i've been wanting to buff up my greek collection a bit, and this little guy was just....cute. the reverse is pretty rough, but the obverse is pretty good for the type. pisida, selge (pisidia was the central portion of what would be south western turkey today). 2nd-1st century BC o:hercules, club over shoulder r: winged thunderbolt, bow right, Σ-E below (i think?) SNG 263 (i think?) 12 mm 1.7 g
Chris that is an excellent Hercules. Such a strong head for such a tiny coin. Interesting surfaces nice thick patina. I haven't seen to many of this type but and I am not sure about the missing legend but I offer up the question, why would a thunderbolt need wings? Put wings on an arrow and now you have something. The ancients have some interesting ideas, it seems that the liked to put wings on things to make them cooler. Flying horses, flying pigs, flying caduceus. flying hats, flying Thunderbots what next flying elephants? Flying elephant anyone? (eh, something that crazy could only be imagined in modern times.)
The Selgian portrayals of Hercules have a distinctive style. Great bust on that coin. I have one of these little bronzes as well, and it's one of my favorite Greeks... Selge, Pisidia AE13, 2.47g., 300-190 BC. Obv.: Bust of Heracles right. Rev.: Thunderbolt and bow; Σ E Λ. Reference: SNG von Aulock 5288, SNG France 1979.
