Hello, Just got this one delivered. (really like the style, portrait and size of the coin). I think Doug Smith, recently posted one like this (was actually an inspiration for my purchase decision. Please post yours. CARIAN ISLANDS. Rhodes. Pseudo-autonomous issues. Early-mid 1st century AD. AE drachm (38mm, 27.10 gm, 1h) Ierocleus, magistrate. Radiate head of Dionysus left, wearing ivy wreath / ΡΟΔΙΩΝ, Nike advancing left on plinth, wreath upward in right hand, palm in left; EΠI / IEPO-KΛE across fields. Ashton, Early 117. RPC I 2760
I really like that one, too. Of course I seem to like all those Rhodes bronzes. I have shown both of mine recently but those who don't want to see them again can look away. There are a lot of variations not only in magistrate names but in the layout. My AE36 has the city name right of Nike and magistrate around. Svarog's has the city in exergue and magistrate left of Nike. Of course we also differ in the matter of right and left devices. I do not have the book to catalog these. Less impressive because of its smaller AE27 size but nice for the rose reverse (Rhodes was named for the rose). The obverse head is attributed to Helios, subject of the Colossus of Rhodes. Note the Dionysos heads have leaves in the crown that are missing from Helios'. I understand that this smaller coin is assigned to the six months in 88BC when Mithradates VI occupied Rhodes. I do not know the details or basis for this attribution. There is a lot to study regarding our coins, if we choose, or we can just say 'cool coin'. Does Helios here have features of Mithradates? There are later coins of Rhodes that have the face of Nero. I'd specialize in these if they were cheaper or if I were wealthy. As it is, I feel lucky to have two coins I consider quite interesting. Again, Svarog, I really like your new coin but dough is for making bread. I am Doug.
Thanks @TIF - I always admired your research skills and ability to jump straight to the point - actually it was one of the reasons I bought it, I checked coin archives and didn't see one that had a better strike.
Curious: What did the NGC label read for strike? It could not be 5/5 due to the head of Nike but you are right that it is a good looking coin 'for these'. Looking over the sales records, I see no consistency between strike and price of these. I believe strike and surfaces make all the difference. Striking these large bronzes was pushing the limits of the mint, it seems. The one below went for $130 on a $200 estimate. When a cheapskate like me sees a coin I would have paid more for, it is unusual to say the least. https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=341130
Slab says 4/5, not sure about the price, i really liked the obverse of the coin, and couldn't find any better than this one
