Thasos, Satyr and Nymph - die linked coins

[peterpil19]

I was attempting to attribute this coin from Thasos.  It is a coin I have never properly attributed (other than the Sear reference). It is likely SNG Cop. 1016.

I unexpectedly found 2 obverse die matches on acsearch. The first is a definite. The second looks to me like a match but the resolution is a little poor.

Is it common to find die matches of these coins ? Even though there appear to be so many variants of this type?

I know die linkages are nothing new but I have never stumbled upon die linked coins so quickly before. I rarely find die matches for any of my coins when looking in standard references. So, I thought I would share my experience here.

Peter

[OldMoney]

I'd be happy to say that these three are apparently the same obverse die.
Don't be surprised if a more comprehensive (and difficult!) search also reveals
a match for the reverse die.

Such things are both rare *and* not, depending on the particular issue, even
those from the same city.

That is to say that for some issues where only a few dies were used, and a
reasonable number of coins survive, then die links are more-or-less expected.
Whereas another issue where there are large numbers of dies and relatively
fewer coins survive, then a die-match is less expected, though not impossible.

Take Constantinian bronzes for example; huge numbers were issued, and who
knows how many dies were used. Except in cases of large, discrete hoards, it
would be less than expected to easily find a die link.

Whereas in the cases of the many and varied die-studies of Greek coinages
that have been published, one would usually have some expectation of finding
matches, perhaps even for both dies.

Note also that we benefit from a HUGE number of coins illustrated on many
sites across the 'net, and provided one uses the ideal search terms it should
be easier than ever to find such matches, if in fact they are present.

Walter Holt

[peterpil19]

Thanks Walter,

I have come across many coins which look like they come from the same die and share many details in common but on closer inspection have some minor differences which rule out that out as a possibility. In one recent example, the only difference was a single strand of hair in a slightly different place to my coin, but otherwise appeared identical.

Do you think there is numismatic value in collectors identifying die matches / linkages? (beyond showing the coin was not struck from modern dies, but which does not rule out transfer dies / cast coins)?

I notice that online databases do not have the option of showing die links. Would there be value if you could see all coins to a particular die?

Do others actively look for die matches when they are searching online or consulting physical references?

Peter

[peterpil19]

I have added a few more examples to my original post and to this one, which all look to me to have come from the same obverse die.

What do others think? Are all the examples I have posted obverse die-linked?

I plan to gift this coin to a close friend and would love to be able to share with him the other coins which are part of the "family" of his coin.

Peter