"In short, he left nothing within the power of man undone or untried to start the greatest possible movement, extending from the Orient to the Occident, to vex, so to speak, the whole world, which was warred upon, tangled in alliances, harassed by pirates, or vexed by the neighborhood of the warfare." - Appian Still Trying to narrow down the particulars but there is new research here... https://www.academia.edu/2556703/About_the_First_Lysimachus_type_staters_from_Tomis First Mithridatic War Moesia Inferior, Tomis Kingdom of Thrace and Pontos Mithridates VI Eupator (r. BC 120 -63) AV Stater 20 mm x 8.21 grams (s. BC 89-83) Obverse: Ammon Horned Bust of Alexander the Great Reverse: Athena enthroned with Shield holding Nike outstretched holding a wreath. BASLIEWS LUSIMACOU; TO is ex.
He's got a splitting headache It's very pretty despite the attempted division. The style is better than usual and it doesn't suffer from the die deterioration that most of these seem to have.
See now I don't think it is a issue of Mithridates. I think it is an issue of Lysimachos! And considerably earlier.
I like it very much. The detail is clear, and the style is excellent. One liiiiitle thing though... I think this is a test cut on steroids. I haven't seen many halved staters, and if someone was indeed trying to halve it, they would have finished the job, having come so far.
Like I said on FB, looks great...and keep the dirt! Great strike. Always fascinated who would attempt the cut... Gold test? splitting it for a Half-Stater? Would you share me half?
Like I said on FB, looks great...and keep the dirt! Great strike. Always fascinated who would attempt the cut... Gold test? splitting it for a Half-Stater? I am in the camp of JA w ho suggests if the intent was to cut the coin in half they would have done so. I suspect it was a test cut with a lot riding on it. Sure but it will cost you double...
It's hard not to like a gold piece, especially ancient and well struck....and I'm as puzzled as anyone about that half finished cut. I'd love to have it!!
still pretty darn awesome AN. no doubt about it being solid gold is there? i'd love to hear the story about what happened to it.
Awesome coin Masternoob, you can hardly notice the little cut. i can fix it, just a little wielding.. Good as new!!!
