Top of the heap for 2024

[robinjojo]

While 2024 was a continuation of an ongoing accumulation of ancient and world coins, with the emphasis on the former, the year saw some notable purchases.  So here they are in no particular order of preference:

Hungary, Bohemia, Maria Theresa, thaler, 1741, KB (Kremnica).

KM 328

28.81 grams

I've always liked this young portrait of the empress, and I owned one previously that I sold as a fund raising effort, resolving that one year a replacement will be made, and so it was in 2024.

Qataban, tetradrachm, imitating Athens, circa 350-302-200 BC.

Van Alfen, Studies, Type QI.A, 14 var. (O–R14 unlisted obv. die); CAF 1.0.4; Huth 326; HGC 10, 706.

16.81 grams

Yet another Quataban owl found its way into the collection.  This example is very well centered and struck for this type.

Faustina II, AE sestersius, Rome, Concordia, 151-2 AD.  Ex Curtis Clay Collection.

RIC III 1374

29.09 grams

I try to be selective in my purchases of Roman coinage, trying to pick out examples that have nice style or interesting themes, for example.  While not a top grade coin, I really like the portrait of Faustina II.  The reverse is also quite nice.

Augustus, denarius, Lugdunum (Lyon),mint, Struck 2 BC-AD 12.

RIC I, 207

3.76 grams 

This past summer I purchased a denarius of Augustus.  As important as this emperor is, I've never owned a denarius of his until this year.  This example was a local coin shop acquisition, and while it is probably the most common denarius for this emperor, the grade is quite nice.

Arabia Northwest, Lihyan Kingdom, AR tetradrachm, imitating Athens, 350-250 BC.

22mm 15.98 grams.

"And now for something completely different" quoting Monty Python.  To say that the coinage of the Lihyan Kingdom is esoteric might be something of an understatement.  It evolution from a more or less localized copying of the classical Athenian tetradrachms to one of increasingly abstract interpretations really sets this coinage apart in the realm of imitative coinage.  The later billion to AE coinage is relatively available.  The earlier coinage is much less so.  This is the earliest example that I now own, and it is one that demands further research.

Spain, Segovia, Philip II, 8 reales, No Date, assayer IM,  aqueduct mint mark, circa 1586.

Cal. 167

26.56 grams 

This is a hammer struck coin from the old Segovia Mint.  A new mint, producing roller die-produced coins in 1585, taking advantage of the constant source of water provided through the Roman aqueduct. This coin is quite rare and it came from Sana'a Yemen.  A number of Spanish colonial coins have come from there over the past several years, virtually all exhibiting thick dark hoard patina.

Valerian I, Æ 30, Anazarbus, Cilicia, RY 272 (253/4 AD ).

RPC X Online Unassigned ID 60270 (this coin cited)

17.85 grams

While not a top grade coin, and quite common as well, this post-auction lot from Roma is a fun coin, with its reverse of six prize crowns.

Hadrian, BI tetradrachm, Alexandria, Yr 9 (124/5AD).

Dattari 7403 (this coin); RPC 5492.8 (this coin).

13.12 grams

Pedigree, pedigree, pedigree.  That is the mantra of ancient coin collecting.  So, the message finally got through my thick skull and I picked up this example, with a provenance to the Dattari Collection, from a Harlan J Berk after buy-bid sale.  

Vespasian, Alexandria, AE drachm, LB (year 2) 69/70 AD.

RPC 2417

28.69 grams

Staying with Roman provincial coinage, as typically worn as this Alexandrian drachm is, I really took a liking to the portraits on both sides, minor scratches notwithstanding.

Netherlands, Friesland, lion daalder, 1591.

Davenport 8815

27.11 grams 

As many of you probably know, I've been collecting lion daalders from many years, as well as Spanish colonial coinage, mostly hammer struck cobs.  Those areas of interest have been mostly dormant since 2018, with the focus switching to ancient coinage.  However, on eBay I came across this rare coin from Friesland, a lion daalder dated 1591, one of only a few I have seen.  This coin was minted at Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Dutch Republic, in 1591.  An even rarer Friesland lion daalder was minted in Reiderschans to pay for the garrison there in the same year.  That coin has a rectangular stop after HOL on the obverse, as opposed to the the cross stop after HOL for Leeuwarden.

Seleucus I Nikator, tetradrachm, Susa Mint, ca. 304–294 BC.

SC 173.12

17.00 grams 

One more late addition to the lineup.  A hoard of these coins are entering the market, so I decided to acquire one this year.

Edited December 15, 2024 by robinjojo

[JayAg47]

Nice coins, I like the Quataban owl, Augustus denarius, and the Seleucus tetradrachm. 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I have several favorites,  with my top two being the cob and the Seleucus tetradrachm, respectively. The list is a very wonderful mix of ancients and early moderns.

[panzerman]

Great array/ very diverse!

My #1 is the Freisland Lion Daalder 1591

#2 Kremnitz Mint Maria Thersia Thaler

#3 Cob Segovia Mint

Thanks for sharing😇

This Mint also struck the AR 50 Reales/ AV 100 Ducatos Joanna & Carlos/ 50 Execelentes

Later AV 100 Escudos Carlos II/ Felip IV

[shanxi]

Nice coins. The Seleucus I Nikator is great, but of course I voted also for the Faustina.

[Roman Collector]

Great year!! I voted for the Faustina II sestertius, the Maria Theresa, and the Hadrian tet. That Faustina is pretty special. She wears the Beckmann Type 3 coiffure, That hairstyle was in use for a short time only, 151-152 CE, because it appears for the first time in Beckmann's die-linkage study with the FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL obverse inscription, which was in use for about eight or nine months, from the end of summer 151 to about June 152, and stops shortly after the reinstitution of the FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL legend in the summer of 152, after which time the portrait reverts back to the earlier type 2 portrait. Yours has lovely patination. Mine is a double die match to yours. Mine has a so-called Tiber patina and is of lower grade.

[Sulla80]

@robinjojo the Seleucus yet is amazing, and Lucian Athena would also be high on my picks.  I have a weaknesss for alexandrian tets - so Hadrian got my vote.  Looks like a great 2024! Best wishes for 2025!

[ambr0zie]

A diverse and interesting set! 

I voted for the Quataban, the Seleucus I Nikator and the Anazarbus prizes (but this is because I particularily like this type and I am glad to own a similar example). I also think the Maria Theresa is an exceptional coin. 

[singig]

I voted for three coins :  Seleucus tetradrachm , Hadrian and the lion daalder. Congratulations !

[kirispupis]

Wonderful pickups for the year! I was going to vote for the Lihyan, since those coins are fascinating, but then I saw the Seleukos victory coin. Congrats on the pickup. That's an amazing addition, though all are great.

[Croatian Coin Collector]

I like the Sestertius of Faustina the Younger the most.

[El Cazador]

I voted for augustus denarius and of Course, #1 choice is the last coin - Seleucus

Edited December 16, 2024 by El Cazador

[Cordoba]

i really like the seleukos, quite a bit better than average from the current hoard. i'd been tempted to pick one up, but doesn't fit in my collection theme

[El Cazador]

3 hours ago, Cordoba said:

i really like the seleukos, quite a bit better than average from the current hoard. i'd been tempted to pick one up, but doesn't fit in my collection theme

Excited to bid on upcoming Bactrians- it will be fun!!🤩 

[Qcumbor]

My choices are the Seleucos Nikator and the Hadrian tetradrachm

Q