Featured Hieron II imitating Ptolemy II, how flattering!

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Justin Lee, Mar 20, 2019.

  1. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    I ordered this coin continuing to fill out more of my Sicilian Greek coinage sub-collection that I've recently found a spark of interest in. So, as you might have assumed, I bought this initially with the belief that it was from Sicily and was listed as such struck by Hieron II.

    I received it yesterday and started to do more researching on ACSearch and found similar coins... but to my confusion, they were listed as Ptolemy II, and... well, I guess it had that common type with Zeus and and eagle, but it had more of a similar Greek-style Zeus to the Mamertine coin I recently shared. I decided to go to CNG to research a bit more there, and came across this listing describing that this type has recently become to be thought of as more probably being struck in Sicily by Hieron II imitating the Ptolemy type. So, as with any Ptolemy coin, I ventured to the Ptolemaic Bronze site to see if I can find out more from Wolf & Lorber. On their site, they had a section where my coin was discussed as being from Sicily imitating Ptolemy II and many styles/types of it shown. Additionally, on the home page they linked to an offprint article (The ‘Galatian Shield without "Σ" Series of Ptolemaic Bronze Coins) studying and presenting some very convincing evidence towards it being stuck by Hieron II. I'd recommend downloading the PDF and flipping through it.

    Here is my new coin:
    CollageMaker_20190320_195516773.jpg
    Syracuse, Sicily imitating Ptolemaic Issues of Ptolemy II Philadelphos in Alexandria, Minted under Hieron II, Ruled 270-215 BC
    AE Litra (Sicilian value), Uncertain mint in Sicily, Struck post-reform circa 264-263 BC
    Obverse
    : Laureate head of Zeus right (Sicilian Portrait Style B).
    Reverse: ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, with wings spread; oval shield to left, control mark A to lower right near eagle tail; all within solid circle border.
    References: Svoronos 615, Wolf & Lorber, ‘Western Greek’ Style, Subgroup 3, H69 (A42/P56)
    Size: 27mm, 18.3g

    Anyways, I learned a lot from this departure from the normal "finding it on ACSearch" and had some fun in the process.


    Also, I thought I'd share another Sicilian coin that was ordered and delivered with the above coin:
    CollageMaker_20190320_195744270.jpg
    Syracuse, Sicily
    Hieron II, Ruled 270-215 BC
    AE Hemilitron, Struck circa 275-269 BC
    Obverse
    : ΣYPAKOΣIΩN, wreathed head of Kore left; poppy-head behind.
    Reverse: Bull butting left; above, club above Δ; IE in exergue.
    References: CNS II 192, HGC 2 1469
    Size: 19mm, 5.2g


    I'd love to see your Sicilian coins, Ptolemaic coins,
    or anything you think is relevant.
     
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  3. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    That's an interesting coin! He even kept Ptolemy's name on it. My Hieron II!

    [​IMG]

    Hieron II, Syracuse, 275-215 BC


    O: Poseidon, R: Trident between dolphins, ΙΕΡΩ−ΝΟΣ below, 20 mm, 6.6g, Calciati-197
     
  4. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

    Sicilian: Timoleon and Third Democracy, Æ Hemilitron

    18 mm, 4.76 g; Syracuse, 336 – 317 BC
    Ref.: SNG München 1175-1176;
    Obv.: (ΣYPAKOΣI)ΩN Laureate head of Apollo left, behind head wreath, border of dots. Below chin A
    Rev.: Pegasus flying left. YE monogram

    The prevalence of the Pegasus as a Syracuse type is of course due to the influence of Corinth.

    upload_2019-3-20_23-2-23.png upload_2019-3-20_23-2-42.png
     
  5. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    Interesting coin Justin, here's the Ptomely II coin and 2 bulls:

    P1210973.JPG
    P1180973.JPG
    P1180973b.jpg
     
  6. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    I thought it was interesting too!

