COTD: The Great Lighthouse of Alexandria

[David Atherton]

Ever since I began collecting Roman coins I have always wanted an Alexandrian hemidrachm depicting the Pharos. It is at once both a 'grail' and personal 'white whale' of mine. Last week my dream came true!

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-168103

Needless to say I'm overjoyed to have finally acquired one of my dream coins! It even prompted a midwinter trip to my state's most famous lighthouse - Marblehead on Lake Erie. Marblehead is only 50 ft. in height. I can only imagine what the ancients thought of the Pharos's staggering 350-450 ft.!

[Justin W]

Very nice coin David, I love architectural types of coins and I hope I can add one to my collection one day as well. The more I read about this incredible lighthouse the more amazed I am. This lighthouse and the colossus of Rhodes are in my top ten structures I would like to go back in time to see. But until we can time travel, we can appreciate tons of amazing ancient structures through coins!



Best regards,
Justin

[okidoki]

a lighthouse is a much have congrats David

[shanxi]

Nice example. I am still looking for an affordable example.

Do you know that there is an existing  roman lighthouse, which was modeled after the Lighthouse of Alexandria. It is still in use.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Hercules

[Virgil H]

Beautiful coin, love the imagery.

[David Atherton]

Thank you everyone for the kind words, they are most appreciated!

[Jay GT4]

Wonderful coin that found the perfect new custodian. 

[Serendipity]

That’s a truly amazing hemidrachm depicting one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Lighthouse of Alexandria, aka the Pharos of Alexandria, was the tallest man-made structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower was erected in 1889. You’re an excellent ambassador of ancient coins just as the Pharos was a brilliant beacon to guide sailors.

[Serendipity]

Wonderful coin that found the perfect new custodian. 

You’ve got some wonderful ancient coins yourself! I was just browsing and admiring the magnificent ancient coins in your photo gallery. It will be ages before I amass such a great collection. I’m a complete newbie who acquired my first ancient coin fairly recently.

[Jay GT4]

Thanks Roger!

We all start somewhere!  My first coin was a cheap late Roman bronze that was barely identifiable, but I was hooked.  Eventually you narrow down your focus and concentrate on the best coins you can afford.  That makes it much more satisfying.

  Like David, we all have "White Whales" we've been chasing for years.