FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Ancient Coin Forum => Topic started by: David Atherton on March 12, 2004, 08:26:30 am
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Hi everyone,
I was wondering what coin you would give anything for that you don't have in your collection but would dearly love to add. It could be a type or a specific coin.
Everyone has one...that one beauty that you just can't seem to ever have enough money for or is so rare that you may never come across it.
Mine is a tie between a Vespasian "Judaea Capta" sestertius (RIC 427) in VF+ or better condition or a Titus sestertius with the Flavian Amphitheater on the rev. The first choice is obtainable, the second just a dream.
What's yours?
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With Chip Scoppa's article about the 'Siscia-mule' in mind, I would love to own a hybrid coded antoninianus with Diocletianus on the observe but with a reverse of Maximianus! Even though I don't mind which one of the three reverses, I guess this will be a dream coin in the most literal sense.
Also, I would love to add the Roman republican denarius with the Diana Nemorensis type (or 'the three nymphs') - Accoleia - to my collection. I think it's one of the most appealing reverses there are.
best regards,
Gert
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I want an EF Syracusan dekadrachm. :(
LordBest. 8)
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I Would LOVE to have either an VF Judea Capta denarius, or ANY Augustus denarius (VF or better). I havea never gone over $100 at a time, so the reality is that I will probably never get either.
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I think I'll have an EF Domitianus in an uncleaned lot.
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An Aureus of Probus from Lugdunum with the MARS VICTOR reverse type. EF would be nice too.
Martin
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I would love to add an Athenian Dekadrachm to my humble collection, but I would settle for a Nice Athenian Tetradrachm. Much more reasonable.
Decius :)
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A complete collection of tessera (FDC of course!) from the brothels of Rome.
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You mean the spintria. Their purpose is unknown, but despite the scenes of fornication they bear, it is clear that they had nothing to do with brothels or prostitutes or Tiberius on Capri!
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Perhaps Rome mint issued them as marital aids. ;)
LordBest. 8)
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My dream coin is the Augustus´ sextertius of Colonia Patricia EF or better, now i have one F-.
Ignacio
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Why do you say that Curtis? Speakers at the British Museum have stated and the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna has published extensively on tessera and spintria; they were used not only as corn issue allotments but also as brothel entry pieces. I attended a rather detailed lecture at the BM several years back concerning brothel pieces (amongst others). Produced in denomination and 'style' to bridge the language barriers in such a cosmopolitan city such as Rome. Evidently, the Vienna collection is the finest in the world, but unfortunately I have yet to visit. But I agree, no connection to Tiberius or Capri.
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Continuation of Spintria discussion moved to separate topic under Roman Coins.
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Wow, never seen one of those before! Where did you see it and where can one get more info on it? (Licinius II 3-D camp)
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I think i'll take an unc. Constantine I solidus, doesn't even matter what kind.
Evan
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Thanks to Keith and Bruce for info and link re 3-D campgate.
In the other discussion Beast supplied the info on legend, mint, issue that I was looking for.
Steve Minnoch expesses reserves there about both this coin and Beast's hatted Constantine: he thinks they are perhaps not official products, so should best be left out of the discussion.
I would agree re the hatted coin, which I believe is authentic, but its odd legend needs explanation, and confirmation from a specimen contained e.g. in a fused hoard like Domitianus would be very welcome!
But I can't see having any doubts about the 3-D coin. In my eyes it is obviously authentic, and obviously official.
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When I was a schoolboy and a collector of American coins, my desire to at least hold in my own hand certain very rare American coins, was unexpectedly fulfilled when my father brought me along on a business trip to Washington DC and left me to go through the Smithsonian by myself while he had a meeting.
I went to the coin room where two employees were unpacking coins and putting them back in the display cases after their return from an exhibition elsewhere.
"I'll bet you don't have an 1822 five-dollar gold piece", I said. "Yes we do", they replied, and placed the coin in my hand!
"Surely you can't have the unique 1849 twenty-dollar gold piece?", I continued. "Indeed we do", they answered, and handed me that coin too to hold!
As a graduate student studying Roman history and coins, I read of the astonishing unique aureus of Trajan and Hadrian as Caesar, which was discovered c. 1750, entered the French cabinet, but was then stolen and melted down with the rest of their ancient gold coins and medallions in the deplorable theft of 1831.
Trajan is reported to have adopted Hadrian only three days before he died, and there were rumors that he had done no such thing but that his death had just been concealed for three days so the story could be put out and a smooth succession assured.
Here was a coin proving that indeed the news of Hadrian's adoption and Caesarship had reached Rome before the news of Trajan's death and Hadrian's proclamation as emperor! Surviving Mionnet sulphur casts of the coin proved that its authenticity was beyond question.
"What a fantastic coin!", I thought.
Thirty years later I was working for Harlan Berk and he asked me to look over images of about thirty Roman aurei that were being offered to us from France. And there was a second aureus of Trajan and Hadrian Caesar, from the same dies as the lost Paris piece but differently centered so clearly a different specimen, and which had been priced far too low because of confusion with the much less rare aurei of Hadrian and Divus Trajan!
We bought the piece and put it in our catalogue, so I at least got to discover, hold in my hand, and write up one of my ancient "dream" coins!
If I had to choose one more, it would be the unique bronze medallion of Philip I-II and Otacilia Severa in Berlin, with rev. SAECVLARES AVGG depicting a chariot race in the Circus Maximus during the games commemorting Rome's thousandth birthday.
This coin shows that for the occasion, the spina in the Circus, the long narrow central divide around which the races proceeded, had been redecorated. The obelisk at its middle had been transformed into a giant palm tree, and the turning posts and other monuments had been turned into models of four buildings, including the Flavian amphitheater or Colosseum!
In front of the spina, the winning charioteer has just crossed the finish-line, and raises his r. arm in acclamation. The chariot behind him has crashed, two horses lie prostrate on the ground, a third is running back in the wrong direction, and the charioteer is flying head over heels into the arena. Behind him is the third quadriga, and a fourth is just rounding the final turning post.
This unique piece is in EF condition, is well centered on an extra-large flan, and has a dark green patina.
Do you suppose that if I ever get to hold this dream coin too in my hot little hand, I'll finally be allowed to add it to my own collection?
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curtislclay:"Here was a coin proving that indeed the news of Hadrian's adoption and Caesarship had reached Rome before the news of Trajan's death and Hadrian's proclamation as emperor!"
What a wonderful bit of history from a coin. I never knew that there was evidence showing that Hadrian was indeed adopted by Trajan, and a coin provided it!
Boy, I learn something new from this board everyday. Thanks for the story Curtis.
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I always considered the story to be a fabrication by a later historian to try and get some dirt on Plotina by saying she caused her favourite (Hadrian, duh) to be elevated to the purple after Trajans death. Half of the nasty stories in Roman history are about the empresses. ::) Dengrate the woman so the man can then have the extra virtue of having put up with a mad hussy for a wife.
LordBest. 8)
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Yeah, I kinda of assumed the Trajan not adopting Hadrian was a fabrication.
It's been a while since I've read it, but I wonder if the Historia Augusta (which itself is fabricated) was partly responsible for the rumor?
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The aureus of Trajan and Hadrian Caesar confirms that events proceeded exactly as the Historia Augusta relates: it was announced from Selinus in Cilicia, where Trajan had fallen ill, that he had adopted Hadrian, and three days later it was announced that Trajan had died. The aureus also proves that news of the adoption reached Rome, where the coin was struck, before news that Trajan had died and Hadrian was the new emperor.
What the coin cannot prove, however, is whether Trajan was actually alive during the interval between the announcements or whether he was dead as the rumors suggested!
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This would be my dream coin. Hands down ;D
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My dream coin would be an Aureus of Postumus with 3/4 facing portrait (see Roman Coins and their values front page:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/zoompg.asp?param=SME3q00.jpg&id=8976
for me maybe the most extraordinary Roman coin, an astonishing portrait created by a genious engraver in the finest style. Such a style in a troubled time, for a non-official emperor, while the other gold coins of the period were so inferior (see Gallienus) is for me like a shooting star. It makes me think of a hellenistic gem engraver.
