I'm not a collector of ancient coins but have always been intrigued by them.My father left me a cigar box with coins and other small items he had pack ratted away over the years. Most were US and some foreign and this single ancient. It appears to be bronze and is approximately 24mm in diameter and a little darker than my photos show. I would appreciate if somebody could tell me what it is. Thanks, Mike
The portrait most closely resembles Hadrian. The second half of the obverse looks like "AΔPIANOCCEB", so that fits. It looks familiar... now for the hunt!
A provincial coin of emperor Hadrian. The link below shows the same type: http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=257772
Artemis and Tyche appear in confronted busts on the issues of Seleucia ad Calycadnum. On the issues of Gerasa she is fused into one bust with the crescent moon beneath. Tyche gets blended with a number of different female deities, some Greek some local, all across the Levant.
Yeah, pretty unusual type. The reverse legend actually names her Artemis-Tyche. Much more interesting than your average Tyche . Edited to add: the TYXH is worn off on the OP coin but you can see the full legend clearly in the link I posted above.
It always seems a little special when a Provincial names the reverse in the legend. We see a lot of names of magistrates and towns but fewer label the god/personification shown compared to the Roman Imperials.
Yeah, TIF, these guys are blurringly fast...You can't waste a second with them around LOL I think that OP coin is sweet---especially as a find in an old cigar box of someone's father....
You guys are amazing. I had only posted the photos of the coin and within an hour there were already postings identifying my coin. Thank you all very much. I think what I will do is put it on eBay for a nominal amount and let go and see what happens as I have no interest in ancient coins. Anyway, thank you all for the help. Regards, Mike.
