Came across this 16mm Ephesus issue a few days ago and for some reason had to buy it. The obverse with the bee is quite nice but the reverse is completely blank. There are numerous visible marks on the reverse showing that someone intentionally ground it flat, but left the obverse perfectly intact. The even patina on both sides certainly indicates it was done in antiquity. Just curious if anyone knows of a possible reason why this would have been done.
No, but at least the business side of the coin was left alone. The bee is the whole reason I like and collect Ephesian coins.
Interesting thought but the nice, even patina suggests that this was probably done a very long time ago. Now I wonder how long folks have been setting coins into jewelry. And that does give me an idea of what to do with this piece. BTW, the guy I got it from surmised it may have been used as a weight. Good a guess as any.
How much does it weigh? Does its weight match a known or multiple/fraction of a known weight standard?
Yeah, I was thinking it was mounted in ancient times. A weight sounds like a reasonable guess, too, except weren't they usually made of lead? Why would you make a silver coin into a weight?
Could it be that two flans were stuck together when this was struck and the wear happened after? I remember dougsmit had a coin like that a while back. Just a thought though it does look like that was intentionally roughed up on the reverse. Very nice bee detail btw!
The dude either hated deer, eagles, or chicks!! Oh, and that's a very sweet bee obverse you have there (congrats on that cool OP-example)
S-Yoda => try saving-up the cash that you're spending on those sweet Canadian rainbow-toned quarters and aim it towards one of those cool Bee-coins ... It ain't rocket science, my coin-friend
I know, but I am very focused on completing these 2 toned coin sets. I cannot buy any coins right now. I spent way to much on christmas gifts for my parents. worth every penny though. way down the road I will buy an amazing ancient bee silver coin.
Thread revival for a tiny coin I picked up yesterday. Not a great example but the price was right. The stag is a little hard to see, looking back with foreleg raised. AE12, 1.4g
