Ancient Greek Eagle, crab and fish.

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by icerain, Oct 16, 2014.

  1. icerain

    icerain Mastir spellyr

    So what do you get when you put a eagle, crab and fish together? a coin. o_O wait what?

    So anyway, I was browsing online one day and found an interesting coin (I always find interesting coins, just not ones I can always afford) and it turns out, it was made from Sicily which was a region I have always wanted to add to my collection. And of course it looked interesting enough for me to pick it up.


    Anyway, enough rambling and here is the coin...


    [​IMG]

    Sicily, Akragas
    AE Hexas
    O: Eagle with head lowered, standing right on hare. AKPA
    R: Crab, two fish right below, two dots on either side of crab

    Not the greatest picture but I managed to get the black patina on it to show. Also interesting, at least to me. this is the first time I see a coin called Hexas which means the number six. I don't know if its supposed to mean the weight or the value of the coin, or both.
     
    stevex6, chrsmat71, zumbly and 2 others like this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Great pickup. A type I would like in time.
     
  4. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Nice coin. I think Steve has one of these and I'm sure he can be persuaded to post an image if we twist his arm hard enough. HARDER!!!
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2014
  5. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    A very nice coin. I've seen a lot of these without any fish at all on the reverse, and you've got two.
     
  6. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Don't forget the poor hare. That's a whole bunch of animals on one coin. Nice!
     
  7. icerain

    icerain Mastir spellyr

    Unfortunately, mine is missing most of the hare.

    I only count the animals still alive. :D j.k
     
  8. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    very cool ancient IR..hard to imagine getting any more animals on a coin. I predict a "like" from stevex coming soon.
     
  9. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    A hexas is 1/6 or 2/12 of the unit 'litra' and is indicated on the coin by two dots flanking the crab. Below is a tetras, 1/4, 3/12 with three dots also from Akragas.
    g00480b01134lg.jpg
     
    randygeki, chrsmat71, icerain and 2 others like this.
  10. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Wow!! => a total winner!! (congrats)

    Sadly, despite the encouraging comments, I don't own one of these types (*sigh*)

    However, I do own a whole lotta coins from Sicily and a few from Akragas (which I'll try to remember to post later-on today, when I get home from work)

    => but again => Wow, I love your new addition (yours too, Doug)
     
    icerain likes this.
  11. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    icerain => here are a couple of early Akragas prototypes!!

    Both of them are a couple of the earliest bronze coins (450-440 B.C.) ... they were "cast" bronze coins (very cool)


    SICILY, Akragas Æ Cast Onkia (1 Onkia)
    Circa 450-440 BC
    Diameter: 19 mm
    Weight: 4.62 grams
    Obverse: Eagle's head left
    Reverse: Crab claw left

    Sicily Akragas.jpg


    Sicily, Akragas Cast AE Trias (4 Onkia)

    circa 450 BC
    Diameter: 14 x 19 x 20 mm
    Weight: 16.28 grams
    Desc: Eagle standing left & trident of crab’s claws on sides, four pellets on base
    akragas 4 too too.jpg akragas 4.jpg akragas 4 too.jpg


    ... sure, I admit that they're a bit different than your "eagle & crab" addition, but still kinda the same, ya know?

    I really do love your new coin (I'm always lookin' and waiting to add that type to my stable ... congrats)
     
    chrsmat71, Bing and icerain like this.
  12. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem


    hey Doug => maybe now you'll have a buyer for your "spare" Trias?
     
  13. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Can always hope.
     
    stevex6 likes this.
  14. icerain

    icerain Mastir spellyr

    Steve, nice coins they look pretty interesting.

    Not your finger though. :) jk
     
  15. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

  16. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    One I want as well, nice addition!
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page