I received this in a group of uncleaned Greek coins purchased a few years ago. I think it may be Nabatean? 4.05 grams and 19mm. Is that a bull or a horse on the reverse? Looks like some letters to the right of the cartoonish portrait. Maybe a little brushing would reveal more details? What do you all think it is? John
I agree-- it looks Nabataean. The reverse looks like an off-center crossed cornucopia, rotated slightly clockwise. Or, perhaps it's a Malichus with single cornucopia reverse. I'm not sure how or if the coin should be cleaned. Those concretions might be very difficult to remove. Perhaps you could try soaking it in water and if that doesn't soften things up, a soak in acetone or mineral spirits. Hopefully @John Anthony will see this and chime in.
I would agree with TIF. One of mine. Aretas IV Mint: Petra 4 to 3 BC Obvs: Aretas IV head right. Revs: Two crossed cornucopias. Caduceus between them on staff. AE 14x15mm, 1.8g I don't recall an animal reverse on any, but I can check. EDIT -> there are bird reverses. As far as cleaning maybe best to leave as it is, else details brought out by deposits may disappear.
my first thought was an iberan celtic coin, like this... here is the page this pic came from with info..tom buggy's place... http://tjbuggey.ancients.info/Greek.html
Hmm, maybe Chris and Bing are right. The Castulo reverse looks good but the obverse hairstyle looks wrong (longer hair on the OP coin). The plot thickens!
We can do a comparison on that too. Castulo Early 1st century BC AE Semis Obvs: Diademed head right. Revs: Bull advancing right, L and crescent above. 17x18mm, 3.1g
compare to these "long haired" version at vcoins... https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/da...ull_stg_rt_crescent_above/528719/Default.aspx https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/an...bulco_19822__apollo__bull/651555/Default.aspx
Thanks for the help! I am leaning towards it being the Iberian. This coin was mixed in with a lot of Macedonian bronze coins but I don't think that provides any clues.
