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<p>[QUOTE="Curtis, post: 24840604, member: 26430"]One of my favorite numismatic themes: "Rarity" always depends on how we define the categories.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have a few coins that have been described as "unique" in print, but that label might no longer apply if we shifted the boundaries of the "types," or which characteristics we considered important (e.g., control symbols, die-combinations, regnal years, magistrates).</p><p><br /></p><p>Here are a few. I'd love to know if anyone has seen another specimen fitting these "types."</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>1. Severus Alexander Year 7 Elpis Alexandrian Tetradrachm </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><i>(only known specimen)</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><blockquote><p><font size="4">Ex Giovanni Dattari (1853-1923) collection, but first published in 1999.</font></p><p><font size="4">Dattari-Savio (1999, 2007) 12335 / 9892bis (this coin illustrated as pencil rubbing) = <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10362" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10362" rel="nofollow">RPC VI Temp 10362 (this coin)</a> = Emmet 3101 (7), pp. 153 & 254 (this coin cited)</font>.</p></blockquote><p>[ATTACH=full]1591184[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>There are other Severus Alexander Tetradrachms with Elpis reverse types from his Regnal Years 11 [RPC <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10523" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10523" rel="nofollow">10523</a>], 12 [<a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10562" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10562" rel="nofollow">10562</a>], and 13 [<a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10606" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10606" rel="nofollow">10606</a>].</p><p><br /></p><p>But this is the only Elpis for Sev. Alex. in Year 7 (LZ = 227/8 CE). There were briefly believed to be two specimens -- so it is described as "Specimen #2" (!) in RPC Online -- but this coin turned out to be both of them!</p><p><br /></p><p>There are a couple specimens for Julia Mamaea, though only a single pencil rubbing exists to illustrate that type [RPC <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10376" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10376" rel="nofollow">10376</a>]. So, if my reverse die matches one of hers, it's possible that both of my dies are known from other types -- just not together! <i>If the two dies were separately common, but not in combination, would we still consider it to be as rare?</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>2. Antoninus Pius AE Großbronze (34mm, 21.25g) from Hadrianopolis </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><i>(only known specimen)</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><blockquote><p><font size="4">This coin = <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/11165" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/11165" rel="nofollow">RPC IV.1 Temp. 11165</a> = Varbanov 3145. See also Wildwinds pages (corr., cited as Moushmov 2498) for Thrace, Hadrianopolis <a href="https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/thrace/hadrianopolis/t.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/thrace/hadrianopolis/t.html" rel="nofollow">[LINK]</a> & Antoninus Pius <a href="https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/antoninus_pius/t.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/antoninus_pius/t.html" rel="nofollow">[LINK]</a>.</font></p></blockquote><p>[ATTACH=full]1591192[/ATTACH]</p><p>There are specimens with different legends and the horse and figure facing to the right (<a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2579437" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2579437" rel="nofollow">Varbanov 3158</a>), but this is the only one with Castor (?) standing left.</p><p><br /></p><p>Once again, this coin was briefly believed to be the second known, but both turned out to be the same (Varbanov had just tinkered around a bit with the photo)!