Jeremy

A new Herakles from Maeonia in Lydia to complement the bearded one from Sala that I had. I got away from modern collecting a long time ago, but here I am collecting sets again! Lydia, Sala, Pseudo-autonomous Æ 1/3 assarion Circa 2nd - 3rd century AD Obverse: Bearded, laureate head of Herakles right. Reverse: СΑΛΗ-ΝΩΝ; Grape bunch on vine. References: SNG von Aulock -; SNG Cop 433-4; BMC 24; GRPC Lydia 35; Lindgren & Kovacs 798. Size: 15mm Weight: 2.18g Die axis: 11h Lydia, Maeonia, Pseudo-autonomous issue, possibly Time of Hadrian, Æ 15 mm 117-138 AD Obverse: Laureate and draped bust of Herakles right. Reverse: ΜΑΙΟΝΩΝ; Club and bow in bowcase, bee above. References: RPC III 2428; SNG Copenhagen 217; SNG von Aulock 3008. Size: 15 mm Weight: 1.92 g

I believe these are the only coins in my collection with a reverse die match. They were struck in Alexandria Troas in Asia Minor between 251 and 253 AD under the rule of Roman emperor Trebonianus Gallus. The Tyche obverse is significantly rarer (2 examples in RPC) than the obverse with the emperor's bust (11 specimens in RPC). The turreted head of Tyche represents a city and its fortune. The reverse shows an interesting mythological scene - a reconciliation between Apollo Smintheus (Apollo, Lord of mice, essentially) and Krinis, his high priest, in the company of a herdsman named Ordes. Apollo has presumably quelled the plague of mice he previously set loose on crops in revenge for some affront by Krinis. In the upper field appears a small, pierced animal, described as "uncertain animal" in the references, but quite possibly a mouse. I don't have the resources to dig into the underlying myth, so I can't tell you if the animal is supposed to be a mouse or not. It certainly looks like one in example #2, though. Troas, Alexandria, Pseudo-autonomous, Time of Trebonianus Gallus Æ 251-253 AD Obverse: CO ALEX TRO; Turreted and draped bust of Tyche right; vexillum to left. Reverse: COL AVG / TROAD; Apollo, nude to the waist, seated left, holding arrows with his extended right hand, his left hand rests on seat; to left, the priest Krinis, nude to the waist, seated right; at his feet, forepart of hound sniffing the ground; between Apollo and Krinis, the herdsman Ordes standing right, holding pedum; above, uncertain animal pierced by arrow. References: RPC IX 473 (2 specimens) var. (obv. legend); Bellinger A481. 24mm; 6.70g Troas, Alexandria, Pseudo-autonomous, Time of Trebonianus Gallus Æ 251-253 AD Obverse: IMP VIB TREB GALLVS AV; Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Reverse: COL AVG / TROAD; Apollo, nude to the waist, seated left, holding arrows with his extended right hand, his left hand rests on seat; to left, the priest Krinis, nude to the waist, seated right; at his feet, forepart of hound sniffing the ground; between Apollo and Krinis, the herdsman Ordes standing right, holding pedum; above, uncertain animal pierced by arrow. References: RPC IX 413 (11 specimens); Bellinger A402; A.R. Bellinger, "The Late Bronze of Alexandria Troas," ANSMN 8 (1958), Type 20, pl. VII, 20; SNG Hunter 1289. 24 mm; 7.5g I was impressed by the animated GIFs shard by @Ryro and @Deinomenid so I attempted a couple of my own. Does it look like a mouse to you?

Do you have two or more coins struck from the same die(s) that demonstrate a dramatic change in die condition? Please share comparison photos that include die wear, faults, and other forms of degradation!

Very interesting! I'd love to visit Chios and try it someday. Here's a large 3 assaria coin from Chios. It's a rare case where the denomination is spelled out in the coin. Islands off Ionia, Chios, Pseudo-autonomous issue, time of Trajan to Hadrian, 3 assaria 98-138 AD Obverse: ΤΡΙΑ / ΑCCΑΡΙΑ; Sphinx seated right on plain exergual line, lifting right forepaw over prow of galley. Reverse: Χ-Ι/Ω-Ν; Apollo and Dionysos standing facing on either side of altar on plain exergual line. Apollo, on left, holding phiale in right hand and resting left hand on hip, and Dionysos, on right, pouring libation from kantharos (or plemochoe?) in right hand. References: Mavrogordato 106 ; RPC III 1901 . 30mm; 4.80g

I can see how it would be difficult to pare down the list - they're all gorgeous examples. I'm drawn to the Hadrian travel series denarii - all of them are top-notch. Congrats on a successful year of collecting!

Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!

Lots of beautiful coins here! It's hard to pick a favorite. I'm rather fond of this tortoise stater from Aegina. Islands off Attica, Aegina AR stater Circa 456/45-431 BC Obverse: Tortoise with segmented shell. Reverse: Incuse square with skew pattern. References: Milbank pl. 2, 12. SNG Copenhagen 516ii. SNG Delepierre 1836; Dewing 1683; ACGC 127.

Thank you for the attribution help, @shanxi and @seth77! I didn't see "ϹƐΒΑ" (Sebastos) at the end of the obverse legend in #2. I'm glad to have confirmation of the later date of issue and the correct references now 🙂

These bronze coins of Nero were both struck in the Lydian city of Thyateira (present day Akhisar, Türkiye). The city possessed one of the seven churches in Asia Minor and was well known for its purple dye made from marine snails. The coins are the same size, have the same legends, but feature two notably different likenesses of Nero. The refined hairstyle, broader facial profile, and assertive pose in the second example lead me to think that Nero is older in that example than the first. The reverses show a labrys, a double-sided axe associated with Tyrimnos, a Lydian sun-god who was conflated by the Greeks with Apollo. Does anyone have a coin from Thyatiera struck under Nero you'd like to share? Lydia, Thyateira, Nero, Æ 17 mm 54-68 AD Obverse: NEΡΩN KΛAYΔIOC KAICAP ΓEP; Bareheaded bust of youthful Nero right. Reverse: ΘYATEIPHNΩN; Labrys. References: RPC I, 2381; SNG von Aulock 4268; SNG Copenhagen 595; BMC 58. 17 mm; 3.1 and 2.6 grams

Beautiful group of coins @Salomons Cat! They also illustrate the life of Commodus in an interesting way. Congrats!

Sorry that happened! At the end of the day, your results are better than the coin turning to dust, figuratively speaking. It's still an attractive coin. The exposed metal should darken over the years. I've had this result in coins I've treated where bronze disease underlaid the patina (sometimes completely). In one memorable case this was so bad the shiny black patina would flake off completely with light fingernail pressure. Now, I try to examine the edges of the coin before buying (as best I can from auction photos) to see if there's patina loss. It usually happens there first, which can be a symptom of deeper BD problems.

Your photos are amazing - well done! It sounds like you had a great trip. I'll be visiting Athens and Naxos in a couple of months and can't wait.

I just listed this beautiful sestertius of Commodus in the cabinet 🙂

Thanks, I appreciate it!

If anyone is looking for one of these types, I posted them to the cabinet yesterday: In the coming days and weeks I'll be listing the remainder of my Roman tray (the nicest examples I held onto through past sell-offs) and continuing to refocus my collecting efforts on Greek and Roman provincial issues. They make up the bulk of my collection at this point. Parting with my Romans is bittersweet - the sweet part is that their sale will help fund my wedding in a couple of months 🙂

Very interesting coin! It's the first of its type that I've seen. I think your Glykon identification is correct. Here's one from Marcianopolis - Glykon has the typical beard, but also a mammalian snout. Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, Macrinus with Diadumenian, Æ Pentassarion 217-218 AD Pontianus, legatus consularis. Obverse: AVT K OΠEΛ CEV MAKPEINOC K M OΠEΛ ANTΩNEINOC; Confronted heads of Macrinus, laureate, and Diadumenian, bare-headed. Reverse: VΠ ΠONTIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛEITΩN; Serpent Glykon coiled right; E (mark of value) in field to left. References: Varbanov 1286 var. (obv. legend). 27mm; 11.39 g

Your auctions are very well managed and I've enjoyed participating as both a consignor and a buyer in the past!

Beautiful collection of coins!

