Coins shaped like animals

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by LaCointessa, Jan 26, 2018.

  1. LaCointessa

    LaCointessa Well-Known Member

    Hi everybody.

    Either pareidolia has finally gotten the better of me this time or this is a way cool coin I am in the midst of cleaning.

    We have seen porpoise coins and they are great; but, the other day I was cleaning this coin which was entirely crusty.

    lion uncleaned.jpeg

    I thought it was broken and since I was expecting these coins to be Greek and I am not yet even a little bit fluent in Greek ancient coins and cleaning, I figured I would start with this one. As I was working to get the dirt off the coin I noticed that what i thought was a crack or a break did not seem like cracks or breaks I have seen before



    lion coin maybe.png
    The edges were not sharp and/or ragged. And I could see that the pattern on the rim/edge of the coin followed all the way around the coin until it got to that open area where the pattern either went in a bit or tapered off. As I looked more closely, I noticed something that looked like a fang on one side of the gap and then on the other side another fatter stubbier fang-like structure. Then I could see smaller ones to the side of those growing smaller and something on the what I began calling the "bottom" like a tongue in what I began thinking might be an open or even roaring mouth, especially since I was starting to think I recognized stripes on the side of the head like a tiger. Then I noticed an eye-type structure and when I turned the coin over I saw another eye-type structure on the other side in the same position. But from that side the 'face' of the thing seemed to me to appear more like a ram or lamb or something. (Could be I am just realllllly looking forward to the coming of the Messiah) - you know:

    "In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all."
    Isaiah 11:6

    Anyway, So after I started suspecting I had a coin shaped like a tiger head (at least), I went looking to find another coin similar to it. What I found was this below and really only by coincidence did I find it because I stopped to look at this seller's coins thinking I might get some crusties he had. And I stress that I found these two examples AFTER I began thinking my coin was tiger.

    frog.jpg

    ram.jpg

    So what do you think?
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2018
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    Gosh, I don't know. I thought maybe I saw a standing figure in there somewhere. I saw the first one you posted it about 19 mm, does that jive with the size?
     
    LaCointessa likes this.
  4. LaCointessa

    LaCointessa Well-Known Member

    Oh! Sorry @chrsmat71 The coin is rather small.
    The weight is 1.3 grams
    and the size is a tad larger than 12mm at its widest point.

    Standing figure?
    Let me go look for that person!
     
  5. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    I know nothing about your coin or ancients..
    But here is a coin shaped like a Dolphin!
    (Not my coin)
    Capture+_2018-01-26-16-41-43.png
     
    LaCointessa likes this.
  6. 4to2centBC

    4to2centBC Well-Known Member

    You had the correct answer in your first sentence.
     
  7. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Well-Known Member

    Those are fascinating images and interesting comments, @LaCointessa ! Your post only confirms what I suspected about you. You have a creative imagination and the mind of an artist. I have no coin images that really relate to your post but I do have a piece of driftwood that I found in New England that looks like a goblin. I'll post it later, when I return to my study.

    Added content (2:05 PM EST 1/27/18):

    Here's that driftwood goblin I promised.
    GOBLIN.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2018
  8. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..it does kinda look like a critter coin.. pacman.png
     
  9. Alegandron

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

    upload_2018-1-27_14-34-55.png
    Samnium Aesernia AE21 263-240 BCE HN Italy 430 Vulcan - Biga.JPG
    Samnium Aesernia AE21 263-240 BCE HN Italy 430 Vulcan - Biga
     
  10. Alegandron

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

    Friggin' REAL Dolphins, not the modern mass-produced, plastic-wrapped, machine-made garbage:

    Thrace - Olbius AE Dolphin money.JPG
    Thrace - Olbius AE Dolphin money

    Thrace Sarmatia - Olbia 5th C BCE AE Cast Dolphin 27mm 1.75g.JPG
    Thrace Sarmatia - Olbia 5th C BCE AE Cast Dolphin 27mm 1.75g

    Thrace - Olbius AE Dolphin money round ver.JPG
    Thrace - Olbius AE Dolphin money round ver
     
  11. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    rg3, paddyman98, NCnovice and 12 others like this.
  12. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

  13. LaCointessa

    LaCointessa Well-Known Member

    LOLZ
    Dang pareidolia.
    I got lots of good laughs.
    Thanks everyone.

    Gee, @Deacon Ray, to me your drift wood 'au naturel' looks like a precious, curious and friendly puppy. :)The dressed up version is scary! Yiiikes!:nailbiting::eek::arghh:
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2018
    Johndakerftw, paddyman98, TIF and 3 others like this.
  14. Nyatii

    Nyatii I like running w/scissors. Makes me feel dangerous

    I see a cloud that looks like a coin.
     
    Deacon Ray, TIF and LaCointessa like this.
  15. Alegandron

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

    Deacon Ray, TIF and LaCointessa like this.
  16. LaCointessa

    LaCointessa Well-Known Member

    (I only vaguely remember seeing these words before. Perhaps they were too much for my brain (or whatever) to absorb. But, thank you, @Deacon Ray)
     
    Deacon Ray likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page