Phil Anthos

Drink to Dionysus! Taras, Calabria 272-240/35 BC AR Obol (11mm, 0.35g) O: Kantharos, 5 pellets around, within dotted border. R: Bucranium. D'Andrea XLIV, 1505; Vlasto 1615-17; Cote 446; SNG France 2201; HN Italy 918 Scarce From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection. ex Naville Numismatics

I can't get the image to open on ominus' coin, but here's one that's probably similar... Neapolis, Campania 270-240 BC AE19 (19mm, 5.38g) O: Laureate head of Apollo left; NEOΠOΛITΩN before, Ξ behind. R: Man headed bull right, crowned by Nike flying right; IΣ below. Graziano 423; MSP I, 363; Sambon 672; SNG ANS 477; Hands Type IV; HN Italy 589; Sear 557 ex Ancient Imports “I will remember and not forget far-shooting Apollo. Gods tremble as he approaches the home of Zeus: All rise from their seats as he draws near when he stretches his gleaming bow… … How to praise you, celebrated in so many hymns? Phoibos, the range of songs for you spreads over all the islands and lands that feed calves. All high places please you, from the mountain headlands, to the rivers that flow seaward, and the rugged banks sloping to the sea and harbor.” ~ Homeric Hymn to Apollo (Diane Rayor translation)

After years of struggling with the locals, and with pressures mounting from the upstart Romans to the north Taras calls in yet another king from Greece, Pyrrhus. He brings his elephants and makes a treaty with the Samnites, then beats the Romans from the battlefield twice. In doing so he loses too many men to prosecute the war, so he breaks his treaty and leaves the Samnites to their fate, then buggers off to Syracuse to work on the second phase of his world domination scheme. This doesn't play out very well so he scarpers again, back to Taras. By this time the Tarantines, who have had to diminish the monetary standard to pay for this mediocre military performance, are no longer impressed. So he heads back to Greece where a little old lady beans him in the melon with a roof tile and he dies. The end. Taras, Calabria 281-276 BC (Period VI - From Kleonymos to Pyrrhus) AR Didrachm (20mm, 7.68g) Nikon magistrate. O: Naked ephebe vaulting from horse galloping left, holding javelin and small shield in left hand; EY above, [NI]KΩN (magistrate) below. R: Phalanthos astride dolphin left, holding ear of grain; API to left, TAPAΣ to right, spearhead below. D'Andrea XLI, 996; Vlasto 703; Evans VI, E2; Cote 342; SNG ANS 1077-78; HGC I, 817; HN Italy 969 ex John Jencek The didrachm was reduced from c. 7.5g to c. 6.5g after 276 to help pay for Pyrrhus' campaigns against the Romans. However the spearhead on the reverse is in this context definitely an Epirote symbol, likely making this one of the last coins struck on the old standard. Syracuse, Reign of Pyrrhus 278-276 BC AE24 (23.2mm, 10.505g, 285o) O: Head of Herakles left, clad in lion-skin headdress; club behind, ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ before. R: Athena Promachos advancing right, hurling javelin and holding shield; wreath behind. HGC 2, 1450; Calciati II p. 324, 177; SNG ANS 847; SNG Cop 809-814; Sear 1213 ex Forvm Ancient Coins Taras, Calabria 276-272 BC (Period VII - The Pyrrhic Hegemony) AR Didrachm (19mm, 6.34g) Sostratos magistrate. O: Warrior on horseback right, holding shield and spears in left hand and thrusting spear downward with right; [E]Y behind, ΣΩΣTP - ATOΣ (magistrate) in two lines below. R: Taras riding dolphin left, holding cornucopia in left hand and Nike with laurel wreath in right; ΠOΛY to left, thunderbolt to right, T-APA[Σ] below. D'Andrea XLI, 1186; Vlasto 714; Evans VII, A2; Cote 371-72; SNG ANS 1084-85; HGC I, 883; SNG Cop 874; HN Italy 1001 ex CNG As the leading Greek city in Magna Graecia Taras was foremost in resisting Roman influence during the third century, forming an alliance with Metapontum and later supporting Pyrrhus of Epirus in his war against Rome from 281-275 BC, the period of this coin. It was during this time that the standard was reduced to c. 6.5g, and with its distinctly Epirote thunderbolt symbol this specimen represents one of the earliest 'light' didrachms. The Pyrrhic Dance

