CmG Collection 2024 Top 10 Coins of the Year!

[CassiusMarcus]

10. Lysimachos Tetradrachm 
KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 17.22 g, 1h)

A nice example from Lampsakos - Some of my closer pals will know that these coins are my favorite type, I currently have 7 examples, including this one that I am quite happy with, and looking to add more. This was the most recent addition. Not much else to say about it, just an awesome type showing one of the greatest figures from Antiquity! 

ex Wild Rose Collection

 

9. Carthage Stater 
CARTHAGE. Circa 350-320 BC. Stater (Gold, 18 mm, 9.60 g, 3 h)

A fairly decent example of a really cool type. Who doesn't like horses on their coins? Especially North African ones! The reverse slightly struck off-center but Tanit looks quite nice still here and ancient gold is always fun to hold 😄 

 

 

8. Siculo-Punic Tetradrachm 
Circa 320/15-300 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 16.73 g, 10h) 1994 Pedigree

There is a good reason why people love coins from this area, and after I got this guy from CNG's Feature, I can see why. Arethousa just looks fabulous on these coins and its a bit of a way for me to get close to some sort of budget Deka 🤣. I have found it difficult to find these types without some kind of flan flaws, I'm guessing thats just par for the course with these, I dont exactly know the reasoning why but they all seem to have some kind of chip or interesting-looking flan. But that does not stop me from loving it (plus horses, as i said, awesome 😛 ) 

7. Xerxes Daric 

PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II, circa 420-375 BC. Daric (Gold, 18 mm, 8.33 g, 12 h)

A really cool coin from a really cool point of history in my opinion, I likely will not be getting any other Persian coins, but just felt I had to add a Daric to the collection. They are simplistic in my opinion but badass, a fascinating issue! 

 

 

6.  Antiochos III "The Great" Tetradrachm 

SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos III ‘the Great’, 222-187 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 27 mm, 16.69 g, 12 h)

I spent a good while searching for the right Antiochos the Great that captured me and I'd say this one hit that spot. I don't really have a ton to say about it historically speaking, its just one of the most beautiful Antiochus the Great tets I've come across, and I've looked at A LOT! A wonderful relief on it, highly detailed, from this very popular Seleucid Monarch. 

 

5. Carthage Stater
CARTHAGE. Circa 350-320 BC. Stater (Gold, 19 mm, 9.52 g, 6 h).

Yeah... so I got two of them from the same auction LOL. Nicer detail, better centered and less blemishes/scratches. Nothing else to really say, just a beautiful coin again. 

 

4. Antigonid Tetradrachm
KINGS OF MACEDON. Time of Antigonos II Gonatas, Demetrios II Aitolikos, and Antigonos III Doson (?), 246/5-229 BC.

 

The Antigonids are super fascinating in my opinion, they boast some really awesome issues and alongside my Perseus and Poliorketes tetras, I am really glad to add this one. Its my goal to add some more Antigonids in Tetradrachm denomination and Philip V is definitely one of them, but hes just a bit too pricey for little old me at the moment. But this issue is really cool and I'm happy to nab it! 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Seleukos II Tetradrachm
246 – 225 Antiochia circa 244-226, AR 28 mm, 17.11 g

 

Hoooh my what a beauty, as I mentioned earlier, primarily a Hellenistic collector, with a real emphasis on Seleucids, I am just beyond grateful to get this one, at what I believe was a great price too. Seleukos II is a really fascinating king too and his reign was marked with struggles and hardships, where he met an unbefitting end, before the empire's eventual restoration under his son Antiochos the Great.  Lovely dies, some of the finest in my opinion, beautiful portrait and a nice depiction of Apollo 

 

 

 

2. Alexander the Great Stater

MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AV stater (19mm, 8.62 gm, 11h). NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5

It was definitely one of my top goals to get an Athena stater from Alexander the Great! One of my favourite figures of antiquity and all of history (toss up between him and Hannibal) I was very excited to get this from Heritage this year. It is very elegant in my opinion, very clean looking and with very minor marks. 

 

 

 

 

1. Hadrian Aureus 
Hadrian. AD 117-138. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 7.16 g, 6h)

 

I really did not see myself ending the year with this as my top coin, but its just so captivating in hand that I cant help but place it at #1 
It is currently my only piece of Roman gold, and its definitely set me on a path of wanting more. It will absolutely eat into my Hellenistic budget in the future but I am totally OK with that considering how striking it is. The purchase really just came out of nowhere, I lost out on my picks at the CNG feature and quickly sifted through the Roman pieces and landed on this one, safe to say I am really glad I did. Not much else to say, I just love it! 

