Unknown Greek Monster? Help please.

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Marsyas Mike, Nov 6, 2020.

  1. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    This one has me stumped. It is 14MM 2.8 grams. Athena on the obverse? Scylla on the reverse? Some sort of snake-monster?

    Any help greatly appreciated.

    Unknown Greek Monster Nov 2020a2.jpg
     
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  3. shanxi

    shanxi Well-Known Member

    Heraclea, like this (without thunderbolt):

    https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?


    I have a similar example with a thunderbolt in the left field:

    Herakleia_01_.jpg

    Lucania, Herakleia
    Æ14, 3rd century BC
    Obv.: Draped bust of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet.
    Rev.: HPAKΛEIΩN, marin divinity with human upper part of the body right, round shield in left hand, spear over shoulder; in field left, thunderbolt.
    Æ, 2.45g, 13.6mm
    Ref.: SNG Cop. 1142
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2020
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  4. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    Those are some pretty cool coins. I don't think I've ever seen that type before. Which marine deity is that supposed to be?

    John
     
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  5. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    This guy here?
     
  6. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Cool coins!
     
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  7. FrizzyAntoine

    FrizzyAntoine Well-Known Member

    I'm fairly certain it's Scylla, a nymph that lived in the strait of Messina and features pretty heavily in coinage of Magna Graecia. I've only ever seen her as an adornment atop Athena's helmet on silver coins though, having her take up the entire reverse is very cool.
     
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  8. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..i hadda go watch that again...:D....
     
  9. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member


    Thank you for identifying this for me, shanxi. It is far more interesting than I had hoped. It is an eBay auction that I'm dragging my feet on, but now that I know it is a MONSTER I am more enthusiastic about it.

    Again, thanks for helping me out with this.
     
  10. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Great coin, @Marsyas Mike. Never seen the type before.
    I think it's more likely to be an ichthyocentaur.
     
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