Zeus on a coin - (Father of Gods and men) - post em if you got em.

SICILY. Syracuse, AE Hicetas
288-279 BC
Diameter: 22 mm
Weight: 8 grams
Obverse: Laureate head of young Zeus Hellanios left
Reverse: Eagle with spread wings standing left on thunderbolt. “A” in left field




Oh, and "no" => that isn't bronze disease (those lil' green babies are hard and crusty, not active and dusty!!)

 

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Bravo for all the Zeus coins.

 

Does Jupiter Count?

Emperor Licinius
Bronze Follis
aVF, 2.742 g., 20.2mm., Siscia mint, 313-315 C.E.

 

With the ancients crowd, anything/everything counts. Things are pretty relaxed around here.

Welcome to CoinTalk, Codera!

 

=> Welcome aboard the crazy train ... the more, the merrier!!

 

welcome indeed...nice alexander severus coin avatar coin also, saw in posted in the newest acquisition thread.

 

Thanks!

 

I have another Zeus coin to contribute to the thread.


THRACE Odessos
Pontic Kingdom
Mithradates VI (The Great)
AR Tetradrachm, 83 – 82 B.C.

15.97 gms, 27 mm
Obv: Portrait of Mithradates as Alexander III as Hercules.
Rev: Zeus seated on throne holding eagle on outstretched arm. ΛA monogram below arm and partially obscured monogram OΔH (Odessus) in exergue. BAΣIΛΕΩΣ AΛEΞNΔΡOY.
Grade: aVF with good centering and strike. Nicely toned good silver.
Other: This Odessus coin type was minted in between 125-70 B.C. This particular coin may have been struck 83-82 B.C. However, it is a point of speculation whether it was minted previous to the second Mithridatic War or during it to finance the battle.
Price 1191. Ex Harlan J Berk, Ltd., Dec 2013. From private sale Feb 22, 2014

 

Just got my first Greek coin right here that features one of the most beautiful reverses I've ever seen firsthand (Zeus enthroned with the eagle and scepter). The obverse of Herakles is nice too.



Macedonian Kingdom, Philip III and Alexander IV, 323 - 317 B.C.

obverse Herakles' head right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress tied at neck;

reverse ALEXANDROU, Zeus seated left on throne, right leg drawn back, eagle in extended right, long scepter vertical behind in left, horse leg left, X under throne; ex Nemesis

 

Congratulations on your first Greek, Codera!

Here's one I rephotographed recently. I was thinking of selling or trading it but in looking at it again, I think it will stay.


THRACE, Odessos; minted 125-70 BC
AR tetradrachm, 33 mm, 16.7 gm

 

The horse-leg mark is one of the many things that I have not seen before. Any idea where this coin was minted?

The word to the right of Zeus looks like AΛΕΞΑΝΔΡ??. (I'm guessing OY at the end for "Alexander"). One of the experts at CT may be able to explain the nuances of various Alexander spellings.

The monogram under the throne looks like ligature of an E and a retrograde E. Possibly it's an "I" with a horizontal cross or a "Ξ" with a vertical cross?

Thanks for sharing the cool coin.

 

Troas, Abydus mint, which is on the coast of Anatolia according to the information slip that came with the coin.

 

I think there was more to the word but the rest of the coin may have slowly worn or maybe was a slightly tight flan. I don't know much about the symbol under the throne but you could be right about that. Thank you!

 

I missed where you told us but I think I am seeing a drachm a
(about 4g) rather than the more common tetradrachm. I like the style. Remember that most Greek coins do not bear the nomenative name of the city or ruler but the genitive so the OY on the end means we should really read the legend as "of Alexander". Coin with city names tend to be in the genitive plural so should be read as, for example, "of the Marcianopolitans".

 

SYRIA, Seleukis and Pieria. Antioch, under Roman rule.
Laureate head of Zeus, Tripod, cornucopiae on either side.


Cilicia, Aigeai
Laureate head of Zeus, Athena holding Nike, spear and shield



Ptolemy XII Auletes
Zues Ammon, Headdress of Isis

 

I forgot to mention it at first, I'll have to go back and edit the post to include more of the specifics, but yes, it's a drachm.

 

Hi Bing,

I've also got one similar to yours. Should I assume the same details as you've quoted for this one as there are small differences?
8g, 25mm



Thanks as always!

 

Since Bing isn't on right now I'll answer

Your coin shows a rose on the reverse (to the left of Zeus's legs). That symbol was used for coins struck in Rhodes. However, if your stated measurements are correct there is a problem. These tetradrachms weigh ~16 gm and measure ~25-28 mm; drachms weigh ~4 gm and measure ~15-18 mm. So... your coin appears to be inauthentic . Plus, the portrait style doesn't look right.

 

Thanks TIF.

The weight was from a set of digital kitchen scales, so not sure how accurate it is.

It seems that most of the coins I have are forgeries . Still we can't be sure until they have been properly appraised. Do you know of any reputable places to go and have this done around Surrey/London?

So far, I'm enjoying the journey of finding out about these old coins!

 

As common as Zeus is on Greek coins, I was surprised to find that my only representation of him is on the reverse of this Alexander III tetradrachm: