Ancients => A(R+E) = AR + AE = ummm, seven? ... no, yellow!!? ... ummm?

Hmmmm? .... my favourite AR and my favourite AE, eh?

... well, "today" my coices are as follows:

MACEDON, Mende. AR Tritartemorion
Circa 460-423 BC
Diameter: 10 mm
Weight: 0.62 grams
Obverse: Ass standing right
Reverse: Crow standing left within incuse square
Reference: SNG ANS 358 (same obverse die)
Other: 11h … toned. Good metal







Sicily, Syracuse: Agathokles Æ24
317-289 BC
Diameter: 23.9mm
Weight: 9.26gm
Obverse: Diademed head of the young Herakles left, ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ before
Reverse: The Nemean lion striding right, club above, ΣΩ in exergue
Reference: Calciati II, p290, 150, R1 7; c.f. SNG ANS 733ff
Other: superior portrait with sculpted features usually represented by simpler forms





... yah, I feel pretty lucky to own either of these winners!!

 

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This thread has me in a bit of a conundrum. I have a favorite Greek silver coin but no Greek Bronze. I also have a favorite Roman Bronze but no favorite Roman silver.

I’ll post today’s favorite Greek AR and Roman AE. Both these coins are roughly the size of a US silver dollar. They are easy to see & delightful to hold.


ATTICA, Athens
AR Tetradrachm
130 – 29 B.C.

16.77 gms, 31 mm
Obv: Head of Athena facing right with double-crested Attic helmet adorned with Pegasos.
Rev: Owl standing right on fallen am-phora with head facing, elephant symbol to right, all within olivewreath. The letter E on amphoraME in exergue. Upper field around owl A-OE and ANT-OXOΣ. Left field continues with KAPA/IXOΣ/ΣKY/MNO/Σ [magistrates Antiochos, Karaichosand Skymnos]. Grade: AU with good centering and strike confirmed by NGC opinion. Some porosity at obverse otherwise as struck with good tone & luster.
Other: “New Style” Athenian Tetradrachm w/ ref. to Syrian king Antiochus and the invasion of Mithradates. Purchased in an NGC slab from Pegasi Numismatics September 2013. Thompson 397h.






ROMAN EGYPT
ALEXANDRIA
Hadrian
AE Drachm
117-138 A.D.

27.00 grams, 34 mm.
Obv: Laur. Dr. Cuirassed bust right AYT.KAI (Hadrian).APIC.CEB
Rev: Hadrian in quadriga of elephants right. LENΔE.KATOV
Grade: Fine light chocolate brown color
Other: Sear 1175 (pg 151) B.M.C.G.860 Milne 1216var., Koln 967var.
Rare 15 leg variety much like the USA 3-legged buffalo nickel?
On the obverse legend: AYT= AVTOKPATOP = Emperor
KAI= KAICAP = Caesar
APIC.CEB = Optimus Augustus
Ex John Jencek of San Mateo Calif., From Eye Appealing Coins 11/2013.

 

great coins ... cool elephants