thenickelguy

Don't know why but Eqypt is my favorite old world. This thread is fascinating.

Absolutely awesome information. Thanks! This area of coin collecting is pretty deep. I feel a hook in my mouth. The study of the coins and the study of the history is bottomless.

My little Obol arrived today. So cool and tiny. I can't imagine that there are 5 smaller denominations that were struck in this Greek monetary structure. It looks just as good as I hoped.

Now bear with me (again) as I don't write these descriptions myself. This is the info given to me and the pictures as well from the seller with permission. I looked at 14 images on Wildwinds with this reverse and none had the mintmark like this one has. I'm not saying it is a rare variant, but it might be. I just don't know. It doesn't matter too much to me. I like it. I kind of like these coins in the rough with nice remaining detail. Maybe I'm like the guy who posts common wheat cents on the other sites with my coins asking a bunch of rookie questions? I don't know. You people are so polite and helpful, never putting down anyone's coins and I think that's great. A very nice place to be, encouraging new ancient collectors like me with our humble treasures. That given description here I believe it is accurate. No reason why it wouldn't be. Follis of Licinius I Jupiter, Antioch Mint. Natural Desert Patina. RARE Variant, R2 in RIC. Ancient Coins - Follis of Licinius I Jupiter, Antioch Mint. Natural Desert Patina. RARE Variant, R2 in RIC. Licinius I AE Follis of Antioch. 313-314 AD. IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG, laureate head right. PF AVG gets kind of lost at edge there. Jupiter standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, holding Victory on globe and leaning on sceptre, eagle with wreath in left field. I cannot make out the mintmark but I think I see the letters SHANTZ or SMANTZ in exergue, a big new word I just learned and am using for the first time. From mintmarks I can find that isn't one of them. _______________________ NOTE: From an informative post below via Heliodromus Thank you! The mintmark indicates the mint (city) the coin was made in and the "officina" (specific workshop/workgroup within the mint). It breaks down as S(acra) M(oneta) ANT(ioch) Z, in other words "sacred money, made in Antioch workshop Z". For eastern mints such as Antioch, greek letters are normally used to number the officinas, so here we have Z(eta) = 7. _______________________ The IOVI CONSERVATORI types are an important part of the history of Christendom, as they were struck immediately after the Edict of Milan (an agreement between Licinius I and Constantine I) which gave Christianity legal status and a reprieve from persecution. Eventually Licinius would renege on the agreement and the empire would be plunged into a civil war from which Constantine would emerge as victor. These coins were struck during the uneasy peace between the cousin kings. Jupiter is the special protector of Roman emperors. This is a very rare variant in the RIC sample, R2. The coin has a completely natural and attractive "desert" patina.

Hey I got one of those! I think my widows mite is a lepton since this is a prutah (which I did not know until now) and about twice the size. JUDAEA, Procurators. Antonius Felix. 52-59 AD in the names of Nero and Britannicus Caesars.Procurator was a title of certain officials in ancient Rome who were in charge of the financial affairs of a province, or imperial governor of a minor province.Jerusalem mint.Dated RY 14 of Claudius (54 CE).Obv. Two crossed shield and two spearsRev, Palm tree; L [IΔ] (date) across field.Meshorer 341; Hendin 1348; RPC I 4971.

Now I have to wonder, did I show a LEPTON or a PRUTAH? Is the wheel and anchor found on both?

I got this one from Finn too! Thanks (That's even your images and pretty much your specifics)

