FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
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Neapolis, Campania, Italy, c. 350 - 326 B.C.
(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/Coins2/89069q00.jpg)
The size and weight of the then allegedly unique Vienna specimen, led Taliercio to attribute the coin as a half unit struck with a quarter unit reverse die. The usual half unit has a star on the man-faced bull's shoulder. She also double listed the same specimen as a quarter unit. Additional finds of half-unit specimens without the star and from different dies indicate that it was not a hybrid error. Molinari suggests an early series of half-units was struck without the star. Perhaps the star was introduced after they discovered it could difficult to differentiate between the denominations.
GB89069. Bronze half unit, Potamikon 195, Vienna 1595 (=Taliercio Ia.1 = Ib.1,15), Sambon 560, HN Italy 574 var. (star on bull shoulder), aF, green and red mottled patina, reverse die wear and break at 10:00, tiny edge cracks, Neapolis (Naples, Italy) mint, weight 4.283g, maximum diameter 19.8mm, die axis 225o, c. 350 - 326 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Apollo right, laurel leaves in triple clusters; reverse NEOP-OLITEW-N (clockwise starting behind), forepart of Acheloios Sebethos as a man-faced bull right, head in profile; zero sales of this type recorded on Coin Archives in the last two decades; the only sale of the type known to Forum is Numismatica Ars Classica NAC auction 64 (17-18 May 2012), lot 1991; extremely rare; $1 million or best offer.
This coin is actually ex Forum 2010 but I had it attributed completely wrong.
I cannot actually read any of the legend. Do I have it right or is this a heavy 1/4 unit?
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It could be MSP 195, the no star half unit. But I wouldn’t label it like that unless there is some indication of the inscription or linear border, which are distinct characteristics of that variety. It might also be a regular half unit from group 1b (so MSP 201-209), with the star not visible. Or, a third option is a new variety, indicating the initial half unit series without star extended beyond the pattern recorded in MSP 195. I like the third option but I’ll have to think about it a bit.
A great coin. And I’ve been waiting for years for a thread with this title!
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Here is a bigger pic. I think there is enough muscle visible to be confident there was no star on the die.
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Rome also issued a no star variety, but the sole example weights 2.65g.
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Wow! for the bull-face strike alone.
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Looking again, I like option 3 best. I wish we could make out what is happening behind the forepart. Are there no elements of the legend visible in hand?
It is certainly numismatically important. A million might be a bit steep, however.
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Nico is going to have a look when he gets home. I’m interested to see what he thinks. There is a lot of variation in the weights on Neapolitan bronzes, which adds to the difficulty. It might also be overstruck.
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He thinks it is too worn to say anything definitive, unfortunately.
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I can say one thing with certainty, the muscles on the bull's back are not worn. There was no star on the die used to strike this coin.
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It could also be a heavy quarter unit. That’s a fourth option. I don’t think I’ve seen any that heavy but it isn’t out of the question with these early examples. Or, option 5, maybe even a transitional piece between the half and quarter!
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I'm now inclined to say option 4, a heavy quarter unit, is the most likely case. Although we have half units as low as 4.6g, that is not until the next phase. These earliest ones are 6+, and the early quarters go up to 3.86, so at 4.2, yours is much closer to the early quarter units with no star. These are still quite rare.
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Thanks, I'll work on it again today.
Ancient and Medieval Coin Identification Help => Topic started by: Joe Sermarini on July 11, 2019, 04:49:23 pm