My new (slightly used) Sicilian bronze boson (it'll make sense in a second) beauty/ You mean to tell me the ancient Sicilians had bronzes too!?

[Ryro]

An iconic coin from Sicily of Artemis and Zeus's thunderbolt, exploding like the Higgs Boson God particle. It doesn't just make a good analogy they also do look kind of alike (it's a little darker in hand, like me my photography is a work in progress):

SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. Æ (20mm, 6.66 g, 2h). Struck circa 304-289 BC. Draped bust of Artemis Soteira right, quiver over shoulder / Winged thunderbolt.

(Getting hit with this thunderbolt blast could open another universe... inside of you!)

(Zeus, ever with his thunderbolt in hand, either one)

One moment please! The Sicilians minted other bronze coins aside from their high watermark of numismatic achievements in silver???

Other bronze eye candy from Sicily:

Oopsie!! How did that silver Sicilian slip in?😘

Sicilians? Yes, please. Bronze Sicilians, even better. I'm really interested in others versions of my bronze Agathokles. Of course anything you feel adds to the thread would be nice.

 

[happy_collector]

Nice addition, @Ryro. There are a number of Syracuse bronze designs on my want list, such as man-headed bull and octopus. Hope to slowly pick them up one by one. Here are two I currently have. 🙂 

SICILY.SYRACUSE. Hiketas II 287-278 BC.AE.
7.26g, 24mm, 9h 
Obv: Head of Kore left, grain ear behind.
Rev: Charioteer in biga right, star above.
SNG Cop.802, SNG ANS 760.

SICILY, Syracuse. Timoleon and the Third Democracy.
344-317 BC. Æ Litra. 20mm, 5.69 g, 7h.
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo left; Campanian helmet to right
Rev: Pegasus flying left; monogram above.
CNS 86 DS 46 R 11; HGC 2, 1488
Sigmund Collection. CNG e-Auction. Dec 2021. 

Edited August 23, 2022 by happy_collector

[kapphnwn]

I believe that the aes of Syracuse are only just second to the wonderful silver coins from that city. 

Ae Hemi drachm of Syracuse 344-339/8 BC Time of Timoleon Obv Head of Zeus Eleutherios right laureate. Rv Thunderbolt to right eagle wings folded. HGC 1440 16.58 grms 23 mm Photo by W. Hansen

It is good to see the image of Zeus with his three adjunct symbols the wreath of laurel, the thunderbolt and his familiar the eagle. Zeus is in this case described as the "Liberator" 

[Deinomenid]

There’s a huge auction of Sicilian bronzes coming up early September- I think it was announced today. Literally hundreds  so hopefully some will be reasonably priced. Roma “Anders Collection”.

[Deinomenid]

Here’s my version of a Soteira. Same time period - ie when Agathocles decided to be clear he was ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ rather than just a  friendly first among equals…

 

SYRACUSE. Agathocles, 317 - 289 BC AE ø 24mm (9.01g). ca. 304 - 289 AD Obv.: ΣΟΤΕΙΡΑ, draped bust of Artemis Soteira with quiver r. Rev.: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΣ, winged thunderbolt. CNS II 142; HGC 2, 1537. 

[Curtis JJ]

Sicilian (and Magna Graecian) bronze coins are really special and beautiful coins. Below are a few of mine:

 

Nice hefty bronze from Syracuse, under Pyrrhos. Pyrrhos lived in the shadow of Alexander III and clearly even borrowed his coin types (and those of Alexander's successor kings) --

Greek (Post-Classical / Hellenistic West). Sicily, Syracuse AE Litra (23mm, 11.80g, 6h), temp. Pyrrhos, c. 278-276 BCE.
Obv: ΣΥPAKOΣIΩN. Head of Herakles wearing lionskin left.
Rev: Athena Promachos right, holding shield & hurling javelin; wreath to left.
Ref: CNS 177 (Volume II, Syracuse); BAR Issue 52; HGC 2, 1450; SNG ANS 845.
Prov: Ex El Medina Collection; CNG CNG XXXI (Boston, 9 Sep 1994), Lot 90; Superior Galleries August Rare Coin Sale (8 August 1983), Lot 26.

 

Syracuse, a couple of Hieron II middle bronzes:

Greek (Post-Classical / Hellenistic West). Sicily, Syracuse AE Hemilitron (17mm, 3.98 g, 8h), temp. Hieron II, c. 275-215 BCE.
Obv: Wreathed head of Kore left.
Rev: Bull butting left; club over N above, IE below.
Ref: CNS 199; BAR Issue 59; HGC 2, 1497.
Prov: Ex Clain-Stefanelli Coll.; Naville 29 (26 Feb 2017), lot 86; CNG EA 485 (10 Feb 2021), Lot 13.