I highly recommend Google Keep, a free note-taking app that also does a nice job as a coin catalog. It's easy to use, always works, and can be accessed through a smartphone app and/or a web browser. It allows you to tag or "label" each coin entry so you can easily classify and filter your collection using a schema that you create. It has search, allows you to add images to each entry, and doesn't have a problem rendering ancient Greek text. It won't give you data insights on your whole collection like Excel, but it's a solid tool for anyone with basic cataloging needs. Screenshots: Main screen (newest entries at top) Viewing coin details after tapping on an item: Sorting by tags/labels - these can be tailored to your collecting style. Viewing results that contain the label "Macedon"

Nice coins! It's interesting to see all the varieties - you definitely should write that book. You have quite a collection.

Congrats on picking up such an amazing group of coins!

I was wondering who bought the Zeus Ammon tessera - it's an amazing piece! Have you been able to find any references for your tessera, or deduce what the winged object is? Mine seems to be unpublished and I'm curious if that's the case for yours as well.

Thank you, Donna! You're absolutely right - I had misattributed this. It's actually RPC III 3105, and coincidentally my coin is the feature image in RPC for that number ☺️

The obverse of this Roman provincial coin from Moesia Superior probably has the longest legend of any coin in my collection at 36 characters. I thought it was a lot until I saw 62 characters in the example above! 😮 Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, Macrinus with Diadumenian, Æ Pentassarion 217-218 AD Pontianus, legatus consularis. Obverse: AVT K OΠEΛ CEV MAKPEINOC K M OΠEΛ ANTΩNEINOC; Confronted heads of Macrinus, laureate, and Diadumenian, bare-headed. Reverse: VΠ ΠONTIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛEITΩN; Serpent Glykon coiled right; E (mark of value) in field to left. References: Varbanov 1286 var. (obv. legend). 27mm; 11.39 g

