=> usually I get my back-up when dudes start talkin' about my Onkia, but in this case I'm flattered!! yah ancientcoinguru, I love that cool cast-example from Selinos (man, but I did spend an arm and a leg to win that baby!!)
Could you provide dimensions and weight? I'm wondering how it compares to my cast tetras, issued in the early 5th c BC from Akragas - Agrigentum, Sicily. It is almond shaped, with a flat base, and possible a weight rather than an actual coin. 16.8 gm - 19x20 mm Obv: two eagles' heads back to back, Α beneath the one on the left Rx: crab; on the base, three pellets
I have one of those babies as well ... actually, I may as well post all four of my sweet cast-examples SICILY, Akragas Æ Cast Onkia (1 Onkia) Circa 450-440 BC Diameter: 19 mm Weight: 4.62 grams Obverse: Eagle's head left Reverse: Crab claw left Reference: CNS 8; SNG ANS 1020 SICILY, Selinos Cast Æ Onkia (1 Onkia) Circa 450-440 BC Diameter: 15 mm Weight: 4.14 grams Obverse: Kantharos; pellet (mark of value) above Reverse: Selinon leaf Reference: Price, Selinus, Group IIIC; CNS 10; Puglisi 282; HGC 2, 1237 Sicily, Akragas Cast AE Trias (4 Onkia) circa 450 BC Diameter: 14 x 19 x 20 mm Weight: 16.28 grams Desc: Eagle standing left & crab & four pellets on base Reference: SNG ANS 1015-7; CNS 1 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 ... awesome, eh?
Agreed: The Chinese dragons are strongly believed to be representations of dinosaur bones dug up over thousands of years. They actually grind some of them up and use them as elixirs and medicines.