I picked up this Gela tetras at the same time as the Himera tetras I posted yesterday, and coincidentally both were struck around the same time, in the late 5th century BC. I'm glad to not be terribly fond of the popular man-bull tetradrachms of Gela, because a nice one would burn a very big hole in my pocket. On the other hand, this bronze came in at just abit above barrel-scraping price, so I'll chalk it up as a decent purchase in spite of the handful of faults it has. On the obverse is the horned head of the young river god Gelas, personification of the river, looking nothing like his grizzled man-bull persona on the silver coins. These portraits come in a few different styles, some with wild Guy Fieri-type hair and others with a slightly crazed look in the eye. On this coin, Gelas has swept-back hair and a calm, contemplative look... quite a pleasing portrait, unfortunately marred by a couple of deep gashes. I find the bull on the reverse also quite nicely styled, and with the olive branch and barley grain thrown in, it all adds up to a coin I am liking alot . Feel free to post your coins of Gela, or with portrait heads of river gods. SICILY, Gela AE Tetras 3.8g, 17mm Circa 420 - 405 BC Jenkins 527 O: Head of young river-god Gelas right; ΓEΛAΣ before; grain ear behind. R: Bull standing right; olive branch above, three pellets (mark of value) in exergue.
I agree with you on the MFB issue although recently there was one which caught my eye. If it stays reasonable I might bid. I doubt it will stay "reasonable" though. I'd prefer to find a well-priced bronze like yours.
As far as the MFBs go, I find that most range from primitive, to grotesque, to comical, but some of those in fine style have Gelas looking properly formidable and majestic... and the price tag usually follows.
The other lesser option is small silver like this 0.7g litra of Gela (465-450 BC). Even these are not cheap but come in under the big silver. This is 1/12 of a drachm, 1/48 tetradrachm and probably about the same proportions in cost today as when they were in use. Perhaps they are harder to find nice since many, as mine, show surface problems suggesting they were individual finds rather than having been protected by a pot as we expect from the big ones.
nice lookin' coin Z, i like the gela obverse as well. i recently bid on a gelas coin (not this one) and didn't make it.
Yummy-yummy, Z-Bro ... that's a nice 3 Onkia you have there!! => wow man, that is such a stevex6 coin, my friend (I love it, I'm totally jealous!!) ... yah, I'm lovin' the olive branch and the three pellets (very cool)
Oh, and I happen to have a fairly sweet tetras as well ... maybe you've seen it? SICILY, Selinos Cast Æ Tetras (3 Onkia) Circa 450-440 BC Diameter: 21 mm Weight: 11.64 grams Obverse: Facing Gorgoneion Reverse: Selinon leaf; three pellets around => hey, cheers my friend => to Tetras!!
Absolutely, I remember you have a few of these cool Sicilian cast bronzes and a whole boatload of nice Sicilians in general .
