A Survey of Ancient Coins

Greece; Seleucid, Demetrius II (1st Reign) BCE 146-138

2012-01-30T10:52:00.000-08:00

AE 20 mm, 8.78 g, perhaps Nisibis mint

SC 1980 var.

O: diad. Hd of Demetrius II r, with short beard, fillet border
R: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY in two lines on r, NIKATOPOΣ on l., Agathos Daimon and Agathe Tyche stg confronted, each wearing calathus and holding cornucopiae, holding hands.

Ex: J.S. Wagner Collection
Ex: CNG EA 236, portion Lot: 339 (07 July 2010)

Colonial Brazil

2012-01-26T14:42:00.000-08:00

D. Pedro II of Portugal CE 1683-1706

AR 320 Reis (30mm, 9.65 g.), 1701 Pernambuco mint

KM 89.2

O: NATA-STAB-SVBQ-SIGN around with large P in center of globe

R: PETRVS II DG PORT REX ET BD around, to left of COA 320 and to left of crown 17 and to right 01.

Officials seize two ancient coins at NYINC

2012-01-23T12:08:00.000-08:00

http://www.coinworld.com/articles/officials-seize-two-ancient-coins-at-nyinc/

http://phdiva.blogspot.com/2012/01/greek-coins-seized-from-cng-auction.html

Greece; Macedon, Alexander III BCE 336-323

2012-01-13T15:39:00.000-08:00

AR Obol; 0.69 g, 9 mm, Ake mint c. BCE 326/5

Price 3253 var.

O: Hd of Herakles r. in lion skin

R: inscription off flan, Zeus Aeotophoros std l holding eagle. Phoenician inscription reading ‘AK with date possibly 21 =BCE 326/5

Potential Competition for VCoins

2012-01-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

We received an email from a dealer with whom we have had dealings with in the past stating that he has left VCoins and is now listing his wares at NUMISMALL http://www.numismall.com/. It appears that Numismall's owners are based in Canada from what we can gather.

It seems that a number of well known dealers who have been posting their coins at VCoins are also posting at Numismall. We would especially recommend patronizing our friend Lee Toone's Hookmoor Ancient Coins who is also posting at Numismall as well as his own website. He has some interesting hoard pieces from the UK.

Numismall appears to be in its infancy, but perhaps this is what the hobby has needed, some competition among coin malls to which there are now three that we are aware of, the German MA Shops, VCoins and now Numismall. This may ultimately benefit the collector with competitive pricing and availability.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129 New Variety Tyrian Drachm

2012-01-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

AR Drachm (Attic weight), 3.86 g, Tyre mint c. BCE 138-134 off flan

SC 2108.2 var, HSC 1080 L (R2-3, this example is likely R3), CSE 2:629 var, Newell Tyre ----, this variety otherwise unpublished.

O: diad hd of Antiochus VII r., some porosity

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] ANTIOXOY in two lines on right, ΕΥ-EPΓETOY on l., Nike adv l holding wreath, Tyrian monogram TYP on club as mintmark and Σ inner right under wing as control. Date off flan but normally below Nike’s feet.

This control Σ is unrecorded in the sources for this type. It is published for the Phoenician Wt drachms where it appears between the eagle’s feet, therefore this example appears unpublished at present and possibly unique.

Greece/Pontus; Amisos, Time of Mithradates VI Eupator BCE 120-63

2011-12-17T14:39:00.000-08:00

AE 19 mm, 8.2 g c. BCE 85-65

SNG BMC Black Sea 1177-1183 v, Sear 3642, SNG XI Stancomb 687-690

O: Aegis

R: Nike advancing r with palm tied with fillet over left shldr AMI-ΣOY with two monograms flanking.

England; James I 1603-1625

2011-12-02T15:37:00.000-08:00

AR Sixpence, 1603, 25 mm (2.84 g) second bust, mm thistle

O: IACOBVS DG ANG SCO FRA ET HIB REX, VI in field
R: EXVRGAT DEVS DISSIPENTVR INIMICI (legend based on Psalm 68:1), 1603 above COA.

S. 2648

Great Britain; a few Hanoverian Farthings 1714-1837

2011-11-23T12:42:00.000-08:00

George II (1727-1760) S. 3722

George III (1760-1820) Soho mint 1799, S.3779

George IV (1820-1830) S. 3822

William IV (1830-1837) S. 3848 die axis 12h/12h

Priceless Treasure of Benghazi Stolen

2011-10-31T04:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2055283/Libya-Robbers-loot-priceless-Treasure-Benghazi-bank-vault.html

This speaks for itself and does not aid those who argue that such items need to be stored solely in museums. The collection has been back in Libya for 50 years and apparently has not been studied and now it is in the wind. Good thing it was secured in a vault and not in private collections, eh?

Brazil; 1000 Rs 1922 Centenary of Independence Error

2011-10-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

KM 532.2 Unc. Obs depicts Dom Pedro I and Pres. Epitacio Pessoa and you will note the error in the ex where BRASIL is spelled BBASIL. This error adds only about three times to the value of the BRASIL example, though recently eBay had one in in slightly poorer condition that was bid up to $97 US! Current catalogue value for this item is about $20 US.

For more info on Dom Pedro I or Pres. Epitacio Pessoa click on the links.

Brazil; 1000 Rs 1932 4th Centenary of Colonization

2011-10-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

KM#531 Unc
The obs. depicts Martim Afonso de Souza (c 1500-1571) for more info on de Souza go to this URL http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martim_Afonso_de_Sousa

Great Britain; Festival of Britain Crown 1951

2011-10-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

S. 4111 unc. CuNi
Festival of Britain info

Update

2011-10-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

Since I have a somewhat substantial and always growing collection of worldwide coins accumulated since I was a kid from my travels and those of friends as well as outright purchases, I am going to start posting (more frequently) interesting items from this collection that cover the eras from the end of antiquity to the present day.

The essence of this blog is and will remain ancient coins, and regular posts in this regard will continually be added or updated. The worldwide items posted will consist of those items that catch my eye for artistic or historical reasons or for the story they carry.

Harry Truman once said that an 'expert is an expert because they are afraid to learn something new, then they wouldn't be an expert anymore.' I have never considered myself an expert and certainly have never stopped trying to learn something new on a daily basis, and trust that those of you who are regular or new visitors will find something of interest herein and will find new and hopefully interesting items to appreciate on this continuing exploration through collecting.

JG

Islamic/ Artuqids of Mardin; Najm ad-din Alpi AH 547-572/CE 1152-1176

2011-10-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

AE Dirham; 31 mm, 11.95 g, 2h, obs. slightly double struck

Spengler/Sayles 27

O: based on obs of a tetradrachm of Antiochus VII Sidetes, with the laqam Najm ad-Din inscribed on the subject's neck. dotted border.

R: Inscription within dotted border reading: Malik al-Umara Abul-Muzaffar Alpi bin Timurtash bin al-Ghazi bin Artuq

                                         Example of the type the Artuqid piece was based upon,
                                         which was issued almost 1,300 years before the Artuqid
                                         piece.

Greece/Seleucid; Seleucus I Nicator BCE 312-281

2011-10-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

AE 21 mm, 8.82 g, Antioch mint, circa BCE 300-295

O: laureate hd of Apollo r, with wavy locks on back of neck, dotted border.

R: BAΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ on r., ΣEΛEYK[OY] on l., Athena Promachos in Corinthian helmet stg r., brandishing spear and shield, dotted border. Seleucid symbol, inner right, Anchor, flukes upward.

SC 15.1, SNG Spaer 3-5 v, CSE 1, 2 v., CSE 2, 8 v., WSM 911

Greece/Seleucid; Demetrius I Soter BCE 162-150

2011-10-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

AE 24 mm serrate (3 mm thick), 14.37 g, Antioch mint.

SC 1644, HSC 821 (S)
O: laureate hd of Apollo r, hair twisted in long plait on back of neck. Dotted border

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ΔHMHTPIOY on l., tripod

Controls: none

Greece/Seleucid; Demetrius I Soter BCE 162-150

2011-10-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

AE 24 mm serrate (6 mm thick), 18.01 g, Perhaps Antioch mint.

