Ancients => Colourful, Colourful, Colourful ... ummm, did I mention Colourful?

I have one other Pius to show. It is the best condition Alexandria Pius I have; it is the rarest by far and also the smallest. Steve showed one obol from year four. This one is from year ten. I would appreciate opinions on the ID from anyone with Emmett or another reference. The Emmett listed obol with modius (1776) has torches flanking the modius and is listed only for years 11 and 12. He lists #1786 as 'vase' only in year 10. All are rarity 5. ACsearch has the torch variety but I failed to find on like mine. I see this as a modius with no torches which is unlisted unless we allow this as a vase. The coin is also unusual in that it was struck on a flan placed on the dies upside down so the tapered edge is on the reverse. CNG sold a similarly oriented obol:
https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=229580
Please show me any other Alexandrian bronzes with this flan situation. The patina is a touch more olive color than I captured in the photo.

This is another great example of how rarity means nothing in ancient coins. The coin is small, boring and cheap compared to even the most common of the drachms.

 

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A beautiful coin, Doug!

 

Awesome coin! I don't have many Alexandrian tets (one). I got a decently toned Pius though.

 

Awesome coins everyone, It makes my day.
Doug

 

CNG is down at the moment so I haven't checked that link.

Your upside down flan is neato!

As for attribution, I'd call that a vase. It is curved, flared, fluted, and footed; it is more vase-like in shape than a modius, which is usually shown with straight tapered sides.

If you can't find a satisfactory answer or example online, why don't you write Emmett and ask him?

 

Great little coin. Found this on ebay, the reverse is different but the portrait is very similar to yours
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTONINUS-P...cient-Roman-Coin-Dolphin-i41498-/231283181377

 

Thanks for posting your coins, Z-bro (they're awesome)

Doug, I agree that your good ol' upside-down obol is a total winner ...

=> here is my Gordian with five grain-ears in a calathus, kinda like your A-Pius with five in a vase/modius (ummm, is there some significance to having 5 grain-ears in a pot?)

 

Thanks, all. The five grain theory looks like a winner. The CNG coin I linked above also has five (don't count the torch tops). The straight sides on modius and curved for a vase also holds for that coin. Plate 7, however, shows a curved modius. That leaves the upside down flan as the #1 question here. I thought it was an accident but the fact that the CNG coin shared the characteristic makes that even more interesting to me.

I do not know Mr. Emmett. I thought he sold his collection and was not available for contact. No? I have written to another person I 'used-to' know and still respect his opinion so I'll see if I get an answer there.

 

double post

 

Steve.. You're talking Color. Let condition and value aside, how many colors do you see on this A.Pius coin? Denomination is probably an As.