So here we go, into another rabbit hole. This particular coin has been catching my eye whenever I went to the LCS of late, so I bought it today. Apparently, since it's something very different to my typical collection, I haven't the slightest clue on identifying it even after lots of Google searches. What sites do you use for ancient coin information? Any help would be appreciated and thank you in advance! I'd love to learn about this little thing and have a few sources for info that I could reach in a few clicks on the phone if possible. And without further ado, here's my first ancient. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Try Wildwinds https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ It looks like a drachm of Parion, Mysia. You can read PA on the reverse above the bull. https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/mysia/parion/t.html
What do the numbers in the colum mean? I see BMC 31.1 closely resembles this one. Is that referencing the British Museum Catalog?
it is an hemidrachm (half-drachma) of Parion, 4th c. BC, an ancient Greek city that is now the Turkish village of Kemer on the South coast of the dardanelles strait.
Are you interested in building a type collection of ancients coins? A good starting point would be an Athenian classical tetradrachm (owl), but you shouldn't buy the first one that you encounter. Take your time, look at other sales and do some basic research. Here's a good introductory video on the ancient Greek classical tetradrachm: