Horse Coins

Carthage Palm / Horse-Head. Gold, Silver, Bronze

Gold

CARTHAGE, ZEUGITANA
AV GOLD 1/10 STATERor Trihemiobol.
350-320 BCE Carthage mint
7.50 mm, 0.94 g
Obv: Palm tree with two date-clusters
Rev: Horse’s head right
Ref:Jenkins & Lewis Group III, 138; GC.6461-Müller II,87,81; Sear 6455; SNG Cop (Nordafrika) 132, MAA 8; SNG Lloyd 1613; Pozzi 3290-1; Boston MFA 500


Silver

Carthage - Sicily
AR Litra
4th C BCE
9.5mm 0.65g
Palm Tree
Horse Head
SNG Cop 74
EE Clain-Safanelli
RARE


Bronze

Carthage Zeugitania
Æ17 6.1g
350-320 BCE
Palm Tree
Horse Head
SNG Cop 102

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Carthage Standing Horse - Palm (Tanit Obv) Gold/EL, Silver, Bronze

Gold / Electrum

Africa, Zeugutana, Carthage
Anonymous BCE 310-290
EL Dekadrachm - Stater
18.5mm, 7.27g
Obverse: Wreathed head of Tanit left, eleven pendants on necklace; pellet before neck
Reverse: Horse standing right; three pellets below exergue line
Ref: MAA 12; SNG Copenhagen 136


Silver

Carthage - Zeugitana
AR Shekel-Didrachm
360-264 BCE
Tanit
Horse r, head l, palm in background
SNG COP 141


Bronze

Carthage Zeugitania
after 241 BCE
Dishekel AE 27 10.8g
Libyan Revolt
Tanit -
Horse r palm
MAA 45 SNG Cop 253 scarce

 

I forgot about this one. Not a coin, but still ancient: my Roman bronze horse, 4.8 cm. long. 2nd-3rd century AD. A well-known dealer I showed it to suggested that it might have been made in one of the Balkan provinces rather than in Italy itself.

 

Gorgeous, @DonnaML .

Here are a couple from some of my business travels in China.

Tang Horse, Guanzhou Musem



Monument in Shanxi Province


Museum in Shanghai, Tang Horse

 

I love the ancient Chinese horses like the one you show in the last photo. One can find supposed examples for sale, but I wouldn't know enough to be able to tell if they're real.

 

I have bought and given many replicas. I actually really enjoy the Tang Style (last one) the best. I had some pics from Confuscious' Temple in Qufu that had a couple nice horses. However, the Turtle statues there were really cool.

 

Very nice and inspiring thread. We didn't have an Indo-Scythian horse, here is Azilises (57-35 BC, 28 mm, 9.50 gr.), a tetradrachm:



And here is Vima Takto (c. 80-90 AD), the Kushan emperor, his ubiquitous type:



And another horseback ruler, less known so I'm adding the complete description:



Khwarezm AR tetradrachm king Sawrshafan, about 700 AD. Obv. Head to right (w. mustache and a little beard (a ‘soul patch’), with thick crown (fur hat?), topped with curls. In the neck three little ringlets. Text in front. Rev. Horseman to right, brandishing a whip with his left hand. Text around in bold lettering, a tamgha at 10 o’clock. 26.5 mm, 2.73 gr. Vainberg Г 3.

 

HUNS HORSE

HUNS Nezak Huns - Spalapati Deva AR Jital 750-850 CE Horseman-Bull Tye 5

 

Parthians were very partial to horses. This is Phriapatius (185-170 BC, 18 mm, 2.1 gr., Sellwood 8.2)



Phraates II (138-127 BC, Sellwood 16.30, 13 mm, 1.35 gr. Ex-collection Anne van 't Haaff). A horse with a personality - and a camel's head.



Mithradates II (123-88 BC, Sellwood 27.10, 17 mm, 3.44 gr.)



800 years later, 1500 miles to the east, the tired old horse I showed several times before:
AE Chach, Kabarna, about 700 AD. Obv. Horse trudges to the right under crescent moon with dot. Kz. Tamgha nr. 2 (hook flower). 18 mm, 1.86 gr. Shagalov & Kuznetsov 74-76, group 2 nr. 8.

