A Survey of Ancient Coins: 05/2014

20140531

ISLAMIC/Umayyad Spain; al-Hakam II CE 961-976

AR Dirham, 22 mm, 2.32g, 1h, Madinah az-Zahra (Cordoba) mint, AH 358/CE 968-969, clipped

Vives 459

Miles 251j

Album 352.4

"'Amir" is cited on the obs. According to Album, "This person was Abu'l-'Amir Muhammad b. 'Abdallah, known popularly as Almanzor, the hajib ("chamberlain") of Hisham II and the effective leader of the Spanish Umayyad caliphate from the late 350's until his death in 392." (Album page 65)


	الوسط	Central Legend	Marginal Legend حول الدائرة
الوجه Obv.	لا اله الا الله وحده لا شرك له عامر	There is no diety except \| (the one) God alone \| He has no equal 'Amir	In the name of God. This Dirham was struck in al-Zahra in the year eight and fifty and three hundred 358AH بسم الله ضرب هذا الدرهم بمدينة الزهرا سنة ثمان و خمسين و ثلث مئة
الخلف Rev.	الامام الحكم امير المؤمنين المتسنصر بالله	The Imam al-Hakam Commander of the Faithful al-Musta'sim Billah	Muhammad is the messenger of God. He sent him with guidance and the true religion to reveal it to all religions even if the polytheists abhor it. محمد رسول الله ارسله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله ولو كره المشركون

from http://islamiccoins.ancients.info/spain/alhakam2.htm (The inscription for "al-Mustansir Billah" is incorrect on the reverse inscription. It is misspelled both in English and Arabic.)

20140528

Greece/Seleucid; Seleucus IV Philopator BCE 187-175

AE 23 mm serratus, 10.03 g, 1h, Antioch mint.

SC 1315.6d

O: draped bust of Apollo r., of archaizing severe style, hair rolled behind, long locks falling down neck, dotted border.
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on l., ΣΕΛΕΥKOY to r, Apollo stg l, testing arrow and resting elbow on tall tripod, dotted border

Obverse control: A/B behind head to l.
Reverse control: A/Γ monogram inner l.

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

Æ 19mm, 6.98 g, 10h, Damascus mint. c. BCE 94/3

SC 2454.9, 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. N above A on outer left field.
In ex. monogram on rt, not visible, and date appears to be θΙε

Greece/Seleucid; Seleucus I Nicator BCE 312-281

AE 19 mm, 5.84 g, 6h Antioch mint, circa BCE 300-295

SC 17.1, WSM 915

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

R: [B]AΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] on r., [Σ]EΛEYKO[Y] on l., Athena Promachos in Corinthian helmet stg r., brandishing spear and shield, dotted border.

Controls: inner l-monogram Σ inner right monogram ΠA

Greece/Seleucid; Seleucus I Nicator BCE 312-281

AE 19 mm, 6.10 g, 12h Antioch mint, circa BCE 300-295

SC 17.3, WSM 920

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

R: [B]AΣΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] on r., ΣEΛEYK[OY] on l., Athena Promachos in Corinthian helmet stg r., brandishing spear and shield, dotted border.

Inner right control: θ

20140526

Greece/Seleucid; Alexander II Zabinas BCE 128-122

AE 20 mm, 6.75 g, 1h Antioch mint, c. BCE 125-122

SC 2233.1a

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

R: [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] on the r., AΛΕΞANΔPOY on l., Athena stg l, resting l hand on spear extending r hand beyond legend and holding Nike l who extends wreath toward edge of coin, shield propped against base of spear.

Controls/Symbols: monogram EY inner left along with aphlaston

Greek; Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164

AE 17 mm (serrate), 3.98 g, 11h, Ptolemais Ake mint , BCE 175-c. 173/2

SC 1477.2 Ad (this coin, to appear in Addenda/Corrigenda of SC planned for 2015 pub)

O: Hd of Laodike IV r.

R: elephant hd left, Prow below rt, BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ/ANTIOXOY on left A (presently unpublished control)

Greece/Seleucid; Cleopatra Thea and Antiochus VIII BCE 125-121

AE 18mm, 5.07 g., 11h, Ptolemaïs Ake mint, SE 189=BCE 124/3

SC 2274.3, HSC 1191 (R1)

O: Radiate, diademed hd of Antiochus VIII r, no diadem ends visible, dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ in two lines on r. ΚΑΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ in three lines, Isis headdress, resting on inverted crescent. date in ex. θΠP, high inner right monogram ΣY

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129 Barbarous imitation of Antioch Bronze

AE 17 mm, 3.65 g, 11h. imitation of Antioch and perhaps S. Koile Syria.

