First coin in months - Thessaly, Larissa drachm

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Nvb, May 24, 2020.

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  1. Nvb

    Nvb Well-Known Member

    I've certainly slowed down with coin purchasing in 2020, but today picked up a little treat from an Ebay seller at what I consider a bargain.
    Almost certainly inspired by Kimon's breathtaking work a generation earlier, the facing busts of Larissa come in a variety of flavours and price ranges that are attainable for the rest of us.

    So here it is - the reverse is in rough shape, but who are we kidding this purchase was all about the portrait =)


    [​IMG]



    THESSALY, Larissa. Circa 380-365 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 5.71 g, 5h). Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, with grain ears in her hair / Mare in foreground and foal in background standing right. L-S series 6, type A, dies O1/R1; BCD Thessaly II 294 (same dies). VF, toned, reverse a bit rough.
    Ex-CNG 302 lot 69 (May 8, 2013)
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2020
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  3. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    That is an absolutely beautiful portrait!
    The reverse isn't terrible either!
    Thanks for sharing :)
     
  4. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    I have to agree,. Very nice portrait @Nvb
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2020
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  5. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    I agree with the others, wonderful portrait.
     
  6. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..i concur with my peep peers, it's a fanstastic jewel i have none yet but its not from lack of bidding on them......that's a great way to start again!...i have just bought 2 yesterday meself, the 1st coins since last Christmas...i'll post when they arrive(if my camera will allow it)
     
  7. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    The version with the foal is a premium item. I hope you will find someone who would like to trade you a solo horse in a condition you prefer.
     
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  8. Nvb

    Nvb Well-Known Member

    @dougsmit
    I'll admit I didn't really consider the foal on the reverse when buying, but going through hundreds of archived images I do see it is uncommon.
    The condition of the reverse likely led to me getting the coin for what I did and I couldnt be happier.. I'm certainly not the type to trade this die pair for another in better condition but lesser style
     
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  9. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

  10. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    I agree with the others that it's a lovely portrait, but I love this variety with the foal. I bought mine - not as nice as yours - because for the reverse.

    Thessaly Larissa - Drachm Horse Foal 2537.jpg

    Another one, also chosen for the reverse variety, with the little plant below the horse.

    THESSALY Larissa - AR Drachm Horse Plant 3727 new.jpg
     
  11. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Why not?
     
  12. Nvb

    Nvb Well-Known Member

    Some value other measures of appeal (like style) over condition
    The die quality and personality in the series varies immensely from one coin to the next.
    They're all different.
    I like this one.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2020
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  13. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    I like the toning on this one :

    P1170128www.jpg
     
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  14. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

  15. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    Very nice drachm, with a great facing portrait! Reminds me of the Rhodian coinage.

    [​IMG]
    Kings of Macedon. temp. Perseus. 179-168 BC. AR Drachm. Third Macedonian War issue. Magistrate Hermias, Uncertain mint in Thessaly (Struck circa 171/0 B.C).
    Obverse:
    Head of Helios facing slightly right.
    Reverse: Rose with bud to right; EPMIAΣ above, Z-Ω flanking stem.
    Reference: Price, Larissa, pl. LV, 247; SNG Keckman 795.
    2.67g; 17mm
     
  16. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Wow! That is a well-rendered portrait, @Nvb ! Nice acquisition for your collection, indeed!
     
  17. Alegandron

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

    I like the Foal version, @Nvb . Nice coin, congrats, and a welcome package!

    I only have one from Larissa:

    upload_2020-5-25_9-26-46.png
    Thessaly Larissa 344-337 BCE AR Obol 0.68g 9mm Nymph Larissa Horse Grazing SNG Cop 1
    Gifted from @ancientcoinguru
     
  18. Agricantus

    Agricantus Allium aflatunense

    Very nice @Nvb i love it when the earring is visible.

    looking at the coins posted here and at this type, in general, I am wondering: did celators review their final product? When the horse's head or butt is chopped off on 99% of the coins, shouldn't they have rendered it slightly smaller?

    Here's my headless sample, photo courtesy of cng
    5C47483D-B94B-4239-A355-07A2E79D2062.jpeg
     
  19. nicholasz219

    nicholasz219 Well-Known Member

    Nice addition @Nvb. I actually think the reverse is still pretty attractive.
     
  20. Nvb

    Nvb Well-Known Member

    I couldn’t stop at one of these charming little gems - just purchased another :happy:
    Again I was drawn to the facing portrait which is full of life (I’m a sucker for those!) and BCD the pedigree is of course a nice bonus.


    upload_2020-8-16_18-45-22.jpeg


    THESSALY, Larissa. Circa 380-365 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 5.78 g, 12h). Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, wearing grain ears in hair / ΛA-P-I-ΣAI, Thessalian warrior, holding spear, on horseback right. L-S Series 5; BCD Thessaly II 292; HGC 4, 446. Good VF, toned, some roughness, metal flaw on obverse.

    From the BCD Collection.
     

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    Last edited: Aug 16, 2020
  21. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Another nice style, with a cool reverse. Great coin!!

    My Larissa drachm is merely acceptable - nice style, I think, but so worn it's a bit hard to tell. Its main positive is that I got it super cheap in a group lot.
    Screen Shot 2020-08-16 at 9.51.34 PM.jpg

    Here's a Rhodian didrachm which I chose for that reason. Maybe it will appeal to you too:
    Screen Shot 2020-08-16 at 9.51.10 PM.jpg
    Personally I find good style facing portraits quite difficult to find, at least at a reasonable cost!
     
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