I just added two more of these little coins to the collection.They are typical small change from the dozens of Greek City/States from the era. First is a 1/8 shekel from Phoenicia (c.350 BC) featuring a war galley on the obv. and deity fighting a lion.Note that both are standing up...funny. Second is a 1/12 stater from the city of Miletos (c.500 BC) in Asia Minor.The obv. is a nice lion's head and the rev. is a nice incuse star pattern. It still amazes me that they could create intricate designs on coins this small 2500 years ago.
Oh, hold on now. The Druids were spread all the way from Ireland to Iran with Macedonia and Greece in between, so... B
You're right.I thought they were only in the British Isles but then I found this after seeing your post. http://www.druidorder.demon.co.uk/druid_history.htm
Perhaps obsolete was a poor choice of words. An enlightened mysterious religion might have been more appropriate. "The Universe and the Human Soul are indestructible, although fire & water will prevail temporarily at times..." Bone
The Miletian 1/12ths are pretty small coins, and one of my favourite and affordable ancients. They made smaller fractions yet, 1/48th and even incredibly 1/96th of a stater. The 1/48ths are scarcer than the 1/12ths, but still affordable. The 1/96ths are very rare.
Krasnya, Thanks for the info! I actually found this picture of one on this great site...amazing!! http://rjohara.net/coins/eye-swirl-quincunx/
Here's one of my Greek `minors'. it's a silver tetartemorion from Kolophon, Ionia and circa 480 bc. The detail to the bust of Apollo (obverse) is truly amazing considering it is all of 5mm x 7mm and 2,500 years old. What you might also find interesting about this coin is that the TE monogram reverse is its denomination! Possibly the worlds first denominated coin type?
LOL cucumbor! Ian,I never knew the technical name of the Ionia coin...thanks.The one I have has a bit cruder portrait of Apollo than yours but still has the TE monogram incuse on the obv. interesting stuff.
Bought another one today.It is listed as Magna Graecia 400-300 BC Massala,modern day Marseilles,France. obv.head of Apollo left. rev.Cross with MA (city initials) Sorry 'bout the kaka pics but my camera seems to be having a "bad lens" day. I had no idea that the greater Greek Empire extended to France..go figure.
Here's one, a 96th stater from Miletos, a coin weighing all of 0.13g and measuring all of 5mm in diameter: That's a roaring lion on the obverse, and a bird. likely a dove, on the reverse. One-sixth the weight of the lightest U.S. coin, the three-cent silver piece minted from 1851 to 1873. Not expensive either for a fairly scarce piece, $20. Tiny fractions like this can be great deals, not being in demand like larger Greek silver.
