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Image search results - "obol"
017~0.JPG
Ptolemy III Euergetes. Æ Hemidrachm - Triobol. Alexandreia mint. First phase, struck circa 246-242/1. Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, head right; cornucopia over shoulder; E between legs. Svoronos 974 var. (control mark).

AE40 about 46.5 g.

--------------------------------

Ar 0.249g, 6.7mm
Elea(Elia?), Aeolis, AR Hemiobol. Late 5th century BC. Head of Athena left, in crested helmet / E L A I, around olive wreath, all within incuse square. SNG Cop 164 ex Forvm
2 commentsRandygeki(h2)
Thrace_Thasos_satyr_amphora.jpg
Islands of Thrace, Thasos
411-350BC, Trihemiobol. Obv. Kneeling Satyr with cup, Rev.ΘAΣ / IΩN - Amphora
Seaby 1755 , BMC. 3. 53-56
Lee S
Kyzikos_diobol.jpg
areich
Lokris_obol.jpg
Locri Opuntii
Obol (0,75g), ca. 340-330 v.Chr.
BCD Lokris 89-91
areich
Boeotia_Pharai.jpg
BOEOTIA, Pharai. 4th century BC. AR Obol (0.85 g). Boeotian shield / Amphora; wheat ear to left; all within concave circle. BCD Boiotia 236. Near VF, toned, light roughness.

From the BCD Collection.
1 commentsareich
Corinth.jpg
CORINTHIA, Corinth. Circa 375-300 BC. AR Diobol (10mm, 0.78 g, 12h). Pegasos flying left / Pegasos standing left; Δ-I below. BCD Corinth -; SNG Copenhagen -; cf. BMC 208. Fine, toned, porous.

Ex Coin Galleries (14 November 1984), lot 121.
areich
calabria-tarentum-circa-325-280-bc-6841852.jpg
CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 325-280 BC. AR Diobol (12mm, 1.11 g, 9h). Helmeted head of Athena left / Herakles leaning left, torso facing, head right, wrestling the Nemean lion; club to left. Vlasto 1364; HN Italy 976 . Toned. VF. Well centered and struck.


Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 225 (13 January 2010), lot 7.
1 commentsMichael S6
snake_cowboy.jpg
EGYPT. Alexandria. Domitian, 81-96. Diobol
(25 mm, 7.42 g, 11 h),
Obv: RY 10 = 90/1. [ΑΥΤ] ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ [ϹЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ] Laureate head of Domitian to right, with aegis on his left shoulder.
Rev: L I Agathodaemon serpent riding horse to right.
Dattari (Savio) 563. Emmett 276.10. K&G 24.110. RPC II 2584A.
Extremely rare. Somewhat porous and with light deposits, otherwise, good fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
Leu Numismatic Web auction 17 Lot 2103 Sunday August 15, 2021

I was first made aware of this coin a few years ago. Ever since, I have trying to grab one when they come up at auctions. The problem is 2-fold. First, it is a rare type. If the attribution of RPC 2854A is correct, it is even rarer than RPC 2854 which is on its own a rare coin. RPC online has my coin as RPC 2854 but I am not sure they are correct. The presence or absence of Aegis on the bust seems to be the key factor in differentiating these types.

I have found that I am attracted to the Alexandrian bronzes struck for Domitian. So many of the Egyptian themed coins are interesting and are a real departure from the reverses of the imperial coinage from the same time period.

Rarity aside it is the reverse of this coin that really shines. A coin that depicts a snake riding a horse? Yes, I will take one of those please. The reverse is so interesting that there is more demand for this type than the current supply. I consider myself lucky to add this fascinating type to my collection.

From the auction description: “According to Emmett, the reverse of this interesting issue is connected to the grain harvest. The horse represents the continuous cycle of the seasons, while Agathodaemon ensures that the grain will sprout, thus ensuring Egypt's prosperity.”

3 commentsorfew
50E61AC8-6D89-4047-B3E1-02593033E370.jpeg
Lycian Dynasts, Trbbenimi, 390-360 BC, AR Tetrobol (2.93 grams), Obverse: Lion scalp facing; Reverse: Triskeles, legend around all within incuse circle. SNG Von Aulock 4215. Ex: Kirk Davis Catalog 63, lot 43, Spring 2014; Ex: Kölner Münzkabinett Auktion 16
Münzen und Medaillen Antike und Neuzeit
3.- 5.April1975, lot 137
paul1888
6B1AEB31-973D-4F98-81BA-E1DB6FE8BBE1.jpeg
Western Greek. Phokis. AR triobol. 457-420 B.C.. . 11354.
Ancient Coins - Western Greek. Phokis. AR triobol. 457-420 B.C..
Obverse:
Facing bull's head.

Reverse:

Head of Apollo right.

Weight:

2.66 grams.

Diameter:

15.12 mm.
1 commentspaul1888
IMG_3456.jpeg
Greek Coins
Pangaean District, Eion. Trihemiobol; Pangaean District, Eion; 5th Century BC, Trihemiobol, 0.77g. Cf. SNG ANS-287 (H behind goose's feet) and 291 (H right of goose's neck). Obv: Goose standing r., head turned back, lizard above, H (faint) before goose's feet. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Ex Morton and Eden/Sotheby 51, A Collection of Exceptional Greek Coins, 24 October 2011, lot 97; ex NFA VIII, 6 June 1980, lot 97. Formerly in the collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Catalogue (1955), 610; acquired by Boston as part of the Edward Perry Warren Collection, Regling, Sammlung Warren (1906), 569; obtained by Warren as part of the Canon Greenwell Collection in 1901.
paul1888
IMG_3508.jpeg
Greek Coins
LOKRIS. Lokri Opuntii. Obol (Circa 370-350 BC). Obv: ΟΠΟΝ. Amphora with grape bunch and ivy wreath hanging from mouth. Rev: Sixteen-rayed star. BCD Lokris 27-38; HGC 4, 1003. Ex BCD Collection. Condition: Good very fine. Weight: 0.77 g. Diameter: 11 mm.
2 commentspaul1888
IMG_3706.jpeg

ARGOLIS.ARGOS.After 343 BC.AR.Tetrobol. ( 2.48g, 16.4mm, 3h )

Forepart of wolf left.
Reverse. I - E / P - Ω / ΝΟ -Σ , Large letter A , within limbs eagle standing right on thunderbolt, wings closed.
Ref:SNG Cop.42.
paul1888
Argilos__470-460_BC.JPG
Time of Alexander I, AR Hemiobol, struck 470 - 460 BC at Argilos in MacedoniaObverse: No legend. Forepart of Pegasos facing left.
Reverse: No legend. Quadripartite granulated incuse square.
Diameter: 8.78mm | Weight: 0.20gms | Die Axis: Uncertain
Liampi 118 | SNG - | GCV -
Rare

Argilos was a city of ancient Macedonia founded by a colony of Greeks from Andros. Although little information is known about the city until about 480 BC, the literary tradition dates the foundation to around 655/654 BC which makes Argilos the earliest Greek colony on the Thracian coast. It appears from Herodotus to have been a little to the right of the route the army of Xerxes I took during its invasion of Greece in 480 BC in the Greco-Persian Wars. Its territory must have extended as far as the right bank of the Strymona, since the mountain of Kerdylion belonged to the city.
Argilos benefited from the trading activities along the Strymona and probably also from the gold mines of the Pangeion. Ancient authors rarely mention the site, but nevertheless shed some light on the important periods of its history. In the last quarter of the 6th century BC, Argilos founded two colonies, Tragilos, in the Thracian heartland, and Kerdilion, a few kilometers to the east of the city.
Alexander I was the ruler of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia from c.498 BC until his death in 454 BC. Alexander came to the throne during the era of the kingdom's vassalage to Persia, dating back to the time of his father, Amyntas I. Although Macedonia retained a broad scope of autonomy, in 492 BC it was made a fully subordinate part of the Persian Empire. Alexander I acted as a representative of the Persian governor Mardonius during peace negotiations after the Persian defeat at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC. From the time of Mardonius' conquest of Macedonia, Herodotus disparagingly refers to Alexander I as “hyparchos”, meaning viceroy. However, despite his cooperation with Persia, Alexander frequently gave supplies and advice to the Greek city states, and warned them of the Persian plans before the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC. After their defeat at Plataea, when the Persian army under the command of Artabazus tried to retreat all the way back to Asia Minor, most of the 43,000 survivors of the battle were attacked and killed by the forces of Alexander at the estuary of the Strymona river.
Alexander regained Macedonian independence after the end of the Persian Wars and was given the title "philhellene" by the Athenians, a title used for Greek patriots.
After the Persian defeat, Argilos became a member of the first Athenian confederation but the foundation of Amphipolis in 437 BC, which took control of the trade along the Strymona, brought an end to this. Thucydides tells us that some Argilians took part in this foundation but that the relations between the two cities quickly deteriorated and, during the Peloponnesian war, the Argilians joined with the Spartan general Brasidas to attack Amphipolis. An inscription from the temple of Asklepios in Epidauros attests that Argilos was an independent city during the 4th century.
Like other colonies in the area, Argilos was conquered by the Macedonian king Philip II in 357 B.C. Historians believe that the city was then abandoned and, though excavations have brought to light an important agricultural settlement on the acropolis dated to the years 350-200 BC, no Roman or Byzantine ruins have been uncovered there.
1 comments*Alex
PERDIKKAS_II_Macedonia.JPG
Perdikkas II, 451 - 413 BC. AR Heavy Tetrobol, struck 437 - 431 BC at Aigai in MacedoniaObverse: No legend. Rider, wearing chlamys and kausia (an ancient Macedonian flat hat, also called a petasos), holding two spears on horse prancing right.
Reverse: No legend. Forepart of lion with straight lined truncation facing right, both paws visible; kerykeion (caduceus), placed horizontally, in left field above, all within incuse square.
Diameter: 15mm | Weight: 2.1gms | Die Axis: 6h
Sear GCV: 1491
Grainy surfaces | Rare (R2)

Perdikkas II features prominently in Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, in which he is described as switching sides between the Peloponnesians and the Athenians several times.
The lion on the reverse of this coin alludes to the Nemean lion killed by Herakles who was claimed to be the ancestor of Perdikkas.


