I had a chance to upgrade my old example of this Pantikapaion 4rd century BC bronze with countermark star and bowcase over Pan and lion/sturgeon and pay a bit less than I did for the old example from 1989. I guess that means I'll sell the old one for less than I paid for it. I have not seen one where the bowcase on the reverse does not harm the lion but would like to see that. Who has nice examples of this coin?
"Wow" .... I think that this coin definitely deserves a "golf clap", but holy crap, when you also add-in the super-cool counter-mark (my favourite!! ... I love dem counter-marks!!), then you've raised the the fricken bar!!! => yup, I "love " this coin => gimme!! ... but seriously, wow, that's a very sweet ride (congrats!!)
I have no idea of the who, why or when. They are even found cast (contemporary fakes) with the countermarks in place.
The countermarks were struck by the same people who minted the type, only a bit later. Nina Frolova, in "On the monetary circulation of the Bosporus in the 3rd century BC", says this countermark began "at the beginning of the 3rd century BC" and mentions a "crisis in monetary circulation" for which numerous (mostly Russian) authors have proposed reasons from "decline in external trade" to "war with the Scyths" and "shifting of value function from silver to gold." In other words, we don't know why.
Valentinian's example is the best I have seen when it comes to placement of the bowcase without destroying the lion. I like countermarks that know their place and play nicely with the original design.
I was able to make a deal with Doug and buy his older version of this coin. Well, it arrived today and I couldn't be more pleased. I've been looking for one of these for a while. So, using Doug's image (much better than any I can take), I wanted to show it off here:
Very, very cool coin, my friend!! => I'm lovin' the PAN-ness and the counterstamps!! ... oh, there is even a lion and a sturgeon tossed-in for extra bonus-points!! Yah, I realize that Doug doesn't have a soft-spot for counterstamps that are situated where they may detract from the coin's overall appearance, but other than that one small detail, this coin is magnificent!! (well done, brother ... well done) => I actually think that your coin has the nicest/sharpest counterstamps (again, great pick-up)