 

 

 

Thank you for reading and looking, if you like anything here please let me know 🙂

[Spargrodan]

3 minutes ago, CassiusMarcus said:

10. Lysimachos Tetradrachm 
KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 17.22 g, 1h)

A nice example from Lampsakos - Some of my closer pals will know that these coins are my favorite type, I currently have 7 examples, including this one that I am quite happy with, and looking to add more. This was the most recent addition. Not much else to say about it, just an awesome type showing one of the greatest figures from Antiquity! 

ex Wild Rose Collection

 

9. Carthage Stater 
CARTHAGE. Circa 350-320 BC. Stater (Gold, 18 mm, 9.60 g, 3 h)

A fairly decent example of a really cool type. Who doesn't like horses on their coins? Especially North African ones! The reverse slightly struck off-center but Tanit looks quite nice still here and ancient gold is always fun to hold 😄 

 

 

8. Siculo-Punic Tetradrachm 
Circa 320/15-300 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 16.73 g, 10h) 1994 Pedigree

There is a good reason why people love coins from this area, and after I got this guy from CNG's Feature, I can see why. Arethousa just looks fabulous on these coins and its a bit of a way for me to get close to some sort of budget Deka 🤣. I have found it difficult to find these types without some kind of flan flaws, I'm guessing thats just par for the course with these, I dont exactly know the reasoning why but they all seem to have some kind of chip or interesting-looking flan. But that does not stop me from loving it (plus horses, as i said, awesome 😛 ) 

7. Xerxes Daric 

PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II, circa 420-375 BC. Daric (Gold, 18 mm, 8.33 g, 12 h)

A really cool coin from a really cool point of history in my opinion, I likely will not be getting any other Persian coins, but just felt I had to add a Daric to the collection. They are simplistic in my opinion but badass, a fascinating issue! 

 

 

6.  Antiochos III "The Great" Tetradrachm 

SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos III ‘the Great’, 222-187 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 27 mm, 16.69 g, 12 h)

I spent a good while searching for the right Antiochos the Great that captured me and I'd say this one hit that spot. I don't really have a ton to say about it historically speaking, its just one of the most beautiful Antiochus the Great tets I've come across, and I've looked at A LOT! A wonderful relief on it, highly detailed, from this very popular Seleucid Monarch. 

 

5. Carthage Stater
CARTHAGE. Circa 350-320 BC. Stater (Gold, 19 mm, 9.52 g, 6 h).

Yeah... so I got two of them from the same auction LOL. Nicer detail, better centered and less blemishes/scratches. Nothing else to really say, just a beautiful coin again. 

 

4. Antigonid Tetradrachm
KINGS OF MACEDON. Time of Antigonos II Gonatas, Demetrios II Aitolikos, and Antigonos III Doson (?), 246/5-229 BC.

 

The Antigonids are super fascinating in my opinion, they boast some really awesome issues and alongside my Perseus and Poliorketes tetras, I am really glad to add this one. Its my goal to add some more Antigonids in Tetradrachm denomination and Philip V is definitely one of them, but hes just a bit too pricey for little old me at the moment. But this issue is really cool and I'm happy to nab it! 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Seleukos II Tetradrachm
246 – 225 Antiochia circa 244-226, AR 28 mm, 17.11 g

 

Hoooh my what a beauty, as I mentioned earlier, primarily a Hellenistic collector, with a real emphasis on Seleucids, I am just beyond grateful to get this one, at what I believe was a great price too. Seleukos II is a really fascinating king too and his reign was marked with struggles and hardships, where he met an unbefitting end, before the empire's eventual restoration under his son Antiochos the Great.  Lovely dies, some of the finest in my opinion, beautiful portrait and a nice depiction of Apollo 

 

 

 

2. Alexander the Great Stater

MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AV stater (19mm, 8.62 gm, 11h). NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5

It was definitely one of my top goals to get an Athena stater from Alexander the Great! One of my favourite figures of antiquity and all of history (toss up between him and Hannibal) I was very excited to get this from Heritage this year. It is very elegant in my opinion, very clean looking and with very minor marks. 

 

 

 

 

1. Hadrian Aureus 
Hadrian. AD 117-138. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 7.16 g, 6h)

 

I really did not see myself ending the year with this as my top coin, but its just so captivating in hand that I cant help but place it at #1 
It is currently my only piece of Roman gold, and its definitely set me on a path of wanting more. It will absolutely eat into my Hellenistic budget in the future but I am totally OK with that considering how striking it is. The purchase really just came out of nowhere, I lost out on my picks at the CNG feature and quickly sifted through the Roman pieces and landed on this one, safe to say I am really glad I did. Not much else to say, I just love it! 