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>3. Bithynia, Herakleia EL Hekte (1/6 Stater) c. 530 BCE (formerly Ionia, Erythrae)</b></p><p><br /></p><p><i><b>(formerly common, now the only known specimen ["a"] of the type "Fischer-Bossert 10")</b></i></p><p><br /></p><blockquote><p><font size="4">This coin = <a href="https://www.academia.edu/45579782/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.academia.edu/45579782/" rel="nofollow">Fischer-Bossert</a> 10 (V5’’/O9), page 89 & illustrated on page 156.</font></p><p><font size="4">Only known example of its reverse die; possibly the only known example of obverse die, too, though Fischer-Bossert suggests it may be re-engraved from obv. die V5.</font></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1591195[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>We're used to thinking that rare ancient coins can become common when others are unearthed. But, as in this case, common coins also become "rare" or "unique" when we redefine the types more narrowly.</p><p><br /></p><p>Die-studies like Fischer-Bossert's often construct the "type" very narrowly as the "die-combination." Where there used to be only one general type of this EL Hekte, or perhaps a few, depending which reference you used, now there are 173 types of these Herakles/incuse-square Hektes!</p><p><br /></p><p>We can also define the "types" more broadly, for example, by using Fischer-Bossert's Groups 1 through 26, or by period (about a dozen periods, c. 530-420 BCE), or by weight standard (looks like 2 or 3) -- in which case, we would count anywhere from 29 to several hundred known specimens!</p><p><br /></p><p>Which category to use is not objectively fixed, so "how rare" depends on context.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>4. Caria, Myndus AR Drachm, 2nd cent. BCE, magistrate Apollonios</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><i>(one of two from this magistrate, the other now lost (?), only example photographed)</i></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><blockquote><p><font size="4">This coin = Gorny 247 (2017), <i>Sammlung</i> Laurent Bricault (1963-), <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3682024" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3682024" rel="nofollow">4030</a> = <i>SNRIS</i> Myndus 02 (a6) = <a href="http://hno.huma-num.fr/browse?idType=2653" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://hno.huma-num.fr/browse?idType=2653" rel="nofollow">HNO 2653.1</a> = Lanz 131 (2006), <i>Sammlung</i> Erich Karl (1924-2009), <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=339125" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=339125" rel="nofollow">266</a> = (<i>probably</i>) Gorny 81 (3 Mar 1997), 342, cited in <a href="https://www.academia.edu/348167/The_Myndos_1996_Hoard_CH_9_522_" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.academia.edu/348167/The_Myndos_1996_Hoard_CH_9_522_" rel="nofollow">Meadows & Zabel</a> (<i>Coin Hoards</i> IX, 522: pp. 248 n. 7 & 251).</font></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1591201[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>This magistrate was known at the end of the 19th century from a specimen in the James Whittall Collection, purchased by Hoffmann in 1867, and published by Imhoof-Blumer in 1876. It was never photographed or illustrated, to my knowledge (or that of other scholars of the type).</p><p><br /></p><p>It's been almost 150 years since the disposition of the other specimen was last known. (Its weight was published, so we know it was not this one.) Does it still exist? Was it blown apart during the World Wars or melted down during any number of upheavals or thefts? Do we still say there are two known, if we don't really know if the other one survives? How would we answer if we knew that the other had been melted down?</p><p><br /></p><p>...</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Two more quickly, both "unique" in a way</b>...</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Rhegion AR Hemilitron</b>, 7mm, 0.31g. Very rare denomination for type (maybe 3 or 4? all same obv. die) but unique with these reverse controls.</p><p>Elivra Clain-Stefanelli Collection, published in <i>RBN</i> 1987, E. C.