 

Indo-Greek/Bactrian horse and rider:



Hermaios and Calliope, 90-70 BC.
Indo-Greek AR drachm, 16.2 mm, 1.80 gm.
Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΛΛΙΟΠΗΣ, jugate busts, right.
Rev: Kharoshthi legend: maharajasa tratarasa heramayasa / kaliyapaya, king on rearing horse, right; monogram below.
Refs: BMC India p. 66, 1-2; Sear 7739; Forrer 53; SNG ANS 1319-25; MIG (Mitchiner) 408b; Bopearachchi 2B.

 

Excellent post and beautiful horses. I almost forgot about my Indo-Scythian horses.

 

I would be remiss not tossing out a PHILIP II of Makedon horse!


Makedon
Philip II 359-356 BCE
AE 18 18mm 6.2g
Apollo -
Youth on Horseback - spear head below
SNG ANS 850-1
EX: SteveX6 Collection

 

These two coins are from the same part of the world as the old horse coin above, the blue one under the moon, and not much later - but islamic.



Abbasid AE fals, Nasaf, rebel Al-Muqannah, 157 AH (774 AD). Obv. Horse to the left in circle. Rev. Muhammad rasul in circle. 23.5 mm, 3.60 gr. Nasaf = Nakhshab = Kharshi /now Qarshi, Uzbekistan. See Zeno #102443. V. Nastich, fig. 23. Album A 330.



Abbasid/Tahirid governors of Khwarezm (Kath), south of Lake Aral in Russia. AE fals, AH 228 = 843 AD. Аl-amir Mīkāl mawlâ Ṭāhir under Abdallah ibn Tahir I (828-845). Obv. Horse t.r. Rev. Mohammad rasul. 21.5 mm, 1.64 gr. Album J1395.
Kath, now Beruniy, is 300 miles northwest from Nasaf.

 

]

 

I never knew I had so many horses in my collection (herd?). I'll "try" to spare you me posting every single one (can you imagine there are more than I DID post here?!?), and though some may have already been posted I want to share some of them (they want to be shared, right?).


Zeugitania, Carthage, AE Unit
Struck ~350 BC just before the 3rd Carthaginian invasion of Sicily 345-340 BC
Overstruck on coin from 400-350 BC
West Sicilian mint
Obverse: Youthful male head (Trittolemo?) to left between two grain ears.
Reverse: Horse galloping right.
References: SNG COP 120, MAA 19 (overstruck on MAA 18)
Size: 18 mm, 3.46g
Notes: Interesting overstrike; the head of Tanit is visible on the reverse, and the horse standing before palm tree on the obverse.
(Top two images are of coin, MAA 19, compared to a coin it was overstruck on at bottom, MAA 18.)
The male image lacks signs of a deity and may be one of the leaders of the Punic forces.


Sicily, Messana, The Mamertinoi
Circa 211-208 BC, AE Pentonkion
Obverse: Laureate head of Ares left, helmet to right.
Reverse: MAMEPTINΩN. Nude Dioskouros (warrior) standing left, holding spear and leading horse left placing hand on head of horse; Π (mark of value) to left.
References: Sear 1143, SNG ANS 427
Size: 26mm, 12.9g
The Mamertinoi were a force of Oscan mercenaries who attacked and captured the city of Messana.


Zeugitania, Carthage, 203-201 BC
BL 1½ Shekel or Tridrachm, Second Punic War
Obverse: Wreathed head of Tanit left.
Reverse: Horse standing right, head left; pellet between hind legs.
References: SNG COP 396, MAA 81c
Notes: Black surfaces; The billon of this issue has extremely low silver content, such that nearly all examples appear to be bronze.


Zeugitania, Carthage, 201-195 BC
AE Trishekel
Obverse: Wreathed head of Tanit left.
Reverse: Horse standing right, left foreleg raised. Faint area behind head may be worn uncertain mark.
References: MMA 105a
Size: 28mm, 18.3g
Notes: Coin likely broke after casting when separating the coin from the casting “tree”.


