Sulla80 Posted May 25, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 25, 2022 (edited) This map shows the western edge of Asia Minor (aka Anatolia, aka Modern Turkey) around 200 BCE. My coin of interest today is a good-sized AE, a civic issue from Kyme, just under 11 grams and 21.5mm - smaller that a US quarter or 1 euro and about as thick as both put together. As an aside: user experience can make a big difference to whether or not I will go back to a given dealer/auction house. I don't usually advertise the dealers that I buy from, however Savoca deserves credit for their overall experience. This coin arrived almost as quickly as I paid for it (2 days later with international shipping) - they are the amazon.com of ancient coin dealers. Amazon might come up again in this post - with a different context. Eventually I may give in a pay the price for an AR Tetradrachm of Aeolis, Kyme so far I haven't been able to convince myself that the price-point is acceptable. This coin makes a fine alternative in my view, and it is a coin that is harder to find than the tetradrachm (> 1000 tetradrachms in ACSearch). The imagery and this particular example better condition and noticeably heavier than most others of this type in ACSearch (about 20 to compare with Pythas as magistrate and about twice that looking for anything similar in bronze. Greek: Aiolis, Kyme, Civic Issue Æ (21.5mm, 10.93g, 6h), circa 250-190 BC, Pythas, magistrate Obv: Diademed head of Amazon Kyme to right Rev: Horse stepping to right, one-handled cup to lower right below raised foreleg; KYMAIΩΝ above, ΠΥΘΑΣ below Ref: SNG von Aulock 1635; SNG Copenhagen 102 The obverse references a myth of the founding of the city by the Amazon Kyme. "And there are certain cities, it is said, which got their names from the Amazons, I mean Ephesus, Smyrna, Cymê, and Myrina." -Strabo, Geography, Book XXII, Chapter 3.21 The Amazons were a fierce tribe of female warriors, known for their archery and horse riding, who fought against the Greeks. The reverse ( the prancing horse with cup) has several proposed explanations: (1) some connection to the horse riding expertise of the Amazons (2) the cup: a prize that recognizes Kyme's leading role in Aiolis (3) a reference to local horse industry (4) ...others? I am not confident in the dating of this coin, although the auction results are all consistent. Asia Minor coins has two dates associated with the three coins that are generally in this category. AMC #40 references both 250-200 BC and 165-140 BC. The shared obverse and reverse images with the tetradrachms does make me wonder if they might be from similar time period (165-140 BC). Post coins from Kyme (Cyme) or AE (bronze, copper, orichalcum...) coins that are more often seen in silver or gold, or anything else you find interesting or entertaining. Edited June 21, 2022 by Sulla80 spelling correction 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted May 25, 2022 · Patron Share Posted May 25, 2022 That's a nice coin, @Sulla80, and an informative write-up. I like the horse on the reverse. I also like how the reverse features the obligatory (but diminutive) vase as well. I have but one coin from this city. Like everyone else, it's an Artemis/vase bronze. Aeolis, Kyme. Greek Æ 15.5 mm, 3.69 g, 1 h. Magistrate Zoilos, c. 165-90 BC. Obv: Draped bust of Artemis, right, bow and quiver at shoulder. Rev: One-handled vase between two laurel branches; KY above; Z-Ω/I-Λ/Ο-Σ (magistrate's name) in fields. Refs: BMC 17.113,87-89; Sear 4193; SNG von Aulock 1642; SNG Cop 108. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Snible Posted May 25, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 25, 2022 I am having trouble seeing some of the coins you posted, @Sulla80. Can everyone else see them? Kyme, 250-190 BC, 1.29g, AE12 Obv: Head of the city founder, Amazon Kyme, right Rev: Κ−Υ; one-handled cup; ΗΡΑΙΟΣ (magistrate)Acquired August 2005 The coin is believed to picture Kyme, "presumably" a lieutenant of the Amazon queen Myrina, and founder of the city. The people of ancient Kyme were said to be stupid. Here is an ethnic joke told in ancient Greece: A man from Kyme was trying to sell some honey. When someone came and tasted it and said that it was very good, the seller said: “Well, yes: if a mouse hadn’t fallen in it, I wouldn’t be selling it!” The citizens were believed to be very literal minded. Here is another ancient joke poking fun at Kyme: When a distinguished man was being buried in Kyme, someone came up and asked the mourners: “Who was the dead man?” One of Kymeans turned around and pointed and said: “That guy lying on the coffin platform.” 