| Last comments - Tesserae |
IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (15mm, 1.31 g)
Prawn right, surrounded by scallop, tunny, shark, and dolphin; X over Δ to right Retrograde P within wreath
Gülbay & Kireç -
Ex Tom Vossen Collection; Münzzentrum 150 (7 Jan 2009), lot 258Ardatirion07/25/22 at 00:09v-drome: fantastic detail
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SYRIA, Uncertain. Eloucion?
Magistrate, 2nd-3rd century AD.
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.06 g, 11 h)
HΛOV CION, bust of Shamash right, atop eagle(?)
Nike advancing left; star above crescent before, wheel below
Unpublished
The bust of Shamash (or perhaps Sol) on the obverse is distinctly Syrian in nature. Additionally, the style is dramatically different from the issues of Asia Minor. Ardatirion02/07/21 at 14:21Gert: Pelousion?
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (15mm, 1.74 g)
TYXH THC ΠOΛEAC (Tyche of the City)
Tyche Poleas standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -Ardatirion02/07/21 at 14:20Gert: Î OΛEΩC
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera
[…]ΔPOY · ACOK(?); monogram consisting of letters AΔΦPY
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -Ardatirion02/07/21 at 14:13Gert: (Alexan)ΔPOY AΓOP(anomou)?
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IONIA, Ephesos.
PB Tessera (20mm, 5.41 g)
Oleiculture scene: male figure standing right, holding stick and knocking olives from tree to right; star and crescent between; behind, stag(?) standing left; [...]POV above
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç –
Scenes of the olive harvest are entirely unknown on coinage, but some mosaics and Greek vases illustrate the practice. See in particular an Attic black figure neck amphora in the British Museum (ABV, 273, 116) depicting two men using sticks to knock olives from a tree.Ardatirion06/30/16 at 17:17Gert: Well found, and that goes for the tessera AND its ...
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ROME
PB Tessera (16mm, 2.53 g, 12h)
Victory standing right, foot on helmet, inscribing shield set on palm tree
Apex; palm frond to left
M. & B. Overbeck, “Romische Bleimarken als Zeugnis des Ersten Jüdischen Krieges,” in Helas und der Grechen Osten, p. 211-216, 1; Rostovtsev 1840, pl. VII, 37; BMC 802-4
The similarities between the obverse of this piece and the Judaea Capta issues of Caesarea Maritima cannot be overstated. This type, as well as a few others that bear the portrait of Vespasian or palm trees, undoubtedly played some role in the triumph that followed the conclusion of the First Jewish War.Ardatirion04/07/16 at 10:33David Atherton: OK, now that's a tessera I can enjoy! Wow.
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ROME
PB Tessera (16mm, 2.53 g, 12h)
Victory standing right, foot on helmet, inscribing shield set on palm tree
Apex; palm frond to left
M. & B. Overbeck, “Romische Bleimarken als Zeugnis des Ersten Jüdischen Krieges,” in Helas und der Grechen Osten, p. 211-216, 1; Rostovtsev 1840, pl. VII, 37; BMC 802-4
The similarities between the obverse of this piece and the Judaea Capta issues of Caesarea Maritima cannot be overstated. This type, as well as a few others that bear the portrait of Vespasian or palm trees, undoubtedly played some role in the triumph that followed the conclusion of the First Jewish War.Ardatirion04/03/16 at 08:01v-drome: excellent
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IONIA, Ephesos. Alexander.
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.95 g, 4h)
Artemis kneeling right, bathing, within grotto surmounted by half-length figure of Aktaion, wearing antlers and raising arms
Hippocampus right, AΛЄ Ξ around
Gülbay & Kireç –; Gorny & Mosch 212 (5 March 2013), lot 3333 (same dies); Vossen 35 (this coin)
Ex Tom Vossen Collection, 35Ardatirion03/31/16 at 05:34Pscipio: Very nice indeed!
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IONIA, Ephesos. Alexander.
