Recently I have been after several very high grade Greek coins but have consistently been out-bid. Fortunately, a CT member was offering this coin at a reasonable price and I went for it. These examples are readily available at auction but those that fit my prevailing budget were a bit too worn or off-struck for my tastes---and since they are fairly 'common', I decided to wait for the right fit to my budget....and this one was nearly a perfect match for me....especially my remaining budget LOL The seller's photo is at least as good as any I tried to replace it with so I have posted it along with all the 'attributes' and provided references.
VERY NICE Mikey! I have toyed with getting one several times as it is a very distinctive design. But, I keep begging off, as it does not fit my historical approach. I do love the Eagle... so I may break down and get one soon. YOU have done that to me a few times!!!
Now that's a super GORGEOUS example @Sallent !! Yep, @Alegandron.....We all are causing each other to go broke LOL
I am not an expert on these but isnt the weight about a Gram short for a Istros drachm in this condition- shouldn't it be like 5.6 g or so ideal?
Not now. Too many other cool HISTORICAL pieces I am chasing. Have about 10 coming in this week. Been pacing at about 5-10 a week...
I love this design, but there is a companion you will need to go after with the faces opposite which I keep watching for. THRACE, ISTROS AR Drachm OBVERSE: Facing male heads, the left inverted (Polydeuces Castor and Pollucs (AKA Dioskuri) REVERSE: Sea-eagle left, grasping dolphin with talons; ISTRIH above, Q between wing and tail, K beneath dolphin Struck at Istros, 400-300BC 5.3g, 19mm AMNG 434 I have no answer for @Ancientnoob's question, but it does seem to be underweight.
i'd love to get one of these, congrats to you MZ. on the list, but like you...i have to have both of those faces on there nice and centered...and preferably that cool eagle/dolphin as well. i had to look up something on bings coin.. Polydeuces another name for pollux....had no idea.
Well, I've noticed 'genuine' drachms range from as low as 3.5 grams to as high as six, with the bulk of them at about 5 grams or so... At the moment I have no reason to be concerned or do I ? Any other comments on the weight ??? Love the posts guys!!!
Jeez, Brian, Have you started a landscaping business too??? See, It's because of y'all that I can't go to Rome and Naples this year
Lol, no, this has been my pace for the last year or so... Maybe I should partner up with the @panzerman ... Call the company the CarolinaPanthers...
As Bing pointed out, they come with the heads going the opposite way. More scarce are coins with the reverse figures going right. There are also fractional denominations and barbarous copies. In other words, you need a pile of them. Do you see a conspiracy here? All these coins are ganging up to drive you to the Poor Farm.
