An appreciation post! Thank you for being a friend @bcuda/ Win a Macedonian Shield coin from the Ryro collection... that you have to give to a friend on NF

[Ryro]

I was pleasantly surprised to get a DM from Celt Iberian enthusiast, long time US vet and buddy @bcuda asking if I'd like a coin from Celt Iberian coin of Castulo. 

Every Celt Iberian upgrade in my collection, save one, had either been a gift from my very generous friend or purchased from him. 

Plus, who could say no to this epic Raging Bull?!?!

That is, this Raging Bull:

SPAIN, Castulo. Early 2nd century BC. Æ 20mm (3.98 g). Diademed male head right / Bull standing right, crescent above. CNH 11; SNG BM Spain 1246. VF, dark green patina, some roughness. Gift from @bcuda Sept 2022

So cool! And kind. Thanks @bcuda...

Only when the package arrived it was stuffed with AWESOMENESS!

To my amazement there was a stunning portrait(probably) of Scipio Africanus himself! The man who defeated Roman boogeyman Hannibal Barka😲

Spain, Carthago Nova Æ Unit. Roman Occupation, after 209 BC. Bare-head left (Scipio Africanus?) / Horse standing right; palm tree behind. CNH Class XI, 282; SNG BM Spain 127-128. 10.04g, 23mm, 12h. Good Very Fine. Excellent for issue. Very rare. Gift from @bcuda Sept 2022

Another Roman Republic coin that I was missing featuring Juno and the triumphal chariot in the reverse from the time of the reign of one of the most criminaly under talked about guys in Roman history, Sulla!

L. Rubrius Dossenus

Denarius 87, AR 3.83 g. Veiled and diademed head of Juno r., with sceptre on l. shoulder; behind, DOS. Rev. Triumphal chariot with side panel decorated with eagle; above, Victory flying r. In exergue, L RVBRI. Babelon Rubria 2. Sydenham 706. Crawford 348/2. Gift from @bcuda Sept 2022

A excellent portrait of Severus Alexander with God of War and toil Mars on the reverse!

Severus Alexander. A.D. 222-235. AR denarius (19 mm, 2.56 g, 6 h). Rome mint, Struck A.D. 227. IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / P M TR P VI COS II PP, Mars advancing right in military dress, holding spear and trophy over shoulder. RIC 61; BMCRE 409; RSC 305. VF. Gift from @bcuda Sept 2022

Had to have him help me with the identification on my latest modern/ archaic looking coin, my first fanam... not to be confused with "fanman" from the 1993 rematch between Bowe and Holyfield

*only in my favorite sport, boxing, could something this strange happen.

A really stunning coin and style:

Dutch East India Company silver fanam 1782-89

Dutch East India Company silver fanam/6 stuivers 1782-89:

Obv: Kali with sankha (shell) hanging from the neck

Rev: Kris (ceremonial knife) below O C (Oostindische Compagnie - East India Company) above three rows of four dots.

Struck at Cochin mint, superb central strike both sides and on a good size flan.

Weight: 1.1 grams. Dia: 11mm. Gift from @bcuda Sept 2022

And even two that I've yet to be able to identify. First, a seemingly innocuous LRB, of some Caesar, with the awesome, if not creepy, two bound captives below the two victories reverse. It seems that it should be Constantine, but isn't. 2 victories 2 captives 1.7 gr, 17 MM:

And then a beauuuuuutiful seemingly Celtic coin with a stunning design as well as patina that, again, alludes me. CELT IBERIAN 2.65  18 MM:

Any help on the last two is appreciated. 

And thank you so so much my man, @bcuda

********

As they say, one good turn deserves another. So, in honor of @bcuda's kindness, I'm giving away one of my Macedonian shield coins. To be given away by the winner to a worthy friend they'd like to thank or share with on Numis Forum.

To play simply DM me your answers and the name of who you think would like an authentic Macedonian shield coin. Each correct response will earn you a point after a few days, either next Friday or sooner if I stop receiving guesses, I'll use a randomizer to see who gets to treat a numismatic friend of theirs!

1- Who had Alexander IV and Alexander III's mother Olympias murdered?

2- What was the name of the massive drinking cup that Alexander supposedly downed before becoming ill and dying a few days later?

3- Where was Philip II sent to as a hostage as a young man that he learned combat tactics, and would innovation on, that he would bring back to Makedon and institute to turn his into the greatest fighting force that the ancient world had ever known?

4- Where was Philip II's tomb found?

5- What were the Diadochi?