Zeugitania, Carthage, 175-150 BC
BL Trishekel, Utica Mint
Obverse: Jugate and laureate heads of the Dioscuri right; each surmounted by star.
Reverse: Two horses advancing right. [Punic legend] above.
References: SNG COP 428, Müller 341, MAA 109
Size: 28mm, 12.0g
Notes: The billon of this issue has extremely low silver content, such that nearly all examples appear to be bronze.


Zeugitania, Carthage, 215-201 BC
AE Shekel, Second Punic War
Obverse: Wreathed head of Tanit left.
Reverse: Horse standing right, head turned left. Punic B below horse’s belly, Punic Ṣ before.
References: SNG COP 309, Müller 211, MAA 88f
Size: 21mm, 6.63g


Syracuse, Sicily
Hieron II, Ruled 270-215 BC
AE Hemilitron, Struck circa 230-218/5 BC
Obverse: Diademed head of Hieron left, beardless.
Reverse: Horseman galloping right, holding couched lance, monogram below, IEPΩNOΣ in exergue.
References: Calciati 195, BMC 574, SNG ANS 930
Size: 26.6mm, 16.9g


Hispania-Carthage, 228-221 BC
AE unit, Second Sicilian War,
SW Spanish mint (Cartago Nova)
Obverse: Wreathed head of Tanit left.
Reverse: Horse’s head right; in right field, Punic letter ‘Beth’ or ‘Bet’.
References: MHC, L. Villaronga, Las monedas hispano-cartaginesas, Barcelona 1973, Class VIII, 111B; AB 511
Size: 25mm, 9.96g
Ex: Ibercoin, Auction 25, #126 (1/30/19)
Notes: A very rare variety with this Punic letter before the horse.


Hispania-Carthage, 237-209 BC
AE Unit, Barcid Military Mint, Prior and during 2nd Punic War,
Uncertain Iberian mint (Gades/Gadir? Cartago Nova?)
Obverse: Wreathed head of Tanit left.
Reverse: Head of horse right.
References: ACIP 584, SNG BM Spain 68-73
Size: 21mm, 9.82g
Notes: Degenerate or crude style.

Syracuse, Sicily
Timoleon and the Third Democracy, Ruling 344-317 BC
AE Dilitron, Timoleontic Symmachy coinage
2nd series, struck circa 339/8-334 BC
Obverse: [ZEYΣ EΛ-EYΘEPIOΣ], Laureate head of Zeus Eleutherios with long hair left (Eleutherios is “Pertaining to Freedom”).
Reverse: [ΣYPA-K-OΣIΩ-N], free horse prancing or galloping left.
References: Castrizio Series II, 1; CNS 80; HGC 6, 1439
Size: 27mm, 18.06g


Kings of Numidia,
Massinissa (203-148 BC) or Micipsa (148-118 BC), AE Unit
Obverse: Laureate and bearded head left.
Reverse: Horse galloping left; possible pellet above(?).
References: MAA 18a, SNG Cop 505-508


Syracuse, Sicily
Dionysios II, Ruled 367-357 BC
AE Tetras
Obverse: Griffin springing left; clouds below.
Reverse: Horse prancing left, with rein trailing, [KAINON] below.
References: Campana 1; CNS 1; HGC 2, 509 (all as Kainon)
Size: 21mm,7.33g


Thessaly, Larissa
AE Hemichalkon or Chalkous
Late 4th-early 3rd centuries BC
Obverse: Head of the nymph Larissa left.
Reverse: ΛAPIΣ/AIΩN, horse standing right, preparing to lie down; Δ to right.
References: BCD Thessaly II 392.4, Rogers 304
Size: 12.5mm, 2.32g
Ex: BCD Collection (w/ tag) –
T/ne ex Thess.,
Jan. 88, 1500 drs.


Zeugitania, Carthage, 350-320 BC
AE Unit, Possibly from other mints (Sicily?)
Obverse: Palm tree, with two clusters of dates.
Reverse: Head of horse left (variation).
References: MAA 20 var (horse head left), SNG COP 102 var (same), Müller 317-318 var (same)
Size: 17mm, 3.10g
Notes: Overstruck on type MAA 15 (400-350 BC).