-S., “Fractionals” [<a href="http://www.numisbel.be/1987_2.pdf" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.numisbel.be/1987_2.pdf" rel="nofollow">to PDF</a>] Fig. 32-2 (this coin illustrated)</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1591210[/ATTACH]</p><p>Incidentally, look how tiny that little 0.07g Hexas is! (I'd love to have gotten that one, but <a href="https://www.sixbid-coin-archive.com#/en/single/l30175785" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.sixbid-coin-archive.com#/en/single/l30175785" rel="nofollow">I missed its sale at Naville in 2016</a>!) Clearly the same engraver of the lion mask, whose work can be recognized on the larger denominations too.</p><p><font size="4"><br /></font></p><p><font size="4"><b>Syracuse AR Tetradrachm, c. 450 BCE</b>. Reasonably non-rare obverse (V274) and reverse (R378) dies from Boehringer Series XV, but to my knowledge the only specimen with this die-pair. (Unpublished.) </font></p><p><font size="4">Was <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2333607" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2333607" rel="nofollow">incorrectly identified in 2015 as a "Boehringer 540" by Goldberg</a>, but it actually has a different obverse die (V274 not V275). I'm glad about that: I much prefer this one, since my rear horse is more spirited and its head visible, <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?term=boehr+540+syracuse+tetradrachm&category=1" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?term=boehr+540+syracuse+tetradrachm&category=1" rel="nofollow">unlike the other</a>.</font></p><p><font size="4"><br /></font></p><p><font size="4">[ATTACH=full]1591223[/ATTACH] </font>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Curtis, post: 24840604, member: 26430"]One of my favorite numismatic themes: "Rarity" always depends on how we define the categories. I have a few coins that have been described as "unique" in print, but that label might no longer apply if we shifted the boundaries of the "types," or which characteristics we considered important (e.g., control symbols, die-combinations, regnal years, magistrates). Here are a few. I'd love to know if anyone has seen another specimen fitting these "types." [B]1. Severus Alexander Year 7 Elpis Alexandrian Tetradrachm [I](only known specimen) [/I][/B] [INDENT][SIZE=4]Ex Giovanni Dattari (1853-1923) collection, but first published in 1999. Dattari-Savio (1999, 2007) 12335 / 9892bis (this coin illustrated as pencil rubbing) = [URL='https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10362']RPC VI Temp 10362 (this coin)[/URL] = Emmet 3101 (7), pp. 153 & 254 (this coin cited)[/SIZE].[/INDENT] [ATTACH=full]1591184[/ATTACH] There are other Severus Alexander Tetradrachms with Elpis reverse types from his Regnal Years 11 [RPC [URL='https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10523']10523[/URL]], 12 [[URL='https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10562']10562[/URL]], and 13 [[URL='https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10606']10606[/URL]]. But this is the only Elpis for Sev. Alex. in Year 7 (LZ = 227/8 CE). There were briefly believed to be two specimens -- so it is described as "Specimen #2" (!) in RPC Online -- but this coin turned out to be both of them! There are a couple specimens for Julia Mamaea, though only a single pencil rubbing exists to illustrate that type [RPC [URL='https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/10376']10376[/URL]]. So, if my reverse die matches one of hers, it's possible that both of my dies are known from other types -- just not together! [I]If the two dies were separately common, but not in combination, would we still consider it to be as rare?[/I] [B]2. Antoninus Pius AE Großbronze (34mm, 21.25g) from Hadrianopolis [I](only known specimen) [/I][/B] [INDENT][SIZE=4]This coin = [URL='https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/11165']RPC IV.1 Temp. 11165[/URL] = Varbanov 3145. See also Wildwinds pages (corr., cited as Moushmov 2498) for Thrace, Hadrianopolis [URL='https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/thrace/hadrianopolis/t.html'][LINK][/URL] & Antoninus Pius [URL='https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/antoninus_pius/t.html'][LINK][/URL].