Help with Unknown Ancient

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Bonedigger, Mar 19, 2007.

  1. Bonedigger

    Bonedigger New Member

    Here is one I posted some time ago, but we've got newer member's who have vastly diversified interests so who knows, maybe someone knows what this is now.

    Looks like crowned bust facing left and Tyche on the reverse, that's about it. 18mm and 5.4 grams

    Thanks
    Ben
    [​IMG]
     
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  3. Aidan Work

    Aidan Work New Member

    That looks like an Ancient Persian coin.

    Aidan.
     
  4. AnemicOak

    AnemicOak Coin Hoarder

    Looks like some type of Roman Provincial, but I really don't know.
     
  5. JeromeLS

    JeromeLS Coin Fanatic

    Persian- OR PARTHIAN....probably a hemiobol from weight ranges given.
     
  6. Drusus

    Drusus Pecunia non olet

    Its Tyche, I can probably place it if it hasnt been placed by tonight.
     
  7. Bonedigger

    Bonedigger New Member

    Thanks to everyone who took a look. Dru, Thank-You very much for your review.

    Ben
     
  8. Drusus

    Drusus Pecunia non olet

    [​IMG]

    although I dont think this is your coin, it is of a similar theme.

    What I do know is possibly what you know already...that you have a VERY rough, odd styled coin with what appears to be a turreted Bust...now a lot of times this is Tyche (fortuna) the godess that governed the fortune and prosperity of a city (often identified as the city personafied with turreted crown) If it is authentic (I wouldnt know) such a coin would usualy date pre-empire and be of a helenistic city origin...tyche was used by romans but seldom if ever during the empire as a bust on the obverse.

    What you have on the reverse is a female figure holding a cornucopia...That reverse figure could be Tyche holding a cornucopia. Such a figure is almost always holding something else in the other hand but its impossible for me to tell it could be a rudder or a patera / phiale...

    The style is so rough and odd, unlike anything I have seen and I searched and found hardly anything that resembles it...sorry couldnt be more help on this one.
     
  9. Mikjo0

    Mikjo0 Numismatist

    Drusus,
    That's closer than anything I could find but where is this coin from?
     
  10. Drusus

    Drusus Pecunia non olet

    my bad, forgot to post that...

    That coin is listed as roman provincial from Aeolis, Mint: Myrina

    I think Aeolis (west coast of Anatolia), Murina (myrina) is on the island of Lemnos which is a part of Lesbos...I think.

    Obverse Type (Tyche city bust amazon murina turreted)
    Reverse Type (Tyche Holding Rudder and Cornucopia)

    It doesnt list a date but Anatolia King antiochus III was defeated in 190 BC and given over to the kings of Pergamum. The last king of that line bequeathed the territory to Rome and it came under direct rule in 129 becoing the province of Asia Minor. I think this coin was minted much later well into the imperial period.
     
  11. Aidan Work

    Aidan Work New Member

    Drusus,Lemnos & Lesbos are 2 separate islands,even though they are both part of Greece.

    Aidan.
     
  12. Drusus

    Drusus Pecunia non olet

    Lemnos is in the Lesbos Prefecture which includes the islands of Lesbos, Limnos, and Agios Efstratios. I should have clarrified.

    All were a part of Anatolia, Later the province of Asia Minor (I think)

    The coin I posted is listed as autonomous and there are obviously serious stylistic differences thus this all might be moot at it I am not sure exactly where bonediggers coin comes from.
     
  13. Ian

    Ian Coin Collector

    Actually, it looks like Tyche obverse / reverse some god or godess carrying a cornucopia. The obverse is typical of coinage from Arados and surrounding region...exceting that Tyche is usually depicted facing right. The `crown' is actually the city ballustrades (ie she is wearing / supporting the city). Now....there's a `head' start for you. :)

    Ian
     
  14. Aidan Work

    Aidan Work New Member

    Ian,the crown that looks like a wall is actually called a mural crown.You often see them on coats-of-arms of various banana republics,& cities & towns within them.

    Aidan.
     
  15. Bonedigger

    Bonedigger New Member

    Appreciate everyone taking a look, but alas Aeolis; Myrina mint doesn't list any similar examples and Arados comes up empty as well, oh well... I sincerely appreciate the help though.

    Regards
    Ben
     
  16. Ian

    Ian Coin Collector

    Ben,

    I'm not exactly sure what you have (as in whether it is a coin or a tourist item) to be honest. It does look rather `primitive' and out of keeping with genuine coinage from the region I had in mind.

    Aidan,

    Firt time i've heard of it being referred to as a `crown' at all, let alone a `mural crown'.
     
  17. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Hello,

    As far as I know, Drusus will soon come with good news about this coin and a quite precise attribution, my little finger says....

    Cucumbor
     
  18. Drusus

    Drusus Pecunia non olet

    Phoenicia, Dora. 1st Century AD. Bust of Tyche left / Astarte standing facing, head turned right, holding standard and cornucopia. Dates are missing on the reverse so exact identification not possible.

    attribution by Barry Murphy

    :)

    I have still not found any corresponding example though...not on wildwinds or coinarchives...
     
  19. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

  20. Bonedigger

    Bonedigger New Member

    Thanks for the hard work Dru, much appreciated...
     
  21. Drusus

    Drusus Pecunia non olet

    No problem...I cant stand not being able to ID an ancient :) So I got some help...
     
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