FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Coin of the Day => Topic started by: quadrans on November 10, 2018, 12:33:31 pm

Title: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on November 10, 2018, 12:33:31 pm: Smallest COTD,

This coin is one of the smallest and oldest in my collection, now you can see in my Gallery:

Lydia, Kings, Kroisos (Croesus), (cc. 561-546 B.C.), Rosen 668, BMC-53, AR-1/12 Stater, Incuse punch,
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-150799

Regards

Q.
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: Dominic T on November 10, 2018, 12:50:35 pm: That is the tiniest coin I’ve ever seen. Hope you have a good magnifier...
DT
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on November 10, 2018, 12:53:22 pm: Hahaha, I have, ;) :laugh: :) +++

Thanks, Dominic,

Q.
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: Enodia on November 10, 2018, 01:27:12 pm: That's pretty small alright, but it has to go on quite a diet to beat this one...

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-140592

- Peter 😎
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on November 10, 2018, 01:38:30 pm: Hi Peter, :D

You are right, your coin is the smallest, but not oldest :) ;) ;D

I try to find one of mine which one is the smallest of yours but questionable:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-150232

8) ;D ;)
Regards

Joe
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: Enodia on November 10, 2018, 04:59:02 pm: Wow, that one is pretty tiny too. Interesting piece.

- Peter
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on November 10, 2018, 11:30:31 pm: Thank you, ;)

Q.
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: gallienus1 on December 05, 2018, 05:56:42 am: Hi quadrans.

Very tiny indeed and very rare I'm sure.

I've noticed the smaller the ancient coin the greater the likelihood of a corroded or pitted surface. A case of surface area to volume, or is something else happening?

Also it stands to reason that at the time, these tiny denominations would be issued in the greatest numbers. But that does not seem to be reflected in the survival rate. I must see well over 100 Athenian tetradrachms for every Athenian obol I see.

Regards,

Steve
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: shanxi on December 05, 2018, 07:49:11 am: Quote from: gallienus1 on December 05, 2018, 05:56:42 am

I've noticed the smaller the ancient coin the greater the likelihood of a corroded or pitted surface. A case of surface area to volume, or is something else happening?

I think one reason why you have that impression is the magnifcation. If you magnify a 5mm coin to screen size, you see much more details and pinholes become gigantic.

BTW: My smallest coin is only 4mm, a Hemitetartemorion

I dropped it once and it took me almost 30 minutes to find it again. :)

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-100139
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: Stkp on December 05, 2018, 10:35:27 am: My two smallest:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-127576 (Thessaly. Thessalian League)
and
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-133846 (Aeolis, Kyme)
Quadran's coin has a smaller diameter than either of mine, but both of mine are lighter. His is older.
Stkp
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: stevex6 on December 05, 2018, 11:05:32 am: Wow, those are all amazing coins ... great thread, quadrans (I always love these join-in type of threads)

+++

Ummm hey, apparently I can't win 1st-Prize, but I do have/had a couple of pretty small and amazingly sweet examples (wanna see 'em?)

IONIA, Ephesos, AR Tetartemorion
Circa 500-420 BC
Diameter: 5 mm x 8 mm
Weight: 0.17 grams
Obverse: Bee
Reverse: Head of eagle right within incuse square
Reference: Karwiese Series IV; SNG Kayhan 126–34
Other: 12h … Exceptional for issue ... "Sweet"

Mysia, Kyzikos AR Hemiobol
Date: 600-480 BC
Diameter: 6.51 mm
Weight: 0.23 grams
Obverse: Tunny fish right
Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square
References:
Other: Some deposits ... oldest coin in my collection
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on December 06, 2018, 02:15:47 am: ad gallienus1,

Hi, Steve (gallienus1), nice to hear from you again :), I agree, this type of small coin nowadays are rarest, then they were struck :).

"I've noticed the smaller the ancient coin the greater the likelihood of a corroded or pitted surface."
This surface changing sometimes coming from the crystallization effect, and also to the magnification as Ralph (Shanxi) are mentioned.

