FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
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Some recently acquired coins were described as Celt-Iberian. I have looked online for a while and can't find any "Celtic" coins that look similar and have no reference material for anything Celtic.
The obverse to me looks like Tyche head right but I could be mistaken.
The reverse could be a cow/bull right but it looks more like a horse. I'm not sure if there is a rider on it, if not then there is some letters/symbols above.
This coin I assume is clipped and if so measurements would be off.
From side to side it's roughly 12 mm, corner to corner 14 mm
Weight is 1.78 g
Again thanks in advance
John
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Hello again John and Board,
I am a little less certain about this attribution, but Castulo seems like a good bet to me. Compare your piece to these:
https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/spain/castulo/Burgos_746.jpg
https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/spain/castulo/Burgos_746.txt
https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/spain/castulo/Burgos_897.jpg
https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/spain/castulo/Burgos_897.txt
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
Mark Fox
Michigan
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Hey Mark
My first impression was a bull mainly because the coins I was finding online we of bulls. The tail and and angles of the legs looked more horse-ish but my gut was still a bull. I think you confirmed that. My initial impression was there was a crescent above the "bull". But not finding anything similar was losing confidence in my first impression.
Funny it wasn't until I took a pic of the coin that the "rider" appeared. The head on the obverse was hardest to find but one I did it stood out really clear.
Per the first image you gave, do you know if it was typical to square these off?
I don't think my coin is in good enough condition to get any closer it's a good feeling getting it this close.
Thanks again
John
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Mark,
I went through every Spain entry on wildwinds thanks to your input.
The first post with the 2 coins you said were probably Cordoba - I have no doubt as none of the other cities in Spain had the cupid/eros reverse.
However looking I ran across something - your suggestion is still vary plausible but the first coin under Obulco has a bull reverse and Apollo obverse - this one appeals to me a little more because the way the hair hangs on the back of the head.
https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/spain/obulco/t.html
Could go either way, just curious of your opinion.
Thanks
John
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Dear John,
Excellent detective work! I think you got it (Burgos 852)! The ringlets on both heads are distinctive as you say, and the crescent above the bull doesn't seem to be accompanied by another symbol (as on the Castula bull issues).
There is always the option of contacting Prof. Pere Pau Ripollès for his expert opinion, but in this case, I am thinking that is probably a little overkill!
Good job again!
Best regards,
Mark Fox
Michigan
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These rectangular coins are contemporary local imitations of coins from Obulco or Castulo (you find both).
See e.g. here the numbers 84-87: https://www.tesorillo.com/oca/iber_sur/iber_sur.htm
Regards
Altamura
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Wow, I think you're on to something. That is really interesting. Thanks
Ancient and Medieval Coin Identification Help => Topic started by: the10thlegion on June 21, 2021, 11:17:01 pm