This coin has not been ID'd yet. It's possibly Pius from Coela, did not find at RPC Online. I am interested more about what is on the prow. What do you guy's think? 18mm. 4.22g.
A decorative dolphin or ketos? Here's the same feature on the prow of a Marcus Aurelius from Coela (not my coin):
I vote Ketos. Thanks @zumbly! This coin is not in good shape except for the prow. They usually do not fare well from Coela.
Since you mentioned Ketos here's a nice profile coin: Kindya Caria AR Tetrobol; 11mm, 2.2gms Ox: Head of the Sea Monster Ketos left Rx: Stellate pattern within latticed frame
Let's see some non-Republican prow and galley coins. Uncertain mint, Vespasian head laureate l., OYE ... KAISAR S / Prow l., EPI[..]DIONYSIOY... RPC 2.2805 = Lindgren 3.1661 (only catalogued specimen) CYPRUS. Salamis. Æ12. Late 4th cent. BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena left. Rev: ΣΑΛ. Prow left. BMC 74. 12mm, 2.3g. Lesbos, Mytilene. AE19. Zeus Ammon / herm of Dionysos. Obv: Bearded and horned head of Zeus Ammon r. Rev: M-Y/T-I, herm of bearded Dionysos in himation standing facing on prow of ship; grape bunch to left, apluster to r. ca 2nd-1st century BC. AE19, 5.8g. SNG von Aulock -; SNG Cop. 393. Megaris, Megara. Ae12. Prow/Tripod Obv: MEΓA, prow left. Rev: Tripod flanked by two dolphins with heads upwards. c. 275 - 250 B.C. 12mm, 2.09g. BCD Pelop 18.1 And for @stevex6, any mermaids you may have. Edit:
Hey, ancientone => thanks for the coin-invite!! Ummm, I'm pretty sure that I only have these two non-RR Prow examples ... Phoenicia, Byblos King Uzzibaal AR 1/16 Shekel Date: 365-350 BC Size: 11.03 mm Weight: 0.76 grams Obverse: two hoplites with shields in war galley sailing left (roaring lion’s head on prow), hippocamp swimming left below (N O in field) Reverse: Phoenician inscription; Lion attacking bull, left Reference: BMC 6 MEGARIS, Megara Æ Dichalkon Circa 275-250 BC Diameter: 15 mm Weight: 1.89 grams Obverse: Prow of galley left Reverse: Tripod flanked by dolphins upward Reference: BCD Peloponnesos 17; Kroll 644a Other: 12h … VF, green patina. From the BCD Collection (not in previous BCD sales)
I vote Ketos as well, but is lamprey an option? Non-RR prows: (needs a reshoot; it isn't quite that brown) PHOENICIA, Byblos. Uzzibaal AR dishekel, 13.3 gm mid 4th century BCE Obv: Three hoplites with shields in war galley left, roaring lion's head on prow, waves below galley; hippocamp left below; Z O (N O?) in field Rev: Phoenician inscription; lion attacking bull left Ref: SNG Copenhagen 132, BMC 26.95, 4 EUBOIA, Histiaia 340-330 BCE AR tetrobol, 13 mm, 2.3 gm Obv: head of nymph Histiaia right Rev: AIEΩN; nymph seated on stern of galley right; IX (XI?) below Ref: Sear Greek 2496 Prow in the distance: Nero struck in Rome, CE 63 Orichalcum sestertius, 34 mm, 26.7 gm Obv: NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP PP; laureate head right, wearing aegis Rev: ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES; Ceres, veiled and draped, seated left, holding corn ears and torch, her feet on stool, facing Annona standing right, holding cornucopia; between them, modius on garlanded altar; in background, stern of ship Ref: RIC 98. Cohen 24 A ketos: CARIA, Kindya 510-480 BCE AR tetrobol, 2.18 gm, 11 mm Obv: head of Ketos right Rev: geometric pattern within incuse square Ref: Kagan and Kritt, 'The Coinage of Kindya,' NC 1995, 1 var. (head left); SNG Keckman 920 var. (same); SNG Kayhan 815; "Asyut Hoard" 688
Wow Granger, I am always impressed when we pose-down our Byblos examples!! My humble lil' sweetie is a mere 0.76 grams of silver, yet your massive beauty is a whoppin' 13.3 grams!! (I'm totally jealous ... I have a bit of shekel envy) Man, I'd love to have "both" and take a group-shot, showing the size difference (it would be pretty sweet, eh?)
Beautiful coins! TIF, I usually don't care that much for Histiaia AR coins, being so common, but this one has to be one of the finest.
I have no Phoenician coins, and have not paid much attention to that area. Wow, some VERY interesting types and devices! I should try to find a nice Tyre coin (Mother of Carthage). And, no, not a biblical silver shekel - that would be too modern.