 

 

 

Thank you for reading and looking, if you like anything here please let me know 🙂

Great collecting year! That Hadrian Aureus with the iconic depiction of the twins and the she-wolf is on another level, definitely my number one pick!

[El Cazador]

I voted for Antiochus III for metal quality, strike, no surface issues and overall eye apeal!

[Rand]

Wow!

I voted for the Hadrian aureus, but all of them are superb!

[filolif]

What a great year! Banger after banger. Congrats on some really good pickups!

[Lelouch]

Great Arethusa tetradrachm, details on her are spectacular!

[panzerman]

They are all spectacular! But I really love

1/ Hadrian aureus

2/ Alexander III Stater

3. Siculo-Punic Tetradrachm

Beautifull

John

[CPK]

A spectacular list! Every one is a winner. Congrats on a great year!

[Romancollector]

Gorgeous additions. I voted for the Lysimachus tetradrachm as it exhibits excellent style. However, I think that all the coins included are wonderful! If I were given the option of voting for more than one, I'd also choose the Siculo-Punic tetradrachm and the Hadrian aureus.

[JayAg47]

Love all those ancient golds!

[Al Kowsky]

Breathtaking selection 😲! I voted for the Hadrian aureus ☺️.

[Brennos]

Congratulations on these stunning acquisitions !!

I voted for the tetradrachm of Lysimachos but each of the others are fantastic.

[Qcumbor]

One of those rare lists that have me, while scrolling down :

 

Lysimachos Tetradrachm : Wow, will be hard to have something better !

Then,

 

Carthage Stater #1 : OMG !
Then,

 

Siculo-Punic Tetradrachm : Wow ! that will certainly be my choice

Then,

 

Xerxes Daric : who wouldn't want a daric like that ?

Then,

 

Antiochus the Great Tetradrachm : F**k ! that's nice too

Then,

 

Carthage Stater #2 : why in hell did @CassiusMarcus buy stater #1, that one is far better !

Then,

 

Antigonid Tetradrachm : that can't be surpassed ! And that's one of my prefered greek cointypes since I've seen a picture of Alberic du Chastel's example

Then,

 

Alexander the Great Stater : what a wonderful specimen, one of the best I've seen !
And to finsih with,

 

Hadrian Aureus : Gasp ! Faint ! This is definitely the best one of the list !!

 

Congrats on a fabulous coin year !!!

Q

Edited December 14, 2024 by Qcumbor

[CassiusMarcus]

1 hour ago, Qcumbor said:

One of those rare lists that have me, while scrolling down :

 

Lysimachos Tetradrachm : Wow, will be hard to have something better !

Then,

 

Carthage Stater #1 : OMG !
Then,

 

Siculo-Punic Tetradrachm : Wow ! that will certainly be my choice

Then,

 

Xerxes Daric : who wouldn't one a daric like that ?

Then,

 

Antiochus the Great Tetradrachm : F**k ! that's nice too

Then,

 

Carthage Stater #2 : why in hell did @CassiusMarcus buy stater #1, that one is far better !

Then,

 

Antigonid Tetradrachm : that can't be surpassed ! And that's one of my prefered greek cointypes since I've seen a picture of Alberic du Chastel's example

Then,

 

Alexander the Great Stater : what a wonderful specimen, one of the best I've seen !
And to finsih with,

 

Hadrian Aureus : Gasp ! Faint ! This is definitely the best one of the list !!

 

Congrats on a fabulous coin year !!!

Q

Thank you very much!! 

[Valentinian]

I don't do ancient gold so I will ignore them and pick
 

On 12/10/2024 at 12:00 PM, CassiusMarcus said:

8. Siculo-Punic Tetradrachm 
Circa 320/15-300 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 16.73 g, 10h)

which is a beauty!

[savitale]

Wow! A remarkable set of acquisitions. I voted for the Alexander stater. A common coin, relatively speaking, but yours looks to be an exceptional example. Beautiful! 

[Roman Collector]

All of them are gems -- as in museum pieces! But I went with the Hadrian aureus because it's Roman and has the Lupa Romana and is absolutely stunning! 

[robinjojo]

Wonderful acquisitions! 

This is a tough group to choose a top coin.  I've always liked the Siculo-Punic tetradrachms, and wished that I had one (maybe next year, ha ha!)  So that's my pick.