bidding on this coin and... ???

I agree. If you are looking for insects, besides the bee most will be mintmarks on things like Alexander and Corinthian pieces. Besides bee, most insects will not be the main design feature on a coin. Better than trying to afford an ape of course, (horribly rare and expensive).

 

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Since we're talking about bees, I'm going to buzz in with a few.

First is a very interesting bronze from Ephesus-- apparently a token of some sort rather than a coin for commerce. The theories about its use are interesting (see the original writeup).

IONIA, Ephesus. Anoynmous
c. CE 1st century
Æ tessera, 19mm, 5.14 g
Obv: CKωΠI, stage kneeling left, head right; E to left, Φ to right
Rev: KHPIΛICωΔEΠPOCΠAΛVPIN surrounding a bee
Ref: SNG Copenhagen 355; BMC 186; SNG von Aulock 1875
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-magical-tessera.277808/


A tiny bee as a control mark:

KINGS OF MACEDONIA, Philip III Arrhidaios
AR drachm, Sardes; struck c. 322-319/8 BCE
mounted in 14k pendant
Obv: head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress
Rev: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ; Zeus Aetophoros seated left; TI above bee
Ref: Price P97
Set in a 14k bezel (purchased that way-- I didn't do it although I happily and frequently wear the pendant)

Not a bee but a beehive:


THRACE, Deultum. Philip I "The Arab"
CE 244-249
AE16, 3.05 gm
Obv: PHILIPPVS IMP M I; laureate, draped, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield
Rev: C-F P-D in two lines across fields, beehive on a base
Ref: Varbanov 3041 corr. (rev. description; Varbanov describes the beehive as on a temple, similar to the known type of Philip II, but on this coin it appears to be a simple base or stand)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-honey-of-a-coin-philip-i-provincial-with-beehive.263409/

 

Hey @spirityoda the "dark side" is fun and you run into many collectors who have very different agendas, just like modern and American coins. To me, the condition o an ancient coin is somewhat secondary, which is apparent looking at my Alexander Tet and my Athena Owl. However I am happy with them. I would like a bee too, and a turtle. Just keep looking...to paraphrase Olivander "The coin will choose you".

 

Well, I can join too then with my 2 recently bought coins from Ephesos. My intention is to get a full denomination set, I think my next addition will be an obol or diobol.


Drachm from Ionia, Ephesos circa 500-420 BC.
Obverse: Bee, EΦ-[EΣI].
Reverse: quadripartite incuse square.
14mm; 3,20g

Tetartemorion from Ionia, Ephesos circa 500-420 BC.
Obverse: Bee
Reverse: Head of Eagle right, EΦ in square
6mm; 0,20g