1/2 the Collect89 crab. Less eagle more pigeon. Sicily, Akragas AR Nomos (BC 510-500) 24 mm x 8.30 grams. Obverse: Eagle with closed wings standing l., AKRAC-ANTOS around Reverse: Crab. Ref: ANS 911. Note: Dark gray toning
I wonder if retrograde "N" was was done on purpose with Anastasius' name? Probably not but here you go. Brought to you by the Gepids. Sirmium,Serbia Ostrogoths (Gepids) Theodoric in the name of Anastasius (AD 491-518) AR Fractional Siliqua 16 mm x 0.64 grams Obverse: Diademed draped bust right. - DNANASTASIVSPAV Reverse: Monogram of Theodoric ♰ ROMANI*VINVICTA Ref: Wroth 74 Note: Full legend, sharp details, clipped (common for type)
Lugdunum often used the letters A, B, C and D for officina/workshop marks. It would use these in left and right fields and would often have them retrograde. This was not an error as it is too frequent but we have no ide why. Here are a few from Lugdunum. Tacitus - Mars - Retrograde B Probus - Spes - Retrograde C Probus - Pax - Retrograde D Retrograde officina marks turn up at other mints too such as Siscia. Probus - Retrograde Z Does this count as Retrograde? It should read VI but reads IV! Martin
Stater. Poseidonia in Lucania, Italy. 19 mm. 8.04 grams. Poseidon right brandishing trident Bull left. Look above the bull: ΠOΣE... reading right to left with the Σ oriented more like a modern M. Sear Greek I 424 (same dies). HN Italy p. 109 ff. SNG ANS 2 Lucania 663 (same reverse die).
Being dyslexic, I enjoy this thread... Normally the symbol for Sestertius is IIS. (2 asses and a Semi). However, Etrurian for 2.5 asses is ϽII (retrograde C, and read as retrograde): Etruria Populonia 2-1-2 as 3rd C BC AR Radiate Fem Hd ϽII Blank EC 104 HN Italy 179 RARE 2 exist
Retrograde monogram: Ionia, Kolophon AR Tetartemorion. Late 6th Century BCE. Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo facing. Reverse: TE monogram within incuse square. References: SNG Cop 133; SNG Kayhan 356. Size: 7mm, 0.25g.
Here's an example with a reverse legend engraved retrograde. It's Constans II, Hexagram, Constantinople mint. Sear 989. On my example the reverse die featuring "dEUS AdIUTA ROMANIS" was engraved by someone who was on automatic pilot. A proper job is shown last.