Perdikkas II was a member of the Argead dynasty which would rule Macedonia for almost 400 years.
The founder of the dynasty, Perdikkas I, had led the people who called themselves Macedonians eastward from their home on the Haliacmon River around 700 BC. Aegae (Edessa) became their capital, and by the reign of Amyntas I in the 6th century BC, Macedonian power dominated the neighbouring Thracian tribes and when Amyntas’ successor, Alexander I advanced the Macedonian frontiers eastward to the Strymon River their power was further increased.
After the death of Alexander I in 454, Macedonia began to fall apart, but around 450 BC Perdikkas II, who was Alexander I's son, came to the throne after having asserted his succession against his brothers. Perdikkas had four brothers, Alcetas II, Philip, Menelaus and Amyntas, he also had a sister, Stratonice. Alcetas II preceded him on the throne until he was murdered by Perdikkas' son Archelaus I resulting in Perdikkas' elevation to the throne. During his reign Perdikkas united the Greek cities of Chalcidice in a federation centred on the city of Olynthus.
Perdikkas II died in 413 BC leaving his son Archelaus as heir to the throne. Archelaus adopted a strongly philhellenic policy and introduced Greek artists to his new capital at Pella. He strengthened Macedonia by building roads and fortresses, improved army equipment, and encouraged city life. However, following his assassination in 399 BC, there was seven years of murder and anarchy until finally, around 393 BC, Amyntas III, a great-grandson of Alexander I, took the throne and, although his reign was filled with anarchy and intrigue, he successfully brought unity to Macedonia.

Aigai (also Aegae, Aegeae or Aigeai) was the original capital of the Macedonians and it was also the burial-place of the Macedonian kings. It was built on a site near the modern town of Vergina.
1 comments*Alex
336_-_323_BC_ALEXANDER_III_Hemiobol.JPG
Alexander the Great, 336 - 323 BC. AE Hemiobol (4 Chalkoi). Struck 336 - 320 BC, possibly under Philip III at Miletus in Macedonia.Obverse: No legend. Head of Alexander the Great as Herakles, wearing lion-skin knotted at base of neck, facing right.
Reverse: AΛEΞANΔ•POY. Bow in Gorytos (a case for bow and quiver) above, club below. ΠΥΡ monogram control mark below club
Diameter: 18mm | Weight: 5.79gms | Die Axis: 3
Price: 0335

Alexander the Great reigned from 336 to 323 BC. Price supposes this coin to be a lifetime issue and Sear concurs stating that the issues that are more likely to be posthumous are the ones bearing the title BAΣIΛEOΣ. Thompson however, has proposed a posthumous date of 321 - 320 BC (Thompson series IV) based on the compound ΠΥΡ monogram used as a control mark.

It is difficult to interpret the die orientation in these issues because not only is it unclear what the Ancient Greeks would have considered "up" with respect to the reverse design but modern scholars are ambiguous on the subject as well. I have, however, assumed that the modern conventional orientation is with the name reading horizontally, and therefore have described my example as having a 3 o'clock orientation, the "top" of the reverse being aligned with the back of Herakles' head on the obverse.
1 comments*Alex
325_-_310_BC_ALEXANDER_III__Hemiobol.JPG
Alexander the Great, 336 - 323 BC. AE Hemiobol (4 Chalkoi). Struck 325 - 310 BC at an uncertain mint in Macedonia.Obverse: No legend. Head of Herakles facing right, wearing lion-skin knotted at base of neck.
Reverse: A quiver (arrow case) placed on top of a bow and below it a club, large B A between; laurel branch control mark below the club.
Diameter: 17mm | Weight: 5.1gms | Die Axis: 7
Price: 385 | Sear: 6742

This coin is a subtype of the quiver type (Type 1B), with the inscription now reading B A (for BAΣIΛEOΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY = KING ALEXANDER). Price believed this coin type was minted both during and after Alexander's lifetime but Sear says that the issues bearing the title BAΣIΛEOΣ or the abbreviation "B" are more likely to be posthumous and struck under Antipater, Polyperchon, or Kassander after Alexander's death.
1 comments*Alex
336_-_323_BC_ALEXANDER_III_Quarter-Obol.JPG
Alexander the Great, 336 - 323 BC. AE Tetartemorion (Dichalkon / Quarter Obol). Lifetime issue struck 336 - 323 BC at Amphipolis, Macedonia Obverse: No legend. Head of Herakles, wearing lion skin headdress, facing right.
Reverse: AΛEΞANΔPOY. Eagle facing right, it's head turned to left, standing on a thunderbolt; mint-mark, A in right field before the eagle's breast.
Diameter: 15mm | Weight: 3.9gms | Die Axis: 6
Sear: 6743 | Weber: 2142 | Liampi: 6-8 | Price: 0159
RARE

This coin is a Type 3 (eagle type) bronze Quarter-Obol (two chalkoi). Alexander's Eagle bronzes are part of his Eagle coinage that also includes various silver denominations, including a stater, drachm, hemidrachm, diobol, and obol. Alexander's Eagle coins are much rarer than his issues of Herakles and Zeus imperial silver coins and his Herakles and weapons bronze coins.
*Alex
336_-_323_BC_ALEXANDER_III.JPG
Alexander the Great, 336 - 323 BC. AE Tetartemorion (Dichalkon / Quarter Obol). Lifetime issue struck 336 - 323 BC at an uncertain mint in Macedonia Obverse: No legend. Young male head wearing a taenia (diadem), who is sometimes identified as Apollo, facing right.
Reverse: AΛEΞANΔPOY. Horse prancing right; mint-mark, below horse, torch.
Diameter: 16mm | Weight: 4.25gms | Die Axis: 7
Price:338 | Sear: 6744
SCARCE

This coin is a Type 4 (horse type) bronze Quarter-Obol (two chalkoi). This likely was one of Alexander's standard bronze denominations, half the value of his Herakles/weapons bronzes, though not seen as frequently. This specimen features a torch as a mint mark, this mint-mark was included with 34 other mint marks by Price in his work.
*Alex
323_-_315_BC_ALEXANDER_III_AE_Quarter-Obol.JPG
Philip III Arrhidaios, 323 - 317 BC. Bronze Tetartemorion (Dichalkon / Quarter Obol). Struck 323 - 315 BC under Nikokreon at Salamis, Cyprus.Obverse: No legend. Macedonian shield with Gorgoneion (Medusa) head as the boss in the centre. The shield boss is sometimes called the episema, the Greek name for a symbol of a particular city or clan which was placed in the centre of a soldier's shield.
Reverse: Macedonian helmet surmounted with a horse hair crest; B - A (for BAΣIΛEOΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY = King Alexander) above; mint marks below the helmet, to left, a kerykeion (caduceus) and to the right, the monogram NK (for Nikokreon).
Diameter: 14mm | Weight: 4.6gms | Die Axis: 1
Price: 3162 | Liampi, Chronologie 170-92

This coin is a Type 7 (Macedonian shield type) bronze Quarter-Obol (two chalkoi). Price dated the Macedonian Shield coins as beginning during the latter part of Alexander's life, c.325 BC, and ending c.310 BC. Liampi later argued, based on new hoard evidence, that they were minted as early as 334 BC. This particular coin is dated from c.323 to 315 BC during the reign of Philip III Arrhidaios.

