Let's try this again... "Coins of the 7 Ancient Wonders"

How much, in your opinion, for a "decent" condition coin? By "decent", I mean fairly legible and able to discern the design of the Lighthouse. Coins with holes, slight corrosion, etc. are acceptable.

I guess I'd approach this one the same as the Lighthouse. How much *would* I have to pay? $150? $200?

I'll probably start with the easier ones for these two. Maybe "upgrading" eventually ...

A) How much would one of those run?

B) What if I went with any coin struck in Babylon that would have been contemporary with the Hanging Gardens?

Cool. From the correct time period?

 

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@Dougmeister, later today I'll PM you some links to sources and databases and you can see what is available now and what has been available in the past.

 

Thanks again, @TIF

 

I have reservations on just how long it is reasonable to expect a Chryselephantine sculpture to last considering the trouble that would come if the wood parts were to rot. Each repair could well change the appearance of the statue. Below is a less than common type of Septimius Severus (IOVI PRAE ORBIS) which may show the type at that time. If you find one of these under $100, buy it. Mine was less from the Kelly/Spink sale but you don't see a lot of them.

 

=> TIF is kinda like our awesome big-sis ... I love my big sister (good for you, Granger)

=> you help make this place fricken coin-awesome!!

 

One may wonder, 'why is this so hard'. After all, these are the Seven Wonders. One has to remember that during this time period (well, more the Hellenistic), buildings were not so important compared to the diety. And of course the Egyptians did not use coinage and even if they did would not likely put a grave on them. Only until the Roman period was architecture paced so prominently on coinage and even so was likely due to civil pride more than religion. For you to put together such a set as you are talking about you will have to broaden your acceptance criteria. I would extend it to relevant cities and dieties. Its the only way. One can always do it on the cheap, it will take time and a lot of searching. I have always advised one should buy the best quality they can afford, not the quantity. But, beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder. After all, you are after the history, not the monetary value.

 

@TIF it's been a little while, long before I started collecting ancients anyway. But I believe I can track it down. I sold it to a dealer who at the time thought it to be authentic.I wil look through some old files when I get home tonight. See what I can come up with.
I remember it's more of a commemorative say like a VBRS is to Consantinople with constantine. I can't recall the "ruler" for the obv. But the reverse had buildings/vegetation like palm or fern type. If that makes any sense.

 

Lovely coin

 

That sounds like a great idea. I would *like* to keep the coins in the same time period, though. (I.e., the coin had to be in circulation while the Ancient Wonder was either under construction or fully built)

Do you think that is still possible?

 

I think this is a great idea. Finding just the right coins to meet your collecting goals and budget will be a challenge. You might be able to find modern replicas or medals to do the same thing.
A quick google search gave some hits:
http://amazingancient.com/statue-of-zeus/

http://www.littletoncoin.com/shop/P...urlRequestType=Base&langId=-1&catalogId=29555

This one is probable as low cost as you can find -
Colorized Kennedy Half Dollars - Seven Wonders of the Ancient World $74.95

 

Thanks for the idea, @rrdenarius

Rather than modern commemoratives, I'd rather get contemporary coins from the "host country", even if they did not depict the actual "Wonder". But that's just me.

 

Well, one needs to research the topic quite thoroughly. Just as an example, the Gardens of Babylon are not actually known to have existed. It is a concept, an idea, more a legend, passed down from one Greek author to another with no proof that they really were there (Homer anyone?). But, as we all know most legends have some kernel of truth to them. The Babylonians were not using coinage during the period some say they existed. But, others have said they existed all the way until the First Century or so. Nobody will ever know. But, sure, one can get coins minted in Babylon for a modest price. And the others? Who knows? Some of these monuments are certainly just legend, or pure stories. Others we do know they existed. You need to decide which you believe in and which you dont. Even if you dont believe, you can still get coins from those cities. Kind of like religion. If you have faith, there is no doubt.

 

@Ken Dorney, I would use the dates in my original post. They may or may not be 100% accurate... I don't even care if the "Wonder" actually existed... I'm in it for the history and the mystique of it.

 

In that case you are free to use whatever criteria you want. That should make it easy to put the set together. Use the actual depictions in some cases, but cities in others. You could do well with this endeavor.

 

I think I know where to find an inexpensive pyramid -

 

Sorry @TIF, I struck out. I got close & haven't had time to look at who ruled Babylon during that time. If you know then you may be able to narrow it down. The coin I had has changed hands a couple of times since. But my friend did say the reverse was just several raised rectangular shapes nothing flashy. But the obverse defiantly had a male bust on it. Neither of us recall the legend. I only had it a short time. I at the time wasn't going g to collect ancients for a time I enjoyed modern money.

 

As Ken Dorney said, the hanging gardens may not have existed. Or at least may not have been at Babylon.

 

Is it reasonable to guess the Giza pyramids might have been an embarrassment to later rulers who would have been unable to match them or figure a way to claim them for themselves? Putting them on a coin would be like saying, "Once there was a powerful ruler who made things like these pyramids but now all you have is me."

Caligula ordered some statues beheaded and refaced with his features. Imagine what he could have done with the Sphinx. Perhaps there was so little traffic out there in the desert that it was not worth the effort.

 

I believe the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus is shown on the reverse of a Claudius cistophorus, with the statue of Diana/Artemis within.

 

The reverse of this coin by Septimius Severus represents surely either the statue of Zeus or the sacred stone of Zeus. It was struck in Seleucia and Piera. Not easy to guess, I think.