TESSERA (Clay) Greek/Roman - Help anyone?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Topcat7, Jun 17, 2016.

  1. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    I bought this (clay) Tessera because it was so different to the other coins in my collection, and I thought that it had beauty. Also, I haven't seen many on this Forum, and, I am having great difficulty finding a reference for it.
    My (clay) Tessera differs from most because it is 'oval' in shape (not round) and is 'one-sided'.
    I am hoping that someone may be able to help me with this one.
    Any thoughts, anyone, please?

    Magical Snap - 2016.06.17 17.14 - 192aa.jpg

    Magical Snap - 2016.06.17 17.15 - 195aa.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2016
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  3. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    Judging by the facial hair I would guess it was "struck" sometime in the 2nd century. I'll email Gert boersema, he has some knowledge in this regard.
     
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  4. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    Received a reply from Gert

    Dear

    That looks like a clay papyras bulla - or is it lead? Can't judge very well from the photo.

    Regards

    Gert
     
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  5. GregH

    GregH Well-Known Member

    I see these clay tesserae occasionally and I've always wanted one. Would love to know more about them, if anyone here can provide an overview.
     
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  6. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    Cool!!! I'd love to see more about them as well.
     
  7. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    Mr. Boersema just suggested that it is not a Tesserae at all, but a papyrus bulla of Marcus Aurelius or Antoninius Pius.
     
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  8. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    I mean, you could've just typed @Ardatirion - I only have over 250 tesserae. :D

    Does this piece have a channel were a string could pass through? If so, then this is a clay seal impression that would have been appended to a document of some sort. If not, then it is one of the numerous fakes on the market at the moment.

    On the current batch of fakes: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=104760.0

    An authentic piece that I own:
    [​IMG]

    A FAKE that I own:
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    And if anyone wants an authentic piece, PM me.
     
  10. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    My Tessera...

    upload_2016-6-17_9-26-10.png
    Rome.
    Lead Tessera c. 1st cent. AD
    13mm, 1.39 g, 12h
    Obv: Fortuna standing left, resting rudder on ground with right hand, holding cornucopia in left
    Rev: Large DP
    Ref: Rostovtsev 2307; Ruggerio 808-9
    Ex: Tom Vossen collection of Roman lead objects.
    Ex: Gert Boersema
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2016
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  11. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    @Alegandron - Gert and I are working on publishing that collection. Your piece will be illustrated in it

    EDIT: This is a type that has been surprisingly available lately. All specimens exhibit the same misalignment, indicating that they were all cast from the same set of molds. Here's one of my two examples.

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Wow, thank you for the information. I was drawn to it when it was offered. Would love to know what it was used for... but, I understand that is lost in time...
     
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  13. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    In the past, it has been thought that these were used for entrance tickets or in the grain distributions. That might still be possible, but I think there's a very strong argument to be made for a use as currency. Its infinitely frustrating to me that the few people who study these can look at the evidence, put together a good argument for currency use, and then dismiss it all and just fall back on the tired old tickets explanation, for which there's even less evidence.
     
  14. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    In prior conversations, someone akin'd them to US Civil War Tokens as substitute currency. I grew up where folks would even us Postage Stamps as a substitute means to pay for things, like groceries, etc.
     
  15. 4to2centBC

    4to2centBC Well-Known Member

    Are you suggesting it was an official currency or a currency similar to the fake money used at resorts today?
     
  16. 4to2centBC

    4to2centBC Well-Known Member

    S&H Green Stamps.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S&H_Green_Stamps

    When you grow up poor, those things were manna from heaven. Just as good as money.
     
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  17. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Yes, I remember those well too. However, US Postage stamps were used as change in a lot of grocery stores (local) as they sold them too.
     
  18. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Ahahaha, you're pretty cocky ... but I guess you've earned it, eh Ardy?

    :rolleyes:

    Ummm, I only have two of these cool Pb-examples ... I love both of 'em


    Tessera Egypt Serapis and Griffin.jpg Asia Minor Ionia Ant.jpg
     
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  19. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    One of my Grandsons LOVES Antman... Maybe your Ant Tessera was an admission token for a Roman Antman play... :D
    upload_2016-6-17_10-27-39.png upload_2016-6-17_10-28-4.png

    Sorry @Ardatirion , I just could not resist... I tend more to believe they were token currency vs. spending so much effort to mint a token for a one-off event.
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2016
  20. ancientcoinguru

    ancientcoinguru Well-Known Member

    I have a few tessera. Don't know enough about them to tell if they are fake or not. But I think they are cool!
    Ephesus tessera.png
    Lead Tessera (3.02 grams, 16.15/19.38 mm)
    Obv: Diana of Ephesos cultus statue. Star on either side
    Rev: Lilyflower

    PB tessera.png
    PB tessera - square (13.9 mm, 2.51 g, 12 h)
    Obv: Pomegranate
    Rev: Wreath
     
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  21. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    More like a privately issued pseudo-currency. Something akin to the cent tokens of the American Civil War.
     
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