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.95 g, 4h)
Artemis kneeling right, bathing, within grotto surmounted by half-length figure of Aktaion, wearing antlers and raising arms
Hippocampus right, AΛЄ Ξ around
Gülbay & Kireç –; Gorny & Mosch 212 (5 March 2013), lot 3333 (same dies); Vossen 35 (this coin)
Ex Tom Vossen Collection, 35Ardatirion03/27/16 at 23:13ancientone: That is a cool tessera!
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ROME. M. Arrius Vestinus.
PB Tessera (22mm, 5.14 g, 12h)
Victory flying left, holding wreath and palm frond
M · AR/ VES
Rostovtsev 1135 = Kircheriano 527 var. (no horizontal line)
Ex Agora 34 (9 June 2015), lot 148Ardatirion02/06/16 at 05:03quadrans: Another nice piece. 
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ROME. M. Arrius Vestinus.
PB Tessera (20mm, 4.08 g, 12 h)
Amphora; grain ear to right
M · AR/ VES
Rostovtsev p. 140, note = Ficorini II, pl. XVII, 10
Ex Agora 34 (9 June 2015), lot 149Ardatirion02/06/16 at 05:02quadrans: Nice specimen.
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ROME
PB Tessera (15mm, 6.63 g, 12h)
Griffin standing right, raising front paw
LST
Rostovtsev –
Remarkably, Rostovtsev does not record any tesserae with a griffin. Ardatirion02/06/16 at 05:01quadrans: Nice and interesting piece..
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ROME
PB Tessera (20mm, 4.49 g, 12h)
Apollo standing facing, holding lyre
Clasped hands within wreath
Rostovtsev -; Scholz 382 (this coin)
Ex Trau CollectionArdatirion03/23/15 at 14:11John Anthony: Superb detail. 
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ROME
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.56 g, 12 h)
Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia
Silvanus standing left, holding scythe and branch
Rostovtsev 2977; München 368; BM 397; Paris 390; Kircheriano 922-4
Ex Kölner Münzkabinett Tyll Kroha 102 (5 December 2014), lot 406
Ardatirion01/25/15 at 14:14Skyler: Nice!
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ROME
PB Tessera (23mm, 5.99 g, 12 h)
Head of Mercury right, wearing petasus
Caduceus
Cf. Rostovtsev 2739 (much smaller)Ardatirion03/13/14 at 11:59Molinari: FABULOUS piece, congrats!
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ROME
PB Tessera (14mm, 3.31 g)
Phallus
Two-pronged pitchfork
Rostovstev 919 corr. (rev. description); Minturnae 49Ardatirion03/09/14 at 20:33Mat:  Hope one wasnt used with the other, ouch 
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (14mm, 2.31 g, 10 h)
Hermit crab right; wheat ear below
Facing head of Medusa
Cf. Gülbay & Kireç 40/191-2 (for obv./rev.)
Ex Pecunem 10 (1 December 2013), lot 848Ardatirion12/11/13 at 23:38Mat: Neato piece, love the hermit crap
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (15mm, 2.16 g)
Crab
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -Ardatirion12/08/13 at 12:35Mat: Very cool!
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ROME
PB Tessera (16mm, 2.92 g, 12 h)
Horse standing right; C above
Erect phallus; A V flanking
Rostovtsev -
Rostovtsev1 gathers into one group all tesserae depicting the phallus, various iterations of the word Amor, and the extremely rare pieces depicting sexual acts. He assumes that these pieces were entrance tickets to the Lupanaria, ancient brothels. This association has caused many scholars to refuse to accept tesserae as currency, as they feel that such crude themes would never have been depicted on currency. Thornton2, however, convincingly argues that, as Mercury is sometimes depicted as a herm, a statuary type consisting of a bust set on a square pedestal adorned with only genitalia, the phallus is in fact an emblem of the god in his guise as a fertility deity.
1. Rostovtzev, Mikhail. 1905. Römische Bleitesserae. Ed. C.F. Lehmann and E Kornemann. Beiträge z. Liepzig: Theodor Weicher.
