I am wondering if anyone with access to the SNG Volume on Mysia or other similarly useful references can speak to any known variant of this little coin from Pitane, Mysia depicting a Pi(Π) below Zeus Ammon? Mysia, Pitane / AE, 12mm, 1.1gm / 400-300 BC Obv: head of Zeus Ammon right Π below Rev: Pentagram Typically the lettering ΠΙΤΑ is found on the reverse of these coins surrounding the Pentagram and I am not familiar enough with variants of this coin to know if I'm imagining a Π below Zeus Ammon or if it's a known thing?
I see a Π on your coin, too! By chance I currently have the SNG Copenhagen Mysia volume lying on my desk and just looked it up. SNG Cop. has six coins of the type (530–535). None has a Π on the obverse, and they mostly just differ in size and style. 532 supposedly also has a small serpent on the reverse, but I can't see it on the images. 533 has a larger than usual pellet in the middle of the pentagram: I remember doing some reading on this type about three years ago when I bought mine (of which I definitely need to take new pictures). There appear to be a number of different varieties. As far as I know, there isn't any catalogue or systematic study of them yet. But maybe I also didn't search hard enough back then? Mysia, Pitane, AE11, 4th–3rd c. BC. Obv: Horned head of Zeus Ammon r. Rev: Pentagram, pellet in center, [Π]–I. 11mm, 1.26g. Ref: BMC 2–3; SNG Copenhagen 530–535 var (reverse letters).
Thank you so much for sharing the SNG panels. Very odd indeed and I can't wait to see if future information/research on these types sheds some light on this little mystery. Something I'll just have to have at-the-ready to ask fellow collectors of ancients I suppose. These little coins are some of the most intriguing and I can't help but want to know more about the people of Pitane. Curiously did you research reveal much about their lifestyle and culture?
My pleasure! I didn't do much reading on the history of Pitane specifically, but when it comes to the more general topic of ancient Greek culture in Asia Minor, I can strongly recommend this very readable and reliable book:
Purchased - can't wait to check that out. Also I'm finding a few references to the greek god of Health and Medicine - Aesculapius - as historians are discussing research on the role of the pentragram on coins from Pitane.
Thanks for that book recommendation! It looks great. I have a Pitane bronze and like it very much: MYSIA, Pitane AE, 4th-3rd c. BCE 9 mm, 0.64 gm Obv: Head of Zeus Ammon right Rev: ΠΙΤΑ; Pentagram, branch in center Ref: BMC 5-10 var. (pellet in center)
I have two coins from Pitane. The first does not have a pi, and the second, smaller denomination, does. I've never noticed it! 16mm, 3.7g, no pi: 10mm, .91g, has a pi character. Excuse the poor quality photo. Closeup:
I'm having a bit of trouble seeing the Pi in your closeup. Would you mind taking a clearer shot or digitally tracing out the symbol?
Definitely see it now. The mystery continues! These coins seem to be common-enough that numismatists surely have noticed this variation.
I don't know if you are aware that your coin was sold 2014 as part of the live auction 9 of Naville Numismatics. https://www.sixbid-coin-archive.com/#/de/single/l30166037 In the Naville picture you can see that it is not only Π but probably ΠI The reference given by Naville (BMC 5) does not mention Π or ΠI.
Wow, that's amazing sleuthing and I think you are correct. Thank you. And yet it's obvious to me in the Obverse under Zeus. So surprised it isn't listed in the attribution.
I included the Naville image that you linked to my attribution since it offers a much clearer picture of the ΠI. Thanks again.