Featured Ancient ... but not a coin! Artifacts thread! Post 'em!

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by lordmarcovan, Dec 25, 2017.

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  1. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    I've been fascinated by carved Roman gemstones for a while, but had never owned one, and never really expected to. In late 2012 or early 2013, I started a discussion about them on Collectors Universe, sort of along the lines of, "These aren't coins, but I really think they're neat". That sort of thing.

    In that discussion, I posted a link to the Ancient Coin Art dealer listing for this Roman bronze intaglio ring (ca. 1st to 4th century AD), which I thought was especially neat, as the carving features a capricorn engraved into the carnelian gemstone. Which just happens to be my zodiac symbol, not that I set much store by that kind of stuff.

    [​IMG]

    I mentioned I probably would never buy any of these ancient intaglios, though, because while they are reasonably affordable in many cases, I prefer to use my limited funds for coins.

    So I thought nothing more of it until a few weeks later, when I got a mysterious Priority Mail box in the mail with no return address.

    Even the ZIP code of origin had been carefully blacked out on the label, which was odd. (And a little spooky, were I a more suspicious or paranoid person, which fortunately I'm not.)

    Cracking bomb and anthrax jokes to my extremely bored non-terrified daughter, I opened the package.

    Inside was a huge cocoon of bubble wrap, and inside that a little gold colored box.

    Inside the gold box, on a bed of cotton, was the capricorn ring!

    20171225_182125.jpg

    And a blue Post-It note which read,

    So some mysterious benefactor, whose identity remains unknown to me to this day, spent $200+ to send me that mystery package with the ring in it.

    Needless to say, I was very touched by the generosity. That made my whole week... if not month. In fact, years later, I still think about that when I'm in a sulky mood and feeling underappreciated by the world.

    In 2015 I gave the ring as a birthday gift to my mother, who also happens to be a Capricorn like I am. So it's no longer mine, but it's still in the family.

    I'm visiting Mom as I type this (Christmas 2017), so I had her bring the ring out for me to take some pictures of it.

    20171225_173018.jpg 20171225_173409.jpg 20171225_185304.jpg

    That's my favorite ancient non-coin artifact. Post some of yours!
     
    lordmarcovan, Dec 25, 2017
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  3. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    As an estimate of the value of your stories to the community here, I'd call that a conservative valuation indeed. :)

    Thanks for sharing, and Merry Christmas!
     
    -jeffB, Dec 25, 2017
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  4. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    That’s a great story and a really nice ring.

    I wish I had the funds for antiquities, but as it is, I don’t even have enough for coins!

    I have actually managed to pick up a few modest artifacts but haven’t photographed most of them.

    Here’s a favourite scarab...

    1E2C39ED-C145-4D9F-AC53-6DFF0E02380E.jpeg

    The UFO at the bottom of the base is clear proof that they are out there...

    FE2B5BAD-1F76-422C-87E4-7091C4A1FD89.jpeg
     
    zumbly, Dec 25, 2017
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  5. Mike Margolis

    Mike Margolis Well-Known Member

    sassamianSeal.jpg Sassanian ring seal: c.300-600ce translucent Chalcedony intaglio with standing bird of prey and script
     
    Mike Margolis, Dec 25, 2017
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  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    lordmarcovan, Dec 25, 2017
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  7. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    I know exactly what you mean about there not being enough money for coins, let alone antiquities.

    And I'd rather maintain exclusive focus on coins, unless i came into a LOT of money- like enough to live in a house with room for a library/study/mini-museum.

    As to ancient aliens, I know all about that. Note the space shuttle blasting off behind that lady's head on the reverse of this Nero dupondius. ;)

    20171225_215534.jpg


    Oh, wait- that's a coin. Resume with antiquities.
     
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2017
    lordmarcovan, Dec 25, 2017
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  8. Youngcoin

    Youngcoin Everything Collector

    These artefacts are really neat! And LordM with all of the things you have given away on the boards you more then deserve that gift. ;)

    Thanks,
    Jacob
     
    Youngcoin, Dec 25, 2017
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  9. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Here are a couple of ancient Egyptian Ushabtis I have to take care of the household chores when I pass along to the realm of the dead... 20171225_211026.jpg
     
    Ryro, Dec 25, 2017
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  10. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Neat stuff
    IMG_2494.JPG IMG_3095.JPG 11715946_990961254271258_1479306255_n.jpg 024_3.JPG
     
    randygeki, Dec 26, 2017
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  11. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    IMG_9430.JPG
    Oil Lamp, Judea, 1st century AD

    Otherwise known as... Jesus's lamp ;)
     
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2017
    Curtisimo, Dec 26, 2017
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  12. Makanudo

    Makanudo Well-Known Member

    Hello,

    As I posted in another thread on similar subject few days ago.
    My recent purchase at the local coin show.
    I couldnt resist.

    SAM_4306.JPG SAM_4307.JPG SAM_4291.JPG SAM_4294.JPG SAM_4301.JPG
     
    Makanudo, Dec 26, 2017
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  13. Daniel_R6

    Daniel_R6 Well-Known Member

    That's a really nice story and ring.

    Unfortunately I have no artifacts to share myself - It's all about the coins for now!
     