And the first 3/4 portrait of a Roman emperor ever (if I remember well)!
Jérôme 8)
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I agree with Jérome (I apologize for the wrong spelling, but I do not know hot to write that o with hat), a gallic Aureus would be unbeatable. Not only a Postumus 3/4 facing, also normal Postumus and Victorinus Aurei are gorgeous.
Being more realistic, I already own one of my absolute dream coins, a Myrina tetradrachm (see pic or GALLERY LINK (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=585&pos=0) ). In my opinion, this is, from style and overall appearance, one of the greatest coins of all times (and I'm no greek collector).
Lars
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Recently I acquired a more realistic "dream coin"... GALLERY LINK (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=11162&pos=0)
Symbolically this coin cannot be beat in my collection. I collect Flavian Denarii and this coin has all three Flavians on it and was in short Vespasian's announcement at the beginning of his reign to found a dynasty. Not to mention the fact that I love the style of this particular coin.
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My dream coin at the moment is this:
42 mm, about 67g
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So I bought a slightly cheaper ersatz, which is very nice, though somewhat smaller (27 mm).
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Oh, Lars, then your dream has ended so early? ;)
Why "ended"? It still is in my collection :) And one may have more than one dream, no? I won't tell you all my coin dreams because otherwise, some of you guys are going to snatch coins away under my very nose! ;)
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My dream coin is a feudal one : gold pistol of Francois II de Montpensier, a prince who ruled Dombes at the end of the 16th century. There is only one known (hope that it doesn't mean it is unique) sold in the 'vente Claouet" in 1993.
Closer is a tet of Geta struck in Laodicea (to go with my Septimius and Caracalla from same origin). The one with the big head. I missed some of them in different sales and auctions. I WILL get one someday
Potator
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My dream coin is already in the BOT Gallery. It belongs to Postumus and it is the triple bust CARAVSIVS ET FRATRES SVI antoninianus. It is pictured below.
Alex.
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Mine is probably this aureus. Of course, I'd only take it if it was part of a pair ;D.
I wish there was a 'drooling' smilie. If ever a site could use one, this one would be overused here.
-:Bacchus:-
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hey Vespasian, how much did that coin cost you?(your early dream coin) jw, cause i really wouldnt mind having an example like that :)
That Flavian dynastic denarius is priceless to me. ;)
I do own quite a number of coins that I dearly love and consider "dream coins". For example: last week I received a Titus as Augustus denarius with the Bonus Eventus reverse...a reverse type that I have longed to have and searched high and low for.
You have given me another excuse to show the Titus off:
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Come on guys and girls, when free to DREAM think BIG! What about the gold 20 stater of Eucratides I, the largest gold coin known to be minted in antiquity... followed by the double decadrachm of Amyntas the largest silver coin.
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I think I'd be fairly happy with the second known example of Hendin 434, a silver drachm with an image of a god sitting on a winged wheel. The only deity known from the ANE who is said to sit on a winged throne is Yahweh himself, the God of Israel. Imagine having an authentic Israelite image of God! Compared to that, you're welcome to your biggies.
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Marc Antony & Cleopatra denarius - mint condition
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Hi,
Given my affliction for the coins of Carausius I would LOVE to own the triple bust coin of Carausius displayed by Postumus in the BoT gallery; it is way above my wretched specimen. However that is not my dream coin. Here it becomes difficult and I have to go for three unique medallions, 2 of Carausius himself and 1 of Constantius. At least I can hold my dream coins in my hand as I have casts of them.
Regards,
Mauseus
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Mauseus your casts are most interesting. How did you come by them and what material are they made of? Are such casts still being made or are they from the 19th or early 20th century? I know the Constantius I was a gold medallion, but the two Carausius examples seem to show the surface pitting typical of bronze.
Regards,
Steve
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Board Topic 29974 (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=29974.0)
Here is everything you want, and from a master of the craft.
Pat L.
