Here's an interesting coin I recently picked up from Brian Bucklan, it's from Panormos (modern Palermo) Sicily 1st or second century BC. Now the couple I have seen besides this one mention column, tower or lighthouse on obverse and Panormos monogram on reverse 17mm and 2.1gm with a shallow surface crack on reverse. What do you guys think column, tower or lighthouse (Pharos) on obverse and what date do you think? any thoughts would be appreciated.
I checked AC Search.. as I am sure you have. Attribution seem to be all over the place: tower, lighthouse, column - but Lighthouse sounds pretty cool - I would go with that!!
Great you like it, I was in Sicily last year my second visit.... love the place, what town do you live in?
I don't . My Grandparents were born there. I'm 50% Italian . My father spoke it and my Grandparents . They've passed on but I still remember my Granny giving me Meatball soup as a kid, spoke no English .
Interesting and cool coin @Ancient Aussie! Siciliy is great, I was planning to go there in spring until COVID struck. Im Greek and I can always find good with the Italians. In the time of the coin, Panormos was a Greek colony, Sicily was a kind of mix of Sicilians, Greeks and Phoenicians. I am not sure if it is still like that? I do know Griko are still living in modern Magna Graecia.
Very cool, AA. My totally uneducated guess would have been lighthouse, but the Handbook of Greek Coinage says, "tower (frequently described as a lighthouse)". For dates, they go with "struck c. 44-36 BC (?)"... no explanation is given, but that would be during the period of the Sicilian Revolt against Octavian and co., and Sextus Pompey's activity on the island. The L.Q you see on the reverse are supposed to be the initials of one of the Roman quaestors of Sicily.
Wow what a lighthouse! Most of the attributions of your Panormos coin call it a lighthouse. Also, Modern day Sicily has many lighthouses, so I think it's safe to assume there were some in ancient times. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187886-Activities-c47-t22-Sicily.html
Yes checked and see a lot of this type a slightly bigger heavier coin with a lighthouse description in which the top looks like mine...https://www.acsearch.info/media/images/archive/30/98/87158.m.jpg
Thanks zumbly, do they have both types (the one with the altar) and mine in the hand book and if so have they got an attribution number?
CNG sold this one in 2006. 130, Lot: 189. Estimate $75. Sold for $45. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. SICILY, Panormos. After 241 BC. Æ 14mm (1.96 g). Column / Monogram; L Q below. CNS -; SNG ANS -; SNG Morcom -. Fine, dark green patina, a little rough. From the Tony Hardy Collection.
Yup, there are a few different types, including the one with the altar, as well as one with a palm tree reverse. Yours is HGC 2, 1088.
