This is a pretty common type but my experience with this one almost made me buy two from the same dealer at the same show. One was $50 and toned aVF with moderate surfaces. The other was strong aEF with really nice surfaces and $25. How? Simple, centering. I have bought many coins for the purpose of illustrating points for my website but I was spending too much so you will have to trust me. The obverse was so off center that the left face did not show at all. I suspect this may have been the version with dolphin under the Janiform head but that means nothing here. The reverse was better but still lost important details (face) on the aEF. I suspect the other coin with this one's centering might have been expensive but being on flan is an important feature for a face. I'll see him again in a month an wonder if he will have sold it. After all, that is a great price for an aEF Greek coin. Somebody won't notice or care. Who has one to share? Lampsakos, Mysia AR trihemiobol 4th-3rd century BC Female Janiform head / Athena head rt A 12mm 1.08g
I am intrigued by the female Januform. I have looked at a few of these. I understand that the male version usually represents the Dioskuri. However, what does the FEMALE Januform represent? (Sorry, I could go chase some research, but I generally enjoy your answers better...)
Wow, Mentor => that's an awesome Janus example (congrats on scoring the one that is more centered ... I agree that sweet-centering is probably the most important aspect when choosing an ancient coin) ... apparently my OCD is okay with porosity and a bit of wear, but being a tad off-center bothers me a bit more ... but yes, the friendly-price usually comes with some sort of compensating flaw, eh? => congrats again on a very cool OP-score!! (I love the obverse & reverse)
That's a fantastic example Doug!!! I've run across an example or two (Troas) of a male and female head and the suggestion that it represented Zeus and Hera...but two females????
Trihemiobol. Got to love that 'denomination'. I have never understood it, but, it certainly sounds very cool when spoken.
