Okay, so I got a great deal on this tet, and it is the only Hadrian Tetradrachm I own that is NOT from Alexandria, Egypt, I have a few of those..... But my question is.... where is it from? Like specifically where? Syria? I haven't a clue, except that I have seen ones with similar obverse busts being sold and the seller saying they were from Cicilia, Aegea, I believe, but they had different reverses, w/ the Eagle standing on a harp or something.... that brings me to my second question... WHAT is this eagle standing on? it reminds me of some of my Caracalla Tets from Antioch that have the eagle standing on a torn off leg of an animal (for food). Is that what this is? Also, I see there is no date on the coin (at least not on the part of the flan that is visible, it could be at the end of the reverse titles and been cut off) but if anyone knows.... say.... the time period this was struck, that would help alot... unless of course these were struck throughout his reign.... I could really use some help with this one fellas, and ladies. I like to know as many details about my coins as possible, since I am just a collector, and not a dealer, I could maybe see myself selling a couple Ancients sometime in the distant future, but that would only be to finance the purchasing of more Ancients but I reeaally like this one, I love the bust of Hadrian, it is fantastic IMO. I also like the Eagle, even though he/she looks a little fat and being a bit over 14 grams, with a good diameter (around 27 mm) this coin goes wonderfully with my collection, which, by the way I need to make more room for in my rifle safe since my collection has grown quite a bit this year. So, to all who read this, any info, any at all about this coin would be wonderful.... I am a bit perplexed by it, having seen a number of Hadrian tets with this same obverse, but a much different reverse (I mean it still had an eagle on it, but the eagle was standing on something else, and had it's body in a different position.) All help will be thoroughly appreciated, Gracias.
I refuse to answer anymore tetradrachm questions until you get this book: http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=177631
Very nice coin. You should get the book Bill is telling you about. Type : Roman Provincial Region : SYRIA, SELEUCIS AND PIERIA City : Antiochia ad Orontem Issuer : Hadrian Date Ruled : AD 117-138 Metal : Silver Denomination : Tetradrachm Struck / Cast : struck Date Struck : AD 118 Obverse Legend : AYT KAI ΘE TPA ΠΑΡYIΘE NEPYI TPAIAN ΑΔΡIANOC CEB Obverse Description : Laureate and cuirassed bust right, drapery on left shoulder Reverse Legend : ΔHMARX EΞ YΠA B Reverse Description : Eagle standing facing on thigh of sacrificial animal, head and tail left, with wings displayed; YΠAT B (date) in legend Primary Reference : McAlee 532 Reference2 : Prieur 155
I know, I know, I need the book, I will have to have my coin shop order it... thank you. So this is from Antioch, Syria?
My piece of ______ computer will not let me edit posts, it will bring up the screen to edit but it is empty, and when I try 'advanced edit' I can just sit and click it all day and nothing happens.... viruses I think, that is all beside the point, just my reason for replying after my own post. Mat: the person I bought this coin from told me it is 'Prieur 155a' I dont know how different the '155a' is than the '155' you described to me.... also having that info means I could have looked it up myself rather than bother you guys with this thread, well maybe someone will get some enjoyment out of the photos, unlikely though heh. Thanks for everything guys, sorry for the trouble
Its out of print and made by CNG so it cant be ordered like a regular book. As for Syria, I guess so.
No worries! I love helping you out and watching your collection grow. But I do feel that you'd enjoy yourself more if you had this book,
Hmm.... Okay, well I will see if I can find it, I might know of a place.... an uncle of mine has worked as an 'off the books, inconspicuous security guard' for a very good used book store(huge selection of out of print stuff) here in town ever since he stopped a robbery there, one day he was just standing in line with his books, waiting to pay, when some crazy scoundrel tried to stick up the cashier with a blade, my uncle saved the day by pulling his pistol out and drawing down on the guy and holding him untill the police got there, ever since then they pay him to 'sweep up around the place' late at night.... and since then he has also gotten free books heh. I guess it is only fair
Sorry late for the party. I would have guessed Antioch, but it would have been a guess. These Tets with the eagle reverse are fairly common from there, along with the "SC" copper issues. I admit I do not have the book Bill listed, but wouldn't it also be in the Antioch book?
Thank you Ardatirion.... er..... Bill? That means alot to me, as does your opinion and information, I have been around long enough to know that you are a good person who knows what he is talking about, and has good info, as well as being very intelligent on the subject of coins in general. So I try to listen carefully when I see a response by you.... well, I don't 'listen' per se, what with it being typed and all..... but I certainly read with care. Thanks again Bill and Mat, you are both good people! ---------------------- PS I agree medoraman I only questioned because I have seen many of this obverse type that were being sold as being from Cilicia. Here is an example of the type I am speaking of: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NGC-Ch-VF-B...059?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b2dc12fb This one has a slightly different cuirass on the bust it seems, and a drastically different eagle (the type I was talking about in a previous post) but it has a very similar obv. so beautiful!! Here is an un-certified one: ( I love how this one has an undraped cuirass!! my favorite bust type for ANY tet!) http://www.ebay.com/itm/CILICIA-Aeg...262?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e6995dc6
Thank you sir! Your compliment is very much appreciated! I suppose he does resemble Nerva on this tet, he definitely has a bold face and nose. I also haven't seen tets of anyone with an Eagle in the same style as this one on the reverse. I prefer it's style over the ones I posted links to, those ones have great busts, but the eagle design is a bit different.
