Yesterday, the postman brought the last package of coins I was waiting for, a little box of goodies comprising my wins from five past CNG auctions. As these 14 coins are going to have to keep me happy until my first 2017 score, I'm going to savour them slowly . These are the three I managed to process pictures of today. First up is probably my favorite of the bunch, the latest addition to my small stable of Colts, and one from a city I didn't have. It really is super-pleasing in hand. AKARNANIA, Thyrrheion Circa 360-320 BC AR Stater. 8.45g, 18mm. Pegasi 1; BCD Akarnania 373.1 (this coin); HGC 4, 917. O: Pegasos left, jumping off an uneven ground line; T below. R: Helmeted head of Athena right. Ex Estate of Thomas Bentley Cederlind; Ex BCD Collection (Münzen & Medaillen GMBH 23, 18 October 2007), lot 373.1; Ex Münzenhandlung FR Künker, Osnabrück 14 (1989), lot 5705 This next one was part of a small but delightful lot of Thessalian fractions, all ex BCD. It's in slightly rough shape, but still really quite nice, and complements it's big brother which joined my collection earlier in the year (still one of my favorites). THESSALY, Oitaioi Circa 360-344 BC AR Obol. Herakleia Trachinia mint. HGC 4, 130; BCD Thessaly II 490; SNG Cop 177. O: Lion's head left, with spear in its jaws. R: OITA, quiver with loose straps. Ex BCD Collection And bringing up the rear (...cough) is this Julia Domna denarius with a reverse type I really wanted but an obverse portrait that won me over. It's a modest coin, but it has its charms . JULIA DOMNA AR Denarius. 2.84g, 17mm. Rome mint, circa AD 193-196. RIC IV 536. O: IVLIA DOMNA AVG, draped bust right. R: VENERI VICTR, Venus standing right, seen from behind, resting elbow on column and holding palm frond and apple. Ex Estate of Thomas Bentley Cederlind
That ID is wonderful. A similar denarius sold on cng a few weeks back for a lot of US talers, way above my bid. I also have an Oitaioi big brother; I find the lion's semi-profile with arrow in mouth creative and well executed
All are winners! At first glance I was not fond of the Pegasus and wondered about the style but then noted the theta (not T) for Thyrrheion in place of the usual qoppa for Corinth and that explains everything. Cool coin! The Domna has a very nice face. These come in many styles from beautiful to decidedly third rate. You still need one with and exceptional (...cough) reverse. Getting an exceptional one on both sides at once may take some looking. There are many worse than yours to be sure. Sometimes Venus is a bit emaciated; sometimes not.
Three amazing beauties, Z-Bro ... congrats on going-out with a fricken bang!! They're all nice ... but I have a soft-spot for lion-coins, so I love your cool obol (yummy, yummy) I have a sweet example as well ... not exactly the same, but close enough to post in your neat thread ... I hope you like it Cheers, coin-bro
All winners to be sure, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the obol, since it's the least common. We're not exactly posting coins of Oitaioi around here all day! Edit: well, maybe Steve is.
As always, thanks for the kind coinpliments, folks . This one of yours made me want my own. Thanks for consistently leading the way to cool numismatic pathways, my excellent coinbro!
Thanks! I did overlook replacing the misused T for theta that was in my text file . I agree about having to look out for a Domna Venus with a better reverse.... so I guess the type is still on the want list. I had spoke to you about the apparently missing drapery end. On closer inspection, even though I still can't be sure, it does look like there is a column of weakness in detail from the top of the palm frond, clipping the end of Venus's elbow, and possibly obliterating a left drapery end.
