I was pleased to get a sharp Boetia hemidrachm for a reasonable price, with a kantharos on the reverse. Before getting into coins I already had a passion for Greek vases, so it's nice to have one on a coin. It also gives me an excuse to post a fantastic new book that accompanies an exhibition on one of the great vase painters. I hope this isn't too off-topic, but vase shows are rare events and this one looks fantastic. Snow is in Princeton so I'll have to make do with the catalog, which is a 400+ page beautifully produced study including full catalog. Hope I'm not too off-topic, but I had to share this. Please share any other vase coins! Oh, and apologies for the cat ... but this IS the internet ...
In some circles, showing only one side of a coin borders on impolite. Who knows, we may have a shield fan out there. Taras, AR obol kantharos 4/3century BC Thebes AR stater 4th century amphora
A coin collector named Pat Lawrence once mentioned the Berlin Painter in a PM we had once. I was looking at a minor Apulian vase and once I saw the works of the Berlin Painter, it made me realize that what I wanted was way out of my league. I am very familiar with the artisan. Spectacular works outside the $$ range of mere mortals. And yes, vases tell incredible stories, but people stroll past them with barely a glance in most museums. Glad to see they put out a catalog. http://artmuseum.princeton.edu/art/exhibitions/1656
There really aren't that many good books on vase painting. Some good general surveys, and the complete corpus that's being published, but not a lot in between. This one is hugely exciting for me! Always amazing how much they're neglected.
Still need a Stater like Doug's. A lot I purchased a few years back. Antiochus VI Mint: Apamea 144 BC AE 20 Obvs: Head of Antiochus right radiate within dotted border. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY, Cantharus. Palm right, control to left. 20mm, 7.6g
@Nerva , great coin! Don't have one! You have inspired me, even though I do not focus on the wily Greeks (shiftless ne'er-do-wells, according to Republican Rome...) How about an urn device? RR L Papius serratus 79 BCE Juno Sospita goat skin JUG Griffon Sear 311 Craw 384-1
Wow, Nerva => congrats on the sweet OP-Kantharos Yah, I love these coin-types as well (they're simple & yummy) Ummm, I have a few Boetia examples ... wanna see 'em? Oh, and may I please add-in another of my favourite Kantharos examples? Ionia, Teos, AR Hemidrachm ... man, I love that coin Nerva, congrats again on your fantastic new OP-addition (it's a total winner)
Sweet coins everyone! A Boetia coin is high on my want list. @Nerva thanks for the book suggestion I'll be checking that out. On a somewhat related note, how does one pronounce Boetia?
Thanks. The majority of the examples of this type I've seen have a fair bit of circulation wear and, like mine, have had most of the krater decoration worn away. Still, a coin I like very much .
Macedon, Mende, AR Hemiobol Sicily, Selinos, AE Cast Onkia Thessaly, Lamia Amphora, AR Hemidrachm Calabria, Tarentum, AR Obol Ionia Smyrna, AE Chalkous ... I found a few more examples (I was jealous of Z-Bro's Lamia winner)
