Last additions - TIF |
SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles tetradrachmstruck 310-305 BC
AR tetradrachm, 17.40 g, 24 mm
Obv: head of the nymph Arethusa left, wearing grain wreath, earring and necklace; around, three dolphins; under, monogram (NK?)
Rev: ΣYPAKOΣIΩN, fast chariot charioteer leads to left, holding reins and kentron; above, triskeles; in exergue, monogram.
Ref: Ierardi 9; SNG Copenhagen 573 goes., SNG ANS 637
from ArtCoinsRoma, auction 8.
Well... this is now far and away my finest coin and will likely remain so for a long time. I'm in love!
Acquiring this coin was challenging to the point of comedy. I detailed the saga here, if you are interested: http://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-adventures-in-bidland-agathokles-tetradrachm.243930/TIFMar 09, 2014
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ANIMALS/PINK FLOYD, Track 2, Dogs.Roman Republic
moneyer L. Caesius, 74 BC, Rome.
AR denarius, 18.74 mm, 3.6 gm
Obv: bust of Diana right, bow and quiver over shoulder
Rev: hound running right, spear below; C. POSTVMI, TA in exergue
Ref: Crawford 394/1a
Composite picture of the collection:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-104363
Interactive presentation:
http://prezi.com/q7mw1k1zur65/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
TIFNov 24, 2013
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ANIMALS/PINK FLOYD. A themed collection of ancient coins.For an interactive presentation, go to this Prezi:
http://prezi.com/q7mw1k1zur65/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
Recommend viewing full screen (icon at bottom left). Sound on. Click play; you can use arrow keys or mouse clicks to navigate even while in autoplay mode.
Individual pictures of coins and attributions will be added soon.TIFNov 24, 2013
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PHLIASIA, Phlious. AR obol.400-350 BC
11 mm, 0.82 gm
Obv: forepart of butting bull left
Rev: large Φ surrounded by four pellets
Ref: SNG Copenhagen 8-9
Triskeles Sale 9; Oct 2013
ex BCD Collection, not in previous BCD sales
From a small round paper insert included with the coin, handwritten:
PELOPONNESUS, PHLIUS.
0.84 gm
From Sotheby's
26-27 May 1976,
lot 88, bought for
£55 + 10% VAT
The original Sotheby's catalog clipping for the lot was also conveyed.
Phlious (alt. Phlius) was in Peloponnesus, less than 10k from Nemea. Renowned for their wine, and at least one vineyard shows a similar coin on its label today: http://www.nemeanwines.gr/media/k2/items/cache/9caa2793658f3cc387f216157300b1ce_S.jpg
Some history of Phlious from Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854):
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0064:id=phlius-geo
I wonder when the graffitist added the P... Is it a Latin P or a Greek Rho?
TIFNov 09, 2013
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PHARONIC KINGS OF EGYPT, Nektanebo II, 360-343 BCAE
15 mm (4 mm thick), 4.4 gm
Obv: Ram leaping left, head reverted.
Rev: Scales of Ma'at; countermark with helmeted bust right.
Ref: Weiser 1
A few months ago a friend, upon hearing that I was collecting ancient coins, said he would like to have a coin issued by a pharaoh. Hmm. "I don't think there are any", I replied. I hadn't come across any in my whirlwind but voluminous searching, although I hadn't been searching for such a coin.
Turns out there are some. Nektanebo II, the last native pharaoh of Egypt, issued coins in bronze, gold, and perhaps silver. Prior to that, Egypt did produce some coins for the purpose of international trading-- imitations of Athens, Attica tets, for instance-- but Nektanebo appears to be the first pharaoh to issue coins for local use. Maybe.
Per auction house sales information from half a decade ago, it seems these bronzes were extremely rare. I wonder if a small horde was recently found because the prices have fallen and there are currently six specimens in retail e-stores and at least two more were auctioned off recently.
There is not universal agreement regarding the issuer, purpose, and location of circulation of these coins. Sellers tout it as the "sole pharonic issue"-- I'm sure that boosts desirability-- but it may not be accurate. Hope it is though.