SC 1648 variety unlisted without controls

O: laureate hd of Apollo r, hair flowing down back of neck. Dotted border
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ΔHMHTPIOY on l., tripod

Controls: none

Greece/Pontos; Amisos, Time of Mithradates VI Eupator BCE 120-63

2011-09-29T04:57:00.000-07:00

AE 25mm, 13.46 g c. BCE 115-c. 89/88

BMC 13. 18, 61, Sear 3639

O: Mithradates as Perseus wearing a Phrygian helmet

R: Pegasus grazing l. AMIΣOY and two monograms below.

Pegasus was apparently utilized as a symbol on Mithradatic coinage until about BCE 89/88 when the stag became the prominent symbol.

http://press.princeton.edu/titles/8977.html This book is an interesting and even fun read if one overlooks the minor editorial errors that ultimately do not detract from the well told story unless you take them too seriously.

Greece/Seleucid; Alexander I Balas BCE 152-145

2011-09-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

AR Drachm, 18 mm, 3.59g, Antioch mint, BCE 149/8-148/7

SC 1785.5b, CSE 185, SMA 173

O: Diademed hd of Alexander I r., clean shaven or with sideburn, diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted border.
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ in two lines on r., ΘΕΟΠATOPOΣ EYEPΓETOY in two lines on l., Apollo std l., on omphalos, testing arrow and resting hand on grounded bow.

Primary control outer left, secondary in ex.
EX: FSR MBS 82 #109 (13-09-2011)

Ancient Coins and the Cultural Property Debate; another installment

2011-09-02T07:57:00.001-07:00

http://numismatics.org/wikiuploads/DigitalPublications/WitschonkeTompaFinal.pdf

VCoins Changes???

2011-08-31T14:26:00.000-07:00

Updating the information provided the other day, a visit to the VCoins site late this afternoon reveals that the OLD VCoins website is back up and running. Perhaps the bugs are being worked out of the new site...more later perhaps.

I used to have an employer who would never test their web apps beforehand and always jumped the gun in launching them only to bring them down, work out the bugs or just scrap the whole damn site altogether.

VCoins Changes

2011-08-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

I have done my best in the past not to utilize this site for editorial opinions or ravings, though now I feel compelled to at least state my opinion.

Sometimes, when we reinvent the wheel we end up rolling down hill with four flat tires and no brakes. This is what appears to have happened to the formerly very functional VCoins site, now in a reborn format under its new owners that is neither functional for searches nor usable and friendly as it once was to say the least.

A few observations. Earlier today I searched for the new items posted by dealers on the site under today's date. At that time I noted 110 items. Several hours later I performed the same search and noted only 12 items. Either 98 items were quickly snapped up or they are floating somewhere in the ether and I suspect that it is more the former then the latter considering other search results.

I then did a general search for "Seleucid" or "Seleukid" items. I received a whole gaggle of coins in response to my search, the problem was that there was no way to separate sold or unsold as on the old VCoins site and so they were all lumped together and who has the time to look through 4000 plus items of which sold items could be 50+%? One dealer was lucky enough to have had his coins "twinned", that is two listings of every coin in a particular category.

Now, don't get me wrong this is very early on in the redevelopment of the site and rather then cast aspersions and kvetch incessantly I am willing to give the new owners a chance to grow their site into a fully functioning marketplace for numinetizens to patronize. The problem is, if dealers cannot sell their wares due to functionality issues at the new site, they may not stick around long enough for the redesigned site to become as successful a tool as its predecessor. If coin buyers don't stick around long enough, the viability of VCoins comes into question. Though right now if you can't find anything without finding everything, you're more likely not to buy anything either and this is bad news for collectors, dealers and VCoins.

Of course, people are always wary of change in anything, though often this change can be for the better. Let's hope that the present owners of VCoins succeed in their efforts to make VCoins the online coin show that we have known and appreciated over the years.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus XII c. BCE 87/6-84/3 Two Bronzes

2011-08-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

AE 19 mm, 7.29 g, 12h, Damascus mint c. BCE 85/4-84/3

SC 2478

O: diad and draped bust of Ant XII r with short curly beard, diad ends falling straight behind, dotted border.
R: BACΙΛΕΩC ANTIOXOV EΠIΦANOVC on right ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟC KAΛΛINIKOV on left, Zeus stg l holding Nike and sceptre, dotted border. Contol in outer left.

AE 19 mm, 6.73 g, 12h, Damascus mint c. BCE 83/2

SC 2481

O: diad and draped bust of Ant XII r with short curly beard, diad ends falling straight behind, dotted border.
R: BACΙΛΕΩC ANTIOXOV ΔIONVCΟV on right EΠIΦANOVC ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟC KAΛΛINIKOV on left, Zeus stg l holding Nike and sceptre, dotted border. Contol in ex.

Dealers and Collector Arrested in Smuggling Antiquities

2011-08-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nye/pr/2011/2011jul14.html

No commentary needed. Two of the dealers you may recognize from Vcoins. Their Vcoins shops are closed. I don't think selling coins at the present time is their chief concern.

Greece/Calabria; Tarentum c. BCE 315-302

2011-08-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

AR Nomos, 20 mm, 7.77 g, 4h

Vlasto 605

O: Nude warrior on horseback right, holding round shield and two lances in left hand, spear pointed downwards in right; ΣA below

R: TAPAΣ right, Taras astride dolphin left, holding kantharos in extended right hand, trident over left shoulder; AP monogram before; dolphin left below, dot in center left field.

Ex: Tom McAfee dba Tom’s Coins (FL) July 1979

Ex: James Lovette Collection with ANACS Certification #E-0698-D (11-28-1979)

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus II Theos BCE 261-246

2011-08-03T04:59:00.000-07:00

AE 17.5 mm, 3.49 g, Sardes mint c. BCE 261-250 per Newell

SC 520.4a, WSM 1389

O: laur hd of Apollo r. with short curly hair

R: BAΣIΛEΩΣ on r., ANTIOXOY on l., tripod standing on symbol in this case anchor with flukes to left.

Primary control: off flan but P is partially seen on far left.

Secondary control: M I Λ outer r

3,000 Roman 3rd Century coins found in Montgomery field

2011-07-27T19:09:00.001-07:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-14307381

ROMAN/Vespasian CE 69-79 Ex: North Suffolk Hoard (UK) 2009

2011-07-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

AR Denarius, 18 mm, 3.2 g Rome mint CE 70-71

RIC 46, RCV 2312, RSC 561

O: [IMP] CAES VESP AVG PM, laur bust r.

R: TRI POT, Vesta std l. holding simpulum.

Ex: North Suffolk Hoard (UK), 2009 PAS SF-413CE5 (deposit sometime after CE 83)

http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/255180

Coin #201

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/roman_coin_hoard_found_in_north_suffolk_to_be_auctioned_1_818458

Ex: Morton & Eden Auction 49 (9 June 2011) portion of lot 348

“This hoard of 206 Roman silver coins was discovered by metal detector users John Halles and Norman Howard in April and May 2009. The coins appear to have been concealed in a small pit in the ground with no evidence of a container present. The earliest coins date to the 2nd century BC and the latest to the reign of Domitian, around AD 82-83. Of special interest are denarii of the Imperatorial period including issues of Pompey, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony as well as Imperial denarii of Augustus, Caligula, Claudius, Nero and the emperors of the Civil War of AD 68-69, Galba, Otho and Vitellius.

Nine coins have been purchased by the British Museum and the remainder are offered here. A synopsis of the hoard has been published in the 2010 edition of The Numismatic Chronicle, p. 409 no. 8. The coins are mainly offered in the condition in which they were discovered although some of the better preserved examples have been lightly cleaned to remove encrustation. All coins are identified in paper envelopes.” – from the Auction catalogue

Greece/Macedon; Alexander III BCE 336-323 (Posthumous)

2011-07-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

AR Drachm, 18 mm, 4.2 g, 12h, Magnesia ad Meandrum mint c. BCE 282-225

Price 2009, Müller 1130

O: Hd of young Herakles r in lion skin hddress, 5 mm test cut diag at one o’clock

R: [A]ΛEΞANΔPOY on r, Zeus enthroned l., holding eagle and scepter .
Meander in ex, control to outer l field.

