Another rarity that I only recall seeing once (here on CT of course) of a coin with an ancient implement of PAIN came in the mail today. The ancients called them labrys or bipennis. You and I would simply call them double headed axes or battle axes if you're nasty. Yeah we are Macedonia, AE11 quarter unit, ca 323-317 BC. . bipennis within wreath B-[A] (?) to left and right of Macedonian helmet with earflaps. Apparently unpublished, not present in major references The coin appears to be a quarter unit Macedonian Shield coin, even has the Macedonian helmet reverse...except the design around the labrys is a wreath! Pretty crummy shield that would make. "Whoa, I am near invincible with this new wreath shield my mum just made for me! What's that barbarian? You want some?? Come and get s.... (and so ends the tragic tail of the only man dang fool enough to use a wreath as a shield) Here is an actual MSC of mine with Labrys boss. Much better for defending with: Philip III Arrhidaios 323-317 BC. Æ Quarter Unit (10mm, 1.26 g, 6h). Miletos(?) mint. Struck under Asandros, circa 323-319 BC. Macedonian shield; boss with labrys / Macedonian helmet; K to lower left. Price 2067 corr. var. (denomination; K to lower right) I do wonder how often the Macedonians utilized these gnarly weapons on the battlefield, as they don't skimp on showing them on their coinage: Alexander III 'the Great' (336-323 BC). AE (16mm, 4.21g). Miletos(?). Macedonian shield with gorgoneion on boss / B - A. Helmet; double axe to left; K to right. Price 2064. Nor the greeks overall: Those battlefields must have been strewn with body parts if folks were in close quarters and swinging these around! But not all Axes were wicked destroyers of men's bodies: As you already know the labrys is where we get the name for one of these, due to the halls having been heavily decorated with labrys... CRETE, KNOSSOS. AE (2.54 g), approx. 200-67 BC BC: head of the bearded Zeus to the right. Back: Labyrinth between ΚΝΩΣΙ / ΩΝ. Svoronos, Crete 116.2.00, Lindgren. Nice. Ex BAC Numismatics 2/9/20201 Anyways, thanks for taking a look and reading. I'll axe you to share those labrys/axes, please no bipennis pics and anything you deem relevant.
Lovely coins @Ryro! Your Knossos coin ofcourse stays my favorite. My labyrs coins: Islands off Troas, Tenedos. AR Obol, circa 450-387 B.C. Obverse: Janiform head of Hera on the left and Zeus on the right. Reverse: Τ-Ε, Double axe within linear square within incuse square. Reference: SNG Copenhagen 509. SNG von Aulock 1587. 0.56g; 7mm Islands off Troas, Tenedos. AR Hemidrachm, circa 550-470 B.C. Obverse: Archaic janiform head of Zeus and Hera. Reverse: T-E-N-E Labrys; all within linear square within incuse square. Reference: SNG Copenhagen 506-7 var. (differing legend arrangement). 1.81g; 16mm Alexander III the Great Bronze Coin. Two chalkoi (quarter obol). Struck posthumously under Philip III Arrhidaios, Miletos mint, 323-319 B.C. Obverse: Macedonian shield, boss decorated with gorgoneion. Reverse: Macedonian helmet; B-A to left and right; double axe below left; K monogram below right. Reference: Price 2064
Then I won't axe you again! Jk. And thanks That is Incredible!!! An axe welding dog! This is cult classic cinema gold. They say, you cannot predict a cult classic. Well, they haven't produced a movie with said doggie axe killer!!! Is Hollywood and or Netflix paying attention?? Oh, and that thing is beautiful
Super coin, @Ryro Troas Tenedos late 5th-early 4th C BCE AR Obol 8mm 0.60g Janiform Hera-Zeus - Labrys within incus sq RARE SNG Ash 1235 HGC 6 387 MAKEDON Philip III Arrhidaios 323-317 BCE Æ 1-2 Unit 17mm 4.2g Miletos mint Makedonwn shield Gorgoneion - Helmet bipennis K Price 2064
Another fun writeup, with a snappy title, to boot! That latter term always makes me chuckle inwardly. Makes me think of some fella who's anatomically gifted. Doubly gifted, as in... ... aw, never mind. Don’t bother clicking the “report” button. I’ll put myself in the penalty box.
BTW, since you axed... I do not own any ancient labrys coins, but I just acquired a large bulk lot of World coins that’s very heavy on mid-century French aluminum, and chock full of these Vichy State types...
I like a guy that can appreciate substance as well as form. This is one of the many reasons I enjoy your posts. Like you it's one of my favorites. So, it's currently in the hands of, no less than, David R Sear! I've now reason to doubt it, other than the strange yellow patina and myself having recieved no provenance. Though I might add, I've seen that unique patina on a number of the type. But as @Bing once reminded me... And I had a few other coins that raised flags. I won't say red flags, but enough that I felt the need to send them to the widely regarded foremost ancient coin authenticator in the world. So I'll call it a pink flag. I shipped them together and excitedly await their return. As well, I see that I must get on the Tenedos train. As, you and @Alegandron have excellent examples. And that MSC of yours Gandy always makes me green with envy the coloring is bonkers, the Labrys are strong and the bushel atop the helmet screams, "Come get some!" to the enemy.
I wonder what the expert will say, keep us updated! I honestly think it is genuine so most likely no bad news I picked up that shield coin back in the days when prices were not so over the top and when savoca was also a bit smaller, good times.
Some double axes here too Islands off Troas, Tenedos AR Obol. Circa 5th Century BC. Janiform head of female, facing left, and bearded male (Philonome and Tenes), facing right / Labrys (double axe) within shallow incuse; T-E across fields. SNG München 340; SNG Copenhagen 509; HGC 6, 387; SNG von Aulock 7666. Apparently the janiform heads represent Philonome and Tenes. Lydia. Thyateira circa 200-100 BC. 14 mm 3.88 g - I could not find an exact attribution for it.
