An odd request here. I am trying to find out if the Thraco-Macedonian city of Skione ever issued staters in the 9.8 gram weight size. I recently read in John Melville Jones', A Dictionary of Ancient Greek Coins, that there was a Thraco-Macedonian or Paeonian weight standard of the stater weighing 9.8 grams but I do not know if Skione actually issued such a coin or only fractions and a tetradrachma. Any help on this appreciated.
There are tetradrachms in the 17-17.2 range and didrachms in the 8.2-8.8 range. Nothing in the 9.8 range. Barry Murphy
There are Macedonian staters from other cities and Macedonian tribes struck in this weight range: "Lete" Neapolis Orreski Ichnai Mygdones or Krestones There may be others, this is what comes to mind without looking anything up. Barry Murphy
THanks. I will check out those other states If anymore come to mind or find some yourself please let me knw. Thanks, again I cannot find any didrachmas for Skione anywhere, including Wildwinds, which has good deal on obols and multiples and tetradrachmas but nothing on drachmas or didrachmas (staters). If you can diect me to some exampls, especially the didrachma/stater coins it would be very helpful. Thanks.
Skione Didrachms are very rare. I handled one in the 90’s. It may be in CNG 36 or 40 although I could be off. I seem to recall it from about this time. when I’m back near some books tomorrow I’ll look at what else I can come up with. Barry
Have you checked BMC 5 (Macedonia)(see https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/BMC/BMC_Macedonia.pdf)? Or AMNG III (see https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=AMNG III)? I know they're ancient, but you never know!
I can find some Skione tetrobols and tetradrachmas but no didrachmas (staters). I need to find out if Skione actually issued such a coin and was it on the Thraco-Macedonian or Paeonian weight standard of circa 9.8 grams or a one drachma at 4.9 grams as Joh Melville Jones seems to imply. Thanks again for your assistance.
From Kuenker Sale 304 (march 2018), lot 262 MACEDONIA. SKIONE. AR-Didrachme, 480/470 v. Chr.; 8,65 g. Kopf des Protesilaos r. mit Helm//In Incusum: Schiffsheck. Mildenberg/Hurter, Dewing Coll. -; SNG ANS -. R Herrliche Patina, sehr schön Aus der Sammlung eines Geschichtsfreundes. Exemplar der Auktion Hirsch Nachf. 263, München 2009, Nr. 2191; der Auktion Lanz 58, München 1991, Nr. 117; der Auktion Giessener Münzhandlung 52, München 1990, Nr. 167 und der Auktion Hess-Leu 19, Luzern 1962, Nr. 167. Barry Murphy
There are also other 9.8ish gram staters from: The Tyntenians Aigai Poteidaia (Corinthian type) Barry Murphy
Thanks, Barry, and Shanxi and Donna. So, here is the reason I have been asking. Some time ago I had purchased this coin below at a small club show. I was one of the few who collected ancients so when dealers at the show got something in they would save it for me. Over time I was able to purchase pretty good material at a reasonable price. Yes, sometimes I got burned with fakes and I thought with this coin I probably had been snookered as well. I could not find much on it and no coin weight system that apparently would support a purported didrachma or stater which weighed in at more than 9 grams. Concluding that as the coin was rare and weight was off, it probably was fake, and into the black cabinet it went. Then just a few days ago I learned of the early Thraco-Macedonian or Paeonian system, in whose system staters were in the ca. 9 gram range as in the John Melville Jones book on Greek coins. Also I found some others in the Norman Davis book (pp.86-89) from other cities in that area. Hence, my asking here about a Skione stater which I could find no example of anywhere. I have some not very good photos here of both obverse and reverse and two sections of the rim. I have to admit that I have never been very good at spotting fakes and this one might have to go back to its dark home in my collection. Considering its value, if it is genuine, if it appears that it might be genuine I would send it away for authentication. I am not certain but is there any sign of it being cast or pressed or anything else that says FAKE to you or anyone else. Thanks a lot for any opinions provided. PS at the show the coin was misattributed to Chios as the person who owned it previously misread it as KIOS instead of SKIO.
The surfaces, portrait style, the way the neck and chin are cut off, the way the devices meet the fields. Barry Murphy
Just to help you out a bit, these are examples showing what your coin should look like. Notice how the neck line and chin merge on your coin, yet are clearly distinct in these. The host coin used to make your example was off center so that the bottom of the neck was off the flan and the chin touched the edge. Barry Murphy
Yes, I can see that now. The next time I run into one of these, say about 25 years from now, I'll clearly recognize it as a fake. Do you have any idea how this particular fake was made? Did somebody create a die and stamp them out? I did not see any casting seam along the edge and the coin seems a bit thick to have been pressed. Though I am not likely to run into this coin again I am trying to better hone my skills at fake finding when I am sure to encounter others. Thanks again.