6- What, supposedly, were Alexander the great's last words?

7- Who were the first Makedon Shield coins minted under?

8- What God did the Argead dynasty claim to descend from?

9- What dynasty finally fell to the Romans ending Makedon autonomy?

10- What was the battle that Cleitus the Black, whom Alexander would murder in a drunken argument years later, saved Alexander's life?

*For fun and an extra point, 11- Who is your favorite of the Diadochi and why?

For #11, since there are no wrong answers (except for Kassander. F^€Kassander) please post your response in this thread. Mine is usually Alexander's cousin on his mom's side once removed, Pyrrhus of Epiros:

 

So please, post your Celt Iberians, MSCs, cons that were gifts, thoughts or anything in the spirit of the thread!

[CPK]

Wow that is such a cool gift! Love the coins, especially that Scipio! 👍

[Spaniard]

What a super surprise!...Great looking coins!....

Not my collecting area but I'll have a go at your quiz tomorrow thanks @Ryro

Theodosius?..

 

[expat]

An impressive and generous gift from your friend. Great selection of coins. Also, much kudos to you for your generosity in "passing it forward"

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

It's a very nice contest and a nice gift from your friend!

[Furryfrog02]

Very cool of @bcuda! and Very cool of you too @Ryro

And of course what an interesting coin!

As for your quiz....I admittedly know very very little about Macedonia. The one thing I do know though, is that "Alexander" , the movie, was the greatest film epic of all time...

 

 

 

I don't have any Celtic, or Iberian coins...but I do have a shield 🙂 I think Ryro will perhaps recognize it...since I bought it from him 😛 
 

Demetrius Poliorketes
294-288 BC
AE15
Obverse: Monogram of Demetrius in center of a Macedonian shield
Reverse: BA-ΣΙ to either side of a crested Macedonian helmet with cheek flaps.

 

[Ryro]

27 minutes ago, Furryfrog02 said:

Very cool of @bcuda! and Very cool of you too @Ryro

And of course what an interesting coin!

As for your quiz....I admittedly know very very little about Macedonia. The one thing I do know though, is that "Alexander" , the movie, was the greatest film epic of all time...

 

 

 

I don't have any Celtic, or Iberian coins...but I do have a shield 🙂 I think Ryro will perhaps recognize it...since I bought it from him 😛 
 

Demetrius Poliorketes
294-288 BC
AE15
Obverse: Monogram of Demetrius in center of a Macedonian shield
Reverse: BA-ΣΙ to either side of a crested Macedonian helmet with cheek flaps.

 

Oliver stone made that frenetic movie 3 1/2 hours long and gave us a few really good parts... and then a lot of non sequiturs. The story is just too grandiose. 

Speaking of, where the duck is our Philip II. Movie?!?!?! The ultimate barbarian becomes first unified ruler of Europe in history, dies at 46 and has a kid who ends up being the greatest conqueror in history whom dies at 32! Talk about live fast die young and leave a mangled corpse if a beautiful man 😉

Ps, sorry if I left out of the description, *helmet with cheek flaps. Pellet in between left

There are some wonderful hidden gems in Demetrius Poliorketes helmet and left bushel...

From what I've seen and researched we are looking at all kinds of iconography on these. ; labrys, lagobolons, pedums, crescent, sword, dagger, moon, crayfish on and on:

Here are a few of mine:

and a itty bitty 11mm quarter unit

Tell me that ain't a UFO?

Ps, thanks for adding your favorite Diadochi. Remember folks, this contest isn't for you, it's to give a gift to a friend ❤️

Edited September 18, 2022 by Ryro

[Furryfrog02]

All I remember about that move is that we got there late and ended up with the last seats in the theater...right in the front row. Spending 3.5 hours with my neck all wonky definitely did not make that movie any better. 

You have quite the collection and I love the research behind them! I need to brush up (ok...start from scratch) on my Alexander the Great and Phillip II - and everyone else from that era. I know a bit more about the Ptolemaic dynasty that came from A3's demise than I do about any Macedonian, including A3 himself.

[Roman Collector]

Wow! This forum is THE BEST, with the nicest, most generous members around! How thoughtful of @bcuda to give that coin to @Ryro!

@Ryro, too, is a generous fellow! He gave me these coins when we met up at a local show this past spring!!

Unsurprisingly, a Macedonian shield coin ...


