From the Elements Table page within your seventh grade Science book or from any of Krause's World Coin catalogs you know that Bronze is represented by the symbol AE, but when reserching the bronze coins of ancient Greece or looking at ads offering Greek bronze coins what do the AE symbols showing in the following ads represent? Greek Aeolis, Kyme AE 16 3rd Century B.C, Aeolis, Asia Minor Obv. Forepart of horse prancing right Rev. One-handled vase ****************************** Greek AKE-Ptolemaic AE 17 2nd Century, B.C. Obv. Laureate and jugate heads of the Dioscuri right Rev. Cornucopiae with three-line inscription: ANTIOXEWIN TWN EN PTOLEMAIDI ****************************** Greek Bithynia, Dia AE 19 ca. 85--65 B.C. 8.10 g. Obv. Diademed head of Zeus right Rev. Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, head reverted, monogram in left field, (Delta) IA(Sigma) in exergue ****************************** Greek Hieron II AE 26 275--215 B.C. Sicily, Syracuse 19.47 g. Obv. Diademed head left Rev. IEWNOS: Horseman with lance, galloping right, N in right field ****************************** Greek Hieron II AE 27 274--216 B.C. Sicily, Syracuse 18.97 g. Obv. Diademed head left Rev. IEWNOS: Horseman galloping right, with couched lance, N in right field Calciati II, p. 381, 195; R131, Favorito 63g ****************************** When researching or looking for Ancient Greek bronze coins you will come upon the symbols shown in the ads above: AE 16, AE 17, AE 19, AE 26, AE 27 or lower and higher numbers. The symbol AE still denotes bronze - the numbers denote the sizes of the coins in millimeters. In other words this ad "Pontos, Amisos. Time of Mithradates VI, 85-56 BC. Beautiful bronze AE 22 Aegis with Gorgon's head at center / Nike advancing rt. holding long palm branch, AMI-SOY with monograms around. Radiant golden patina!" has the symbol AE 22 which denotes bronze 22mm. The size of the coin is 22mm. Click the following link and you will now know the millimeter size of each and every ancient Greek bronze coin shown in this gallery. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1780 Hope you enjoyed this TRIVIA... Clinker
And people think silver looks good over time Thanks Clinker Heres an AE 40 of Ptolemy III Ptolemy III Euergetes. Æ Hemidrachm - Triobol. Alexandreia mint. First phase, struck circa 246-242/1. Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, head right; cornucopia over shoulder; E between legs. Svoronos 974 var. (control mark). AE40 about 46.5 g. and an AE 21 from Pontos Pontos, Amisos. Circa 85-65 BC. Æ 21 Bust of Amazon right, wearing wolfskin headdress / AMISOU, Nike walking right, holding wreath in right hand, palm over left shoulder.
Nice post Clinker. Yes, AE actually refers to any copper alloy in ancients coins, even orichalcum are referred commonly as AE. Sometimes you may see OR as orichalcum, (brass). Also commonly seen are: AR - Silver AU - Gold PB - Plubum, (lead) - well this one not as common Knowing AE, AR, AU and what the number means opens up most ancient coin listings for understanding. Chris
Well, can you tell I am not really into ancients? The abbreviation of chemical elements usd for making coins (such as Au, Cu or Zn) I am fairly familiar with, but those alloy shortcuts, so to say, were new and interesting to learn for me ... Christian
I am actually surprised Christian. I know of many world coin firms, or at least ancient firms who also sell world coins, that frequently use these as well. I would have thought you would have run across them. Chris
Thanks to all who read and commented on this post.. And especially "THANKS" to all you who've never commented on one of my posts of the past. Clinker
