Took 1 month to get here from London. It was worth the wait. Antigonus Gonatas AR Tetradrachm. Amphipolis mint. Horned, draped bust of Pan left, lagobolon over shoulder, in tondo of Macedonian shield / BASILEWS ANTIGONOU, Athena Alkis, viewed from behind, advancing left, brandishing shield & thunderbolt, crested helmet in inner left field, HL monogram in inner right field.
man, I love those coins ... but sadly, everytime that I try to win one of them, the bidding goes off the charts!! (and understandably so, eh? => that coin-type rocks!!) => PAN always looks like he's up to no good!! :thumb:
Outstanding. I don't know much about these, but it sure is beautiful. For me, the uninformed, this coin is too nice to be ancient. I'm not calling it into question mind you. It's just too beautiful.
I think this coin must be similar to A-Noob's avatar (didn't Doug mention that these coins were cast and then struck? ... something like that anyway) ... I think these coins are always pretty symetric and awesome looking? ... I'm sure somebody will verify this fact, or shoot it out of the water!! :sniper::thumb:
You are correct my friend. This issue predates the first Meris tetradrachm, but the method of manufacture and design is very similar you have got to love the Macedonian Shield. By the way- I have been back several times to look at how awesome that coin is...
To produce a coin with such distinctive flan, it was necessary to cast blanks that would strike well. In this case, it was a shallow cup with much thinner edges than center so the detail would transfer and not split the edges with excessive force needed to achieve the high relief. Genuine specimens have a perfect look that will worry those of us whose experience is more with coin struck on less distinctively designed flans. I am not comfortable buying a coin like this based solely on my expertise. This is a coin only to be purchased from a fully skilled dealer. Even real ones look a little 'pressed' rather than 'struck' to my inexpert eyes. People who work for full service major players (CNG and up) for several years might have an opportunity to handle enough of these to have an opinion I would value. I do not own one and never will.
Yeah, what Doug said. That's what I was trying to say earlier. Again, I'm not saying there is anything wrong, but it's too perfect for me and I do not know these well enough. It is a pretty coin though.
I bought it from Harlan J Berk LTD. Without a prestigious name backing the coin, I wouldn't even consider it.
Nice coin, love the type ! (I think what the op meant was that he purchased the coin from someone who previously bought it from HJB )
My previous post was misleading. Came from individual over ebay who had purchased the coin from HJB in November of last year. Came w/ original receipt.
