I am fairly new to the Coin Talk universe, but I find it interesting and informative. Perhaps some of the members out there can help me find a coin. I have been giving my five grandchildren coins for their birthdays and at Christmas time for the past 10 years or so. They each get a US coin for their birthday and an ancient Greek or Roman coin for Christmas. This upcoming season they are getting coins with their favorite animals on them. I have hit a bit of a roadblock finding a rabbit/hare for one granddaughter. Messana and Rhegion are the obvious choices, but the larger coins are out of my price range of a $150 limit, and the ones within my price are too small and usually not in very good condition; you need at least to be able to recognize the rabbit. Can anyone suggest another issue that would fit my requirements? I am even open to provincial coins if there is one. Any help will be greatly appreciated. BobC
Some references describe the critter in left field on this series of drachmae as a rabbit or mouse. I think we've established it's a jerboa. Thanks @TIF You may be able to find one that is more "Rabbity." I think I paid $119 for it. Antigonos I Monophthalmos. As Strategos of Asia, 320-306/5 BC, or king, 306/5-301 BC. AR Drachm (16.5mm, 4.18 g, 8h). In the name and types of Alexander III. Lampsakos mint. Struck circa 310-301 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / AΛEΞAN∆POY Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; mouse in left field, ME monogram below throne. Price 1423; ADM II Series XIV There were hemidrachmae minted in Euboia with an eagle attacking/carrying a rabbit on the reverse with its talons; but that may be too gruesome depending on your grandchild's age/demeanor. The only roman series I can think of is the Hadrian travel series; with a rabbit at the foot of Hispania on the reverse. You can get lower end denarii examples for sub $150 - Michael
If you're willing to expand to modern coins, the Perth Mint does a Lunar Series. 2011 was the Year of the Rabbit so there are multiple choices for that year (some as low as $20-$35). The UK has also done some circulation coins with Peter Rabbit as the design over the past few years. And there are some others too if the ancient option doesn't materialize. Best of luck on the search!
I would suggest not ruling out a litra from Messana or Rhegion. They may be small, but they're obtainable within your price range with a nice rabbit. This one cost me $100 (and I was paying a bit extra for the rare variety). Welcome to CoinTalk!! I hope you'll stick around.
I agree with Sev about the Messana litras but it depends on the age of the children. They are tiny and fragile so it might not be suitable for young children. Here's my Messana litra... worn and thin, but inexpensive. It cost ~$75 a few years ago. SICILY, Messana 420-413 BC AR litra, 13 mm, 0.6 gm Obv: Hare springing right; shell below Rev: MEΣ within wreath Ref: Caltabiano 569; SNG ANS 349
Thanks for your responses. The Messana litra is one I have been looking at, but being about 13mm in diameter, it will have to be VG+ for the hare to been seen clearly. Those usually demand a premium over my price limit. Since my granddaughter raises rabbits, I don't think a coin with a rabbit in an eagle's claw would appeal to her. Again, small rabbits in the field ( not the pastoral kind ) would be pretty small. And I'm not considering modern coins. Any other coins with a wabbit?
There appears to be a rather scarce bronze from Terina in Bruttium with a hare on the reverse, but your chances of coming across one of those within your price range are considerably less than finding a Messana litra.
If a rabbit being eaten by eagle is totally out of the question, the Messana / Rhegion types are all I know. There are a few types with the lagobolon (specialized stick for rabbit killing) but the eagle would probably go over better with the younger set. Akragas AE tetras
