Achelous - Manly-man Bull

Several months ago, @Ancientnoob turned me on to an entry-level AR Nomos from Campania. I thought, COOL, Man-Bull...( His name is Achelous ). Snared him, silver, place-marker, low-cost, Roman Republic era, Italia, .....fun.

Campania, Neopolis
AR Nomos
275-250 BCE

But, then I ran across a very interesting one that I had to get. I know that AE Bronzes are a little more difficult to scavenge, and detail can be dicey...

But this one is pretty cool, and you can see Achelous' FACE! Now, I have the AR and AE versions!

Campania, Neopolis
275-250 BCE
AE 18, 4.99g
Obv: Lareate Head of Apollo, NEOPOLITON (in Greek), Theta at r.
Rev: Achelous advancing r, crowned by flying Nike, IOTA SIGMA under Achelous
Ref: Sambon 663; HN Italy 589; SNG ANS 474

Comment: Achelous was a river god from the Achelous River (largest river in Greece). Derivation of his name predates the Greeks, and later the River God became the god over all rivers, lakes, streams, and waters not controlled by Neptune. Reckon I should thank him for all my small-mouth bass, perch, and trouts that I have caught! YUM!

Please feel free to post your Achelous Man-Bulls! Or any Campania coins!

 

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Great stuff.

 

Great coins, would like a man bull coin later down the road myself.

 

Like the OP coin, mine favors the head of the bull. It is hard to get both ends fully on flan. That AE is very nice - particularly the Nike.

 

Thank you. The whole reverse attracted me.

 

I love these. Excellent acquisitions Al. I only have a small broken AE. I need more!

GELA, SICILY
AR Litra
OBV: Naked horseman galloping left holding spear & shield
REV: Forepart of man-headed bull right
Struck at Gela, Sicily, 425BC
0.36g; 13mm
SNG Cop 275, BMC 52, Jenkins 405; HGC 2 374

 

Your Achelous' face is fantastic!

 

Wonderful coin posts!!

That's another type I seem to lose out on lately, or those offered are way too pricey for my budget and I have to pass them by---but I'm still after them!!

 

Here is one from the Jascha Heifetz sale Part 2, #2336 way back in 1989:


Neaopolis Didrachm, c 380-350 BC, SNG ANS 335

I bought it from "Mr. Parthian", Fred Shore, who got it from the auction. Sorry for the crummy picture, I need to re-do it now I have a decent camera.

John

 

Thats a nice nomos, dang....

 

Yeah I was pretty excited to get it. The obverse reminded me of the Syracuse Tetradrachms and Dekadrachms that I really wanted but could not afford...

 

I really like the Nomos and need to pick one up someday. For now, I have a somewhat leprous-looking bronze. Collectors with delicate eyes should look away...

 

Dont worry man I can take it. I seen some gooood fugly coins. I ID'ed this coin as one that was in the local library's recently found Coin collection. Yours is better than theirs by a large margin.

 

Beautiful capture!

 

Collectors of moderns like to talk about condition rarities. It's not something we think about often, but I don't think we could overstate just how rare the OP coin is in such a high grade. Phenomenal!

 

I LIKE this bronze!

 

Thank you. I was excited to stumble upon it, and now being its steward.

 

Campania, Neapolis, 325 - 241 BC
Silver Didrachm or Nomos
20mm, 5.9 grams
Obverse: Diademed head of Nymph, uncertain symbol behind.
Reverse: Man headed bull right with Nike flying above crowning bull.
SNGCop442

 

Holy Cannoli!

 

Well done, Ken...Beautiful coin!