I couldn't find much on the city in which this coin was struck, Birytis, except that it is an unlocated city in the Troad. So I had to look again to see what the Troad was and came up with the Troad or Troas is the historical name of the Biga Peninsula (modern Turkish: Biga Yarımadası) in the northwestern part of Anatolia, Turkey. The Troad gets its name from the Hittites' name for the region, Taruiša. So not much as you can see. But I had to get this little gnome if, for no other reason, than, well, it looks like a garden gnome. TROAS, BIRYTIS AE12 OBVERSE: Head of Kaiberos left wearing pileus REVERSE: Club of Herakles, BI PY to either side, all within laurel wreath Struck at Birytis, Troas 3d century BC 1.14g, 12mm D&T220 // Depeyrot NC VII, 33 //SNG Cop 250// DeLaTour8145
That's a really nice example, with good centering and detail. These can be all over the map when it comes to strike and preservation.
Nice example. Old coin I don't have anymore. Troas, Birytis (300 B.C.) AE11 Birytis mint O: Head of Cabirus left wearing pileus. R: B-I/P-Y around club, all within laurel wreath. 8mm 1.1g SGCV II 4056 var, SNG Cop 250
Sweet #2 addition, Big-bro (congrats) Oh, and awesome thread additions, gang ... this place has great participation! I happen to have a pretty sweet example of this type ... wanna see it?
Ha, yeah I looked and thought about it but didn't bid A few months ago they were quite common. But as JA said they're all over as strike is concerned. @Bing you got a nice one!!
oh yeah, nice bing! one of these little gnomes dudes has been on my list for 3 years...and i've never got one.
@Bing Mine for real looks like a Travelocity gnome. I saw yours in the Dorney auction and almost bid on it myself. I ended up buying something else. I know a lot of the coins had few bids or no bids. Which is fine with me for sure. Birytis, Troas AE ca. 300BC 11.5mm O: Head of Kabeiros left, wearing pileus. R: B-I-P-Y; Legend divided by club, all within laurel wreath. Laffaille 447; SNG Von Aulock 1502-1503; Sear Greek 4057; SNG Cop 249; BMC 40. 3/28/15
Yeah, as a buyer, the lack of bids was good for me, but I feel for Ken, the seller. I won three coins at the opening bid, but I'm sure Ken was hoping for better participation.
@Bing I agree with you there. I don't want to see anyone lose a bunch of money in an auction. I don't know the seller but it just works out bad for everyone long term in addition to being bad for him. It seems that the Agora auctions have picked up steam in general and he will have better participation the next round.
Yes, I was bummed by the results but unfortunately there was miscommunication and there were three auctions running at the same time, which certainly diluted sales for all of us. Next time I will make sure the auction runs alone! Working on it now.
Like I said, I got great deals on the three coins I won, but I understand your consternation. Hopefully, for your sake, the next sale goes better for you. Good luck.
@Ken Dorney I am not certain why they chose to run three auctions at the same time. It was unusual for me as a bidder. They all ended within two days of each other as well which was also frustrating. It also seemed like their in house auction was put up and ended in a week or slightly more. Hopefully just a one off bad time for them and for you. I am very pleased with my Soaemias and your service. I'm looking forward to your next auction. Also, do not allow anyone else to bid on the lots I am bidding on. Thanks.