New Rhodes drachm-“Plinthophoric” coinage

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Shea19, Mar 29, 2020.

Tags:
  1. Shea19

    Shea19 Well-Known Member

    I recently added this little beauty from Rhodes from the last Leu auction. It’s a little outside my normal collecting area, but I’ve always loved the style of these, and I’ve wanted to add something from Rhodes ever since I visited there a few years ago.

    38786406-F91D-45E7-87E3-C4EB65067649.jpeg

    ISLANDS OFF CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 88-84 BC. AR Drachm (16 mm, 2.58 g), 'Plinthophoric' coinage, Maes, magistrate. Radiate head of Helios to right. Rev. ΜΑΗΣ / P - O Rose with bud to left; to right, headdress of Isis; all within incuse square. Jenkins, Rhodian, Group E, 246.

    This later style of coinage from Rhodes is known as “plinthophoric” coinage, and was used from the late 2nd Century B.C. through 84 B.C. The term comes from the Greek “plinthos,” meaning “brick” or “tile”, and refers to the reverse design, which is contained within an incuse square. It really is amazing how much detail they were able to fit in that little square.

    Like nearly all coins from Rhodes, the obverse shows Helios, the sun god and the patron deity of Rhodes. In this later style of coinage, unlike the earlier issues, Helios is shown in profile, instead of facing.

    I know many members here have some beautiful examples, so please post your coins from Rhodes!
     
    Ajax, Pavlos, Magnus Maximus and 19 others like this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Funny. I bid on a very similar coin last night. But alas, I didn't bid high enough. That's a nice example @Shea19
     
    Shea19 likes this.
  4. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    Thats a beauty Shea,
    Here's my tiny bronze from Rhodos:

    Rhodos best.jpg
     
    galba68, Pavlos, Shea19 and 7 others like this.
  5. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    I do have this example, but I would have loved one similar to yours. CARION ISLANDS RHODES.jpg
    CARION ISLANDS: RHODES
    Hemidrachm
    OBVERSE: Radiate head of Helios 3/4 facing
    REVERSE: Rose with magistrates name above, caduceous left all within uncuse square
    Struck at Rhodes 167-88 BC
    1.6g; 12mm
    Sear 5065v
     
    galba68, Pavlos, Andres2 and 9 others like this.
  6. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I'll offer five coins of Rhodes with the idea of hitting multiple price brackets but not the highest. Perhaps someone else has the gold???
    Earliest from me is a toned facing head AR hemidrachm (394-387 BC - 1.6g) At this point the reverse would be termed an incuse square but not 'Plinthophoric'.
    g71730bb1598.jpg
    This AR didrachm (304-164 BC - 6.6g) before the 'Plinthophoric' period has Helios 3/4 facing and a rose under the city name (ethnic).
    g71740b00451lg.JPG

    From the 'Plinthophoric' group is a hemidrachm (167-88 BC - 1.3g) is rather like Shea19's coin but has the 3/4 head and a different magistrate rendered in very small letters. There are many magistrates with similar names and I must warn that gamma and rho are hard to separate at this size unless you have high grade coins.
    g71750bb0159.jpg

    Next is an AE27 (167-88 BC - 15.58g) I have no idea how many of these equalled a hemidrachm.
    pz2723fd2105.jpg
    I would not show this last one since it is not a rose but it is my favorite of the city. This AE36 (nice hunk of bronze!) comes from the Roman period (31 BC-60 AD - 25.8g) and bears magistrate names as well as the ethnic on the reverse. The gently curved reverse die would have been better had the strike been more firm.
    pz2725fd2211tilt.jpg

    Want list: Does anyone have a bronze of Rhodes with the face of Nero? Several have sold but not to me...yet.
    https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=327723
     
  7. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Nice one Shea! Great rose on your new coin. Here is my Rhodes example.

    A Beauty from Rhodes
    6DB9C26D-8D17-4F3E-ADBC-529C1E346656.jpeg
    Islands off Caria
    Rhodes
    AR Hemidrachm, struck ca. 166-88 BC
    Dia.: 13.5 mm
    Wt.: 1.2 g
    Obv.: Head of Helios right
    Rev.: P-O to either side of rose, ϺΑΗΣ above, crown of Isis at lower right, all within incuse square
    Ref.: BMC XVIII 268-270 (Var. Hemidrachm)
     
    Pavlos, NewStyleKing, zumbly and 7 others like this.
  8. Shea19

    Shea19 Well-Known Member

    Great coins everyone, thanks for sharing.

    @dougsmit , Wow, what a great set. The didrachm is a stunner, and I especially like that big bronze...36mm?! I’ve never seen one of those from Rhodes, fantastic coin.

    @Bing and @Andres2 , those are some beautiful little ones, great detail.

    @Curtisimo , love the toning on your coin. I hadn’t seen your old post...what a great Saturnalia gift!
     
    Curtisimo likes this.
  9. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

    Please read this below. Can be found on Jstor

    Rhodian Bronze Coinage and the Siege of Mithradates VI Author(s): R.H.J. ASHTON Source: The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-), Vol. 161 (2001), pp. 53-66

    This is what I based my Headdress of Isis theory from on academia and support for Muller's dating of the province of Asia cistophoric coinage of Ephesos.
     
  10. eparch

    eparch Well-Known Member

    Two of mine :

    upload_2020-3-30_14-54-4.png
    Rhodos, Rhodes AR Plinthophoric Drachm. Circa 88-84 BC. Euphanes, magistrate.

    Radiate head of Helios right

    Rose with bud to right; crown of Isis to right, EYΦANHΣ above, P-O across fields; all within incuse square.



    upload_2020-3-30_14-54-59.png
    Rhodos. ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΣ (Nikephoros), magistrate circa 88-84 BC.
    Plinthophoric Drachm AR

    15 mm., 2,48 g.

    Radiate head of Helios right

    NIKHΦOPOΣ, rose with bud to right, hand holding grain ear to left; P-O across fields.
     
    galba68, Pavlos, Curtisimo and 4 others like this.
  11. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

  12. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

  13. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

  14. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    Nice coin! I won the same kind of coin in the same Leu auction, I think you will recognize it.

    [​IMG]
    ISLANDS OFF CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 88-84 BC.
    Drachm (Silver, 16 mm, 2.08 g, 11 h), 'Plinthophoric' coinage, Maes, magistrate. Radiate head of Helios to right. Rev. ΜΑΗΣ / P - O Rose with bud to left; to right, headdress of Isis; all within incuse square. HGC 6, 1461. Jenkins, Rhodian, Group E, 246. SNG Keckman 686.

    This is my other Plintophoric coin, from a much earlier period than our light-weighted "Mithridatic" issues.

    [​IMG]
    Rhodes. Plinthophoric Drachm (Circa 190-170 BC). Magistrate Onasandros.
    Obverse:
    Radiate head of Helios right.
    Reverse: ONAΣANΔPOΣ / P - O. Rose with bud to right. Control: Butterfly to left; all within incuse square.
    Reference: Jenkins Group A, 5; HGC 6, 1457.
    3.09g; 16mm
     
  15. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    Probably my favourite coin:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    Rhodes
    Coin: EF Silver Drachm
    - Radiate head of Helios right
    ΑΝΑΞΙΔΟΤΟΣ P O - Rose with bud, snake on omphalos in left field
    Mint: (190-170 BC)
    Wt./Size/Axis: 2.55g / 15mm / -
    References:
    • Jenkins 1989, 15
    • HGC 6, 1457
    • BMC 247

    In hand is more silver/blue.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page