SC 2072 variety (obv die appears same), HSC 1088 (R2)

O: Bust of winged Eros r., of barbarous sty;e dotted border

R: BAΣΙΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., EYEPΓETOY on l., Isis headress.

Control (outer l.) none

Date in ex: none discernable

Note: ANTIOXOY is not retrograde as noted in SC, and obv die appears same as the illustrated example in SC, so this example may not yet be recorded.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VIII Grypos BCE 121/0-97/6

AE 18 mm, 5.48g, 11h, Unattributed bronze issue, probably of Northern Syria

SC 2318, HSC 1215 (R1-2)

O: diad hd of Antiochus VIII r, diad ends falling straight behind, dotted border.

R: BAΣΙΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOV in two lines on r., ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟYΣ on l., tripod surmounted by horizontal thunderbolt.

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129

AE 18 mm, 5.82 g, Antioch mint SE 174/BCE 139/8

SC 2067.1a, HSC 1087 (C)

O: Bust of winged Eros r., dotted border

R: BAΣΙΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., EYEPΓETOY on l., Isis headress.

Control (outer l.) none

Date in ex: ΔOP

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus II Theos BCE 261-246

AE 17 mm, 4.69 g, 12h, Antioch mint, c. BCE 261-256 according to Newell

SC 572a

O: laur hd of Apollo r, curly hair falling down back of neck, dotted border

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., [A]NTIOXOY on l., Apollo std l., on omphalos, holding arrow and resting elbow on cithara.

Primary Control (outer left): EY

Secondary Control (outer r.): MYT monogram

20140523

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

AE 15 mm, 3.17g, 12h, Uncertain mint 94 in N. Syria, BCE 146/4

SC 1922.1b or 2, HSC 1007 (R2)

O: Laur hd of Tyche r, wearing calathus, hair rolled, with long locks escaping down neck, dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r. ΔHMHTPIOY on l., filleted cornucopiae oriented to r.

Date: (inner left beneath fillet) not visible on this piece but should likely be ZΞΡ or HΞΡ (SE 167 or 168=BCE 146/5 or 145/4)

Controls: (inner left above fillet): H/I

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129

AE 20 mm, 6.55 g, 12h, Tyre mint SE 179=BCE 134/3

SC 2113.2, Newell Tyre 151

O : diad hd of Antiochus r., diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted border.

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines above, TYP monogram IEP AΣY monogram and Phoenician inscription “of Tyre” in two lines in ex., stern of galley, date in ex θOP, dotted border.

Controls: none

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

AE 20mm, 7.36 g, 12h. Damascus mint , c. BCE 87-86/5

SC 2473

O: diad bust r. beardless, diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted border

R: [B]ACΙΛΕΩ[C] ANTIOXOV EΠIΦANOVC on right ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟC KAΛΛINIKOV, nude Tyche stg l. holding palm branch vertically between epithets and cornucopiae. Π control mark outer left.

Greek/Seleucid; Tryphon BCE c. 142-138

AE 18 mm, 5.02 g, Antioch mint

SC 2034.2a

O: Diademed hd of Tryphon r., diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted border.

R: BAΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] TPYΦΩN[OΣ] in two lines on the r., AYTOKPATOPO[Σ] on l., spiked Macedonian helmet with cheek guards facing l., adorned with Ibex horn above visor.

Control: Aphlaston

Greek/Seleucid; Tryphon BCE c. 142-138

AE 17 mm, 5.23 g, Antioch mint

SC 2034.2e

O: Diademed hd of Tryphon r., diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted border.

R: BAΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] TPYΦΩNO[Σ] in two lines on the r., AYTOKPATO[POΣ] on l., spiked Macedonian helmet with cheek guards facing l., adorned with Ibex horn above visor.

Controls: Star

Greek/Seleucid; Tryphon BCE c. 142-138

AE 17 mm, 5.09g, Antioch mint

SC 2034.2d

O: Diademed hd of Tryphon r., diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted border.

R: [B]AΣΙΛΕΩΣ TPYΦΩNOΣ in two lines on the r., [A]YTOKPATOPOΣ on l., spiked Macedonian helmet with cheek guards facing l., adorned with Ibex horn above visor.