CNG, in the description of this coin (one similar to mine),
Nekht-her-hebet, or Nektanebo II as he was known to the Greeks, was the nephew of Pharaoh Tachos (Djed-her). Placed in command of the Egyptian army in Syria during the Satrapal Revolt, he turned his troops against his own king and took Egypt by force. In 351-350 BC he repelled a Persian invasion but was driven from his throne in 344-343 BC by a second assault. He fled Egypt, found refuge in Ethiopia, and retained control of Upper Egypt for another few years. As the last pharaoh, Alexander sought to connect himself with Nektanebo after conquering Egypt, allowing the rumor that he was in fact his son to spread. Alexander’s connection to the pharaoh lasted, and for years the sarcophagus of Nektanebo II, now in the British Museum, was considered to be Alexander’s own.
The traditional attribution of this issue to Nektanebo, however enticing, has been increasingly contested. Finds of the coins have been consistently noted outside of Egypt. Kevin Butcher has placed the bronzes at Antioch circa 1st century BC, where the leaping ram imagery would fit well.
I wanted this coin for several reasons.
First, well… a pharaoh's coin? That's just cool.
Second, it depicts the Scales of Ma'at. Such a device was used in Jitterbug Perfume, a book by Tom Robbins, one of my favorite authors. In it, at a limbo-like way station, the newly dead have their hearts weighed against a feather. The heart must be light as a feather to move on. I was unaware until seeing this coin that the scene was taken directly from Egyptian mythology.
Third, it is for an almost-finished themed collection I've been working on.
Nektanebo II (translated from Egyptian "Nakhthorheb (meryhathor)" or "Nekht-her-hebet" or "Nekht-harhebi" ; alternate spelling Nectanebo), the last native Egyptian pharaoh, part of the 30th dynasty. His 17 year reign spanned from 360 to 343 BC.
Birth name: Nakht-hor-heb (mery-hathor) “Strong is His Lord Horus, Beloved of Hathor”
Throne name: Snedjem-ib-re Setep-en-inhur “Pleasing to the Heart of Re, Chosen of Onuris”
Additional biographic information about Nektanebo II
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/nectanebo1.htm
About Ma'at, the Scales of Ma'at, and the weighing of hearts:
http://www.egyptartsite.com/judgement.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maat
http://www.aldokkan.com/religion/hall_maat.htm
TIFOct 19, 2013
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Roman Republic, C. Postumius denarius74 BC, Rome
18.74 mm, 3.6 gm
Obv: bust of Diana right, bow and quiver over shoulder
Rev: hound running right, spear below; C. POSTVMI, TA in exergue
Ref: Crawford 394/1a
Diana doesn't look very happy.
TIFOct 19, 2013
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Roman Republic, anonymous. AR victoriatus.211-208 BC
AR victoriatus
Sicily mint
15 mm, 3.2 gm
Obv: laureate head of Jupiter right
Rev: Victory standing right, erecting trophy. ROMA in exergue
Ref: Crawford 67/1, BMC 137
A very artistic portrait of Jupiter, nice for such a tiny coin.TIFOct 12, 2013
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Germanicus AE AsGermanicus, prominent and beloved general; father of Caligula
assassinated October 10, 19 AD
struck 42/43 AD under Claudius, Rome mint
AE As, 30mm
Obv: bare head right; GERMANICVS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N
Rev: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P around large SC
Ref: RIC I 106 (Claudius); Sear5 #1905; Cohen 9; BMC 241
TIFOct 11, 2013
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SICILY, Himera. AR litra430-420 BC
11 x 12 mm, 0.68 gm
Obv: bearded and helmeted head right
Rev: Corinthian helmet right
Ref: SNG Lloyd 1029
from Ira & Larry Goldberg, Pre Long Beach Auction September 2013, part of a mixed lot.
ex CNG Sale XXV, lot 71, 3/24/93
ex CNA II, lot 31
Well-centered, good details. A very nice example of the issue.TIFOct 11, 2013
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CARIA, Mylasa. Lion / scorpionHemiobol
c. 450-400 BC
9 mm, 0.5 gm
Diameter: 9 mm.
Obv: Facing forepart of lion
Rev: Scorpion within incuse square
Ref: SNG von Aulock 7803; Klein 429 (Milet)
Very nice detail for such a small coin.
TIFOct 07, 2013
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Elagabalus / PriapusMOESIA INFERIOR, Marcianopolis. Elagabalus.