2. Thornton, M. K. 1980. “The Roman Lead Tesserae : Observations on Two Historical Problems Author.” Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte 29 3: 341-3
Ardatirion12/05/13 at 02:14Jay GT4: Great piece
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (18mm, 3.99 g)
Lion advancing right
Blank
Cf. Gülbay & Kireç 92 (lion in different stance) corr. (not a seahorse)Ardatirion11/19/13 at 16:48Mat: Very cool!
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (18mm, 4.03 g)
The Charites (the Three Graces) standing, the left and right facing, the middle with back to view
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç 53 var. (reverse type)
Ex Mark Staal Three Graces Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 300), lot 432 (part of)Ardatirion04/28/13 at 00:36Mat: Cool piece, still own none featuring them.
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (17mm, 4.42 g)
Horse advancing left, holding palm frond in mouth; NЄI above
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -Ardatirion04/28/13 at 00:36Mat: Nice horse. Never seen a horse hold a palm frond t...
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IONIA, Ephesos. Muod-. Grammateus of the Boule, 1st-3rd century AD
PB Tessera (15mm, 3.18 g)
MYOΔ Γ B
Hippocamp swimming right, holding rudder in tail
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -Ardatirion04/28/13 at 00:35Mat: Great Hippocamp
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (19mm, 4.90 g)
Togate figure standing left, sacrificing at altar before tholos containing cult statue
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -; Hirsch 279, lot 4922
The engraver of this die betrays no small skill in his execution of the obverse type; the circular shrine is shown in perspective, with the columns arranged so as to suggest distance while still leaving room for the statue to be visible. I was surprised to find that another specimen of this type from different, though equally elegant dies had recently sold in a Hirsch auction, there misidentified as a “bleiplombe,” or lead seal.
Ardatirion04/28/13 at 00:34Mat: Cool addition Bill 
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ROME
PB Tessera (17mm, 2.96 g, 12 h)
The Charites (the Three Graces) standing, the left and right facing, the middle with back to view
Modius with three grain ears
Rostovtzev 358; Milan 52; München 67-70; BM 1330-3, 1335-8, 1340-1; Staal Appendix A, p. 148 (this coin illustrated)
Ex Mark Staal Three Graces Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 300), lot 432 (part of)Ardatirion04/12/13 at 13:46Mat: I like this one, great addition
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (14mm, 3.94 g)
Cockle or scallop shell
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -Ardatirion03/22/13 at 19:05Mat: Excellent looking shell
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (18mm, 7.48 g, 7 h)
Mercury standing left, holding bag and caduceus; altar to left
Bull standing right; star above
Gülbay & Kireç 16/89 (for obv/rev., same dies)
Ardatirion03/22/13 at 19:05Mat: Definitely a cool type
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IONIA,Ephesos
PB Tessera (16mm, 2.34 g)
Stag standing right
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç 98 corr. (stag, not crab)Ardatirion03/22/13 at 19:04Mat: Cool stag
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (17mm, 4.37 g)
Lion standing right with paw on column; cornucopia over shoulder; ЄP to left
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -Ardatirion03/22/13 at 19:04Mat: Nice addition
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ROME. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161.
PB Tessera (22mm, 5.09 g, 11 h)
The Lighthouse of Portus
ANT
Rostowzew 64, fig. 2; Kircheriano 66
Possibly ex Trau collection.
The Lighthouse of Portus was restored during the reign of Antoninus Pius. This tessera was likely distributed during the ceremony.Ardatirion03/10/13 at 14:26antoninus1: Very interesting. I have the same tessera. The ANT...
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (15mm, 3.63 g)
Bull standing right
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç 90
Ardatirion02/28/13 at 18:40Mat: A neat piece
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IONIA, Ephesos. Din-. Grammateus of the Boule, 1st-3rd century AD
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.53 g)
ΓPAM ∙ BO ∙ Є ∙ ΔIN[...]
