Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
New arrivals: A hard stone intaglio Roman ring and a classical owl with an interesting countermark
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="robinjojo, post: 8469904, member: 110226"]Here's a truly mixed bag.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is an antiquity that came out of Roma's E-Sale 100. </p><p><br /></p><p>The hard stone is either jasper or carnelian, probably the former, since it is fairly opaque and not translucent. The figure depicted is really different from one usually seeing with these intaglios.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here's the lot description:</p><p><br /></p><p>"Roman Silver and Hardstone Ring. Circa 3rd - 4th Century AD. Octagonally faceted gnostic intaglio, set in silver shank with broad shoulders, engraved with gryllus head, composed of human head with pointed chin, with birds' legs, wearing tall cap in the form of a maned-horse's head holding frond in its mouth. 11.35g, 11mm (intaglio).</p><p><br /></p><p>Condition as seen.</p><p><br /></p><p>From the Altstetten Collection, kept in the vault of Crédit Suisse Geneva (documentation available upon request) since 26 November 1969."</p><p><br /></p><p>The ring measures 25mm x 15mm.[ATTACH=full]1500230[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>On the owl front, I picked up this classical standardized owl from the same sale. This is a high grade example, albeit with an off center obverse. Normally I would pass on this coin, but what attracted me is the small countermark on the obverse. As some of you probably know I like to collect owls with different types of countermarks, which exist in a profusion of types on these famous trade coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>The countermark, I believe, is a Paleo Hebrew "taw", as shown below this owl, which indicates this coin was in the Levant but not put into circulation. Perhaps it was countermarked and then put in a bank of sorts or a hoard where it resided for the next 2,400 years or so.</p><p><br /></p><p>17.18 grams</p><p><br /></p><p> [ATTACH=full]1500231[/ATTACH]</p><p> </p><p>[ATTACH=full]1500232[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="robinjojo, post: 8469904, member: 110226"]Here's a truly mixed bag. This is an antiquity that came out of Roma's E-Sale 100. The hard stone is either jasper or carnelian, probably the former, since it is fairly opaque and not translucent. The figure depicted is really different from one usually seeing with these intaglios. Here's the lot description: "Roman Silver and Hardstone Ring. Circa 3rd - 4th Century AD. Octagonally faceted gnostic intaglio, set in silver shank with broad shoulders, engraved with gryllus head, composed of human head with pointed chin, with birds' legs, wearing tall cap in the form of a maned-horse's head holding frond in its mouth. 11.35g, 11mm (intaglio). Condition as seen. From the Altstetten Collection, kept in the vault of Crédit Suisse Geneva (documentation available upon request) since 26 November 1969." The ring measures 25mm x 15mm.[ATTACH=full]1500230[/ATTACH] On the owl front, I picked up this classical standardized owl from the same sale. This is a high grade example, albeit with an off center obverse. Normally I would pass on this coin, but what attracted me is the small countermark on the obverse. As some of you probably know I like to collect owls with different types of countermarks, which exist in a profusion of types on these famous trade coins. The countermark, I believe, is a Paleo Hebrew "taw", as shown below this owl, which indicates this coin was in the Levant but not put into circulation. Perhaps it was countermarked and then put in a bank of sorts or a hoard where it resided for the next 2,400 years or so. 17.18 grams [ATTACH=full]1500231[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1500232[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
New arrivals: A hard stone intaglio Roman ring and a classical owl with an interesting countermark
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...