I'm not a big fan of little bitty coins and I agonized over buying this one as it was a bit pricey. But I'm very happy with it. The artistry is truly amazing and the slight touch of hue-toning sets of the fine silver shine. The photo isn't great but the coin is perfect. So, post your little coins! Calabria, Tarentum AR Diobol. Circa 334-302 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested helmet decorated with Skylla/Herakles standing right, strangling Nemean lion. SG 351; BMC 352. 1.02g, 12mm, 8h. Good Very Fine. Iridescent toning. From the Frank James Collection
Very nice! That is a whole lot of art on a tiny bit of silver. These little guys will grow on you. I just shared this one, but since he's a Collection-mate of your new coin, here he is again... THRACE, Thasos AR Trihemiobol 0.75g, 11mm Circa 411 - 350 BC SNG Copenhagen 1030; McClean 4216 and pl. 152, 8. O: Satyr kneeling left in three-quarter view, holding kantharos facing. R: Amphora, ΘΑΣ−ΙΩΝ around. Ex Frank James Collection And here's my littlest, at 8.7mm... CORINTH, Corinthia AR Obol 0.44g, 8.7mm Circa 550 - 500 BC Weber 3652; cf. BCD Corinth 12 (Pegasos left). O: Pegasos flying to right; Q below. R: Quadripartite incuse square.
that's an awesome little coin JBG..sharp and pretty. here's a little guy i post all the time....but i'll post him again..
I like the design of your new coin. So much so, I bought a similar one a few years back. Not the same reverse, but the same theme: TARAS, CALABRIA AR Diobol OBVERSE: Head of Athena in crested helmet left decorated with Skylla REVERSE: Herakles kneeling right, strangling lion Struck at Taras 380-334 BC 1.2g, 11mm Vlasto 1316
I was also reluctant to collect the fractional silvers until I bought this one. Part of the issue is that overly-large pics make most tiny coins look sub-par. When you hold them in your hand and realize how much craftsmanship went into carving such miniscule dies, you gain a new appreciation for the aesthetics of tiny coins. For that reason, I prefer smaller pics... Kyzikos, Mysia AR Tritatemorion, 9X12mm, 0.58g; 480-450 BC. Obv.: Forepart of running boar left, tunny fish facing upward. Rev.: Roaring lion. Notes: Ex Sidney Mygind.
The jury is still out on how I feel about these tiny coins. Yes, it's incredible the artistry involved in the making of the dies, but there is so much more detail that is cut into larger dies making the larger coins just as artistic or more so. Well, anyway, here is another small coin from my collection: MYSIA AR Hemiobol OBVERSE: Forepart of running boar left, tunny fish behind upward REVERSE: Head of roaring lion left within incuse square, star above Struck at Kysikos, 480-450BC 0.41 g, 9.5 mm Sear 3850
I havent gotten into the little bits myself. I just have one common greek of it. I appreciate the art some tend to have but never can justify the cost many seem to command. Nice piece though.
I understand why you are happy with your little bitty coin. Here is one that made me happy. ATTICA, Athens. AR Hemiobol 454-404 B.C. 0.34 grams, 6.2 - 6.9 mm Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev: Owl standing right, head facing, olive sprig behind. AΘE. Grade: Overall VF with the owl, olive sprig, and AΘE sharply struck & centered. The Athena obverse is somewhat more worn & off center. Other: SNG Copenhagen 59. May 2014 Pecunem Sale 16, lot # 498.
That is a nice reverse of a hemiobol from Athens. I would like to get the whole series but feel lucky to have the ones I have. Triobol (too big for this post but not easy to find) 2.0g Whole obol (archaic) .7g Obol (later) .6g Latest .6g Another later one but I see tooth marks on the cheek and owl. My imagination? .6g 3/4 obol .50g Hemiobol .35g 1/4 obol .15g I do not have the 1/8. Who else would want it if it is twice as ugly as my 1/4?
Great pic to put the size into perspective. That hemiobol makes the Lincoln cent look like a manhole cover.