281-261 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, testing arrow and resting left hand on grounded bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ to left, AP monogram to outer left, HP monogram to outer right. SC 379.3a; ESM 149; HGC 9, 128g. 17.20g, 29mm, 9h.  Near Extremely Fine; struck in high relief, attractive light cabinet tone with golden iridescent highlights.

Provenance:
Frank Sternberg AG, Auction 26, November 16 1992, Lot 114
Dr. G.W. Collection, Schweizerische Kreditanstalt (Crédit Suisse), List 59, Spring 1993, No. 90
Gorny and Mosch, Auction 269, 2020

Another Antiochos I issue, with a different and yet still wonderful portrait. The golden toning and flow lines of this piece really draw my eye. It is very high relief and quite wonderful in hand.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/1ac3wa

6️⃣ Lydia EL Trite

ANCIENT GREECE. KINGDOM OF LYDIA. Alyattes. Electrum Trite (1/3 Stater), circa 600-561 BC. Sardes. Obv: head of roaring lion right, sunburst with five rays on forehead. Rev: two square incuse punches.  Very Fine; an interesting array of banker's marks.  From the Euclidean Collection.  Reference: GRPC Lydia-G25; Weidauer-88-89; ATEC-Group D, 14-19. Diameter: 12 mm. Weight: 4.71 g.

In an effort to replace another Lydian trite which I sold earlier this year, I was able to purchase this little coin. It is in very good condition despite an array of countermarks/banker's marks that only add to it's historical appeal for me. A very challenging coin to take in-hand video of, however.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/2xbl1f

5️⃣ Seleukos IV Tetradrachm

SELEUKID KINGS. Seleukos IV Philopator, 187-175 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30 mm, 17.18 g, 12 h), Antiochia on the Orontes. Diademed head of Seleukos IV to right. Rev. BAΣIΛΕΩΣ - ΣΕΛEYKOY Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow; to outer left, wreath and filleted palm frond; in exergue, monogram. HGC 9, 580e. SC 1313.1. Beautifully toned and with a splendid portrait. Light scratches on the obverse and with a minor flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.

Provenance:
Etienne Bourgey, March 22, 1910, Lot 434
Privately acquired from Vinchon on 24 February 2011
Leu Web Auction 20, 17 July 2022, Lot 1545
Numismatica Ars Classica 123, 9 May 2021, Lot 819

This coin represents the oldest unlisted provenance of any coin I have ever been able to purchase. Somehow Vinchon, Leu and NAC were unable or unwilling to locate the 1910 Bourgey provenance for this coin. Very happy to add it to my collection.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/1v57xc

4️⃣ Euthydemos II Tetradrachm

BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Euthydemos II, circa 185-180 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 16.79 g, 12 h), Baktra. Diademed and draped bust of Euthydemos II to right. Rev. BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ - EYΘYΔHMOY Youthful Herakles, wearing wreath, standing facing, holding wreath in his right hand and club and lion skin in his left; in inner left field, monogram. Bopearachchi 1D. HGC 12, 72. MIG 113b. SNG ANS 217-8. Beautifully toned and with a very attractive portrait struck in high relief. Light marks and with a minor flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, about extremely fine.

Provenance:
Numismatica Ars Classica 23, March 19, 2002 Lot 1303
UBS 56, January 28, 2003, Lot 172

One of my more expensive purchases this year, but well worth the investment. A wonderfully toned and high relief portrait of Euthydemos II. Excellent die work by the engraver.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/5sipfm

3️⃣ Aegina T-back Sea Turtle

ATTICA. Aegina. Stater (Circa 480-457 BC).  Obv: Sea turtle, head in profile, with ‘T-back’ design on shell. Rev: Square incuse with large skew pattern.  SNG Copenhagen 507; SNG Delepierre 1522-6; HGC 6, 435.  Aegina's coinage was very important in the Greek world. According to Ephorus, historian from Cyme, it was the first city to mint silver coinage to facilitate the mercantile practices of its inhabitants, who engaged in trade to make up for the poverty of the agricultural soil. Aegina's coinage is certainly among the oldest and played a leading role among the Aegean islands, which adopted its weight for their own coinage. Very widespread is the diffusion of early Staters from the mid-6th century BC, with the sea turtle type remaining a constant throughout production. The only variation is the change to land tortoise that occurred after the defeat suffered against the Athenians in 431, at the beginning of the Peloponnesian War.  Condition: Very fine.  Weight: 12.25 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Provenance:
Ars Classica October 18, 1926 Lot 1463