[/SIZE][/INDENT] [ATTACH=full]1591192[/ATTACH] There are specimens with different legends and the horse and figure facing to the right ([URL='https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2579437']Varbanov 3158[/URL]), but this is the only one with Castor (?) standing left. Once again, this coin was briefly believed to be the second known, but both turned out to be the same (Varbanov had just tinkered around a bit with the photo)! [B]3. Bithynia, Herakleia EL Hekte (1/6 Stater) c. 530 BCE (formerly Ionia, Erythrae)[/B] [I][B](formerly common, now the only known specimen ["a"] of the type "Fischer-Bossert 10")[/B][/I] [INDENT][SIZE=4]This coin = [URL='https://www.academia.edu/45579782/']Fischer-Bossert[/URL] 10 (V5’’/O9), page 89 & illustrated on page 156. Only known example of its reverse die; possibly the only known example of obverse die, too, though Fischer-Bossert suggests it may be re-engraved from obv. die V5.[/SIZE][/INDENT] [ATTACH=full]1591195[/ATTACH] We're used to thinking that rare ancient coins can become common when others are unearthed. But, as in this case, common coins also become "rare" or "unique" when we redefine the types more narrowly. Die-studies like Fischer-Bossert's often construct the "type" very narrowly as the "die-combination." Where there used to be only one general type of this EL Hekte, or perhaps a few, depending which reference you used, now there are 173 types of these Herakles/incuse-square Hektes! We can also define the "types" more broadly, for example, by using Fischer-Bossert's Groups 1 through 26, or by period (about a dozen periods, c. 530-420 BCE), or by weight standard (looks like 2 or 3) -- in which case, we would count anywhere from 29 to several hundred known specimens! Which category to use is not objectively fixed, so "how rare" depends on context. [B]4. Caria, Myndus AR Drachm, 2nd cent. BCE, magistrate Apollonios [I](one of two from this magistrate, the other now lost (?), only example photographed)[/I] [/B] [INDENT][SIZE=4]This coin = Gorny 247 (2017), [I]Sammlung[/I] Laurent Bricault (1963-), [URL='https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3682024']4030[/URL] = [I]SNRIS[/I] Myndus 02 (a6) = [URL='http://hno.huma-num.fr/browse?idType=2653']HNO 2653.1[/URL] = Lanz 131 (2006), [I]Sammlung[/I] Erich Karl (1924-2009), [URL='https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=339125']266[/URL] = ([I]probably[/I]) Gorny 81 (3 Mar 1997), 342, cited in [URL='https://www.academia.edu/348167/The_Myndos_1996_Hoard_CH_9_522_']Meadows & Zabel[/URL] ([I]Coin Hoards[/I] IX, 522: pp. 248 n. 7 & 251).[/SIZE][/INDENT] [ATTACH=full]1591201[/ATTACH] This magistrate was known at the end of the 19th century from a specimen in the James Whittall Collection, purchased by Hoffmann in 1867, and published by Imhoof-Blumer in 1876. It was never photographed or illustrated, to my knowledge (or that of other scholars of the type). It's been almost 150 years since the disposition of the other specimen was last known. (Its weight was published, so we know it was not this one.) Does it still exist? Was it blown apart during the World Wars or melted down during any number of upheavals or thefts? Do we still say there are two known, if we don't really know if the other one survives? How would we answer if we knew that the other had been melted down? ... [B]Two more quickly, both "unique" in a way[/B]... [B]Rhegion AR Hemilitron[/B], 7mm, 0.31g. Very rare denomination for type (maybe 3 or 4? all same obv. die) but unique with these reverse controls. Elivra Clain-Stefanelli Collection, published in [I]RBN[/I] 1987, E. C.-S., “Fractionals” [[URL='http://www.numisbel.be/1987_2.pdf']to PDF[/URL]] Fig. 32-2 (this coin illustrated) [ATTACH=full]1591210[/ATTACH] Incidentally, look how tiny that little 0.07g Hexas is! (I'd love to have gotten that one, but [URL='https://www.sixbid-coin-archive.com#/en/single/l30175785']I missed its sale at Naville in 2016[/URL]!) Clearly the same engraver of the lion mask, whose work can be recognized on the larger denominations too. [SIZE=4] [B]Syracuse AR Tetradrachm, c. 450 BCE[/B]. Reasonably non-rare obverse (V274) and reverse (R378) dies from Boehringer Series XV, but to my knowledge the only specimen with this die-pair. (Unpublished.) Was [URL='https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2333607']incorrectly identified in 2015 as a "Boehringer 540" by Goldberg[/URL], but it actually has a different obverse die (V274 not V275). I'm glad about that: I much prefer this one, since my rear horse is more spirited and its head visible, [URL='https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?term=boehr+540+syracuse+tetradrachm&category=1']unlike the other[/URL]. [ATTACH=full]1591223[/ATTACH] [/SIZE][/QUOTE]
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