Salamis was founded around 1100 BC by the inhabitants of Enkomi, a Late Bronze Age city on Cyprus, though in Homeric tradition, the city was established by Teucer, one of the Greek princes who fought in the Trojan War. After Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire, of which Salamis was a part, Greek culture and art flourished in the city and, as well as being the seat of the governor of Cyprus, it was the island's most important port.
Nikokreon had succeeded Pnytagoras on the throne of Salamis and is reported to have paid homage to Alexander after the conqueror's return from Egypt to Tyre in 331 BC. After Alexander's death, his empire was split between his generals, Cyprus falling to Ptolomy I of Egypt. In 315 BC during the war between Antigonos and Ptolemy, Nikokreon supported the latter and was rewarded by being made governor of all Cyprus. However, in 311 BC Ptolemy forced Nikokreon to commit suicide because he no longer trusted him. Ptolemy's brother, King Menelaus, was made governor in Nikokreon's stead.
In 306 BC, Salamis was the scene of a naval battle between the fleets of Ptolemy and Demetrius I of Macedon. Demetrius won the battle and captured the island.
*Alex
Alram_620_Unkn__King_II_Obole_B.jpg
Alram 620 Unknown King II Obol BLoutre
alexanderIIIobol2.jpg
Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander the Great, 336-323 BC, AR obol.Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander the Great, 336-323 BC, AR obol.
Struck c. 336-323 BC, Head of Hecrules right, wearing
lion skin, knotted at base of neck. / Zeus, nude to waist, seated
left on ornate throne, holding eagle and scepter within dotted circle.
CANTANATRIX
silver_064.JPG
PHOENICIA ARADOS AR OBOL Phoenicia, Arados Ar obol. C, 350 BC
0.70g. 9mm
4193


Antonivs Protti
Ptolemy_V_Epiphanes_AE_Tetrobol.jpg
Ptolemy V EpiphanesAlexandria mint.
Æ Tetrobol
27mm, 14.24 grams
205-180 BC., Struck circa 197-183/2 BC.
Wreathed and draped bust of Isis right
Eagle standing left on thunderbolt.
Svoronos 1234; Weiser 130; SNG Copenhagen 247
JBGood
IMG_0002.JPG
SIKYONIA, Sikyon. Obol. AR 11mm. Circa 350-330/20 BC SIKYONIA, Sikyon. Obol. AR 11mm.
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right.
Rev. Dove flying right, uncertain monogram above tail feathers.
Lee S
pan1.jpg
IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (12mm, 1.43 g)
Pan standing left, holding lagobolon in left hand, raising right; palm frond to right, leaf to left
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -

The lagobolon was a curved stick used for striking hares.
Ardatirion
louis1-obole-melle-lin.JPG
D.613var Louis the Pious (obol, Melle, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (Melle, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 0.74 g, 17 mm diameter, die axis 9 h

O/ LVDO / VVIC
R/ +METALLVM; cross pattée

As the value of a denier was quite important (a sheep typically cost 10 deniers during Charles the Great's reign), a smaller coin was needed. Clearly speaking, an obol is a half-denier. The carolingian coinage is typically one of silver deniers and obols. Obols and deniers were usually produced by pairs of the same kind.

Contrary to the related denier, the name of the ruler is here in the field and the mint name surrounds a cross pattée.
The absence of the imperial title made think that the coin had been struck when Louis was king of Aquitaine (before the death of Charles the Great). However there are similar obols with out of Aquitain mints. The absence of the imperial title (as well as an abbreviated name Lvdovvic instead of Hlvdovvicvs) may be due to a lack of space.
louis1-obole-bourges.JPG
D.180 Louis the Pious (obol, Bourges, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (Bourges, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 0.64 g, 15 mm diameter, die axis 8 h

O/ LVDO / VVIC
R/ +BITVRIGES; cross pattée


louis1-obole-melle-circ.JPG
D.612var Louis the Pious (obol, Melle, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (Melle, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 0.78 g, 15.5 mm diameter, die axis 2 h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS MP; cross pattée
R/ +METALLVM; cross pattée

The obol of this type is simply a reduced size version but is identical to the related denier.

louis1-obole-temple.JPG
D.1180 Louis the Pious (obol, class 3)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
"Temple" obol (unknown mint, class 3, 822-840)

Silver, 0.69 g, 16 mm diameter, die axis 2 h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS MP; cross pattée with 4 pellets
R/ +PSTIΛNΛ REICIO; temple

This obol is a reduced version of the temple denier.
louis1-obole-2xlegchret.JPG
D.abs Louis the Pious (obol, class 3)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (unknown mint in the south-east of France?, class 3, 822-840)

Silver, 0.77 g, 15 mm diameter, die axis 5 h

O/ +PISTIΛNΛ PI; cross pattée with 4 pellets
R/ +OPISTIΛNΛ PE; cross pattée

This obol may be due to a double reverse error because of the absence of the sovereign's name and the legend repetition on both sides. However several dies were used to strike this type (I could find 3 obverse and 3 reverse dies), one side always bears 4 pellets as the other does not. One of the reverse dies is associated to the more typical obverse legend +HLVDOVVICVS I. Consequently an error does not seem to be likely. Because of hoard localizations, these obols seem to come from a single mint, in the south-east of France (Lyon, Arles?).
1 comments
charles2-obole-bourges-aq.jpg
D.197 Charles II the Bald (obol, class 1a, Bourges, Aquitaine)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Obol (Bourges, Aquitaine, class 1a, 848-849 ?)

Silver, 0.80 g, 17 mm diameter, die axis 5h

O/ +CΛRLVS REX ; cross pattée
R/ AQUI / • / TANIA

The obols of Charles the Bald with AQUITANIA on the reverse are thought to have been minted in Bourges due to hoard studies. For instance, Chaumoux-Marcilly (small village near Bourges) hoard was found in 1930. It had in it 40 coins of Charles the Bald: 20 from Bourges, 17 obols with AQVITANIA, 2 from Melle and one from Orléans. This hoard is consequently supposed to be made of local coins, and AQVITANIA obols of Charles the Bald are supposed to have been minted in Bourges.

1 comments
charles2-obole-melle.JPG
D.622 Charles II the Bald (obol, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Obol (Melle, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 0.65 g, 15 mm diameter, die axis 8h

O/ carolingian monogram
R/ +METVLLO; cross pattée


Certainly because of the lack of space, there isn't any legend with the ruler's name on the obverse but a carolingian KRLS monogram.
The attribution to Charles the Bald or Charles the Great is uncertain, like for the denier's case.
charles2-obole-rouen-gdr.JPG
D.880 Charles II the Bald (obol, class 2, Rouen)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR obol (Rouen, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 0.73 g, 14 mm diameter, die axis 10h

O: +CRΛTIΛ D-I REX;carolingian monogram
R: +ROTVHΛCVS CIVI; cross pattée

Obol of GDR type
hugues-capet-denier-beauvais.JPG
Dy.001 Hugh Capet: denier (Beauvais)Hugh Capet, king of the Franks (987-996) and Hervé, Bishop of Beauvais (987-998)
Denier (Beauvais)

Silver, 1.19 g, diameter 21 mm, die axis 9h
O: [HERV]EVS HVGO RE[X] ; cross pattée with 2 pellets
R: BE[LVΛC]VS CIVITΛS ; carolingian monogram KRLS

Although Hugh Capet was the founder of the capetian dynasty, his coinage contains a carolingian monogram. It may have been a way to show the continuity of the royal authority. The presence of the bishop Hervé is not really understood on this nearly only coinage of Hugh Capet as king of the Franks (obols of the same type are also known, as well as a unique denier of Laon).
philippe4-obole-tournois-orond.JPG
Dy.224 Philip IV (the Fair): obol tournois with a round O Philip IV, king of France (1285-1314)
Obol tournois with round O (1280-1290)

Billon (270 ‰), 0.55 g, diameter 15 mm, die axis 2h
O: +PhILIPPVS REX; cross pattée
R: +TVRONVS CIVIS; châtel tournois

This type was struck during 1280-1285 (end of Philipp III's reign) and 1285-1290 (beginning of Philip IV's reign).
philippe4-obole-bourgeoise.JPG
Dy.233 Philip IV (the Fair): obole bourgeoisePhilip IV, king of France (1285-1314)
Obole bourgeoise (1311)

Billon (270 ‰), 0.59 g, diameter 14-16 mm, die axis 6h
O: +PhILIP-PVS REX; latine cross interrupting the legend
R: BVRGENSIS, under a fleur-de-lis: nOV/VS
marseille-obole-droite.JPG
LT abs, Gaul, MassaliaMassalia (Marseille, south of France)
Circa 385-310 BC ?

Silver obol, 0.67 g, 10 mm diameter, die axis 8h

O/ youthful head of Apollo, right, with a visible ear and sideburns
R/ wheel with four spokes, M and A in two quarters

Marseille was founded by the Phocean Greeks circa 600 BC. This obol has obviously more greek than celtic origins.
1 comments
marseille-obole-gauche.JPG
LT 681, Gaul, MassaliaMassalia (Marseille, south of France)
Circa 225-100 BC ?

