Sev-Alex => wow, I love your Thurium bull example (wish-list, updated) ... the fish in exergue is added bonus-points
Ex RBW, NAC 63, lot 272. Not my coin, but at two barley-grains and two wheat-ears (which the Brits quixotically insist on calling corn!), surely a record representation of grain on a single coin.* *The authenticity of this variety, now known in three examples, has been frequently doubted. Crawford ignored it. I spent a fair amount of time examining this coin; all I can say, if it's a fake, it's a very convincing one. No one would really question either of these sides, paired with a normal reverse.
Thanks Girls, I forgot I had another grain example ... Oh, and I may as well toss-in my sweet Gordie-III as well, eh? Cheers
Whoa ... and how could I have forgotten this grain winner? Thessaly, Thessalian League, AR Obol 470-460 BC Horse head & Wheat Grain (incuse square) ... it's kinda like I had grain-freeze
I have a few GRAINS: Carthage - Libyan Revolt Sardinia mint 241-238 BCE AE Shekel 9.63g, 24mm Obv: Head of Tanit left Rev: Three grain ears, two Punic letters between (Punic M & G?), downturn crescent with pellet above Ref: SNG Cop 248 (Africa) Comment: After Carthage's defeat in the First Punic War, its allies rebelled. This issue was struck by the rebels. Uncertain mint in Sardinia Campania, Capua Bronze circa 216-211, Æ 14.5mm., 2.35g. Obv: Diademed and veiled bust of Hera r., lotus-tipped sceptre over shoulder. Rev: KAPV in oscan character Grain ear; in r. field, tripod-like object. Ref: SNG France 517. SNG ANS 219. Historia Numorum Italy 500 VERY SCARCE Comment: Hannibal promised to make Capua the capital of Italia, after he razed Rome. Obviously, Rome WON, and confiscated, recalled, and destroyed all the Capuan coinage it could get to destroy Hannibal's memory.
Sprout, little grain, sprout! THESSALY, Skotussa AR Hemidrachm. 3.0g, 19mm. THESSALY, Skotussa, circa 465-460 BC. BCD II 731 (same dies); SNG Cop 251. O: Forepart of horse to right. R: ΣK - O , Germinating barley grain; all within incuse square.
This is my favorite use of barley on a Roman Republican coin. The reverse has an ionic column; on either side, a togate figure and an ear of barley set on forepart of lion. Why would anyone want to display a barley ear on a lion?