Greece/Seleucid; Seleucus I Nicator BCE 312-281

2011-07-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

AR Drachm, 17mm, 3.96 g, 11h, Seleucia II mint c. BCE 296-295

SC 140.3 , HSC 29g (R1 though more likely an R2 due to ltd sources), ESM----

O: Hd of young Herakles r in lion skin hddress, dotted border

R: [Σ]EΛEYKOY on r, Zeus enthroned l., holding eagle and scepter, dotted border. Anchor with inverted flukes to outer left. Controls: Θ before Zeus’ legs and monogram under throne.

Roman Egypt; Numerian, as Caesar CE 282-283

2011-07-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

Potin Tetradrachm; 19 mm, 7.62 g, 12h, Yr. 2=CE CE 282-283

RCV 12272, Emmett 4013 (4)

O: laur, dr bust r., A K M A NOVMЄPIANOC KC

R: L B, Athena std l on throne , holds Nike and spear

Roman/Diocletian CE 284-305

2011-07-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

AE Follis, 10.01 g, 26 mm, 6 h, London mint c. CE 300-305

RIC VI, 6a, RCV 12760 var.

O: laur, cuir bust r. IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG
R: Genius stg l holding cornucopia and patera, [GENI]O P[O-]P ROMANI (visible but lightly struck and gouge in Genius’ midriff)

Ex: A.G. & S. Gillis, S. Yorkshire, England, purchased by Vogelaar 14 August 1992 for ₤ 11

Ex: J.S. Vogelaar (1949-2010) Collection #635

Ex: CNG EA 204 (11 Feb 2009) lot 295.2

Ex: Warren Esty (MT)

Greek/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129

2011-06-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

AR Drachm, 18 mm, 3.97 g, Uncertain Mint 103, probably in Syria (though the celator for the reverse die appears to have a relationship of some sort with Cilicia and Antioch proper due to similarities noted in other coins from those locations).

SC 2082.2, SNG Spaer 1991, CSE 2.609 (obs die match with this example), HSC 1080e (R3) [actually there appear to be 3 known so the rarity is closer to R2-3]

O: diad. Hd of king r.

R: Nike adv. L holding wreath and palm branch. Control marks on outer left. [BA]ΣIΛΕΩΣ [A]NTIOXOY in two lines on right, [E]YE-PΓETOY on left

ex: HJ Berk stock

David Hendin's Excavation Blog

2011-06-20T17:51:00.001-07:00

http://www.davidhendin.blogspot.com/

Ancient Coins and the Cultural Property Debate

2011-06-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

.A civilized discourse away from the shrill voices on either side of the debate. (click here)

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus III BCE 223-187

2011-06-11T07:53:00.002-07:00

AE 22 mm, (4mm thick) 13.38 g, 12h, Soli mint, BCE 197-187

SC 1024.1, HSC 465 (R2)

O: Hd of Apollo r, hair rolled around face, krobylos behind, two long spiral curls falling forward over shldr, dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r. ANTIOXOY on l., Athena enthroned l, holding Nike and resting l elbow on shield, dotted border.

no controls.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus I Soter BCE 280-261

2011-06-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

AE 15 mm, 3.46g, 9h, Seleucia on the Tigris mint, c. BCE 270-267 per Newell

SC 386c, Suse 248, HSC 176 (R1), ESM 156 var.

O: laur hd of Apollo r with short curly hair dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r. ANTIOXOY on l., Athena Promachos advancing r., brandishing spear and shield, dotted border. Contols inner left and outer right.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IX Philopator (Cyzicenus) BCE 114/3-95

2011-06-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

AE 17 x 18 mm, 4.12 g, 12h,Tarsus (“civic”) mint, BCE 114/3-112

CSE 501 var, SC 2353.1 var, SNG Spaer 2729 var, CSE 2, 762 var

O: diademed hd of Antiochus IX r, with short, curly beard, diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., ΦΙΛΟΠATPOPOΣ on l., Athena advancing r., spear on shoulder, holding shield. Control E in inner l., field.

Greece; Seleucid; Antiochus VIII Grypus BCE 121/0-96

2011-05-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

AR Tetradrachm, 29 x 30 mm, 16.36 g, Uncertain mint 116 in Cilicia or N. Syria c. after 112 BCE.

SC 2294.3, SNG Spaer 2569, HSC 1197c (R2)

O: diad hd r, diad ends falling straight behind, fillet border.

R: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on rt EΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ on left, Zeus Uranios standing left, crescent above head, holding scepter in left hand, star above extended right hand, slightly double struck. Controls on outer left monogram above A, and N in ex.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164

2011-05-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

AE 18 mm, 4.2g, 1h, Edessa mint c. BCE 168-164

SC 1499d, CSE 894, HSC 672 (R1-2)

O: rad, diad, hd r. one diad end flying up behind and the other falling forward over shlder, fillet border (not dotted as described in SC)

R: [AN]TIOXEΩN on right, TΩN [E]ΠI KAΛΛIPOHI in two lines on left. Control on outer left.

Hoard of Antoniniani found in Colchester from late 3rd Cent. CE

2011-05-21T05:05:00.000-07:00

click here to read the article and see the photos

Another article about the hoard with additional photos and info.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129

2011-05-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

AR Drachm, 4.1 g, 18 mm, 12h, Antioch mint

SC 2062.2d, SMA 307

O: diad hd of king r. diadem ends falling straight behind, fillet border

R: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., EYEPΓETOY on l., Nike adv l holding wreath

Primary control outer l monogram ΔI

Secondary control inner r beneath wings: Π

Ex: HJB stock

Greece/Seleucid; Alexander II Zabinas BCE 128-122

2011-05-16T13:01:00.000-07:00

AR Tetradrachm 29 mm, 16.54 g Antioch mint

SC 2219.2d, SMA 341, NY 1944.100.76738, CH VIII, plate LXVII #3 (this coin)

O: diad hd of Alexander II r diad ends falling behind in gentle waves, fillet border

R: [B]AΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., AΛΕΞΑΝΔPOY on l., Zeus enthroned l. resting l hand on scepter, extending r hand beyond legend and holding Nike facing l extending wreath toward edge of coin.

Controls outer l and AI under throne

EX: Tartous Hoard 1987 (CH VIII, 471 & CH X, 322)

Roman Egypt; Carinus CE 283-285

2011-05-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

Potin Tetradrachm; 19 mm, 8.5 g, 12h, Yr. 3=CE Aug. 284- Spring 285

RCV 12382, Emmett 4009 (2), Dattari 5583, Milne 4737

O: laur, dr bust r., A K M A KAPINOC CЄB
R: ЄTOVC Γ, Homonoia stg l r hand extended holding double cornucopiae in l

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VI Dionysus BCE 144-c.142/1

2011-05-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

AE 20 mm serratus, 7.4 g, Antioch mint

SC 2006b, SNG Spaer 1771

O: rad hd r wreathed in ivy one diadem end waving up behind the other falling forward over shoulder dotted border

R: elephant adv l holding torch in trunk, in field to r ΣTA and palm branch, above [B]AΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ]/ ANTIOXOY below EΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ/ΔIONYΣOY

Greece/Aeolis; Larissa Phrikonis BCE 350-300

2011-05-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

AE 11 mm, 1.34g, 12h

BMC Aeolis p. 134, 2 variety (AE 16)

O: hd of nymph r.

R: amphora in center, bunch of grapes above, with club on left (described as an ear of grain in sources) and caduceus on right. [Λ] at top left of bunch of grapes [A] at top right of same. P inner lower left and I inner lower right.

This coin appears to be RRR according to the available sources, only comparable types on net are the AE 16-18 varieties.