Another auction purchase where the description did not include a major provenance for the coin. This Aegina turtle was sold at auction through Ars Classica in 1926. Fairly worn but still an attractive example of the issue and one I was excited to add to my collection.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/yjnjgx

2️⃣ Philip II Tetradrachm

KINGS OF MACEDON. Philip II, 359-336 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 14.31 g, 3 h), Amphipolis, struck under Antipater or Polyperchon, circa 320/19-317. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Young jockey, holding palm frond in his right hand and reins in his left, riding horse to right; below horse, monogram; below raised foreleg, Λ. Le Rider pl. 45, 6. SNG ANS 633-4. Attractively toned and with a bold head of Zeus of unusually fine style for a posthumous issue. Light marks and with minor flan faults on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.

Provenance: 
From Ariadne Galleries prior to 1982
Glendining June 18, 1943 Lot 35

The fourth and final coin on my list that I purchased at auction this year where a major provenance was not listed was this lot. This Philip II tetradrachm was sold by Glendining in 1943. It represents the 7th Philip II tetradrachm in my collection which has become one of my favorite sub-collections due to the wide variety and quality of the dies for these types.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/rdb2uy

1️⃣ Syracuse Dekadrachm

Sicily. Syracuse. Dionysos I (405-367 BC). AR Dekadrachm. Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos, c. 405-400 BC. Obv. Charioteer driving galloping quadriga left, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left; Nike flying right above, crowning charioteer; in exergue: a military harness, shield, greaves, cuirass and Attic helmet all connected by a horizontal spear. Rev. Wreathed head of Arethousa left, wearing triple pendant earring and necklace, surrounded by four swimming dolphins; shell behind; [ΣYPAKOΣIΩN]. HGC 2 1299; SNG ANS 372; Dewing 903-906; Jameson 829; Boston MFA 426. AR. 41.84 g. 34 mm. RRR. Toned. Rusty die on obverse. Nice classical style portrait. VF.

By far my most exciting purchase of 2024 is this well-toned Dekadrachm from Syracuse. The quadriga obverse side has the common rusty die but the stunning portrait of Arethousa more than makes up for it. The portrait is in the style of master engraver Euainetos but it is unsigned and the shell symbol suggests this may be the work of an apprentice studying under his guidance. While this is a "budget" Dekadrachm, it still tops my list as it is a type I never expected to be able to justify purchasing. 

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/83ncob

====================

And that’s it for me! Thank you to those who have shared their top coins so far and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your top 10 lists in the coming days.

What's your favorite? Anything I didn't mention that you notice? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading and happy collecting and provenance hunting in 2025!

 

Edited December 2, 2024 by filolif

[filolif]

And here are some of my honorable mentions for the year. Coins that could (and maybe should?) have made the list. Happy collecting everyone!

[ambr0zie]

Congratulations for an exceptional year! I voted for the decadrachm, the Aegina turtle and the Lydia EL Trite - all of them (and not just them) are coins I would be proud to own. 

[CPK]

What a great year! All of the coins are magnificent. I voted for the decadrachm (of course!), the Aegina turtle stater (I've always liked those) and the marvelous Antiochus I tetradrachm (#8).

Congratulations on these new additions!

[ChrisB]

Very nice. I'm a sucker for those Lydian pieces. Hopefully one day I will have one of my own. 

[akeady]

Some great coins - I couldn't vote against a decadrachm!

[El Cazador]

On 12/2/2024 at 2:05 AM, filolif said:

And here are some of my honorable mentions for the year. Coins that could (and maybe should?) have made the list. Happy collecting everyone!

