Two of the Bretti

These are a couple of recent cherry-picks. They were misattributed to Syracuse, although the inscriptions are clearly BPETTIΩN. The first is the larger unit with Zeus and Eagle, the second is the much scarcer half unit, or reduced uncia, with bust of Nike and Zeus hurling thunderbolt. NIKA is spelled out on the obverse of the smaller coin - this seems quite unusual to me. Are there other coins where her name is spelled out?

 

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Both are very nice. The Artemis portrait is lovely-- she looks like a modern woman. At first glance I mistook her quiver for a pony tail .

 

Not Artemis, Nike. But Artemis does occur on these denominations. What looks like a ponytail is part of her wing.

 

Excellent find. Don't you just love it when you can find bargains because they were misattributed?

 

Oh, whoops ... and I even (briefly) read the description!

 

Actually, looking though these types at CNG, they are described as Nike wearing stephanos, grain ear behind bust. This seems accurate based on coins with full details. I think the "winged" description is something from earlier catalogs.

 

Yessiree Bob. The reduced uncia is particularly scarce, judging from auction listings.

 

Nice find John , good eye !!!!!

 

nice greek AE....the left coin does look kind of syracusish really. eagle is cool, nike (i thought artemis at first as well) looks GREAT, and the little naked zeus bolt thrower is pretty nice.

 

For my money, the Brettii struck some of the most attractive Greek bronzes. These two are certainly no exception. Nice catch!

 

Coins of BPETTIΩN include one I really like but my specimen of the crab hat is so far below the beauty of a couple I have seen that I hesitate to show it again here lest it drives more of you to go looking for one.


My other coin of the group is like the larger OP coin.

 

Very lovely coins.

 

Winners there John! I like the Zeus hurling the best. You're already familiar with the coin below but I think it fits here all the same.


The Brettii, Bruttium
AE, reduced uncia, 23mm, 8.3g; 3h; BC 211-208
Obv.: Laureate head of Zeus right, thunderbolt behind
Rev.: BPETTIΩN; Warrior advancing right holding spear and shield, at feet, owl flying right

 

I have to show mine again because I love it so much


BRUTTIUM, the Brettii
216-214 BCE
Æ quartuncia, 13.5mm, 2.06 g
Obv: head of Amphitrite left, wearing crab headdress
Rev: crab; torch above, BPET-TIΩN above and below
Ref: Pfeiler p. 33, 4a; Scheu, Bronze 51; HN Italy 1944; SNG ANS 123–4; SNG Lloyd –; McClean 1579

 

Bronzes of the brettian league are among the most attractive together with those of Syracuse IMO. Nice catches JA

TIF, your crab is spectacular !!

Here are my two (not grabbed any crab yet)


Bruttium, AE18 Brettian league, c. 215-205 BC
Bust of Nike right
Zeus riding a biga, holding thunderbolt and sceptre
3.6 gr, 18 mm
Ref : Sear #706



Bruttium, AE26 Brettian league, c. 215-205 BC
Head of Ares left
BPETTIΩN, Hera Hoplosmia going right, holding spear and shield, cow's head ? under shield
14.44 gr, 26 mm
Ref : Sear #702v

Q

 

Sweet OP-scores, JA (congrats)

Ummm, here is a cool link to Wildwinds ...

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/bruttium/brettii/t.html

Apparently, from my records I only have one example from Bruttium, Rhegion ... does this even count?



http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/bruttium/rhegion/t.html

 

Here is my Bretti, they are wonderful coins, aren't they? This coin belongs to the period of the Hannibalic occupation of Italy.

Bruttium, The Bretti
Ca. 214-211 B.C.
AE half unit 3.75gm - 17 mm - h 8
Obv: Head of Nike left, NIKA in field
Rev: BPETTIΩN to left, Zeus standing right holding staff and hurling thunderbolt, cornucopia to right, star below
Reference:SNG Cop 1681

 

Great finds JA,thanks for letting us see them! Proof positive research pays well for the patient expert!Kudos....

 

I'm not an expert, but I can read the word BPETTIΩN.

 

Ya' got a good eye JA. Nice eagle bacon and love that half unit!