There is a thread for largest ancient coins so I thought I'd create one where we show our smallest. There is a five-way tie for my smallest coin! (all are 9 mm wide) Vandals Obv: Bust right Reverse: Palm tree Unknown North African mint (this one is more golden in color) Huneric Obv: Diademed, draped, bust left, holding palm branch Rev: Bar over N over IIII (4 nummi) Carthage mint Roman Zeno, Eastern emperor (474-475, 476-491 AD) Obv: DN ZENO PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right Rev: Monogram of Zeno within wreath, THS in ex, Thessalonika Libius Severus, Western emperor (461-465 AD) Obv: DN LIBIVS SEVERVS PF AVG Rev: Monogram of Ricimer in wreath, Rome
heres my smallest on my largest Ar 0.249g, 6.7mm maybe Elea(Elia?), Aeolis, AR Hemiobol. Late 5th century BC. Head of Athena left, in crested helmet / E L A I, around olive wreath, all within incuse square. SNG Cop 164 on my AE 40
Phocaea, Ionia - Silver 1/8 obol? - Late Sixth Century BC - 5mm, .1g Female head 'Smyrna type' left / 4 part incuse - Rosen 598 Captions of these and a few more 10mm and under are on my pages. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/tiny.html http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/microdigital.html
If I remember correctly this is 9mm: Ionia, Miletos 1/12th stater ca. 600-500 BC. As crazy as it gets, they minted 1/48th and possibly even 1/96th staters.
Mysia, Kyzikos AR Obol "Boar & Lion" 525-475 B.C. Diameter: 10 mm Weight: 0.73 grams Obverse: Forepart of boar left; tunny-fish behind Reverse: Head of lion left, K before; all in incuse square Reference: SNG France: 380, SNG Von Auluck 1215
Ionia, Miletos AR Obol "Roaring Lion & Star Ornament" 475-325 B.C. Diameter: 9.5 mm WEight: 1.10 grams Obverse: Forepart of roaring lion left Reverse: Star ornament within incuse square Reference: SNG Kayman: 476-487, Klein 424-425
Thrace, Mesembria AR Diobol 450-350 B.C. Diameter: 10 mm Weight: 1.16 grams Obverse: Facing helemt Reverse: META within the spokes of a radiate wheel
The description is for the coin on the bottom. Mine is the one on the top. 5 or 6 years ago I bought a few encrusted coins on the cheap. After several months soaking in distilled water, the one on the top was the only one that revealed anything. The one on the bottom was the only example I could find that seem to match. Took a lot of patience waiting for the dirt to dissolve. I think I might do it again. Bronze AE 3, RIC VII 380, EF, Constantina (Arles) mint, 2.622g, 19.1mm, 180o, 331 - 334 A.D.; obverse CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS, Constantinopolis' helmeted bust left in imperial cloak and holding scepter across left shoulder; reverse Victory standing left, right foot on prow, scepter in right, resting left on grounded shield, wreath containing pellet left, SCONST in ex.
Samos, Ionia AR Obol 4th century B.C. Diameter: 7.9 mm Weight: 0.52 grams Obverse: Lion's skin Reverse: Scorpion Referenence: SNG Aulock 1817
Mysia, Kyzikos AR Hemiobol 480-450 B.C. 0.41 g, 9.5 mm OBV: Forepart of running boar left, tunny fish behind upward REV: Head of roaring lion left within incuse square, star above Sear 3850 Carion Islands, Rhodes AR Hemidrachm 167-88 BC 1.6g; 12mm OBV: Radiate head of Helios 3/4 facing REV: Rose with magistrates name above, caduceous left all within uncuse square Sear 5065v
ANASTASIUS Half Follis 491-518 AD .03g, 8.5mm OBV: DN ANASTASIVS P P AVG - Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right REV: Large K - cross to left, Γ to right SB 23 This one survived 1500 years hidden somewhere, but couldn't survive the USPS!
Seriously? ... man, that would be an awesome slogan for "Fedex" => This one survived 1500 years hidden somewhere, but couldn't survive the USPS => Go with Fedex
Ripley: Can you post a clearer image? It looks like a great coin. I feel like I'm trying to make out the details without my glasses.
here's mine, by diameter but not width or mass... 11mm sases drachum 85ad king, right pallas with shield, thunderbolt
VK, awesome thread,very nice small coins, Here's one of my smallest.and my oldest..:yes: Lucania, Thouriol AR Triabol 400-350..BC.. 10mm x .90g.
I'm amazed at the detail they got on these tiny coins! Here's my smallest--it may be the largest in this whole group. :too-funny: Thrace, Cherronesos hemidrachm, 400-350 BC Rev: Bee, Size: 13 mm, Weight: 2.35g