New sexy lady added to collection - Well struck Gorgon

Gorgons are a common theme in coins and they come in all shapes and sizes... I wanted one in my collection, but I wanted one that smiled at me and I believe the following one actually does (or maybe she is mocking me)



Many of them are poorly struck or worn or off-center, but I think this one is ideal, perhaps not as scary as I would like, but kinda cute in her own way!



It is of course a hemidrachm from Mysia, Parion, struck between 350 and 300 BC. 13 mm - 2.36 gr.

I opened the package with gloves and washed my hands like 3 times... Also due to the current pestilence, this will probably be my last new coin for a while (hopefully not the last ever). Partly because deliveries will become tricky, mostly because I had to accept a temporary (hopefully) salary reduction in order to avoid redudancy.. It also happened to other people I know in all sorts of jobs.

 

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Great coin. I'd love to have one like that.

 

I love Gorgoneion coins. Yours is a very nice example.
While you wait for better numismatic times, I recommend reading up on some of the most deceptive fake coins out there, the Black Sea Hoard:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=112764.0

http://snible.org/coins/black_sea_hoard.html

 

What a face Lol

 

Cool Gorgon....I like this one:

 

You can see my coin at about 3:20 in the video...


Pontos, Amisos - 109 - 89 BC, King Mithradates VI. BMC 30, 19g, 30mm.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right
Reverse: Perseus facing, holding harpa and head of Medusa; Medusa’s body at his feet right; AMI-ΣOY across fields, AMTE and ΩΣ monograms below

 

That's a wonderful new acquisition. I had seen it on ma-shops and was seriously attracted to it, too, though eventually I decided to follow my medieval inclinations instead.

When I considered buying the coin, I searched for die matches to confirm its authenticity. Maybe you know this already, but a double die match to your coin was sold by Ira & Larry Goldberg in 2015, see here.

Below are some of my (more humble) Gorgons:


"Mysia, Parion" (probably Olbia), drachm, ca. 480 BC. Obv: Gorgoneion. Rev cross-shaped incusum. 12.2mm, 3.14g. Ref: BMC 4–8; Sear Greek 3917; SNG Copenhagen 256, SNG von Aulock 1318.


Thrace, Apollonia Pontika, AR drachm, 5th–4th century BC. Obv: Gorgoneion facing. Rev: upright anchor; crayfish to l., A to r. 13.5mm, 2.87g. Ref: Sear Greek 1655. Ex FSR, auction 106, lot 6.


Pontos, Amisos (Kingdom of Pontos under Mithridates VI Eupator), AE 21, ca. 105–85 BC. Obv: Gorgoneion in aegis. Rev: [A]MI-ΣΟ[Υ]; Nike advancing r. with palm branch; in fields, monograms. 21mm, 7.40g. Ref: SNG BM Black Sea 1177–1191. Ex Ken Dorney.

 

Foxy lady right there my friend. But I think she’s making eyes at m...

 

Great looking Thrace!

 

That’s a stellar example

 

..o' that's in great shape...i have a couple more worn with punch incluse reverses...

 

She is a great lady alright.. Considering the size of the coin the detail is marvelous.. I wonder how they struck such small coins (very carefully is probably the answer)

I was lucky to get it then... The link to it was sitting in my favourites folder for quite a bit. I actually went ahead with it cause I figured I should better get one more coin before the coronavirus thing gets really bad.

I had no idea... These are my dies alright...Both of them! What are the odds? That's not a rhetorical question, I would like to know! Looking at the estimate of that auction I think I did pretty well price-wise as my coin is in slightly better condition and slightly better struck.

 

My Gorgon Faces:

(This one has a distinct familiarity to @Ryro 's face, I believe...)
Oh, wait, he just loves Makedon shields, that's it...

MAKEDON Philip III Arrhidaios 323-317 BCE Æ 1-2 Unit 17mm 4.2g Miletos mint Makedonwn shield Gorgoneion - Helmet bipennis K Price 2064



Ionia Klazomenai 480-400 BC AR Drachm Pentobol 3.5g 13mm Forepart winged boar r gorgoneion incuse sq Cf SNG Copenhagen 12 Rare



SICILY Kamarina Æ Onkia 13mm 1.5g 420-405 BC-OLDEST Gorgon tongue - KAMA owl r lizard in claw pellet in ex SNG Münch 411

The Etrurian Metus, Goddess of Terror, similar to Medusa

Etruria Populonia 3rd C BCE AR 20 As 8.1g Metus Blank HN 152


Itty-Bitty Gorgon Face

Pontos Amisos Gorgon Aegis-Nike AE21

 

I can't tell you – that strongly depends on how many dies existed and on how many coins are known. Generally speaking, tough, finding die matches is not uncommon for Greek silver.

If you want to know more about your coin/pair of dies, you should probably ask @Ed Snible . He is an expert on these.

 

That’s a beauty, these are a fun type. Here’s mine from Parion.



Mysia, Parion, 4th century BC. Hemidrachm (13 mm, 2.46 g).
Facing gorgoneion/ Bull standing left, head turned to right. ΠA-PI