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There are so many . . . ??? Today, right now, this is my dream coin: a silver dekadrachm from Syracuse engraved by Euainetos. Since I don't have one (yet), I've included a photo and a very brief passage (from a detailed "article") on the ANA site: [BROKEN LINK REMOVED BY ADMIN]
"This is one of the famous silver dekadrachms from dies engraved by the master artist Euainetos for the city State of Syracuse, in Sicily, around 400 B.C. It was purchased for the ANA collection through funding made available by the generosity of Museum benefactor Werner Amelingmeier (the Amelingmeier/Wayte Raymond Fund) and other donors . . ."
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I collect basically denarii, but my dream coin would be Caligula's sestertius with his 3 sisters on the reverse.
Something like this:
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This is my dream coin, too bad there are only 4 known :'( . This would surely be the pride of my Geta collection. ;D
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Wow Awl!
That Geta portrait is exquisite. One of the best I've ever seen.
Thanks for putting another bee (if it doesn't vanish like the others) in my bonnet. lol
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Thanks for the info Pat, I'm going to try and cast my Alexander tet! I'l post the result (but only if it is recognizable!)
Regards,
Steve
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A Solidus of Mezezius:
[DEAD LINK REMOVED BY ADMIN]
Kevin :)
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Mine is the unlisted Tacitus Binio
Obv: IMPCMCLTACITVSAVG - Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: ROMAEAETERNAE
Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and spear.
Exe: SC - 275-276
(Siscia)
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Either an Eid Mar denarius of Brutus or a Flavian Amphitheater sestertius of Titus (or, prefereably, both!). I am fortunate to have obtained a few of my dream coins (i.e. XF Judaea Capta sestertius of Vespasian and a Circus Maximus sestertius of Trajan, albeit a very poor one), but alas, the Brutus Eid Mar and Titus Colosseum coins are out of reach...
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My dream coin is a feudal one : gold pistol of Francois II de Montpensier, a prince who ruled Dombes at the end of the 16th century. There is only one known (hope that it doesn't mean it is unique) sold in the 'vente Claouet" in 1993.
Closer is a tet of Geta struck in Laodicea (to go with my Septimius and Caracalla from same origin). The one with the big head. I missed some of them in different sales and auctions. I WILL get one someday
Potator
I'm glad to see this old thread back. Good occasion to look back at what I wrote
For the first of my dream coins, another specimen has been offered at an auction last year ; I've been outbid by far, but I know it's not unique, so I might be lucky sometime.
I've found the second one, last year too, and managed to be the winner. You can see it below. There is a scratch under the chin, otherwise it's a pleasant example. At least, I like it, so I'm a happy collector
Regards
Potator
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My ultimate would be this one [BROKEN LINK REMOVED BY ADMIN] . A possible (in my view probable) Israelite image of God!
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All Alexander the great imitation coins minted in molieha in the market ;D
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My (currently) most wanted coin is a decent condition COL NEM...I absolutlely love those coins!!! I had one in my sites (f-vf) a few months back but it was auctioned right on the heels of a wife imposed buying freeze and I could not pull the trigger for fears of having to use the coin as a pillow when I was booted from my house ;) !
Chris
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Take a pick...
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One of my dream coins was a beautiful Lysimachos tetradrachm with the head of Alexander. And the best of it: this dream became true! Here is the coin!
Sometimes I wonder that such cruel and brute ruler like Lysimachos issued such wonderful coins!
Best regards
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One of my dream coins was a beautiful Lysimachos tetradrachm with the head of Alexander. And the best of it: this dream became true! Here is the coin!
Sometimes I wonder that such cruel and brute ruler like Lysimachos issued such wonderful coins!
When that coin was still in the catalog, I saved an image of it and made it my desktop background for a little while. ;D Congratulations!
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My dream coin is either a superb New Style Tetradrachm with the exquisit, beautiful Athena and her owl or the Magnentius Fel Temp (fallen horseman type) which RIC claims to exist but which nobody has ever seen...
Failing those, a coin on which my hero Augustus is as clear and good-looking as he should be :tongue:
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I posted a couple of my favorite ancient coins(though there are others id probably take first if i really thought about it) but there are many beautiful coins from later periods that Id want just as much or more...
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Reviving an old thread...
