I spotted this killer coin on ebay and had to score it. This is a wonderful and from what I hear a scarcer As from Iberia. Interesting it has Vulcan and Helios some pincers and some Phoenician script on it. I dont have much to say on this except, "Oh Boy!" Iberian Celts Malaka, Iberia (late 3rd century BC) AE AS 25 mm x 12.83 grams Obverse: Capped bust of of Vulcan with Pincers behind all within a wreath 0 MLK in Phoenician behind. Reverse: Radiant facing bust of Helios. Ref: SNG Cop 39
Neat example! I usually see the craftsman god on the obverse called Chusor-Ptah, a combination of the Caananite Kothar and the Egyptian Ptah, analogous to Hephaistos and by extension, Vulcan. Chusor is Phoenician.
Definitely cool!!! Love the mix of devices. The only example I have of the 'Celts' is this modest bronze of the 'Danubian Celts': River god and trident.....
A wonderful coin. If I had noticed it I likely would have bid. But that is good for you as it would only have driven the price up!
Cool coin, Noob ... I like the expression on Helios' face (I like both of their expressions) Reminds me a bit of this sweet dude with the snake and the hammer ...
that's a cool coin...both sides, vulcan is great...and that facing helios is kind of mesmerizing. awesome new coin AN!
Neat coin! However, Malaka wasn't a Celtic polity but a Phoenician (Punic) colony under the hegemony of Carthage until 212 BC when it passed to the Roman Republic. Thus the inscription is in Phoenician rather than the Celtiberian script and language found on Iberian Celtic coins. The types on this coin are more interesting, I think, than the rather monotonous "male head" and horseman of Celtiberian coins.
@Ancientnoob Love it! I only have one Vulcan, and it is from Aesernia, minted by the edited Samnites. I am travelling, and only have my ipad with me so I cannot post it.
Good the city of Malaka were not Greek. Because "Malaka" in greek actually means a edited. No kidding.