I voted for #7 and # 4 - big fan of Euthydemos, but 7 is superb 

[Romancollector]

All around wonderful coins (and provenances)! I chose numbers 8, 4 and 2. The first Athenian tetradrachm in the second group is also quite the stunner! 

[Molag Bal]

Beautiful coins, the honorable mentions too. I voted for Euthydemos for its stunning portrait. 

[kirispupis]

Amazing coins! The Euthydemos II is a stunning coin, but I have to go with the Syracuse dekadrachm...because it's a dekadrachm.

[Curtisimo]

Wow! That decadrachm! I agreed with your top 3. What a fabulous year!

[DonnaML]

Wow! I'd be happy with any of your honorable mentions!

It was difficult to choose only three, but I ended up deciding on nos. 8, 3, and 2 as the ones that appealed to me the most.

 

[singig]

Beautiful coins ! , even the ones on the mentions list, my prefered are the the Philip II tetradrachms. Congratulations !

[Qcumbor]

All are excellent. I voted 2, 4 and 8 : the sad portrait of Antiochus on that #8 is really moving !

Q

[Al Kowsky]

On 12/1/2024 at 3:47 PM, filolif said:

Happy Holidays everyone! It's that time of year again. I was able to add a number of very interesting and exciting pieces to my collection this year. Overall, the continued goal was locating unlisted provenance and focusing on pieces of finer style and quality across much of the history of the Greek world.

Starting with Number 10:

1️⃣0️⃣ Paeonia Fallen Warrior Tetradrachm

Patraos, 335-315 BC Tetradrachm, damaskion. Head of Apollo / rider with helmet and lance over fallen warrior. SNG ANS 1031 HGC 148 12.65 g. Fine tint. Very nice.

I bought this coin at retail because it had not one but two (!) unlisted provenances. A Radolfo Ratto auction in 1926 as well as a Michele Baranowsky auction in 1931. It's crude style portrait of Apollo is compensated for by a somewhat better style for the reverse fallen warrior. Not a terribly expensive coin but a nice piece of numismatic history. 

Provenance:
Radolfo Ratto, April 4, 1926, Lot 752
Michele Baranowsky, Feb 25, 1931, Lot 453

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/p442ug

9️⃣Seleukos I Nikator Tetradrachm

Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Babylon II, circa 311-305 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; [BAΣIΛEΩΣ] below, AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, anchor and monogram in left field, Π below throne. SC C94.7d; Price 3349; HGC 9, 10g. 17.13g.  NGC graded AU 5/5 - 4/5 (#4279252-008).

The portraiture of this Seleukos tetradrachm was really striking to me. A wonderfully executed head of Heracles as well as seated Zeus. Heracles' flowing hair is really wonderfully rendered. I also appreciate the large Seleukid anchor symbol on the reverse. 

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/wgjapg

8️⃣ Antiochus I Tetradrachm

Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus I (280-261 BC), tetradrachm, Seleukeia on the Tigris, diademed head right, rev., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Apollo seated left on omphalos holding bow and arrow; flanked by monograms, 17.11g (SC 379.6a; ESM 162), tiny edge knock, good very fine with high relief portrait.

Provenance:
Tradart, Geneva, December 12, 1991, Lot 195
Morton & Eden, September 26, 2023, Lot 531

Continuing with Seleucid coinage, is this wonderfully toned and expressive coin of Antiochus I. Coins with Tradart provenance often seem to be quite exquisite for their issue and this coin is no exception.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/obhnra

7️⃣Antiochus I Tetradrachm

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos I Soter AR Tetradrachm. Seleukeia on the Tigris, circa 281-261 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, testing arrow and resting left hand on grounded bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ to left, AP monogram to outer left, HP monogram to outer right. SC 379.3a; ESM 149; HGC 9, 128g. 17.20g, 29mm, 9h.  Near Extremely Fine; struck in high relief, attractive light cabinet tone with golden iridescent highlights.

