ANCIENTS: Oddly Shaped Ancients

This Justian & Sophia is rather odd in shape...

 

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Titus Fourree Denarius
OBV: Laureate head right - CAES VESPAS AVG TR P COS III
REV: Foreparts of two capricorns springing in opposing directions, supporting round shield inscribed S C; globe below
Struck at Rome, 80/81 AD
3.06g, 18mm
RIC II 357

 

Odd Shaped Coin of Ashoka the Great Emperor of India (304-232 BC)

The types of coins are found in a variety of shapes and sizes. The weight is generally about 3 grams, of decent silver.

India, The Mauryan Empire
Ashoka the Great 304-232 BC
c. 272-232 BC
AR Drachm; Ujjain Mint
18mm x 13mm @ 2.84g
Obverse: Punch Marks
Reverse: More Punch Marks
rare.

 

Here is a Byzantine coin of Leo V and Constantine, 813-820. on the reverse are lambda and K, for Leo and Constantine, with a cross above. Of course, Byzantine coins of this period are often poorly struck on bad flans, but this one has an unusual shape, even for the period.

 

I bought this piece because of it's odd shape - plus I like Syracuse:



How likely was it that the casting spur would not have been broken off at some point during it's tenure of circulation?

 

This one has a less dramatic casting spur but a nicer preservation:

 

...and this one gets extra points for the way the hir design was kept on flan by the additional metal of the spur.

 

Pretty interesting coins. I have been looking at the square coins from the Indo-Greeks. Some of those have nice details on them.

 

You might like a look here, a really neat coin. Everyone should have one.


Bactria
Apollodotos I (174-165 BC)
AR Drachm 17.4mm x 17.0mm @ 2.29g
Obverse: Elephant Standing Right- BASILEWS APOLLODOTOY SWTHROS around AN monogram below
Reverse: Kharoshti Legend- Zebu bull standing monogram A

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