I need some expert help on this coin. I just picked it up on ebay and can not figure out who it is. I have seen him before but my brain is locked up at the moment. 25mm Thick & heavy ( my scale is broke ) Charles
Numidia (North Africa), King Micipsa, 148-118 BC, Not rare but I consider this one pretty nice and having extra interest (some would say a flaw) in the remnants of the casting sprue for the blank which was not completely destroyed by the striking process. Some of these have a Punic letter or pellet beneath the horse but others are plain. Sear lists 4 sizes of which this is the second from the largest and most common. Micipsa supported Rome in their war (Punic) against Carthage which turned out to be a good choice.
Thanks so much guys, Turns out I have never seen this portrait before. Never would have got it without your help. Charles
IMHO this is a very collectable type. Sear put it in his Greek Coins book but it is in no way Greek but very tied to Roman history of the Punic Wars period. The style of both portrait and horse is special to my eye as is the style of the Carthaginean coins of the period.
After a bit of light searching I found the larger version (28mm) on ancients.info. I took a better measurement of my coin & came up with 26mm. You are correct doug, The horse won me over. Simple but classic design, and not a lot of wear for a 2K+ year old coin. At $27 bucks I'd grab more if I could! Have a great day Charles