Silver obol, 0.59 g, 11 mm largest diameter, die axis 11h

O/ youthful head of Apollo, left, with a visible ear and sideburns
R/ wheel with four spokes, M and A with small bullets in two of the quarters
2012-07-151.jpg
"Obol" As of Marcus AureliusThis as of Marcus Aurleius with reverse of Providentia holding wand over globe has a layer of thick blue crystals on both sides. Many believe that this kind of patina comes from contact with the dead and such coins are therefore know as "obol" coins from the practice of placing payment for the afterlife in the deceased's mouth. It is not certain if there is any truth to these rumours. When coins, like this one, come from ploughed field contexts it is impossible to determine what their original deposition context was. 2 commentsSC
Galst_Skione_tags.jpg
"Plate Coin" from Galst's Ophthalmologia in Nummis & Marathaki's SkionePhoto Credit: CNG (for coin, edited)
GREEK (Archaic/Classical). Macedon, Skione AR Hemiobol (6mm, 0.34g, 1h), c. 5th century BCE.
Obv: Head of Protesilaos (?) right wearing taenia
Rev: Schematic human eye in incuse square. (Legend in incuse? Σ−K−I or var.?)
Ref: Marathaki (2014) No. 93 (E70/O67), p. 81, 284, Pl. 27, 57 (this coin illustrated; only spec. from this obv. die); Galst & van Alfen XIII.9 (this coin illustrated); HGC 3, 677 var. (no taenia).
Comparanda: Two examples of this (later?) style, otherwise unpublished: (1) BnF btv1b8590874v [LINK]; (2) Forum (Joe Sermarini, n.d.) GA73133 [LINK].
Provenance: Ex Collection of Dr. Jay M. Galst (1950-2020), w/ his tags, published in his 2013 book with Peter van Alfen, Ophthalmologia Optica et Visio in Nummis; CNG, Classical Numismatic Review vol. XXV [CNR 25] (Summer 2000), No. 22, published in Marathaki's 2014 History and Coinage of Ancient Skione in Chalcidice; CNG e-Auction 531.1 (25 Jan 2023), Lot 78.
Notes: A rarer variety of distinctly more Classical style, and depicting Protesilaos (?) wearing taenia. (Protesilaos was first to die, heroically, in the Trojan War. He fulfilled prophesy by leaping first onto the shores of Troy, knowing it meant he would be killed by Hector.) Prob. later than the usual Archaic style Hemiobol of this type. Possibly c. 423 BCE or later?
Coin-in-hand video & plate excerpt: [Imgur LINK]
1 commentsCurtis JJ
hadrian_panther_alexandria.jpg
(0117) HADRIAN117 - 138 AD
Struck 126/7
AE obol 18.5 mm; 4.33 g
O: Laureate bust of Hadrian right
R: Panther standing right, head inverted to left; date above.
Egypt, Alexandria; cf. Geissen 974. Kampmann-Ganschow 134, 32.443
laney
hadrian_eagle_alex_diobol.jpg
(0117) HADRIAN117 - 138 AD
Dated Year 19 = 134/5 AD
Æ diobol 24.5 mm, 8.35 g
O: AVT KAIC TPAIAN AΔPIANOC CEB, laureate and draped bust right
R: Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, head left.
Egypt, Alexandria; Milne -, Emmett 1122 (scarce)
d.s.
laney
a_pius_griffin.jpg
(0138) ANTONINUS PIUS138 - 161 A.D.
Bronze obol, 18.8mm 4.645g
Struck Aug 144 - 28 Aug 145 A.D.;
O: AYT K T AIΛ A∆P - ANTWNINOC, laureate head right;
R: Griffin seated right, wings raised, left forepaw on wheel, L H (year 8) in exergue;
Alexandria mint; Dattari 3119, Geissen 1472, Kampmann 35.294, Milne 1843, Emmett 1772/8 (R3), BMC Alexandria -, SNG Cop -
ex FORUM (from the Errett Bishop Collection); scarce
laney
claudius_nilus_res.jpg
(05) CLAUDIUS41 - 54 AD
struck 50 - 51 AD
AE Diobol 24.5 mm, 5.44 g
O: Diademed head right
R: Nilus bust right; cornucopia behind, small Genius standing before
Year 11
Alexandria mint
cf BMC Alexandria 81, RPC I 5174
laney
claudius_nilus_res~0.jpg
(05) CLAUDIUS41 - 54 AD
struck 50 - 51 AD
AE Diobol 24.5 mm, 5.44 g
O: Diademed head right
R: Nilus bust right; cornucopia behind, small Genius standing before
Year 11
Alexandria mint
cf BMC Alexandria 81, RPC I 5174
laney
Parion,_Mysia,_AR10mm_Tetrobol_(2_5g)__c_480_BC_.jpg
*ACC* Parion, Mysia, AR10mm Tetrobol (2.5g). c 480 BC.Parion, Mysia, AR10mm Tetrobol (2.5g). c 480 BC.
Facing gorgon head, with tongue protruding ./
Incuse square containing cruciform pattern with pellet at center.
1010 SOLD
Antonivs Protti
Greek_Diobol_4th_c_.jpg
*SOLD*Greek Thracian - Mesembria AR Diobol

Attribution: SNG BMC 268 variant
Date: 400-350 BC
Obverse: Crested Corinthian helmet facing
Reverse: META between four spokes of wheel
Size: 16 mm
ex-Forvm
Noah
a03.jpg
0.50 Mesembria, Thrace - AR diobolMesembria, Thrace
450-350 BCE
AR diobol 1.91g
Sear 1673

obv. Crested Helmet
rev. Wheel with META between spokes [from METAMBPIANWN]
Ecgþeow
Larissa_Obol_Archaic_Profile_L_Jason_Sandal_R.jpg
00001 Larissa Profile Left, Jason’s Sandal RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Archaic representation of Larissa in profile to the l. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Jason’s sandal to the r., Λ - Α above. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 500 - 479 BC; Weight: .65g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 210º; References, for example: Weber 2826, pl. 109; Herrmann Group 1 Obolen; SNG Cop 90; BCD Thessaly I 1098 (this coin); HGC 4, 404.

Provenance: Ex. Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 133 Lot 53 21 Nov 2022, from the collection of “A Man In Love With Art.”; Ex. BCD Thessaly Nomos AG Auction 4 Lot 1098 May 10, 2011.

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Photo Credits: Numismatica Ars Classica
5 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_2X_Head_Axe_Profile_L_Jason_Sandle_R.jpg
000011 Larissa Profile Left Double Headed Axe in Front, Jason’s Sandal RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Larissa in profile to the l., double headed ax before. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Jason’s sandal to the r., Λ - Α above. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 490 - 480 BC????; Weight: .86g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 120º; References, for example: Weber 2826, var. sandal l.; Traité p. 1011 no. 1415 pl. XLIII 6, var. legend ΛΑRΙ, sandal l., Ξ below; SNG Cop 90, var. no mention of ax; Kagan 2004, p. 85, pl. 1, 4, legend? var. sandal l.; BCD Thessaly II 140, var. sandal l., square within incuse, legend ΛΑRΙ retrograde and upside down, H on groundline; HGC 4, 403, legend retrograde and upside down var. sandal l.

Provenance: Ex. Roma Numismatics Ltd. E-Sale 177 Lot 69 February 22, 2024; Ex. Roma Numismatics Ltd. E-Sale 107 Lot 145 March 16, 2023; Ex. Roma Numismatics Ltd. E-Sale 94 Lot 61 February 24, 2022; Ex. Roma Numismatics Ltd. E-Sale 37 Lot 80 June 24, 2017; Ex. Roma Numismatics Ltd. E-Sale 12 Lot 592 November 1, 2014.

Photo Credits: Roma Numismatics Ltd.

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2 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Hemiobol_Bull_Hoof_Horse_Head.jpg
0001 Bull Hoof (Seen From Below) and Bridled Horse Facing LeftThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: bull hoof seen from below. All within a border of dots.
Rev: ΛΑ in front and down to the l., head and neck of a bridled horse l. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver hemiobol; Mint: Larissa; Date: 462 - 460 BC1; Weight: .40g; Diameter: 7.8mm: Die axis: 0º; References, for example: Liampi Corpus Group II 2 (V2/R1); Triton XIV 103; BCD Thessaly 1107.

Notes:
1This is the date provided in BCD Thessaly and Triton XIV.

Provenance: Ex Apollo Numismatics July 4, 2020.

Photo Credits: Apollo Numismatics

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4 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Bull_and_Horse_Head.jpg
0002 Bull Protome Facing Right and Bridled Horse Facing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: bull head and neck r., head turned to face the viewer. All within a border of dots.
Rev: ΑΛ upwards, head and neck of bridled horse r. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 462 - 460 BC1; Weight: .89g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 90º; References, for example: Herrmann Group III Series A pl. I, 20 var. head and neck facing l.; Liampi Corpus 18 (V10/R11) pl. 4, 36; BCD Thessaly II 148; HGC 4, 477.

Notes:
1This is the date given in HGC 4.

Provenance: Ex Roma Numismatics E-Sale 70 Lot 433 April 7, 2020; Ex Roma Numismatics E-Sale 52 Lot 144 January 10, 2019. From a private UK collection.

Photo Credits: Roma Numismatics

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1 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Bull_Protome_L_Bridled_Horse_Head_R.jpeg
00021 Bull Protome Facing Left and Bridled Horse Facing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: bull head and neck l., head turned to face the viewer. All within a border of dots.
Rev: ΑΛ upwards, head and neck of bridled horse r. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 462/1 - 460 BC1; Weight: .93g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 70º; References, for example: BMC Thessaly p. 24 no. 4, pl. IV no. 7; Hunterian p. 451 no. 1; Traité I ii, 1416, pl. XLIII, 7; Pozzi 1207; Weber 2828; Herrmann Group III A Obolen, pl. I, 20; McClean 4586, pl. on p. 173, 13 ; SNG Cop 96; SGCV I 2105; SNG Ashmolean 3858; Liampi Corpus 15 V7/R9 b, pl. 4, 26; BCD Thessaly I 1105; BCD Thessaly II 147; HGC 4, 476.

Notes:
1This is the date given in BCD Thessaly I.

Provenance: Ex Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger Auction 371 Lot 1082.

Photo Credits: Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger

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1 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Bull_Protome_L_Dolphin_Horse_Head_R.jpg
00022 Bull Protome Facing Left, Dolphin above, and Bridled Horse Facing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: bull head and neck l., head turned to face the viewer, dolphin facing l. above. All within a border of dots.
Rev: ΛΑ upwards, head and neck of bridled horse r. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 462/1 - 460 BC1; Weight: .6g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 90º; References, for example: Herrmann Group III A Obolen; Liampi 1996, p. 104 no. 16 (V8 - R10), pl. 4 no. 31, 32, and 33; SNG München 44; BCD Thessaly I 1106; BCD Thessaly II 146; HGC 4, 476.