Hermes standing left, holding bag and caduceus
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -Ardatirion02/01/13 at 13:20Mat: Interesting piece.
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (16mm, 4.22 g, 2 h)
Hermit crab right; wheat ear below
Lion advancing right
Gülbay & Kireç 40 var. (figure on reverse – same obverse die)
My special thanks to BCD for withholding his bid and allowing me to acquire this piece. Ardatirion01/31/13 at 00:07Mat: First time I have ever seen a hermit crab on a coi...
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SYRIA, Uncertain. Eloucion?
Magistrate, 2nd-3rd century AD.
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.06 g, 11 h)
HΛOV CION, bust of Shamash right, atop eagle(?)
Nike advancing left; star above crescent before, wheel below
Unpublished
The bust of Shamash (or perhaps Sol) on the obverse is distinctly Syrian in nature. Additionally, the style is dramatically different from the issues of Asia Minor. Ardatirion01/30/13 at 00:38Mat: Nice, I like this one.
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (16mm, 3.97 g)
Woman standing facing holding basket on head; MH-NO flanking
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç 48-50Ardatirion01/12/13 at 13:03Mat: Cool addition
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (15mm, 3.31 g)
Hermit crab right; wheat ear below
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç 40 var. (figure on reverse - same obverse die)Ardatirion01/05/13 at 18:15Mat: Thats neat, nice addition Bill.
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ROME
PB Tessera (12mm, 2.26 g, 6h)
Mercury advancing right, holding bag and caduceus
PR/OG
Rostovtzev -
The small, round fabric of this issue is not usual for an issue from Rome. Additionally, the attribution of the obverse figure as Mercury is uncertain. Though he appears to bear the bag and caduceus, the figure is in a pose more traditionally held by Eros.Ardatirion12/11/12 at 00:17Mat: Cool addition Bill
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ROME
PB Tessera (18mm, 2.58 g, 12h)
Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia
Serpent right
Rostovtzev 1564; Milan 233-4; München 255; BM 565Ardatirion12/11/12 at 00:16Mat: Interesting, like colors on this.
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ROME
PB Tessera (19mm, 3.40 g, 12h)
Radiate and draped bust of Sol right; behind, dolphin swimming upwards
Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia
Rostovtzev - Ardatirion12/11/12 at 00:15Mat: Great details on this.
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ROME. Nero. AD 54-68.
PB Tessera (21mm, 3.90 g)
NERO AV
Laureate head right
Blank
Rostovtzev 28; München 2-3; BM 1031Ardatirion11/27/12 at 13:05Mat: An interesting one.
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ROME
PB Tessera (13mm, 3.30 g, 12 h)
Facing head of Medusa
Bestiarius standing facing, holding net and spear
Rostowzew 589 = Kircheriano 1167
The Roman bestiarii were arena fighters who fought against animals while wielding the spear and net. While professional schools for this role eventually developed, most animal fighters were condemned prisoners who barely survived a single match. They should be distinguished from the traditional gladiatiores, who fought only other men. It was in the role of bestiarius that Commodus won his arena fame and Herculean title.Ardatirion11/08/12 at 13:52Mat: One of your coolest ones yet, nice addition!
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ROME
PB Tessera (13mm, 3.30 g, 12 h)
Facing head of Medusa
Bestiarius standing facing, holding net and spear
Rostowzew 589 = Kircheriano 1167
The Roman bestiarii were arena fighters who fought against animals while wielding the spear and net. While professional schools for this role eventually developed, most animal fighters were condemned prisoners who barely survived a single match. They should be distinguished from the traditional gladiatiores, who fought only other men. It was in the role of bestiarius that Commodus won his arena fame and Herculean title.Ardatirion11/08/12 at 12:05areich: Cool!
