Hoplite thread: a hefty Greek stater (ten times the weight of a sceatta)

Though early medieval coinage has become the focus of my collection, I can not resist the occasional Greek, Roman or Celtic coin that grasp my attention. Especially when it's silver and heavy - a combination that hits a weak spot.

When this coin arrived in my mailbox today, I was positively surprised by the weight of the enveloppe: indeed, the coin weights a serious 10.4 grams. This is more than the average sceatta (weight ranges between 0.7-1.2 grams) and a gentle physical reminder of other interesting collection area's beyond Anglo-Saxon. The coin in question is both cool (it shows complete die rust / die break on the obverse, which is apparently typical for this type, and a cool Greek hoplite on the reverse), and comes with an interesting provenance to Prof. Dr. J. van der Dussen, a well-known Dutch numismatist.

Here is the coin:

GREEK, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Stater or , minted: Tarsos, Cilicia; 410-385 BC
Obv: Total die break or corrosion; should show a warrior, holding two spears in right hand, on horse galloping left; to right, bee upward
Rev: TRZ (Tarsus), hoplite wearing Corinthian helmet, kneeling right, in defensive position holding spear and shield.
Weight: 10.4g; Ø:22mm. Catalogue: SNG France 211-212; Chandon 635-636. Provenance: Ex. collection Prof. Dussen; Ex. Auktion Hirsch Feb 2003; acq.: 01-2021
Die break on obverse die typical for issue; flan-crack or test cut

Please show cool Greek coins with hoplites!

 

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I have no hoplites but I DO have a question...Is that guy....naked?
I'm pretty sure, from everything I've read and listened to, they didn't go into battle naked.
Or maybe I'm just seeing things?

Either way, that is a great coin! Thanks for sharing!

 

Nice pickup, @Roerbakmix ... cool blown out die on the Obverse!


Not a Greek Hoplite, but a Samnium Warrior in the same theme as a Hoplite:


Sicily, Mamertini
AE Pentonkion circa 264-241,
Æ 26mm., 10.61g.
Obv: Laureate head of Zeus r.
Rev: MAMERTINΩN Warrior advancing r., holding spear and shield; in r. field, Π.
Ref: SNG ANS 441. Calciati I, 41.
Comment: Attractive green patina. Good Very Fine.
Ex: From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection.
Ex: Naville Action

 

Phoenicia, Byblus Ozbal 400-340 BC Shekel, 13.28 gm.

War galley proceeding left with prow terminating in lion's head, containing three hoplites with crested helmets and round shields, on zigzag line of waves; below, Phoenician inscription OZ above back of hippocamp left, murex shell below / Phoenician inscription 'ZBL' MLK GBL, lion left attacking bull. SNG Copenhagen 132. HGC 10, 133.
Quite possibly the highest graded but they don't maintain/display the population for ancients on their website. NGC MS 5/5 - 5/5.

 

...That would be different. Only people I ever heard of who went into battle naked were those crazy-azy Celts. Who were probably roaring drunk at the same time.

 

Interesting coin – I wonder what the heck happened to that obverse die!

My only hoplite coin is this Aspendos stater. The type once was rare, but after the recent hoard it has to be considered common. My example has two massive test cuts:

Pamphylia, Aspendos, AR stater, ca. 465–430 BC. Obv: Warrior walking r., holding spear and shield. Rev: Triskeles, two test cuts. 17mm, 10.91g. Ref: SNG France 1–11.