https://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/happy-new-year-in-different-languages

ROMAN/Valerian CE 253-260

AR Antoninianus; 21 mm, 3.78 g, Antioch mint CE 254-255

RIC 220

RCV 9966

RSC 179

O: rad, cuir, draped bust r, IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG

R: Valerian or Sol radiate in long robes adv r, r hand raised holding orb in l. RESTITVT GENER HVMANI.

ISLAMIC; Bahri Mamluk, AL-MANṢŪR 'ALĀ AL-DĪN 'ALI 778–783 AH. = 1377–1381 CE

 

AE Fals; 18.7 x 15.7 mm, 1.33 g, Tripoli mint nd

Balog 505. Border on both sides: circular line in circle of dots.

Field divided by two horizontal lines of dots.

ضرب طر /

لملك المنصور /

ابلس

Lion passant to left; tail, with knot in the middle, curled back.

L 929 (17, 2.27) Plate XIX, 505a. ANS (18, 2.35); (17, 2.16). Flagellation (18) Plate XIX, 505 b. München, two specimens. Jungfleisch (22, 4.36).

reference taken from http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan55713.

Towns underlined in blue are the mints for the three Mamluk Fals shown here. Map is the Mamluk lands c. 1330 CE, a generation or longer before the period covered by these coins.

ISLAMIC; Bahri Mamluk, AL-ASHRAF NĀṢIR AL-DĪN SHA'BĀN II 764–778 AH. = 1363–1377 CE

 AE Fals; 18 x 14 mm, 1.89 g, Hamah mint nd

Heraldic (lion to left)

Balog 464. As above, but lion on the reverse to left.

BMC 606,c (18) Plate XVII, 464a; 606, f (17). BM, L. A. Lawrence 1935 5–1–4; 5–1–5. L 1099 (2.08). ANS (15) Plate XVII, 464b.

 

الملك

الاشرف

Upper segment: بحماة

Lower segment: ضرب

 reference taken from http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan55713

British Colonial Ireland & America; Wood’s Half Penny 1722

AE Half Penny; 27 mm; 6h, 8.84 g

KM 116

Spink 6600

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

R: Hibernia with Harp std l, harp to right, HIBERNIA 1722

 

ISLAMIC; Bahri Mamluk; as-Salih Salih ad-Din Salih AH 752-755/CE 1351-1354

AE Fals; 19 mm, 2.89 g, Halab mint; AH 755/ CE 1354

Description of the piece below from ANS Digital Library: Coinage of the Mamlūk Sultans of Egypt and Syria (numismatics.org)

Balog Mamluk 338

 

Copper
ALEPPO, 755 H.

338. Border: circular line.

Field divided by two horizontal lines into three segments.

Upper segment: سنة خمس

Central segment: الملك الصالح

Lower segment: وخمسين بحلب

Border: circle of scrolls (or on some specimens a circular cable?) between two circular lines.

In center: bird walking to right, head turned straight back. Above the bird's back, swan-like body, so far unidentified.

On top of the name, الصالح, is an ornament; on some specimens it is: الصالح ω (P M–5823), on others: الصالح (L 890, b and L 940).

L 890,b (18) Plate XIII, 338a; 940 (18, 2.80). P M–5823 (20) Plate XIII, 338. BMC 542 (20); 543 (21); 543,a. BM F–5–70–7–15980. Lagumina p. 96 no. 6. Blau no. 300 a, b. Wien 774. ANS, three specimens: (21, 2.94); (19, 2.56); (19, 2.14). Thorburn. Balog, three specimens: (20, 2.99); (20); (20).

Only a few specimens were known to Lavoix, who attributed them to al-Ṣāliḥ Ḥājji, but read the mint-name Aleppo correctly: Lane-Poole ascribed the coin to al-Ṣāliḥ Isma'īl and read the upper and lower segments as: قسيم محمد and ضر بحلب.

We have now several fulūs of this issue, on which the mint, Aleppo, and the date, 755 H., are clear. There can be no doubt about the attribution to al-Ṣāliḥ Ṣāliḥ.

The heraldic bird of the reverse has been described as a duck, to which — especially on poorly preserved specimens — it has a certain resemblance. Mayer, in his Saracenic Heraldry (p. 7 and notes p. 3, 10 and 26), points out, however, that there is no evidence that the duck was ever used as heraldic emblem on a Mamlūk blazon.

On closer examination of the coins, the bird does not resemble a duck but rather any walking bird with short legs, and could be an eagle, a raven or even a sparrow. Until we have further clearer evidence, we should like to suggest the eagle.

 

 

 

ISRAEL; First Roman War CE 66-73

 AE Prutah; 14mm, 2.33 g,  Year 2= CE 67/68

Hendin (5^th ed) 1360

O: amphora with broad rim and two handles שנת שתים

R: vine leaf with tendril,ציון חרות

Paleo-Hebrew script reads “Year Two” on obs and “the Freedom of Zion(Jerusalem)” on the reverse, though is written here in modern Hebrew.

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”

 

    

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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)

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

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

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

 

 

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. 

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

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

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