Rummaged through the local dealer's junk bins today and found a pretty interesting, if a bit cruddy, small AE from Macedon, Alexander the Great's uncle Perdikkas III. The reverse has a lion breaking a javelin in its jaws. The obverse is pretty crusty, but the lion is of a pretty fine style with less crust. Attribution is my best guess - any corrections much appreciated. Any other Perdikkas III's out there? Macedonia Kingdom Æ 15 Perdikkas III (c. 365-359 B.C.) Aigai or Pella Mint Head of young Hercules right / ΠΕΡΔΙΚ / KA above & below lion standing right, holding broken javelin in his jaws. Sear 1515; B.M.C. 5.2,3 (3.85 grams / 15 mm) Here's today's haul - just some Canadian & UK tokens - not really a collector, but I liked how they looked and the price was right.
I wish my LCS had junk bins like yours. Mine is just way over-priced (80c a piece) modern proof coins, mostly from bahamas, that have been broken up and some junk pre-euro coins. Very cool lion btw
Neat little junk bin find. I don’t have a Perdikkas III, but this Greek silver of the Oitaioi has a wonderful depiction of a lion’s head with a spear in its jaws. THESSALY, Oitaioi AR Hemidrachm. 2.75g, 16.3mm. THESSALY, Oitaioi, circa 360-344 BC. Valassiadis 1; BCD Thessaly I 1211 (same rev. die); BCD Thessaly II 487 (same rev. die); HGC 4, 129 (same obv. die as illustration). O: Head of lion left, with spear in jaws. R: OIT-[AO]N (retrograde), Herakles standing facing, holding club.
My very first coin outside USA stuff was a Canadian 1857 bank token (St. George and the Dragon). It was the oldest thing I owned (I was about 10 years old) and couldn't believe I owned it. That's pretty much how I feel nowadays. So much for growing up! My dealer had a couple examples of this Montreal type in his "junk" bins - not as nice as your example. I may have to go back and get one. (I should add that he has junk bins sorted to various prices - $12 to $0.50 - so "junk" may not quite apply).
Great pickup of that Perdikkos III! Great value to find Ancient History in a bargain bin. Nope, I do not have a III, but I DO have a II: Makedon Perdikkos II 454-413 BCE AR heavy Tetrobol 2.4g 15mm 12h Makedon mint 437-431 BCe Obv: Horseman holding two spears prancing Rev: Forpart lion roaring Ref: Raymond 184ff SNG ANS 47ff
Nice one, Alegandron. Any Perdikkos is a good Perdikkos in my opinion. They all seem to be a bit scarce, from what I can tell surfing the web.