If there is a main theme to my collection it would probably have to be iconic coins from iconic Greek cities, even though I am open to other interesting coins. @svessien actually noticed this theme in the Moesia Istros thread I opened not too long ago. When he mentioned it, I already had my eye on the following coin. I was probably gonna get it eventually, but his reminder of my unintentional theme made me decide to grab it a bit earlier. Too early perhaps as I had already exceeded my monthly coin budget. As far as iconic cities go, Ephesos would be in the top of everyone list's. Even better, they minted very distinctive coins with a lovely little bee that is known as the Ephesos bee. They are not as common as some others like the Ahtrenian Owl or the Corinthian Pegasi. Also, good quality bees are scarcer and big coins like tetradrachms are quite pricey! So, when I found this little drachm with a very decent bee, it became a target! In hand it looks really lovely in the small frame as the bee is very detailed. The reverse is not as fine, but to be honest in these coins the bees are usually the focus of attention. Probably when it comes to tetradrachms the reverse is equally important, as the deer is quite artistic and unusual. Wont' be able to afford one of those anytime soon, but I am very happy with this little bee, and no, I wasn't stung price-wise! Having a bit of trouble finding info on Dioskouridis or Dioskourides the magistrate allegedly mentioned in the coin. I guess he wasn't a big name. The only thing I can find is that he was a part of the Seleukid administration between 258-202 BC. The seller mentioned the date range of 202-150, I wonder why. Show me your Ephesos coins, bees, or any other lepidoptera, or any coins where one side is so important that you don't mind about the condition of the other!
I think I got a die match on the bee side in the wildwinds site. The stag side is close, but I don't think it is the same die. https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/ionia/ephesos/Imhoof_KM37.jpg Text: https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/ionia/ephesos/Imhoof_KM37.txt No replies yet I see, pity I was looking forward to some insects on coins!
I thought we just did these recently. All I have I don't think I have shown for a while is this AE14 which is my smallest coin with a countermark. I suspect the c/m is a bird??? Of course a bee would be better.
Nice one. Looking forward to your next iconic catch. IONIA, Ephesos AR Drachm. 4.17g, 17.8mm. IONIA, Ephesos, circa 202-150 BC, Ekatokles, magistrate. Kinns, The Attic Weight Drachms of Ephesos, NC 1999, S.86; SNG von Aulock 7826. O: Bee between E-Φ. R: Stag standing right, in front of palm tree, EKATOKΛHΣ to right. And here's another one from Ephesos, about 400 years later. SALONIINA AE29. 9.26g, 29.5mm. IONIA, Ephesus, AD 254-268. Karwiese 1184 (this coin cited and illustrated). O: · CAΛΩN · XPVCOΓONH · CЄBA ·, diademed and draped bust right on crescent. R: EΦECIΩN Γ N-EΩ-KOPON, Artemis, standing facing, head right, raising right hand and holding bow; tree behind her, stag at her side. Ex N. M. McQ. Holmes Collection; ex "Bavarian Collection" (Numismatic Fine Arts XXXI, 18 March 1993, lot 1141)
Beautiful coin! It's hard to tell because your images are very small, but I think you're right about the reverse die match (tell-tale die break coming off the base of the palm tree). Here's an Epheses tessera with an interesting story: IONIA, Ephesus. Anoynmous c. CE 1st century Æ tessera, 19mm, 5.14 g Obv: CKωΠI, stage kneeling left, head right; E to left, Φ to right Rev: KHPIΛICωΔEΠPOCΠAΛVPIN surrounding a bee Ref: SNG Copenhagen 355; BMC 186; SNG von Aulock 1875 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-magical-tessera.277808/
Nice drachm, @Only a Poor Old Man ! I don't have one yet, but here is a tiny 8mm bee and stag combo from Ephesos: Ionia, Ephesos Æ 8mm Circa 305-295 BC Obverse: Bee with straight wings within linear circle Reverse: E-Φ, Head of stag right References: Lindgren III 345; SNG Keckman 219; SNG Kayhan 147 ff Size: 8mm Weight: .58g
I am a contemporary Beekeeper, too. Iona-Ephesos AR Obol Bee - opposing stag heads 340 BCE Seaby Iona-Ephesos AR Hemi-Drachm-TriObol Bee - Incuse Sq TIMESIANAX 335-320 BCE Seaby 4368
Sorry about the small pics, it is a known fact that I suck at coin photography. Here is a bigger example of the coin pics: I actually meant that the bee side is a more convincing die match, but I think you are right about the palm side too. It is pottentially a double-die match. I only have about a dozen coins but two of them are double-die matches. The other one is my Mysia hemidrachm.
Nice drachm, I still need to get one of the later types. Both in my collection are Archaic. Ephesos, Ionia. AR Drachm (500 - 420 B.C) Obverse: Bee with curved wings, EΦEΣION. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square Reference: BMC Ionia pg. 49, 12; SNG Copenhagen 210; SNG Kayhan 140 3.20g; 14mm Ephesos, Ionia. AR Tetartemorion (500 - 420 B.C) Obverse: Bee with curved wings Reverse: EΦ, eagle's head right within incuse square Reference: SNG Kayhan 126; Karwiese Series IV 0.20g; 6mm