I’m staying inside today as a blizzard sweeps across Minnesota and using the opportunity to pull together my top 12 of 2022. A top 12 because I’ve given up trying to pare down the list to 10 🙂 In the last year I found myself buying more Greek and Roman provincial coins, and less Roman imperial coins than in the past. Provincials have been a fun area to collect, since they combine the artistry and mythological themes of Greek coins with high quality, stately portraits of Roman emperors and empresses. I haven’t had much time lately to post on the forum, but I have been lurking regularly and admiring the nice coins and expansive knowledge that everyone contributes. I hope that 2023 brings you good health, happiness, and lots of coins from your wish list. In no particular order, my top 12 of 2022: 12. Cilicia, Tarsos AR Stater Balakros, satrap of Cilicia under Alexander III Circa 333-323 BC or 330 to 323 BC Obverse: Baaltars seated left, holding lotus-tipped sceptre, grain ear and grape bunch to left, Σ under throne. Reverse: Facing bust of Athena, draped, wearing triple-crested helmet and necklace. References: SNG Levante Suppl. 21; SNG France 368; SNG von Aulock 5964. 24mm; 10.88g 11. Caria, Rhodes, Uncertain reign Æ 33 mm 31 BC - 60 AD Epikrates, magistrate Obverse: Radiate head of Dionysos left, wearing ivy wreath. Reverse: PΩΔΙΩΝ ΕΠΙ ΕΠΙΚΡΑΤΕΥϹ; Nike standing left on rose, holding aphlaston and palm. References: RPC I 2762; SNG von Aulock 2849. 33mm; 26.89g A large, scarce bronze with an anepigraphic obverse that I was drawn to. 10 Troas, Alexandria, Pseudo-autonomous, Time of Trebonianus Gallus Æ 24mm 251-253 AD Obverse: CO ALEX TRO; Turreted and draped bust of Tyche right; vexillum to left. Reverse: COL AVG / TROAD; Apollo, nude to the waist, seated left, holding arrows with his extended right hand, his left hand rests on seat; to left, the priest Krinis, nude to the waist, seated right; at his feet, forepart of hound sniffing the ground; between Apollo and Krinis, the herdsman Orodes standing right, holding pedum; above, animal (likely a mouse) pierced by arrow. References: RPC IX 473 (2 specimens) var. (obv. legend); Bellinger A481. 24mm; 6.70g An extremely rare mythological type depicting a scene with Apollo Smintheus, a manifestation of Apollo translating to 'Apollo, Lord of Mice'. Apollo Smintheus is mentioned in the very begging of the Iliad, where he unleashes a plague on Agamemnon for kidnapping the daughter of his priest, Chryses. 9. Cappadocia, Caesarea-Eusebeia, Hadrian AR didrachm 117-138 AD Struck 128-138 AD Obverse: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟC CEBACTOC; Laureate head right. Reverse: Rev.ΥΠΑΤΟC Γ ΠΑΤΗΡ ΠΑΤ; Club flanked by star and crescent. References: Metcalf 101; Sydenham 282. 22mm; 6.01g 8. Pamphylia, Side AR tetradrachm Circa 205-100 BC St-, magistrate Obverse: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet. Reverse: Nike advancing left, holding wreath; to left, pomegranate above ΣΤ monogram. References: SNG France 710-12. 29mm; 16.89g 7. Metapontum AR Stater/Nomos Circa 540-510 BC Obverse: META upwards on right, ear of barley with eight grains, border of dots within two concentric linear circles. Reverse: Incuse ear of barley with eight grains, rayed border. References: Noe Class VI, 125 (same dies); SNG ANS 215; HN Italy 1479. 28mm; 8.12g From an old English collection with dark cabinet toning. 6. Pisidia, Cremna, Tranquillina (wife of Gordian III) Æ 25mm 238-244 AD Obverse: SAB TRANQVILLINAM AVGVS[TAM]; Draped bust of Tranquillina right, wearing stephane, crescent behind. Reverse: COL CREM - N - E - NSIVM; The Three Graces, arm in arm, the one on the left and right each holding a flower. References: SNG von Aulock, Pisidien II, 1423; SNG Paris 1512. 25mm; 12.11g 5. Asia Minor, uncertain, Antinoüs lead Tessera Antinoüs died 130 AD Obverse: Bare-headed, heroic nude three-quarter bust of Antinoüs to left. Reverse: Engraved chequer pattern. References: Blum -. Pudill -. Apparently unpublished and unique. 37mm; 55.3g A huge lead tessera I picked up in a Leu Numismatik auction. It’s so big that it even contends with my Ptolemy III tetrobol as the largest object in my collection. I haven’t seen another lead tessera with as nice of a depiction of Antinoüs. 4. Pamphylia, Aspendos AR stater Circa 380-325 BC Obverse: Two wrestlers grappling; ΣK between. Reverse: EΣTFEΔIIYΣ; Slinger in throwing stance right; triskeles to right; all within pelleted square border; c/m: wolf running to right within rectangular incuse. References: Tekin Series 4; SNG BnF 107; for c/m, Tekin, Aspendos Sikkeleri, 28. I had the opportunity to upgrade my old Aspendos stater with this one. It has so much luster it’s hard to photograph. 3. Thrace, Pautalia, Septimius Severus Æ 27mm 193-217 AD Obverse: AVT Λ CЄΠTI CЄVHPOC ΠЄ; Laureate head right. Reverse: OVΛΠIAC ΠAVTAΛIAC; The serpent Glykon coiled with four coils, with radiate head right and with fish-like tail. References: Ruzicka, Pautalia, 396; Varbanov 4806 var. (obverse legend) 29mm; 13.34g One of two coins I added to my Glykon subcollection this year (both from Pautalia in Thrace). 2.Thrace, Pautalia, Caracalla Æ 30mm 198-217 AD Obverse: AYT K M AY CEY ANTΩNEINOC; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right, seen from the front with aegis. Reverse: OYΛΠIAC ΠAYTAΛIAC; Asklepios cradling serpent-entwined staff, reclining left, head right, on winged, coiled, and bearded Glycon flying right. References: Varbanov 5007; Moushmov 4235; Ruzicka 618. 30mm; 18.94g This massive coin depicts the Greek god of healing riding Glykon, an “incarnation” of Asklepios that was invented by a schemer named Alexander of Abonoteichos. Glykon was a huge, live snake adorned with a beard, humanoid face mask, and a fish-like tail. The cult of Glykon grew into an influential cult in the Roman Empire. 1. Ptolemaic Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter AR tetradrachm 305/4-282 BC Struck in Alexandria, 294 BC Signed 'Delta' tetradrachm Obverse: Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck; Δ behind ear, dotted border. Reverse: ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ; Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; P above ΠA monogram in left field. References: CPE 154; Svoronos 256. 28mm; 14.10g A Ptolemy I tetradrachm signed by the famous Delta engraver behind Ptolemy's ear.