This apparently unique denarius is another dream coin of mine.
Previously this coin was assigned to the beginning of the reign in the BMCRE. The new RIC places it in 74 because it fits in more comfortably with the precious metal issues of that year.
RIC 689, Rome Mint, 74 AD
Obv - Head of Sol, facing.
Rev - Vespasian, std. l., with spear.
**Thanks to Mauseus for providing the image.**
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I love this thread. All those lovely little bits of history are a joy to look at. I’ve recently been reading about “Dark Ages” Britain and think I would rather like a gold penny of Offa, king of Mercia (757–796).
Steve
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I can just fancy having a few like this to drool over. The image is the result of a daring raid on the premises of a dealer who is very active here.
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Neat thread. I am going to propose a coin you could find while metal detecting. there are 4 known I believe. . It is small. it is not particularly artful - its even bland. It is of a woman. Licinius's wife - the lovely Constantia.
I think I would pass out if I got one in an uncleaned lot, lets say at 2 bucks a coin ;)
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I think I would pass out if I got one in an uncleaned lot, lets say at 2 bucks a coin ;)
Her coin looks enough like that of Helena, I could see one easily passing through the hands of a wholesaler and in to an unclean lot. So while your odds are probably better at winning the lotto, it is at least feasible..... ::)
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Here is the Constantia with the reverse
(http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/family/constantia.jpg)
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It is not outside the realm of possibility. These late bronzes are so similar in design and are frequently so difficult to read that non specialists frequently just don't bother with them. A lot of good stuff lurks in among those zillions of Constantius II and Arcadius AE 4s and such. I once found a follis of Martinian in an uncleaned lot of late AEs. That one coin made all those others worth buying.
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If your looking for S C on a coin, you won't find it on many denarii. The S C is mainly found on the AE coinage of the era.
A few denarii do have the legend EX S C (Divvs Vespasian, rare issues of Nero and Agrippina...).
S C stands for Senatus Consulto, 'decreed by the Senate'. EX S C means the same thing, just written out more fully.
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RPC 4161 SNG Cop 144 (Syria)
A silver tetradrachm minted by Tiberius in Antioch. Extremely rare because it is my understanding that when Caligula became emperior he melted down Tiberius' silver coins to mint his own (and lower the silver content at the same time)
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A Nero Sestertius with Roma seated reverse in Xf with a lovely olive green patina! I had the oportunity to pick one up from my local dealer for a mere £1000 (around $2000 at the time) but I ummed and ahhhd and passed it up as I was at the stage of thinking of quantity over quality and went and spent the money on about twenty average grade denarii. I wish I hadn't now :'(
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I've got a few:
- Nerva AE Sesterus, FISCI IVDAICI
- Bar Kochba Sela
- Yehud drachm with helmeted bust and seated divinity (TJC 1)
- And much, much, more
Aarmale
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Either a tetradrachm of Tiberius from Tarsus (I believe 3 known) or a Hadrian from Tarsus with the god Sandan (probably not many more known).
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Come on guys and girls, when free to DREAM think BIG! What about the gold 20 stater of Eucratides I, the largest gold coin known to be minted in antiquity...
I agree that if you're going to dream then this is the one to dream about.....it cost five lives in modern times and here is the story behind the coin extracted from Frank Holt's A History in Silver and Gold:
In fact, no single Bactrian coin has ever caused such a stir as his great gold masterpiece. This massive 20-stater coin is of the standard Eucratides type, with portrait of the king on the obverse wearing a commander's cloak, a royal diadem and a great plumed helmet decorated with the ears and horns of a bull. The reverse offers the king's usual type, two mounted horsemen—the heavenly twins, the Dioscuri of Greek legend—charging to the right. Eucratides's usual titles appear on the coin as well. It is not the style, exceptionally fine though it is, which makes this, in the words of one expert, "the rarest coin in the world"; it is the extraordinary size. At 63 millimeters in diameter (2½ inches) and more than 169 grams (six ounces) of Bactrian gold, it is the largest such coin ever minted in the ancient world, apparently to celebrate the king's conquest of Demetrius of India. There is only one specimen known in the world today—but that such a huge coin could escape the melting pot at all is amazing luck for us.
