These two coins have been on a very short list of absolute must haves since I began delving into ancients, and represented 2 of my 3 major targets for 2019. Both were acquired within the past week. I cannot overstate my excitement...The wait for them to arrive will be excruciating =) Didrachm or Quadrigatus, Anonymous, Rome, Silver, Crawford:28/3 AU(50-53) Grade: AU(50-53) | Abbreviations Material: Silver Weight: 6.65 g Diameter: 24.50 mm Coin, Anonymous, Didrachm, Rome, AU(50-53), Silver, Crawford:28/3,Anonymous, Didrachm or Quadrigatus, Rome, 225-212 BC, AU(50-53), Silver, Crawford:28/3,Laureate head of Janus, Jupiter, hurling thunderbolt and holding scepter, in galloping quadriga right driven by Victory ROMA There are many examples of this coin available at any given time, but the style and toning of this one stood (Janiform) head and shoulders above the rest Sicily, Syracuse, Agathokles (317-289 BC), AR Tetradrachm 17.29g 25mm (approx) Head of Arethusa facing left wearing earring, hair wreathed in grain, three dolphins around, rev. quadriga galloping left, triskeles above, ypaoin in exergue (SNG ANS, no. 633; SNG {Copenhagen}, no. 753), very fine. If there is any coin from antiquity where almost EVERY example is stunning, it's this coin. I've never seen a well preserved example that didn't blow me away with its beauty, and this one is no different. I planned my move a month in advance, did my research, and squeaked it out with my absolute max... err.. the bid after my absolute max bid
Nvb, Congrats on scoring 2 great coins ! You're right, the quadrigatus has beautiful toning & is well centered. The Syracuse Tet is exquisite ! The portrait of Arethusa doesn't get any better & the reverse is stunning too. The dolphins are animated & the hair & long pendant earring of Arethusa add much to the composition. The Triskeles on the reverse enhances the motion of the chariot.
I think you really knocked it out of the park with those two. I’d love if either of them were in my collection. Both, actually!
Those two are both beautiful. They have recently been added to my wish list for some time (far) down the road.
Congratulations!! Your Agathokles is particularly appealing: the hair detail is solid, rider and Nike are on the flan - all around an exceptional piece.
The Syracuse AR Tetradrachm is mindblowing Beautifull additions! They had some really skilled artisans working at the mint in Syracuse back then.... John
