The day of very small coins

[ambr0zie]

Last month was pretty rich in acquisitions. Although I had a major target that slipped (you gotta love it when you're certain a coin is under the radar before the auction, and when it is live the bids just flow and the price raises 10 times in a few seconds). 

But what I am happy about is that my subcollection of Greek fractions has developed. 

I know that usually people prefer large coins, where engravers have enough space to show their skills, lots of details, artistry. I can't say I dislike tetradrachms, sestertii or, why not, decadrachms (well.... pictures of decadrachms). But there is something about small coins that I love, especially when there is action going on. And since the value was insignificant in the era (I am still curious what could a tetartemorion or a hemiobol buy), it is a wonder they survived. 

Here is a photo showing how small they actually are. The "base coin" has 20 mm diameter, so not at all a big one. 

First is a coin from Mylasa - this was actually a blooper - I knew I had another similar one, but for some reason I was convinced this is a different variety. Nevertheless, a good coin that was cheap. 

7,9 mm, 0,58 g.
Caria, Mylasa. AR hemiobol. Circa 450-400 BC.
Facing forepart of lion / Scorpion within incuse square.
SNG Aulock 7803; Klein KM 429 (Milet); SNG Kayhan 935; Rosen 403.

 

An animal that was missing from my collection (except the Juno coins) 

7,1 mm, 0,22 g.
Lesbos, Methymna. AR hemiobol. Circa 500/480-460 BC.
Female head right, with hair bound in sakkos / Cock standing right within pelleted square border; all within incuse square.
SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; Klein -; HGC 6, 893.

.... and now a tricky situation, for specialists. I bought a coin that's very similar to the previous one, but with the obverse character facing left. 

6,8 mm, 0,31 g.
Lesbos, Methymna or Troas, Dardanos. AR hemiobol. 500/480-460 BC.
Female head to left, hair bound in sakkos / Cockerel standing to right, crescent above; all in pelleted border within incuse square.
HGC 6, 892 (Lesbos); CNG 230, 2010, lot 79; Roma 44, lot 176; Leu Numismatik Web Auction 19, lot 1060; Leu Numismatik Web Auction 20, lot 1081.

When studying it, the initial research showed that it is also from Lesbos (and close catalogue entries). But I also found it attributed as Dardanos - uncertain - by 2 reputable houses, who were aware that it is catalogued as Lesbos. 

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9168755

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9174572

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9734988

I would love to hear a specialist's opinion - was this thought to be Methymna but future research found it's Dardanos?!

Although for my tastes, a 13 mm hemidrachm is NOT a small coin, this also deserves a mention - a plintophoric hemidrachm with good details and visible magistrate's name. 

13,2 mm, 1,19 g.
Caria, Rhodes. Magistrate Menestheos. AR hemidrachm. Circa 125-88 BC.
Radiate head of Helios facing, slighty right / ΜΕΝΕΣΘΕΥΣ, P – O, Rose with bud to left, sun to right; all within incuse square.
Jenkins Group D; HGC 6, 1463.

A design that I wanted for a long time - I am still curious to find an explanation for this motif - janiform female heads (note - as far as I know, Janus is specific to Roman mythology and has no Greek counterpart)

9,9 mm, 0,73 g.
Mysia, Lampsakos. AR obol. Circa 500-450 BC.
Female janiform head / Helmeted head of Athena left within incuse square; wheel on bowl.
SNG BN 1128; SNG Copenhagen 186.

.... and my favorite. 

Collecting coins with celebrities is a good niche, but I wouldn't have expected to see the gymnast McKayla Maroney on an ancient coin. 

6,1 mm, 0,17 g.
Persia, Achaemenid Empire. AR tetartemorion. Uncertain mint in Cilicia. 400-300 BC.
Persian king or hero in kneeling-running stance to right, holding dagger and bow; retrograde K below / Facing head of female or Apollo.
Hauck und Aufhäuser 20, 166; asiaminorcoins.com coin ID #6374.

This coin is one of my favorite puechases of the year and perhaps one of the most detailed small coins I have seen. 

Since I intend to stop purchasing for 2024, I think it is a good idea, if I am tempted, to ask this coin - "should I have a go in this week's auction?" - the facial expression should provide a good answer. 