Greek (Post-Classical / Hellenistic West). Sicily, Syracuse AE Hemilitron (AE 4.88g, 17.5mm, 3h), temp. Hieron II, c. 275-215 BCE.
Obv: Wreathed head of Kore left.
Rev: Bull butting left; club over N above, IE below.
Ref: CNS 199; BAR Issue 59; HGC 2, 1497.
Prov: Ex Richard Baker Coll.; CNG EA 509 (9 Feb 2022), Lot 846 (part of 8).

 

A couple others, quickly, Agrigentum, Syracuse, and -- oh, how'd a silver get in there?

 

Edited August 23, 2022 by Curtis JJ

[Edessa]

Sicily, Mamertinoi. Circa 208-200 BC. Æ Pentonkion (27mm, 11.52g, 3h). Obv: Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev: MAMEPTINΩN, warrior advancing right, wearing helmet and holding shield and spear, to right, value mark Π. Ref: Calciati I, 40; SNG ANS 441; HGC 2, 853. About Very Fine, nice glossy dark brown patina.

[IanG]

Some lovely coins above. Sicily was the first place to produce bronze coinage around the mid 5th century BC. Other cities soon started minting it but rarely with the panache of the Sicilians. Here's 3 types that haven't yet been shown.

 

Sicily, Leontinoi, 430-422 B.C.

Laureate head of Apollo right, leaf behind / Tripod between two corn-grains, with lyre beneath; in exergue, three pellets.

SNG Copenhagen 360.

1.82 g, 13mm.

 

Sicily, Kamarina.

 Tetras, 420-410 BC.

Head of Athena left, wearing Attic crested helmet / Owl standing left, holding lizard; in exergue three pellets.

SNG ANS 1230.

3.21g, 14mm.

 

Sicily, Gela.

Tetras, circa 420-405 BC.

Bull standing left, olive-branch above, three pellets in exergue / Head of young river-god right, ΓΕΛΑΣ before, olive branch behind.

Jenkins, Gela, 532 (same dies); Calciati III, 22, 51.

3.59g, 16mm.

[Roman Collector]

Fun thread, Scoob, as always! You never know what you're going to see in a @Ryro thread! It's particle physics today!

Alas, I don't have any Sicilian bronze. In terms of the OP, with a female bust, right, with her hair in a bun and a thunderbolt and Greek inscription on the reverse ...

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman provincial Æ 23 mm, 9.0 g.
Cilicia, Olba, c. AD 158-165.
Obv: ΦΑVCΤΙΝΑ CЄΒΑCΤΗ, draped bust of Faustina, right, wearing stephane.
Rev: ΟΛΒЄ-ΩΝ, winged thunderbolt.
Refs: RPC IV.3, 5828 (temporary); BMC 21.125,25; SNG von Aulock 5795; SNG Levante 657.
Notes: Obverse die-match to SNG von Aulock and SNG Levante specimens.

[shanxi]

I think that physics should be integrated into the study of numismatics. How can one so misinterpret these obvious clear particle traces. Unbelievable.

My coin even has a schematic drawing of CERN's Large Hadron Collider below the particle traces. 

.

Seleukos I.
Syria, Seleukis and Pieria
312 - 281 BC
Obv.: laureate head of Zeus right
Rev.: ΣEΛEΥKEΩN, Higgs boson produced by colliding protons decaying into hadron jets and electrons
AE, 7.79g, 22.60mm
Ref.: BMC 5, Newell WSM 898, SNG Spaer 39

 

 

 

Edited August 23, 2022 by shanxi

[Prieure de Sion]

10 hours ago, Ryro said:

Sicilians? Yes, please. Bronze Sicilians, even better. I'm really interested in others versions of my bronze Agathokles. Of course anything you feel adds to the thread would be nice.

Sicilia, Syracuse, Hieron II - Attention: Elektrotype(!)

 

Here I was a little bit, really a little bit, annoyed with Roma London. Although I am a regular customer at Roma and still buy something in every auction.

This Elekrotype was offered in the middle of a regular auction. That is, there were real antique coins and this modern electrotype coin in between. So if you looked too quickly - like me - you overlooked the fact that it was a modern production. 

But. I know, for the most part I have myself to blame. It said "electrotype" as the metal type in the description. And it should have struck me that there is no Hieron II in this condition in an auction for around 40 euros. Nevertheless - even if modern - it is beautifully made.

