Byzantion, Thrace AR Half Siglos 357-340BC ΠΥ Heifer standing left on dolphin foreleg raised (no legend) Incuse square of mill-sail pattern, punched surfaces textured with dots Sear GCV 1581 And, for your question: David Sear wrote: "The reverse die, consisting merely of a square or oblong punch was employed simply to hold the blank firmly in position during the striking and to ensure that sufficient pressure was exerted to obtain a clear impression of the obverse die."
atta-boy ... surfs-up dude!! => nice ride!! Coincidentally, I just sent ten coins to David Sear's California Ranch ... geeesh, it brings a tear to my eyes, whenever I send-off one of my kids to Coin Camp!!
May I join the CT surfer cow coin club? The Byzantion Bovine coin has been on my want list since I first saw the coin type. It’s a bummer fer-sure that this gnarly coin lost some detail due to the off center strike but the goofy-foot bovine is still hanging ten with reasonable style. The price was set quite low by the seller apparently due to the off center strike. It shipped & is shooting the curl today. I’ll post my bodacious photos when the coin arrives. This coin’s got me amped as this bitchin banzai bovine is getting into the barrel & about to be tubed with his boogie board dolphin buddy. (That is about all the surfing lingo that I can remember). Obviously I would prefer a well centered, well struck example at a cheap price. Two out of three isn’t bad and it’s the full Siglos.
At long last the coin has arrived. Here's my photo & label: THRACE, Byzantion AR Siglos (drachm) 340 - 320 B.C. 5.30 grams, 16 mm Obv: Heifer standing left on dolphin swimming to left. Archaic Greek monogram ΠΥ above. Rev: Incuse granulated mill-sail pattern. Grade: gVF or better with sharp strike on good silver fabric. rY Monogram above Heifer is partially off the flan. Other: Surfer Cow Coin or boogie board bovine purchased from Sphinx May 2011. Ex Forum Numismatics