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ROME
PB Tessera (18mm, 4.11 g, 12 h)
Cybele riding right on lion, holding transverse scepter
Attis standing right, wearing Phrygian cap, holding long scepter and ears of grain
Rostowzew 3213, pl. X, 14 var. (no legend); München 631 var. (same); BM 1356-9 var. (same)Ardatirion10/20/12 at 15:31philippe B2: Nice addition Is there any datation for this kind...
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.13 g)
Bearded male head right (Herakles?)
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç – (but cf. 213-4, for other bearded males)Ardatirion09/30/12 at 12:21Ardatirion: Always, Do you have a better suggestion?
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IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.13 g)
Bearded male head right (Herakles?)
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç – (but cf. 213-4, for other bearded males)Ardatirion09/30/12 at 04:08Romanorvm: Are you sure?
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IONIA, Ephesos. 1st-2nd century AD
ƠTessera (18mm, 2.74 g)
KHPIΛIC ωΔE ΠPOC ΠAΛVPIN
Bee
CKωΠI, recumbent stag; E to left, Φ to right
BMC 186; SNG Copenhagen 355
Head interprets the legend ΠAΛYPIN as related to υρoν, beehive, and ύppις, basket and conflated with πaλιν, bring back. From this, he suggests that the token would have been placed in a jar and shaken to produce a ringing sound, while the magical words were spoken. Thus, the piece would be a magical token, related to the folk tradition of ringing the bees into their hives. Such an explanation is perhaps overly fanciful.Ardatirion05/20/12 at 18:23Piet V: Yes I also think that it is overly a bit too much ...
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ROME
PB Tessera (15mm, 2.37 g, 3 h)
Lion leaping right; S above, RV below
Dolpin right; S above, RV below
Rostowzew 604, fig. 47 var. (arrangement of letters)
Although it initially appears to be struck, close examination reveals that this piece was cast, with insufficient metal filling the mold.Ardatirion05/06/12 at 21:39Augustin Caron: very interesting, thank you!
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ROME
PB Tessera (17mm, 2.11 g, 12 h)
Modius
Palm frond within wreath
Rostowzew – (but cf. 380 for a similar type without wreath)Ardatirion05/06/12 at 18:26Mat: Nice palm
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ROME
PB Tessera (17mm, 4.04 g, 12 h)
Ceres standing facing, head left, holding long scepter and grain ears
CA/ PR
Rostowzew -Ardatirion05/06/12 at 18:25Mat: A very nice addition Bill
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ROME
PB Tessera (15mm, 2.37 g, 3 h)
Lion leaping right; S above, RV below
Dolpin right; S above, RV below
Rostowzew 604, fig. 47 var. (arrangement of letters)
Although it initially appears to be struck, close examination reveals that this piece was cast, with insufficient metal filling the mold.Ardatirion05/06/12 at 18:24Mat: A cool piece
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EGYPT, Uncertain
Glass Tessera (17mm; 2.33 g)
Draped bust of Nike left
Head of Herakles right
Milne -; Dattari (Savio) 6555; Köln -Ardatirion08/04/11 at 01:54Randygeki(h2): Cool addition, love the color on this one
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EGYPT, Oxyrhynchus
PB Tessera (23mm, 8.65 g)
Athena-Theoris advancing right, fighting serpent
Nike flying left, holding palm branch and wreath; ΟΞ to left
Milne 5310; Dattari (Savio) 6539, 11617; Köln 3540 (same dies)Ardatirion04/10/11 at 19:58stainless: This one is nice!
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ROME
PB Tessera (16mm, 2.60 g)
Head of Sol right
Head of horse right, flail behind
Rostowzew 757. fig. 64; München 166; Milan 134; Kircheriano 1017; BM 413-6
Ex J.S. Wagner Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 250), lot 484 (part of)
Rostowzew places this with the "Tesserae speculatorum" for use in the Circus.
