There was more to the ancient world than just Greece and Rome. I know some of us here collect some really cool non-Classical coins. Let's see some! Juba II Kingdom of Mauretania AR denarius, c. 16-17 AD Diademed head r. IVBA REX Cornucopia and scepter, crescent above MAA 94; SNG Copenhagen 593 Portrait of Juba II, Louvre Juba II was the only son and heir to Juba I, King of Numidia. His wife was Cleopatra Selene II, the daughter of the infamous union between Marc Antony and Cleopatra. Brought to Rome after the defeat of his father by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, Juba eventually became a close personal friend of Octavian. From this friendship, Juba attained his later position of importance in N. Africa.
Chach (now Uzbeckistan) paired portrait but ruler unknown 7-8th century AD Kashmir Kshemagupta with Queen Didda Rani 950-958 AD Elymais Orodes I c.100 AD Parthia tetradrachm Volagases IV November 152 AD (month dated!) Baktria Maues 90-57 BC AE hemiobol I collected Greek and Roman for nearly 40 years before I started branching out into other far away places with strange sounding names.
I find these Celtic coins very appealing. These quinarii are attributed to the Celtic-Germanic tribes of the Rhein-Hessen area in what is now central germany. Minted approximately 100-50 BC, just before the roman invasion. The types shown here are the Bird-Man of the Vangiones tribe, and the Dancin-man.
Very nice Central Asian pieces! I would love to get one from Chach. Here's some more: Orodes IV and Ulfan Kingdom of Elymais AE drachm – 15mm c. 150 AD Diademed and cuirassed bust with forked beard and large bunch of hair on top Chaldeo-Pahlavi legend to left. Bust of Queen Ulfan or Artemis-Tyche (?), left; diadem (?) behind. Partial Chaldeo-Pahlavi legend to left Alram 488; SGIC 5916v. Orodes I Parthian Kingdom AR drachm – 19mm Rhagae, 90-80 BC bearded bust left wearing tiara with eight-pointed star; pellet ended torque; circular border of pellets beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand; no border ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡ−ΣΑΚΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Sellwood 31.6 And how about the world's oldest nickel? Euthydemos II Kingdom of Bactria NI double unit – 7.37 g., 22mm 185-180 BC Laureate head of Apollo right Tripod, monogram to inner left BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYΘYΔHMOY Bopearachchi Série 6B; SNG ANS 224 And a Sassanian coin: Peroz Sassanian Empire AR Drachm ‘AS’ mint (Aspahan?) Crowned bust r. Fire altar with attendants and ribbon, star and crescent flanking flames; “Peroz” in Pahlavi to left, mint to right. SNS III Type IIIb/1c; Göbl III/1
I almost showed a nickel but had to limit it to five. Yours is first, my Agathokles (171-160 BC) panther is next. These panters and those of his co-ruler/brother Pantaleon wrap up the ancient nickels available as I understand it. A very common Indo Greek silver is Menander from the second century BC. They have Greek on one side and Karoshti on the other. There are several bust variations but I prefer the heroic. He also made history in a religious sense: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I ...and finally, I can't pass up on the most common and lowest priced silver coin of the first millenium AD. Shahi Jitals of the Bull and horseman type were made for hundreds of years with several minor variations. I like them when they have details on the flan. This one is my earliest (perhaps about 800 AD?) as shown by it's higher relief. Later ones have more of an outline. Because of their long period in circulation, most found are a bit worn.
