This is from the area around Kesh. It shows Hercules standing with club on the obverse, and Zeus seated on the reverse. Both are imitations of other types. Not a lot to be said about it, since not a lot known. Probably around 100BC, South Sogdian mint, (somewhere). Not a lot is known about them except they are pretty scarce. I have seen three for sale in a decade. Zeno.ru has six examples listed.
I believe the modern spelling of this region is Ke$ha. But really, that is an interesting coin. I'm glad you've figured out how to use your camera.
Very nice. Sometimes I wonder about the relationship between the Sogdian and Nabataean civilizations. Arabian aromatics were highly prized in the ancient world, as far East as China, and it's highly probable that Nabataean caravans traveled the Silk Road, possibly all the way to Marakanda. It's intriguing to think that these coins may have been traded for frankincense at some point during its journey to China. From 138 to 144 BC, Chang Ch'ien, the envoy of the Han Dynasty emperor Wu-ti, visited the Middle East, and mentioned a gift from the "Arab king of jugglers from Rekeem (Petra)." I believe this visit was was the outcome of earlier Sogdian trading relationships initiated by the explorer Zhang Qian. Was Chang Ch'ien accompanied by Sogdian and/or Nabataean guides? It's an interesting thought, and makes me wish they had some historians that weren't so maddeningly averse to putting pen to paper.
Very interesting coin. I am interested if you have any sources for this dating to the first century BC ? I would like to read these (Not to check your facts, just out of personal interest ) This because i believe that the most likely examples for these designs would be indo-Greek and Scythian coins dating to the last half of the 1st century BC. Also the early Kushan use the Hecules theme. These all are still much more naturalistic. Considering the level of abstraction i would more likely put these coins in the first to 2nd century AD ?
It was just a random factiod published, not a published reference. These are listed under Alexander imitations, so it did not strike me as out of place necessarily. Abstraction to this level can result extremely quickly as shown in Celtic examples of Greek coinage, or even limes coinage. Some Constantine bronze limes issues were this stylized within a decade of issue. But, this is a coin I have no references on, so I honestly do not know. I have the standard Russian reference on sogdian bronzes, as well as others, but nothing for silver South Sogdiana. Do you think this might be listed in Michiner ACW or Indo Greek? I know Michiner has issues, but it might be something. This is the problem with dealing with the fringe of collecting, sometimes there is almost nothing to go on. Having this coin listed in Zeno.ru gave me comfort in its authenticity however.
No, this is not included in the Indo-Greek publications. There also a bit over the border of my collection scope. But nevertheless intersting. I have seen other south Sogdiana silvers which were also labeled as Alexander imitations. But these were "Bust facing right/Zeus seated left with something in his hand" types. I know these were considered earlier than the type you show here.
Hmm, so different than the Antiochus bust right/Archer imitations of Sogdiana? I am not sure I have seen other Zeus Sogdian for sale, but South Sogdiana is an unusual location. The only other issues I have for the locale are a Horse/tamgha issue, and a byzantine imitative.
And ofcourse i can not remember exactly where i saw those pictures. But a little googling shows this: http://www.sogdcoins.narod.ru/english/sogdiana/s_coins.html I meant the upper coin type. oops... didn't look further than the top, but somthing similar to your coin type is also shown there.
Thanks for the link. One of the other issues I have is like SS 10. Do you happen to know more about the Byzantine imitative issues? I have one resembling a Justinian solidus, but in copper. Crudely struck, of course. Geez, sorry THCoins, I didn't realize you were a Central Asian geek like Anoob and I. Sorry if I am too chatty but I love talking about these coins and I know usually most people are not very interested.
Shoot, I misread the title. Thought I was in the bullion section with the title reading, 'Silver South Again'...........Was getting all set for another JPM fist fight.
Well, actually i once decided the scope of my collection should not cross be northern border of Bactria. But borders continuously change over time. Some imitations of the indo-greek coinage i find very interesting. These sometimes seem to reflect the dynamics of history better than the static originals. In addition, within the ONS there are quite some people who focus on central asian coins, so it may rub off a little. Of the Byzantine imitations i only know a little from some article written by a chinese researcher who decribed some finds associated with the silk road trade with China. Don't think i have a reference for that though.
Yeah, I saw one of them in the book on Silk Road coinage in China, (Xinjiang coinage?). Btw, a fellow ONS'er? Nice. I have belonged for over a decade now.
Interesting coin, I have never seen one before. I have only seen the Antiochus Imitations and those imitating Seleukos. Nothing like this.