Greece/Paphlagonia; Sesamos late 4th century BCE

2011-04-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

AE 18 mm, 4.56g, 6h

SNG BMC Black Sea 1356, RG 177,3., SNG von Aulock 194, SNG Cop----, SNG Stancomb 747, Laffaille-----.

O: Laur. hd of Zeus left.
R: ΣΗ--ΣΑ wreathed head of Demeter left, wearing looped earring and necklace.

Rare.

Greece/Pamphylia; Aspendus c. BCE 196-186

2011-04-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

AR Tetradrachm 29 mm, 16.2 g

With Seleucid c/m on rev in rectangle

SC appendix 4a, 48jj-oo

O: Herakles bust r.

R: AΛΕΞANΔPOY on left of Zeus AΣ on lower left above KE

Seleucid c/m in center right field.

Greece/Seleucid; Alexander I Balas BCE 152-145

2011-04-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

AE 19 mm, 5.7g Seleucia in Pieria mint

SC 1802; CSE 2, 456, HSC 902 (R2-3)

O: laur hd of Apollo r. dotted border

R: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ on the r., AΛΕΞANΔPOY on the left

Greece/Corinthia; Corinth c. BCE 335-306

2011-04-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

AE 14.3 mm, 1.772g

BCD Corinth 268; Price Class A, Group VII, 71; BMC Corinth p. 56, 463

O: Pegasus flying l., koppa below

R: ornate trident-head, Nike left, N in circle right

Ex: Prof. Saul Weinberg (1911-1992) Collection

Ex: Kovacs “Corinth lot” December 1980

Ex: BCD Collection

Roman/ Trajan CE 98-117

2011-03-26T17:33:00.001-07:00

AE Sestertius; 25.43 g, 33 mm, 6h, Rome mint late CE 116-117

RIC 667 (R), RCV 3191, Cohen 328, BMCRE 1046

O: laur, dr bust r., IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PARTHICO PM TRP COS VI PP
R: Trajan std l on high platform accompanied by officer, placing diadem on the hd of Parthamaspates who kneels before him. REX PARTHIS DATVS SC

According to Sear’s note “This depicts the investiture of the Roman puppet Parthamaspates as king of Parthia in AD 116. He was to enjoy his position for only a brief period, as the Roman forces soon withdrew from Parthia and Trajan died the following year. In consolation the new emperor, Hadrian, bestowed on the dethroned monarch another kingdom, that of Osrhoene.” (RCV II, page 109)

Ex: Henry Platt Hall (1863-1949) Collection, Glendining Sale Part II (16-21 Nov 1950) portion lot 1310

Ex: Cornelius C. Vermeule III (1925-2008) Collection

Ex: BMFA collection deaccession, Triton III (30 Nov-1 Dec 1999), portion lot 1690

Ex: Rosenblum Rare Coins (CO) stock number 52594

According to the CNG Catalogue for MBS 50 (23-06-99) "It was during Dr. Vermeule's time in London that the majority of his Roman Imperial bronze collection was assembled. He attended many of the important auctions that were held in London during this period including the....Messenger...Henry Platt Hall and V.J.E. Ryan sales." (page 9)

I've been wanting a Trajan Sestertius for the last almost forty years since I saw an attractive example at a local coin shop when I was a kid. The price was $10, a steal for a reasonably well preserved Trajan Sestertius by today's standards. When I went back to the dealer's shop the Trajan was gone to my chagrin, one of the few regrets I've had in collecting over the years, though as a consolation my Dad z"l purchased me an attractive Antoninus Pius Sestertius (also for $10) though it wasn't the same it's still a cherished piece in my collection. Therefore, when I saw this piece I knew I had found my Trajan and with the bonus of a very nice provenance that made up for some of the condition issues.

Nomos 4; BCD Thessaly Catalogue for 10 May 2011 auction

2011-03-24T19:47:00.001-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More 4

Hoard of 100,000 "Necessity coins" (Barbarous Radiates it appears) Found in France

2011-03-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

Hoard of Necessity Coins discovered in Roman era workshop in France

Arnold Spaer z"l 1919-2011

2011-03-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

CoinsWeekly – Article of the week Obituary

http://www.coinsweekly.com/en/News/4?&id=491 Israel Numismatic Society establishes Arnold Spaer Memorial Fund

Greek/Seleucid; Demetrius III Eucaerus BCE 97/6-88/7

2011-03-11T17:11:00.000-08:00

AE 18 mm, 3.18 g., Damascus mint, BCE 96-95

SC 2455.1, HSC 1311 (C-S)

O: diad hd of Demetrius rt. Bearded.

R: Hermes stg facing holding palm and caduceus [BA]CIΛΕΩC [Δ]HMHTOIOV ΘEOV in three lines on r., [Φ]ΙΛΟΠATOPOC CΩTHPOC in two lines

found in Israel
Ex: Didya Antiques, Rehov Mazal Dagim, Yafo Atiqah

Greece/Macedon;Philip III Arrhidaios in the name of Alexander III, BCE 323-317

2011-01-27T16:28:00.000-08:00

AR Drachm, 17 mm, 4.12g, Babylon mint c. BCE 323-317 Struck under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I. (or Perdikkas BCE 323-320 per older listings)

Price 3693 (very rare per CNG listings of the two they have sold in 2005 and 2011)

O: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin, test cut at 11 o’clock measuring 6mm x 1mm.

R: ΑΛΕΞΑ[ΝΔΡΟΥ] to right vertically, BAΣ[ΙΛΕΩΣ] horizontally in ex. Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; M in left field, ΛY below throne

2,100 year-old Greek coin may have marked rare astronomical event (click on link)

2011-01-15T14:37:00.000-08:00

http://www.unreportedheritagenews.com/2011/01/2100-year-old-greek-coin-may-have.html

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164

2011-01-14T05:53:00.000-08:00

AE 15 mm, 3.4 g, Apamea mint c. BCE 168-164

SC 1428a

O: diad hd of Antiochus r, one diadem end flying up behind, the other falling forward over shoulder, dotted border.

R: ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ in two lines on r., ΠΡΟ-Σ TΩΙ AΞΙΩΙ in two lines on l., Zeus stg l., holding Nike and holding scepter.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VI Dionysos BCE 144-142/1

2011-01-13T12:10:00.000-08:00

AE Serrated 22 mm, 8.88g, Antioch mint, c. BCE 143-142

CSE 248, SC 2006a variety (control appears to be cornucopia)
O: radiate hd of Antiochus as Dionysus r obs o/c to lower r

R: elephant adv l holding torch in trunk, in field to r [ΣTA] and cornucopia partly visible, above [B]AΣΙΛ[ΕΩΣ]/ ANTIOX[OY] below EΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ/ΔIONY[ΣOY]

Greece/Macedon; Alexander III BCE 336-323

2011-01-09T15:31:00.000-08:00

AE 18 mm, 6.56 g, Tarsus mint c. BCE 327-323

Price 3029, SNG Cop. 1058; Müller 1539
O: Head of Herakles r, wearing lion's skin

R: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔPOY betwen club and bow in bowcase, bunch of grapes and Θ above

Roman Egypt; Gallienus sole reign CE 260-268

2011-01-09T06:25:00.000-08:00

Potin Tetradrachm; 21 mm, 9.1 g, 12h, Yr. 15=CE 267-268

Emmett 3851 (1)

O: laur, dr bust r., AVTKΠΛIKΓΑΛΛIHNOCCЄB

R: Eagle stg r, hd left wreath in mouth and palm branch on wing. L IЄ

Massive Hoard of Northern Sung Dynasty Cash Coins Found

2010-12-27T18:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.pasthorizons.com/index.php/archives/12/2010/massive-hoard-of-chinese-coins-uncovered

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VI Epiphanes Dionysos BCE 144-142/1

2010-12-21T15:51:00.000-08:00

AE 17 mm serratus, 4.22 g, perhaps Ptolemaïs Ake mint

SC 2024, SNG Spaer 1785

O: rad and diad., hd r. diad ends waving up behind behind, dotted border.