[Qcumbor]

Hard to follow up, a lot has been already shown, great coins all !

My, not so good, version of the OP

 

And my two best Syracuse bronzes :

Syracuse Agathokles 317-289 BC

SYPAKOSYWN. Head of Kore left
Bull butting left, two dolphins and linked VA in field
6.0 gr, 20 mm
Ref : Sear #1195 var

 

Syracuse Hiketas 288-279 BC

Head of Zeus hellanios right
ΣΙΡΑΚ ΟΣΙΩΝ. Eagle left, wings open, star and A in field
8.95 gr, 23 mm
Ref : Sear # 1212

 

Q

[dougsmit]

As I prefer, my coins similar to this request are 'different' in some way that made me buy them over higher grade coins.  I was not aware of such matters in 1988 when I bought this first one from Ed Waddell.  Most of you probably could not believe that Ed sold a coin like this and it was beneath his average in 1988.  Back then, he had many $1000 coins as well but had some for cheapskates like me.  He was, and still is, a nice guy in the business.  I wish our budgets allowed me to still be a customer.  This is the common variety Sear 1200.

 

'Different' is this one that started life as a Sear 1206 coin of the Democracy that replaced Agathokles in 289 BC and changed the legend to ΔΙΟΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΥ of which only a bit survived being overstruck by a type of Hiketas II unlisted in Sear but found in Favorito as #50f.  Those interested in these coins might enjoy the paperback The Bronze Coinage of Ancient Syracuse by Emilio Favorito, published by the Society Historia Numorum in Boston, 1990.  Good luck finding a copy.  

This CNG sale had a group lot with both the Agathokles and the Democracy type with head left:

https://cngcoins.com/Search.aspx?IS_ADVANCED=1&ITEM_IS_SOLD=1&ITEM_LOT_NUMBER=115&ITEM_LOT_NUMBER_FROM=115&ITEM_DESC=syracuse+democracy&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_1=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_2=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_3=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_4=1&TABS_TYPE=3&CONTAINER_NAME=78&CONTAINER_TYPE_ID=3&VIEW_TYPE=0&MAX_COUNT=10000&PAGE=1

 

I have always been fond of Sicilian AE coins when I could find my definition of good enough in my definition of cheap enough.  These assorted Sicilians are presented for ID practice for any here interested in such an exercise. 

[jdmKY]

Here’s my “Boson” - Octavian, Q. Salvius, 40 BC

[Ryro]

Welly welly well. What a thread this has turned out to be. 

Man, it is almost refreshing to see so many beautiful Sicilian bronze after spending day after day looking at those Sicilian silvers!

Great coins and thinking @happy_collectortake your time with these. People get crazy with these coins, when there's actually pretty good deals to be had of your patient.

And always appreciate @kapphnwn gracing  one of my threads with one of his masterpieces!

Brilliant additions @Deinomenid, @Curtis JJ! Excellent example @Edessa, of a wonderful Zeus portrait!

@IanGthat is a stunning owl on your Syracuse Athena geko. Mine with gorgon:

and @Roman Collector will I take that deal?

Jk, my man. You know I love those Faustinas😘

Here's an image of a Higgs Boson Large Hadron collider from her husband:

@shanxiyou slayed me with your perfect collider! I have a similar schematic on this coins obverse!

(finding the God particle and not God is anther Pyrrhic victory)

@Prieure de SionI feel your pain. Years ago I bought a lot of two coins that were modern repros, one Greek and one Roman, thinking I was getting a real on real coins. But like you it was spur of the moment. We live we learn.

Gat daDang @Qcumbor!!! That bull looks like it's about to bust off of that coin add much as that eagle looks like it's about to fly! Masterful purchases and artistry!

I don't believe there are too many guys alive whoes collection I would enjoy talking with and pouring over (though there will always be a standing invite to @AncientJoe) than @dougsmit. Talking Severan dynasty with him would be amazing. But then you always surprises me with your Greeks!

@jdmKY excellent Octavius Bosonus!

 

 

Edited August 24, 2022 by Ryro

[Broucheion]

Hi All,

Bosons, Sicilians, ... what about the Ptolemaic Sicilians? 

Well, here are two of them, plus an AE of Hieron II.

