My auction newps included two Provincials which I bid upon mostly because I did not have them and thought I should. That seems like a lame reason but it is what it is. I have been looking for a Gordian Caesarea drachm with reference to their two neocourates (BNE) for several years now. I have other rulers with Mt Argaeus reverses but did not have Gordian. There must have been a large group found since I have seen many, many offered for sale. The first I saw struck me as overpriced and many later seemed too low quality so it took a while to find one cheap enough and acceptable looking. Now I can stop looking. All seem to be year 5 (ET E). I know nothing of the find details. More my speed is my very first Alexandria tetradrachm of Valerian. I am not trying to get every Alexandrian coin or even every ruler but I was attracted to this common coin with yet another eagle on the reverse. The obverse legend has 21 letters which have to be pretty small to fit in the space available. All are legible at least if you know what to expect. Not all Valerian coins are this clear. When cataloging these be careful to read the eagle details correctly since little things matter if you like catalog numbers. This shows the eagle facing left with head right, wings spread and wreath in beak. I am not particularly interested in getting more eagles (they all seemed to issue eagles!) but this was my first Valerian and had reasonable letters. This is year three. ΑΚ Π ΛΙ ΟΥΑΛΕΡΙΑΝΟC ΕΥ ΕΥC
Great additions, Doug. I lack a Gordy Drachm but would like to add one over time. The Valerian has a great patina too it. Reverse eagle isn't found as much, to me, unlike mine. Valerian I (253 - 260 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Billon Tetradrachm O: AK Π L I OVALEPIANOC EVEVC; Laureate, cuirassed bust right. R: Eagle standing left, head right, wreath in beak. Regnal date L-Δ across fields (Year 4). Alexandria mint, 256 A.D. 23mm 10.3g Milne 3945 Emmett # 3705/4
Great coins, especially like the Mt Argaeus reverse and the patina on the Valerian Tet is terrific. Good pick ups.
I've always thought the Mt. Argaeus reverses looked interesting. I suppose the many protrusions there represent trees? First time I saw that design, I thought I was seeing some kind of pyre with flames coming off of it. But of course the pyres on ancient coins look like wedding cakes. Go figure.