Ardatirion02/27/11 at 05:39Randygeki(h2): I like this one
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ROME
PB Tessera. (20mm, 4.40 g)
AED
CSC
Rostowzew -
The legend likely refers to the office of aedile, an elected position in the city of Rome. Aediles were responsible for various duties, including managing the grain supply and providing for games and public festivals.Ardatirion11/28/10 at 04:08Randygeki(h2): interesting one
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IONIA, Ephesos. 1st-2nd century AD
ƠTessera (18mm, 2.74 g)
KHPIΛIC ωΔE ΠPOC ΠAΛVPIN
Bee
CKωΠI, recumbent stag; E to left, Φ to right
BMC 186; SNG Copenhagen 355
Head interprets the legend ΠAΛYPIN as related to υρoν, beehive, and ύppις, basket and conflated with πaλιν, bring back. From this, he suggests that the token would have been placed in a jar and shaken to produce a ringing sound, while the magical words were spoken. Thus, the piece would be a magical token, related to the folk tradition of ringing the bees into their hives. Such an explanation is perhaps overly fanciful.Ardatirion05/11/10 at 23:05ancientone: Very cool coin!!
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ROME
ƠTessera (12mm, 0.70 g, 7 h)
Crescent and stars series
Draped bust of Serapis right, wearing calathus
Three stars over crescent
Hristova & Jekov, Nikopolis 8.(?)0.48.8; vAuctions 270, lot 360Ardatirion01/09/10 at 16:31Noah: a nice coin
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ROME. Augustus. 27 BC-14 AD
ƠTessera (21mm, 4.24 g)
Struck mid 1st century AD
Laureate head right, FEL below
V in dotted circle, all within wreath
Cf. Buttrey 5 (reverse numeral)Ardatirion01/09/10 at 16:30Noah: yes it is a very attractive coin and that circle c...
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IONIA, Ephesos. 1st-2nd century AD
ƠTessera (18mm, 2.74 g)
KHPIΛIC ωΔE ΠPOC ΠAΛVPIN
Bee
CKωΠI, recumbent stag; E to left, Φ to right
BMC 186; SNG Copenhagen 355
Head interprets the legend ΠAΛYPIN as related to υρoν, beehive, and ύppις, basket and conflated with πaλιν, bring back. From this, he suggests that the token would have been placed in a jar and shaken to produce a ringing sound, while the magical words were spoken. Thus, the piece would be a magical token, related to the folk tradition of ringing the bees into their hives. Such an explanation is perhaps overly fanciful.Ardatirion01/09/10 at 16:29Noah: yes, a splendid coin
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ROME
PB Tessera (11 mm, 1.24 g, 12 h)
Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopia
DP
Rostowzew 2307; Kircheriano 809-9
Cast from same mold as:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-42318
Ardatirion03/29/09 at 02:27randy h2: thats cool
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ROME. Augustus. 27 BC-14 AD
ƠTessera (21mm, 4.24 g)
Struck mid 1st century AD
Laureate head right, FEL below
V in dotted circle, all within wreath
Cf. Buttrey 5 (reverse numeral)Ardatirion02/13/09 at 06:03Potator II: Unusual and interesting
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ROME. Augustus. 27 BC-14 AD
ƠTessera (21mm, 4.24 g)
Struck mid 1st century AD
Laureate head right, FEL below
V in dotted circle, all within wreath
Cf. Buttrey 5 (reverse numeral)Ardatirion02/04/09 at 07:37randy h2: thats cool
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IONIA, Ephesos. 1st-2nd century AD
ƠTessera (18mm, 2.74 g)
KHPIΛIC ωΔE ΠPOC ΠAΛVPIN
Bee
CKωΠI, recumbent stag; E to left, Φ to right
BMC 186; SNG Copenhagen 355
Head interprets the legend ΠAΛYPIN as related to υρoν, beehive, and ύppις, basket and conflated with πaλιν, bring back. From this, he suggests that the token would have been placed in a jar and shaken to produce a ringing sound, while the magical words were spoken. Thus, the piece would be a magical token, related to the folk tradition of ringing the bees into their hives. Such an explanation is perhaps overly fanciful.Ardatirion01/11/09 at 11:09dpaul7: Beautiful and unusual!!! 
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