Notes:
1This is the date given in BCD Thessaly I.

Provenance: Ex. Nomos AG Obolos 28 Lot 127 July 2, 2023

Photo Credits: Nomos AG

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5 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Wrestled_Bull_Lotus_Bridled_Horse_Obol.jpg
0003 Hero Wrestling Bull Protome Facing Left with Lotus Flower and Bridled Horse Facing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: bull head and neck l., head turned to face the viewer, on the r. and behind half figure of the hero Thessalos1 to l., grasping the bull by the horns. Lotus flower above. All within border of dots.
Rev: Λ-ΑR-Ι in front and above (retrograde), head and neck of bridled horse r. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 462/1 - 460 BC2; Weight: .86g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 210º; References, for example: Liampi Corpus p. 101, IA (V1-R1), pl. 4, 1 and 2 and 3; BCD Thessaly I 1103.

Notes:
1Considered the ancestor of all Thessalians. The figure is also sometimes considered to be Jason (of Jason and the Argonauts), who according to one tradition was the father of Thessalos (HGC 4, p. 132).
2This is the date given in BCD Thessaly I.

Provenance: Ex Leu Numismatik February 27, 2021, From a European collection formed before 2005.

Photo Credits: Leu Numismatik

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1 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Hero_With_Bull_Horse_Rev.jpg
0004 Hero Wrestling Bull Protome Facing Right and Bridled Horse Facing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: bull head and neck r., head turned to face the viewer, on the l. and behind half figure of the hero Thessalos1 to r. with l. arm over the bull's neck and r. hand below the bull's muzzle. All within border of dots.
Rev:[Λ]Α r. and upwards, head and neck of bridled horse r. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 460 - 440 BC2; Weight: 1.01g; Diameter: 11mm: Die axis: 180º; References, for example: Liampi Corpus p. 102, 6 (V4-R5), Pl. 4, 13 and 14; BCD Thessaly II 353.3; HGC 4, 480.

Notes:
1Considered the ancestor of all Thessalians. The figure is also sometimes considered to be Jason (of Jason and the Argonauts), who according to one tradition was the father of Thessalos (HGC 4, p. 132).
2This is the date given in HGC 4.

Provenance: Ex Numismatik-Naumann November 14, 2020.

Photo Credits: Numismatik-Naumann

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4 commentsTracy Aiello
Sextus_Pompey_Scylla.jpg
0004 Sextus Pompey -- Pharos and ScyllaSextus Pompey, Imperator and Prefect of the Fleet
[Youngest Son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great)]
Obv: MAG⦁PIVS⦁IMP⦁ITER; Pharos of Messana, Neptune on top standing r. with r. hand on a trident and l. hand on a rudder, resting l. foot on prow. Galley sailing l., aquila atop a tripod placed in prow and a scepter tied with a fillet in stern. Border of dots.
Rev: PRAEF⦁ORAE⦁MARIT⦁ET⦁CLAS⦁S⦁C [AEs and MAR ligatured]; Scylla attacking l. wielding a rudder in both hands, the torso of a nude woman with two fishtails and the foreparts of three dogs as the lower body. Border of dots.
Denomination: silver denarius; Mint: Sicily, uncertain location1; Date: summer 42 - summer 39 BC2; Weight: 3.566g; Diameter: 19.8mm; Die axis: 225º; References, for example: BMCRR v. II Sicily 20 variant3, Sydenham 1349 variant3; Crawford RRC 511/4d; Sear CRI 335b.

Notes:

Obverse legend: MAG[NUS]⦁PIVS⦁IMP[ERATOR]⦁ITER[UM]
Reverse legend: PRAEF[ECTUS]⦁ORAE⦁MARIT[IMAE]⦁ET⦁CLAS[SIS]⦁S[ENATUS]⦁C[ONSULTO]

1Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily, p.557 and Sear CRI, p. 203 suggest Messana as a possible mint location. DeRose Evans (1987), p. 124 hesitatingly suggests Mitylene (on the island of Lesbos).

2This is the date range suggested by Estiot 2006, p. 145, as she recommends going back to Crawford's proposal of 42 - 40 BC. Crawford RRC, p. 521 suggests the period in 42 BC after Sextus Pompey defeated Q. Salvidienus Rufus. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily, p.556 proposes 38 - 36 BC. Sydenham, p.211 follows Grueber. DeRose Evans (1987), p. 129 submits 35 BC.

3Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily 20 and Sydenham 1349 list MAR (ligatured) I but the coin here is clearly MAR (ligatured) IT. Neither Grueber nor Sydenham record MAR (ligatured) IT as part of this reverse legend for this coin type. Crawford and Sear do.

Provenance: Ex Forum Ancient Coins 15 January 2019; Nomos Obolos 10, 30 June 2018 Lot 349.

Photo credits: Forum Ancient Coins

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8 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Bull_Protome_and_Hero_L_Horse_Head_R.jpg
00041 Hero Wrestling Bull Protome Facing Left and Bridled Horse Facing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: bull head and neck l., head turned to face the viewer, on the r. and behind half figure of the hero Thessalos to l. with r. arm over the bull’s neck and l. hand below the bull’s muzzle. All within border of dots.
Rev: ΑΛ r. and upwards, head and neck of bridled horse r. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 460 - 440 BC; Weight: 1.03g; Diameter: 10.5mm: Die axis: 270º; References, for example: Liampi Corpus p. 102 no. 4b (V3-R3) for weight and die axis, pl. 4, 8 for depiction; SNG München 43; BCD Thessaly II 353.2; HGC 4 479.

Provenance: Ex CGB Numismatics January 2, 2023.

Photo Credits: CGB Numismatics

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4 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Horse_Prance_R_Larissa_L_Raise_R_Hand_Bounce_Ball.jpg
000411 Horse Prancing Right, Larissa Left Bouncing BallThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: horse prancing r. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Λ - Α (lower l. corner, upper r. corner) Larissa walking l. wearing Chiton, l. hand lowered behind her and bouncing a ball in front of her with raised r. hand. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 460 - 440 BC; Weight: .99g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 180º; References, for example: Imhoof-Blumer Nymphen: p. 69 no. 186 pl. V no. 18; Herrmann Group II b 𝛃 pl. I 16; Traité IV, 654 var. legend placement, Larissa r., pl. CCXCVI, 11; BCD Thessaly I 1111 (this coin); HGC 4 486.

Provenance: Ex. Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 124 Lot 111 June 23, 2021, from the collection of “A Man In Love With Art.”; Ex. BCD Thessaly Nomos AG Auction 4 Lot 1111 May 10, 2011; Ex. Leu Numismatik 50 Lot 127 April 25, 1990.

Photo Credits: Numismatica Ars Classica

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2 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Horse_R_Larissa_L_on_Hydra.jpg
0005 Horse Prancing Right, Larissa Seated Left on HydriaThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Ο𐌔 above, horse prancing r. on groundline. All within a border of dots.
Rev: ΛA above and l., PI𐌔A in front and down (retrograde), Larissa seated l. on overturned hydria with its mouth to the r. and one side handle facing viewer, l. hand on l. knee and r. hand extended, having kicked the ball to l. on ground.1 All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 460 - 400 BC2; ; Weight: .93g; Diameter: 12mm: Die axis: 90º; References, for example: Imhoof-Blummer p. 72, 200, pl. V, 30; Herrmann Group III F/G, IIIβ Obolen Reverse VII, pl. III, 11; SNG Cop 115; Liampi 1992, 8; SNG München 59; BCD Thessaly I 1115; BCD Thessaly II 164 and 363.1; HGC 4, 491.

Notes:
1Imhoof-Blumer and Herrmann both state that Larissa is binding her sandal while Liampi 1992 notes that she is either binding or loosening her sandal. There is no mention of kicking the ball. In my description I follow BCD Thessaly I, II, and HGC because I assume that Larissa would use two hands instead of one if she were either tightening or loosening her sandal.
2This date range encompases the dates expressed in my listed references.

Provenance: Ex. CNG Triton XXV January 11 - 12, 2022 Lot 177.

Photo Credits: CNG

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4 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Trihemiobol.jpg
0006 Rider and Larissa SeatedThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Rider on a horse prancing r. on groundline, holding a single spear transversally with petasos flying backwards and chlamys on his back, beneath horse's belly a lion's head facing r. Border of dots or small grains.1
Rev: The nymph Larissa2 seated r. on a chair with a back ending in a swan's head, r. hand resting on her lap or thigh and holding a phiale, l. arm raised with palm forward,3 Λ and Α above to l. and r. of head with R and Ι to r. of body turned 90º and downward, all within a shallow incuse square.
Denomination: silver trihemiobol; Mint: Larissa; Date: mid- to late 5th Century BC4; Weight: 1.28g5; Diameter: 13mm; Die axis: 60º; References, for example: BMC Thessaly p. 25, 13; Warren 687 var. No mention of lion's head; Weber 2838; Traité IV, 651, pl. CCXCVI, 9; Herrmann Group II, pl. I, 7; Boston MFA 875 var. no lion's head and reference to two spears; Lorber 2008 pl. 41, 5; BCD Thessaly II 154; HGC 4, 466.

