Uncommon Denominations, Greek, Roman, Byzantine

Andrew's post reminded me of another one in my collection, an early "provincial" of Paestum from the second Punic War, bearing a ∑ for Sescuncia, 1.5 unciae or 1/8 of an As



Also, while not strictly Greek, I have always been fascinated by this coin; a Nezak obol that was divided into 6 obols, proving that even in the 8th century, the drachm was divided into 6 parts, not 4.

There are Nezak "obols" but as the weights and metallurgical properties are all over the place, it is sometimes hard to prove the exact relation between whole units and their fractions from pre-Islamic Central Asia.

 

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AH! @Andrew McCabe reminded me of an unusual coin denomination that I have.

Continuing on with my Etruria Expedition, I do have an AR 1-As denomination. These are dinky little jewels, and I see why Rome did not mint very many. Additionally, these may be rare due to the small size, and difficulty in FINDING them.

ETRURIA AR 1-As:


Etruria Populonia
AR 1 As
0.60g 10.0mm after 211 BCE
Male Head L -
Plain Rev
Vecchi 3 68-70 HN Italy 181
EXTREMELY RARE

 

Yikes. A full purse of these coins could be used as a weapon.

 

In the cast coin series from Luceria, Haeberlin reports weights based on 10 units per As. Five, 4, 3, 2 & 1 dotters are shown below. The 5 in upper left is a Quincunx.

 

I hate to admit this, but if I had seen these coins in a box of unattributed , as I am so unfamiliar with them, I would have walked away.

 

My coins would look much better with better pictures, but I understand what you are saying. I bought the lot below because middle right coin


looked a bit like this cast bronze


but, it was not.

 

A light miliarense of Gratian, struck at Trier. The PS in the exergue refers to Pusulatum, a technical term for refined silver. Something similar to the OB (Obryzum) formula for gold.

Miliarensia are a little unusual in that it's one of the few types for which we know the actual name of the denomination. They are heavy silver coins first struck by Constantine the Great. Heavy as compared to the siliqua that is.

Light and heavy miliarensia were struck. The light version was likely intended for general circulation while the heavier version was probably a ceremonial issue. They are all rare today: this is the only one I have, and in all probability the only one I will ever have.

 

The Constans II follis from Cherson awhile back had a population of five known.
The known population is now around twenty. When I purchased it years ago the population was five. Through a lot of digging (Thanks You Academia.com) I found out it's up to twenty.

The Justinian I is an anonymous issue most likely Rome. While they are available, they are not common. Condition makes it very interesting. I was very happy to acquire it and share with all.

Some really cool stuff on the postings by all.

 

Sorry I missed including the denominations. The Constans II is a follis, the Justinian I is as described in Ratto is a demi-silique or half siliqua, Sabatier 24. Listed as rare by Sabatier.

As an aside, I recently won a Maurice Tiberius half follis from a military mint somewhere in Italy. I'll post is as soon as I receive it in the mail.