Here is my second purchase. Its my first silver ancient coin, let alone a Greek one. Greek, Sikyon, Hemidrachm 4[SUP]th[/SUP] century B.C. AR12 / 2.5 grams O: Chimaera standing left, raising forepaw SI below R: Dove flying left Reference : SNGCop 57, BMC111 Condition is not the best and you can clearly see the scratch on the obverse. But it was a decent price and it felt good to get my first ancient silver. Now on to my first ancient gold... maybe.
Yup the coin is completely unattractive. You can send it to me for proper disposal. :devil: Well played my friend, excellent pick up, an exceptional choice!
I dunno Iceman. This looks pretty good when you overlook the scratches. I got mine from Doug when he upgraded his. I think your dove has better detail. Congrats on your first Greek silver.
The large scratches with the tic-tac-toe pattern don't look like random damage. I have the feeling they're some sort of graffiti, or test marks - to see if the coin was in fact silver, perhaps something similar to a banker's mark.
An absolutely great score!! (the coin rocks!!) => well played, my icy friend ... brrrr!!! ... it is awesome having you back in the fold!! Cheers :cheers:
Sikyonia. Sikyon. Ar stater circa 335-330 BC Diameter: 24mm Weight: 12.03 grams Obverse: Chimaera standing left Reverse: Dove flying left; N before and all within wreath Reference: SNG Spencer 164 Other: Good silver and nice tone … Scarce => eh-heh-heh ... ummm, I have the Big-Sister version!! (they're all beautiful coins, my coin-brother!! )
I have long loved this type but it is not an easy coin to find in every way what I want. Bing mentioned that I upgraded but the new one (below) is far from what I'd wish. The Chimera has important characteristics including the tail with a snake which is usually off flan on coins with well detailed lion heads and goats on the back. The coins are common and not hard to find even more worn or more poorly centered than the ones shown here. ...and yes, I wish I had a stater like Steve's. My big wish would be a coin of any denomination with head details on the snake tail. I have never seen this on a hemidrachm or drachm but they exist on the staters: http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=571345 For those building the set, there is also an obol (below - 1/3 of the hemidrachm) with the dove on both sides but no mini-Chimera as far as I know. I do not own a drachm either (1/3 of Steve's coin) but have not seen them well detailed either. All these seem to have circulated a lot an are found with good old fashioned natural wear.
=> Doug is 100% correct => Ideally, I should have waited and scored an example with a great Lion, Goat and Snake ... but the price seemed right at the time, and the itch to buy was very itchy, so the trigger was pulled (luckily, I'm the type that never looks back => I love my coins!!) :thumb: NOTE => we "all" have some fantastic looking coins (well done, fellas!!)
