Babylon stater is really thick. Please tell me more about this coin.

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Collect89, Feb 12, 2014.

  1. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    I've had this coin for a couple weeks but didn't really research it & write the label until now.
    How should I describe the "T" item/mark in front of seated Ba'al?
    DiShekel Collage.jpg DiShekel Side View.jpg
    BABALONIA, Babylon
    AR Stater (or Dishekel)
    328-321 B.C.


    16.08 grams, 22 mm x 5.5 mm thick
    Obv: Ba’al seated left holding scepter
    Rev: Lion walking left, control mark Г above.
    Grade: good Fine to a Very Fine nicely toned & centered.
    Other: Good silver 5.5 mm thick. Anonymous mintage of Eastern Alexandrine empire under the successors of Mazaeus (Stamenes 328-323 B.C., Archon 323-321 B.C.) See BMC.34, BMC.184/36. Babylonian stater coin sometimes called a tetradrachm due to its 16 gram weight according to the Attic standard.
    Ex Pegasi coin. From private sale January 11, 2014.
     
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  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Looks like a hammer. Could be wrong though, I know nothing about this area. Interesting piece.
     
  4. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    This one Babylon coin is as thick as three US 25 cent coins.
    DiShekel with quarters.jpg
     
    randygeki likes this.
  5. vlaha

    vlaha Respect. The. Hat.

    Pickaxe!:D
    upload_2014-2-12_9-41-55.jpeg
     
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  6. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    I agree that it looks like a hammer. It could also be a letter T or some Babylonian tool.
     
  7. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Is that Noob's former coin? Can't believe he sold it!
     
  8. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    Yep. Ancientnoob was one of the past owners of this coin. The earliest record I found for this coin was a Pegasi auction #19 (lot 181) November 18, 2008. It has apparently changed hands a few times in the last half dozen years. I like that it resides in my collection today.
     
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  9. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    It kinda looks like one of those doctor's mallets for checking your knee-reflexes!!


    => yup, this may be the oldest doctor's office poster?

    ;)
     
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  10. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    I'm surprised Anoob let this one go. It's a good lookin' chunker.
     
    Collect89 likes this.
  11. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Nice and chunky! :) great coin!
     
    Collect89 likes this.
  12. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Wow, that's a nice chunk of silver. Interesting coin, too. Grats!
     
    Collect89 likes this.
  13. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    OMG => A-Noob gave away his only good coin!!

    :rolleyes:


    ... now I wait ...
     
  14. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    very nice ...i'll put on vote in for hammer also....but have no idea.

    love a nice thick coin!
     
  15. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    I just heard a very disturbing strangled scream. It seemed to be coming from the northeastern US.

    You live dangerously, Steve. :D
     
    stevex6 likes this.
  16. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    The hammer is a minor type or symbol identifying the moneyer or position of the coin within the overall issue. If you search the coin you find several different symbols on both sides (cup, three dots, bee). I did not see another with the hammer on acsearch.
    http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?search=similar:286799#0

    This is a nice coin that deserves to be sold no more than once a generation. I guess that is the nature of the hobby. Coins get sold until they find a collector who appreciates them enough to give them a long term home. Of the 25 coins in my link above (a couple being the same coin sold more than once), I only see three or four I'd call better than this one.
     
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