Not really a coin: Sarmatia, Olbia proto-money Dolphin

I think the "right direction," Xander, would be for you to post an accurate color picture here of the coin you mention. Since the coin was normally cast in copper/bronze, your description of ooze slipping off to reveal gold leaves me a bit skeptical that it isn't just a chemical toning of the copper. I would like to see what we are talking about, and really can't comment until I do.

 

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Here's my only Dolph-lundgren.
The pic is of the front and back...and this way it looks like he is kissing himself

 

Thank You For Your Information. I Have Left The Dolphin Sitting On A Shelf To See If There May Be A Tonal Change. I Am A Prospector/Miner And There Are Tests I Can Run, Though Before I Do I Thought I'd Check With The Experts. I Have Run Across Many Different Shades Of Copper/Bronze/Brass Dolphins, though None Popped Out Bright To The Touch. I'll Post Photos As Soon As I'm Relatively Certain Of What I Have. No Use Making A Fool Of My Self Out The Gate!

 

I understand that, but hope that you are able to test the item without chemically altering it. Non-destructive testing would require some lab equipment, but if you have access to that you will do well. In the meantime, it would be useful to give us some idea of the weight of the object, its size dimensions, and overall appearance.

Here are a couple of examples to use for a comparison. This first shows the principle two "denominations" of these coins (I reject the so called "proto-money" designation) next to a scale marked in millimeters. Although both bear inscriptions which are specific to their size, the precise meaning of these inscriptions is unknown. Note that the larger of these two measures approx. 41mm, and the smaller 24mm. These vary but divide into two size ranges in about these proportions. Both are pretty much intact for their size.

This next makes use of the larger example to compare with what may have been a still larger example, uninscribed and encrusted. From your initial description I imagine that your piece is something like this one. This fragment is not as long as 40mm, but appears to be the front half of a much larger example. I am not going to reduce the encrustation until I know how to tell where it ends and the coin surface begins. I think you have some experience with that.


These next three are types of the large module figure (fish or dolphin). The first shows a rare example with a complete tail. This full version has a raised spine and measures 44mm.

Using this as a template, the next image shows this alongside a similar type with dorsal and ventral fins and a raised spine. This is the usual form of the larger module "dolphin" which does not display a tail but is about the same length as the example that does. I doubt that the lower example was ever intended to have a bifurcated tail.


This next (third) large example is distinguished from the two above by having curvature to its body in three dimensions. It is not bent, but rather has smooth continuous curves that make fine focus difficult in these closeups. As you can see it has dual fins, elevated spine, and a tail, but this tail is not bifurcate. It also measures about 44mm.



Up next is a mid-range version in which the length is about 35mm complete with tail and elevated spine, but the body is more bulbous than the other versions shown here.


These are all larger versions of the dolphin/fish type. I have put these out as teasers for a larger discussion of the Olbian dolphins, which I do not believe were a "proto-money" in their day. For now I will spare you the raft of smaller types.

Does your "gold" example fit in with any of these?

 

I Have To Mention To You That I Am A Few Weeks Short Of 75 Years Old. I Am Pretty Much "Technologically Challenged", And Let Me Add That I Was Able To Sign Into Your Site Was A GREAT Challenge For Me, And It Is Doubtful That I Will Be Able To Repeat It In My Lifetime. I Have Not Signed Out For Fear I May Never Figure Out How To Get Back In! That Said, I Also Just Did Learn How To Attach A Photo To A Text Message. I Will Attempt To Send You A Photo Or So Of The Batch I Had Soaking That The Golden One Came Out Of. I Was Going To Turn Them Around Looking The Other Way, But My Poor Old Thumbs Gave Out And I Dumped About Half Of Them On The Floor! The Profile Of Mine Is Much Like Your Top One Without The Script.

 

Sadly, I Have Been Unable To Figure Out How To Send The Photos. Thank You. You Have Given Me A Good Place To Start.

 

Hello, have to sale my collection of Olbia Proto money both arrows and dolphins - if someone can be interested check photos and contact me for any comments, better price, etc

Last Warning, same as in previous thread where you posted :

Edited: Since you are new, please read the rules, ( click on FORUMS) and they are the second one down. A member can not post Buy/Sell/trade items in the coin forums, only in classified after 10 normal posts. Jim

These are not considered a normal post. We do not encourage those who only come here to sell. Jim