Provenance:
Frank Sternberg AG, Auction 26, November 16 1992, Lot 114
Dr. G.W. Collection, Schweizerische Kreditanstalt (Crédit Suisse), List 59, Spring 1993, No. 90
Gorny and Mosch, Auction 269, 2020

Another Antiochos I issue, with a different and yet still wonderful portrait. The golden toning and flow lines of this piece really draw my eye. It is very high relief and quite wonderful in hand.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/1ac3wa

6️⃣ Lydia EL Trite

ANCIENT GREECE. KINGDOM OF LYDIA. Alyattes. Electrum Trite (1/3 Stater), circa 600-561 BC. Sardes. Obv: head of roaring lion right, sunburst with five rays on forehead. Rev: two square incuse punches.  Very Fine; an interesting array of banker's marks.  From the Euclidean Collection.  Reference: GRPC Lydia-G25; Weidauer-88-89; ATEC-Group D, 14-19. Diameter: 12 mm. Weight: 4.71 g.

In an effort to replace another Lydian trite which I sold earlier this year, I was able to purchase this little coin. It is in very good condition despite an array of countermarks/banker's marks that only add to it's historical appeal for me. A very challenging coin to take in-hand video of, however.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/2xbl1f

5️⃣ Seleukos IV Tetradrachm

SELEUKID KINGS. Seleukos IV Philopator, 187-175 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30 mm, 17.18 g, 12 h), Antiochia on the Orontes. Diademed head of Seleukos IV to right. Rev. BAΣIΛΕΩΣ - ΣΕΛEYKOY Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow; to outer left, wreath and filleted palm frond; in exergue, monogram. HGC 9, 580e. SC 1313.1. Beautifully toned and with a splendid portrait. Light scratches on the obverse and with a minor flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.

Provenance:
Etienne Bourgey, March 22, 1910, Lot 434
Privately acquired from Vinchon on 24 February 2011
Leu Web Auction 20, 17 July 2022, Lot 1545
Numismatica Ars Classica 123, 9 May 2021, Lot 819

This coin represents the oldest unlisted provenance of any coin I have ever been able to purchase. Somehow Vinchon, Leu and NAC were unable or unwilling to locate the 1910 Bourgey provenance for this coin. Very happy to add it to my collection.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/1v57xc

4️⃣ Euthydemos II Tetradrachm

BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Euthydemos II, circa 185-180 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 16.79 g, 12 h), Baktra. Diademed and draped bust of Euthydemos II to right. Rev. BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ - EYΘYΔHMOY Youthful Herakles, wearing wreath, standing facing, holding wreath in his right hand and club and lion skin in his left; in inner left field, monogram. Bopearachchi 1D. HGC 12, 72. MIG 113b. SNG ANS 217-8. Beautifully toned and with a very attractive portrait struck in high relief. Light marks and with a minor flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, about extremely fine.

Provenance:
Numismatica Ars Classica 23, March 19, 2002 Lot 1303
UBS 56, January 28, 2003, Lot 172

One of my more expensive purchases this year, but well worth the investment. A wonderfully toned and high relief portrait of Euthydemos II. Excellent die work by the engraver.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/5sipfm

3️⃣ Aegina T-back Sea Turtle

ATTICA. Aegina. Stater (Circa 480-457 BC).  Obv: Sea turtle, head in profile, with ‘T-back’ design on shell. Rev: Square incuse with large skew pattern.  SNG Copenhagen 507; SNG Delepierre 1522-6; HGC 6, 435.  Aegina's coinage was very important in the Greek world. According to Ephorus, historian from Cyme, it was the first city to mint silver coinage to facilitate the mercantile practices of its inhabitants, who engaged in trade to make up for the poverty of the agricultural soil. Aegina's coinage is certainly among the oldest and played a leading role among the Aegean islands, which adopted its weight for their own coinage. Very widespread is the diffusion of early Staters from the mid-6th century BC, with the sea turtle type remaining a constant throughout production. The only variation is the change to land tortoise that occurred after the defeat suffered against the Athenians in 431, at the beginning of the Peloponnesian War.  Condition: Very fine.  Weight: 12.25 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Provenance:
Ars Classica October 18, 1926 Lot 1463