Here's an MFB from Nola... Nola, Campania 395-385 BC AR Didrachm (21mm, 6.56g) O: Diademed head of nymph right. R: Man-faced bull walking left; Nike flying left above, placing wreath on bull's head, ΝΟΛAI[…] in ex. Rutter 17; cf Sambon 806; cf HGC I, 493; HN Italy 605 ex Marc Walter Ancient Coins Nola was located about 15 miles northeast of Neapolis, in a fertile region between the coast and the Appenine Mountains. The city still survives to this day, but very little is left of the ancient polis. Nola is known as the city in which Augustus died in 14 AD. Their coins are nearly identical to those of Neapolis and nearby Hyria, and in fact may actually have been struck in the former city. Another, this one from Hyria... Hyria, Campania 400-335 BC AR Didrachm (21mm, 7.33g) O: Head of Athena right, wearing wreathed Attic helmet decorated with an owl. R: Man-headed bull walking right; YDIN[A] above. Rutter 69 (O32/R??); SNG ANS 255; HGC I, 435; HN Italy 539; Sear 294v (bull left) ex Den of Antiquity An historically obscure city in southern Campania, Hyria may have been located approximately 25 miles east of Mt. Vesuvius. It's site was likely an old Samnite settlement, and in fact the ethnic on the reverse of these didrachms is often inscribed in Oscan. However Imhoof-Blumer believed that these coins, along with those of neighboring Nola, may actually have been struck at Neapolis. This is suggested by die comparisons, and the man-headed bull device seemingly adds weight to the argument.

Nice didrachm! I had to double check the ethnic, the portrait looks very similar to an issue from Nola. Here's a Neapolitan MFB with a very different portrait... Neapolis, Campania 275-250 BC AR Didrachm (20mm, 6.92g) O: Diademed head of the nymph Parthenope left, wearing triple earring; poppy head behind. R: Man-faced bull standing right; Nike flying right above, crowning bull; IΣ below, [N]EAΠOΛITΩ[N] in ex. Sambon 510; HN Italy 586; SNG ANS 400; Hands Class VI; Sear 309v (eagle head) ex Numisantique The Greek colony on what is now known as the Bay of Naples was one of the earliest in Italy, originally established by settlers from Euboea, and possibly named Parthenope after the local Nymph. The city was later re-founded nearby and renamed Neapolis, or ‘New City’. Its proximity to Rome brought Italian customs to the colony, while conversely bringing a heavy Greek influence to the Romans. It is not surprising then that Neapolis was one of the first Greek colonies to ally itself with Rome near the end of the fourth century BC, and was instrumental in repelling Hannibal a hundred years later.

Argos, Argolis circa 3rd century BC AR Triobol (15mm, 2.25g) O: Forepart of wolf left. R: Large A, eagle standing right on thunderbolt beneath; IP-EΩ-NO-Σ (Hieronos, magistrate) in corners, all within shallow incuse square. SNG Cop 42; BCD Peloponnesos 1177; SNG Delepierre 2273; Sear 2795v ex Empire Coins The origins of Argos are pre-Mycenaean, making it one of the most ancient cities in Greece. Argos played a prominent role in The Iliad, being claimed by Hera as "one of the three cities dearest to Me". While they did supply ships and soldiers (including the hero Diomedes) for Agamemnon's war with Troy, Argos later remained neutral during the Graeco-Persian wars. And though ostensibly allied with Athens during her war with Sparta at the end of the 5th century BC, Argos was basically a non-participant. Recent speculation dates this coin to the time of Cleopatra VII and may in fact have been issued by her. I remain skeptical, however it is an interesting theory.

