Poor Little Lion

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Evan8, Dec 5, 2017.

  1. Evan8

    Evan8 A Little Off Center

    Found this tiny guy a few weeks ago for $21, and just now getting around to posting it.

    Comb04122017093132.jpg
    Seller images which are much brighter:
    s-l400.jpg

    MILETOS, IONIA
    AE 11, 353-323 BC
    Series V
    Laureate Bust of Apollo right
    Lion standing right looking back at sun. Line at exergue with (?) below.
    11mm, 1.01 grams
    Kinns, 1986: 251-252

    Alot seems to be unknown about these issues. My example above has had a pretty rough life considering the sun is gone and whoever the magistrate was, their name is completely gone from the exergue. I was able to determine it was a Series V of the Rhodian silver and bronzes of Miletos based on it's tiny size and weight, as Series V is the tiniest of the five series listed. The condition that these are mostly found in contributes to the difficulty to determine just exactly who and when they were made. But, these bronzes from 4th century Miletos seem to be quite rare regardless of condition. It's a lion. It was cheap. What isnt to like about it?
     
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  3. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    I love the little bronzes.

    Cool lion, and not just the head but the whole beast with seriously waving tail.

    John
     
    Evan8 likes this.
  4. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Nice coin and price, I like the top pic more it seems to show more detail and great patina, is that one yours?
     
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  5. Evan8

    Evan8 A Little Off Center

    Both images are of the same coin. The second set is the seller images, the top are mine. Yes it's mine.
     
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  6. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Nice, the sellers pic doesn't do it justice.
     
    Evan8 likes this.
  7. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Nice
     
    Evan8 likes this.
  8. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    Can you tell us how you went about researching this coin? Were there some good online sites or did you hit the library? Or both?
     
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  9. Evan8

    Evan8 A Little Off Center

    I stumbled upon this site while researching my other Miletos example. Seems to be a good source for info on anything Miletos.
    http://rjohara.net/coins/apollo-lion-rhodian/
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  10. asheland

    asheland The Silver Lion

    Cool!
     
    Evan8 likes this.
  11. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    Wow. What a great site. Thanks, Evan8!
     
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  12. Black Friar

    Black Friar Well-Known Member

    Great rescue work....lord knows they are disappearing from the wild. Really fun little coin.
     
    Evan8 likes this.
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