Antigonos I Monophthalmos, king, 306/5-301 BC.
Greek Æ Unit, 15.4 mm, 4.21 g, 7 h.
Salamis mint under Demetrios I Poliorketes.
Obv: Macedonian shield, boss decorated with facing gorgoneion.
Rev: Macedonian helmet; kerykeion and monogram to lower left and right.
Refs: Price 3159; Zapiti & Michaelidou 7–8.
Note: Price attributes the coin to Philip III Arrhidaios (323-317 BC).

But lest you think he was trying to dissuade me from my Faustina fetish, he most assuredly was NOT! He also presented me with this one of Faustina the Younger!!


Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman Æ as, 11.57 g, 25.0 mm, 12 h.
Rome, AD 170-175.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: VENERI VICTRICI S C, Venus standing right, placing both hands on the arm of Mars, standing facing, head left, holding round shield in left hand.
Refs: RIC 1680; BMCRE 999-1001; Cohen 241; RCV 5305; MIR 42-7/10c.
Notes: Ex Naville Numismatics, ex- Timeline Auctions December 2021.

Which came with some really cool old collector tags!

[Spaniard]

PM sent....🤞

[Sulla80]

Great quiz @Ryro and nice coins - of the diadochi, I like Seleucus Nikator for his founding of the Seleucid Empire.

Seleucid Kings, Seleucus I Nikator 312-281 BC, AE double unit, uncertain eastern mint, ca. 300-281 BC
Obv: Winged head of Medusa right
Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ – ΣEΛEYKOY, Bull charging right

[Ryro]

Thanks for the kind words @Roman Collector and the participation @Spaniard and @Sulla80

I'm excited to see who gets the prizes!

[bcuda]

@Ryro You hold a special spot on the friendships I have created in the ancient coin collecting friends I have met over the years!

Thank you so much for your appreciation post !  I know nothing at all about your area of collecting so I will not participate in your generous give away. 

This kind of reminds me of the movie toy story 

 

[dougsmit]

Not necessarily my favorite but it needs to be shown.  Who knows what the first 4 mostly missing letters at the bottom spelled?  AE18 5.94g S.6754var. 

[Ryro]

22 minutes ago, dougsmit said:

Not necessarily my favorite but it needs to be shown.  Who knows what the first 4 mostly missing letters at the bottom spelled?  AE18 5.94g S.6754var. 

I do believe it says, AΛEΞANΔPOY=Alexander

Nice centering and design. 

[dougsmit]

5 hours ago, Ryro said:

I do believe it says, AΛEΞANΔPOY=Alexander

Nice centering and design. 

ANΔPOY, yes, but the first four, No.

[Sulla80]

20 hours ago, dougsmit said:

Not necessarily my favorite but it needs to be shown.  Who knows what the first 4 mostly missing letters at the bottom spelled?  AE18 5.94g S.6754var. 

ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΚΑΣΣΑΝΔPOY

[dougsmit]

On 9/17/2022 at 6:45 PM, Ryro said:

*For fun and an extra point, 11- Who is your favorite of the Diadochi and why?

For #11, since there are no wrong answers (except for Kassander.

 

2 hours ago, Sulla80 said:

ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΚΑΣΣΑΝΔPOY

How can that be?  That was the one guy not allowed.  Would I do that?

[ominus1]

..we indeed have the deed-doers here....i guess i should maybe  post a old fave of @Ryro's & us..:P in his and @bcuda's honor and a salute to the rest of the great deed-doers amongst us...:D

[Sulla80]

23 hours ago, dougsmit said:

 

How can that be?  That was the one guy not allowed.  Would I do that?

It does not seem inconceivable, various symbols match up, I suppose a misspelling or unofficial coin could be in the mix, the ΑΝΔPOY seems to limit the options.....

ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΚΑΣΣΑΝΔPOY Cavalier au trot à d. Sous le cheval, Λ. Entre les jambes antérieures, T.

Edited September 22, 2022 by Sulla80

[Ryro]

Ha! Mine of the type are all too ruddy for me to discern. Beautiful coin @dougsmit ya got me😊

here's mine:

Here's some coins the dirt bag, Kassander, hammered over Philip Arrhidaios, Alexander's older mentally challenged brother's coins. 

One of everybody's favorite Makedon Shield coins with a three quarters facing Herakles. It's hard to get in good condition with an clear portrait of Herakles as my first coin, due to the massive influx of commerce Makedon was seeing at the time:

and then Kassander's lousy/lazy hammer men must've had spaghetti arms or else he really wanted everyone to know Kassander was stamping out the Argead line:

Edited September 22, 2022 by Ryro