Cute fractions, a great deal and some mysteries

[Helvius Pertinax]

I've hear my fair share of stories about cheap group lots, misidentified rarities and amazing deals over the last years, so it was about time for me to stumble across one that checks all those boxes.

It seemed unlikely I was going to get a deal, the entire auction had both high starting prices and ridiculous hammers. Well, now for the rarity: have you spotted it yet? Nobody did during the auction it seems and I was able to win the lot at just 210€

For this Judaean (0.4g) Gerah alone, 200€ could be considered cheap. I was able to find a die match which sold at CNG for almost double. Still, the reverse was a bit disappointing 😂

The fractions are smaller than I had imagined them, but quite lovely. One still gives me headaches though, the "Athenian" Obol. The most pleasant suprise in the lot with an amazing obverse. I don't quite buy the attribution though, the style seems off.

After posting elsewhere, the consensus seems to agree that the coin is eastern, I am struggling with an exact attribution though, and would appreciate any specific hints! CGB sold a reverse die match but attributed it to Athens.

That's it from me! I'll now work on spreadsheets for the coins I'll keep and make attributions for the ones that will get sold. Have a nice evening 😁

[JAZ Numismatics]

That's a grest score! The obol looks Athenian enough to me, but don't take my word for it. My expertise is Arabian imitations, which look like Picasso was contracted to engrave.

[Helvius Pertinax]

Thanks, appreciate it! Yeah, the style of those can be quite fun 😄 At least the early ones are quite pleasant. I'll continue looking around for opinions, it's gonna be one that could take a while to get an ID and dating for.

[kirispupis]

That's a great pickup! In terms of the Obol, AFAIK it's tough to say. I'm not sure these can be attributed solely by style and, to my knowledge, there's usually some identifying mark required to put it in one camp vs another. 

Here's my Yehud example.

JUDAEA, Achaemenid Province (Yehud)
AR Gerah 7.2mm, 0.6g
Circa 375-332 BCE.
Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; lily and crescent to left, YHD (in Phoenician) to right.
MCP YHD .Hendin 1050; cf. HGC 10, 435

 

And a related one...

JUDAEA, Macedonian Period. Hezekiah
Circa 332-302/1 BCE
AR Half Gerah – Ma’ah 8mm, 0.27 g
Facing head of male
Owl standing right, head facing; HPḤH (in Phoenician) to left, YḤZQYH (in Phoenician) to right
MCP YHD 24, dies O9/R11; Meshorer 22; Hendin 6069; HGC 10, 450; Bromberg 319; Shoshana II 20048; cf. Sofaer 20; Spaer 22
Ex Bes Collection

[Robi]

Great deal indeed! Fine phoenician 1/16 shekels too. I have bought my gerah for 140 euro (+ 32 euro: vat and shipment) 

[Helvius Pertinax]

22 hours ago, kirispupis said:

That's a great pickup! In terms of the Obol, AFAIK it's tough to say. I'm not sure these can be attributed solely by style and, to my knowledge, there's usually some identifying mark required to put it in one camp vs another. 

Here's my Yehud example.

JUDAEA, Achaemenid Province (Yehud)
AR Gerah 7.2mm, 0.6g
Circa 375-332 BCE.
Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; lily and crescent to left, YHD (in Phoenician) to right.
MCP YHD .Hendin 1050; cf. HGC 10, 435

 

And a related one...

JUDAEA, Macedonian Period. Hezekiah
Circa 332-302/1 BCE
AR Half Gerah – Ma’ah 8mm, 0.27 g
Facing head of male
Owl standing right, head facing; HPḤHth (in Phoenician) to left, YḤZQYH (in Phoenician) to right
MCP YHD 24, dies O9/R11; Meshorer 22; Hendin 6069; HGC 10, 450; Bromberg 319; Shoshana II 20048; cf. Sofaer 20; Spaer 22
Ex Bes Collection

It's giving me a tough time as well, no marks on either side in this case so I've listed it as an Athenian Obol with a possibility of it being a Philistian imitation.

 

Great Yehud piece, love the owls. And even a Hezekiah, that's awesome... though I did have some trouble spotting the head on the obverse!

[Helvius Pertinax]

On 10/23/2024 at 11:23 PM, Robi said:

Great deal indeed! Fine phoenician 1/16 shekels too. I have bought my gerah for 140 euro (+ 32 euro: vat and shipment) 

That's a cute owl, the price sounds very reasonable too!