Sallent said it in another thread. but I don't have any Sicilian pigs so I am starting a new thread with two coins from the show Saturday that qualify as having other issues. First is an AE14 from the 4th century BC with great detail somewhat obscured by the mottle green patina. The two dolphins and legend in the reverse wheel are really quite clear for a small bronze. An example with those details an a smoother patina would have been out of my price bracket. The coin reminds me of some of the posts here of Chinese coins where value is increased by patina over legible detail even at the expense of eye appeal by Western standards. I do like those little dolphins. Syracuse, Sicily AE14 Arathusa head left / wheel with two dolphins, ΣYΡΑ Second is later and larger AE20 which I believe is an exceptionally well detailed bronze but, again, has 'other issues' in the form of patina faults. The reverse has full circle of dots and both ends of the bull. The issues introduce some scattered crusties and a green wart on the forehead of Persephone. Syracuse. Hieron II (275-216 BC). AE 20mm, Head of Persephone left, wreathed in grain / Bull charging left, head lowered, club above Φ, IE in exergue. Research might provide denomination names for these coins and how they relate to the silver but I would want to see the evidence used to make those calls.
They are pretty coins despite the patina issues you mentioned.The Hieron II is definitely my favorite. Reminds me of the bull reverse on one of my Roman denarii (L. Thorius Balbus)
Are you sure it is a Φ ? On mine there is a poppy behind Persephone's head and a Θ below the club like the one on this picture from acsearch at https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4155283 (sorry I am running well behind with taking pictures): Syracuse, Hemilitron ( Sicilian weight standard based on the local bronze litra. A Hemilitron is ½ bronze Litra), struck circa 275-265 BC The reference for this coin is Calciati II, 191 DS 89 R1 8; SNG Morcom 809; SNG ANS 591 - 592; (letter below club; Agathokles).
Nice coins Doug. Syracuse has some of the best ae types. Here's one I picked up at the FUN show recently: 1. Sicily, Syracuse : Pyrrhus 278-276 BC Ox: Head of Herakles left, wearing lion's skin headdress Rx: SURA-KOSIWN, Athena Promachos standing right, holding thunderbolt overhead in right hand, shield on left arm
This Athena Promachos is the Macedonian Athena Alkis, a type which first occurs on coins struck in Egypt by Ptolemy Soter for Alexander, the son of Roxana. Then on silver coins of Pyrrhos struck during his Italian and Sicilian campaigns, on these bronze Syracusan coins, on the coins of Antigonus Gonatas, 277-239 BC, and on those of Philip V, 220-179 BC. On this one Athena is holding a spear in r. hand: Time of Pyrrhos. 21 mm, 9.39 g; Syracuse, 278 - 276 BC Ref.: Calciati II pg. 321, 176; SNG Copenhagen 813; Obverse: Head of Herakles left, wearing lion skin Reverse: ΣΥΡΑ-ΚΟΣΙΩΝ. Pallas Promachos (Athena) wearing long chiton with diploidion, and chlamys over shoulders, advancing right; she holds spear in raised r., and shield on outstretched l. arm
My larger butting bull from Syracuse is an AE22. It was bought off a Frank Robinson cheap list, and is by virtue of that fact a coin with issues. I suppose "patina faults" is a good way to describe it. I don't consider the off-centre reverse a fault... I love the fact it makes the bull look like it's charging off the flan. SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. AE22. 10.15g, 22.2mm. SICILY, Syracuse, time of Agathokles, struck circa 317-310 BC. HGC 2, 1444; CNS 96. O: [ΣΥPAKOΣIΩN], Head of Kore-Persephone left, wreathed with grain; grain ear behind. R: Bull charging left; dolphins above and below, NK monogram above. My Hieron II butting bull is a smaller denomination. SICILY, Syracuse. Hieron II. AE18. 4.08g, 17.9mm. SICILY, Syracuse, Hieron II, circa 275-269/265 BC. CNS 199; HGC 2, 1497; Virzi 1924 (this coin). O: Wreathed head of Kore-Persephone left. R: Bull butting left; club and monogram above, IE in exergue. Ex Edgar L. Owen Collection; ex Thomas Virzi Collection (1881-1974), no. 1924
Amazing looking coins. I noticed on the second coin that the green spots are quite randomly distributed is it verdigris or could it be bronze disease? I am always wondering this, sometimes I see bronze coins for sale which look nice, but then I see here and there green spots and I am wondering if this could be bronze disease or not. For example I am interested in these 2 coins, but I have no idea if this is verdigris or bronze disease? On the first eye I would think this is bronze disease, what are your guys opinions?
My spots are harder than rocks. Bronze disease tend to be a powder that moves easily. Photos can be deceiving but poking with a toothpick can be informative.