Thanks, ;) :)

ad Ralph (Shanxi),

Thank you for your comment, I agree... +++

ad Steve (Stkp) and Steve P,

Thank you to post here, your very nice smallest coins... ;) :) +++

Regards

Joe/Q.
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on December 11, 2018, 02:17:00 am: Another nice, small COTD, :

Ionia, Ephesos, (c.387-295 B.C.), AR-Trihemiobol, BMC 54, E/Φ//--, Forepart of stag right,
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-151737

Regards

Joe/Q.
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: stevex6 on December 11, 2018, 03:45:24 pm: Very cool ... I love the coins from Ephesos

+++
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on December 12, 2018, 01:38:03 am: Thanks, :laugh:
Q.
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: arizonarobin on February 04, 2019, 11:19:59 am: I absolutely love these tiny coins. I always wonder at how they managed to not lose them frequently!
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: curtislclay on February 04, 2019, 11:57:27 am: Quote from: shanxi on December 05, 2018, 07:49:11 am
BTW: My smallest coin is only 4mm, a Hemitetartemorion

I dropped it once and it took me almost 30 minutes to find it again. :)

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-100139

On the ticket of a silver quinarius of Caracalla in Vienna, one of only two known of the type:

"Heruntergefallen und nicht mehr auffindbar" (if I remember the words correctly), with date and curator's signature from the early 1930s.

"Dropped on the floor and couldn't be found."
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on February 04, 2019, 12:12:07 pm: Quote from: Robin Ayers on February 04, 2019, 11:19:59 am
I absolutely love these tiny coins. I always wonder at how they managed to not lose them frequently!

Thank you, Robin, :) ;)

I absolutely agree, it was not easy to use/handle them... +++

Regards

Joe/Q.
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on February 04, 2019, 12:15:01 pm: Quote from: curtislclay on February 04, 2019, 11:57:27 am
Quote from: shanxi on December 05, 2018, 07:49:11 am
BTW: My smallest coin is only 4mm, a Hemitetartemorion

I dropped it once and it took me almost 30 minutes to find it again. :)

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-100139

On the ticket of a silver quinarius of Caracalla in Vienna, one of only two known of the type:

"Heruntergefallen und nicht mehr auffindbar" (if I remember the words correctly), with date and curator's signature from the early 1930s.

"Dropped on the floor and couldn't be found."

Yes, Curtis, I can imagine, we lost the same way a medieval obolos (size 8 mm) inside in my car and never find it again ... :(

Regards

Joe/Q.
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: Jay GT4 on February 04, 2019, 12:21:04 pm: Tiny coins everyone! I've been buying these lately.

This one only 0.21g!

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-144463

Big sister at 0.65g

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-144462
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: quadrans on February 04, 2019, 12:26:39 pm: Great coins Jay, +++

in addition the Hungarian medieval coins in size sometimes 8-14 mm but the weight mostly less than 0,2 g ::)

that is the reason they are always broken, we very rarely find this thin coin in intact...

Regards

Joe/Q.
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: Akropolis on February 04, 2019, 12:50:06 pm: Thank you, everyone!!! A real learning experience.
Simply wonderful coins!
PeteB
Title: Re: Smallest COTD
Post by: JamesC11 on February 04, 2019, 04:00:19 pm: One point more on this subject: don't handle a small uncleaned coin while seated in that nice, soft, comfy leather chair with deep seat margins. Chair 1, Constantine/Hand of God -0- Jim
Title: Re: Smallest COTD, Cilicia, Soloi, AR-Hemiobol, Athena/Bunch of Grape,
Post by: quadrans on February 10, 2019, 09:35:24 am: Another small, 6mm, COTD,

Cilicia, Soloi (Pompeiopolis), (c. 410-375 B.C.), BMC 024, AR-Hemiobol/Tetartemorion, Bunch of grape,
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-153214

(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31252/normal_Cilicia%2C_Soloi_%28Pompeiopolis%29%2C_AR-Hemiobol_or_Tetartemorion%2C_BMC_24%2C_410-375_BC_%2C_Q-001%2C_0h%2C_6mm%2C_0%2C27g-s.jpg)

Regards

Q.