I have been looking for a coin from Segesta for a long time because I like the hound and nymph devices. There are a few dozen varieties but they are all somewhat rare (Hoover scale R1-R3). I found this one at Pegasi at the FUN show and made it my star coin buy of the show. Sicily, Segesta. AR Didrachm, 461-415 BC, 8.43 g Obverse: Hound scenting left on ground line surrounded by border of dots. Reverse: Head of nymph Segesta right, hair tied with a broad band, surrounded by border line. References: SNG ANS 624 Ex. Sotheby 97.2, cleaning marks. Ex. Pegasi, Winter FUN Show 2018 Rare R2. If anyone has the Sotheby catalog from 1997 or the SNG ANS volume illustrating this coin I would love a photo of the pages. Please post your coins of Segesta or with hounds! John
They certainly are compelling coins! I don't have the Sotheby catalog but there is another sale of this coin in ACsearch (Spink, 26 Sept 2016, lot 2739). Looks like there are at least a couple of other coins in ACsearch which are die matches to the obverse. I didn't go through all of the "Segesta didrachm" hits but it might be fun to look at die links. I saw two obverse matches which had different reverse dies. I have a few hounds from putting together a Pink Floyd Animals in Ancient Coins set several years ago . No Segestans though Roman Republic, C. Postumius 73 BCE, Rome AR denarius, 18.74 mm, 3.6 gm Obv: bust of Diana right, bow and quiver over shoulder Rev: hound running right, spear below; C. POSTVMI, TA in exergue Ref: Crawford 394/1a ARGOLIS, Argos 330-270 BCE AR Triobol or Hemidrachm, 14mm, 2.4 g Obv: forepart of wolf left, retrograde Σ above Rev: large A; Π–Ρ above, club below; all within shallow incuse square Ref: BCD Peloponnesos 1083.3; HGC 5, 667 ARGOLIS, Argos 330-270 BCE AR Triobol or Hemidrachm, 13mm, 2.5 g Obv: forepart of wolf left Rev: Large A; stylized triskeles below; all within shallow incuse square Ref: BCD Peloponnesos 1075.2; HGC 5, 667 Roman Republic, L. Caesius 112-111 BCE AR denarius, 3.92 gm Obv: bust of Vejovis (some references say Apollo?) from behind, head turned left, holding a thunderbolt, legend AP; dotted border. Rev: Lares praestites seated with heads left, dog between, bust of Vulcan above; legend LA-RE; dotted border. Ref: Crawford 298/1. Sydenham 564. RSC Caesia 1 THRACE, Madytos c.350 BC AE13, 1.86 gm. Obv: bull butting right. Rev: dog seated right, ear of grain behind. M-A Ref: Sear 1624 cf.; Copenhagen 923-6 ... Oops, I snuck a couple of wolves in there. Close enough?
I love the hounds...and wolves!!! The OP is great and TIF's are wonderful, especially that gorgeous L Caesius denarius My Postumius example---Diana and the hound...
Mine is very corroded. Sicily, Segesta, Circa 412/0-405/0 BC, 0.55g chipped 12mm litra Obv: Head of the nymph Segesta facing slightly left Rev: Σ-EΓE; Dog (Krimisos in canine form?) standing left, shell before, gorgon above dog ex-H. C. Lindgren, sale 77, November 2002, lot 3
I bought a modest example of the Segestan hound/nymph didrachm last year. For some reason whenever I buy a coin with a dog on it I feel compelled to give it a name. This one’s Scooby.
Love your new hound @Theodosius C HOSIDIUS CF GETA ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS HOSIDIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: GETA before, III VIR behind, diademed & draped bust of Diana right, bow and quiver on shoulder REVERSE: C HOSIDI C F, wild boar of Calydon right, pierced by spear and attacked by dog Struck at Rome 64 BC 3.6g, 17mm Cr407/2; Hosidia 1 ARGOLIS, ARGOS AR Hemidrachm OBVERSE: Forepart of a wolf left REVERSE: Large "A", eagle below "I-E/P-W/NO-S" = Hieron (Magistrate) Struck at Argos,90-40 BC 2.25g, 15.5mm BCD Peloponnesos 1177 Ex Aegean Numismatics
VERY nice Didrachm @Theodosius ! Congrats hunting that one down. My Hounds / Dogs: RR C Hosidius C F Geta 68 BCE Diana bow quiver Boar Hound spear Sear 346 Craw 407-2 Makedon Philip II 359-336 BC AE 19 Horse Hound RR Anon AE Half-Litra 234-231 BC Roma Phrygian Dog S 598 Cr 26-4 RR Aes Grave AE Quadrans Dog 3 pellets Six spoked wheel 59.8g Craw 26-6a Th-Vecchi 34 RR C Mamilius 82 BCE AR Den 3.8g 20mm Serrate Mercury caduceus Ulysses Dog Argos Sear 282 Craw 362-1
This is probably outside your field of interest but Vincenzo II Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua (1626-27) struck a ducatone (and half ducatone) with this hunting greyhound on the reverse: I am not a dog expert but I have read the breed is a Leporarius Magnus. The reverse legend reads FERIS+TANTVM+INFENSVS (only hostile to wild animals).