Attractive Crispus BEATA TRANQVILLITAS from the Trier Mint Crispus Altar and Globe A very attractive Fourth Century AD bronze struck for Crispus (317-326 AD) with sharp details, especially on Crispus' bust, and a nice brown patina. The lettering on the altar is weak, but everything else is crisp and clear. (Diameter: 19 mm. Weight: 2.46 grams) OB: Laureate and cuirassed left, spear in right hand, shield in left - IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES REV: Altar inscribed VO / TIS / XX surmounted by globe, three stars above - BEATA TRANQVILLITAS Struck at the Trier mint, this coin has the mint mark PTR dot and is attributed as RIC, Vol. VII, #347. I don't know how true this information is, I wasn't there . . . He was the first-born son of Constantine I. His mother Minervina was either a concubine or a first wife to Constantine. Nothing else is known about Minervina. Constantine I married Fausta, he kept Crispus at his side. Surviving sources are unanimous in declaring him a loving, trusting and protective father to his first son. Crispus was leader in victorious military operations against the Franks and the Alamanni in 318, 320 and 323. Thus he secured the continued Roman presence in the areas of Gaul and Germania. The soldiers adored him thanks to his strategic abilities and the victories to which he had led the Roman legions. Crispus spent the following years assisting Constantine in the war against by then hostile Licinius. In 324, Constantine appointed Crispus as the commander of his fleet which left the port of Piraeus to confront the rival fleet of Licinius. The subsequent Battle of the Hellespont was fought in at the straits of Bosporus. The 200 ships under the command of Crispus managed to utterly beat the enemy forces which were at least double in number. Thus Crispus achieved his most important and difficult victory which further established his reputation as a brilliant soldier and general. Crispus was the most likely choice for an heir to the throne at the time. His siblings Constantine II, Constantius II and Constans were far too young and knew very little on the tasks of an emperor. However, this would never come to be. Fausta, stepmother of Crispus, was extremely jealous of him. She was reportedly afraid that Constantine would put aside the sons she bore him. So, in order to get rid of Crispus, Fausta set him up. She reportedly told the young Caesar that she was in love with him and suggested an illegitimate love affair. Crispus denied the immoral wishes of Fausta and left the palace in a state of shock. Then Fausta said to Constantine that Crispus had no respect for his father, since the Caesar was in love with his father's own wife. She reported to Constantine that she dismissed him after his attempt to rape her. Constantine believed her and, true to his strong personality and short temper, executed his beloved son. A few months later, Constantine reportedly found out the whole truth and then killed Fausta. Fausta In 326, Crispus' life came to a sudden end on his father's orders. He was tried by a local court at Pola, Istria, condemned to death and executed. Soon afterwards, Constantine had his own wife, Fausta, killed. She was drowned in an over-heated bath.

Thanks for the "Like" Finn. I didn't forget that you gave this to me.

Alexander Jannaeus, c. 103-70 BC. He's an interesting and detestable individual, and a terrible Jew. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Jannaeus Anepigraphic widow's mite with the star and anchor. It's a bit rough, but you can see it clearly enough in hand.( anepigraphic meaning"without a legend or inscription" (on artifacts, coins, etc ) Mark 12:41 - 12:44 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Well, thank you very much Orange, does No 2. look to be a "contemporary copy" to you?

What a contemporary copy means exactly, I don't know? No 1. Tetricus I, Gallic emperor 271-274 IMP C TETRICVS PF AVG, Draped and radiate bust right PAX AVG, Pax holding olive branch and scepter RIC 100 Gaius Pius Esuvius Tetricus, (flourished 3rd century), rival Roman emperor in Gaul from 271 to 274. Tetricus was a Gallic noble related to the usurping ruler of Gaul, Victorinus, and to Victorinus’ mother, Victoria. Upon the murder of Victorinus, Tetricus, who was governor of Aquitania, was proclaimed emperor, apparently backed by the influence and money of Victoria. During his short and nominal reign, the monetary inflation of the 3rd century reached its peak. Gaul experienced extensive invasions by Germanic tribes, and Tetricus was threatened by successive mutinies. When the emperor Aurelian (reigned 270–275) appeared in Gaul with an army, Tetricus concluded a private treaty with him and then deserted to him during the Battle of Châlons-sur-Marne (274; now Châlons-en-Champagne, in France). Aurelian forced Tetricus to march in his triumph and then pardoned him and appointed him governor of southern Italy. No 2. Tetricus I, Gallic emperor 271-274 IMP C TETRICVS PF AVG, Draped and radiate bust right PAX AVG, Pax holding olive branch and scepter RIC 100 Very nice portrait with an attractive patina on a severely reduced flan. May be a very good quality contemporary copy. Tetricus I Emperor of the Gallic Empire reign 271–274 AD Gaius Pius Esuvius Tetricus, (flourished 3rd century), rival Roman emperor in Gaul from 271 to 274.

My other recent purchase. I had some fun leaning Greek denominations and what an obol was. PISIDIA. Selge 4th c BC obol gorgoneion/Athena astragalus PISIDIA. Selge. Ca. 4th century BC. AR obol (9mm, 0.9 gr 7h). NGC VF. Head of gorgoneion facing with flowing hair / Head of Athena right, wearing crested, winged Attic helmet; astragalus to left. Most resembles Sear 5473 Selge Pisidia AR Trihemiobol. ca 4th-3rd Century BC. Gorgoneion facing / head of Athena right, astragalos behind head. BMC 7; SNG von Aulock 5281; McLean 9015; Sear Greece 5473. The Gorgoneion features the head of the Gorgon Medusa, whose tragic tale is well-known in Greek mythology. Medusa was a Gorgon who was cursed by the Greek goddess Athena for being raped by Poseidon in her temple. The curse turned her, once a beautiful woman, into a hideous monster with snakes for hair and a stare that would instantly kill anyone who looked into her eyes. Medusa was slain by the Greek hero Perseus, who beheaded her while she slept and gifted her severed head to Athena. Even when completely severed from her body, Medusa’s head continued to turn anyone who gazed upon it into stone. I have seen Clash of the Titans (1981) movie a couple times. The best part was when Perseus cut off Medusa's head. Athena accepted the gift and placed it on her aegis (a goatskin shield). It’s said that the head protected Athena during many battles. Athena and Zeus, along with several other major Olympian deities are hardly ever depicted without the Gorgoneion. In this way, Medusa’s head eventually morphed into a symbol of protection.