Another auction purchase where the description did not include a major provenance for the coin. This Aegina turtle was sold at auction through Ars Classica in 1926. Fairly worn but still an attractive example of the issue and one I was excited to add to my collection.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/yjnjgx

2️⃣ Philip II Tetradrachm

KINGS OF MACEDON. Philip II, 359-336 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 14.31 g, 3 h), Amphipolis, struck under Antipater or Polyperchon, circa 320/19-317. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Young jockey, holding palm frond in his right hand and reins in his left, riding horse to right; below horse, monogram; below raised foreleg, Λ. Le Rider pl. 45, 6. SNG ANS 633-4. Attractively toned and with a bold head of Zeus of unusually fine style for a posthumous issue. Light marks and with minor flan faults on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.

Provenance: 
From Ariadne Galleries prior to 1982
Glendining June 18, 1943 Lot 35

The fourth and final coin on my list that I purchased at auction this year where a major provenance was not listed was this lot. This Philip II tetradrachm was sold by Glendining in 1943. It represents the 7th Philip II tetradrachm in my collection which has become one of my favorite sub-collections due to the wide variety and quality of the dies for these types.

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/rdb2uy

1️⃣ Syracuse Dekadrachm

Sicily. Syracuse. Dionysos I (405-367 BC). AR Dekadrachm. Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos, c. 405-400 BC. Obv. Charioteer driving galloping quadriga left, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left; Nike flying right above, crowning charioteer; in exergue: a military harness, shield, greaves, cuirass and Attic helmet all connected by a horizontal spear. Rev. Wreathed head of Arethousa left, wearing triple pendant earring and necklace, surrounded by four swimming dolphins; shell behind; [ΣYPAKOΣIΩN]. HGC 2 1299; SNG ANS 372; Dewing 903-906; Jameson 829; Boston MFA 426. AR. 41.84 g. 34 mm. RRR. Toned. Rusty die on obverse. Nice classical style portrait. VF.

By far my most exciting purchase of 2024 is this well-toned Dekadrachm from Syracuse. The quadriga obverse side has the common rusty die but the stunning portrait of Arethousa more than makes up for it. The portrait is in the style of master engraver Euainetos but it is unsigned and the shell symbol suggests this may be the work of an apprentice studying under his guidance. While this is a "budget" Dekadrachm, it still tops my list as it is a type I never expected to be able to justify purchasing. 

VIDEO: https://streamable.com/83ncob

====================

And that’s it for me! Thank you to those who have shared their top coins so far and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your top 10 lists in the coming days.

What's your favorite? Anything I didn't mention that you notice? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading and happy collecting and provenance hunting in 2025!

 

Wonderful additions 🤩. I voted for #1, love that portrait of Arethousa 😍.

[AncientJoe]

Congrats on a great year! I'll vote outside of your top 10 for your Philip II tetradrachm: the portrait is sublime!

[savitale]

Great coins! I love the portrait on 8. Antiochus I Tetradrachm.

[David Atherton]

Impressive! Wow, such beauty on display in that list. 

[Sulla80]

Stunning coins and love the aligned provenance images on #10!

[Spargrodan]

I also agree with @AncientJoe. My favourite is the first tet from Phil II from the honoruble mentions.

[Brennos]

Congratulations on these additions.

I voted for the decakadrachm which is an emblematic and spectacular coin but the Euthydemos II teradrachm is a close second. 

[panzerman]

The ones that did not make your top ten are also pretty amazing!

From original list/ my three choice

1/ Dekadrachm

2/ Aegina Turtle

3/ Lydia EL Trite

 

Wonderfull coins....

[Roman Collector]

You had an exceptional year! Congratulations on your acquisitions. I, like you, like the Syracusan dekadrachm. It's such an iconic design! 

[shanxi]

The Dekadrachm is great (a dream coin), but I love the lion on the Trite

[robinjojo]

The Aegina stater is very nice, and the decadrachm an impressive coin.  A wonderful lineup for 2024!