Notes:
1Forrer, BCD Thessaly II, and Hoover refer to the border as composed of dots; Babelon refers to the border as composed of small grains.
2Herrmann does not associate the figure on the reverse with the nymph Larissa. Instead he refers to the figure as a "sitting male" and cites two examples from Berlin and Warren 687 as having the indication of beards (p.9). He declares that the meaning [interpretation] of the sitter cannot be determined, but he invites us to think of a deity (p. 11). Brett in Boston MFA follows Herrmann's interpretation.
3Forrer and BCD Thessaly II state that Larissa is holding a mirror, Hoover mentions only that the arm is raised, Babelon indicates that the left arm is raised with palm forward, and Herrmann describes the left hand as raised in an "adoring gesture". On the coin here the left hand clearly has the thumb separated from the rest of the fingers with the palm facing forward; there is no indication that the hand is holding anything. I wonder what the intention of the gesture could have been.
4Dates in the sources cited here run the gamut of the 5th Century BC. Herrmann: c. 500 - 479 BC; Babelon: c. 470 - 430 BC; HGC: c. 440 - 420 BC; Forrer: c. 430 - 400 BC. In light of Kagen (2004) and his belief that Herrmann's Group I ended c. 460 BC it seems appropriate to choose the date range specified in BCD Thessaly II.
5Herrmann argues that Group II was struck on the Persian weight standard. (He believed that the same held true for Group I). Kagan (2004) demonstrates that Larissain coinage was not struck on the Persian weight standard.

The city of Larissa was named after the local water nymph, said to be the daughter of Pelasgos. He was said to be the ancestor of the pre-Greek Pelasgians. According to myth Larissa drowned while playing ball on the banks of the Peneios river. (HGC 4 p. 130).

Provenance: Ex Nomos AG December 8, 2019.

Photo Credits: Nomos AG

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3 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Horse_Lion_Head_Larissa_and_Hydra.jpg
0007 Horse Prancing Right Lion’s Head Right, Lion’s Head Spout Right Larissa Right Balancing HydriaThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: horse prancing r., lion's head above facing r. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Λ-Α above l. to r., R-[I] in front and downwards, Larissa standing r. and balancing hydra on her raised l. knee, behind is a spout in the form of a lion's head from which pours water. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 440 - 420 BC1; Weight: .95g; Diameter: 11.5mm: Die axis: 0º; References, for example: BMC Thessaly p. 25, 15; Imhoof-Blumer Nymphen: p. 69 no. 184 pl. V no. 16; Herrmann Group II pl. I 14 and 15; McClean II 4600 var. horse standing, no mention of lion's head on obv.; SNG München 54 and 55 var. lion’s head on obv. interpreted as a Lotus flower; Lorber 2008 pl. 41, 6; BCD Thessaly II 358.1; HGC 4, 482 var. horse standing and no mention of water pouring from the lion's head spout.

Notes:
1This is the date given in HGC 4

Provenance: Ex Nomos Obolos 15 Webauction Lot 169 May 24, 2020.

Photo Credits: Nomos AG

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1 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Horse_Pance_L_Larissa_Carry_Hydra_Lion_Head_Fountain.jpg
00071 Horse Prancing Left Lion’s Head Left, Lion’s Head Spout Right Larissa Right Balancing HydriaThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: horse prancing l., lion’s head above facing l. [protruding tongue or stream of water?]. All within a border of dots.
Rev: [Λ]-Α above l. to r., R-I in front and downwards, Larissa standing r. and balancing hydra on her raised l. knee, behind is a spout in the form of a lion’s head from which pours water. All within incuse square.

Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 440 - 420 BC1; Weight: .95g; Diameter: 13 mm: Die axis: 270º; References, for example: Herrmann Group II b 𝛼, pl. I 13; BCD Thessaly I 1433.5 var. no lion’s head above horse; BCD Thessaly II 160; HGC 4 483.

Notes:
1This is the date given in HGC 4

Provenance: Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. December 10, 2023

Photo Credits: Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.

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2 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Horse_Prance_L_Larissa_R_w_Wreath___Ball.jpg
00092 Horse Prancing Left, Larissa Right with Wreath and BallThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa


Obv: Horse prancing l. on ground line. ΟΣ above with the Σ reversed. All within border of dots.
Rev: Larissa standing on ground line facing the viewer, head turned l. [viewer’s .r], wreath in raised l. hand and ball in lowered r. hand. On r. ΛΑ upwards, on l. ΡΙΣΑ downwards and retrograde. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: 420 - 400 BC1; Weight: .98g; Diameter: 12mm: Die axis: 330º; References, for example: Imhoof-Blummer p. 71, 193/pl. V, 25; Herrmann Group III Small Denominations under E, III 𝛂 Obols rev. II, pl. II, 20; BCD Thessaly II 364.3; HCG 495.

Notes:
1This is the date given in HGC 4.

Provenance: Ex. Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 123 May 9, 2021; Ex CNG e-sale 252, March 23, 2011 lot 46.

Photo Credits: Numismatica Ars Classica

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5 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Horse_Prance_L_Larissa_w_Wreath___Ball.jpg
00093 Horse Prancing Right, Larissa Left with Wreath and BallThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Horse prancing r. on ground line. Ο[𐌔] above. All within border of dots.
Rev: Larissa standing on ground line facing the viewer, head turned r. [viewer's l.], wreath in raised r. hand and ball in lowered l. hand. On l. and below an A, on r. and downward ΛΑΡΙ𐌔. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 420 - 400 BC1; Weight: 1.00g; Diameter: 13mm: Die axis: 0º; References, for example: BCD Thessaly II 363.3 and 364.1 [this coin]; HGC 4, 496.

Notes:
1This is the date given in HGC 4.

Provenance: Ex Dr. Martina Dieterle March 22, 2021; Ex BCD Thessaly, January 3, 2012.

Photo Credits: Dr. Martina Dieterle

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1 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Horse_L_Larissa_L_Hydra_In_Front.jpg
000931 Horse Prancing Left, Larissa Left With Hydra In Front On GroundThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv:horse prancing l. on groundline. 𐌔Ο above. All within border of dots.
Rev: ΛΑΡ r. and down, Ι𐌔Α l. and up, Larissa standing facing l., r. hand raised, l. hand lowered downward behind her and holding wreath, hydria standing on ground in front on l. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 420 - 400 BC1; Weight: .95g; Diameter: 14mm: Die axis: 160º; References, for example: Warren 694 var. legend and horse r.; Traité IV, 685 var. legend and horse r., pl. CCXCVII, 18; Boston MFA 883 var. legend and horse r., pl. 48, 883; Liampi 1992, 11 var. horse r.2; BCD Thessaly II 363.4 var. legend and horse r.; HGC 4 493 var. legend and horse r.

Notes:
1This is the date given in HGC 4.
2Liampi 1992 does not provide a legend with the reference.

Provenance: Ex. Numismatik Naumann Auction 106 Lot 148 August 1, 2021.

Photo Credits: Numismatik Naumann

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3 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Horse_Prance_L_with_Ball.jpg
00094 Horse Prancing Left, Larissa Playing With BallThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: horse prancing l. on ground line. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Larissa standing l., tossing a ball with her r. hand and pulling up her dress with her l. hand, ΛΑΡ r. and downwards, ΙΣΑ l. and downwards. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 420 - 400 BC1; Weight: 0.86g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 270º; References, for example: Traité IV, 679, pl. CCXCVII, 12 var. horse prancing r.; Hermann Group III Small Denominations under F and G, III β Obols rev. I, pl. III, 12; SNG Cop vol 11, 114; BCD Thessaly II 161; HGC 4, 499 var. legend is Λ-Α-Ρ-Ι.

Notes:
1This is the date given in HGC 4

Provenance: Ex London Ancient Coins November 14, 2020.

Photo Credits: London Ancient Coins

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2 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_AI_Signed.jpg
00095 Facing Head of Larissa - AI SignedThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Head of the nymph Larissa facing ¾ l., wearing ampyx with ΓΕΥ inscription (not visible)1, hair floating freely above head, tiny IA above top locks of hair (off of flan), prominent raised right shoulder2 (garment clasp visible?), spherical earring with bead pendant. Border of dots.
Rev: Horse crouching r., bucranium brand on haunch, forelegs spread, raised tail (off of flan), tiny AI under belly3, reign trails into exergue with exergue line sloping downward under horse's muzzle, ΛΑΡΙΣΑΙ directly below exergue line with ΣΑΙ breaking into that line.
Denomination: silver drachm; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 405/400 BC - c. 370 BC4; Weight: 6.11g; Diameter: 19mm; Die axis: 90º; References, for example: SNG Cop vol. 11, 126; Herrmann Group VII, Series I, Reverse II, pl. VI, 16 and 19; HGC 4, 434; Lorber - Shahar Group 3 Head Type 14 (O35/R2 - Sp. b, this very coin) = Florilegium Numismaticum Group One Head Type 11 with Reverse 21.2 - Sp. b (this very coin).

Notes:
1Lorber presumes that these letters are "...an abbreviated epithet of the nymph Larissa." (Lorber Early in FlorNum, p. 261).
2Lorber invites us to interpret this "distinctive gesture" as the nymph "...tossing her ball, an action regularly depicted on trihemiobols and obols of the fifth century." (Lorber Early in FlorNum, p. 262).
3Lorber understands these letters to be the signature of the mint's chief engraver, who replaced ΣΙΜΟ. See Lorber Early in FlorNum, p. 261.
4This is the date range provided in Lorber 2008, p. 126.

