20231117

ROMAN Provincial; Thrace; Rhoimetalkes III CE 38-46 & Caligula CE 37-41


AE 22 mm, 6.65 g, possibly Abdera mint CE 38-41

RPC 1724.2  (six specimens recorded)

Youroukova 210, plate XXV

O: Laur bust of Caligula left [ΓAIΩ KAIΣAPI] ΣEBA[ΣTΩ]

R: laur and draped bust of Rhoimetalkes r, retrograde inscription BAΣIΛEYΣ POIMHTAΛKAΣ.

Notes: “this is apparently a half denomination to RPC 1723 and 1724, but what makes this coin particularly curious is the retrograde reverse legend. The die cutter is also likely responsible for the reverse die of RPC 1725 with its retrograde BAΣIΛEΩΣ legend.”

 

EX: K. Dorney

Ex: Roma Numismatics 101 lot 358 (13 Oct 2022) “from a private English collection”

 

    

20231109

IRELAND Pre-Decimal Farthing 1940


 KM#9 AE Farthing, 1940 mintage: 192,000


14th century Harp in the Long Room at Trinity College Library Dublin, Summer 2023
National Symbol of Ireland


20231023

FRANCE/ Napoleon I 1804-1815


AR 5 Francs, Bayonne mint, 1813, Pierre-Joseph Tiolier, General Coin Engraver Paris (1803-1815) and Pierre-Boniface Darripe, Mint Master Bayonne (1810-1828).

KM 694.9 mintage 1,161,000

O: laur bust r NAPOLEON EMPEREUR

R: 5 Francs within wreath EMPIRE FRANÇAIS around, 1813 below and L to lower right.


Views of Bayonne:

View of the Nive 1990

Facade of the Cathedral showing that the statuary was robbed out during the French Revolution as was common practice at that time. 

a stroll along the old city walls

the cathedral cloisters

all taken in Bayonne, 1990. 






20231005

Greece/Seleucid; Demetrius III BCE 97/6-88/7


 Æ 19 mm, 6.81g Damascus mint. c. BCE 95-94

SC 2454.5

SNG Spaer 2836

 O: Radiate diad. bust r.

R: BACΙΛΕΩC ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟV ΘΕΟV on rt., ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟC CΩΤHPOC, on left. Nike walking r holding wreath and palm branch. dotted border. NI above ΦΙ on outer left field.

In ex. monogram on rt, not visible, and date not fully visible on this piece. Though much nicer reverse than the example acquired in 2008.

Greece/Seleucid; Demetrius II Nikator (First Reign) BCE 146-138


 AE24, 10.55 g, 24mm, Antioch mint, BCE 145-144

 SC 1912.1d

 O: laur. Hd of Zeus r. dotted border.

 R: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗMHTPIOY in two lines on the r., ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦOY NIKATOPOΣ in three lines on l., Apollo std l on omphalos, controls in ex.

20230925

GREEK/Seleucid; Petr Vesely's Antiochos VIII Philometor; The coins reposted and updated from Seleukid Traces.info

 On the total majority of royal coins issued during the sole reign of Antiochos VIII,1 either the epithet Epiphanes (“Illustrious” or “[God] Manifest”) is attached to his name or his name is stated without any epithet. His coins therefore bear either the inscription ‘ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ’ or simply ‘ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ’.2 There is only one exception, a small issue of bronze coins minted at Antioch on the Orontes which bear the epithet Philometor (“Mother-loving”):3

Obverse:

Radiate, diademed head of Antiochos VIII right; dotted border

Reverse:

‘ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ’ in two lines on right, ‘ΦΙΛΟΜΗΤΟΡΟΣ’ on left (“of King Antiochos the Mother-loving”); eagle standing left, scepter behind shoulder; control mark in outer left field;4 Seleukid date ΒΣ (year 202 of the Seleukid Era, i.e. 111/10 BC) in exergue