A.D. 218-222.
Æ18, 2.78 g, 7 h
Obv: AVT K M AVP ANTΩNINOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus right
Rev: NIKOΠOΛITΩ-N ΠPOC ICTPO-N, Priapus standing left, pouring libation from patera and holding basket of fruits set on phallus.
Ref: Hristova & Jekov 8.26.17.1; Varbanov 3863.
Attribution per seller. All other online resources I've seen list this as Nicopolis ad Istrum. I need to research this.
TIFOct 03, 2013
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Hadrian / Africa denariusHADRIAN, AD 134-138
AR Denarius
18 mm, 3.53 gm, 6h
Rome
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head right
Rev: AFRICA, Africa with elephant skin headdress, reclining on rock, holding scorpion and cornucopia, basket of fruit before her.
Ref: RIC 299TIFOct 03, 2013
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BOSPORAN KINGDOM, Sauromates IAD 93/4-123/4
AE 48 units (29mm, 10.84 gm, 12h)
Obv: diademed, draped bust of Sauromates left
Rev: nike advancing left, holding wreath, flanked by mark of value M-H, all within wreath
Ref: MacDonald 397/2.
TIFOct 01, 2013
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Peek-a-boo JesusA very interesting overstrike.
Romanus IV Diogenes, 1068-1071
AE Follis
10.57 g
Constantinople
Obv: IC-XC over NI-KA to left and right of bust of Christ facing, dotted cross behind head, wearing pallium and colobium, holding book of Gospels with both hands
Rev: C-R P-delta in the four angles of a cross with globe and two dots at each extremity, X in the center.
Ref: Sear 1866, DO-8
Attribution from seller (HJB). I need to get the Sear Byz reference book and see what the original overstruck coin might be. SB-1867?TIFSep 19, 2013
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PHOENICIA, Aradus. Trajan with Astarte116-117 AD (date EOT, year 375)
Æ22, 9.65 g
Obv: draped bust of Astarte-Europa right, wearing stephane and veil falling from chignon; before, small laureate bust of Trajan
Rev: bull charging left
Ref: SNG Copenhagen 81; BMC 374
It seems unusual to have the emperor depicted smaller than the deity. I really like the coin and am happy to have it in my collection. Nice sandy patina.TIFSep 15, 2013
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...and another shot of the Carthaginian crusherLooks a lot like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, doesn't it?
YUM!
ZEUGITANA, Carthage. 15 shekel.
AE45, 95.4g
circa 200 BC
Obverse: head of Tanit
Reverse: horse standing right, left foreleg up; above, radiate disc flanked by uraei
I don't have a reference book and the only other picture of one I've found is on the magnagraecia.nl site. Their list indicates four specimens known to them. Don't know if this is one of the four. TIFSep 14, 2013
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ZEUGITANA, Carthage. 15 shekel.Taking it out for a sun bath. Can't stop fondling this fabulous coin!
AE45, 95.4g
circa 200 BC
Obverse: head of Tanit
Reverse: horse standing right, left foreleg up; above, radiate disc flanked by uraei
I don't have a reference book and the only other picture of one I've found is on the magnagraecia.nl site. Their list indicates four specimens known to them. Don't know if this is one of the four. TIFSep 14, 2013
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PAMPHYLIA, Side. AR tetradrachm205-100 BC
16.89 g
Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet
Rev: Nike advancing left, holding wreath; pomegranate and CT to left
Cf. SNG France 719ff
Off center but charming. Looks like Nike is stepping off a cliff, about to float away into the sky.TIFSep 13, 2013
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JUDEA, Roman procurators, Pontius Pilateunder Tiberius
AE prutah
16 mm, 2.5 g
Regnal year 18 (31/32 AD)
Obv: date in wreath, LIH
Rev: TIBEP10V KAICAPOC; lituus
Ref: Meshorer 334; Hendin 1342; AJCII 283 supp. v.24
I'm not certain of the Hendin number or other references; need to check them.TIFSep 11, 2013
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PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM, Ptolemy IV Philopater AE42221-205 B.C.
