I recently acquired not one but two unpublished coins this week. The first one comes from the ΔEΛ mint. Not much is known about this mint other than it is associated with Antioch but it was not the primary mint, perhaps located in Daphne? It was created out of some need in response to the invasion of Ptolemy III. One characteristic of this mint is that bronze coins minted here carry the ΔEΛ monogram on them. This coin is a completely new and unknown type featuring a three quarter facing bull typically found on issues from Seleucia on the Tigris. It's worn but the details are clear enough. The obverse features Apollo found on many issues, while the reverse bull is quite new and different. It also carries the EY control that is found on other coins from this mint. Besides being a new type this coins also brings a new denomination that was previously unknown for this mint, being smaller and lighter than the typical 15 to 30mm coins. Seleucus II Callinicus Mint: ΔEΛ mint associated with Antioch on the Orontes 246 to 226 BC Obvs: Laureate head of Apollo right, dotted border. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ on right ΣEΛEYKOY on left, bull head three quarters left. EY below, ΔEΛ monogram above. AE 12x13mm, 1.48g Ref: SC --; HGC 9, -- Note: Unpublished new type and denomination for this mint. The second coin was an accidental find which I was going to sell until I discovered what it was. Prior to last year I believe only one of this type was known to exist. They have a nice upright anchor on the obverse and an arrowhead on the reverse which should be orientated down. They all are small coins less than 10mm. It is not known which mint these were made in other than possibly from somewhere in Syria or Mesopotamia probably based on finds. This coin is an unpublished variety with a B on the left side of the shield. I have one other of these and the B does not exist on that coin which is in slightly better condition. I have no idea what it means and fully expected to see an accompanying A on the other side which does not exist. There is a lot of encrustation obscuring the BA, but I am leaving it as is. The way it was struck also gives the illusion that the shield is actually a raised tondo. Antiochus I Soter Mint: Uncertain 23 in Eastern Syria or Mesopotamia Denomination E 268 to 261 BC Obvs: Anchor on round shield. B to left. Revs: BA on right AN on left, arrowhead. AE 9mm, 0.82g Ref: cf. SC 375; cf. HGC 9, 220(R3) Note: Unpublished with B on obverse. Concave flan. Share anything you wish!
Awesome! Please consider submitting them to us at KOINON. With any write up on context / meaning / implications of the new type if you wish. They could be published in KOINON IV. SC
WoWiE!!! What a thrill scoring Seleucid rarities! Those coins are no bull But I'm EXTREMELY jealous of that rare shield (Not Seleucid but my closest bull) Caria, Knidos 2nd-1st centuries B.C. AE 19 (18.7 mm, 4.83 g, 11 h). Head of Apollo right / ΠANTAΛEΩN KNIΔIΩN, forepart of bull left facing. SNG Keckman 217 var (rev legend); BMC 80 var (same); SNG Kayhan -. Scarce. Here are the Seleucids:
Great additions David! I really like both coins. The first coin must defintely be from ΔEΛ mint, the EY monogram is a giveaway and the head of bull is an iconography used by Seleukos II, neat find. The second one is cool with the raising shield, unique and even without the unpublished variety a very rare type. Here one from the ΔEΛ mint: Seleukos II Kallinikos (246 - 225 B.C.) Denomination B (Double Unit), ‘ΔEΛ’ mint associated with Antioch. Obverse: Draped bust of Athena right in crested Corinthian helmet. Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ (“of King Seleukos”). Nike standing left, holding wreath and palm branch, monograms to inner left. Reference: SC 713.2; HGC 9, 323. 8.03g; 18mm
I had a feeling you would like the 2nd Here is another shield I received this week. Antiochus I Soter Mint: Antioch on the Orontes Denomination D 278 to 268 BC Obvs: Macedonian shield with anchor in central tondo. Revs: BA above AN below, horned elephant right. Dotted border. AE 11x12mm, 1.31g Ref: SC 340; HGC 9, 195(R1-2)
How thrilling for you, David! I love it when a dedicated specialist makes such discoveries . Thanks for sharing them with us.
