Hi all, I've had this coin since 2012 and only noticed a couple of years ago that I couldn't find any similar examples anywhere. The photo' is old and not great, but it at least shows the main features - I'll retrieve the coin next week and take better photos. Silver Hemidrachm Obv. Laureate head of Persephone right Rev. ΟΠΟΝΤΙΩΝ - Ajaz advancing right, with sword and shield, plumed helmet on ground between legs; shield inset with griffin Date: ca 340-330 Wt./Size/Axis: 2.32g / - / - References: SNG Cop 51var cf BCD Lokris-Phokis 94 Acquisition/Sale: HD Rauch Online Auction 90 #154 28-Jun-2012 It's not BCD Lokris-Phokis 94, as that has a "lion or panther" on the shield. I haven't been able to find the combination of griffin decoration on the inside of the shield and plumed helmet between Ajax's legs anywhere - not in BCD Lokris-Phokis nor in "The Coinage of the Opountian Lokrians", which has many varieties of these hemidrachms. I need to look in both of these again, to make sure I haven't missed it. A quick look in acsearch.info and CNG's sold coins didn't throw up any. Has anyone else seen one? Thanks, Aidan.
The coin looks OK to me. Can't be of much help, but I have this example. Lokris Opuntii (369 - 338 B.C.) AR Hemidrachm O: Wreathed head of Persephone right. R: Ajax advancing r., nude but for crested helmet, brandishing dagger and shield; kantharos between his legs. 2.6g 16mm BCD Lokris 98; SNG Copenhagen 50.
Here are a few that look right: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6394233 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3504900 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1178710 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=286796 Lokris, Lokris Opuntia, circa 369-338 BC, AR Hemidrachm Obv: Wreathed head of Persephone right, wearing single-pendant earring and a necklac Rev: Ajax advancing right, nude but for crested helmet, brandishing sword and shield, shield decorated with lion springing right, broken spear at his feet diagonally; crested helmet between legs Ref: SNG Copenhagen 49 var. (different helmet type); BMC Central Greece pg. 3, 24
Ahh - thanks, @Sulla80 - it's a lion and not a griffin at all! What I took to be wings of the griffin are probably bindings that Ajax has stuck his arm through to hold the shield. It certainly seems very close to some of those - I didn't see them as I just looked for griffin. It probably is a reverse die match at least to some as there are only 3 reverse dies for the type. Thanks all! ATB, Aidan.
