Rare Coins Of Karne

[Arados]

The latest addition to my collection is an extremely rare coin minted in Karne, i am only aware of one more specimen struck on the same era date, this coin can be found in the BNF (Bibliothèque Nationale de France). The BNF coin was dated by Frédérique Duyrat in her publication “Les Monnayages Syrians” in 2002 as era date 70+ and can be found on page 38, numbered *50. I have tried to show with the image provided that when inverting the reverse side of this coin, one can make out era date 71 (image; left & middle).

One feature that was very weakly engraved or omitted entirely from the BNF coin is the letter nun, this i would have expected to see in the top left field above the letters qoth and resh (meaning Qurn in Phoenician or Karne). I have marked the area with a red arrow so that the reader can establish where the letter nun should have been located. I have also attached the reverse image of my coin that will help you locate the letter nun more easily (image; far right).

Both coins share the same monogram/Phoenician letters but they were not struck from the same die.

My coin as a slight crack on the obverse but still a joy to behold and although worn i do hope it gives equal pleasure to those who share my passion for Phoenician coins (see bottom image).

https://phoeniciancoins.wordpress.com/2015/07/26/rare-coins-of-karne/

[djmacdo]

That is a rare find indeed and with a surprisingly full land legible legend.  I love it --I guess we all do--when I find something special to my collecting desires that has been ignored by the rest of the world, but that happens all too infrequently.

[Arados]

Here is another look at the BNF coin from my previous post on the left and a later issue dated 76 (184-183 B.C) on the right. We can clearly see that the engraver as reversed the letters nun, resh & qoth to read from the bottom up, this seems to be the case for all coins dated after year 71.

Also i am a little perplexed to why the letter nun on the earlier coins is so weakly engraved, both mine and the BNF coin are not die matches but share the same problem (see image above to compare dies).

Any thoughts ?

Thanks again BNF for allowing me to use your images.

[Arados]

That is a rare find indeed and with a surprisingly full land legible legend.  I love it --I guess we all do--when I find something special to my collecting desires that has been ignored by the rest of the world, but that happens all too infrequently.

The coins are still out there, finding them requires constantly searching through all the major auction houses and having the knowledge to be able to spot a rare coin at a glance. Of course this is very time consumming but worth while when coins of this nature are put up for sale.   

[Arados]

During my study of this type i came across Molinari´s coin in his gallery and asked him if i could re-attribute it for him.

I determined the resulting attribution by comparing his coin with the the five known coins to date that share the same control marks, Ref. Duyrat 2002 numbered 57-60 on page 39. Two of them belonged to Rouvier, one to C.G.Gunther and the fourth anonymous, all four can now be found in the New York ANS. The fifth coin was overlooked from all subsequent publications but can be found in the BNF in Paris.

The letters and date highlighted in red are quite clear to the naked eye, the remainder i marked in white. In the image provided below there is a die fault indicated with white arrows, this die fault can also be seen on the BNF image to the right.



I have no hesitation in confirming that Molinari´s coin is the sixth of its type with era date 74.


Qoth, Resh and Nun (meaning Qurn or Karne) can be seen in left field and read from top downwards. Control marks - Nun lower left, Daleth and Ayin in right field.


Phoenicia, Karne, AE15, 3.85g, 186/85 BC.

Obverse: Turreted bust of Tyche facing right.

Reverse: Phoenician Qurn to left, Aradian era date 74 (186/85 BC).

Dark blue patina, VF. SGII 6029, B.M.C. 26.112,5, Hoover HGC 10, 181 (S), Duyrat 2002 No.57-60 Pg.39.


To see Molinari´s coin, please follow the link provided.

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-40758

[Molinari]

Thanks for the new information, Martin.  I have updated my gallery description.  When time permits I'll also re-photograph.  It really is much nicer than the photo indicates.

[Arados]

Thanks for the new information, Martin.  I have updated my gallery description.  When time permits I'll also re-photograph.  It really is much nicer than the photo indicates.

My pleasure Nick, i look forward to seeing new photos when you have some spare time on your hands. 

[John Anthony]

Great find Master Arados! 

These bronzes are exceedingly rare. I came across one last year and FOOLISHLY passed on it, because it was a little too rough for my tastes. Only later did I learn that if you find one that's fully recognizable as such, you should probably buy it as it will likely be a very long time before another surfaces.

