Non-collector collector

metalica23

Ok, so I'm actually a currency guy, but would like to pick up just a few ancient coins to make a small display. Since, it's for display I'd like to find a few with a cool design. If you had to pick you favorite design on an ancient coin, what would it be?

Restrictions
1.) I'd like them to be "old", say pre-1,000 AD, even more preferably BC...
2.) I'm not looking to go broke. I'd like to try and find coins that are in respectable condition and are under $1k/each...

If you have any links to a current auction item, even better!

Thanks!!

ajaan

Alexander the Great Tetradrachm. Here's a link to some.

spoon

Syracuse under Greece had some pretty designs. But there are really tons of attractive ancients that are relatively affordable (and downright cheap compared to much US coins/currency).

Some very good places to browse for ideas, with reliable dealers are VCoins (a collection of different dealer shops online, mainly focused on ancients, you can find junk box stuff to quality rarities there) and CNG (good auctions focused on ancients, plus some online sales). There are many, many more places to search - Sixbid can help. And CoinArchives (though now with a paywall for older records) is still good for getting an idea of pricing and availability.

lordmarcovan

<< <i>If you had to pick you favorite design on an ancient coin, what would it be? >>

Too tough a question. Like many folks, I'd have the Syracusian dekadrachm high on my list, but many of those have five-figure pricetags.


<< <i>1.) I'd like them to be "old", say pre-1,000 AD, even more preferably BC... >>

No problem.


<< <i>2.) I'm not looking to go broke. I'd like to try and find coins that are in respectable condition and are under $1k/each... >>

You can cover a LOT of territory for under $1K per coin. And yes, even Mint State coins can be had.

For artistry, it's hard to beat the Greek tetradrachms. They can get pricey, but many very handsome coins are within your $1K ceiling. Alexander the Great tetradrachms add a bit of historical interest, as ajaan pointed out, and are affordable. Roman coins are less expensive than Greek coins, in many cases. The Roman Republic (first century BC and prior) has nice designs that mimic the Hellenistic Greek coins in many ways. By the Roman Imperial period the artistry declined a bit, but up into the second century AD you can still see realistic portraits.


I've got a nice pair that won't break the bank, and which I think even a noncollector could appreciate. Plus, they're slabbed, which might add appeal to a noncollector (most true specialists in ancient coins don't care much about slabbing, though). PM me if interested (anyone). I've offered them to Aethelred in a potential swap, but if I sell them, I will just use the money to buy what he was offering me.






Roman Republic, silver denarius
Q. Thermius M.f
ca. 103 BC
NGC F, Strike 4/5, Surfaces 3/5
Obv- Mars
Rev- Combat scene with two swordsmen clashing, one is protecting a fallen comrade.
Nice old "cigar box" toning






Roman Republic, silver denarius
C. Vibius C. f. Pansa
cA. 90 BC
AR Denarius
NGC Ch. VF
Obv- Apollo
Rev- Minerva in quadriga (four-horsed chariot).
(Photo from original auction, before the coin was certified)

CIVITAS

http://www.civitasgalleries.com/cgi/store/commerce.cgi?page=ancienthome.html

metalica23

Thanks for the quick responses! Looks like I have a lot to go through. I've definitely seen some cool ancient coins in some recent Stack's auctions, etc., but wanted to get some more takes on what is out there. I definitely like the ones with "mythical" creatures, etc. Designs that are more "eclectic"...

Hussulo

There are some lovely ancient designs, you have a lot to choose from.

I'm currently selling one:
THRACE CHERRONESOS AR HEMIDRACHM Circa 400-350 BC

http://www.prestigenumismatics.com/thrace-cherronesos-ar-hemidrachm-circa-400-350-bc-37-p.asp

The lion is struck slightly off centre but it has nice detail and is early B.C.

The important thing to remember with ancients is to buy from a trusted source, someone with good returns policies, or one that is in a genuine (ie not counterfiet) slab. All the posters on this thread so far I would be happy to but from in a heart beat. Josh (Civitas) is a well respected ancient coin dealer with many years of dealing under his belt.

Not trying to put you off as they are wonderful coins but there are a fair few convincing counterfeits around.

FilthyBroke

<< <i>I'm currently selling one:
THRACE CHERRONESOS AR HEMIDRACHM Circa 400-350 BC

http://www.prestigenumismatics.com/thrace-cherronesos-ar-hemidrachm-circa-400-350-bc-37-p.asp
q]


For ancients, that Trace hemidrachm was one of the first designs that I thought of, and the turtle staters. Of course the Alexander tetradrachms are cool, too, and the republicans that LordM shows. I just search the ancients over at VCoins for ideas, and usually find several of interest.

For the price range stated in the OP, you'll have a wide range of choices.