Let's see your newly added small coins. 

 

Edited October 17, 2024 by ambr0zie

[JAZ Numismatics]

You're not going to stop purchasing for 2024. Get real.

[ambr0zie]

This might be cheating, but I will be busy in most of the weekends for the rest of the year, and I usually buy from weekend auctions, so ... 

[Ryro]

Excellent haul, my man! That Maroney is my favorite as well. Plus it's hilarious. How many times a day does my wife give me that exact look while watching me trying to teach our sons the nuances if being a man? Countless. 

I also really like the beautifully detailed Lesbian cock of yours, isn't that an oxymoron?

I had an excellent tiny coin haul earlier this year from Astarte that I'll happily share again. 

CILICIA. Uncertain mint, probably Tarsos. Circa 370-334 BC. Obol (Silver, 11.58 mm, 0.57 g, 9 h). Obv. Bearded head of Zeus to left, wearing laurel wreath . Rev. Head of youthful Herakles to left, wearing lion skin headdress. SNG Levante 198. SNG von Aulock 5429 (this coin). Off centered. Very rare. Purchased from "Young Collectors 2" Astarte March 2024

Greece, Asia Minor, Cilicia, Tarsos, Obol, (12MM, 0.57 gr)

Obverse: bust of facing Herakles 

Reverse: eagle standing left, on the head of a deer with large antlers

Obverse has two cuts and is off-centered. Toned. Good VF. Purchased from "Young Collectors 2" Astarte March 2024

CILICIA, Mallos. Circa 440-390 BC. AR Obol (8mm, 0.82 g, 11h). Bearded janiform head / Swan standing left; lotus to left, monogram to right. Gökturk 30; SNG France –; SNG Levante 134. Good fine, toned, porosity. Very rare. Purchased from "Young Collectors 2" Astarte March 2024

PISIDIA, Selge. Circa 250-190 BC. AR Obol (9.68mm, 0.87 g, 1h). Facing gorgoneion / Helmeted head of Athena right; astragalos to left, unknown symbol, possible die break. SNG BN 1948–54 var. (symbol); SNG Ashmolean 1546–50. Purchased from "Young Collectors 2" Astarte March 2024

Enjoy your new found weekend fun, but don't stop posting and checking in!

[seth77]

52 minutes ago, Ryro said:

Lesbian cock

Lesbian Cock would make a great name for a punk band.

[JayAg47]

Love those tinies. I heard people used to keep them in their mouth while shopping at the Agora, although I wonder about the logistics of making a change. 
Here are mine perched up on a chunky tuppence. I took this photo a long time ago, and yet I only have added a couple more ancient tinies to date. 

[seth77]

This miniature of Larissa Kremaste with nymph and harpa inside wreath, 14mm 1.78g c. 302-286BC

[-monolith-]

I've posted these before and have added a few since. 

 

 

[shanxi]

Hemitartemorion; 4mm

Ionia, Miletos 500 BC
AR 1/96 Stater, Hemitartemorion
Obv.: Rosette on a raised disk
Rev.: Five pellets within square incuse.
Ag, 0.13g, 4mm
Ref.: SNG Tübingen 3018

 

Tetartemorion; 5mm

Asia Minor uncertain
Kyzikos, Mysia ??
AR Tetartemorion, 510-480 B.C.
Obv.: forepart of boar? right
Rev.: incuse punch
Ag, 0.14g, 5mm
Ref.: -

 

Tritetartemorion; 6mm

Attica. Athens
Tritetartemorion (454-404 BC)
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right.
Rev: A Θ Ε within three crescents
Ag, 6mm, 0.48g
Ref.: Kroll 21b, SNG Copenhagen 57

[Alegandron]

On 10/17/2024 at 2:56 PM, ambr0zie said:

Last month was pretty rich in acquisitions. Although I had a major target that slipped (you gotta love it when you're certain a coin is under the radar before the auction, and when it is live the bids just flow and the price raises 10 times in a few seconds). 

But what I am happy about is that my subcollection of Greek fractions has developed. 

