Buh bye wagon! That didn't last long. Observing the recent Roma auction led to logging in to the Roma auction which led to much clicking. I've admired the type and was delighted to nab this particular example. KARIA, Kindya 510-480 BC AR tetrobol, 2.18 gm, 11 mm, Samian standard Obv: head of ketos right Rev: geometric pattern within incuse square Ref: Kagan and Kritt, 'The Coinage of Kindya,' NC 1995, 1 var. (head left); SNG Keckman 920 var. (same); SNG Kayhan 815; "Asyut Hoard" 688 ex Goldberg auction 69 lot 3156, 15 May 2012 There are a couple of possible myths which may be represented by this coin's ketos (sea monster). Because of geography, I suspect it depicts the Trojan sea monster. To summarize, Poseidon sent the monster to terrorize Troy as revenge for a breach of contract. Laomedon didn't pay him for his work building Troy's wall, instead saying it was volunteer work, that Poseidon did the work on his own accord. An oracle proclaimed that sacrificing an occasional maiden was required. Unfortunately for Laomedon, one year the selected maiden was his daughter, Hesione. Herakles was in the neighborhood and struck a bargain: rescue of Hesione in exchange for a horse formerly owned by Zeus. Hesione was rescued and Laomedon reneged on the deal, which resulted in retaliatory slaying of Laomedon and his sons. (Gang wars, Greek style). Here's some pottery depicting this rescue of Hesione: Seeing the coin and this pottery convinced me that the Ketos was based on a killer whale. After all, there is a similar appearance and killer whales do snatch prey from shores, as seen in this gruesome video. The man was not snatched by Orca. It was made from footage of killer whales feasting on seals. Somehow I find it harder to watch whales eating cute seals. Anyhoo, searching revealed that killer whales are not found in the Greek seas so my theory is wrong. "False killer whales" (Pseudorca crassidens) are though, so that's my best guess. Kindya was in southwestern Anatolia (modern Turkey), southwest of Mylasa. The approximate location is marked with a yellow x below: The original and larger version of this map is here. Post your Kindyas or sea monsters! (I know my favorite coinstalking victim has a Kindya )
Absolutely wonderful coin. Love that monster. I've never seen one like this. I guess the wagon just can't hold you and Steve, eh?
Guess not But I really need to stop for the next few months because I want to attend a coin show and that means travel and hotel... plus coin money... I tumbled further down the hill in last week's Heritage auction. Got a nice Nero sestertius with an unusually lovely reverse. Oh, and another mixed lot from CNG, this time all Alexandrian tetradrachms. I hope they arrive unattributed so that I can put Emmett's book to use!
Wow!! => great lookin' Sea Monster, coin-Princess I also have an example, but my dude is facing left and sadly the top of his/her monster head is cut-off (I really like your example) Bing is correct in stating that you don't see too many of these babies around, eh? (very cool addition) => Just say "NO" to Wagons!! Caria, Kindya AR Tetrobol / Sea monster circa 510-480 BC Size: 12.6 mm Weight: 2 grams Obverse: Head of Ketos sea monster left Reverse: Latticework pattern in incuse Reference: SNG Keckman 920 Other: A nice example with bold detail
Thanks for the extras in your write-up (always fun to read) ... Huh, I am the exact same way ... I guess lil' cute animals just seem so innocent, ya know? ... yup, I don't think that I've ever made it through one of those National Geographic documentaries without changing the channel and then returning once I figure the carnage-scenes are finished!! (I'm sure that my cave-man family would have been vegetarians ... oh, but we'd have lots of cute farm animals to help plow the fields)
Those teeth look sharp! Glad you were the one who took this little ketos home. It's a nice, nice piece. Love the write up and map too.
On another forum someone directed me to this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Fossil-Hunters-Paleontology/dp/0691058636 The author speculates that many ancient mythical creatures may have their origins in the found bones of extinct species-- stories spun to explain them. That sounds likely! Putting this on my reading list.
Wow TIF! This is a very interesting coin. The monster is quite menacing! I also can't wait to see the Nero sestertius!
Awesome coin TIF, details off the chart, we have lots of Killer whales out here and have seen them feed on seals, very awesome. we have new faces... I have been on spring brake with the Family, 4 sunny days and no rain. love the new coin, i have a few new coin's in tow..
woah...what an awesome coin. looks like that thing should be on the prow of a Viking ship over 1000 years later. even the reverse pattern kind of reminds me of that style...sort of.
