This is What $5 Buys

A few weeks back, I saw this coin on the bay with a starting bid of $4.99 plus shipping. I found the reverse interesting enough to place a starting bid at that price. Well, no one else wanted it I guess. So it goes into my coral.

However, now I am having a little difficulty in attributing the coin. I believe it was struck at Amphipolis, but I can't find a match. I would appreciate help with the identification, but here is what I think it may be:

Amphipolis, Macedonia
AE19
Obverse: Head of Artemis right
Reverse: AMFIPOLITWN, two goats standing on their hind legs, butting heads.
6.6g, 19mm

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

No one has any ideas?

 

Dang...give the experts a few minutes!!!

 

Let's go ride our bikes!

 

I think Artemis is Zeus ?

 

To ME, it looks like Seaby-Sear Greek Vol 1 1394

168-149 BCE or after Amphipolis AE 22;
Obv: Diad hd of Artemis Touropolos r., bow and quiver at shoulder;
Rev: Two goats on hind legs, contending, face to face. AMFIPOLITWN (Greek)

But I am not sure if yours is a monogram on reverse (Sear uses the RX -medical symbol - which might mean a Monogram of Amphipolis) My guess only.

 

@Alegandron: Sear 1394 is what I have found, but the monogram is different. Unless someone can come up with something better, that's what I will use as identification. Thanks for taking a shot at it.

 

Five bucks for rampant confronted goats? I'll take four

Amphipolis under Roman rule appears to be correct. Here's one from CNG's archives, perhaps from a different magistrate?


http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=186376

MACEDON, Amphipolis. Circa 187-168/7 BC. Æ (19mm, 8.71 g, 12h). Laureate head of Zeus right / Two rampant goats. Touratsoglou, Macedonia 2; SNG ANS 118

There are a couple of similar coins in acsearch, one with obverse of Artemis and the other with obverse of Apollo, according to the listings... but they (the Artemis and the Apollo) look the same to me, whichever deity it is.

There's also one currently on Vcoins, with the "Artemis" obverse.

Bing, I don't think yours is Artemis or Apollo. That portrait is very Zeusy.

 

Thanks @TIF. That one looks even more like it with the exception of the monogram. Both have an "E" in the upper left field. My coin is in rather rough shape on the obverse, but the reverse is clearer than either the CNG or Vcoins examples; however, the differences in price is astounding.

 

With all the bathroom rule changes, it could be Artemis...

 

Dang, TIF beat me to it again!!

Cool coin for that price @Bing !!!

 

I have no idea what you seek beyond what has been said. The head strikes me as Zeus. The type seems to be common in that time period. Mine is from Thessalonika but similar in spirit.

 

Just verification of what I already found and perhaps some understanding of the monogram.

 

I doubt the attribution of the CNG coin. Why would it be from Amphipolis if it clearly reads (Th) E S / S AL O ? Also for the OP coin Thessalonica would seem most likely.

 

@THCoins: Well, now, Moushmov 6595 Thessalonica, Macedonia, AE19 one looks like a match except the monogram.

 

That monogram is what is throwing me.

 

Common? I don't see many in archives. I'd like to have one. Yours would be be very welcome at my house .

 

Whatever it turns out to be, congratulations Bing. You are truly the king of the bargain and budget coins.

 

Thank you, but I'm not so sure this one was a bargain or not. Yes, it only cost $5 for a coin over 2000 years old. That in itself is a wondrous thing. But if I cannot fully identify it, Thessalonica vs Amphipolis, monogram ID, etc, it will bug me forever.