None of this info came out of my hat, I found it elsewhere and hope it is accurate. I do like to add information rather than just post pictures. Antiochos VI Dionysos 145-142 BC Serratus (Bottlecap) Antioch mint Elephant on reverse Antiochos VI Dionysos (145-142), AE Serratus, Antioch mint. Av.: Radiate and diademed head right, crowned with ivy of Antiochus VI right Rv.: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ/ ANTIOXOY/ EΠΙΦΑNOYΣ∕ ΔΙΟNYΣOY, Elephant advancing left, holding torch in trunk. SC 2006. VF, Attractive desert patina Weight: 6.92 g. Antiochus VI Dionysus (c. 148–142/1 BC), king of the Hellenistic Seleucid kingdom. Antiochus VI did not actually rule. Either already in 145 or in early 144 BC he was nominated by the general Diodotus Tryphon as heir to the throne in opposition to Demetrius II. In c. 142/141 BC, the young king died. Some ancient authors make Diodotus Tryphon responsible for the death of the king, others write that he died during a surgery. Antioch on the side of the Orontes River, was a Hellenistic city. Its ruins lie near the current city of Antakya, Turkey, to which the ancient city lends its name. Antioch was founded near the end of the fourth century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals. The city's geographical, military, and economic location benefited its occupants, particularly such features as the spice trade, the Silk Road, and the Royal Road. It eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the Near East. The city was the capital of the Seleucid Empire until 63 BC, when the Romans took control, making it the seat of the governor of the province of Syria.

I'm goin with Donna, It's an antelope and I'm changing my description. I found out that Gamma is Γ. I can't make out the Gamma but I did always think I saw two thin horns pointing together to 1 o'clock position. It's a done deal. Thanks all.

I think I see an X on this and perhaps the faint antlers of a stag. I am back to thinking it is a stag? Oh deer ...

In a recent topic I started (and am not quite done with) titled Can anyone tell the difference between a stag and an antelope on Gallienus coin The last sentence I posted was "It brought me to a new question about dies but that is for another topic." It seems this new thread has addressed my question exactly! Thanks! I thought of how a particular coin design may have been introduced but how many different dies with the same specific information had to be made for the strikings. Each one being pretty much the same but since they were individually made, there were obviously going to be differences in positioning of legend, size of lettering and ruler or deity busts and also the differences in subjects and figures. Same coin, different die. Ah-ha!

I appreciate the update too! Kind of you both to take the time and post.

You are the best! Thank you!

I have a friend who lost the paper that identified his coin. Can somebody help me to help him? I tried but give up. Thanks

Thank you all so much. Turned out to be a very educational post. DonnaML I do believe you have confirmed my suspicion that I have an antelope, the same as the first one you posted. I am going to dig it out and turn it in hand, maybe I'll see a faint Γ there on the reverse. The animal is positioned the same. Rear leg, back and tail look almost exact. It brought me to a new question about dies but that is for another topic.

What did she say? Yes dear, or no dear?

I bought this as a stag walking left but looking at all the Gallienus coins on Wildwinds with something walking left this looks more like the example they show in this image. Do you think I have that one? All the lettering seems to line up better, the antelope head is more level where the stags seem to be looking more upward. The butt of the animal looks the same. The bust of Gallienus looks almost exact. Here's mine ~ Thank you!

Haha! What a coincidence, A bird in hand is worth two on the forum.

The coins posted here are beautiful. Now you guys and gals know I'm a rookie at this stuff. I saw the title "Share a Seleucid" and said hmmmmm? What's a Seleucid? It rang a bell but I had to look it up. I learned The Seleucid Empire was a Greek state in Western Asia that existed during the Hellenistic Period from 312 BC to 63 BC. OK, so I find that I do have a Seleucid. I like it but it isn't mint state. I like the desert patina with a cameo effect on my heavily worn Antiochus VIII with an Eagle on the reverse 125-96 BC