My top 10 for 2021, Bronze edition

Thanks Pavlos! I hope I don't regret putting this on a public forum, but there's one coin from Epeiros that I'm desperate to obtain, except I'm unsure if it exists. Maybe you would know.

From some reading, I understand the below to be true.

• All silver coins from Alexander I Molossos were minted in Italy as part of his campaigns. My bronze was also minted there (Bruttium).
• However, there were bronze coins minted in Epeiros at this time, at least according to one source.
• Alexander I died in 331 BCE.
• Kleopatra remained in Epeiros until roughly 322 BCE, when she accepted a proposal from Leonnatos, who died in battle before their union.
• From 331 BCE to 322 BCE, Kleopatra was the effective ruler of Epeiros.
• Therefore, any bronze coin minted in Epeiros during this time can be attributed to her.

However, I haven't found any reference, let alone sale, of a coin attributable to this period. Research has uncovered differing opinions about whether Epeiros minted anything during this period.

Along with Olympias and Eurydike (Philip III's wife - not Lysimachos' daughter), Kleopatra is one of the major women during this era and I'd love to pick up coins attributed to any of them.

• Eurydike pretty much controlled Philip III, so really any of his coins is hers.
• If Kleopatra can be attributed by a copy of the coin above, that would be incredible. Otherwise, I've been tempted to pick up a coin from Sardis during her confinement there, but that would be cheating since she had absolutely no minting authority then.
• Olympias is a tougher challenge. Probably the closest thing for her would be those attributed to Polyperchon.

 

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I like your #1 and #2 coins.

 

Very interesting you mention this. Indeed Alexander minted in Italy both silver and bronze coinage. No silver coinage from him is known to have minted outside of Italy. Bronze coinage however do was minted in Epeiros. They were in the same types as the coinage of the Molossi, with the shield on the obverse and the wreathed thunderbolt on the reverse. The only difference is that on the obverse it is written in the name of Alexander, instead of in the name of the ΜΟΛΟΣΣΩΝ. I am however unaware of coinage struck by Kleopatra. The coinage in the name of the Molossi was struck until 330/325 BC, which includes the rule of Kleopatra, I think that is the closest you will get.
Epeirote coinage is tough to get, it seems to be struck in only small quantities and rarely offered on the market.

 

I have to go with your rescue coin as my fav.
I had a package that was left on our car roof after pick-up at the post office (two miles away). It did not make it home. I walked the route, but never found the package.

 

Thanks! I have a few coins with similarly vague attributions. I think this is enough to assign a coin to her. I'll keep my eye out.

 

An impressively curated group! I'm partial to #1, 3, and 8.

 

Some really nice coins, kirispupis My favs are 1/2/7

John

 

Some excellent and seldom seen coins. My votes go to # 1, 2 and 5

Q