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.
20100605
Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164
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.
20100527
NDE methods for evaluating ancient coins could be worth their weight in gold
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.
** 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
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
20100520
Roman (Britain) / Constantine II, as Caesar CE 317-337
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."
20100508
Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus X Eusebes Philopator c. BCE 94-probably c. 88
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
20100426
Apologies
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.
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
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.
(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 Colonial; 40 Reis, 1809 ND, KM 278.3, Host date 1735 20 Reis
20100322
the Numismatist April 2010 issue
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.
20100321
Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus III BCE 222-187
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
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
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
20100307
Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus II Theos BCE 261-246
AE 16 mm, 3.49 g, Unattributed, perhaps Cilician issue.
SC 568, HSC 265 (R3), reference: Shown at British Museum
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.
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
AR Tetradrachm, 24mm, 17.08 g, 9h.
Kroll 8, SNG Copenhagen 31.
O: helmeted hd of Athena r.
R: AΘΕ
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.
20100304
Greece/Seleucid; Alexander II Zabinas BCE 128-122
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).
20100303
Archaeological Findings: Hellenistic Coins Discovered in Northern Syria
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
20100219
Greece; Seleucid; Antiochus II Theos BCE 261-246
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.
20100210
Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129
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.
Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus IV Epiphanes BCE 175-164
AE Chalkous, 15 mm, 2.63 g., perhaps Samaria mint c. BCE 168-164
SC 1489 v, HSC 638a (S)
O: radiate diademed hd r, one diad end falling straight behind and the other falls over shoulder. Fillet border. mark of value behind hd A/X
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ANTI[OXOY] on left. goddess std l., on high backed throne, holding Nike, bird standing l, at feet. dotted border.
Controls: none or none visible on this example.
20100207
Greece/Seleucid; Antiochus VII Sidetes BCE 138-129
A pair of Eros/Isis bronzes
Antiochus VII minted in Antioch dated SE 182
AE 17 mm, 6.14 g, Antioch mint SE 182/BCE 131-130
SC 2067.20d, HSC 1087 (C)
O: Bust of winged Eros r., dotted border
R: BAΣΙΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., EYEPΓETOY on l., Isis headress.
Date in ex: BΠP
Antiochus VII minted in Antioch dated SE 177
AE 18 mm, 6.17 g, Antioch mint SE 177/BCE 136-135
SC 2067.9d, HSC 1087 (C)
O: Bust of winged Eros r., dotted border
R: BAΣΙΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines on r., EYEPΓETOY on l., Isis headress.
Date in ex: IOP
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