Five Favorites from 2024

[Svessien]

Hi everybody. I have been taking some breaks from collecting coins, as I had to feel a renewed interest and numismatic spirit. Being an incurable collector, I have rather looked at art and furniture, old books and actually stamps. Stamps are a good way to relax, I find. When you find the right spot for your stamp in your album, you put something in place "forever". That feels good. However, they tend to get boring. Ancient coins just never get boring. 

Although most of my purchases have been mid grade uncleaned Greek bronzes, that I put in ionized water, dry, and gently brush before going back to stage one; a hobby that goes well together with watching a TV series or something else. Here is one of the finer specimen that I'm working patiently with:

 

I have also bought a couple of more expensive coins. These are my favorite five from 2024:

Julius Caesar and Mark Antony

AR Denarius, military mint moving with Antony in Cisalpine Gaul, November 43.

Struck immediately following the formation of the Second Triumvirate at Bononia.

Obverse: [M ANTO I]MP R P C Bare head of Mark Antony to right; behind, lituus.

Reverse: CAESAR DIC Laureate head of Julius Caesar to right; behind, jug.

Reference: Babelon (Antonia) 6 and (Julia) 55. Crawford 488/2. CRI 123. RBW -. Sydenham 1166.

Size: 19 mm. Weight; 3.75 g, (6 h)

Conservation: The obverse struck somewhat off center and with light scratches and two banker's marks on the reverse, otherwise, about very fine.

From an American collection, ex Gorny & Mosch 204, 5 March 2012, 2042 and Grün 18, 7-8 November 1996, 383.

The Second Triumvirate

Unlike the first triumvirate, whose exact formation date is unknown, there is much more information preserved about the second triumvirate. The second triumvirate was established in October 43 BC when Mark Antony (Caesar's ally and general), Octavian Augustus (Caesar's adopted son and heir), and Marcus Lepidus (an aristocrat and Caesar's general) met near Bononia (now the city of Bologna, Italy) and agreed to form the second triumvirate.

The primary goals of the second triumvirate were to seize power in Rome and avenge Caesar's assassins.

Additionally, the triumvirs divided key magistracies among their supporters for the coming years. They also partitioned the western provinces, while the eastern provinces were still under the control of Caesar's assassins:

- Mark Antony received all parts of Gaul except for Narbonese Gaul, which was given to Lepidus. In addition, in Africa, which was allotted to Octavian, a commander loyal to Mark Antony was in control of the army.

- Lepidus was given control over Spain and Narbonese Gaul.

- Octavian received Africa and nominal control over Sicily and Sardinia. The control was nominal because the actual ruler of these territories was Sextus Pompey, the son of the late Pompey.

 

Cilicia, Issos. Tiribazos, satrap of Lydia, 386-380 BC.

AR Stater  

Obverse: Facing half-length figure of Ahura-Mazda, head to right, his body terminated by a solar disk, holding wreath in his right hand and lotus blossom in his left. [AMI]

Reverse: [IΣΣIK-ON / 'tribzw' in Aramaic=Tiribazos] Ba'al standing front, head to left, holding eagle in his right hand and scepter in his left.

Reference: Kraay 1030, Casabonne series 1. SNG Levante 175-6. SNG Paris 416-7. SNG von Aulock 5601-2., BMC 21.90,3, GCV 5554 

Size: 19.62 mm, Weight: 10.26 g. Conservation: Obverse somewhat off center, otherwise, Very Fine. Rare.

Tiribazos was a notable Persian general and satrap of Lydia under the Achaemenid Empire. He served as the satrap of Sardis, the capital of Lydia, and was known for his military campaigns and political influence in the region during the 5th century BC. He played a significant role in various events during that period, including conflicts and power struggles within the Persian Empire.

Ahura Mazda and Baal were deities from different ancient religious traditions. Ahura Mazda was a key figure in Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion that emphasized dualism between good and evil forces. Baal, on the other hand, was a prominent god in ancient Canaanite and Phoenician religions. While there may have been instances of cultural exchange or syncretism between different ancient religious practices, Ahura Mazda and Baal were generally associated with distinct religious traditions and worshiped by different groups of people.

 

Nero, 54-68 AD

 AR Denarius , Rome, AD 64-66.

Obverse: NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS, Laureate head to right.

Reverse: IVPPITER CVSTOS, Jupiter seated left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre.

Reference: RIC 2I 53; BMC 74.

Size: 17 mm Weight: 3-34 g. Conservation: Old cabinet tone and about extremely fine/good very fine.

 

Nerva, 96-98 AD

AR Denarius, Rome 96 AD 

Obverse: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, Laureate head to right.

Reverse: FORTVNA AVGVST, Fortuna standing to left, holding rudder and cornucopiae.

Reference: RIC 4; BMC 10.

Size: 18 mm. Weight: 3.54 g. Condition: VF, toned

 

Gratian, 367-383. 

AR Siliqua , Antiochia, 367-375.

Obverse: D N GRATI-ANVS AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Gratian to right.  

Reverse: VOT / X / MVLT / XX in four lines within laurel wreath with medallion; in exergue, ANT.

Reference: RIC 34f. Rare.

Size: 18 mm. Weight: 2.12 g. Conservation: Struck from a slightly worn obverse die and with light traces of cleaning, otherwise, very fine.

 

Do you see a favorite that you would see fit for your own collection?

Svein

[Qcumbor]

I think the nero with that incredible portrait would fit perfectly in my trays (I would have chosen the Caesar/Antonius but already have one 😄 )

Q

[Svessien]

2 minutes ago, Qcumbor said:

I think the nero with that incredible portrait would fit perfectly in my trays (I would have chosen the Caesar/Antonius but already have one 😄 )

Q

Indeed you do, and yours is prettier than mine too! 😄