Thasos, Thrace AR Tetradrachm. After 148 BC. Head of Dionysos right wreathed with ivy leaves / HRAKLEOUS SWTHROS QASIWN, nude Herakles standing left, holding club & lion skin, MH monogram on all three. 16.8 gm 30.2 mm 16.6 gm 30.1 mm 16.7 gm 30.2 mm In my coin ventures, I typically like to get single specimens and try to avoid getting multiples of the same coin (including monogram.) But, these were such a good deal, I couldn't pass them up. I like to think of the reverse as Hercules before and after pictures after participating in P90X. He slowly gets ripped.
Nice examples. I have a wavy/worn one but I am happy with it. These are pretty affordable compared to many others. Thasos, Thrace, (146 - 50 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm O: Young head of Dionysos wearing wreath of leaves and grapes and band across forehead. R: ΗΡΑΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΘΑΣΙΩΝ, Hercules naked standing left holding club, lion skin draped over arm; monogram. 33mm 16.1g SNG Copenhagen 1040; SG-1759; SNG Ashmolean 3689; Le Rider, Thasos 51
Here is mine....bought in the last 12 months. Thasos, Thrace, Tetradrachm Obv:– Head of a youthful Dionysos to right, wearing elaborate ivy wreath with leaves and berries Rev:– HRAKLEOVS SWTEROS, Youthful Herakles, nude but for drapery over his shoulder and let arm, standing facing, his head to left, holding a club in his right hand and resting his left at his waist; QASIWN in exergue. MH monogram Minted in Thasos, Thrace. After 148 B.C. Reference:– SNG Cop.1040.
iamtiberius (oh, and Mat & Martin) => "WOW" => I want one!!! (congrats, fellas) Ummm, eh-heh-heh ... is it kinda cheatin' to toss-in my example? "Maroneia", Thrace, Tetradrachm 2nd-1st Century BC Diameter: 32.24 mm Weight: 15.49 grams Obverse: head of young Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy, band across forehead Reverse: naked Dionysos standing left, holding bunch of grapes in lowered right hand and two narthex wands Other: Cleaned and polished, areas of erosion ... sorry, but I never seem to display this baby (apparently you dudes don't wanna collect this type, eh?) ... thanks for letting me post me "similar" Dionysos coin!! Cheers
Three very nice coins...love these big Tet's.. Greece.. Thasos,Thrace..148.BC. Ar Tetradrachm Obv. Young head of Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy and band across forehead. Rev. Herakles, naked, standing left, holding club. lion's skin over left arm.. (looks like Herakles has put on a few pounds).. 0mm x 16.5 g.
My problem with this series is deciding where to draw the line between official issues and contemporary, barbarous copies. Some are obvious; some less so. Even within what I consider original, there is a lot of difference in quality of die work. It seems to be an area I'd want to study before buying many. Of course some of the wildest ones go for more than the official ones so it is all a matter of personal choice.
