Santa's elves had my V-Coins wish list and brought me a little something for Christmas! I just need to crack open the slab and set it free. SYRIA. Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Otacilia Severa (Augusta, 244-249). Tetradrachm. Obv: MAP ΩTAKIΛ CEOYHPAN CEB. Diademed and draped bust right. Rev: ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC ΥΠΑΤΟ A / S C. Eagle standing facing, head left, holding wreath in beak. McAlee 1088. Prieur 341. BMC 541.
Oh, by the way--trying to attribute this with online resources and some sites list this as Prieur 341 and some as Prieur 342. Does anyone have access to Prieur or know the difference between these two coins so that I can properly assign a catalog number to it? Thanks!
I had my eye on this at Prafectus too but keep hoping I may get one cheaper on ebay later down the line considering I got my Herennia Etruscilla cheap. Its a lovely Tet though.
Ah! Here's the difference between the two coins, Prieur 341 and 342--it's the way the eagle's body is twisted and which way the tail would face were it depicted. Prieur 341 depicts an eagle whose body is not twisted and whose tail would be facing right:
It's odd that Prieur even mentions a tail. I don't see a tail in either of the plate coins. Why not just say, "Eagle left, eagle right?"
Wonderful coin!!! And more clarification than I realized before (Eagle positioning and references). Here's one of mine in the original sellers photo and former slab...a billon Tet with the right facing eagle....
The tail is a detail. Details are the bases of Numismatics. They should always count and be considered, I believe. Prieur was right by cataloging 341 and 342.