Greeks?!?! What is wrong with me?

Ok so we all know that usually ValiantKnight ≠ Ancient Greek coins. But this year I've been finding myself drawn towards them a little more than usual. A "little more" meaning to the tune of 10 added to my collection so far in 2016 (counting my three Seleucids). None of them are going to win the title of Miss Greek Coin 2016, but they were still interesting enough for me to give them a home. In short, the main selling points for me are their artistry and the symbolism/themes.

It is late here as of this writing so no history lesson about the coins, but I can come up with one when I have time if anyone wants me to. Will take a bit longer than usual though, since I'm not too familiar about the Greek cities my coins are from.

(My first coin with a griffin. Awesome!)

Magistrate Lycomedes, Abdera, Thrace
AE14
Obv: Griffin sitting right on club, ΛΥKO below
Rev:ABΔ-HΡI-TE-ΩN around laureate head of Apollo right within linear square
Mint: Abdera
Date: 350-325 BC
Ref: Mantis 1993.43.4





From my poor translation effort I believe the reverse legend ABΔ HΡI TEΩN has something to do with Abdera's relationship with another Greek city, Teos, but I was hoping someone would be willing to help me further understand what it says exactly.

And now for my other recent Greek acquisition:

Thessalonika, Macedonia
AE17
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right
Rev: ΘEΣΣAΛO-NIKH above and beneath bull grazing right
Mint: Thessalonika
Date: 158-149 BC
Ref: BMC 19



The clear bull on the reverse is what won me over about this coin. Just grazing peacefully. I realize a grazing bull was probably a common sight but I like to think someone at the mint used their own memory of a bull grazing to create the reverse as opposed to a drawing or something. In this way I am seeing the ancient world through the eyes of someone that actually lived back then.

Balancing out my collecting transgression, I recently also got a couple of Byzantines, so I am still within the darker corner of the dark side

 

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Very nice! I'm really liking the bull one

 

Atta-boy, Jango ... come to the even darker-side!!

=> Greek Vader!!

 

I love seeing you dip your toe into another coin-pond (I find it kinda fun to occasionally stray into unknown territory => keeps it fresh, eh?)

Oh, I also have an example of your first OP-coin ... the cool Gryphon from Abdera





=> fantastic coins (the gryphons/griffins are definitely among my favourites)

Oh, and I also love your sweet bull example (I'm gonna have to check and see if I have a similar type) ........ again, congrats on money well spent (I love both of 'em)

 

Nice!

 

Thanks for the comments!

Man that sure is a nice one, especially the reverse. I know how much you dislike letting go of coins but if you ever upgrade, I'll keep this one in the family for you... "brother"

 

Oh and for everyone, please share any related coins!

 

Okay ... ummm, how 'bout a few more random gryphon coins?



... thanks for the coin-op, my friend

 

I think that the Greek coins suit you. You should stop buying all those nice Roman coins from the late Empire, and focus solely on Greek and Roman Republic coinage

 

The dark side is full of slippery slopes . You got a couple of neat coins sliding down this one. I really like that placidly grazing bull.

My Abdera drachm has a hole that wrecks the reverse, but the gryphon is still pretty nice.

 

THRACE, ABDERA
Tetrobol
OBVERSE: Griffin springing left
REVERSE: Magistrate's name around linear border, within which head of Hermes l., caduceus before; all in incuse square
Struck at Abdera 411-385 BC
2.780g, 15mm
May 279

 

You first

 

Just bought a Norman coin, now its your turn.

 

Sardis and Perge bronzes

 

Later, in the Provincial period, many cities did not put the name of their city on the coin but used the genitive plural of the people who lived there. I have not noted this used this early but I would suggest researching if ABΔ HΡI TEΩN is how they would write "of the Abderiteans". This is how we get coins of Marcianopolis marked Marcianipoliton. How you can follow up this suggestion to confirm or correct me is not clear to me.

 

It is always nice to expand your numismatic horizons - like having a new girlfriend/boyfriend in a way...

Those are some nice new additions! and well chosen.

As for me, for the moment at least, my loyalty still belongs to Rome