    Daniel_R6, Dec 26, 2017
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  14. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Here's a Roman arrowhead. 3rd-4th century A.D.

    arrowhead.jpg
     
    ancient coin hunter, Dec 26, 2017
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  15. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Israelite AR 2 Gerah Hacksilber ca 8th-6th C. BCE 8.8x10mm 1.12g ex David Hendin RARE.JPG
    Israelite AR 2 Gerah Hacksilber ca 8th-6th C. BCE 8.8x10mm 1.12g ex David Hendin RARE

    EGYPT Dynasty 1085-945 BCE Green Faience Ushabti.JPG
    EGYPT Twenty-First Dynasty 1085-945 BCE Green Faience Ushabti

    Scythia bronze arrowhead ca 6th C BCE Convex angle triangular blade 2.4cm.JPG
    Scythia bronze arrowhead ca 6th C BCE Convex angle triangular blade 2.4cm

    Egypt 15th Dyn Hyksos 1650-1550 BCE Scarab Sobek 16x12mm ex DeVries Petrie 942 Pl XIV.JPG
    Egypt 15th Dyn Hyksos 1650-1550 BCE Scarab Sobek 16x12mm ex DeVries Petrie 942 Pl XIV
    EX: @Ken Dorney

    upload_2017-12-26_12-7-58.png
    Egypt 21st Dynasty Scarab 16x11mm Pharoah Neterkheperre 986-967 BCE ex DeVries collection George Fraser pg 41 #329 Plate XII
    Ex: @Ken Dorney

    upload_2017-12-26_12-8-55.png
    Egyptian basalt heart scarab, Late Period, c. 664 - 332 BC 1.9 cm.
    Ex Boston Museum of Fine Arts

    upload_2017-12-26_12-9-58.png
    upload_2017-12-26_12-10-16.png
    Egyptian red-black stone amulet of trussed ox Late Period 664-332 BC 25x16mm Ex Norma Goldman 1922-2011

    +4-1/2 BILLION Years Old (Yeah, my Grandkids think these are cool):
    upload_2017-12-26_12-13-19.png
    upload_2017-12-26_12-13-50.png
    EX: AncientResources.com
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2017
    Alegandron, Dec 26, 2017
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  16. SeptimusT

    SeptimusT Well-Known Member

    Here are some Romano British fibulae. Four of the five came from the area of St. Albans, which was once the Roman city of Verulamium. The silvered one on the bottom right came from North Yorkshire, near Ripon.

    Clockwise from the right, their types are: Kraftig Profillierte (~50 AD or later), Hod Hill (43-70 AD), Dolphin Colchester derivative (1st Century AD), bow and fantail (1st-2nd century AD), with a plate fibula at the center (2nd-3rd century AD).

    IMG_0103.jpg
     
    SeptimusT, Dec 26, 2017
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  17. Loong Siew

    Loong Siew Well-Known Member

    Cool and amazing Artifacts.. they hold as much historical value as coins in my opinion. Here is mine.

    Egyptian Gold Plaque with Osiris Presentation Scene Late Period, 664-332 BC.

    A gold plaque used for covering incisions on the body during embalming or embedded among wrappings of mummies.

    With a scene with Osiris seated on a throne wearing the atef crown, holding a crook, flail and was sceptre; in front a tall column with lotus flowers tied to the top; an offering table in front of the column with two tiers of food, vases at the base; in front of the table a male and female, both wearing long robes and wigs, arms upraised in worship; vertical bands of hieroglyphs to the top of the scene. The scene shows the deceased and his wife entering the halls of paradise where they greet, and worship, the god Osiris, enthroned as the Lord of the Afterlife. Such scenes were common for copies of the Book of the Dead, being the ultimate goal for all Egyptians as they traversed the perilous path to the next world; representations on gold are rare and must have been made for a wealthy member of Egyptian society.
    87508(2).jpg
     
    Loong Siew, Dec 27, 2017
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  18. Makanudo

    Makanudo Well-Known Member

    Celtic stone ring, Panonia plane
    5cm x 2.5cm

    SAM_4333.JPG SAM_4336.JPG SAM_4337.JPG
     
    Makanudo, Dec 27, 2017
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  19. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Celtic Brass/Bronze Ring:

    Some folks consider this proto-money. Some say they were rings used in Horse harnesses / etc. However, being Brass, having real value in the Bronze-Age, perhaps they could had been traded as a store of wealth and value.

    Celtic AE Ring 800-500 BCE.jpg
    Celtic AE Ring 800-500 BCE
     
    Alegandron, Dec 27, 2017
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  20. Johndakerftw

    Johndakerftw Mr. Rogers is My Hero

    Artifacts are total boss.

    I was at home for Christmas and saw that da bro has started a mini Roman theatre token collection. :cool:

    Attachment-1 (15).jpeg Attachment-2 (7).jpeg Attachment-3 (3).jpeg Attachment-4 (3).jpeg

    Excuse the chubby, dry fingers. :confused:

    Erin
     
    Johndakerftw, Dec 27, 2017
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  21. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Well-Known Member

    First century Celtic lead pommel from a dagger, found just down my lane, metal detecting.
    The neck is ferrous.
    I also found a 14th century Long Cross silver penny less than a foot away but 6 inches higher.

    IMG_6291.jpg

    IMG_6293.jpg

    IMG_6297.jpg

    IMG_6298.jpg
     
    daveydempsey, Dec 27, 2017
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