Controls: pilei

Greece/Seleucid; Demetrius I Soter BCE 162-150

AE 20 mm, 8.53 g, 12h, Tyre mint SE 158=BCE 155/4

SC 1672, SNG Spaer 1321-25, Newell Tyre 50

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

R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY in two lines above, TYPIΩN and Phoenician inscription “of Tyre” in two lines in ex., stern of galley, date above, dotted border.

Date above stern: LHNP.

Controls: none

Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164

AE 15 mm, 2.90 g, 11h, 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.

20140522

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

AE 17 mm, 5.33 g, minted probably in Phoenicia, SE 202/BCE 111-110

SC 2388.2

O: Bust of winged Eros r. dotted border

R: [B]AΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., ΦΙΛΟΠATOP[OΣ] on l., Nike adv l., holding wreath.

Date outer left: BΣ

cf. please refer to very interesting information pertaining to this type in SC II vol I pp. 542-544.

Greece/Seleucid; Alexander I Balas BCE 152-144

AE 14 mm, 2.03 g, 12 h, Berytos mint.

SC 1827, Sawaya 95 variety may be different obs die though, R20 appears likely for reverse, Hoover 942 (R2).

OBS Description: Diad head of Alexander r., diadem ends falling straight behind, dotted border.

REV Description: No legend, dolphin entwined around vertical trident, dotted border.

Mintmark: A/Λ on left and monogram of o/Φ in right field above.

Control: in right field, below E

20140520

ISLAMIC/Saffarid; Taj ad-Din Harb CE 1169-1213

AE Jital under Khwarizmshah Muhammad, 2.66 g, Sistan mint

Album 1427.2
Tye 125

ISLAMIC/India; Mysore: Tipu Sultan CE 1782-1799

AV Fanam, 0.32g, Kalicut mint AH 1198/CE 1783-1784

ROMAN EGYPT; Hadrian CE 117-138

AE Obol 5.04g, 12h, Alexandria mint Yr. 22= August 137-July 138 CE

S. 3829 variety.

ISLAMIC/Ottoman; Selim III 1789-1807

AR Yuzluk, 45 mm, 31.75g, c.1790-1791 CE Islambul (Istanbul) mint

KM#507

Britain/Stewart and Orange; Three well circulated 17th century Farthings

Charles II, 1660-1685 AE Farthing 5.65 g, 1674, S. 3393

William & Mary, 1688-1694 AE Farthing 4.49 g, 1694, S. 3453

William III, 1694-1702 AE Farthing 5.11g, 1700, S. 3557

Britain/Commonwealth 1649-1660

AR Half-Groat, 0.85g

S. 3221

N 2728

Britain/Hanover; George III 1760-1820

AR Shilling, 1816 (reverse at 12 o'clock has evidence of attempted hole)

SC 3790

ISLAMIC/'Abbasid; temp. Harun ar-Rashid CE 786-809 Afzut type of Tabaristan

AR Hemidrachm, 23mm, 1.82g, 3h, Tabaristan mint, c. PYE 135 (CE 785-786)

O: Sassanian style crowned bust r, "afzut"
R: fire altar flanked by attendants, stars flanking flames

Malek 193.1 variety
Album 73

ISLAMIC/Ilkhanid; Öljaytu Khan CE 1304-1316

AR 2 Dirham; 25mm, 3.94g, Astarabad mint (now Gurgan in Golestan, Iran) AH 713/CE 1313-14

Album 2188 variety

Britain/Hanover; George III 1760-1820

AE "Cartwheel Penny", 35mm, 27.66g, Soho mint Birmingham 1797

SCBC 3777

ISLAMIC/Fatimid; al-Mustansir Abu Tamim Ma’add AH 427-487/CE 1036-1094

BI Fractional Dirham or Dirham Aswad, 18mm, 1.58g, Sur (Tyre) mint, nd off flan

Album 723
According to Stephen Album as posted on Zeno.ru: "Nicol-1968, appears to be struck with the same dies". (Norman D. Nicol A Corpus of Fatimid Coins, Trieste, 2006 is referred to).

http://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=139191

20140517

ROMAN/Hadrian CE 117-138

AE Dupondius, 13.7 g, Rome mint, c. CE 120-123

RIC 605 v
Cohen 1470 v
S. 3670 v

O: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG PM TRP COS III
R: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI SC