Sorry for the poor play on words but I need help IDing the coin on the left (when I bought it the only identifier said "countermarked"). It appears to me to possibly be Apollo with some kind of wheat leaf or arrow countermark, no idea where from. And I don't know who on the back. And the item on the right apparently isn't even a coin as it was list as a "Hellenistic era theatre ticket". So sorry for posting it here (but where the heck else was I gonna get advice on what that means and what this thing might be??). It has what appears to be a horned bearded male stamped on it, so I'm thinking Serapis. Does anyone have any of these or know about them? As always, thanks in advance for the help and knowledge shared...oh and Merry Christmas eve!!!
It's from a Seleukid king... Antiochos IX? Not my forte but if not him, one of those Antiochos guys. Check Vcoins and CNG's archives; you'll find many. Here's one currently on Vcoins, listed by Forum Ancient Coins: Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus IX Cyzicenus, 114 - 95 B.C. GY78038. Bronze AE 23, Houghton-Lorber II 2352a; Houghton CSE 498; SNG Spaer 2725; Babelon Rois 1484; BMC Seleucids p. 93, 22; HGC 9 1246 (S-R1), F, green patina, centered on tight flan, porous, 9.176g, 22.5mm, 0o, Tarsos (Tarsus, Mersin, Turkey) mint, diademed head of Antiochus IX right, short curly beard, bevelled edge; reverse Dionysos standing left, kantharos in extended right, thyrsus vertical in left hand, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ in two downward lines on right, ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ downward on left, E outer left high, NK monogram outer left center; from the Butte College Foundation, ex Lindgren After Antiochus IX's father died, his uncle Demetrius II Nicator took the throne. For his safety, his mother, Cleopatra Thea, sent him to Cyzicus (leading to his nickname). He returned to Syria in 116 B.C. to claim the throne from his half-brother Antiochus VIII Grypus, with whom he eventually divided Syria. He was killed in battle by the son of Grypus, Seleucus VI Epiphanes. (from the listing)
A year or two ago we had a thread about bullae and a large batch of fakes was discussed. It made me view all of these terra cotta bullae with suspicion. In that thread, see Ardatirion's post and the link to the FAC discussion about a recent spate of fakes.
Shucks, that's food for thought. Thanks TIF. Mine has a slight hole on the side. I may have to reach out too Ardatirion and ask if they will take a look at this and tell me w what their opinion is on mine. Thanks again. I would rather know it's a fake then live in delusion. Here is a pic of the side.
Ps, thanks for posting that link to the v coins sale. That coin is a dead ringer. And when I searched wild winds they had a bunch of the same type! Now if I can just figure out where the countermark is from my riddle will be solved...
Heeeyy! @Ryro! Wait a cotton pickin' minute. If you think "coinundrum" was corny and not very punny, then...let's see, that would also mean. . .
I'm a sucker for a good pun LaCointessa, haha. Ryro is an attempted pun on chi rho...but I don't think many get it as it's a bit of a stretch
@Ryro - just saw your message and made my way over here. @TIF 's comment above still represents my thoughts on the topic. Its a match, and I personally believe all of the ones on the market now are questionable.
View attachment 727416 [/QUOTE] Wow! Well played TIF (slow clap building in the background). Definitely having my soldiers get this emblazoned on their shields(the picture of Scoob saying Ryro. Not that other silly image, which doesn't appear to mean much of anything). #Ryanstantine
Yeah, so if I was a more intelligent guy I would have gone all in with Rhi-Rho. But to quote one of my many intellectual superiors, (in my worst Alabama accent) "I'm not a smart man".