This small issue is a part of an extensive series of bronze coins which was minted at Antioch mint from 121/0 BC (SE 192, i.e. year 192 of the Seleukid era) to 111/10 BC (SE 202). Coins of this series have the same design as the coins with the epithet Philometor, but they bear the standard epithet Epiphanes and they are dated SE 192, ... , SE 200 and SE 202 (coins of this series dated SE 201 are not known).5 Whereas coins of this series with the epithet Epiphanes are abundant, the coins bearing the epithet Philometor are rare and they are known from the year SE 202 only. Moreover, this epithet is not found elsewhere on Antiochos VIII’s coins.

The epithet Philometor in itself is strange considering the role of Antiochos VIII in the death of his mother, Kleopatra Thea:6

Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, 39.2: Grypus (Antiochos VIII), having thus recovered his father’s throne, and being freed from foreign perils, found his life endangered by a plot of his own mother (Kleopatra Thea); who, after betraying, from desire of power, her husband Demetrius (Demetrios II), and putting to death her other son (Seleukos V, the oldest son of Demetrios II), was discontented at her dignity being eclipsed by the victory of Grypus, and presented him with a cup of poison as he was returning home from taking exercise. But Grypus, having received notice of her treacherous intention, desired her (as if to show as much respect for his mother as she showed for him) to drink herself first, and, when she refused, pressed her earnestly, and at last, producing his informant, charged her with the fact, telling her, “that the only way left to clear herself from guilt, was, that she should drink what she had offered to her son.” The queen, being thus disconcerted, and her wickedness turned upon herself, was killed with the poison which she had prepared for another.

Appian, Roman History, 11.69: After Seleucus (Seleukos V, the oldest son of Demetrios II), Grypus (Antiochos VIII) became king, and he compelled his mother (Kleopatra Thea) to drink poison that she had mixed for himself. So justice overtook her at last.

However, as Houghton, Lorber and Hoover mention in SC II (Vol. 1, p. 502), this epithet was born apparently without any irony. It is also attested by Eusebius of Caesarea7 and by an inscription from Delos (ibid, p. 487).

List of known specimens

The following table shows all specimens known to Petr, et al. 

The abbreviations A and P stand for Anvil (obverse) and Punch (reverse) dies but the die identification is tentative because details are not clearly visible on some coins.


1. A1/P1, 6.18g, 20mm, control mark in outer l. field, date ΒΣ in exergue, Reference: CNG EA 200,

03 Dec 2008, Lot 160. 

2. A1/P1, 5.02 g, ---mm, control mark in outer l. field, date ΒΣ in exergue, Reference: Collection of the ANS, 1992.54.2162, Houghton, Lorber, Hoover, SC II 2308 (this coin). 


3. A1/P2, 6.61 g, c. 19mm, s/a/a, Reference: Hunterian Coll. III, p. 103, No. 39 (Plate LXX,2)

(c) Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow. 




4. A1/P3, 6.12 g, c. 19mm, s/a/a, Reference: Hunterian Coll. III, p. 103, No. 41.

(c) Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow.

5. A1/P4, 5.6 g, 19 mm, s/a/a, Reference: Forvm Ancient Coins, FPL stock No. BB49012 (recorded January 2011). 


A

6. A2/P4, 6.35 g, c. 19 mm, control mark and date off flan, Reference: Hunterian Coll. III, p. 103, No. 40.

(c) Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow.



7. A3/P4, 5.34 g, 18-19 mm, control mark in outer l. field, date off flan Reference: Daniel Kearney's Collection (photo courtesy of).


8. A4/P5, 6.3g, 19 mm, control mark in outer l. field, date ΒΣ in exergue, Reference:  Tom Kirby Collection (photo courtesy of).


9. A4/P6, 5.74g, 20 mm, control mark in outer l. field, date Β[Σ] in exergue, Reference: Tom Kirby Collection (photo courtesy of).


