Hi everyone! Are identification help posts ok? If not I can delete this. So I feel way more comfortable being able to track down my Roman coins now, but I'm still mostly lost with my other coins. This is one I don't even know where to start with it. I *think* this may be an octopus on the back, but that could just be wishful thinking on my part. Could I get other opinions on this please. Also, there are different head profiles on my other ancients. Is there a good resource for narrowing down some of these ancient Greek bronze coins? Like I know if I see the lion headdressing that itsi likely a Macedonia coin. But that's it. Thanks in advance for your opinions and advice!
I think Dr. Rorschach might be the best to help out. But kidding aside, I want to say it looks a bit like an eagle flying with something it's talons? Just a guess... The obverse looks more feminine than masculine to me, maybe like Arethusa, Kore, Persephone, or even Ares? Maybe Athena with a helmet on, but not like a Corinthian helmet pulled up on her brow, but instead actually on her head.
Identification posts are always welcome - I usually just watch and learn from the responses.. Justin has some good ideas on the obverse.. the reverse will completely depend on which way you turn it and what you're smokin' ....
My Rorschach-test on the reverse came up with 'possible crab'. I didn't find a match with any of the gods @Justin Lee mentioned, but I did find this crab with a more generic nymph on the obverse: www.vcoins.com/en/stores/vaughn_rare_coin_gallery/160/product/bruttium_terina_4th_century_bc_ae_17_nymph__crab_rare_sng_ans_889/846908/Default.aspx Just a stab in the dark...And please don't ask me what I've been smoking... Good luck with your search!
Though my eyes may deceive me (ditto on the "Rorschach" comments) I believe it may very well portray a frumious bandersnatch.
For comparison: My two cents, which are probably worth a hay pennie, I think yours is an octopus from Sicily.
@Ryro yeah - that's what i was thinking, but 1. i don't know enough of Greek coins to figure it's Sicily vs. something else that i may not have seen before, and 2. i *want* an octopus, so i was also wanting other opinions because i didn't want to id it as that just because it's what i'd want. @lordmarcovan LOL - yeah, a bandersnatch would be good too @Ignoramus Maximus - i'd like another crab coin too LOL. i can see what you mean on the right side for that where it looks like there are 4 legs together maybe. So, next question. What do y'all do with your Rorschach coins? I've got a bunch that are really hard to id, so i'll probably post more on here. Although i'll go with ones that are maybe a little less messed up from now on. This one i was just really hoping everyone would all be like oh yeah that's clearly an octopus LOL.
Sicily Syracuse AE Onkia 12-10mm 1.4g 425-415 BCE Arethusa - Octopus BMC 249 Sicily Akragas AE Trias 23mm 8.5g 287-241 BCE Beardless Zeus Hellanios 2 Eagles tearing at rabbit hare in talons HGC 2 159