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Two countermarked owls, the Gemini twins and Melqart riding a hippocamp
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<p>[QUOTE="robinjojo, post: 7530013, member: 110226"]I love to collect coins with interesting countermarks. Not only are the countermarks often challenging to interrupt, they also provide interesting clues on the location and times in which they circulated. Here are two recent arrivals. Both, I believe, were created in the 4th century BC.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Athenian owl traveled far and wide, especially in the eastern Mediterranean. They were in the mainstay currency for many economies, at least until the massive Alexandrian coinage emissions supplanted them in the later 4th and 3rd centuries BC.</p><p><br /></p><p>The first coin is an intermediate owl, perhaps of Athenian origin, that came to me from Israel. Of interest is the countermark on the obverse, squarely on Athena's cheek. At first I couldn't make out the design. Clearly letters or characters were used, in my view. The two figures or heads seem conjoined at the neck. Then, it occurred to me that this counterstamp could be one of the twins, Castor and Pollux, a reference to Gemini. That the countermark is in the shape of a heart (intended or not) makes it quite special.</p><p><br /></p><p>16.3 grams</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1300068[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The second coin's countermark is a little more complex. Additionally, the coin is quite bright (prior cleaning) and the surfaces are quite rough. This owl came to me by way of a German coin dealer on MA Shops.</p><p><br /></p><p>Again, there is counterstamp centrally located on Athena's cheek. The upper part of the counterstamp is very reminiscent of obverse used on the Tyrian staters, which depict Melqart riding hippocamp right, with ocean waves below. Of course the counterstamp design is very simply engraved, but there is a semblance nonetheless.</p><p><br /></p><p> [ATTACH=full]1300086[/ATTACH]</p><p>Beneath the figure is either an Aramaic or Paleo Hebrew character mem or meme, which is derived from the picture for water, and, among its meanings, includes "mighty". Could this counterstamp be one to validate this coin for circulation by a local authority? </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1300091[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Although this coin weighs 17.1 grams, I believe it is an imitation, mainly based on its crude nature, especially regarding Athena's helmet, face and the owl and ethnic on the reverse.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1300079[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Well, that's my take. What do you think?</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="robinjojo, post: 7530013, member: 110226"]I love to collect coins with interesting countermarks. Not only are the countermarks often challenging to interrupt, they also provide interesting clues on the location and times in which they circulated. Here are two recent arrivals. Both, I believe, were created in the 4th century BC. The Athenian owl traveled far and wide, especially in the eastern Mediterranean. They were in the mainstay currency for many economies, at least until the massive Alexandrian coinage emissions supplanted them in the later 4th and 3rd centuries BC. The first coin is an intermediate owl, perhaps of Athenian origin, that came to me from Israel. Of interest is the countermark on the obverse, squarely on Athena's cheek. At first I couldn't make out the design. Clearly letters or characters were used, in my view. The two figures or heads seem conjoined at the neck. Then, it occurred to me that this counterstamp could be one of the twins, Castor and Pollux, a reference to Gemini. That the countermark is in the shape of a heart (intended or not) makes it quite special. 16.3 grams [ATTACH=full]1300068[/ATTACH] The second coin's countermark is a little more complex. Additionally, the coin is quite bright (prior cleaning) and the surfaces are quite rough. This owl came to me by way of a German coin dealer on MA Shops. Again, there is counterstamp centrally located on Athena's cheek. The upper part of the counterstamp is very reminiscent of obverse used on the Tyrian staters, which depict Melqart riding hippocamp right, with ocean waves below. Of course the counterstamp design is very simply engraved, but there is a semblance nonetheless. [ATTACH=full]1300086[/ATTACH] Beneath the figure is either an Aramaic or Paleo Hebrew character mem or meme, which is derived from the picture for water, and, among its meanings, includes "mighty". Could this counterstamp be one to validate this coin for circulation by a local authority? [ATTACH=full]1300091[/ATTACH] Although this coin weighs 17.1 grams, I believe it is an imitation, mainly based on its crude nature, especially regarding Athena's helmet, face and the owl and ethnic on the reverse. [ATTACH=full]1300079[/ATTACH] Well, that's my take. What do you think? Thanks.[/QUOTE]
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Two countermarked owls, the Gemini twins and Melqart riding a hippocamp
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