So, in an attempt to learn as much as I can, I've been reading through Wayne Sales series of books on ancient coins. I'm in the middle of Volume II, on Greek coins and their art. It is a fascinating read, and I'm learning quite a bit. I just read a chapter about coins which had been signed by the engraver. Many of the pictures in this chapter were gorgeous - extremely artistic coins of the highest caliber. Do y'all have any of these types of coins? That is, those where the dies were signed by the celator? I'd be very interested to see them, and a description about each one? Please tell me more about them. Are these coins usually more expensive, or more desirable, because of their artistry?
More expensive. Oh yeah! Back when I collected ancient Greek coins, they were out my reach. Some of the most beautiful coins ever. Easiest way to see some for real is in museums or look at lots at a high-end public auction of ancient coins. Cal
My closest thing to being relevant. Ptolemaic Kingdom, Ptolemy I Soter, 294 B.C., Tetradrachm Obv:– Diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis Rev:– ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, monogram left Minted in Alexandria, B.C. 294 Reference:– Svoronos 236, SNG Cop 75 14.379g, 29.9mm, 0o The following notes were provided by the dealer in their catalog description. "Struck on a briefly used standard of 21-attic obols. Broad flan. Overstruck over an Alexander tetradrachm, which had a banker's mark. Undertype visible at 4:00 on obverse. Minor chip. Rare overstrike!" The coin has the signature of the Delta artist behind the ear (between the ear and the first curl near the neck). I was not aware of this wonderful detail and it wasn't mentioned by Forum in their description either. This artist was a master craftsman and was responsible for some coins of high artistry at Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy I (possibly into the early reign of Ptolemy II) and produced from quite early in the reign, including one of the iconic elephant's skin headdress tetradrachm.
LOL, My VERY VERY first thought, and Martin slams home with it! Gorgeous piece!!! Mine: Ptolemy I Soter signed by the Designer / Artist with a Delta behind his ear (curl of his hair). 305-285 BCE AR Tetradrachm OBV: Ptolemy I facing r, Delta behind ear, bankers marks REV: Standing Eagle l, bankers marks. 23.6mm x 4.5mm (thick) 13.8g Ex: Forum Comments: After Alexander's death, Ptolemy took a small army of approx 2500 men and went to take Ægypt. He was also smart enough to grab the Ægyptian treasury and idols that the Persians had taken to Babylon when they conquered Ægypt. Upon his arrival in Ægypt, he was loved and revered as he brought their stolen heritage (and money!) back to them. Ptolemy was also shrewd enough to "hi-jack" Alexander's funeral procession, and diverted his body in the honey-filled sarcophagus to Memphis in Ægypt. This further validated Ptolemy's Rule over Ægypt and helped earn him the title Ptolemy I Soter (Savior). I am updating the Pic because @Bing always complains he cannot see it...
According to David Sear my coin and its brother with a different reverse legend are the only known examples of an engraver's signature on a Roman Republican coin. (You cannot see it on my coin but it is a small 'p' behind the ear.
Here's a a recent pickup from the workshop of Kleudoros. You can see his monogram ">E" on the reverse. Unfortunately I could not find much information about this celator, but you can pick up examples like this without breaking the bank. He engraved another series with an attractive front facing Athena, but you need $5K+ for a nice example. Lucania, Velia. 334-300 BC. AR Nomos SNG.ANS.1314
Here's an example of a Katane tetradrachm signed by Euainetos. His name (EYAIN) is written on the obverse (quadriga side, not the Arethusa side) on a small banner held by the flying Nike: On the whole, signed dies are have a tendency to be more expensive but are not necessarily guaranteed to always be more artistic. The artist chose what to sign and what not to sign based on their personal preferences but, as many art critics will say, the artist only provides one opinion on the work they produce. As an example, I vastly prefer the style of an unsigned coin I recently purchased, a Kimon dekadrachm. This coin is an atypically complete example which allows it to illustrate all of the intended design details: Comparing my coin to a signed example of Kimon, I find the signed example to be less aesthetically pleasing. This isn't to say it's not without merit but it just indicates that the presence of a signature doesn't necessarily mean a particular coin is the finest and most aesthetic creation from a particular engraver.
Coin Books signed by the author? First edition ... yah, that's all I got (I wish I had some signed coins)
"(I wish I had some signed coins)" --- You DO! All those Certificates of Authenticity as signed by David Sear!!! THAT is a great signature for a coin!
Wow, you're right => I have "56" David Sear certificates ... @ $50 a pop that's a hefty chunk o' change, eh? (plus, they're so cool themselves!!) ... gawd, I love collecting ancient coins!! (man, it's stupid how cool they are!!)
Signed on both sides: Syracuse, Sicily, Second Democracy, AR tetradrachm, c 413-405 BC, 24 mm, 17.25 g, 11h. Obverse die signed by Eumenes, reverse die signed by Eu– (Eumenes or Eukleidas). OBV: Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in both hands, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in both hands; EV below; two dolphins confronted in exergue / REV: Diademed head of Arethusa left, wearing hoop earring and pearl necklace; ΣVPAKOΣIOИ above, EV below, four dolphins around. Tudeer 27 (dies 10/18); SNG ANS 260; SNG Lockett 962; Hunterian 42; de Luynes 1174; Rizzo pl. XLII, 14; Ward 277 (all from the same dies), Dewing 842; HGC 2, 1328 (Scarce). Purchased 7 January 2014, Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Triton XVII, Lot 67. Ex: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH, Auction 182, 14 March 2011, lot 118. Ex: Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 380, 3 November 2004, Lot 245. Ex: Auctiones A.G., Auction 24, 23 June 1994, lot 83.