R: [BA]ΣIΛΕΩΣ/ ANTIOXOY in two lines on the r., EΠΙΦANOYΣ/ ΔIONYΣOY in two lines on the l., Nike stg l crowing epithet

Roman Empire/Constantine II, as Caesar CE 317-337

2010-12-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

AE 3 18mm, 2.25 g Constantinople mint ca. CE 330-335

RIC VII 60 (R4)

O: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C. Laureate bust right

R: GLOR-IAEXERC-ITVS Two helmeted soldiers facing, heads turned towards each other; each holds an inverted spear and rests on a shield; between them,two standards. CONSI in ex.

EX: John F. Lhotka Collection (1921-1993)

EX: American Numismatic Society Collection Duplicate

Greece/Seleucid; Demetrius I Soter BCE 162-150

2010-12-11T14:53:00.000-08:00

AE 15 mm, 2.21g, Tyre mint SE 160=BCE 152/1
SC 1676.4, SNG Spaer 1337-1342v
O : diad hd of Demetrius r., one diadem end flying up behind, the other falling straight behind, dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣ[ΙΛΕΩΣ ΔHMH]TPIOY around, palm tree
Date above stern: Ξ-Ρ

Controls: none

Greek/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129

2010-12-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

AR Drachm, 17mm, 3.94 g, Uncertain Mint 101, in Syria, N. Mesopotamia or Cilicia

SC 2078.2, HSC 1080c (R2)

O: diad. Hd of king r.

R: Nike adv. L holding wreath and palm branch. Monogrammatic HP on lower left presumably above o/c Δ. BAΣIΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on right, EYEPΓETO[Y] on left

Greece/Seleucid; Demetrius II Nikator (first reign) BCE 146-138

2010-11-24T17:05:00.000-08:00

AE 18 mm, 5.58 g, 12h, Sidon mint (Quasi-municipal coinage) beveled edge.

SC 1957 with countermark 133 (ship’s ram in circular punch 5 mm dia)

HSC 999 (R3) though more reasonably R2

O: diad hd of Demetrius II r., dotted border c/m 133 at 9 o’clock.

R: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗMHTPIOY in two lines above, ΣIΔΩNIΩN with Phoenician inscription below reading L’S’don in two lines in ex Galley left dotted border.

Controls: none

Medieval Hungary. Stephen V (V. István) CE 1270-1272; Jewish Moneyer

2010-11-20T10:52:00.000-08:00

AR denar, 11 mm., 0.55 g

Huszár 357, Unger 268, Réthy I 298v

Obv: + MONETA • VNGARIE, Crowned head facing left.

Rev: Two birds facing each other, between them an א (Aleph – Hebrew letter).

Issued by Altman ben Chenok, kammergraf (as determined by Rádóczy and Nagy, per Friedenberg; also per Pohl).

Huszár rarity rating 6. This emission is recorded with and without an annulet to the left of the crowned head. This coin does not bear an annulet, as per Huszár.

A Catalogue of the Civic Issues of Tarsus under Antiochus VII BCE 138-129

2010-11-13T06:58:00.001-08:00

As this is a work in progress, it is incomplete as not all of the plating, weights etc., info is fully determined or in a final format. As further research is completed this catalogue shall be updated and this leads to the likelihood that the format as presently noted is subject to change.-JG

ANTIOCHUS VII (138-129 BC)

Tetradrachms

Obv. Diademed hd of Antiochus VII r., diadem ends falling straight behind, fillet border.

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY, Altar within which Sandan stands on back of horned and winged lion, in outer left field, controls as indicated.

GROUP 1; ΛY/ME

SC 2057a

17.12

SC 2057a; CSE 2, 584; Tkalec 23 (1992), 163

die link with Athena rev series A1=A4 Series 1

16.89

London, BMC 37

Ex: Cilicia Hoard of 1848 (IGCH 1435); see Borrell, M. “Regal Syrian Tetradrachms found at Tarsus” NC 15 (1852-1853), pp. 46-47

16.87

Kricheldorf 29 (1975), 163; Jameson 1732

GROUP 2; ΛY/ΔΙ

SC 2057b

16.86

ANS 1944.100.78070, Petrowicz Sale Naville X (1925), 1305

obv. die link between SC 2057a and 2055a (a Royal Workshop issue depicting Athena Nicephorus, see SCII p. 361.

16.90

AHNS 434, CNA 21 (1992), 136; Egger 41 (1912) Fenerly Bey, 725, Sartiges 493.

Photo sources: 1 & 5-A. Houghton, 2-BMC 37, 3-Jameson, 4-Naville X

Drachms

Obv. Diademed hd of Antiochus VII r., diadem ends falling straight behind fillet border.

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., EYEPΓETOY on l., Sandan standing r., on back of horned, winged lion-griffin r., the god wearing calathus, raising r. hand to 2’oclock and holding double-bladed axe in l., bow in gorytus over shoulder.

GROUP 1;

outer left outer right ΔΙ

CSE 2, 587; SC 2058.2

4.09

CSE 479, CNG 177, 123 (2007)

3.79

Ex: Berk 98, 174 (1997)

Ex: Eukratides, 2008 Vcoins

stock# a8

Tarsus(?) Hoard 1997
CH X; 338

4.13

Triton V, 1501 (2002)
Auctiones 15 (1985), 197

3.85

Ex: Eukratides VCOINS stock# cse10

Tarsus(?) Hoard 1997 CH X; 338

3.98

CSE 2, 587

3.86

Ex: Berk 98 (1997), 151

Tarsus(?) Hoard 1997 CH X; 338

3.72

Tarsus(?) Hoard 1997 CH X; 338

Photo sources: 1 & 3: CNG, 2,5-7:A. Houghton, 4: Vcoins

Obv. Diademed head of Antiochus VII r., diadem ends falling straight behind fillet border.

Rev. BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., EYEPΓETOY on l., Sandan standing r. on back of horned, winged lion-griffin r., the god wearing calathus, raising r. hand to 1’oclock and holding double-bladed axe in l., bow and quiver over shoulder.

GROUP 2; Outer l. above ΛΥ outer l below ME

CSE 2, 585 varieties SC 2058.1a

3.67/3.68

Ex. Rhousopoulos/

Hirsch XIII; 4467 (1905)

Ex: Ars Classica 10;1309 (1925)

Ex: SNG Lockett 3163, Now in Paris

3.79

AHNS 1074

CSE 2, 585

Tarsus(?) Hoard 1997 CH X; 338

10.

3.70

Ex:

Naville X (1925), 1308; Naville 1 (Pozzi), 3002

GROUP 3; Outer l. above ΛΥ outer l below ΠA

CSE 2, 586 varieties SC 2058.1b

11.

4.00

Ex: Gorny & Mosch 122; 1413 (2003)

.12.

4.00

CSE 2, 586, ex Lanz 74:266 (1995)

AHNS 707

13.

4.10

BERLIN

Need photo

14.

a2?

3.95

Ex: Garth Drewry Collection,

Ex: Coin Galleries (2002) lot 95,

Ex: CNG 107:91 (2005)

Question whether this is a different control or a PI that is not struck up as the left leg of the LAMBDA is also not struck up. Cf #14 for comparison

15.

4.03

Imhoof-Bloomer, Monnaies Grecques, p. 435 #112, plate H #14

16.

CH X; 338

Tarsus Hd 1997?

17.

Private Collection

(no wts or other info available and controls are off flan, but based upon dies it would likely fit here) appeared on plate 7 of an article in Mediterranean Archaeology Vol 22/23, 2009/10 by Nicholas L. Wright entitled “Non-Greek Religious Imagery on the Coinage of Seleucid Syria” pp. 193-206

GROUP 4; Outer l. above ΛΥ outer l below ΔΙ

CSE 2, 586 varieties SC 2058.1c

18.

4.07 g.

Vcoins; Pars Coins stock #
PCW-G3097 (26-10-2010);
Pegasi Numismatics XXV (08.11.2011) lot 191

19.

