Lydian Roman Provincial Challenge- Legend help

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Ryan McVay, Aug 3, 2021.

  1. Ryan McVay

    Ryan McVay Well-Known Member

    My first coin with a portrait of the god Men wearing a Phrygian cap. This one has been a challenge because the lettering is not the best.
    I've given this a shot and came somewhat close. I passed it to a good friend of mine (hard to believe I have one!) and he was able to narrow it down to LUDIOC = LYDIOS = Lydia

    Now before someone just blurts out the attribution I would like help with the lettering! Most of the fun is in the research! So please, help with the lettering if you can. Many thanks. FYI I am leaning towards Silandos or Sardes.

    I did do a visual inspection of all the Lydia cities on Wildwinds.com. That was a lot of scrolling but to no avail.

    Ready, set, go!
    Lydia unknown.jpg
     
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  3. Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

    Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Well-Known Member

  4. Brian Bucklan

    Brian Bucklan Well-Known Member

    Haven't tried to identify it but I'll give you a bit of help, the reverse spells out the city name TΡAΠEZ-OΠOΛITΩN.
     
  5. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Another hint: Not all coins have legends that start and end in the usual orientation and not all have the top of the letters facing the edge of the coin. Keep an open mind until you decide whether this is 'usual'.

    Is it just me or did one pi get cut upside down?
     
  6. Brian Bucklan

    Brian Bucklan Well-Known Member

    Possibly Mên got hungry and ate the top of the pi
     
    Ryan McVay likes this.
  7. Ryan McVay

    Ryan McVay Well-Known Member

    Roman Provincial, Tripolis, Lydia. AE 3.0g 17mm,
    Boule facing r. LUDIOC ?BOYAH?
    Men facing r. TΡAΠEZ OΠOΛITΩN (upside down)

    OK..OK..."UNCLE!" I can't make heads or tails of mush on the obverse right side
    I'm using wildwinds so I am only seeing a sampling...I am attempting to match up the knotted hair (possibly) at the back of the neck...but the bust could be Senate (but not enough letters) or Boule or possibly Demos
     
  8. Ryan McVay

    Ryan McVay Well-Known Member

    If the coins were meant to communicate a message of some kinda...boy, these engravers sure made it hard to interpret!
     
  9. Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

    Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Well-Known Member

  10. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

  11. Ryan McVay

    Ryan McVay Well-Known Member

    OK. So, apparently I didn't take the obvious hint with the city name..still stuck on my Lydia translation..way off target..so much to learn..

    Thanks to everyone for humoring me and helping out. Mistakes are made. That's how we learn- from mistakes.

    I'd like to give you all "Best Answer" status. Best Answer goes to @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix . Best teacher award goes to @dougsmit
     
  12. Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

    Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Well-Known Member

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