I need some help attributing this particular coin I purchased. I do not have it in hand yet, so these are the sellers images. The seller, who seemed knowledgeable wrote: Sure enough, I haven't been able to find one like it on wildwinds, acsearch and a few other resources. Any help will be appreciated. MACRINUS AE28 Pentassarion OBV: AV K OPPE CEVH MAKPINOC (K M OPP)EL ANTWNINOC DIADOMEN (I think) below confronted busts REV: VP PONTIANOV MARKIANOPOLEI/TWN, Coiled serpent with radiate head (Iam uncertain of this legend as well) 28MM
Awesome new coin, my man!! => I'm absolutely lovin' the serpent with the radiate head!! (very cool and unique) ... totally jealous (great snag)
Oh, and "Pentassarion" ... yah, I don't have a Pentassarion, "yet" (although Ardy might try telling me that I just bought one??!!)
I admit I am surprised at the difference in style between your coin and mine which has the same magistrate (Pontianus) and city (Marcianopolis).
Yeah, Doug, I have seen coins similar to your (and maybe yours), but I haven't seen one in the style of my new coin. I can't seem to locate anything quite like it. Like I said, the seller even commented that he could not find another. I'm still trying to find something similar. If anyone can point me in the general direction.......
Compare snake shapes, halo/not, square E as opposed to round E denomination mark, portrait heads vs. busts and just general style. It is hard to believe they were made in the same mint in such a short time.
Hristova & Jekov list two varieties of the serpent type for Macrinus & Diadumenian with the magistrate Pontianus: H&J, Marcianopolis 6.24.22.1-2, of which this type is clearly a variant. Both have bare busts and square, rather than lunate, epsilons. The style does fit with that of other issues for the same magistrate. I closer stylistic study (in the manner of John Beasley's work with Attic red figure vases) would undoubtedly reveal several distinct engravers or perhaps even officinae operating in this mint.
Can Hristova&Jekov, The Coinage of Nikopolis ad Istrum, 2012, be purchased somewhere? I tried to find it on-line, but was unsuccessful. BTW, I got an answer on Forum saying this may be a match to Hr & J (2012) 6.24.22.6. I don't know since I do not have this reference.
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/ayiyoryitika/singularmarcdies.html #27 is close to mine but not yours.
An outstanding coin, Bing, and thanks to everyone for an interesting conversation on this thread, plus the links.