10. A5/P7, 5.54 g, 18-20 mm, control mark in outer l. field, unclear date in exergue, Reference: Petr Vesely Collection (A08-AE-02).


11. A5/P8, 5.18 g, 17.5-19 mm, control mark in outer l. field, date ΒΣ in exergue, Reference:  Petr Vesely Collection (A08-AE-01). 


12. A5/P8, 4.64g, 16-18mm, s/a/a, Reference: Tom Kirby Collection (photo courtesy of). 


13. A6/P9, 5.61 g, 18 mm, s/a/a, Reference: This collection and ex: Zurqieh UAE.


14. A7/P9, 6.41g, 17-18 mm, s/a/a, Reference: Petr Vesely Collection (A08-AE-03),


15.  A7/P10, 5.5g, 19mm, s/a/a, Reference: Münzen & Medaillen GmbH, Auction 17 (4 Oct0ber 2005), Lot 1046 (photo courtesy of).


16. A8/P11, 5.47g, 18mm, control mark in l. field, date off flan, Reference: Tom Kirby Collection (photo courtesy of).


17. A8/P12, 5.91g, 17-18mm, unclear control mark in outer l. field, unclear date, Reference: Petr Vesely Collection (A08-AE-04).



18. A-/P-, 5.45g, 18m, unclear control mark in outer l. field, unclear date. Reference: this collection ex: Zurqieh UAE via VCoins. 


 

19. A-/P-, 5.96g, 18mm, clear control in outer l. field, clear date. Reference: Tom Kirby Collection ex: Obolos Web Auction 24, (21 August 2022) Lot 414. 


Last update 24 September 2023. 
The coins designated as belonging to the Petr Vesely Collection are now part of the Collection of the National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic. All permissions to repost this information was provided by Petr Vesely in December 2022. All errors noted in the reposted information are mine, and as this information is now available for regular updates, this post will be updated as new information etc., becomes available. 


20230914

LUXEMBOURG/EU-2 Euro Commemorative for the 175th Anniversary of the Chamber of Deputies


 €2 Commemorative, minted in Paris, 120,000 examples minted. 


                                  Photo of the Chambre des Deputies de Luxembourg (fair use photo)

20230903

ROMAN/Diocletian CE 284-305 Tripolis Mint


 AE Antoninianus; 20 mm, 3.39 g, 6h, Tripolis mint c. CE 284-286

RIC 330 variety

RCV 12670 variety

O: rad, drap, cuir bust r. IMP C G VAL DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG

R: Jupiter r holding orb and spear receiving wreath from Victory, IOVI CON-SERVATOR-IAVG

in ex XXI (possible palm to left?) TR above in field. 

slightly different from the types described by Esty Tripolis mint, Roman Empire (augustuscoins.com)


Ex W Esty

ROMAN/Probus CE 276-282 Tripolis mint


 AE Antoninianus; 22mm, 3.86 g, 11h, Tripolis mint c. CE 280-281

RIC 928

Hunter 349-350

O: rad cuir bust r IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG

R: Probus with scepter receiving orb from Jupiter, CLEME-NTIAT-EMP in ex. KA in lower field a crescent.


ex: W. Esty

20230830

IRELAND Fifty Years in the EU Commemorative 1973-2023


 2 Euros, 2023 mintage 500,000

                                        Irish, American and EU Flags in Aghadoe Co. Kerry, May 2023


20230828

ROMAN EGYPT/Hadrian CE 117-138 Ex: ETB and Dattari Collections, RPC Plate Coin

Bi Tetradrachm, 14.28 g, 23 mm, 12h, Alexandria mint RY 5=CE 121-122

RPC III online 5256/20 (this coin)

Dattari-Savio Plate 61, 1320 (this coin)

Emmett 827.5

O: AYT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CEB, laur bust r.

R: L E, Canopus of Osiris facing r.

