Hygieia comes clean.

[cicerokid]

This excessively rare Athens New style was produced near the end of the series about 47 BC which is thought to end with Mark Anthony c 42 BC. It is doubted that the issues after Sulla were even produced yearly and certainly not after c78 BC.

Production of coins are seemingly sporadic with low to almost non-existent mintage, one example has no known tetradrachms and many have few examples from only one obverse.

Diokles is known to be a priest of Asklepios and Hygieia in 51/0 BC. He produces 3 tiny issues this is his 2nd since the coin states Diokles TO DEY, ie Diokles for the 2nd time and he produced another that says Diokles TO TRI, for the 3rd time.

This coin is of only 3 obverses but is a new reverse.

When purchased this coin was covered in the dust and gunge of the ages. Since she is Hygieia the daughter of Asklepios and the personification of personal cleanliness it was only fair to give her a scrub-up.

Before and after.....

regards

John

[Nemonater]

 

[Jochen]

I'm jealous!

Jochen

[okidoki]

Looks very nice

[Jay GT4]

Great job.  I need one of these!

[djmacdo]

What a difference!  I recently got an ancient imitation of Thasos late Hellenistic tetradrachm that showed traces of overstriking.  When it arrived it was apparent that it was a very dirty coin--a little soft soap and water and five minutes later much more of the host coin became visible.  Certainly, not as lovely as your new tetradrachm, but I was pleasantly surprised.

[Molinari]

Looks great!  Is it a new reverse die or new variety altogether?

[Carausius]

Great cleaning job, John, and a wonderful coin.  Now I see why you were asking for the Svoronos plate!

[Arados]

What a beautiful coin with amazing detail, your restoration work is commendable.

[cicerokid]

Thanks everyone!

djmacdo,  Do tell more......

It's a new reverse which makes 3 reverses for that obverse, one each for the other 2 obverses.

I used good old fish n' chips vinegar.

For those interested in the very late  post-Sullan New Styles , after Stag (17)/Ares(6) which I reckon was due to the 2nd Mithradatic war, the obverses plummet. Often only one example of a issue. This means that it is likely only to be a tiny mintage and most ended up in the melting pot. BUT it holds out hope for totally new discoveries.
The last new issue is a dreadful coin overstruck on an Alexander. It's date of discovery is either 1933? or 1975.
The hoard was discovered in Crete 1933 and partially described in 1938, someone decided to send it to Athens where it was abandoned until 1975 and only then was the whole mixed hoard described. It is called the Hierpytna hoard. The denarii with it showed me how controversial Republican coin chronology still is.I had no idea.
Some new obverses in it and some very late New Styles but except for that one no new obverses or reverses in the very late catalogue.

Now you can see why the New Styles are fascinating!

John

[djmacdo]

New Style overstruck on an Alexander?  Where published?  Now you have me excited!

[cicerokid]

djmacdo


Mando Carramessini-Oeconomides in ArchAnAth 7 1974


 An Unpublished Athenian New Style Tetradrachm

"This specimen is OVERSTRUCK on a posthumous tetradrachm of Alexander III" Referring to the New issue found in that hoard. Menestagoras-Mentor Apollo seated.

The Revue Belge de Numimatique 1975  The Hierapytna Hoard-A supplement with Fred Kleiner no mention is made of it being overstruck on an Alexander!

Sadly my photocopy of the coin is very bad.

Regards

John

[Dino]

Very nice.  Great job on the cleaning.

[Harold H]

  great job