    I really like your Hieron II! That type is probably going to be my next purchase. Your's has two really nice dies! A few that I have saved have either one nice side or the other, few appear to have both (in my price range).
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2019
  7. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    Really nice Pegasus! And that portrait is really nice too!

    Thank you for sharing the contrasting Ptolemy II with the 'Σ' above the shield and control mark between the eagle's legs.

    And really nice bulls too!
     
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  8. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    imitation...the most sincerest form of flattery :)
     
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  9. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    SYRACUSE BULLS - Left and Right

    upload_2019-3-21_16-0-1.jpeg

    Sicily Syracuse Hieron II 275-269 BC AE 22 Persephone Bull LEFT


    upload_2019-3-21_15-59-1.jpeg
    Sicily Syracuse Hieron II 275-269 BC AE 15 Persephone Bull RIGHT Rare


    HIERON II - common trident version

    upload_2019-3-21_16-2-26.jpeg
    Sicily Syracuse Hieron II 275-215 BCE AE20 Poseidon Trident Dolphin


    MAMARTINI - Eagle / Zeus

    upload_2019-3-21_16-6-27.jpeg

    Sicily Mamertini 288-278 BCE AE Pentonkion Mars-Eagle Mercenary Samnites Messana
     
  10. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Here is a little Ptol II Zeus Eagle

    upload_2019-3-21_16-10-24.jpeg
    Egypt Ptolemy II 285-274 BC AE 17mm (probly <3g) Zeus - Eagle Cornuc SV 762
     
  11. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    I just picked this one up for a steal.
    CollageMaker_20190326_214347170.jpg
     
  12. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

  13. jb_depew

    jb_depew Well-Known Member

    Interesting coin, OP! Here are a few of my bronze coins from Sicily:
    [​IMG]
    Sicily. Syracuse. Hieron II Æ Hemilitron; 275-215 BC

    [​IMG]
    Sicily. Himera Æ Hemilitron; 415-409 BC

    [​IMG]
    Sicily, Kamarina Æ Tetras; 420-405 BC

    [​IMG]
    Sicily, Syracuse Dyonysios I Æ Litra; 390-375 BC
     
  14. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

    Hieron with shorter hair and a nice beard ;)
    21 mm, 9.04 g;
    Syracuse, ca. 240 - 215 BC
    Ref.:: Calciati II 194-198; Sear 1223;
    Ob.: head of Poseidon to left
    Rev.: Ornamented trident-head between two dolphins; (IE)Ρ(Ω)NO(Σ)

    upload_2019-3-26_22-41-33.png upload_2019-3-26_22-41-43.png
     
  15. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Artist & Historian Supporter

    Excellent post, Justin! Not a Sicilian raging bull—butt—a Seleucid raging bull.

    Raging_Bull.jpg
     
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  16. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Great coin Justin, excellent Zeus. 356.jpeg
    Sicily Syracuse Hieron II 275-269 BC AE 20 6.45 gms Head of Kore, Bull butting left club and m, ie below SNG ANS 580.
     
  17. arizonarobin

    arizonarobin Well-Known Member

    Great post! I have a few of these I need to look at that have been a bit neglected- these links will be very helpful.
    Here are two of my Sicilian Coins:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  18. kaparthy

    kaparthy Well-Known Member

    Syakusos Litra c. 474-443 BCE during time of tyranny.
    Artemis/Arethusa head right. SYRA before. 0.89 grams.
    Cuttlefish. Alfoeldi 136 ("obol"). Sear GCV 929.Boehringer 467. Syrakusos Litra Obverse.jpg Syrakusos Litra Reverse.jpg

    Ptolemy Obverse.jpg Ptolemy Reverse.jpg
    Ptolemy II AR tetradrachma 285-246 BCE
    PTOLEMAIOY SOTHPOS (soteros)
    13.50 grams. Tyre mint. Monogram T (over) Y (over) P
    Lambda Beta = Year 32 = 254 BCE.
    Club of Herakles. Monogram X. Monogram M
    SNG Cambridge 1196.
    Sear GCV 7773
     
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