3.89

Ex: Hirsch 177 (10 Feb 1993) lot 421

20.

4.07

Egger 41 (1912) Fenerly Bey, 727;

Jameson 2355

21.

3.92

PARIS

Indistinguishable Controls:

22.

3.72

Controls indistinguishable

CH X; 338 Tarsus? Hoard 1997

This coin belongs to groups 2-4 due to the position of Sandan's right arm in relation to the Group 1 issues.

Small Lot of Seleucid Countermarks

2010-11-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

A B C

A-Possibly Antiochus III?
AE 13 mm, 2.88 g
O: diad. hd rt.
R: Apollo on omphalos
c/m Anchor in circle approx. 5 x 7 mm

B- Demetrius I Soter BCE 162-150
AE 15 mm serratus, 3.12 g
O: Horse hd l.
R: elephant and slightly visible inscription.
SC 1646
SNG Spaer 1300 with anchor in rectangular c/m
this c/m is rectangular but is 5 x 3 mm and appears to be a trident (unlisted in SC for this type)

C- poss. Antiochus I SC 351.1 var. c/m 39?
AE 12 mm, 3.14 g
O: hd of king r
R: Apollo on omphalos
c/m anchor in circle 5mm dia.

Greece/ Seleucid; Antiochus III BCE 223-187

2010-10-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

AR Tetradrachm 16.8g/ 32mm/1h, Uncertain Mint 68, in N. Mesopotamia, from BCE 197

SC 1132.4 (this coin), WSM 857, CH X , 292; 707 (this coin on plate 36)

O: diad. Hd of Antiochus III with mature features tousled hair, hairline beginning to recede at temple, diad ends falling straight behind, dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on right ANTIOXOY on left, controls outer left placed sideways and reading downward.

Ex: "Pamphylia or Cilicia" Hoard, 2000 (Uncertain Findspot CH X; 292, Lot C)

Deposition c. 187/186 BCE

Known or published examples (4):

WSM 857, Newell 16.69 g

Hamburger Sale, June 1930, #422, pl. 13, 16.93 g

(much thanks to Prof. Ted Buttrey for supplying a scan of this photo)

Naville Sale X, June 1925, #971, pl. 35 (cf NC 1912, pp. 245-6 #10, pl. ix, 12) 16.73 g.

SC 1132.4 ex Pamphylia or perhaps Cilicia Hoard, 2000 (this coin) 16.8 g

Note: it appears that in the photographed examples shown here, there was one obverse die and at least three reverse dies. The Hamburger sale example is the only one that appears to be a different obs and rev die together (reverse appears somewhat barbaric by comparison as well).

This is an example found on MA Shops with the same obv. die but different reverse and apparently unlisted and unpublished control combo reversed from the aforementioned positions. 30mm, 16.85g, 13h. still available at a reasonable price (as of 1 May 2011) http://www.ma-shops.com/cgb/item.php5?id=30799&lang=en for € 350,00 (USD 517)

McClean Collection of Greek Coins

2010-09-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

The three volumes plus plates of the McClean Collection are now available in our links on the left side column of this page or click on the catalogue link below.

The volumes are:

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus III BCE 223-187

2010-09-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

AE 15 mm, 1.65 g., Tyre mint, after BCE 198.

SC 1081, HSC 563 (S)

O: diad. hd of Antiochus r, with mature to elderly features and baldness at temple. dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY around, palm tree, dotted border. no controls.

found in Israel.

Greece; Seleucid; Alexander Balas BCE 152-145

2010-08-07T04:40:00.000-07:00

AE 18 mm, 4.7 g., Apamea on Orontes mint

SC 1805.2d, SNG Spaer 1450

O: Hd of Alexander rt in lion skin, dotted border

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, on r., AΛEΞANΔPOY on l., Apollo stg l., testing arrow and resting hand on grounded bow.

Symbol: Palm Branch outer left.

Control in ex.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164

2010-08-04T05:23:00.000-07:00

AE 16 mm, 3.09 g., 12h, Ptolemaïs Ake mint c. BCE 175-173/2

SC 1478.2b, SNG Spaer 1043, HSC 725 (R2)

O: hd of Apollo r., control behind head

R: Apollo std on omphalos l. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ANTIOXOY on left, Aphlaston on far left, Δ in ex.

Time Lapse Video of Excavation of the Frome Hoard (click on link below)

2010-07-30T15:09:00.000-07:00

Great timelapse video of the excavation

According to a note at Flickr, this was compiled from three days worth of photos.

UK treasure hunter finds 52,000 Roman coins

2010-07-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

Yahoo coverage of Frome Hoard (with a few more pix but mostly covered in write up below)

or for even better coverage click on the link below to the PAS website for great coverage of this interesting and important find:

Portable Antiquities Scheme Article about the Frome Hoard with photos of the coins and excavation

UK treasure hunter finds 52,000 Roman coins

By ROBERT BARR, Associated Press Writer Robert Barr, Associated Press Writer Thu Jul 8, 6:39 am ET

LONDON – A treasure hunter has found about 52,500 Roman coins, one of the largest such finds ever in Britain, officials said Thursday.
The hoard, which was valued at 3.3 million pounds ($5 million), includes hundreds of coins bearing the image of Marcus Aurelius Carausius, who seized power in Britain and northern France in the late third century and proclaimed himself emperor.
Dave Crisp, a treasure hunter using a metal detector, located the coins in April in a field in southwestern England, according to the Somerset County Council and the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
The coins were buried in a large jar about a foot (30 centimeters) deep and weighed about 160 kilograms (350 pounds) in all.
Crisp said a "funny signal" from his metal detector prompted him to start digging.
"I put my hand in, pulled out a bit of clay and there was a little radial, a little bronze Roman coin — very, very small, about the size of my fingernail," Crisp said in an interview with the BBC.
He recovered about 20 coins before discovering that they were in a pot, and realized he needed expert help.
"Because Mr. Crisp resisted the temptation to dig up the coins it has allowed archaeologists from Somerset County Council to carefully excavate the pot and its contents, ensuring important evidence about the circumstances of its burial was preserved," said Anna Booth, of Somerset Council.
Somerset Coroner Tony Williams scheduled an inquest Thursday to formally determine whether the find is subject to the Treasure Act, a formal step toward determining a price to be paid by any institution which wishes to acquire the hoard.
The hoard is one of the largest ever found in Britain, and will reveal more about the nation's history in the third century, said Roger Bland, of the British Museum. The find includes more than 760 coins from the reign of Carausius, the Roman naval officer who seized power in 286 and ruled until he was assassinated in 293.
"The late third century A.D. was a time when Britain suffered barbarian invasions, economic crises and civil wars," Bland said.
"Roman rule was finally stabilized when the Emperor Diocletian formed a coalition with the Emperor Maximian, which lasted 20 years. This defeated the separatist regime which had been established in Britain by Carausius.
"This find presents us with an opportunity to put Carausius on the map. School children across the country have been studying Roman Britain for decades, but are never taught about Carausius our lost British emperor."
The discovery of the Roman coins follows last year's discovery of a hoard of Anglo-Saxon coins in central England. The so-called Staffordshire Hoard included more than 1,500 objects, mostly made from gold.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a department of the British Museum which deals with treasure finds.

Link to Weber Plates

2010-07-03T04:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to the plates for the Hermann Weber Collection texts that we linked to a while back. This link should now make the 3v online Weber complete. Just cut and paste.

http://people.virginia.edu/~jdk3t/WeberPlates/

Greece/Seleucid; Demetrius II Nikator BCE 129-125 (Second Reign)

2010-07-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

AE 18 mm, 5.17 g, 12h, Beirut mint.

SC 2185, CSE 710 v, HSC 1135 (R2)

O: diad., hd r. beardless, diad ends falling straight behind (though obv is o/c), dotted border.

R: ΒΑ[ΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ] curving on r., in Phoenician script curving to left “Of Laodicea, mother (i.e. metropolis) in Canaan”. Ba’al Berit (Poseidon) stg facing holding phiale and trident, dotted border. Rev. mintmark ΛA to l., and Phi with O above to right. With control in r. field above.

