Selinos litra: this tiny coin has it all

Wow TIF ... those are some prestigious comments

=> apparently it sounds as though it was worth the big bucks that you shelled-out to snag it, eh? (it keeps on gettin' better and better)

=> oh, and it even has a sweet ol' fish in exergue (thrown-in merely for a few extra bonus-points)

 

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My only "Man-headed Bull" example came 100 years after your sweet OP-example ... it is the usual suspect (also associated with nymphs, snakes and man-headed bull)

Neapolis, Campania, AR Nomos
320-300 BC
Parthenope (nymph) & Man-Bull



... the chicks dig him

 

It absolutely does have it all - great coin!!

 

Man, that's great info to have! Good thing you went with your gut on this one.

 

I recognize your coin, TIF, and was thinking of bidding on it. Hopefully, I didn't miss it in the thread, but would you give the auction and lot number where you bought it? I can't add any adjectives to those already used in this thread. That is simply a remarkable acquisition and extremely attractive! BTW, triple thanks: first, for posting such a jewel; second, a repeat thanks for telling me how to liberate my Selinus didrachm, which I posted here: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/my-first-acquisition-of-2015.257675/ from its NGC slab; and third, for the link to Silver Coinage of the Man-Faced Bull. When I went to "Katane", the second coin listed is my Katane tetradrachm, posted here: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-york-acquisitions-1.258120/ !

 

Thanks, ancientnut! I'm glad you didn't bid. There was enough competition for it already .

This coin was from CNG 342, lot 54.

Since your Katane MFB tetradrachm is on the MFB site, I suspect it too may become a plate coin in Nick Molinari's book

 

This coin has everything.

 

Hah, excellent reference

 

It has every thing except the legend behind the scene. That should be revealed and interpreted, otherwise what do we really have ?
Charles

 

You're right. I'll return it.



Nick Molinari has been studying that very question for some time and is gathering all possible leads, hopefully shedding light on the meaning of this iconography. It does appear to mean different things to different minting locales (the man-faced bull part, at least). I look forward to his book and have been following the bits of research he posts on Forvm.

We may never know its full meaning to the people of Selinos.

 

In that case, we might resort to our imagination , as well as our modest background and insight of History. Let's say that the nymph is standing between the serpent and the man who is disguised in the shape of a bull. Is she protecting him ? Whom could he represent for her ? That's just legend talk..

 

Stefon rocks!!

 

nice so small, and so much detail......