I have acquired another batch of assorted ancients - 14 in all. I have identified 8, including a Mark Antony legionary coin for the XII legion, and Greek coins from Euboia, Thessaly and Amisos. 4 others may be beyond help. These 2 I am sure someone can point me in the right direction: First is silver and I assume Greek, but I can't make out enouigh of the writing to know where to looks. Measures about 15mm and weighs 3.27g. Colour is closer to the right hand image - my camera created a colour cast on the left. Second has me completely flummoxed - not seen a square coin purporting to be ancient before. Measures about 22mm and weighs 5.54g. Thanks!
The first one look for Iberia Bolskan. I am sorry to say that it doesn't look authentic to me but since it's not my collecting area I can't say for sure... The second is indo greek, I am sure there are a couple of members here who can help more
I think the second might be Indo-Greek or Bactrian. I also do not like the look of the first Iberian (Oscan?) coin. When you say you are "acquiring them", can you tell us what you mean by that?
Thanks! I can see some similarities to the Bolskan, but a lot that is wrong. Let's see if anyone has any other ideas. I also have doubts about it's authenticity. I do a regular market and an old chap has been bringing me his collection in small groups over the last few months. He has very little knowledge about what he has, and there have been a few fakes and many mis- or un-attributed already, but also some good ones. He leaves them with me for ID and then we agree a price based on what I have been able to find out.
First coin is an (Ancient Spain) Iberian Denarius from Turiaso 120-80 BC. Refernce Burgos 2417. Turiasu was a Celtibarian city, belonging to the ethnic Lusons that minted currency in the II-I centuries a.C. Its name was preserved in Roman times in the municipality of Turiaso, located in Tarazona (Zaragoza). The exact location of the enclave in Celtibérica times is unknown, although it may have been located in the present municipality of Tarazona or in some surrounding village such as La Oruña. The legend of the reverse, used the Iberian signatory,presenting himself invariably in all emissions in the same way, turiazu. The monetal designs of the turiazu workshop include very varied designs. On the front, the most common type was the male head. In addition, a halves-galleyed head and a portrait of Mars were used on a three-year-old that was copied from a 103-A.C. The backs offer a greater variety of types. Production of the workshop began with a hook rider who was soon replaced by the representation of a lancer rider in deneri and units. The dividers provided a wider repertoire with designs such as a horse, a rider devoid of attributes and riders accompanied by a second horse carrying a crown or palm.
2nd coin looks to be this... Azilises, Copper unit King mounted on horse right, Kharoshthi ti above, within square border, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / BAΣIΛEΩN / MEΓAΛOY // AZIΛICOY Herakles seated on a rock, holding club, monogram below left, all within square border, Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / mahatasa / ayilishasa Reference: MIG 812a, Sen 59.1
Very (if typically) impressive, @Spaniard. Congratulations, @PaddyB; your example isn't too shabby, either. ...Yup, the Iberian one is screaming "cast" at me, just from the surfaces. But, Yeah, I'd be happy with the Indo-Greek one.
That is great - thanks all! One question arises, if anyone has an answer: the details in Wildwinds list a Tri-Chalkon at 8.4g under MIG 812 and a half unit at 3.76g under Senior 59-1a. My example is in between at 5.54g. Does this make it some different denomination or is it just usual variation?
...Terrific question, @PaddyB --last of all because I said so, since my ignorance of the series is at the same level as @Spaniard's erudition. But just from comparing @Spaniard's example to yours, my first, reflexive response would have to be that your example is a well circulated full unit, rather than an improbably heavy half.
Sorry didn't look at the weight the example I posted is a full unit at 8.4grams size approx 24x25mm....OP coin maybe is a half unit at around 5.4grams and approx 22mm?
In ACW, Mitchiner lists the expected weight of the Azilises coin at 8.50 gm and cites the denomination as "hemiobol" (4 chalkoi). The actual weights of the coins listed range from 8.25 to 6.85. Mitchiner apparently revised his own thinking between MIG (1975) and ACW (1978). Senior plays it safe with "unit" (and at least one fraction). When I see a single bronze type with varying weights and no clear clustering, I tend to think of a fiduciary issue with a nominal value in excess of intrinsic value, meaning denomination is independent of weight. I would simply call it "square AE unit".
IBERIA SILVER OSCA Spain AR silver denarius 204-154 BC. Head r beard -N behind - Horseman spear, Iberian PMAN BOLSCAN Burgos 1501 Villaronga 3 BRONZE Iberia Secaisa Segeda AE 25 2nd-1st C BC Male Hd Dolphin Horseman Galloping
