Need assistance please.

Hello all. I've been looking for a specific themed coin, but haven't had much luck finding it. Want something with animals, or mythical creatures, etc.. on both sides, in excellent condition, and either very white, shiny black, or even gold. Any ideas? I've seen some staters, and Byzantine coins that are close, but either too expensive, or just not quite what I'm looking for. I have no idea what would "trip my trigger" but I have been looking for some time now without much luck. Budget: around $500 max. Unless gold. (then more maybe) I'm becoming impatient, and that's a very bad thing. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
John.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I think there will be some options and I look forward to helping find some examples

Meanwhile, you might want to remove the "WTB" tag from the title lest it cause the post to be moved to the "Want Lists" section of CoinTalk. Maybe it belongs there though? I'm not sure. Whatever. I look forward to the hunt

 

Having animals on both sides narrows the field a lot. Usually there is someones face on one side, preferably a nymph or goddess in my book, however some people prefer emperors.

 

Perhaps an issue of Sikyon, with a chimera on the obverse and dove on the reverse.

 

I did remove the tag. (wasn't sure if it was appropriate also) I would be honored to have assistance from someone with your knowledge, and great taste in choosing beautiful coinage.

 

Perhaps it would be better for us to show examples of such coins we own (not necessarily with regard to your price constraints), with the attributions so that you can then check Vcoins, auctions, etc to find a similar coin if one of them floats your boat.

Here are some of mine with animals or mythical creatures prominent on both sides. As for your color requirement... if you want "very white" and the coin is toned silver, you could dip it or something, although "blast white" ancient coins aren't generally desired. For a black or blackish silver coin, exposing it to a tarnishing agent will turn it black. Again, probably advisable. Some bronze coins take on a deep patina. I don't think you'll find as many bronze coins with animals as the main device on both sides.


ARKADIA, Psophis
450-30 BCE
AR obol, 10 mm, 0.69 gm
Obv: forepart of Keryneian hind right
Rev: fish right, O above, archaic psi below, all within circle incuse
Ref: BCD Peloponnesos 1680 (same dies). Rare.
ex Frank James Collection
ex BCD Collection

The Keryneian hind was no ordinary female red deer. This golden-horned, bronze-hoofed hind was the sacred pet of Artemis; Herakles couldn't kill or harm the animal during lest he anger her. Capturing this fleet animal was not easy.

Herakles chased the hind for a whole year. Out of desperation he shot the deer as it was about to get away again. As he rushed the injured deer to King Eurystheus he came across Artemis. Upon hearing his woeful story of the required twelve labors she took pity on him, healed the deer, and Herakles brought the unharmed deer to Mycenae.

You're not likely to find one of these with bright silver or pristine surfaces.


CALABRIA, Tarentum
325-280 BCE
AR litra, 11 mm, 0.56 gm
Obv: scallop shell
Rev: dolphin right, trident below (I think it might be a bunch of grapes)
Ref: Vlasto 1530 (if grapes rather than trident, Vlasto 1527)


SIKYONIA, Sikyon
335-330 BCE
AR stater, 23 mm, 12.3 gm
Obv: Chimaera standing left; wreath above, ΣE below
Rev: Dove flying left; A to left; all within wreath
Ref: BCD Peloponnesos 220; Traité III 775, pl. CCXX, 11

There are smaller denominations of these coins as well (chimaera + dove) and some with a dove on both sides.


LESBOS, Mytilene
521-478 BCE
EL hekte, 10.5 mm, 2.6 gm
Obv: forepart of winged boar right
Rev: incuse head of lion left; rectangular punch behind
Ref: Bodenstedt Em. 10; HGC 6, 935; SNG von Aulock –; Boston MFA 1678; BMC –


IONIA, Samos
510-500 BCE
AR drachm, 13.7 mm, 3.2 gm
Obv: forepart of winged boar left
Rev: facing lion scalp with dotted square, within incuse square
Ref: SNG Cop 1673


CARIA, Mylasa
450-400 BCE
AR hemiobol, 7 x 9 mm, 0.5 gm
Obv: facing forepart of lion
Rev: scorpion within incuse square
Ref: SNG von Aulock 7803

Next is a tessera rather than a coin:

IONIA, Ephesus. Anoynmous
c. CE 1st century
Æ tessera, 19mm, 5.14 g
Obv: CKωΠI, stage kneeling left, head right; E to left, Φ to right
Rev: KHPIΛICωΔEΠPOCΠAΛVPIN surrounding a bee
Ref: SNG Copenhagen 355; BMC 186; SNG von Aulock 1875
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-magical-tessera.277808/

 

Yeah, not looking for people, or even deities (Zeus etc...) (I think) it would need to have a very unusual opposite side. I don't want to have to "settle" for one. I know the owls (had one) nice, but not unusual.

 

Will check out. Thanks.

 

Ok, I think were on the same page. Why didn't I post this sooner? Thanks.
Keep em coming please.

 

I think that's all from my collection but I'll check again, plus I'll post any other types I stumble across in CNG's archives.

Ancient coins with animals on both sides will likely be Greek, since Roman coins of all eras tend to have a person/deity on at least one side.

 

I really like the Sikyon and Tessera! Neat filter for your next purchase as well @Johndoe2000$ I dig the idea

 

From what I've seen, I might have to get gold, which would no doubt blow my budget sky high.

 

@AncientJoe isn't on the board very often so I'm going to usurp his glory and post his Sikyon stater. Isn't it amazing?! One of this quality is a liiiiiitle bit beyond your budget though

 

Man, if only that dove was replaced with some other animal/beast.

 

That is drop dead gorgeous.

 

@TIF Your collection is out of this world. Simply amazing. Thank you for posting these incredible coins.

 

A huge +1

 

Could someone tell me what is on the chimaeras back?

 

You should be able to find several interesting two animal coins in the Italian colonies of Greek cities. One I like is:

Greek World. Sicily. Alaesa. 365-360 BC, Bronze.
D / Griffon leftward under locust.
R / horse galloping to the left upon a star.
Weight 6.54 gr. Diameter 27 mm. BB +. Patina Green. Flan very wide. R.
SNG ANS 1178. BB +. Patina Green. Flan very wide. R.
This one is bronze and a really good one should be less than $500. A less good one, like the one above, can be found for less than $100.


This one has riders for the dolphin and horse.
Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos. Circa 400-390 BC. Nude rider on horse standing to right, holding reins with his left hand and crowning his horse with his right; below, Λ / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding akrostolion in his right hand; below dolphin, Λ and TAPAΣ. HN Italy 868; Vlasto 355. 7.58g, 22mm, 2h.
These do not come in the $500 range.


There are lots of Eagle / Crab coins. They are pricey also. If you are willing to take a small and worn one, it could be less than $500. Go to acsearch.info and search eagle crab. You will not get prices unless you are a paid member. CNG will give prices on their web site. SIXBID has half a dozen, mostly bronze, in current auctions with start prices in your range.

none of the above are mine and are not in my area, but desirable I think
Good Luck!

 

A goat. The chimaera is a lion sprouting a goat in the upper back, with a snake for a tail (head of snake at the end of the tail).

http://www.theoi.com/Ther/Khimaira.html