Hear no evil, see no evil...

Looks like I need one more Macedonian monkey coin to complete the set .

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There really wasn't any reason I should have purchased the second one, other than I simply wanted it and it is slightly better than my first. As @stevex6 pointed out though, now I'm obligated to buy a third . I've seen a few right-facing monkeys, so I'll probably try for one of those.

The newest member, 6 mm and 0.28 gm:



The first, 5 mm and 0.26 gm:



When I purchased the first and until recently, I've seen these listed as "Macedon, Pangeion region" but now I'm seeing them as "Macedon, uncertain" or "Thraco-Macedonian, uncertain". The dates are imprecise, some listed as "c. 500 BCE" and others "5th century BCE". Let's just say they are very old... as if the style and reticulation didn't already give that away.

Anyway, here's how I'm writing the attribution:

MACEDONIA, uncertain
5th century BCE
AR trihemitetartemorion (trihemiobol)
Obv: monkey squatting left
Rev: round shield or pellet within incuse square
Ref: "Uncertain Thraco-Macedonian Coins, Part II", Nomismatika Khronika (1998, Tzamalis), 67

Little is known about these coins. From one auction blurb:

That's about all of the "scholarly" information I can give. So... let's talk monkeys!

Did you know that the Three Wise Monkeys (also called Three Mystic Apes) have names? I didn't, but then I'd never bothered to read the origins of the saying.

Kikazaru ("hear no evil" monkey) (聞か猿)
Mizaru ("see no evil" monkey) (見猿)
Iwazaru ("speak no evil" monkey) (言わ猿)

The Three Wise Monkeys probably originated in Japan, incorporated into the Koshin folk religion in medieval times, 1333-1568 (Moromachi period). You can read more about Koshin beliefs and rituals here.

I don't think any or many of the CoinTalk regulars have one of these Macedonian monkeys, so please feel free to post anything remotely relevant to the coin. Your silver fractionals, unusual animals, highly reticulated coins, whatever .

 

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Aahhahaha...well, that's what you get for posting your pic on the internet.

 

Haha... the new little guy looks fantastic! I also love your band photo of The Missing Links .

 

Very interesting coins Tif. Thanks for the information.

 

We're not missing! Very appropriate the "speak no evil" monkey should be Steve.

BTW, love your coin.

 

Good post about monkeys on coins. Like my favorite, rhinos, you would think they would have been more prevalent on ancient coins but they weren't.

 

Really, really interesting coins! I had never seen such items before just now. That just makes me want to get back into collecting ancients again.

 

What?? It's a compliment. I portrayed you as a wise monkey .

 

How's this for resemblance ? (South-Indian 17th century AD)

 

A virtual dead ringer!

 

Great pickup TIF, first flying pigs now you need a flying Monkey!!!


and her little Dog too!

 

Aww man, don't go there. Those creepy things gave me nightmares for days when I was young.

 

Oh man, I'd love to have a flying monkey coin. Guess I'll have to make my own!

Actually, I have been slowly working on making my own "ancient" coins... complete fantasy designs, no intent to deceive.

What would you like to see on a coin? Let's design some!

 

Bummer, I have no "meenkeys" as Peter Sellers would say...

 

I've been work on silver, copper and brass coins, weights and sizes. in my forge i can melt these metals. also made some high carbon steel tools for carving. i want see see how hard it was to make these coins and i have an idea how they made have made some of these dies also.
( copper and brass)28g. to 58g, still working on the weight.

( HCS carving tools)


Also a couple of silver rings i forged..i bought 10 oz. of silver .999 shot and green sand. i'm saving up to buy some gold.

 

=> I'd love to see two gryphons fighting

Oh, and although I've already commented on your sweet new monkey addition => congrats on your sweet new monkey addition!!

 

@TIF , I really like your coin. Well struck and centered. Both incredibly small. Now you have me on the prowl for them! They have the look of a baboon...

 

Here you go Steve...

 

Dragons!

 

How about a 'Cyclops'?????

Let's see I need a fly/bee, rat, frog, monkeys..........

BTW TIF, I love those coins!!