Just got in a small batch of six low-grade Greek AEs that have been a lot of fun attributing, at least five of them were fun. The sixth one has me stumped. Which is still kind of fun, but I need help. It is 14 mm in diameter and weighs 2.88 grams. Here is what I see: Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right. The helmet crest is hard to see - or maybe I am seeing things? Reverse: Lion standing right, one paw up. Corn-ear or thunderbolt under belly? Writing above and below. It looks a lot like issues from Amphipolis (Hercules/lion) and for Lysimachus (lion leaping, not standing). But Athena/standing lion standing is eluding me. The cat might be chewing on a spear (Sardes, Macedon, etc.). Three of the lot came from Sardes, if that means anything. Sorry about the photos - it has a mottled green patina that makes it hard to see, even in hand: Reverse critter: Two of the others in the lot were also a bit tricky - they are the common Hercules/Club-in-Wreath type from Sardes, but these feature the reverse legend spelled CAΡΔIANΩ(ω)N, which was not typically used for this issue (it is usually with a sigma: ΣAΡΔIANΩN). Later Roman issues from Sardes use this C-spelling a lot. GRPC Lydia 17 taken from Wildwinds example (IVO monogram) is the only example of this spelling I could find. I was wondering if any other monograms were issued with this spelling, as mine don't match. This one is pretty easy to see: This one is worn and has a thick green patina, but the "C" is visible: Any help or corrections appreciated. Share your CAΡΔIANΩ(ω)N or anything else you feel like. Thanks.
That first one might be Lysimachos. Though it doesn't quite match.... https://www.acsearch.info/search.ht...s=1&thesaurus=1&order=1¤cy=usd&company= My example;
It couldn't possibly be a she-wolf with the twins under her, could it? That would make it a Roman provincial, of course. But that wouldn't explain the object under the "twins" that looks like it has arches. So never mind, I guess!
Thanks Ryro - I was thinking along the same lines, but my "lion" has a droopy tail and is just standing there. The Lysimachos has a more active cat.
Thanks Donna - I like a fresh set of eyes on this low-grade stuff - it can really help. I think the tail on mine is skinnier than a wolf tail? I don't know...my zoological expertise is nil. Here's a Macedon Amphipolis lion that looks a lot like mine including the stuff under the belly (grain ear, here) - the obverse, however, is Herakles! And I've never seen him wearing a helmet. From eBay (not linked, as it is an active auction).