Took forever to choose which one to get so I'm surprised it didnt sell while I decided XD. I dont collect to many Greek coins but really had to get this one. I new the size but its still surprising how small it was when it came. Bronze AE Unit, SGCV II 6697, aVF, 7.079g, 16.9mm, 0o, Macedonian mint, obverse head of Apollo right wearing taenia; reverse FILIPPOU, young male rider on prancing horse right; "Philip II expanded the size and influence of the Macedonian Kingdom, but is perhaps best known as the father of Alexander the Great. He personally selected the design of his coins. In 356 B.C., the year Alexander the Great was born, Philip's race horse won in the Olympic Games. The reverse of this type likely depicts his winning horse."
Both have their good/bad. Top has a slight off centering on the obverse while the reverse has more details on the horse and bronze disease, if thats what the green is. Bottom has better obverse centering but less disease and horse details. It would be a toss up. I'd probably pick the bottom, which looks like you did. Ive been slacking on getting more greeks too. Ive just been so focused on getting the Adoptive era of my romans out of the way. Still torn if I wanna get a Aelius after Marcus....
I found the perfect Marcus finally but its overseas & have to get a bit more funds together for it. Aelius I can take or leave but would feel incomplete not getting one of him. Rather have Orbiana.....
I would have gone with the top one hands down - it has the control mark below the horse visible. You should also bear in mind that this type continued to be struck until well after the reign of Philip. Unfortunately, no one has been able to nail down the precise chronology yet.
I would have went with the top as well. My reasoning is you can still make out the complete obverse, even though crowded to the right, but the reverse is complete on the first, and very incomplete on the second. If I had to only have one example of this type, therefor I would have chosen the most complete of both sides. This is, though, what makes coin collecting not a definitive science, there is room for personal preferences. Chris
I'll agree with Chris on both choice and how it is nice to have choices. This is a common type so 'neither' is a choice if you want to wait for a better one but the top coin has a very nice reverse and great horse head. Neither has a really good boy on the horse but the decision point is the top coin's control marks. It is uncommon to see both.
I just really liked the portrait on this one and I was looking for certain look rather than a certain coin or type. Also, I'm embarrassed that I didnt even notice the control mark The other has allot of pluses which is why it took my a while to decide, but I had to go with the one I liked the most. The coin bellow is one I got because it was nice, not because I liked it, I dont regret buying but could easily part with it but I would have rather got something I liked more.
And that is why I said there is lots of room in this hobby Randy for other choices. I could see if the someone wanted more of a portrait coin that the second coin could be chosen. Every collector has different wants and goals. Chris