Metapontum, Lucania 225-200 BC AE17 (17.5mm, 6.13g) O: Head of Leukippos right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with running wolf. R: Demeter standing facing, holding long crossed torch in right hand, left hand on hip; META to right. Johnson Bronze 66; SNG ANS 561; SNG Cop 2249; HGC I, 1099; HN Italy 1702 ex Pavlos Palou

Macedonian Kingdom, Reign of Alexander III 336-323 BC AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 17.01g) O: Head of Alexander as Herakles right, clad in lion's skin headdress. R: Zeus seated left on backless throne, holding eagle and sceptre, his legs parallel; eagle's head facing left in field to left, AΛEΞANΔPOY behind. Amphipolis mint (lifetime issue). Price 51; Sear 6713v; C. 4952 ex Jack H. Beymer

The only appropriate image I could come up with for today...

I hope the weather cooperates with all of you fortunate enough to be in the path of totality today. Having been in Salem Oregon in 2017 I can say it was one of the most moving events of my life! I had friends in Portland tell me "oh we got 80%, it was really cool". No, NOT the same. So if you have the opportunity go see it. Any inconvenience will fade in a few days, but this is an experience you will never forget. It ain't cgi, it's the real universe putting on one hell of a show! ~ Peter

Velia, Lucania 535-480 BC AR Obol (8mm, 0.61g) O: Forepart of lion right, tearing at stag's leg. R: Irregular incuse square. Williams 34-35; SNG ANS 1221; HN Italy 1261; HGC I, 1337v (lion left) Rare ex LAC A fine example of late archaic art, this is now the oldest coin in my collection.

Corinthian helmet... Taras, Calabria 272-240/35 BC AR Diobol (11.5mm, 0.85g) O: Head of Athena left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet. R: Herakles kneeling left on back of Nemean lion and holding him by the tail, about to beat lion with club held overhead; owl below. D'Andrea XLIV, 1458; D'Andrea Diobols 258; Vlasto 1431; cf McGill II, 180; SNG ANS 1463; SNG France 2129; SNG ANS 1463; HN Italy 1065 ex Eukratides Ancient Numismatics Here we see Herakles, having strangled the Nemean lion into submission, about to deliver the decisive blow. His knee is on its back and he has the lion by the tail, club raised to bash the life out of the beast.

Kroton, Bruttium 525-425 BC AR Triobol (11mm, 1.25g) O: Tripod with lion‘s feet, within dotted border; QPO (retrograde) to left. R: Pegasos with curled wings flying left; Q below. SNG ANS 323-6; HN Italy 2127; Sear 468; Hands Class V, 3v (ethnic to right) From the Frank James collection; ex CNG; ex Roma Auctions

Macedonian Kingdom, Reign of Perseus 171-170 BC AR Drachm (15mm, 2.81g) Uncertain mint in Thessaly Hermios magistrate. O: Head of Helios facing 3/4 right, hair loose. R: Rose with bud on right; I-Ω to either side of stem, EPMIAΣ (magistrate) above. Price, Larissa p. 241; SNG Keckman 795; Sear 5092 ex Jack H. Beymer Next: Julian II

I just got this little gem from JAZ a few days ago, and I've been trying to photograph it. But it's very small and very dark and I just couldn't get a decent image so I've gone with the dealer photo, just lightened a bit to show the detail... Klazomenai, Ionia Late 4th century BC AE12 (12mm, 1.79g) O: Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with olive leaves, and triple pendant earring. R: Head of ram to right; KΛΑ below. Sear 4322 ex JAZ Numismatics

Damn I love Tom Waits! And this song has to have one of the best opening lines ever, especially for a Christmas song. 😉 Great as an actor too. But my favorite Tom Waits quote, the definitive quote imo, is "I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy. " His raw gravelly version of Somewhere from that same album is ironically one of the most beautiful songs I know. ~ Peter

Velia, Lucania 4th-2nd century BC AE 15 (15mm, 2.91g) O: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress. R: Owl standing left on olive sprig, head facing; YEΛH behind. SNG ANS 1414-15; Di Bello 208; HN Italy 1332; HGC I, 1342 Rare ex Marcantica References give a broad date range to this lovely bronze, but I think we can be a little more specific. The fine style, especially of the bust, look much more like late 4th century-ish and leads me to believe this coin should be placed earlier within the period. Next: Perseus

Syracuse, Sicily (Reign of Agathokles) 317-289 BC AE17 (16mm, 3.29g) O: Head of Persephone left, wreathed in grain. R: Bull charging right; club and ΛY above, IE (magistrate) in exergue. HGC 2, 1498; CNS II, 200 Rare ex Praefectus Coins A rare variant with the bull charging right.