The unusual story of this coin's discovery can be tracked down through various newspaper accounts from over a century ago. In June of 1867, a French numismatist associated with the British Museum was dining with a group of collectors in London. One of the guests told about a strange encounter he had had that day with a shabby beggar trying to sell an ancient coin. He described a gold piece so large that all at the table agreed it must be a forgery. Yet, as the conversation drifted to other numismatic topics, the French expert could not get the gold coin out of his mind. Finally, in what he called "a fit of numismatic fever," he excused himself and set out to follow the trail of the beggar. When the two finally met late one night in a ramshackle London flat, the expert demanded to see the coin at once. The beggar explained that he had come all the way from Bukhara, where he and six others had found the coin. In a matter of minutes, he said, daggers were drawn and five of the men were dead. The two survivors agreed to smuggle the prize to Europe and share whatever price it brought. Then, his story told, the mysterious fellow took off his old coat, his shirt and his undershirt; he lifted his arm and pulled from his armpit a filthy, sweaty leather case with the gold coin sewn inside.
With an "electric shock," the numismatist held the coin and convinced himself that it was no forgery—but he knew that he must conceal his enthusiasm as he bargained down the price. The traveler from Bukhara insisted upon £5000 for the giant coin; the expert handed it back and wrote a check ... for £1000, adding coolly that this was his offer for the next 20 minutes. After that, he said, "I'll give you only £800, and so on until I get to £500. If you don't close the deal tonight, tomorrow I will not take the coin at any price."
They stared at each other for more than 19 minutes. Then the beggar snatched the check for £1000, and handed over the coin.' "This," reported the numismatist to the new papers, "is the rarest coin in the world, and the one for which the highest price has been paid. Since it cost the lives of five men, I do not think anything more was paid for it than it was really worth. It ought to have been saved for the delectation of numismatic amateurs in all times to come, even had fifty or one hundred lives been sacrificed."
If you have in mind some numismatic delectation of your own, however, do not ask to see the coin at the British Museum. Though associated with that great institution, the buyer was a Frenchman first of all. Through the special attentions of Emperor Louis-Napoléon, the 20-stater gold piece of Eucratides was immediately purchased by the Bibliothèque Impériale, now the Bibliothèque Nationale, in Paris.
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A nice big silver portrait coin of Julius Caesar, with a clear date on it - B.C. of course! ;)
Francis
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i just came across this coin at auction. i never even realised it existed before, but it is now my dream coin. so, anyone got an extra $70,000 i can 'borrow'?
from Taras, circa 344-338 BC, Vlasto #1, AV Stater (the decription says more than i ever could)...
[LINK REMOVED BY ADMIN]
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Nice one Peter, here is my gold dream coin.
Best,
rover
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A few, Orbiana Denarius, Alexander the Great Tet., & L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus - Rape of Sabines reverse
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Probus: CALLIOPE AVG reverse!!
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There's many but the Akragas dekadrachm currently for sale (the one with the 2.5 millions starting bid :o ) could help me wait for the others.
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Athens New Style tetradrachm Thompson issue 1.
Not totally impossible-that's the beauty, but don't tell the wife!
Merry Xmas and prosperous New Year and GOOD HUNTING!
Cicerokid
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Hi everyone,
I was wondering what coin you would give anything for that you don't have in your collection but would dearly love to add. It could be a type or a specific coin.
Everyone has one...that one beauty that you just can't seem to ever have enough money for or is so rare that you may never come across it.
Mine is a tie between a Vespasian "Judaea Capta" sestertius (RIC 427) in VF+ or better condition or a Titus sestertius with the Flavian Amphitheater on the rev. The first choice is obtainable, the second just a dream.
What's yours?
Looking back on some of these old posts from a decade and a half ago, I cringe. I accidentally stumbled across this old forgotten one while searching for something else. 15 years later I can happily say one of my 'dream' coins was obtained within the last year. GALLERY| LINK (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-151748) It may not be in 'VF+' condition, but it's close enough to be ticked off the list.
