Unidentified Greek Coin,

[Arslan]

I need help for this coin , thanks

[Mark Fox]

Dear Arslan and Board,

This is a small denomination example (i.e. ~11–12mm) of the mysterious Dios Soteros (ΔΙΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ) bronzes.  Numismatic researchers are still trying to figure out where and why they were issued.  I have obtained several myself over the past few years (of both denominations) in the hope of unraveling the riddle.           
 

Best regards,

Mark Fox
Michigan   

[Akropolis]

The obverse seems to be of Kushan style.
PeteB

[Arslan]

Thanks very much for the precious information.

[n.igma]

This is a small denomination example (i.e. ~11–12mm) of the mysterious Dios Soteros (ΔΙΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ) bronzes.  Numismatic researchers are still trying to figure out where and why they were issued.

Possibly associated with this larger denomination from Akragas bearing the same legend ΔΙΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, same legend convention and a similar eagle on fulmen reverse iconography ?

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4435563

[shanxi]

Possibly associated with this larger denomination from Akragas bearing the same legend ΔΙΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, same legend convention and a similar eagle on fulmen reverse iconography ?

A combination of Zeus and Eagle (with different legend) is known from Akragas.

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3070677

[n.igma]

A combination of Zeus and Eagle (with different legend) is known from Akragas.

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3070677

Stylistically very close to obverse of the the mystery ΔΙΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ.

All aspects considered, it is suggestive of an association with the established ΔΙΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ issue of Akragas.

[Mark Fox]

Dear Pete, N.igma, Ralf, & Board,

If by association you mean where the coins were struck and/or issued, then that is highly doubtful, I am afraid.  Their find context, when vaguely discernible, has always been eastern Asia Minor (or possibly western Syria) in my experience, including the specimens I obtained a while ago in two group lots from probably Arslan. The countermarks that sometimes appear on the large denomination seem to confirm this.  At least that much seems fairly certain to me.  I have some ideas/theories I would like to test out eventually.    


Best regards,

Mark Fox
Michigan

[Lee S]

Just a friendly reminder.... The thread title " unidentified Greek coin" spans 2500+ years, and size and weight if known are most helpful not only for identification, but for use in future studies...

[Arslan]

It is 1.42gr, 14mm , sorry for lack of info

[Altamura]

Some years ago we had a discussion about this type in the German forum: http://www.numismatikforum.de/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=50269 , you can find there some more pictures of such coins.

The result of the discussion has been also that the coins are from somewhere in Asia Minor, perhaps issued by a temple like coins from Pergamon or Perge (where you also have a deity's name on the coins).

Regards

Altamura