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

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

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

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

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

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

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

S. 4111 unc. CuNi  
 Festival of Britain info

Update

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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 variety, SNG Spaer 1991 variety, CSE 2.609 (obs die match with this example), HSC 1080e (R3) variety. Unpublished. Upper control is clearly different from published examples. 


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

This is an example of the same coin from the same dies that was recently offered at auction by Roma Numismatics Ltd, E-Sale 5, lot 447 (8 Feb 2014) estimate was 30 GBP and it realized 110 GBP. 3.79 g, 18mm, 12h. This example was misidentified in the auction description.

David Hendin's Excavation Blog

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

Ancient Coins and the Cultural Property Debate

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

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus III BCE 223-187

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

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

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

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.




Katz Auction 42 (18/04/2021) Lot 1393; 16.32 g, SC 2294.3, same mint, different dies. According to acsearch.info, this example had previously been sold by Gorny & Mosch in March 2018 Auction 253 lot 245. The same auction house had this at auction in 2015 as well. acsearch notes three different examples sold on six different occasions between 2015 and 2021. It appears that the census is approximately 4 extant examples inclusive of the two illustrated above. 

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164

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

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

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

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)

cf. example in Berlin with same reverse die

Roman Egypt; Carinus CE 283-285

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Open publication - Free publishing - More 4

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

Hoard of Necessity Coins discovered in Roman era workshop in France

Arnold Spaer z"l 1919-2011

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

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

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)

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

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164

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

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

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