How many of you are still here? How many have acquired a 'dream' coin?
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Somehow I missed this thread in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2014.... ;D
My dream coin has changed over the years but right now it would have to be a Bar Kochba zuz stuck overtop of a Vespasian or Titus Judea Capta denarius.
Congrats on attaining one of your dream coins David!
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Somehow I missed this thread in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2014.... ;D
My dream coin has changed over the years but right now it would have to be a Bar Kochba zuz stuck overtop of a Vespasian or Titus Judea Capta denarius.
Congrats on attaining one of your dream coins David!
Thanks Jay! And good luck on your hunt!
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David, et al,
A nice Judaea Capta sestertius is also one of my dream coins. Unfortunately, so many of them have been "improved" in the past. I am looking for a completely original one. They are out there, it just takes patience, and a bit of good luck to find them.
Craig
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David, et al,
A nice Judaea Capta sestertius is also one of my dream coins. Unfortunately, so many of them have been "improved" in the past. I am looking for a completely original one. They are out there, it just takes patience, and a bit of good luck to find them.
Craig
That's why the one I chose is in sub VF condition. It may not be a high grade example, but at least it isn't 'improved'!
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Currently at the top of my list are a pair of CONCORD AVGVSTOR types of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus in bronze EF, or a very high grade Antoninus Pius with Marcus Caesar reverse.
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My futile dream coin is an AR antoninianus of Silbannicus, which would complete my collection of men who ruled in Rome from the first triumvirate through the sacking in 410. Only two coins of this guy are known (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=ERIC%20-%20SILBANNACUS (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=ERIC%20-%20SILBANNACUS)). Heck, I'd even take a decent forgery that I could mark with a red dot to put in the coin cabinet.
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At the moment my dream coin is a Germania reverse Domitian denarius.
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Believe it or not I actually owned that Silbannacus cast, photographed it and then sold it on ebay for like ten bucks. I commissioned it from the BM for the plates in my first book. After receiving this cast, along with a medallion of Priscus Attalus, I tried to order more from them because they were pretty cheap and useful but was told that that was it. They weren't making any more casts because nobody ordered them any more and small runs were not a cost effective use of their time (or something to that effect). Considering that the Silbannacus plaster probably pulled a few million atoms from the real deal during the impression I should have kept it instead of selling it for next to nothing ;- )
On another note, reading this thread for the first time I was fairly shocked to read Curtis Clay give an unequivocal statement that erotic spintriae were not used in brothels. Had it been most anyone else making that claim I would have ignored it but coming from Curtis I'd love to hear an explanation. I'm not sure if he's still active but perhaps someone else know or had this discussion with him. The way I see it, in the absence of corroborating evidence when all you have is a single source of data drawing to conclusions from that data is, of necessity, an exercise in speculation. I don't think I've ever seen him write off-handed comments so the conviction of his statement leaves me to think there is either new evidence or a very persuasive study that was relatively recently published. Again, would hope that someone found out more on this.
Lastly, apropos to this thread, coincidentally just yesterday I added to my collection this Regalianus (http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/123726.php), a proper dream coin I'd been lusting after for nearly 20 years!
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I have a fairly modest want.... A barbaric immitation with a readable immitation of a British mint mark....
( Or I'll settle for any old pre- 100 BC gold coin from Rodos... I'm not fussy !) ;D
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Tacitus, AV Aureus, Siscia. 275-276 AD. IMP C M C L TACITVS AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust right / VIRTVS MILITVM, Tacitus on horseback right, holding spear. RIC 179v (bust type), Estiot 111.
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Athens New Style tetradrachm Thompson issue 1.
Not totally impossible-that's the beauty, but don't tell the wife!
Merry Xmas and prosperous New Year and GOOD HUNTING!
Cicerokid
A lot has changed. I got the best Thompson #1 I have seen a few years later. I got a 2 Palms this year, got a very late post-Sullan last year and almost got all the political New Styles of the Rome-Pontic times. The missing tetradrachm is one that sold hammer price recently for E4400. Well above my finances so I make do with an AE type of Star between 2 crescents.
Basically I almost done now.