I promised my CoinTalk Ancients Forum friends a Herod a day... ...from the splendid collection that I was Blessed to acquire with the help and kindness of my friend and ancients dealer on VCoins. This one has some similarity to my Seleucid Ascalon coin that I posted last year so I'm going to post both of them for comparison. Actually the only similarity between the two is the ornate ship's stern ornament known as an aphlaston. Anyway here's the latest first followed by my Ascalon which was last year's acquisition.
Nice coin, and (as always) lovely presentation, DR! Coin issuers in the Levant seemed to include the decoration on many coins. Mine won't win any awards for size but it might be in the running for beauty PHOENICIA, Tyre. Julia Maesa CE 218-224/5 AE 27, 12.71g (11h) Obv: IVLIA MAE - SA AV[G] Draped bust right, wearing stephane Rev: TVRIORVM Dido (?) standing left on deck of galley sailing right, extending right hand and holding cornucopia in left; to left, helmsman bending left over rudder (?); to right, sailor extending right hand and holding curved staff in left; stern decorated with a shield and aphlaston, [two murex shells] in exergue Ref: CNG e320, 12 Feb. 2014, lot 323 (same dies). Rouvier 2408
If Tif's wins for beauty, mine should win ugliest Alexander I Balas Mint: Ascalon Year 164, 149/148 BC Obvs: Head of Alexander right. Revs: BACIA on left, AΔEΞ on right, Asphlaston between. Mintmark ACK outter right, year ΔΞP outter left. 12x13mm, 1.31g Ref: SC 1849(1)
Woah, dude! You've got some awesome new coins, Deacon Ray! I'm very proud and I'm sure David Hendin would be very proud too! Erin
I was just reminded that I have this sweet ex X6 Caracalla denarius with a galley that sports a cool aphlaston . The galley on this Sextus Pompey has an aphlaston that is really classic too.
