Greek cities not seen every day

This is a strange coin that I'm still working on but I'm getting closer to figuring it out. Still trying to track down some references but some think this coin is from Adramytion which is a city that Paul visited 53-57 AD, on his way to Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. Others think it's a imitation but I wonder that if it is a imitation, is it possible that this Adramytion coin I have is a imitation of that city. Who knows, I don't.



Fritze, Mysien 172 ("Phil. II"); Kraft Systeme, plate 30, no. 13; Mionnet V, 46 ("Phil. I"); Waddington 629 ("Phil. II") etc.

I'm going to do a full attribution later, if I can and as I usually do.

Other than this coin I don't have a lot of Roman Provincial coins yet.

 

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Interesting lot of coins from lesser known cities. I'm also interested in either lesser known or cities with odd names. Problem is, some are either hard to find or due to the scarcity out of my price range.

 

At the risk of attracting eyerolls and flames, there is a certain notorious eBay dealer who has a massive inventory and if you can stomach digging through his listings (while ignoring the massively inflated prices), you can find some unusual coins. They won't be in great condition and his asking price will be something like $1000, discounted 73% to $270!!! , which will still probably be too high by a factor of 4 or more. Use the Make Offer button and submit a reasonable price. He must have his minimum acceptable offer pre-set because you'll get a response immediately one way or another. You can only make a certain number of offers on a given coin before being locked out (I guess that is to prevent easily finding his lowest acceptable price).

Anyway, I'm talking about Ilya Zlobin, eBay seller name highrating_lowprice. I've picked up a few ratty but rare coins from him for reasonable prices. His shipping is very prompt.

I've spot checked a number of his attributions and he does seem to get them right. I think he does know his coins.

 

There are two ways to make a million dollars. One is to sell one item for a million over cost. The other is to make a dollar each on a million units. Having ten thousand coins for sale and selling one percent for high prices is a business plan - just not one we like.

 

Sweet!! => congrats on your seven new winners, Mentor (very cool mix)

Ummm, I kinda suck at determining which cities are "rare" ... but I seldom see you coin-folks posting many of these places:

Laranda, Lycaonia




Erythrai, Ionia



Mende, Macedon




Gryneion, Aelois




Sigeion, Troas


Tanagra, Boeotia



Thebai, Thessaly



... oh, but "please" prove me wrong

 

I've looked through his inventory before. Never bought anything though, don't like the way he prices his coins.

 

I think this guy ought to at least signup as a CoinTalk Supporter for all the publicity he gets here .

 

Two coins from cities I see infrequently represented:

Laos, Lucania stater, c 490-470 BC:


Thermai Himerensis, Sicily tetradrachm, c 370-350 BC:

 

LOL, your job is to visit EVERY city that you have a coin from!

 

In addition to the unusual cities are the Kings that you've never heard of. I found this tiny (11mm) bronze a few months back and it took me quite a while to figure out. Excuse the pic but it's not a very photogenic little coin.



Mostis, King of Thrace, ca 140-100 BC

Ox: Diademed head of Mostis right
Rx: BAΣILEΩS MOΣTIΔOΣ to right and left of caduceus

Never had heard of him until I found this coin.

 

That's very cool... I've never heard of him until now.

 

Here is a coin I almost forgot about. Not too many coins are available for Tabae, Caria and only one for Trajan at Wildwinds, 13 total available at VCoins, 42 at acsearch.info. I found this coin in a uncleaned lot from Serbia. Not done cleaning it yet, almost.



Roman Provincial Trajan, AE23, of Tabae, Caria, 5.1g, 24mm

OBV: AY KAI TRAI-ANOC ARIC GER DA, Laureate head right.

REV: (from top right) TABHNWN, Demeter, polos on head, standing left, holding corn-ears, bunch of grapes and sceptre.

REF: SNG Cop 559, Hunter 4.







That coin is almost in the middle, you can see part of it on the bottom that looks sandy.

Tabae Caria is a rather obscure city, mentioned by Strabo a Greek scholar who lived in the years c. 64 BC - 24 AD. That it was located on a plain in Phrygia on the boundaries of Caria, now located in modern day Turkey. Some inscriptions and numerous ancient remains have been found.

 

I think so little of this mint is known that I don't know to call it a provincial or Celtiberian. I would tend to say provincial due to the Latin name, perhaps someone has more information about it.

Ostur
1st c. BC
AE Semis
Obvs: OSTVR below acorn.
Revs: Two palm branches.
19x20mm, 6.88g
CNH 390.4

 

I only have two from the 7 OP cities.


Ionia, Kolophon. Caracalla AE22
Obv: Laureate, draped bust right.
M AVP AN - TΩNЄINOC
Rev: Tyche with rudder and cornucopiae standing left.
KOΛOΦ - ΩNHΩN



Phrygia, Eumeneia. Tiberius. AD 14-37. AE18.
Obv: Laureate head right.
Rev: Zeus standing left, holding patera and scepter; star to left.
Kleon Agapetos, magistrate.
RPC 3147

 

I don't think I've posted this coin before. I've only seen one other example from this city posted on CT. I believe it belonged to @Pishpash and is/was the same denomination. It was one of my very first Greek bronze denominations. The seller didn't have the proper attribution and it took me 3 or 4 attempts to find the right one.

Pisidia, Isinda
1st century BC. AE 18
Laureate head of Zeus right / Horseman right with downward spear, IΣIN (ISIN) below.

5.96g
18.1mm

-Michael

 

Yours is much better than mine


Pisidia, Isinda
Coin:
- Laureate head of Zeus right
ISIN - beneath rider on horseback galloping right, wielding spear, coiled serpent at lower right, E in upper left field
Mint: Isinda (21-5 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 5.48g / 19mm / -
References:

• SNG Cop 158
• RPC I 3512O
• Aulock Pisidien 1 593-595

 

Siphnos has different types so I checked SNG Cop 785 and came out with Tenos. I am making this correction rather late, but better late than never.