Aeolis, Temnus, AE10, 4th-3rd Centuries BC. Obverse: Bearded, laureate head of Dionysos left. Reverse: TA to left and right of bunch of grapes on vine with leaves. References: SNG Cop 246, Plant 1850, BMC 1, Winterthur 2851. Dionysos (or Dionysus) was the Greek god of the grape harvest, wine, and festivities... oh, and one resource says he was the god of ecstasy, as well. It is also mentioned that he was a god of duality, where on one side he is lavish and brings joy, and on the other he brings blinding rage (representing the dual nature of wine). It is said that he was dismembered by the Titans and subsequently came back to life, mimicking the annual care of grapes with their vines being pruned after fruiting, go dormant during the winter, then springing back to life and bearing fruit the following year. The festival of Dionysos was celebrated during the spring when the vines would begin to bear fruit. Temnus was a small greek city-state in Aeolis. The little town was near the Hermus River, which is shown on its coins. Situated at elevation, it commanded the territories of Cyme (Kyme), Phocaea, and Smyrna. Under Augustus it was already on the decline; under Tiberius it was destroyed by an earthquake; and in the time of Pliny it was no longer inhabited. It was, however, rebuilt later.
I love little Greek bronzes. They pack so much bang for your buck. Yours is a really nice one too, especially the reverse.
I agree! Previously most of my Greek bronzes have been medium sized at 15-17mm. I'm really digging these! Thanks! Here's some more gluttonous "flashy" photos... That patina looks extra green in those too!
Cool little Greek AE! I've got this rough coin from the Cyclades Islands that has some double grape action. Fun fact: If you Google "double grape" and hit images, you'll see lots of plants, the vast majority of which are not grapes. Obverse counter mark and reverse lower left, barely visible...a bit better in hand. Also a double god score! Greek Cyclades, Siphnos, 3rd century BC O: Head of the youthful Apollo Karneios with ram's horn, grapes counterpunch. R: Poseidon,trident in his left hand holding , dolphin on the right, grapes lower left. SNG Cop. 785, 4.8 g, 19 mm.