I know that usually people prefer large coins, where engravers have enough space to show their skills, lots of details, artistry. I can't say I dislike tetradrachms, sestertii or, why not, decadrachms (well.... pictures of decadrachms). But there is something about small coins that I love, especially when there is action going on. And since the value was insignificant in the era (I am still curious what could a tetartemorion or a hemiobol buy), it is a wonder they survived. 

Here is a photo showing how small they actually are. The "base coin" has 20 mm diameter, so not at all a big one. 

First is a coin from Mylasa - this was actually a blooper - I knew I had another similar one, but for some reason I was convinced this is a different variety. Nevertheless, a good coin that was cheap. 

7,9 mm, 0,58 g.
Caria, Mylasa. AR hemiobol. Circa 450-400 BC.
Facing forepart of lion / Scorpion within incuse square.
SNG Aulock 7803; Klein KM 429 (Milet); SNG Kayhan 935; Rosen 403.

 

An animal that was missing from my collection (except the Juno coins) 

7,1 mm, 0,22 g.
Lesbos, Methymna. AR hemiobol. Circa 500/480-460 BC.
Female head right, with hair bound in sakkos / Cock standing right within pelleted square border; all within incuse square.
SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; Klein -; HGC 6, 893.

.... and now a tricky situation, for specialists. I bought a coin that's very similar to the previous one, but with the obverse character facing left. 

6,8 mm, 0,31 g.
Lesbos, Methymna or Troas, Dardanos. AR hemiobol. 500/480-460 BC.
Female head to left, hair bound in sakkos / Cockerel standing to right, crescent above; all in pelleted border within incuse square.
HGC 6, 892 (Lesbos); CNG 230, 2010, lot 79; Roma 44, lot 176; Leu Numismatik Web Auction 19, lot 1060; Leu Numismatik Web Auction 20, lot 1081.

When studying it, the initial research showed that it is also from Lesbos (and close catalogue entries). But I also found it attributed as Dardanos - uncertain - by 2 reputable houses, who were aware that it is catalogued as Lesbos. 

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9168755

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9174572

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9734988

I would love to hear a specialist's opinion - was this thought to be Methymna but future research found it's Dardanos?!

Although for my tastes, a 13 mm hemidrachm is NOT a small coin, this also deserves a mention - a plintophoric hemidrachm with good details and visible magistrate's name. 

13,2 mm, 1,19 g.
Caria, Rhodes. Magistrate Menestheos. AR hemidrachm. Circa 125-88 BC.
Radiate head of Helios facing, slighty right / ΜΕΝΕΣΘΕΥΣ, P – O, Rose with bud to left, sun to right; all within incuse square.
Jenkins Group D; HGC 6, 1463.

A design that I wanted for a long time - I am still curious to find an explanation for this motif - janiform female heads (note - as far as I know, Janus is specific to Roman mythology and has no Greek counterpart)

9,9 mm, 0,73 g.
Mysia, Lampsakos. AR obol. Circa 500-450 BC.
Female janiform head / Helmeted head of Athena left within incuse square; wheel on bowl.
SNG BN 1128; SNG Copenhagen 186.

.... and my favorite. 

Collecting coins with celebrities is a good niche, but I wouldn't have expected to see the gymnast McKayla Maroney on an ancient coin. 

6,1 mm, 0,17 g.
Persia, Achaemenid Empire. AR tetartemorion. Uncertain mint in Cilicia. 400-300 BC.
Persian king or hero in kneeling-running stance to right, holding dagger and bow; retrograde K below / Facing head of female or Apollo.
Hauck und Aufhäuser 20, 166; asiaminorcoins.com coin ID #6374.

This coin is one of my favorite puechases of the year and perhaps one of the most detailed small coins I have seen. 

Since I intend to stop purchasing for 2024, I think it is a good idea, if I am tempted, to ask this coin - "should I have a go in this week's auction?" - the facial expression should provide a good answer. 

Let's see your newly added small coins. 

 

Great collection!  I like that Caria SCORPION... cool coin.

I enjoy Tets a lot, they were the everyday trading currency for most folks.  They generally were not hoarded, rather spent all the time.  I understand that most of the finds were from Agoras and shopping areas.