The only other examples I'm aware of are the Lindgren 2292 plate coin (listed on Wildwinds), and one auctioned by CNG (53, Lot 30, Nov 20, 2002)

[Arados]

These bronzes are exceedingly rare. I came across one last year and FOOLISHLY passed on it, because it was a little too rough for my tastes. Only later did I learn that if you find one that's fully recognizable as such, you should probably buy it as it will likely be a very long time before another surfaces.

I agree the majority of this type are low grade but nevertheless extremely important, if you happen to spot one again please buy it or "foolishly pass on it" but not before letting me know of its whereabouts.  

The only other examples I'm aware of are the Lindgren 2292 plate coin (listed on Wildwinds), and one auctioned by CNG (53, Lot 30, Nov 20, 2002)

I have compiled a list of the known 29 specimens spanning era dates 70-150 (190-109 B.C), i would ask the reader to have a open mind in respect to year 150. This coin warrants further study, although included in Duyrat 2002 on page 39 the author did have doubts and placed a question mark at the side of this particular year (numbered 29 below). Also included below are three coins with incomplete or partly legible dates numbered 20-22.

The collage of coins brings together all the photos i have managed to accumulate from the various auction sites and collections including the two coins John mentioned in the previous post i.e Lindgren 2292 and CNG auction 53, Lot 30.


An 70 (190/189, Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur droit: ain, daleph ; gauche : beth.
1  (49)  D1-R1, Berlin, Löbbecke (1906), 3,29 g, 12 h.

An 71 (189/188), Lettres phéniciennes à la place de la légende : qoph, resh, nun; dans le champ intérieur droit: ain, resh.
2  (50)  D2-R2, Paris, BNF, H. Seyrig Y28455,64, 3,66 g, 17,0 mm, 12 h. (BNF2c)
3  (50b)  D2b-R2b, Stockholm, Martin Rowe collection, 3,53 g, 15,42 mm, 12 h. (LA, my coin)

An 72 (188/187), Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur droit: ain, daleph.
4  (51)  D3-R3, Paris, BNF, Babelon No.1423, 3,51 g, 14,07 mm, 12 h. (BNF1c)
5  (52)  D4-R4, New York, ANS, 1944 100 70944 Newell, collection Rouvier, 3,84 g, 14,05 mm, 12 h.

An 73 (187/186), Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur droit: ain, daleph ; gauche : beth.
6  (53)  D5-R5, Berlin, Imhoof-Blumer (1900), 3,84 g, 12 h.
7  (54)  D4-R4, New York, ANS, 1961 154 252, Beyrouth. Don F. Dorsey Stephens, 3,65 g, 15,1 mm, 12 h.
8  (55)  D5-R5, Paris, BNF, Luynes No.3163 (Babelon No.1421), 3,02 g, 14,4 mm, 12 h. (BNF5c)
9  (-)  D5-R5, CNG, 3,18 g, 15,0 mm, 12 h. (CNG Auc.53 Lot.30)
10  (56)  D6-R6, Berlin, Imhoof-Blumer (1900), 4,19 g, 12 h. Ref. BMC No.6.

An 74 (186/185), Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur droit: ain, daleph ; gauche : nun.
11  (57)  D7-R7, New York, ANS, 1944 100 70947 Newell, 4,30 g, 15,6 mm, 12 h.
12  (58)  D8-R8, New York, ANS, 1952 142 400, Don C.G Gunther, 3,87 g, 13,9 mm, 12 h.
13  (59)  D8?-R9, New York, ANS, 1944 100 70946 Newell, collection Rouvier, 4,04 g, 14,8 mm, 12 h.
14  (60)  D8-R10, New York, ANS, 1944 100 70945 Newell, collection Rouvier, 3,31 g, 14,9 mm, 12 h.
15  (-)  D8b-R10b, Paris, BNF, ? g, ? mm, ? h. (BNF7c)
16  (-)  D8b-R10b, Rouvier 749v,  4,25 g, ? mm, ? h. Ref. Lindgren III
17  (-)  D8c-R10b, U.S.A, collection N. Molinari, 3,85 g, ? mm, ? h. (Molinari)
18  (-)  D?-R?, Hamburger, Courtin collection,  3,93 g, ? mm, ? h. Ref. BMC No.5

An 76 (184/183), Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur droit: ain, daleph ; gauche : qoph.
19  (61)  D9-R11, Paris, BNF, Babelon No.1422, 3,33 g, 15,0 mm, 12 h. (BNF9c)

An 70 + ( ? ), Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur gauche : ain.
20  (62)  D10?-R12, Berlin, V. Rauch, 3,37 g, 12 h.
21  (63)  D?-R13, Paris, BNF, No.1422 bis, 3,19 g, 13,9 mm, 12 h.
22  (64)  D?-R?, Copenhague, SNG Phoenicia, No,153, 3,67 g, 12 h.

