Finally Got A Snake Coin, and Its Silver Too

I've been eyeing these strange coins for awhile now and have been searching for one thats pretty well centered. Well, it came in the batch from where I got my hippo from. It may not have the prettiest toning but it was centered enough for me.



Pergamon, Mysia
Cistphoric Tetradrachm
123-104 B.C.
AR25.5 / 12.5g
o: Cista mystica with half-open lid, from which a snake emerges, all within wreath of ivy with berries
r: bow-case holding strung bow and ornamented with an apluster, flanked on each side by a snake with head erect, ΠA monogram above between heads of snakes, Pergamon monogram to left, snake entwined thyrsos to right
SNG Cop 424

of course feel free to share your thoughts or anything related.

 

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Wonderful coin. Congrats on a very nice acquisition.

 

That's a wonderful example! So often these have weak and/or off-center strikes. Yours is deeply struck and comparatively well centered! The wreath is particularly well-styled.

At this time I have only one from an blindly purchased mixed lot. I've grown to like it but wouldn't mind an upgrade someday


MYSIA, Pergamon
76 BCE
12.4 gm
Obv: cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath
Rev: bow-case with serpents; snake-entwined staff to the right; monogram left; AΠ above; monogram & star above
Ref: Kleiner, Pergamum 25; Pinder 122

 

This coin was from a large mixed lot (very mixed-- a wide swathe of ancient numismatics). It was in an old manilla coin envelope. Based on a few similar envelopes and writing, some with what were likely dates of acquisition, the coin was probably in the envelope for 40-50 years. It does have some nice deep iridescence. Too bad about the weak strike (and/or worn obverse die) and horn silver.

 

sssssssay.. nicccccccccccce koin! i've got a coin with a snake but that's about all i can say about that.

 

I've been after one of these for a while now, just haven't pulled the trigger. Nice coin @icerain

 

Yeah @TIF 's coin is really pretty with that toning. Really highlights the berries. It also seems that I got the obverse and reverse mixed in my photo. Now I got to go and fix it.

 

That's a lovely coin!

Here's a favorite of mine:


Antony and Octavia
AR cistophorus, 25.6 mm, 11.71 gm
Ephesus, 39 BCE
Obv: M ANTONINVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT, Jugate heads of Marcus Antonius and Octavia to right; he wears ivy wreath.
Rev: III VIR RPC, Cista mystica surmounted by figure of Bacchus, standing to left, holding cantharus and leaning on thyrsus; on either side, coiled serpent.
Refs: SNG Cop. 408; SNG von Aulock 6555; Franke KZR 472; RSC 3; Sydenham 1198; RPC 2202; Sear 1513; BMCRR East 135

 

I have had two very different from each other for years. Both came in 1989. I would not mind if the light one would speed up the toning.

 

Me too!


MYSIA, Pergamon. c. 166-67 BC.
AR Tetradrachm, 29mm 12.5, 12h; Cistophoric standard. Struck c. 104-98 BC.
Obv.: Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath.
Rev.: Bow case with serpents; above, KP above prytaneis monogram, civic monogram to left, serpent-entwined staff to right.

 

If the OP was from a mixed group lot, that was nicely scored! I've one that I've never taken photos of. I like it, but it's a fair bit uglier than any of the ones posted in this thread so far.

 

@icerain yours is very nice. The level of detail is super. Makes my snake look like he's entering a mystic sack instead of basket.

 

MARCUS ANTONIUS
Ionia Silver Cistophoric Tetradrachm
OBVERSE: M ANTONIVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT, head of Antony right, wreathed in ivy, lituus below, all within wreath of ivy and grapes
REVERSE: III VIR R P C, bust of Octavia right on cista flanked by snakes
Ephesus 39 BC
11.8gm, 26mm
RPC I 2201, Sydenham 1197, Sear 262

 

@icerain , that is a great coin! Nice detail and great centering... you can always live with the toning when the coin is great!


Mysia, Pergamum (Pergamon) 85-76 BC
Cista Mystica or Cistophoric Tetradrachm
AR Tetradrachm 12.46 x 26 mm
Obverse: Cista mystica with serpent; all within oak / ivy wreath
Reverse: bow-case with serpents, PRE monogram to left, KP / PRY monogram above, serpent-staff right.
Ref: Kleiner 36

 

My example from down the road in Ephesus

 

on the list!

yours is a pretty darn nice one IR...score!

 

1999 Turkmenistan...500 Manat... cue in the Indiana Jones music now...



I know it's not ancient, but I thought you all might like it.