Baltimore Finds...

I had a lot of fun digging through boxes yesterday. Here are some of my finds, in no particular order.

This first coin is rather humble, a bronze of Lampsakos. But Pegasos is clear and complete, and the bust is good, and I have a soft spot for small, unloved, crusty Greek aes that get thrown into junk bins. Now, let's play NAME THAT GOD. Sear says it's Priapus on the obverse, SNG Cop says Zeus, and the flip says Poseidon. What say you? (Does anyone know why Sear would think Priapus? That's a weird choice.)

 

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Fred, God of Unloved Coins...? No clue...

 

Looks like Zeus pictured in Ptolemaic coins, yet looks like Poseidon from many painting and statues. Considering Pegasus was sired by Poseidon, I would go with Poseidon.

 

Maybe Sear was drunk that day?

 

He was evidently the chief deity at Lampsakos. He was said to have been born there, and his cult originated in and spread from there.

 

Thanks Chris - that's a great clue!

I love 1st-century Alexandrian tetradrachms for their size and fabric. Here's Vespasian with Nike, not at all common. The detail is wonderful despite the finely-reticulated surfaces. These sort of surfaces are pretty common on 1st-century Egyptian tets - I assume they are generated by base metal leaching out of the coin over time. These coins are about .500 fine. Anyway, I loved the overall style of this piece and the fact that Vespasian's name is fully present in Greek.

 

I see that you are right. So Priapus is indeed a good assumption, as well as Poseidon. SNG Cop is inconsistent. On a 12mm denomination, this guy gets called Zeus...



On a 20mm denomination, this one gets called Priapos...



Neither of these busts look like Zeus or Poseidon - this is a distinctly different god, so I'm inclined to agree with Priapus. However, on my coin and others, the bust is similar enough to Zeus and Poseidon that it could be either.

 

For us to definitively identify Priapatus, a head pic is not really helpful. We kind of need a "full body" pic if you know what I mean.......

If the reverse was a dead donkey or something it would make more sense.

 

Any silver of the adoptive Emperors?

 

Yes - only one, but rare - a hemidrachm of Hadrian, Caesarea Cappadocia, mis-marked as a quinarius. Actually, a quinarius would have been just as rare. I'll take a pic and post shortly.

 

Would be helpful for sure. I know someone who collects those... maybe she'll own up and post a few of them .

 

I'd throw in Asklepios as well, but that wouldn't be helpful...

 

Excellent, I'm already preparing my wallet for when you begin posting all the silvery goods you found.

 

Good pickup, worn but its still got attractive details. The label would have confused me too, I would have thought Zeus or Poseidon with that portrait.

 

going to the show tomorrow, how is the ancient selection?

 

@John Anthony I really love that Vespasian. Good find.

 

A few dealers that normally set up in the Spring and Winter were not there, but maybe they'll set up today? Harlan Berk was noticeably missing, and Ephesus, and Tom Cederlind passed away of course, and Barry Murphy moved on to CNG, so it was a little sparse. Still, there was a wide range of coins available in all prices, so unless you're looking for something really erudite or specific, I predict you'll find something satisfying to take home.

Here is a trio of fractional silvers, starting with a hemidrachm of Hadrian, Caesarea Cappadocia, quite scarce, and in a beautiful grade. I like to think of these as Roman half-dimes as they're just about the same size. Also, an obol of Massalia, Gaul, 4th-century BC that leapt out at me for its style and centering, and then a 12th-stater of Miletos, Ionia, which wins the prize for smallest and oldest coin acquired yesterday (1.0g, 6th-century BC)...

 

That Hadrian is quite nice. Maybe Oki will want it. Or maybe I want it.

 

I have to remind you guys that we can't talk about buying or selling in open CT threads. Let's talk numismatics so we don't annoy our mods - they are very nice people for the most part, except for that Doug guy - he's like a little Hitler.

j/k lol

 

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