Dipping my toes in Ancient Greece

I find that the coins in my collection that I appreciate the most are ones that lead to more research. Part of the reason I have chosen to stay away from ancients to this point is the amount of time spent on my core collection. The wife already complains about the amount of time I spend "messing" with my coin stuff.

This is going to be done with baby steps, hopefully, so that I don't overwhelm myself. With any collector, regardless of there focus, if you don't go in with the proper expectations it leads to early burnout.

 

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I bought my first Greek coin about a month ago and im waiting till I return home to get it. I had initially planned to stick to Late Roman coins because of the great details available on them but when I saw this one I figured I would give it a try. I got it very cheap because it was semi-cleaned and still needs some dirt removed.
I don't think I did bad for the first one for a low price.

Greek city of Pantikapaion Bronze 20mm (6.61 grams) Struck circa 310-303 B.C.
Reference: HGC 7, 113 MacDonald 69; Anohin 111; Sear 1700;
Head of Pan, the satyr right.
ΠΑΝ, Forepart of griffin advancing left; sturgeon below.

 

I do not see the Pantikapaion as shown to be in need of further cleaning. Washing away the dirt will make the coin look different but not necessarily better. It is a good looking specimen of a type not always that well centered. Good coin! Congratulations.

 

What a start !
Welcome to the dark side

Q

 

Hi, All. Have, recently, been learning about Thucydides, famous ancient Greek historian. Does anyone know if he features on any coin(s) and, even better, where I might get hold of a coin with his portrait ???

 

did you check V coins they have a decent search engine

 

No luck there, I'm afraid. They came up with two, allegedly, Thucydides coins, but they were nothing of the sort. Still, my appreciation, I could try again, later on.

 

Nice score! You can find many examples of interesting and beautiful bronze Greek coins that won't break the bank. Here is mine:


Cimmerian Bosporos, Pantikapaion
AE17, 4.6g, 6h; c. 325-310 BC.
Obv.: Head of Satyr left.
Rev.: Π-A-N; Head of bull left.

Think mine was about $40...don do have my notes handy.

 

Ooh. I like that, especially for the price.

 

There are so many options in ancients and many opportunities to find affordable and beautiful coins.

I suggest not limiting yourself to a particular culture or time period yet. Look around and see what you like. This is how I collect. Admittedly may not be the best approach but it's what works for me. I've heard specialities will find you as your collection grows.

 

The second Giveaway coin I was awarded (for doing zilch !) was a 10 Centesimi, copper , Italian. Mintage year, 1924, 35,312,000 were struck. It was circulated years 1919-1937. - King Vittorio Emmanuelle III, of Italy, ruled from 1900 until his, probably enforced, abdication in 1946. He had also claimed to be Emperor of Abyssinia (1936-1941) and King of the Albanians (1939-1943), but without recognition by other great powers. - The Kingdom of Italy saw 2 World Wars, and the King's reign encompassed Italian Fascism with Benito Mussolini, who was appointed P.M. in 1922. Monarchy was abolished in 1943, and the ex-King went into exile in Alexandria, Egypt, where he died in 2016. This "Soldier King" had remained silent during Mussolini's assassinations and other power abuses, and had been too closely identified with Fascism. The year of my coin, 1924, saw Italy's last multi-party election before Mussolini's landslide victory. - Bees, symbols of hard work and dedication, are the ancient heraldic motif of the noble Roman family of Barberini. Coat of Arms - papal tiara, keys and 3 bees. The family had a Pope elected in 1623, Pope Urban VIII. A Biblical riddle relates that bees had made a hive in a lion's body (killed by Samson). "Out of the strong came forth sweetness."

 

Very nice. I gave $80 for mine.

 

That coins is very nice as it is and I doubt it would be better if the dirt were removed. I suggest you leave it as it is for a long time. You can clean it later if you decide it needs it (I hope you won't), but you can't easily unclean it.

 

To anyone still following this thread, I picked up a few more from CNG this week.

My first owl. Despite being new to ancients it has been on my wishlist for a while.

ATTICA, Athens. Circa 454-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.00 g, 8h). Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent to left; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; HGC 4, 1597. VF, toned, bankers’ marks, graffiti.




My second of this type but a different variety.

KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 4.27 g, 12h). Miletos mint. Struck under Philoxenos, circa 325-323 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, legs crossed; monogram in left field. Price 2090; ADM I Series I. EF, underlying luster, slight die wear.

Price 2090 comprises two varieties, one with Zeus’ legs parallel (or spread), the other with his legs crossed, though this distinction is not delineated in his corpus.



And my second owl. A new type for me. It just spoke to me.

PONTOS, Amisos (as Peiraieos). Circa 435-370 BC. AR Siglos (18mm, 5.35 g, 2h). Arys-, magistrate. Head of Hera left, wearing stephanos / Owl, with spread wings, standing facing on shield; [control marks to left and right], AP-YΣ across central fields. Malloy –; HGC 7, 229 var. (unlisted magistrate). VF, bright surfaces. Very rare variety with this magistrate.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 290 (7 November 2012), lot 199.



All images and descriptions are from the CNG lot listings.

 

Great captures!

Those are really nice examples.

John

 

Thank you

 

Look at that! My avatar is also a wildman. My first ancient purchase after a long hiatus was also a Thessaly (Larissa) bull wrestler from cng ex bcd.

Nice coins! I like countermarks, too