Greece/Seleucid; Demetrius II Nikator, Second Reign BCE 129-125

2010-06-26T08:47:00.000-07:00

AE 18 mm, 2.97g., 12h, Tyre mint, SE 184=BCE 129/8

SC 2199.1, Newell Tyre 183, HSC 1142 (R2)

O: diad., draped bust r, beardless, dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ in two lines above, Phoenician "L'Tsur" in ex., ship's ram l., dotted border, Date in ex on l., ΔΠΡ, Mint mark monogram of TYP above ram and IEP AΣ, Symbol behind ram Palm Branch.

Ex: Amphora (David Hendin) via Forum. Likely found in Israel.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VI Epiphanes Dionysos BCE 144-142/1

2010-06-17T10:20:00.000-07:00

AE 18 mm, 7.59 g, 11h, perhaps Chalcis by Belus mint BCE 144

SC 2017b, HSC 1049 (R2)

O: rad and diad., hd r. diad ends waving up behind behind, dotted border.

R: BAΣIΛΕΩΣ/ ANTIOXOY in two lines on the r., EΠΙΦANOYΣ/ ΔIONYΣOY in two lines on the l., cantharus.

Symbol (inner r.) Palm branch

Control in ex: AP

(coin is much nicer in hand than depicted in photo. The actual patina is greenish black)

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IX Cyzicenus BCE 114/3-95

2010-06-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

AE 22 mm, 9.06 g., Tarsus mint First Reign BCE 114/3-c. 112

SC 2352c, HSC 1246 (S-R1)

O: diad. Hd of king with short, curly beard, diad ends falling straight behind, dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., ΦΙΛΟΠATPOPOΣ on l., Dionysus stg l., holding cantharus and thyrsus.

Primary control: (outer left above) E

Secondary control: (outer left below) Pi with serif and semi-circle over it.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129

2010-06-15T15:50:00.000-07:00

AE 10 mm, 1.36 g, Antioch mint

SC 2069, HSC 1106 (R1)

O: Ships ram left.

R: [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] ANTIOXOY, Pilei surmounted by stars.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus III BCE 223-187

2010-06-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

AE 23 mm, 11.37 g, 12h, Ecbatana mint, c. BCE 205

SC 1265, SNG Spaer 799v, ESM 619, HSC 484 (R2)

O: diad., hd r. often of crude style with incipient baldness at temple, dotted border. North to south die shift.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ above ANTIOXOY below, horse grazing l., controls on left and right.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164

2010-06-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

AE 21 mm, 4.84 g, 12h, Beirut mint, c. BCE 168-164

SC 1449.4, SNG Spaer 1077, HSC 664 (R2)

O: rad., diad., hd r. one diad end flying up behind and the other falling forward over shoulder, dotted border. Obv. Control behind hd CI

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY curving on r., in Phoenician script curving to left “Of Laodicea, mother (i.e. metropolis) in Canaan”. Ba’al Berit (Poseidon) stg facing holding phiale and trident, dotted border. Rev. mintmark ΛA to l., and Phi with O above to right.

NDE methods for evaluating ancient coins could be worth their weight in gold

2010-05-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

Demonstrating that chemistry sometimes can inform history, researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Colorado College and Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Md., have shown that sensitive nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques can be used to determine the elemental composition of ancient coins, even coins that generally have been considered too corroded for such methods*. Along the way, the researchers' analysis of coins minted in ancient Judea has raised new questions about who ruled the area while giving insight into trading patterns and industry in the region.

Elemental and isotope analysis of the metals in ancient artifacts sometimes can pinpoint the places where the metal was mined, because ores in a given region often have a unique composition. This can be combined with historical records of when mines in the area were operating to determine when the coin was likely struck. The results not only help date the coin, but also offer insight into trade and power relationships in the region.
To compare the effectiveness of various nondestructive analytical methods with destructive methods often used to determine the age and origin of ancient coins, the group studied coins minted by Kings Herod Agrippa I and Agrippa II in what is modern day Palestine and Israel, a biblically and historically significant period.
The vast numbers of a particular coin, a prutah, found in the archaeological record has led scholars to disagree about when they were struck and by whom. The provenance of the coin is important because it is used to establish dates for places and events in the early years of Christianity and the onset of the Jewish War (66-70 CE) against the Romans and the Diaspora that followed.

To better establish whether the coins were minted by Agrippa I (41-45 CE) or Agrippa II (after 61 CE), the team performed X-ray fluorescence and lead isotope analysis to fingerprint the ores used in the production of the coins. These NDE methods are not commonly used on corroded coins because the corrosion can affect the results—in some cases making it difficult to get a result at all. The team showed that these problems could be overcome using polarizing optics and powerful new software for X-ray fluorescence analysis, combined with careful calibration of the mass spectrometer using Standard Reference Materials from NIST**.
The lead isotope analysis, performed at NIST, showed that the coins that had been attributed to Agrippa I were indeed from that era. More interestingly, however, the group found that the copper from which the coins were made most likely came from mines that scholars thought hadn't been opened until a century later.
"All the archaeological evidence has thus far suggested that the Romans had moved into Arabia in the 2nd century CE," says Nathan Bower of Colorado College. "What this analysis shows is that the Romans may have reached the region earlier or found that these mines had already been opened. Either way, our findings suggest that the Romans had a much closer relationship with this particular region than scholars had previously thought."

To follow up on their research, the group is planning to perform more tests to determine if the mines in question may have been operating even earlier than their recent findings suggest.

###

* M. Epstein, D. Hendin, L. Yu, and N. Bower. Chemical attribution of corroded coins using X-ray fluorescence and lead isotope ratios: A case study from first century Judaea. Applied Spectroscopy, Vol. 64, Issue 4, pp. 384-390 (2010).

** NIST's Common Lead Standard Reference Material, SRM 981, and Neodymium Standard Solution, SRM 3135a were used in the study.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-05/nios-nmf052710.php

Roman (Britain) / Constantine II, as Caesar CE 317-337

2010-05-20T05:18:00.000-07:00

AE 3/ Reduced Follis (20 mm, 3.26 g) London mint, c. CE 317
RIC VII 117 London (R3)
O : FL CL CONSTANTINVS IVN N C, laur., draped bust r.
R: SOLI INVIC-TO COMITI/S-P in field/ PLN in ex.

Ex: J.S. Vogelaar (1949-2010) Collection

Ex: CNG EA 204, portion lot 384 (11 Feb 2009)

not my normal interest or purchase despite the fact that I have acquired a modest collection of London mint items over the years. The big motivation for this acquisition was Lee Toone's article about Vogelaar in the May 2010 issue of the The Celator.

According to Lee Toone the following additional information was provided about this piece:

"Vogelaar only had one example of this coin. It was bought from a British dealer called Cherry (I forget his first name) on 16th October 1990 for £11 ($21.35 US at time-JG) - Vogelaar #198. One of his earlier purchases."

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator c. BCE 94-probably c. 88

2010-05-08T05:12:00.000-07:00

AR Tetradrachm; 27 mm, 14.82 g, Antioch mint, Second reign 93/2-probably c. 88 BCE

SC 2434.1, CSE 379, SNG Spaer 2788, HSC 1288 (S)

O: diad. Hd of Antiochus X r, without sideburn diadem ends falling straight behind, fillet border.

R: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOV in two lines on r. EVΣEBOVΣ ΦΙΛOΠATOPOΣ in two lines on the l., Zeus enthroned l., one upright shown, holding Nike and scepter, laurel wreath border.

Primary controls outer left, secondary under throne.

ANXL

Apologies

2010-04-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a few weeks due to my being out of the country, though now I am back and will do my best to start posting again.

I had been in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and parts of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais States. I saw a couple nice collections of world as well as more specifically Brazilian coin collections at museums in my travels. I may post more about these later. There were a few ancients in the mix though these were just provided as examples of earlier coinage.

For now I need to relax having just come back.