The city of Larissa was named after the local water nymph, said to be the daughter of Pelasgos. He was said to be the ancestor of the pre-Greek Pelasgians. According to myth Larissa drowned while playing ball on the banks of the Peneios river. (HGC 4 p. 130).

Provenance: Ex Shanna Schmidt Numismatics October 30, 2019; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 29, May 11, 2005, lot 176; Ex Numismatic Fine Arts Auction XXXIII, May 3, 1994, lot 929.

Photo credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics

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5 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Trihemiobol_Facing_Head_L_Horse_Rider_R.jpg
000993 Larissa ¾ Left, Rider on Horse Prancing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Head of the nymph Larissa 3/4 facing l., an ampyx in her hair, wearing a simple necklace and what looks like a single globule earring hanging from the bottom of the base of the last lock of hair on the r. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Thessalian cavalryman on prancing horse r., wearing chlamys and petasos. ΛAPI above l., Σ downwards in front of horse, AIΩN in exergue below the ground line.
Denomination: silver trihemiobol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. late 4th/early 3rd Century BC1; Weight: 1.38g; Diameter: 13.3mm: Die axis: 180º; References, for example: BMC Thessaly p. 30 nos. 69 and 70, pl. VI, no. 6; Weber 2855, pl. 110; McClean 4631, pl. on p. 173, no. 25; SNG Cop vol. 11, 134; SGCV I 2128; SNG Ashmolean 3890 and 3891; BCD Thessaly II 341; HGC 4, 515.

Notes:
1This is the date provided in BCD Thessaly II.

Provenance: Ex. Zuzim September 16, 2021.

Photo Credits: Zuzim

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3 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_Facing_Head_L_Horseman_R.jpg
0009931 Larissa ¾ Left, Rider on Horse Prancing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Head of the nymph Larissa 3/4 facing l., an ampyx in her hair, wearing a simple necklace, [a single globule earring hanging from the bottom of the base of the last lock of hair on the r]. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Thessalian cavalryman on prancing horse r., wearing chlamys and petasos. [Λ]API above l., [Σ] downwards in front of horse, [AIΩN] in exergue below the ground line.
Denomination: Obol (?); Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 395 - 344/3 BC1; Weight: 1.04g; Diameter: 11mm: Die axis: 180º; References, for example: Traité VI, 724, pl. CCXCIX, 12; Herrmann Group VII 1 Series B pl. VI, 1 var. mention of a whip and different legend orientation, although he allows for variations.

Notes:
1This is the date provided in Herrmann.

Provenance: Ex. Bermondsey Coins, December 26, 2023

Photo Credits: Bermondsey Coins

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5 commentsTracy Aiello
Larissa_Obol_3_Qtr_Facing_L_Horse_Grazing_R.jpg
000994 Larissa ¾ Left, Horse Grazing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: Head of the nymph Larissa 3/4 facing l., ampyx in her hair, wearing a simple necklace. All within a border of dots.
Rev: ΛΑΡΙΣ above, ΑΙΩΝ in exergue below the ground line, horse with straight legs grazing r.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: late 4th - early 3rd Century BC1; Weight: .70g; Diameter: 10.4mm: Die axis: 170º; References, for example: Herrmann Group VII Series B, pl. V, 192; McClean 4630, pl. on p. 173, no. 24; SNG Cop 135; SNG Ashmolean 3889; SNG München 77; BCD Thessaly II 344 var. with monogram, 385.6; HGC 4, 516.

Notes:
1This is the date provided in BCD Thessaly II.
2BCD Thessaly II 328 corrects Herrmann’s reference from a tritetartemorion to an obol.

Provenance: Ex. Ars Coin Wien, January 26, 2022.

Photo Credits: Ars Coin Wien

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Tracy Aiello
lepidus.jpg
001l3. LepidusM. Aemilius Lepidus. GAUL, Cabellio. 44-42 BC. AR Obol (10mm, 0.39 g, 10h). Head of Apollo right / Cornucopia within myrtle wreath. RPC I 528; Chabouillet 2544-9; SNG Copenhagen 684. CNG Auction 553, Lot 255.lawrence c
cleo~0.jpg
001p3. Cleopatra VII (?)Cleopatra VII (?)
AE10 (quarter obol). 13mm, 2.61 g. Paphos, Cyprus, struck circa 38-30 BC(?). Obv: Draped & diademed bust of Cleopatra VII right.
Rev: ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, double cornucopia. Svoronos 1160.

NOTE: This is a very controversial coin. Matthew Kreuzer. The Coinage System of Cleopatra VII and Augustus in Cyprus, argues that this coin was struck for Cleopatra VII. For a strong rebuttal, see Oliver D. Hoover at http://numismatics.org/magazine/cypruswinter05/. At the moment, the argument either way is unproven.

A FORUM coin.
lawrence c
1571377_1607291673_l.jpg
005a1. ClaudiusClaudius
EGYPT. Alexandria Ae Diobol. 25mm, 10.52 g. Obv: ΤΙΒ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙ ϹƐΒΑϹ ΓƐΡΜA. Laureate head right; star in front. Rev: ΑVΤΟΚΡΑ / L[B, Γ, Δ or Ϛ].
Bull butting right. RPC 5122 (for LB) & 5138 (for LΓ) & 5149 (for LΔ) & 5167 (for LϚ).
lawrence c
Ptolemy II AE27.JPG
02. Ptolemy II. AE27. Alexandria.AE27 Diobol. Alexandria mint.
Obv. Laureate head of Zeus right.
Rev. Eagle
Svoronos 576; Weiser 11; SNG Copenhagen 123

EF
1 commentsLordBest
LitraRoma.jpg
026/3 Litra or 1/8 ounceAnonymous. Æ Litra or 1/8 ounce. Rome. 234-231 BC. ( 3.43g, 15mm, 5h) Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right Rev: Horse rearing left, wearing bridle, bit, and reins; ROMA below.

Crawford 26/3; Sydenham 29 (Half-litra); Kestner 56-65; BMCRR Romano-Campanian 70-74 (Half-litra)

This coin is attributed as a Litra by Crawford, others define it as half-litra. However, it could be argued that "1/8 ounce piece" is the better description.

First of all, on litra and half-litra:

"According to Crawford, the weight standard of the series 26 litra and half litra are based on a litra of 3.375 grams . The half litra in Crawford is described as having a dog on the reverse rather than a horse, and the average weight of the half litra of several specimens is described as 1.65 grams. BMCRR does refer to these as half litrae; but keep in mind that Grueber was writing circa 1900 and based on older scholarship. Sydenham was writing in the 1950s. Of the three major works cited, Crawford is the most current and likely based on a greater number of more recent finds."

Andrew Mccabe:

"It's very doubtful to me that the word "litra" is correct. Much more likely, these small bronze coins were simply fractions of the Aes Grave cast coinage system, as they come in weights of 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 ounce, and the Aes Grave coinage generally had denominations from As down to Semuncia (1/2 ounce). So this coin would be 1/8 ounce coin. That's my view, which differs from their long term designation as "Litra", which presume them to be overvalued token bronze coinage on the Sicilian model, whereby bronze coins had value names that indicate a relationship to the silver coinage.

Litra, the word, is from the same stem as Libra, i.e. pound, would suggest a denomination of a (light) Sicilian pound of bronze, which sometimes equates in value to a small silver coin in Sicily weighing about 1/12 didrachm (about 0.6 grams) so by this definition, a Litra = an Obol. But it hardly stands up to scrutiny that such a tiny bronze coin, weighing 3.375 grams, could have been equivalent to a 0.6 gram silver obol. It would imply a massive overvaluation of bronze that just does not seem credible.

So. throw out the Litras, and call these coins 1/8 ounce pieces, and I think we have a sensible answer."

Paddy
729Hadrian_RIC589b.jpg
0260 Hadrian Sestertius Roma 119-21 AD Hadrian Reference.
BMC 1204. Cohen 1207; RIC II 589b; Banti 617; RIC 260

Bust A4

Obv. IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG P M TR P COS III
Laureate bare bust with drapery

Rev. PROVIDENTIA DEORVM / S C in field
Hadrian standing facing, his head turned to left, holding scroll in his left hand and raising his right towards eagle flying right in upper left field and bearing scepter in its claws.

27.14 gr
33 mm
6h

ex.
Nomos AG auction Obolos 6 Lot Lot 637
Auction 142 lot 2557 2005 Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung
Auction 73 lot 644 2004 Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH

Note. CNG
This fascinating reverse type is meant to emphasize the legitimacy of Hadrian's rule: Jupiter's symbol, the eagle, is bringing a sceptre to the emperor.
1 commentsokidoki
Athenian_Athena_Owl_Obol.jpg
03 Attica, Athenian ObolAthenian Later Archaic/Rough Archaic Obol1

Obv: head of Athena facing r., crested Attic helmet with three olive leaves and spiral palmette on bowl of the helmet, hair across forehead in straight bands, almond shaped eye.
Rev: owl standing r. with erect posture, tail feathers as a single prong, head facing forward, a single leaf olive sprig and berry to the l., A☉E at 90º and downward to the r., all within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Athens; Date: c. 454 - 404 BC2; Weight: .67g; Diameter: 9mm; Die axis: 110º; References, for example: BMC vol. 11, 99; SNG Cop vol. 14, 53 to 56, var. no mention of berry; Starr p. XXIII, aa; Cf. Svoronos Athens pl. 8, 43 - 46 and pl. 9, 33 - 34, 37 - 46; SGCV I 2530; Kroll 13a ff var. no mention of berry; SNG München 77 to 82; HGC 4, 1665 var. no mention of berry.