13 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulla80 Posted May 25, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted May 25, 2022 (edited) On 5/25/2022 at 7:18 AM, Roman Collector said: That's a nice coin, @Sulla80, and an informative write-up. I like the horse on the reverse. I also like how the reverse features the obligatory (but diminutive) vase as well. I have but one coin from this city. Like everyone else, it's an Artemis/vase bronze. Nice one RC - I am having a bit of adjustment to the way this site works (odd formatting, no editing), and glad to see many favorite people. I was hoping I might find some overlap of my magistrate (Pythas) with other coins including the type you are showing, but so far no luck. I don't have a reference that offers much on these bronzes of Kyme - the two Lindgren book and my 3 volumes of SNG France (the wrong ones) came up blank (Lindgren 396, and BMC 68 also not very informative (BMC on Cyme)). On 5/25/2022 at 10:59 AM, Ed Snible said: I am having trouble seeing some of the coins you posted, @Sulla80. Can everyone else see them? I may have posted too large a copy - perhaps slow to download - I think the images are uploaded well. Thanks for the Kyme literalness note! Edited June 21, 2022 by Sulla80 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientNumis Posted May 26, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 26, 2022 Great coin and write-up! Here's my nicest coin from Kyme - I have a couple but they're all the same type I think. Somehow got this piece in a lot of 20 coins from VCoins recently, and they were each 3 pounds a coin! Was happy to see that there were some nice coins like these in that lot 🙂. In fact, that was probably one of the most fun ancient coin lots I've ever bought. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewStyleKing Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 That this bronze unit of Kyme has the same pose as the silver tetradrachms , ie prancing horse with one raised forelock, vase in front, maybe it is the same general time as the tetradrachms? Is there any hoard evidence for the bronzes? I once had a silver tetradrachm but sold it via Roma for about double what I paid for it. Those price hikes had passed on to the Athens NewStyles. Hence its ebay or the highway! It was luicky that when I seriously started to collect NewStyles there were loads of hoards sold by Lanz on ebay and others. Now fresh NewStyles are scarce to the market Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientOne Posted May 30, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 30, 2022 A really nice AE from Kyme @Sulla80! I've purchased a few from Savoca and was pleased. Here's a small one you don't see everyday and a couple of provincials. Aeolis, Kyme. AE12. 1st century BC. Aeolis, Cyme. AE18. Amazon Kyme/Isis Aeolis, Cyme. Nero AE19 Since this is a new site can we start showing coins that we wore out on the previous one?🙂 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewStyleKing Posted May 31, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 31, 2022 My old Kyme! Sold via Roma to fund NewStyles! Aeolis Kyme Tetradrachm c 146 BC SOLDObs- The Amazon Kyme facing right wearing taenia Die flaw on cheek 16.80gm 32 mm A Stephanophore tetradrachm Rev - Horse prancing right raised forelock, below one handled cup Right Field : ΚΥΜΑΙΩΝ Exergue ΜΗΤΡΟΦΑΝΗΣ magistrate All within wreath SOLD 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted May 31, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 31, 2022 41 minutes ago, NewStyleKing said: Sold via Roma to fund NewStyles! .yeah, that damn obsessive compulsive behavior ...9_9....but tell me, what collector ain't got it?!....:D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewStyleKing Posted May 31, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 31, 2022 Yeah that ol' Asperger has a lot to answer for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulla80 Posted May 31, 2022 · Supporter Author Share Posted May 31, 2022 1 hour ago, NewStyleKing said: My old Kyme! Sold via Roma to fund NewStyles! Aeolis Kyme Tetradrachm c 146 BC SOLDObs- The Amazon Kyme facing right wearing taenia Die flaw on cheek 16.80gm 32 mm A Stephanophore tetradrachm Rev - Horse prancing right raised forelock, below one handled cup Right Field : ΚΥΜΑΙΩΝ Exergue ΜΗΤΡΟΦΑΝΗΣ magistrate All within wreath SOLD I could use a "jealous" emoji. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsyas Mike Posted June 1, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 1, 2022 Very informative write-up and great coin, @Sulla80. I have one similar to it, but not as nice and a different magistrate: Aeolis, Kyme Æ 20 (c. 250-190 B.C.) Magistrate Aristophanes Head of Amazon Kyme wearing taenia right / KY [A]PIΣΤΟΦΑΝΗΣ, horse standing right, monogram beneath raised fore-leg. Cf. BMC 59 (monogram); SNG Cop. 93; SNG Mün. 486. (9.12 grams / 20 mm) eBay Aug. 2020 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisimo Posted June 1, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 1, 2022 Great thread. You’re one of my favorite posters @Sulla80! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted June 1, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 1, 2022 Lovely coins shown... My only Kyme.. Aeolis, Kyme, c. 165-90 BC. Æ (16mm, 3.84g, 12h). Zoilos, magistrate. Obverse...Draped bust of Artemis right, hair in sphendone, quiver and bow over shoulder. Reverse...Single-handled oenoechoe (Kyme's cup) with KY above (Kyme), flanked either side by laurel branches. Magistrates name left to right across central field Z-Ω / I-Λ / O-Σ..Zoilos. SNG München 507-9; SNG Copenhagen 108; SNG von Aulock 1642. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles H Posted June 21, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 21, 2022 @Sulla80 - interesting write up - I am also unsure of the dating of these issues Mine below is SNG Copenhagen 101 as opposed to your SNG Copenhagen 102, and was dated 250 - 200 BC by Roma. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted June 21, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 21, 2022 On 5/31/2022 at 12:12 PM, NewStyleKing said: My old Kyme! Sold via Roma to fund NewStyles! I had one from the same dies.... same die flaw.... And I also had a Kallias example..... I There are not that many coins that I regretted selling but it hurt to sell these..... 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewStyleKing Posted June 21, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 21, 2022 Have a great old kyme! Was that you and me some years back hunting down the die flawed Metrophanes tetradrachms? The work on the tetradrachms by Oakley got the order of magistrates wrong. Last should be Kallias, then Metrophanes. Kinns did some work on those coins but never found it. I think the late Mattingly also mentioned it too! Anything you got on the later work on Kyme? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted June 21, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 21, 2022 I really enjoyed these coins for a while and was just starting on studying them when my finances changed and I had to part with them. Unfortunately I don't have anything useful in terms of the later work on Kyme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Steve Posted June 21, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 21, 2022 Very cool Kyne horse-coin, Sulla (it's a keeper) I don't have an AE version, but I did have this ol' silver baby ... Aeolis, Kyme AR Hemiobol (below) Date: 4th cent. BC Diameter: 7.14 mm Weight: 0.37 grams Obverse: Forepart of horse Reverse: Stellate floral pattern References: Ex-stevex6 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted June 21, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 21, 2022 There are many nice coins from Kyme AE and AR: Asia Minor, Aeolis, Kyme Pseudo-autonomous issue AD 117-161. (Hadrian or Antoninus Pius) Obv: ΚYΜΑΙ, Head of Athena right Rev.: ΕΠΙ ΙΕΡΩΝVΜΟV, swan standing, right AE, 15 mm, 2,61g. Ref.: RPC IV.2, 211 (temporary), BMC 101, MG 272, no. 224 Aiolis, Kyme AE 14 Pseudo-autonomous. Time of Gallienus (253-268) Obv.: Draped bust of Serapis right, wearing calathus. Rev.: KYMA-I-ΩN dot, Prow right. AE, 14 mm, 1.29g Ref.: BMC p. 117, 125 var. (no dot) Aiolis, Kyme AE 19 Phytas(?), magistrate Obv.: Head of the Amazon Kyme right, wearing taenia Rev.: Horse advancing right; KY above, jug below raised leg; ΠΥΘΙΩΝ magistrate in ex AE, 19 mm, 7.36g Ref.: SNG LEWIS 0876 Aiolis, Kyme Tetradrachm ca. 165-140 BC Amphiktyon, magistrate Obv.: Head of the Amazon Kyme right, wearing tainia Rev.: ΚΥΜΑΙΩΝ, Horse prancing right; one-handled cup below, AMΦIKTYΩN in exergue; all within wreath. AR, 31.6mm, 16.47g Ref.: BMC 83, Oakley 77 Tetradrachm ca. 165-140 BC Euktemon, magistrate Obv.: Head of the Amazon Kyme right, wearing tainia Rev.: Horse prancing right, one-handled cup below, KYMAIΩN to right, EYKTHMΩN in exergue; all within laurel wreath. AR, 16.24g, 31mm, 1h. Ref.: SNG Copenhagen -; BMC 77 Ex Roma Numismatcs, E-sale 46, Lot 147 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapphnwn Posted June 21, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 21, 2022 Tetradrachm of Kyme 165-160 BC Obv. Head of the Amazon Kyme right wearing taenia Rv Horse walking left foreleg raised over one handed cup Metrophanes |Magistrate All within laurel wreath Oakley 3 16.74 grms 30 mm Photo by W. Hansen These Stephanophorii appear to have commenced at about the same time the Kings of Pergamon adopted the cistophoric tetradrachms. Like the cistophorii the stephanophorii appear to have been started at multiple mints and at roughly the same time. The one principle difference is that these coins used local types however sharing a laurel wreath on the reverse and employing very similar flans. Their purpose is rather more difficult to assess. Some think that they were used as a conversion coin, converting the cistophorii into an Attic weight tetradrachm. However a lot of these coins are found in Syria, perhaps indicationg that the Kings of Pergamon were adding their two-bits worth into the increasingly fraction world of Seleukid politics. These coins would be perfect as they would add what would be called today "Plausible deniability". 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jims,Coins Posted August 13, 2022 · Member Share Posted August 13, 2022 BC – 5. Date 350 – 320 B.C. AE13. Cyme, Turkey 1-1969. Obv. Forepart of prancing horse right, KY above. Rev. Bow and Quiver, large monogram above, AOE below. GCVSII #4194. ABCAM #397. BC – 1. Date 350 – 320 B.C. AE18. Cyme, Turkey 1-1969. Obv. Forepart of prancing horse r., KY above, APIETOuN below. Rev. One-handled vase, monogram to l. GCVSII #4188. ABCAM #392 AE – 3 Date 3rd century B.C. AE18. Cyme, Turkey 1-1969. Obv. Eagle standing right, wings closed. APICT-ANAPOC behind. Rev. K-Y either side of single-handled Vase. GCSVII #4187. ABCAM #391. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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