Latest addition to the collection - Mysia, Parion, AR Hemidrachm

This one just came in yesterday. Mysia, Parion. 4th century BC. AR Hemidrachm (14mm, 2.25 g, 12h). ΠA–PI, bull standing left, head right / Gorgoneion. SNG France 1356-7; SNG von Aulock 1319; BMC 14-6.

I've actually got one other from Mysia that I haven't posted here before, the tiniest coin I own and the first Greek silver I ever picked up:

Mysia, Kyzicus, AR hemiobol, (0.4g) 480-450 BC Obv: Forepart of running boar left, tunny fish behind upward. Rev: Head of roaring lion left within incuse square.
Sear 3850.

Both unfortunately exhibit silver crystallization like many tiny silver ancients but even so they are some of my favorites for the simplicity and beauty of design.

 

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is the first coin face sticking out its tongue ? cool.

 

that's some sweet greek mini-silvers RS!

gorgon blowing raspberries is very nice....and high on my list.

 

Great coins!

 

Nice!! => a couple of sweet new scores, red_spork (congrats!!)

Ummm, I also have examples of those cool coins (oh, and a couple more interesting Mysia-examples ... I hope it's okay to post 'em?)

Mysia, Parion, AR Hemidrachm
4th CENTURY BC.
Diameter: 15 mm
Weight: 2.23 grams
Obverse: Head of Gorgoneion facing, tongue protruding, head surrounded by snakes
Reverse: Bull standing left, head right; below, grain ear right
Reference: SNG France 1373-6; BMC 23



Mysia, Kyzikos, AR Obol
525-475 BC
Diameter: 10 mm
Weight: 0.73 grams
Obverse: Forepart of boar left; tunny behind
Reverse: Head of Lion left, K before; all in incude square
Reference: SNG France 380, SNG Von Aulock 1215




Mysia, Kyzikos, AE24
200-100 BC
Diameter: 24 mm
Weight: 5.44 grams
Obverse: KYZI-KHWN to left and right of lit torch
Reverse: Bull butting right
BMC Mysia p.39, 164; SNG Cop 79




Mysia, Kisthene, Orontes, Satrap of Mysia, AR Half Siglos or Tetrobol
Circa 357-352 BC
Diameter: 13 mm
Weight: 2.75 grams
Obverse: Nude hoplite crouching left behind shield, spear at ready
Reverse: Forepart of winged boar right
Reference: Troxell, Orontes 4; SNG France 1164A (Lampsakos); SNG von Aulock




Mysia, Pergamon, AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm
123 - 104 BC
Diameter: 27 mm
Weight: 12.4 grams
Obverse: Cista mystica within ivy wreath
Reverse: two serpents entwined around bowcase; BO above




Wow, thanks for allowing me to unload a handful of my Mysia examples (man, that felt-good)

... congrats again on adding a couple of great coin-types!!

Cheers

 

I have soft spot for the Parion type. Here is mine:-



Regards,
Martin

 

Nice coins Red and all. I do not have the Parion type which means I will have to rectify that. But here is my Mysia, Kyzikos:

 

i always like to wip out my giant tuna.

 

Minor crystallization never bothers me. We are talking about ancient coins here, after all. What I like most about the hemidrachm is the clear detail in the bull's turned head. Sometimes you get a wonderful obverse with a mushy bull. Your coin does not have that issue.

 

Turning the head back really helped fit the animal on the round flan. You see that on many Greek coins. I suspect that is why we even today credit them as a highlight of fine art. Unless you drop a crystallized coin and break it, I consider it a plus. It is hard to fake.

As usual my example is not as nice. Also notice we don't all agree on which side is the obverse.
http://www.acsearch.info/search.htm...1&ot=1&images=1&currency=usd&order=0&company=

 

=> 100% (man, I love the looks of the cyrstallized coins!!)

... yup, some of those sweet reticulated coins are actually among my favourite AR targets!

 

Mine is rather bootleg.