Notes:
1This characterization is per BMC vol. 11, pp. xxiii and 8.
2This is the date range given in HGC 4.

Provenance: Ex. Harlan J Berk Ltd 215th Buy or Bid Sale, May 4, 2021; acquired from Harlan Berk in 2013.

Photo Credits: Harlan J Berk, Ltd

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5 commentsTracy Aiello
032_Hadrianus_28117-138_A_D_292C_AE19_Hemiobol_of_Alexandria2C_Stag2C_L-IA_Year-112C_Milne_12352C_D_20232C_BMC_8542C_Q-0012C_0h2C_182C5-19mm2C_52C40g-s~0.jpg
032p Hadrianus (117-138 A.D.), Egypt, Alexandria, RPC III 5693, AE-Hemiobol, L/IA//--, Stag standing right, #1032p Hadrianus (117-138 A.D.), Egypt, Alexandria, RPC III 5693, AE-Hemiobol, L/IA//--, Stag standing right, #1
avers: AΥT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CEB, Laureate head right.
reverse: No legends, Stag standing right, L-IA.
exergue: L/IA//--, diameter: 18,5-19,0mm, weight: 5,4g, axis: 0h,
mint: Egypt, Alexandria, date: 126-127 A.D., Year (IA)11.,
ref:
RPC III 5693,
Emmet -IA,
Milne 1235,
Geissen 966,
Dattari 2023,
Kampmann-Ganschow 032.439,
Köln 0966,
BMC 0854,
SNG Copenhagen -,
Sear 3824
Q-001
1 commentsquadrans
037_Janos_Hunyadi,_AR-Obol,_Lion,_Patriarchal_cross,_B-I,_U-490b,_C2-158A,_H-622,_1447-1450_Q-001_h,_12,5mm,_g-s.jpg
037 János (Johannes or John) Hunyadi., Gubernator of Hungary, (1446-1453 A.D.) AR-Obulus, H-622, C2-158A, U-490.b., P-178-01, Patriarchal cross, B-I, #01037 János (Johannes or John) Hunyadi., Gubernator of Hungary, (1446-1453 A.D.) AR-Obulus, H-622, C2-158A, U-490.b., P-178-01, Patriarchal cross, B-I, #01
avers: Bohemian Lion with a crown advancing left in the circle, line border.
reverse: Patriarchal cross, in a circle, mint-mark on each side (B-I), border of dots.
exergue, mint mark: B/I//-- were strucked by Iohannes Münczer (by Pohl), diameter: 12,0mm, weight: 0,27g, axis: 0h,
mint: Hungary, Buda, date: 1447-1450 A.D. (by Pohl),
ref: Huszár-622, CNH-2-158A, Unger-490.b., Pohl-178-1,
Q-001
2 commentsquadrans
Athenian_Triobol.jpg
04 Attica, Athenian TriobolAthenian Pi-Style Triobol

Obv: head of Athena facing r., crested Attic helmet ornamented with olive leaves and a pi-style palmette, eye in profile.
Rev: owl standing facing; an olive branch coming down from above to the l. and r. with five or more leaves, [A☉Ǝ, with A above and ☉ lower l. and Ǝ lower r.].
Denomination: silver triobol (or hemidrachm); Mint: Athens; Date: c. 353 - 294 BC1; Weight: 2.015g; Diameter: 12.5mm; Die axis: 270º; References, for example: BMC vol. 11, 169; SNG Cop vol. 14, 68; Svoronos Athens pl. 21, 48; Kroll 19d; HGC 4, 1642.

Notes:
1This is the date range given in HGC 4.

Provenance: Ex. Forum Ancient Coins March 26, 2021, from the Errett Bishop collection (assembled from about 1960 - 1982).

Photo Credits: Forum Ancient Coins

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6 commentsTracy Aiello
Matyas-Hunyadi,_AR-Obulus,_H-707-B-I,_C2-229,_U-573b,_P-207-2,_Buda,1463_AD,_Q-001,_5h,_11mm,_0_22g-s.jpg
040 Mátyás Hunyadi., (Matthias Corvinus), King of Hungary, (1458-1490 A.D.) AR Obolus, H-707, C2-229, U-573.b., P-207-02, B/I//--, #01040 Mátyás Hunyadi., (Matthias Corvinus), King of Hungary, (1458-1490 A.D.) AR Obolus, H-707, C2-229, U-573.b., P-207-02, B/I//--, #01
avers: No legends. Two-part shield (Hungarian (Árpádian) stripes, a raven with ring), border of dots.
reverse: No legends. Cross, up and down crowns, mint-mark on each side (B-I), border of dots.
exergue, mint mark: B/I//--, diameter: 11,0mm, weight: 0,22g, axis: 5h,
mint: Hungary, Buda, (by Pohl), date: 1463 A.D.,
ref: Huszár-707, CNH-2-229, Unger-573-b., Pohl-207-02,
Q-001
1 commentsquadrans
585_Miletos.JPG
0585 Miletos - AR obollate 6th century BC
head of lion left
star ornament within incuse square
Grose 8210, SNGvA 2081, SNG Cop 944v, BMC 186. Sear #3533
1,1g 7,5mm
J. B.
Athenian_Hemiobol_Athena_and_Owl.jpg
06 Attica, Athenian HemiobolObv: Head of Athena r. wearing Attic helmet with three olive leaves, frontal eye.
Rev: Owl standing r., tail feathers as a single prong, head facing, olive leaf to l., A☉E at 90º and downward to the r., all within incuse square.
Denomination: silver hemiobol; Mint: Athens; Date: 454 - 404 BC: Weight: .35g; Diameter: 6mm; Die axis: 90º; References, for example: Starr Group V Subgroup V. B. Series 5 pl. XXIV, z [?]; Svoronos Athens pl. 11, 50; Kroll 14; HGC 4, 1681.

Provenance: Ex. Shanna Schmidt Numismatics January 8, 2023 from the J. de Wilde Collection; Ex. Herbert Cahn Collection (Numismatica Genevensis SA Numismatic Auction 7, 27 November 2012), lot 103 (part of).

Photo Credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics

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5 commentsTracy Aiello
athensfraction.jpg
1. Attica, Athens. 460-455 BC. (Most Likely an Eastern imitation)AR Obol.
obv: Helmeted head of Athena right
rev: Owl standing right, head facing, AQE to right, leaf to left.
Dino
byzweight501g_14_10_2mm.jpg
10 Oboloi weightdouble U (byzantine number 5)
10 Oboloi (1 obols = 0.55g)
5.01 g 14 by 10 by 2mm
wileyc
1412_Ptolemy_II_obol.jpg
1412 Ptolemy II - AE ObolAlexandria
264-256 BC
head of Alexander III right wearing elephant scalp headdress and aegis
eagle standing on lightning left, spread wings
ΠTOΛEMAIOY_ΒAΣIΛEΩΣ
A
Svornos 424
10,1g 24mm
ex Aurea
J. B.
AgrippinaObol.jpg
1aq Agrippina juniorMarried Claudius 49 AD

Diobol of Alexandria

Draped bust right, wreathed with corn, hair bound in plait behind, AGRIPPEINA CЄBACTH
Draped bust of Euthenia right, wreathed with corn, holding ears of corn, ЄYQH-NIA across fields, L-IB below

Milne 124

Agrippina the Younger, Julia Agrippina, or Agrippinilla (Little Agrippina) after 50 AD known as Julia Augusta Agrippina (c16 AD –59) was sister of Caligula, niece and fourth wife of Claudius and the mother of Nero. In 28, Tiberius arranged for Agrippina to marry her paternal second cousin Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus. Their only son was named Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, after Domitius’s recently deceased father. This child would become the Emperor Nero. In 39, Agrippina and her sister Livilla, with their maternal cousin, Drusilla’s widower, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, were involved in a failed plot to murder Caligula, and make Lepidus emperor. Lepidus was executed. Agrippina and Livilla were exiled by their brother to the Pontine Islands.

Suetonius says, "But it was Agrippina the Younger, his brother Germanicus’s daughter, who ensnared him, assisted by a niece’s privilege of exchanging kisses and endearments. At the next Senate meeting, he primed a group of Senators to propose that he ought to marry Agrippina, as it was in the public interest, and that such marriages between uncle and niece should from then on be regarded as lawful, and no longer incestuous. He married her (AD 49) with barely a day’s delay, but only one freedman and one leading centurion married their respective nieces, to follow suit. Claudius himself, with Agrippina, attended the centurion’s wedding."

The Euthenia reverse reminds one of "euthanasia." which is what some suspect she did to Claudius to elevate her son Nero to the purple.
Blindado
AR_Obol.jpg
2. ATTICA, Athens. Circa 454-404 BC. AR Obol (8.5mm, 0.66 g, 11h). Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig to left; all within incuse square. Kroll 13; HGC 4, 1665. VF, find patina, minor roughness.

CNG Auction 431, Lot: 178.
Dino
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