Hi Everyone, Happy last weekend of May! I put my reptile coin hunting on hold when I came across this coin. It was rescued from the sea and, as a result, looks pretty rough. It is an absolute dream coin of mine, the Shekel of Tyre! …….or is it? when I got it in the mail, I admired how hefty it is. But, then, something caught my EYE. Could it in fact be a Seleukid tetradrachm? https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/pa...129125_bc_ar_tetradrachm/1633821/Default.aspx I’m pretty sure I know what the answer is. Even though I’m a bit bummed, I’m going to hold onto it. Worn, beaten up coins are my thing. Coming from the sea, it’s had a pretty rough go and I think it adds a cool element to the coin. Feel free to give your suggestions/opinions and show coins that are completely irrelevant, as always. Thanks all! Erin
Looks like a Demetrios II tetradrachm to me, which a lot of people confuse for a Tyre Shekel. That obverse portrait is unmistakable
I'd hardly grade it 'poor'. I assume that's how the tag showed up. At least the dealer wasn't an over-grader. Poor is a slug or something unidentifiable. My only (probable) sea find; an Alexandrian Tet of Tiberius in horrible condition. Even this wouldn't be poor, although mine is hideous. TIBERIUS & DIVUS AUGUSTUS AR tetradrachm. Alexandria, Egypt. TIBEPIOY KAISAR SEBASTOS, laureate head right. Reverse - QEOS SEBASTOS, radiate head of Divus Augustus right. Milne 38, Koln 48. 24mm, 8.3g. Likely a sea-find, this coin is lighter than its contemporaries due to leaching of the baser metals. I only got it because it was likely from the sea,and one doesn't see too many Tiberius Tets. Ooh, I think I just spotted an upgrade, though. Does anyone know the purity of Seleucid tets? The weight seems kind a little low, but the 400 buck example isn't that far off. It could be from base metals leaching out, like my zombiefied Tiberius. Your coin pics are way better than mine, but could we have a fresh, more zoomed in pic of the obverse?
Hi Erin , I think you, Mr.Monkey. & Andres are right, it sure looks Seleukid . I hope you're having a pleasant holiday weekend .
Thanks everyone! I’ve come to my conclusion about what the coin is. I’m pretty much 100% sure it’s a Demetrios II tetradrachm, which I’m totally good with. Tetradrachms don’t often enter my price range, so, I’m excited to actually have one. @nerosmyfavorite68, my pics are often horrendous. These are unusually half way decent. I don’t think I could do much more zooming. The shekel stays on my dream coin wish list. It’s been on there since I sold my original to my brother about eight years ago, so, I’m not in any hurry. Lol Erin