AE42, 67.86gm
Obv: Head of Zeus Ammon right with ram's horn, wearing taenia diadem
Rev: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ BΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; Σ between legs; Cornucopiae left decorated with royal diadem
Ref: Svoronos 992
TIFSep 11, 2013
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CORINTHIA, Corinth. Pegasus / Athena with SilenusCORINTHIA. Corinth
345-307 BC
AR stater
8.65 gm
Obv: Pegasus flying left, qoppa below
Rev: Helmeted head of Athena left wearing necklace; head of Silenus behind
Ravel 1046. Calciati 408.
Same type of Corinth stater chosen by HJB to represent #23 in his book "100 Greatest Ancient Coins"TIFSep 11, 2013
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LUCANIA, Velia. didrachmLUCANIA. Velia. Didrachm
305-290 BC
Obv: Head of Athena right, wearing crested helmet, decorated with griffin; at left, A.
Rev: YEΛHTΩN.
lion standing on exergual line; above dolphin between I and Φ.
SNG ANS 1375-6.
Weight: 7.3 g.
Diameter: 17.5 mm.
Athena, a griffin, a lion, a dolphin... what's not to love?TIFSep 11, 2013
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THRACE. Byzantion. Siglos (Circa 340-320 BC)Obv: Heifer standing left on dolphin swimming to left
Rev: Incuse mill-sail pattern
SNG BM Black Sea 21
Weight: 5.0 g
Diameter: 17 mm
Had to get one of these because the depiction of a cow riding a dolphin cracked me up :)TIFSep 11, 2013
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ZEUGITANA, Carthage. 15 shekel.Additional views of the coin posted here http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-101874
AE45, 95.4g
circa 200 BC
Obverse: head of Tanit
Reverse: horse standing right, left foreleg up; above, radiate disc flanked by uraei
TIFSep 11, 2013
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ZEUGITANA, Carthage. 15 shekel.AE45, 95.4g
circa 200 BC
Obverse: head of Tanit
Reverse: horse standing right, left foreleg up; above, radiate disc flanked by uraei
I don't have a reference book and the only other picture of one I've found is on the magnagraecia.nl site. Their list indicates four specimens known to them. Don't know if this is one of the four.
TIFSep 11, 2013
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LYDIA. Sardes. Germanicus, with Drusus (Caesar, 15 BC-AD 19). Ae (Restruck circa AD 28/9)Asinius Pollio, proconsul
This coin was originally struck with the reverse legend EPI ARXIEREWS ALEXANDROU KLEWNOS SARDIANOU but using an elaborate set of ring shaped countermark dies the obverse and reverse legends were restruck, the reverse indicating the new magistrate.
Obverse Legend : deltaΡΟΥΣΟΣ KAI gammaΕΡMANIKOΣ KAIΣΑΡΕΣ NEOI ΘEOI ΦΙΛΑdeltaΕΛΦOI
Obverse Description : Togate figures of Drusus and Germanicus seated left on curule chairs, one figure holding a lituus
Reverse Legend : gammaΑΙΩ AΣΙΝΝΙΩ ΠΟΛΛΙΩΝI ANΘΥΠΑΤΩ KOINOΥ AΣΙΑΣ
Reverse Description : KOINOY AΣΙΑΣ in two lines within wreath; legend around
Weight: 15.5 gm
Diameter: 29 mm
RPC 2995
Supposedly there is an article about this coin in the November 1994 issue of The Celator. I'm trying to locate a copy of that article-- no luck finding it online so I'll have to find and buy a copy of that issue. The piece by Thomas McKenna is titled "The case of the curious coin of Caligula: A provincial bronze restruck with legend-only dies".
TIFSep 11, 2013
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KINGS of MACEDON, Antigonos II Gonatas 277/6-239 BC, struck after 270 BC
AR Tetradrachm
31mm, 17.06 g
Amphipolis mint
Obverse: head of Pan in center of Macedonian shield, lagobolon over shoulder; shield decorated with stars within crescents
Reverse: BASILEWS ANTIGONOU, Athena Alkidemos walking left, brandishing thunderbolt and shield; helmet left, EMP monogram right
SNGCop 1200v, EMP ?
R. Martin, "A Third-Century B.C. Hoard from Thessaly at the ANS," ANSMN 26, 536 (same obv. die).
ex Demetrios Armounta CollectionTIFSep 11, 2013
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