Hello everyone, Since I've started collecting ancient coins, neither of my sons have taken particular notice. In fact, recently my younger son brought his girlfriend over to the house. Somehow the discussion moved to coins, and she mentioned that her father collects ancient Greek and Roman coins. My son had a near heart attack, since he knew there was no way to prevent the coin albums from coming out. Nevertheless, I decided to buy each of them one coin that would serve them well. To my eldest (one year difference in age), I gave an Antoninus Pius denarius with Felicitas. I felt that would be a nice "good luck" coin, and he has been lucky so far in building up his sports card business. Recently, I began looking for my younger son. He'll be attending Emerson in Boston and has long wanted to be a director. At first I thought of a coin with Dionysos, but I didn't think he'd find that all so interesting. That's when I remembered this coin from Istros in Moesia. Moesia, Istros, 340 - 313 BCSilver Drachm, 17mm, 5.25 grams Obverse: Two facing male heads, one inverted. Reverse: Sea eagle left grasping dolphin in its talons. AMNG 420 // Dima VII, 2 Ex Ken Dorney. Dealer's photo. Note that since the coin is not in my possession, I've used the dealer's photo. The two heads are where I really felt it was appropriate. There are a number of theories on their meaning, including the first reference to an ancient eclipse, but the truth is we really have no idea. There is no parallel to this image from any other ancient coin, but Istros continued to mint pretty much the same design for about 150 years. The coins are common, though high quality copies can get pricy. Since we don't know why the ancient Istrians chose this image, IMHO it's up to us to interpret what it means ourselves. To me, it illustrates difference perspectives in life, and hence difference perspectives towards a story. It's this message that I wanted to stress to him - how you look at a story will determine its success. The most thrilling stories are those told from that unexpected perspective. This coin will remind him to always search for that. The reverse is a bit more ordinary, since eagles dominate ancient coinage and dolphins were common on coins from around the Black Sea - especially in Olbia. There's some speculation that the eagle represents Zeus, but in truth - though the symbols are known - the exact message here has again been lost. One can assume that the average dolphin had little to fear from predatory eagles, and so this symbolizes to me the fantastic. Again, my wish is for him to find those extraordinary stories that boggle the mind. Ultimately, it will be up to my son to determine his own stories for this coin, which is why I felt it suited him perfectly. He agreed, and loves the coin so much that he keeps the flip with coin in his wallet. Feel free to post anything you find relevant/interesting.
If the dad of my son's GF was collecting ancient coins, he would be invited to visit me at once ! My elder son is single, he broke up with his GF... The second one has a GF whose dad is a retired diplomat, and the dad of my 3rd son's GF is a clown (actually, it's his job).
Some coins defy explanation. I've come to accept that. Sure, it's frustrating for a rational mind looking for an explanation. On the other hand, an ancient mystery that can't be fully understood is part of the charm. Once you can understand and 'read' a coin the riddle is solved, the mystery recedes, and you're left with a 'finished' coin. But an unexplained mystery will always keep me fascinated and challenge my imagination and fantasy. Throw in some nice artwork and an interesting type and I'm sold. Which isn't to say that finding answers to questions isn't interesting in itself. If only because it can lead to new questions, better understanding, and of course, more mysteries, that either can or can't be answered. And further numismatic knowledge in the process. Anyway, here's my enigma from Istros: In it, I like to see the unity and mutual dependency of opposites. Of course, that's just my answer to a Rorschach test, not a numismatic interpretation. FWIW: I don't think I will give ancient coins to my children. Chances are I'd find them back between forgotten socks at the bottom of the laundry basket.
A fun post @kirispupis! Here's the little (9mm, 1.20g) version of your coin : Moesia, Istros, 4th century BC. AR Diobol. Facing male heads, the r. inverted. R/ Sea-eagle l., grasping dolphin with talons; monogram below. SNG BM Black Sea 250. Who are these two faces on the obverse? I have my notes on this coin here: Small Packages. Several theories, all with flaws: The Dioscuri - not the usual way of presenting the Dioscuri Branches of the River Danube - however, they don't look like river gods A metaphor for bi-directional trade-routes - Winds blowing in opposite directions Apollo, sunrise and sunset - why unique to Istros? The moon and the sun in a solar eclipse - hmmmm In the end - I agree with @Ignoramus Maximus : "an interesting type and I'm sold" and I enjoyed your conclusion: Ultimately, it will be up to my son to determine his own stories for this coin, which is why I felt it suited him perfectly.
Cute little coin and nice write-up! I like to think that the dolphin went over to Tarentum to visit some buddies, but then after a long weekend of humans riding him, he was super tired. So, he hired an eagle to fly him back and paid him with some of these coins. The eagle took the coins to the supermarket to buy some meat, and everyone was shocked. That explains the strange looking faces.
I enjoyed your information. I have my own collection to my tastes, however, my oldest grandaughter was given a 2022 W ASE Proof. She had no idea what it was for. She got married this past school year, so I gave her a check for $100. What do you give to those that have been given everything by their parents. I know that I didn't give him everything. Anyway, I told her father that if she doesn't like the ASE, I will keep it and give her another check. (Their mother has given our children and grandchildren everything. Maybe that's the reason she divorced me. My children and grandchildren are not going to get a penny. My #2 wife and I have decided to give everything to an animal shelter.)
I don't have anything great like that. I hope to keep my children interested in collecting throughout their time with me. So far so good.
Never graduated so no need to buy me one. Way to be thoughtful cuz those coins will be looked at often and forever. The coins will draw them back to memories of you. A gift that will keep giving them joy
4.88g Facing male heads, one inverted. Sea eagle left grasping a dolphin, "A" below "ISTPH" HGC 2 1802 Ex. Aegean Numismatics Seriously, what are the chances that the girlfriend’s dad collects ancient coins of all things. You don’t see as many people collecting coins nowadays. If they do collect coins, it’s most likely US coins.
Not ancient but related. Since my daughter is a speachtherapist and my son a science teacher, when they gratuated I gifted each of them with a gold proof 100 francs : Émile Zola (writer) to her and Marie Curie (Nobel price twice) to him. They're not at all interested in coins but liked the gift anyway. Q
