Ancients - Ten Buck Greek

I purchased this coin on Wednesday and it arrived today. First, I did buy this coin for the huge amount of $10 plus $3 shipping. It was one of those coins that goes without any bids. I surmised the reason it was not garnering any attention was the seller's images. The obverse showed damaging "scratches" across the face and hair. However, on further examination, it looked more the image was of the coin inside the plastic flip which is what had the scratches. So I decided to take the chance and bid the opening and only bid it received.

The first images are mine while the second are the seller's images. I think you can see what I'm talking about.





MARONEIA, THRACE AE24
OBVERSE: Wreathed head of Dionysos right
REVERSE: Dionysos standing naked, holding bunch of grapes and two narthex wands, monogram to lower left, Greek legend DIONYSOU SOTIROS MARONITON ("of Dionysos, saviour of the Maroneans")
Struck at Maroneia 148 BC
10.94g, 24mm
Sear 1638

Maroneia

In legend, it was said to have been founded by Maron, a son of Dionysus, or even a companion of Osiris. According to Pseudo-Scymnus it was founded by Chios in the first half of the 6th century BC. According to Pliny, its ancient name was Ortagures. It was located on the hill of Aghios Gheorgis, and archaeological findings date it as a much older and as a pure Thracian city.

Maroneia was close to the Ismaros mentioned by Homer in the Odissey. Some scholars identify Maroneia with his Ismaros. Homer has Odysseus plundering the city but sparing Maron, whom he identifies as a priest of APOLLO. Maron presents Odysseus with a gift of wine, as well as with gold and silver.

In the era of Ancient Greece and Rome, Maroneia was famous for its wine production. The wine was esteemed everywhere; it was said to possess the odor of nectar, and to be capable of mixture with twenty or more times its quantity with water.That the people of Maroneia venerated Dionysus, we learn not just from its famous Dionysian Sanctuary, the foundations of which can still be seen today, but also from the city's coins.

In 200 BC it was taken by Philip V of Macedon, who vented his rage by slaughtering a great number of the city's inhabitants. The Roman Republic subsequently granted Maroneia to Attalus, King of Pergamon, but almost immediately revoked their gift and declared it a free city.

 

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Thats a good $10 score. Gotta love when bad images turn out to be a good coin once in hand.

 

Definitely a good score for $13.

 

I love how weathered and ancient this coin looks. Oh wait, it IS ancient! Seriously, it retains some nice details too... great pickup for $10!

 

Nice score for any price Bing. That coin oozes character, from the crusty patina to the somewhat weathered, but still stylistic design.

The fact that you got it for the cost of a sandwich makes it all the sweeter.

Well done!

 

Smooth lookin' new score, big brother ... congrats on a very cool coin-type (cozy eye-appeal on that lil' baby of yours)

Cheers ... I hope that your Saturday night is goin' well (my god-son birthday party was fun) ... nobody got outta control except for the kid (and that was expected and celebrated)

 

Awesome coin jw, nice husky coin,i like it,very good write up too!!

 

nice coin bing...I almost bid one that one! I purchased another coin that day (I think from the same seller) and also received it today. had a bit of BD, and I'm treating...but i'll post later this week.

 

Wow, nice catch, Bing. I'll take that coin any day of the week for $13. From the seller's images, I would have passed on it as well. I'm glad your gamble worked out, and I also appreciate your write-up.

 

Believe me . I feel jealous.. Pretty real pick-up.
Charles

 

Thanks all.

 

Nice score!

 

here's my 10 buck greek...+ 3 bucks shipping.





Macedonian Kingdom
Philip V or Perseus
187 - 168 B.C.

AE double unit, SNG Cop 1307
o: laureate head of Zeus right
r: ΜΑ−ΚΕ/∆ΟΝ−ΩΝ, winged thunderbolt, TB monogram below

23 mm
7.6g

 

Now there's another I would have tried to buy. Great pickup JA and wonderful (Bing) price!

 

Nice pick-up, chrsmat (ummm, apparently Bing is distracted) ...
Man, I love your Philip V pickup ... I also have a couple of low-end winners of Philip-V

Strymon & Trident => Macedonian Under Philip V & Perseus, AE16 (Celtic?)


Heracles & Two Goats => Philip V, AE20

 

that double goat is pretty darn cool stevex, i don't remember that coin.

 

Yah ... Willie and Billie goat don't get out too much!!

(I like the f-you finger, in exergue)

 

LOL!!!!

 

Good eyes Bing. I guess they haven't gotten bad in your older age My eyes are already on the way out at 25!

That is 10 buck winner!