Greek AE Athena? and Lion? Help! (and Two with Sardes spelt CAΡΔIANΩ(ω)N)

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Marsyas Mike, Apr 7, 2021.

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  1. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Just got in a small batch of six low-grade Greek AEs that have been a lot of fun attributing, at least five of them were fun. The sixth one has me stumped. Which is still kind of fun, but I need help.

    It is 14 mm in diameter and weighs 2.88 grams. Here is what I see:

    Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right. The helmet crest is hard to see - or maybe I am seeing things?

    Reverse: Lion standing right, one paw up. Corn-ear or thunderbolt under belly? Writing above and below.

    It looks a lot like issues from Amphipolis (Hercules/lion) and for Lysimachus (lion leaping, not standing). But Athena/standing lion standing is eluding me. The cat might be chewing on a spear (Sardes, Macedon, etc.). Three of the lot came from Sardes, if that means anything.

    Sorry about the photos - it has a mottled green patina that makes it hard to see, even in hand:

    Unknown - AE Athena Lion Lot Mar 2021 (0).jpg

    Reverse critter:

    Unknown - AE Athena Lion Lot Mar 2021 (0det).jpg

    Two of the others in the lot were also a bit tricky - they are the common Hercules/Club-in-Wreath type from Sardes, but these feature the reverse legend spelled CAΡΔIANΩ(ω)N, which was not typically used for this issue (it is usually with a sigma: ΣAΡΔIANΩN). Later Roman issues from Sardes use this C-spelling a lot.

    GRPC Lydia 17 taken from Wildwinds example (IVO monogram) is the only example of this spelling I could find. I was wondering if any other monograms were issued with this spelling, as mine don't match.

    This one is pretty easy to see:
    Sardes - Apollo Club CAΡΔIANΩN lot Mar 2021 (0).jpg
    Sardes - Apollo Club CAΡΔIANΩN lot Mar 2021 (0det).jpg

    This one is worn and has a thick green patina, but the "C" is visible:
    Sardes - Apollo Club 2 CAΡΔIANΩN lot Mar 2021 (0).jpg
    Sardes - Apollo Club 2 CAΡΔIANΩN lot Mar 2021 (0det).jpg

    Any help or corrections appreciated. Share your CAΡΔIANΩ(ω)N or anything else you feel like.

    Thanks.
     
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  3. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

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  4. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    It couldn't possibly be a she-wolf with the twins under her, could it? That would make it a Roman provincial, of course. But that wouldn't explain the object under the "twins" that looks like it has arches. So never mind, I guess!
     
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  5. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

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  6. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Thanks Donna - I like a fresh set of eyes on this low-grade stuff - it can really help. I think the tail on mine is skinnier than a wolf tail? I don't know...my zoological expertise is nil.

    Here's a Macedon Amphipolis lion that looks a lot like mine including the stuff under the belly (grain ear, here) - the obverse, however, is Herakles! And I've never seen him wearing a helmet.

    Macedon, Amphipolis - Lion reverse - eBay pic2.jpg
    From eBay (not linked, as it is an active auction).
     
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