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Author Topic: A Pod of Dolphins  (Read 18962 times)

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Offline Enodia

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A Pod of Dolphins
« on: October 31, 2014, 05:12:49 pm »
well, we have 'A Pride of Lions' and 'A Parliamnt of Owls', so why not continue the theme with a thread for showing off all of our dolphins? this is another very common theme in Greek coinage (and others too), so let's see 'em here.
people in the front rows beware, you may get wet!

i'll start off with something from my own aquarium, this coin from Taras struck at the end of the 4th century BC ...
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-90498

who's next?

~ Peter

Offline ancientone

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2014, 06:06:21 pm »
Here is one my favorites:


Offline Jaimelai

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2014, 12:54:59 am »
Here is a whole pod of dolphins:

Apollonia Pontica
Silver Drachm
540-535/525 B.C.
3.51 gm., 13.5 mm.
Obv: Anchor; blank to left, crayfish to right
Rev.: Swastika with arms bent left, dolphins with heads pointed outward in-between each arm
Topalov Apollonia p. 566, 12, p.250-3, 1-16
SNG Stancomb 30

Offline Enodia

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2014, 02:17:28 am »
that's a sharp bronze ancientone.
and Jaimelai, one could make the arguement that the anchor looks somewhat like a dolphin too!   ;)


Offline Molinari

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2014, 07:36:38 am »
Great thread, Peter.  And great coin, too!

Looking through my own collection I've seen dolphins I forgot were there.  But here is my contribution, although it was tough to pick just one:

CAMPANIA, Neapolis: AE, c. 300 BC. Obverse: Apollo left, dotted border. Reverse: Forepart of man-faced bull left, dolphin above, A behind. Sambon 587 var.

Offline Enodia

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2014, 02:00:26 pm »
nice ones people.
and Nico... plate coins, wow!!!

i could post Taras after Taras here, but i think i'll put this one up next. he's so enthused he swam right off the flan!...
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-36367

these aren't as desirable as the inscribed types, but i think this one is quite pleasing.

~ Peter

Offline Jay GT4

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2014, 11:16:06 pm »

Offline Molinari

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2014, 10:37:52 am »
Some more Dolphins.  These ones surrounding Arethusa!

Offline Molinari

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2014, 10:38:58 am »
And a pod of some magical levitating dolphins.  Very rare and not for sale.

Taras

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2014, 10:54:10 am »
And a pod of some magical levitating dolphins.  Very rare and not for sale.

 :o
Wow Nick, this is the evidence they were sacred objects, not mere coins!!

LOL  ;D

Offline paparoupa

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2014, 01:46:49 pm »
My dolphin from Abdera

Offline Alexander K

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #11 on: November 03, 2014, 03:08:30 am »
well, we have 'A Pride of Lions' and 'A Parliamnt of Owls', so why not continue the theme with a thread for showing off all of our dolphins? this is another very common theme in Greek coinage (and others too), so let's see 'em here.
people in the front rows beware, you may get wet!

who's next?

~ Peter

My dolphins from a small cycladic island ;)

Offline Dino

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #12 on: November 03, 2014, 01:37:00 pm »
Nice stuff all!

here's my little pod of dolphins

Offline Dino

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #13 on: November 03, 2014, 01:38:03 pm »
two more...

Offline Jay GT4

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #14 on: November 03, 2014, 03:25:58 pm »
This thread just reminded me of a seal I haven't photographed yet.  From the Tetrarchy with a wonderful dolphin between:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-114169

Offline Enodia

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #15 on: November 04, 2014, 04:02:12 am »

Offline Enodia

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #16 on: November 04, 2014, 01:46:04 pm »
well there's no way i can compete with the Vlasto collection!  (although i do have one, but it's not a dolphin).

however i will submit this ugly little coin for your approval...
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-89534

it too is from Taras but is a very scarce variety of diobol.

~ Peter

Taras

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #17 on: November 04, 2014, 01:53:58 pm »
well there's no way i can compete with the Vlasto collection!  (although i do have one, but it's not a dolphin).

however i will submit this ugly little coin for your approval...
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-89534

it too is from Taras but is a very scarce variety of diobol.

~ Peter

I remember this, I have this pic in my archive for a future project of repertoire on MG types. Yours is the best existing pic on internet for this scarce tarentine type. I love this fractional Peter, I wish I could have one in my collection, but it is a great rarity, I never saw one specimen for sale in the last years.
Thanks for sharing it :)

Offline mauseus

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #18 on: November 04, 2014, 02:31:00 pm »
Hi,

I can add a dolphin (and an owl) here:


Phoenicia - Tyre
AR 1/12 shekel
425-400 BC
O - Dolphin right
R - Owl standing right, head facing, holding crook and flail
BMC 13

Regards,

Mauseus

Offline Enodia

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #19 on: November 05, 2014, 05:21:41 am »
mauseus, that could go in 'A Parliment of Owls' as well.   :)

one could have a hard time finding something more obscure than Populonia. nice coin Taras, but i'll bet you don't have one of these...
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-63667

:evil:


Taras

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #20 on: November 05, 2014, 03:47:35 pm »
mauseus, that could go in 'A Parliment of Owls' as well.   :)

one could have a hard time finding something more obscure than Populonia. nice coin Taras, but i'll bet you don't have one of these...
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-63667

:evil:



Wow Peter, you have a fake Kimon in your collection, cool!!!
Nowadays it's so trendy to have one!   
;)

Offline Enodia

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #21 on: November 06, 2014, 12:46:49 am »
lol!
i bought that back in the 80's, before all the trendy kids started collecting them.   ;)

i actually bought it as a BMC copy, but have since been told that it probably isn't. still it is as close as i'll ever get to owning a real one!

~ Peter

Offline Enodia

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #22 on: November 09, 2014, 02:05:01 pm »
a very interesting coin Nico, i don't think i've ever seen one like it before.

here's a drunken dolphin i got last year from right here at Forvm...
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-102395

~ Peter


Offline Molinari

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #23 on: November 10, 2014, 07:48:47 am »
Hey friends, here water is getting a bit stagnant. Let's try to revitalize it!
I add into our pod some shy and elusive dolphins, they are swimming around Apollo's head, on a rare Neapolitan bronze from my collection...

Bye :)
Nico

Arguably the finest known, Nico. You are lucky I was out of money at the time ;)

Offline TIF

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Re: A Pod of Dolphins
« Reply #24 on: November 10, 2014, 04:44:17 pm »
Nice dolphins, everyone!  A Taras remains on my buy list, awaiting the right coin at the right time at the right price.

I have a few coins to add.

TOP PHOTO
SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles
310-305 BCE
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 var., SNG ANS 637

MIDDLE PHOTO
LUCANIA, Velia
305-290 BCE
AR didrachm, 17.5 mm, 7.3 gm
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
Ref: SNG ANS 1375-6

BOTTOM PHOTO
THRACE. Byzantion
340-320 BCE
AR siglos, 17 mm, 5.0 gm
Obv: Heifer standing left on dolphin swimming to left
Rev: Incuse mill-sail pattern
Ref: SNG BM Black Sea 21



 

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