Pretty portrait. ~ Peter

Interesting request. Here's an odd one from Lesbos. Some sources say the confronted boar's heads form to make a frontal panther face, but I think it looks like frontal boar. Uncertain Mint, Lesbos 500-450 BC Billion 1/10 Stater (10mm, 1.18g) O: Two boar's heads confronted, creating the illusion of a single boar head facing. R: Incuse square. SNG von Aulock 7712; SNG Munchen 645; Sear 3488 ex Forvm Ancient Coins An unusual little coin from the island of Lesbos off the coast of Asia Minor. The very inventive 6th century BC engraver of this die has created an illusion which is quite 'outside the box' for an ancient coin, as the two confronted boar's heads can also be seen as a single facing boar. And how cool is that? Next: let's do that one again

Cornucopia... Taras, Calabria 272-240/35 BC (Period VIII - The Roman Alliance I) AR Didrachm (19mm, 6.47g) Agatharkos magistrate. O: Nude youth on horseback right, placing wreath on horse's head; ΑΓΑΘ-A / PXΟΣ (magistrate) in two lines below. R: Phalanthos riding dolphin left, holding cornucopia in left hand and [kantharos] in extended right hand; lighted torch behind, TAPAΣ below. D'Andrea XLIV, 1368; Vlasto 852-54; SNG France 2011; Evans VIII, B1; McGill II, 96-98; SNG ANS 1179-80; HN Italy 1028 ex Goduto Giuseppe This coin attracted me, even though some reverse elements are slightly off center. However most didrachms of this late period are very 'mushy', particularly the magistrates name and ethnic, so the scarcity of such a well struck specimen was too alluring to pass up.

Ahhh Lydia! Nero / Hekate Philadelphia, Lydia 54-59 AD (19mm, 4.99g) O: Bare headed and draped bust right; NEPΩN ΣEBACTOC. R: Hekate standing facing, wearing polos and holding two torches; TI NEIKANOP ΦIΛAΔEΛΦEΩN. RPC 3041 "I have done everything that I should, but the outcome is in the hand of fortune" ~ Nero

Severus Alexander / Hekate Thyatira, Lydia 223-235 AD AE25 (7.36g) O: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; R: Hekate Selene, head facing left, wearing a short chiton and holding two torches, full moon around shoulders (billowing veil?); ΘV - ATEI - P - HNΩN. SNG Fitzwilliam 1374 ex Ancient Imports When at thy coming my father has given thee the deadly teeth from the dragon's jaws for sowing, then watch for the time when the night is parted in twain, then bathe in the stream of the tireless river, and alone, apart from others, clad in dusky raiment, dig a rounded pit; and therein slay a ewe, and sacrifice it whole, heaping high the pyre on the very edge of the pit. And propitiate only-begotten Hekate, daughter of Perses, pouring from a goblet the hive-stored labour of bees. And then, when thou hast heedfully sought the grace of the goddess, retreat from the pyre; and let neither the sound of feet drive thee to turn back, nor the baying of hounds, lest haply thou shouldst maim all the rites and thyself fail to return duly to thy comrades. ~ Apollonius of Rhodes (Argonautica 3,1028-1051)

I don't think I've ever done that. 😕

Ephesus, Ionia 500-420 BC AR Diobol (11mm, 1.06g) O: Bee with curved wings and volute-shaped antennae; E - Φ flanking. R: Quadripartite incuse square. SNG Kayhan 125; Sear 3517v (Drachm) ex Tom Vossen Next: trophy