Zeugitania, Carthage, 400-350 BC
AE Unit, Carthage or Sicilian Mint
Obverse: Head of Tanit left, wearing wreath of grain and earrings.
Reverse: Horse galloping right.
References: MAA 15, SNG Cop 96
Size: 16mm, 4.32g
Notes: Very unique rendering of horse on reverse, with long neck design.


Macedonian Kingdom
Philip III Arrhidaios, Ruled 323-317 BC
AE Quarter Unit, Miletos mint
Struck under Asandros, Circa 323-319 BC
Obverse: Diademed head of Apollo right.
Reverse: Horseman riding right, BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ above, ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟY below, monogram to left.
References: Price P65, SNG ANS 1005
Size: 11mm, 1.13g


Zeugitania, Carthage, Circa 300 BC
AE ½ Shekel, Uncertain Sicilian Mint
Obverse: Date palm with fruits.
Reverse: Horse standing right, head turned to look back.
References: MMA 22, SNG Cop 126
Size: 16.3mm, 2.91g


Zeugitania, Carthage, 2nd Punic War
AR ¼ Shekel, Hannibal’s time in Italy
Punic military mint in Campania (Capua) Carthaginian occupation, Circa 216-211 BC
Obverse: Head of Tanit-Demeter left, wreathed with grain, wearing necklace and pendant earring.
Reverse: Free horse standing right on ground line, linear border.
References: MMA 78, SNG Cop 335
Size: 14mm, 1.67g
Ex: Savoca Coin Auction, 3rd Silver, Lot #90 (9-15-2019)

And I just won this last coin in the recent Artemide Aste auction in late Feb, but it is still making it's way from Italy... I'm being respectfully patient as we all know there are more important things going on right now.

Punic Occupation of Sicily
Akragas, Sicily
AR Quarter Shekel
Circa 213-211 BC, 2nd Punic War
Obverse: Wreathed head of Triptolemos right.
Reverse: Free horse prancing right, Punic letters “HT” below.
References: SNG ANS 1233; SNG Cop 380; HGC 2, 173
Size: 14mm, 1.86g
Ex: Artemide Aste Auction 50E (2/29/2020), Lot # 86

 

Almost forgot my newest coin. Mega-horses!

Phil Davis

 

Wow, great Carthage collection!

 

Very cool! An Equestri Octad!

 

Cool post with some very nice horses! Some of mine, sorry if you've seen these already.

Achaea. Corinthia, Corinth. Marcus Aurelius Æ 26mm. Bellerophon.
Obv: Laureate head right.
Rev: CLI COR Bellerophon riding Pegasos flying right, attacking a chimaera, facing right.
BCD 706; SNG Copenhagen -.

Aeolis, Cyme. Nero AE19 Obv: NEΡΩNA CEBACTON, laureate head right.
Rev: KYMAIΩN KAICAΡEΩN, unbridled horse trotting right.
SNGCop 141, BMC 126.


Judaea, Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem). Marcus Aurelius AE24 Obv: Laureate bust of Aurelius right,
Rev: Commodus on horseback right, raising right hand.
161-180 CE. Æ25, 10.4g.
Meshorer, Aelia Capitolina 60, BMC 57


Pamphylia, Aspendos. AE14 Pseudo-autonomous First century A.D.
Obv: Horse galloping right.
Rev: AΣΠEN-ΔIΩN, Warrior standing right, holding shield and hurling javelin.

Samaria, Caesarea Maritima. Volusian. A.D. 251-253. AE22. IMP C C VOLVSSINVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. COL P F AVG F C CAES METR P R S PAL,emperor on horseback galloping right, holding spear. Kadman 228; Rosenberger 187;

Thrace, Philippopolis. Commodus AE20. Emperor on horseback.
Obv: laureate head of Commodus (short beard), r.
Rev: male figure (emperor?) on horseback, r., holding spear.
20mm., 5.1g.


Mysia, Atarneos. AE11. Apollo/ Forepart of horse. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Rev: ATAP / Forepart of horse right, serpent behind.
11mm., 0.75 gm.
SNG France 129; SNG Copenhagen 25.

And of course, the two headed horse.
Thrace, Perinthos. AE23. Osiris and Isis
Obv: Jugate heads of Osiris and Isis right.
Rev: PERIN-QIWN, bull standing left, two-headed horse below.
23mm.
c350 BC.