Some of mine:

Iona Kolophon
AR Tetartemorion
530-520 BCE
Archaic Apollo
Incuse Punch
0.15g 4.5mm-
SNG Kayhan 343


ARKADIA Tegea AR Tetartemorion 0.2g 6mm 423-400 BCE Helmeted Hd Athena Alea T within incuse BCD Peloponnesos War 1721 HGC 5



IONIA Teos AR tetartemorion 0.2g 6mm Hd griffin R mouth open - Quadripartite incuse SNG Turkey 602



Ionia Miletos AR Tetartemorion 5.6mm 0.21g Roaring Lion Hd - Bird Klein 430 SNG Kay 941



Aeolis Elaia AR Tetartemorion 460 BCE Athena L - Olive Wreath 7.8mm 0.16g SNG Cop 166

 

- Caesar: IACTA ALEA EST
- Kong Fuzi 孔夫子: When strict with Oneself, One rarely fails...

[Alegandron]

Knucklebone and Griffin in one...


Troas Assos 500-450 BCE AR Tetartemorion 6.4mm 0.21g Griffin springing right - Astragalos within incuse square Klein 475 R

 

I like its contrast with my smallest coin. The THICKNESS of my 15-Shekels is almost twice the WIDTH of that Tetartemorion!

Kinda reminds me of when they compare Earth to Jupiter.


Carthage
AE 15-Shekel
45mm dia, 7.5mm thick, 102.6g

vs

Ionia AR Tetartemorion
4mm, 0.13g

diameter 11 to 1
Weight 789 to 1

 

Achaemenid Empire. Time of Dareios I, circa 510-486 BC. AR 1/32nd Siglos(0.11 gm, 5mm). Obv.: Persian hero-king r., in running-kneeling position.Rev.: Oblong incuse. Klein 758

 

could be Darius III…


CILICIA Uncertain mint Early-mid 4th C BCE AR Tetartemorion 5mm 0.17g Persian king running dagger and bow - Crowned hd Achaemenid king CNG E239 Troxell Kagan 4

[kirispupis]

Caria, Latmos
Circa 400-350 BCE
AR Tetartemorion 6 mm, 0.17 g, 3 h
Bare female head to right.
Rev. Monogram of ΛΑΤΜ.
HN Online 962. Konuk, Latmos, 5 (O4/R5)

 

Cimmerian Bosporos, Myrmekion
Circa 470-460 BCE
AR Tetartemorion 5 mm, 0.22 g
Ant seen from above.
Rev. Quadripartite incuse square, pellets in two opposing compartments.
HGC 7, 54. MacDonald 6

 

Northern Arabia(?)
Circa 4th-3rd centuries BCE
AR Tetartamorion .14g, 6.5mm
Helmeted head of Athena right.
Owl standing left, Paleo-Hebrew text to left. "GSRK?"
Huth & Qedar 1999 27-8

 

Cyclades, Naxos
AR Tetartemorion 5mm .12g
520-470 BCE
Obv: Kantharos
Rev: Quadripartite incuse square
HGC 6, 627

 

 

[panzerman]

Some of my teeny boopers....

Etruria/ uncertain City

AV As circa 250BC

3.9mm.

Regensburg

AV 1/32 Dukat ND 1700

4.1mm.

[panzerman]

Just in....

 

Lydia

EL 1/48 Stater

Sardes Mint

Time of Ardys/ Alyattes 630-564BC

0.28g.    4.3mm.

[Alegandron]

7 hours ago, panzerman said:

Some of my teeny boopers....

Etruria/ uncertain City

AV As circa 250BC

3.9mm.

Regensburg

AV 1/32 Dukat ND 1700

4.1mm.

Really like that Etruria, John!  Nice dinky one.

[panzerman]

2 hours ago, Alegandron said:

Really like that Etruria, John!  Nice dinky one.

Thanks!

Yeah/ that coin is my tiniest/ but it looks like a gem in the flesh. Artemide said there are 3-4 known! Also that the Etrurians buried their relatives/ placing one in their mouth upon burial. I guess not peasant classes.....

I also have two types of 10 Asses from there.

 

John

 

[Finn235]

Took this pic just for a Reddit challenge a year-ish ago to see how many coins we could fit on top of a Morgan dollar

[panzerman]

Neat way to compare sizes to Morgan Dollar. I count 30 little gaffers.