CNG described this series this way (https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=323769😞

• "In their recent study (see also: http://www.ptolemybronze.com/), Daniel Wolf and Catharine Lorber thoroughly examine a class of the ‘Galatian shield’ bronze coinage commonly given to the Alexandria mint. While the bronze issues with an enigmatic monogram of Σ with serifs above the shield can be attributed to the mint of Alexandria, those without this control exhibit distinguishing features, with provenances suggesting a Sicilian mint. While this theory of a western origin has been posited before, Wolf and Lorber present the first comprehensive investigation of the series, accompanied by a die study. Their analysis shows that the initial output of Sicilian ‘Galatian shield’ bronzes appear to have been produced under Alexandrian minting specialists, with related ‘imitative’ issues of ‘Western Greek’ style following this period of production under Ptolemaic authority. These ‘Western Greek’ style coins were struck with loose dies and share a common fabric, metrology, and border style with the Syracusan coinage of Hieron II, as well as featuring shared controls with the coinage struck in Hieron’s name, all indicating a Sicilian mint’s operation under Hieron superseding the Ptolemaic, or perhaps the wholesale transfer of the mint (if so, very likely to Syracuse)."

You can read more about this odd series of Ptolemaic coins (including the die study) at Dan Wolf's indispensable web site noted above. See also http://ptolemybronze.com/paper.html for the published article by Wolf and Lorber that you can also get from Academia.edu at https://www.academia.edu/7921249/The_Galatian_Shield_without_sigma_Series_of_Ptolemaic_Bronze_Coins . Check out his Academia.edu site for even more notes on this series.

Here is a sample of Hieron II's coinage that shares monograms with the Ptolemaic types.

HIERON II OF SYRACUSE (275-216 BCE), SICILY, SYRACUSE, ca 265 BCE (Struck ca 230-218/215 BCE)

Æ Obol
Size: 26x27 mm
Weight: 16.15 g
Die Axis: 05:00

Obv: Hieron II head, diademmed, facing left. Dotted border not visible.
Rev: Horseman with spear on galloping horse, moving to right. In right field under horse's left front leg: N. In exergue: ΙΕΡΩΝΟΣ. Border not visible.
Refs: CNS 195 R1 22; BAR Issue 61; HGC 2, 1548. See also Weiser page 30, E. SNG ANS-952; Caltabiano II, 382.
Notes: Related to CPE-B288 and Svoronos 612var: monogram below shield; Related to SNG Copenhagen-117var: letter N below shield.

 

PTOLEMY II PHILADELPHOS (285-246 BCE), SICILY, SYRACUSE (ISSUED BY HIERON II), Probably 264 - 263 BCE

Æ 2-1/4 Obols
Size: 27x29mm
Weight: 18.72 g
Dies: P62: a55/p58 ('Alexandrian Style' - Svoronos 610 with Linear Reverse Border)
Die Axis: 0

Obv: Zeus head, laureate, facing right. No centration depression. Dotted border.
Rev: Εagle on thunderbolt facing left, wings spread. In left field: shield with thunderbolt device, (but no controls). Legend: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛ[ΕΩΣ]. No centration depression. Continuous solid circular border characteristic of Sicilian manufacture.
Refs: Lorber CPE-B288; Svoronos-610, pl xii, 17 [47 listed]; SNG Copenhagen-114; SNG Köln 18; SNG Milano 46; HistMusFrankfurt 55, 57, 58.
Notes: Wolf & Lorber term this variety 610sub1. In CPE Lorber states: "The earliest issue, CPE B288-B289, exhibits an idealizing obverse style shared by the Zeus heads of the contemporary Egyptian Series 2H, as well as by the heads of Zeus and Zeus-Ammon on Egyptian Series 3. The die axes are vertical as is usual for Ptolemaic coinage. Many aspects of this series changed markedly after the first issue. On subsequent varieties the head of Zeus is rendered in West Greek style and the coins were struck from loose dies, reflecting Sicilian minting practice. After an initial phase in which the controls appear above or below the shield."

 

 

PTOLEMY II PHILADELPHOS (285-246 BCE), SICILY, SYRACUSE (ISSUED BY HIERON II), ca 265 BCE

Æ 2-1/4 Obols
Size: 26 mm
Weight: 18.4 g
Dies: H09: A2/P5 (Obverse die link with CPE B292)
Die Axis: 10:00

Obv: Zeus head, laureate, facing right. No centration depression. Dotted border not visible.
Rev: Εagle on thunderbolt facing left, wings spread. In left field: ΝΚ monogram above Gallic shield with thunderbolt device. Legend to left: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ;
to right: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ. No centration depresion. Border not visible.
Refs: Lorber CPE-B291 (CPE plate coin); Svoronos-Unlisted; SNG Copenhagen-117var: letter N below shield.

- Broucheion

Edited August 24, 2022 by Broucheion