The title says it all. Though, I do recognize the face and thought I would remember who it is (or at least the area it is from) when I bid the ten euro on this little snack...but am stuck. And whatever is on the reverse is so far off flan it is of almost no help here. While searching I was hopeful that it might be one of those Themistocles obols/hemiobols but don't think that is the case anymore. Here is the coin and the description from NBS: Greek AR Obol. 4-5th century BC. Reference: Condition: Very Fine Weight: 0,3 gr Diameter: 8,5 mm Anyone seen this guy before or want to point me in the right direction?
I think the correct orientation is and the reverse is a ram But this design is not exactly unique as I can find similar coins (unless the ram is just in my head): Kebren https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4240200 Kasolaba https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7645263 Salamis (and the type also attributed for Halikarnassos) https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=360723 The delta (very likely an A) would be a clue to develop the investigation - but the coin seems similar to the Kasolaba example. Another even more similar Kasolaba https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5294418
Great eyes! I sure see the ram now that you have fixed the orientation! I am with you on the Kasolaba being the closest. Let's see if I can find one with the A...
This is closer (I edited my last post most likely when you were writing) https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5294418 This also fits https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=8417086 or https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7134281 I also have a coin attributed to Kasolaba (different style though) When trying to attribute it properly I read that there are many variations with Carian letters behind and after the bust.
Very nice detective work my man! I was starting to lead to Kebren, as I saw a couple of rams heads from their with youthful male head but nothing as close as this. Kinda cool; "Kasolaba, a hitherto unlocated city known from Athenian tribute lists to have been situated somewhere between Halikarnassos and Mylasa. "We don't even know exactly where the place was!
Yep, it's quite strange, I remember reading about this last year (a lost city). I got my Kasolaba coin last Christmas and almost forgot how much I like it. Very elegant and mine is also a "monster" 7 mm coin. Initially I though your coin is from Salamis but I am 99% sure that Kasolaba is correct. Here is in that auction the other Kasolaba coin with youthful man/ram - I lost this one (to be honest I like the one I won better) - the style is closer to yours at least on the ram.