The ruins of the Casa da Moeda (Mint) in Rio at the Paço Imperial. It was found during the restoration work there and dates from 1699-1814 when it was in use.

Brazil Colonial; AE 40 Reis 1753 issued during the reign of Jose I. (28.75 g., 40 mm) KM 184 ex: DPL Numismatica, Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil Colonial; 80 Reis, 1809, ND. KM290.1 Host Date 1796 ex HJB

Brazil Empire; Dom Pedro II AR 500 Reis 1865, KM 464

Brazil Colonial; João as Prince Regent, Rio de Janeiro mint 1816. KM 307.3, overstruck on 8 Reales of Charles IV (1788-1808) of Spain minted in Mexico City (mintmark visible at 6 o'clock on obs.)

Brazil Empire; Dom Pedro I; 1824-R on 1817 (Under type is a Spain 8 Reales of Ferdinand VII from 1817 probably KM 466.3 or 466.4 but likely the more common Madrid mint), KM 368.1, apparently struck over already holed coin (?) according to dealer.

(below) Brazil Colonial; João IV 1640-1656, AR 200 Reis c/m 250 in Brazil 1663. This piece is ex: the shipwreck of the Santíssimo Sacramento, a Portuguese galleon that ran aground and sank with the loss of 400 lives in May 1668 in the Baía de Todos os Santos, Brazil. Salvage took place in 1976.

Brazil Empire; D. Pedro II, AR 2000 Reis 1888, KM 485.

Brazil Colonial; João VI, 1820-R, 10 Reis, KM 314.1

Brazil Empire; D. Pedro II, 1000 Rs., 1878 mintage 47,000

Brazil Colonial; 40 Reis, 1809 ND, KM 278.3, Host date 1735 20 Reis

the Numismatist April 2010 issue

2010-03-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

My article about the Bar Kokhba Zuz I acquired a few years ago was published in the latest issue of the Numismatist. If you'd like to see the info about the coin go directly to http://tinyurl.com/yhvrppd.

If you are not a member of the ANA and don't get to see the magazine but would like to receive a copy of the article, please email me at yofijr@hotmail.com to receive a copy by email.

If you'd like to become a member of the ANA, go here

http://tinyurl.com/ydqy2vy to explore the possibilities.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus III BCE 222-187

2010-03-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

AE 13 mm, 2.32 g, Sardes mint.

SC 977.1, HSC 517 (R1-R2), WSM 1112, pl. xxxi, 10

O: Laureate hd of Apollo r., with hair knotted in krobylos behind, long wavy locks falling loose on neck. fillet border.

R: ΒΑΣΙ[ΛΕΩΣ] (above.) ANTIOX[OY] (below.) elephant l., with trunk draped over tusk.

controls none visible.

Ex: D. Alighieri Collection

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus III BCE 222-187

2010-03-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

AE 15 mm, 3.53 g, Sardes mint.

SC 983 v, HSC 518 (R1-R2), WSM 1435, SNG Spaer 490

O: Laureate hd of Apollo r., with corkscrew curls.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (on r.) ANTIOXOY (on l.) Apollo stg l., testing arrow and resting elbow on tall tripod.

controls none visible.

Ex: D. Alighieri Collection

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus II Theos BCE 261-246

2010-03-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

AE 14 mm, 2.08 g, Sardes mint.

SC 528.8 or .9, HSC 278 (R1-R2)

O: Laureate hd of Apollo r., with long wavy locks or loose spiral curls flowing down the back of neck, sometimes with tight roll beneath wreath.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (on r.) ANTIOXOY (on l.) kithara usually with symbol (in this case an anchor) below facing r.

controls on outer r. and l.

Ex: D. Alighieri Collection

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus II Theos BCE 261-246

2010-03-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

AE 16 mm, 3.49 g, Unattributed, perhaps Cilician issue.

SC 568, HSC 265 (R3), reference: Shown at British Museum in 1995 (this example may be the second known) Appear to be same dies as BM example as illustrated in SC 1 and HSC.

Update 26-06-10: CNG is selling another more worn example ex: J.S. Wagner in EA236:331 (closing 7 July), so this appears to increase the census to three now known, which makes it still a very rare coin but rating an R2 using AH's rarity indicators.

O: Laureate hd of Apollo r., with curly sideburn, no border visible.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (above) ANTIO[XOY] below, caps of the Dioscuri, no border visible.

Ex: D. Alighieri Collection

Greece/Attica; Athens c. BCE 454-404

2010-03-07T05:06:00.000-08:00

AR Tetradrachm, 24mm, 17.08 g, 9h.

Kroll 8, SNG Copenhagen 31.

O: helmeted hd of Athena r.

R: AΘΕ, Owl stg r., hd facing, olive sprig and crescent behind all within incuse square.

Dealer’s notes: Near VF, numerous test cuts and a banker’s mark on obv cheek and on reverse. Earthen encrustation.

This is the kind of Athenian Tet I have always liked. One that shows its wear, and having traveled somewhat extensively. The banker’s marks on the obv and rev both appear to indicate that this coin had traveled in the east and it is likely that is where it was found.

EU/Greece 2002 €1 with image of the "glauke" from 24 centuries ago.

Greece/Seleucid; Alexander II Zabinas BCE 128-122

2010-03-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

AE 19 mm serratus, 5.788 g, perhaps Apamea on Orontes mint (cf. pp. 458-9 in SC II)

SC 2242.3j v. (UNLISTED CONTROL in SC), SNG Spaer 2366 (this example completes the control, which is incomplete in Spaer but is exactly 2366)

O: hd of young Dionysus r., wreathed with ivy, dotted border

R: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., AΛΕΞΑΝΔPOY on l., winged Tyche stg l., calathus on hd, holding ship’s tiller and cornucopiae. Controls Outer l (above) EK with small Δ over the E, below wreath.

This coin was Ex: Amphora/David Hendin and likely found in Israel as many of his Seleucid bronzes have been in the past. This was also likely sold via one of his numerous eBay auctions in the past rather than through his pricelist (at least pricelists going back to #87).

Archaeological Findings: Hellenistic Coins Discovered in Northern Syria

2010-03-03T04:52:00.000-08:00

By H. Sabbagh Tuesday, 02 March 2010 15:00

A collection of Hellenistic coins dating back to the era of Alexander the Great were found near Najm Castle in the Manbej area in Aleppo governorate (northern Syria ).

The coins were found by a local man as he was preparing his land for construction, uncovering a bronze box that contained around 250 coins. He promptly delivered the coins to the authorities who in turn delivered them to Aleppo Department of Archaeology and Museum.

Director of archaeological excavations at Aleppo Department of Archaeology and Museum Yousef Kanjo said the box contained two groups of silver Hellenistic coins: 137 tetra drachma (four drachmas) coins and 115 drachma coins.

One side of the tetra drachma coins depicts Alexander the Great, while the other side depicts the Greek god Zeus sitting on a throne with an eagle on his outstretched right arm. 34 of these coins bear the inscription "King Alexander" in Greek, while 81 coins bear the inscription "Alexander" and 22 coins bear "King Phillip."

The drachma coins bear the same images as the tetra drachma, with "Alexander" inscribed on 100 of them and "Philip" on 15 of them.

http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201003025027/Travel/archaeological-findings-hellenistic-coins-discovered-in-northern-syria.html

Greece; Seleucid; Antiochus II Theos BCE 261-246

2010-02-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

AE 17 mm, 3.78 g, Sardes mint c. BCE 250-246 per Newell

SC 525.1d, WSM 1411

O: laureate head of Apollo r.

R: B]AΣΙΛEΩΣ on r. ANTIOXOY on l., tripod stg on symbol (in this case an Anchor r.) primary control outer r., secondary controls outer l.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129

2010-02-10T04:37:00.000-08:00

AE 14 mm, 2.78 g, Antioch mint SE 177/BCE 136-135

SC 2068.4, HSC 1096 (S)

O: lion hd r., dotted border.

R: BAΣΙΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., EYEPΓETOY on l., vertical club.,
Date lower field IOP

No visible controls.