I was able to pick this coin up for chump change a few weeks back. Nero appears much less overweight and in fact doesn't even look like Nero on this coin. But that is not the reason I bought the coin, besides the fact that it was really quite cheap. The reverse intrigued me and still does. It's a double ax, and for the more humorous of our little clan, you will get a kick out of it's name: "bipennis". I haven't been able to find out much about the coin or the significance of the bipennis (mainly cause I've been so darn busy). Any info would help me greatly. It is also a dickens to photograph. NERO AE 17 OBVERSE: NERWN KLAYDIOS KAISAR GER, draped bust right REVERSE: QYAT-EIRH/NW-N, bipennis (double axe) Struck at Thyateira, Lydia, 55AD 2.97g, 17mm RPC 2381; SNG von Aulock 3216; BMC 58; SNG Copenhagen 595; SNG Munich 612; Weber 6931; Mionnet VII 596; Lindgren I 834 I almost hate to say this, but please post your bipennis' or other related coins (I couldn't help myself)
That's ano interesting coin for sure bing. I have no bipennis to show off but I will be interested to see if anybody else does and can share some info on it.
I only have one Nero, but several wives, and other relations... But no bipennis condition... RI Nero AR Tetradrachm 54-68 CE Eagle
I have one of these Thyateira bipennis coins as well, and a real bidickens it was to photograph too. In fact, I'll just use the seller's photographs for now.
The ONLY bipennis (double head axe) would be a partial that I have: ITALIA Aes Formatum AE Bronze Ax Head ca 5th-4th C BCE sextans size 44.8mm 56g
@Bing I have one of these that I have never photographed, neat type from an interesting town, I'll have to shoot it and post it here.
sharks have a double penis! you can google it if you want to see pics. oh...bipennis ... i'll post my only nero instead!
Nice coin @Bing!! Thyateira has some interesting types. Lydia, Thyateira. Pseudo-autonomus AE23 Artemis Boreitene Lydia, Thyateira. Pseudo-autonomus AE23. ΒΟΡEΙ − ΤΗΝΗ, Draped bust of Artemis Boreitene left with bow and quiver / ΘΥΑΤEΙΡΗΝΩΝ, Eagle with spread wings standing facing. Lydia, Thyateira. Pseudo-autonomous AE 21. Apollo Tyrimnos Antonine period. AE21 (5.52g). ΙЄΡΑ CΥΝΚΛΗΤΟC, female bust of Senate / TYPIMNOC, Apollo Tyrimnos with chlamys and double axe. SNG von Aulock -; BMC 15. And a Nero: Phrygia, Prymnessus. Nero. Æ 20mm. Ti. Julius Proclus, magistrate. Obv: Laureate head right; NEPO NA KAISAP A - PRYMNHSSHS. Rev: Dikaiosyne standing left, holding scales and grain ears; TI IOYLIOY PPKLOY in legend. RPC I 3207; von Aulock, Phrygiens 1031. Ti. Julius Proclus, magistrate.
Wow, Big-bro => I'm lovin' your new OP-Nero ... Ummm, I've never complimented another dude's bipennis, but in this particular case I am very impressed!!
Very interesting bust and reverse @Bing Never seen that sort of "thing" on an ancient. The only coins of this type that I know of are the ones struck by the "Etat français" under german domination during WWII In french, the bipennis is called francisque (might find some information under this denomination maybe) Good score anyway Q
Its very rare, but some human males do too! (only heard about it, I swear!). No bipennis coins here, Nero, or Thyateira, unfortunately.
Not Nero Lydia, Thyatira Coin: Bronze None - Laureate head of Apollo QYATEI-RHNWN - Double headed axe (bipennis) Mint: Thyatira (After 200 BC) Wt./Size/Axis: 3.62g / 15mm / - References: Walcher 2714 BMC 4-7 SNG von Aulock 3199 Weber 6921-6922 Imhoof LS 7
Maybe its got to do with the axe. I supose a person could make a single into a bi or tri or even a quad. My only Nero, it was cheap.