 

Ex: Giovanni Dattari Collection (1853-1923) #1320

Ex: Naville 38 (11 March 2018), lot 380

Ex: ETB (Eric ten Brink 1968-) Collection

 

 

20230720

GREEK/Seleukid; Seleukos II BCE 246-226


AE 17 mm, 4.92 g, 12h, Sardis mint before the revolt of Hierax

SC 660.2 var. unlisted control marks pairing. Primary control of 660.2 on left and secondary control of 660.3b on right.

O: hd of Athena r with crested Attic helmet

R: Apollo stg l testing arrow and resting l hand on grounded bow, BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕYKOY, c/m of an anchor in an oval punch at between 9 and 11 o'clock on the center left. 

20230714

ISLAMIC/Samanid; Nasr II b. Ahmad CE 914-943/ AH 301-331


 

AE Fals; 24 mm, 2.19 g, Bukhara mint AH 308/CE 920-921


Album 1452


O: Shahada in center, around 

 بسم الله ضرب هذا الفلس ببخارا سنة ثمان و ثلثماءة


R: in center  

لله

محمد

رسول الله

نصربن احمد

20230705

British Colonial Ireland & America; Wood's Half Penny, 1723


AE Half Penny; 26mm; 6h, 7.63 g. 

KM 117

Breen 157

SCBC 6601

O: laur bust of George I r, GEORGIUS DEI GRATIA REX

R: Hibernia with Harp seated l, HIBERNIA 1723


20230609

ROMAN/Gratian CE 367-383



 AE 4, 14 mm, 1.17 g, 12h, Cyzicus mint c. CE 383

RIC 22a

RCV 20161

O: DN GRATIANVS PF AVG diad draped cuir bust r.

R: VOT/XX/MVLT/XXX in ex SMKΔ


Ex; W. Esty



20230603

A visit to Ireland


 2016 €2 Commemorative of the 1916 Easter Rising obtained in change, and was the only commemorative, other than a 2007 Austrian €2 commemorating the Treaty of Rome that we were able to come across in our limited currency transactions. 

We really didn't utilize a lot of currency or coins during this visit, most transactions were via CC, so the opportunity to observe coin use was limited. Even a visit to a Dublin coin dealer in the South George St Arcade in Dublin found very expensive prices for all sorts of coins. Particularly coins that are available on the market (VCoins for example) for $30-$35 for a reasonably good and common mint Khushru II Sasanian drachm was selling for €150. 

Other coins were similarly priced. The only Irish Euro Commemoratives being sold consisted of the 2016 example. There were stamps being sold as well as pick out box coins, worldwide and local for €1 and €2 each.

The 1916 Easter Rising was made real by a visit to the GPO on O'Connell St, which was the HQ for the Rising. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to go in, but passed it several times in vehicles and walked by it once where we were able to see the remaining visible damages from the Rising. The columns at the front of the GPO still show dramatic damages from the bullets and ordinance fired between the British and Republican forces at that time. 

Facade of the GPO Dublin


Photos of two columns at the GPO revealing battle damages from the 1916 Easter Rising

GREEK/Seleucid; Alexander I Balas BCE 152-145


AR Drachm; 17.4mm, 4.08g, Ecbatana mint c. BCE 150-148/7

SC 1871 (R2)

O: diad portrait of Balas r.

R: Apollo seated on omphalos; [BAΣ]IΛEΩΣ [AΛ]EΞANΔPOY on rt, ΘEOΠATOPOΣ EYEPΓETOY

Control mark on far left.


Ex: Zuzim

Hephthalite c. 6th to 7th Century CE


 AR drachm, 27 mm, 2.86 g., North Tokharistan

Göbl 82a (countermark 82a)

Zeno type 28789

Type of Peroz CE 457/9-484

Countermark on obs at 10-9 o’clock , Sogdian word “TKYN”

Cf. Göbl Hunnen 283 ff

Mitchener 1450