An 123 (137/136), Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur droit: qoph, daleph ; gauche : gimel.
23  (65)  D11-R14, Paris, BNF, M 5666, 3,31 g, 16,0 mm, 12 h. (BNF8c)

Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur droit: ain, daleph ; gauche : gimel.
24  (66)  D11-R16, Berlin, Imhoof-Blumer (1900), 2,97 g, 12 h.

Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur droit: pé, qoph, daleph ; gauche : gimel.
25  (67)  D11-R16, Berlin, 252/1921, 2,71 g, 12 h.
26  (68)  D11-R16, New York, ANS, 1944 100 70949 Newell, collection Rouvier, 3,63 g, 16,2 mm, 12 h.
27  (69)  D11-R17, New York, ANS, 1944 100 70951 Newell, collection Rouvier, 3,46 g, 16,6 mm, 12 h.
28  (70)  D12-R18, Paris, BNF, H. Seyrig Y28455,68,  aussi acquisition 1960, 3,25 g, 16,8 mm, 12 h.

An 150? (110/109), Lettres phéniciennes dans le champ intérieur droit: ain, daleph.
29  (71)  D13-R19, Berlin, 916/1920, 3,53 g, 12 h.


https://phoeniciancoins.wordpress.com/2015/08/16/corne-dabondance/

[John Anthony]

Nice work! I know firsthand just how time-consuming that sort of cataloging can get.

[Arados]

Karne - série 2

To the untrained eye one could be forgiven for believing this coin Aradian. Resembling Duyrat 2005 série 1 coins, this type depict a turreted bust of Tyche on the obverse and prow of galley with Athena figurehead fighting left on the reverse. The determining features that point us to a different city within the Aradian peraia can be seen immediately to the right of Athena, i.e cornucopia followed by Phoenician letters qoph (Q) resh (R) & nun (N) meaning Qurn (Karne). 

There are only an handful known to exist, four with this particular era date.


https://phoeniciancoins.wordpress.com/2016/12/27/karne-serie-2/


Phoenicia, Karne 223-222 B.C

Obverse: Turreted head of Tyche right.

Reverse: Prow of galley left with (Ἀθηνᾶ Πρόμαχος) Athena figurehead fighting left with shield and spear, cornucopia & Phoenician letters qoph (Q) resh (R) & nun (N) meaning Karne (Qurn in Phoenician) above, in right field Phoenician letter aleph (´). Aradian era date 37 below.

[Joe Sermarini]

...To the untrained eye one could be forgiven for believing this coin Aradian...

Maybe a few trained eyes too? 

[Arados]

...To the untrained eye one could be forgiven for believing this coin Aradian...

Maybe a few trained eyes too? 

I couldn't agree more Joe, it had me fooled for awhile. 

[Arados]

Asklepios or Eshmun was the Phoenician god of health and salvation for both men and animals. The Greeks referred to Asklepios as “the blameless physician” and he is occasionally seen depicted with snakes. Two snakes entwined around a staff, is believed to be symbol of health and wellness; as seen on the reverse of this coin. The combination of staff (caduceus) and snakes still exists today as a symbol of medicine.


Phoenicia, Karne 221-220 B.C

AE 19.94mm (Thickness 2.34mm), weight 4.69g, die axis = 12h (0 degrees), denomination C.

Obverse: Turreted head of Tyche right.

Reverse: Asklepios (Eshmun) standing right., himation around lower part of body, right hand on hip, leaning with left on serpent-staff; Nike standing left on column placing wreath on his head. Phoenician letters qoph (Q) resh (R) & nun (N) meaning Karne (Qurn in Phoenician) in right field, Phoenician letter gimel (G) left between date and Asklepios, Aradian era date 39 far left.

https://phoeniciancoins.wordpress.com/2018/08/24/kr-no-tanc-39-qrn-g12-c-xw/