Want advise on Greek fractional silver coins

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Sallent, Nov 30, 2015.

  1. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    I have two on bid, does that count???:confused::rolleyes:

    And, I wish I could access that link someone here previously posted about the use of 'magnifying devices' back in antiquity---apparently, they did have access to them, although I still find the intricate engraving on such tiny coins to be remarkable.
     
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  3. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    This Greek silver coin has Pegasus head-right Pegasus.jpg Pegas Face.jpg on reverse. The obverse shows a face within incuse. Dimension is 12 mm, but the coin is thick and weighs 2.4 g. Could it have a denomination? I can't even tell in what century was it used or engraved.
     
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  4. hoth2

    hoth2 Well-Known Member

  5. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I have noted a big increase of interest in little coins meaning I have not been able to get many lately. You should stop paying so much and go back to chasing tetradrachms. :bigtears:

    It is hard to appreciate the size of these until you have them in hand. I consider 0.5g the start of 'tiny'. That pretty well rules out obols but allows fractions.
    [​IMG]
    Left row:
    1. Syracuse, Sicily, hemilitron 440-430 BC, .3g
    2. Athens, Attica, tritartemorion (3/4 obol), 393-300 BC, .5g
    3. Therma, Macedon, hemiobol (1/2 obol), 510-480 BC, .3g
    4.. Kolophon, Ionia, tetartemorion (1/4 obol), 430-400 BC, .2g - This coin is unusual in the monogram 'TE' on the reverse (over the cicada) indicating the denomination.
    5. Kebren, Troas, tetartemorion (1/4 obol), 400-350 B.C. .2g

    Right Row:
    1. Phocaea, 1/8? obol .1g
    2. Mylassa, Caria, tetartemorion? (1/4 obol), 5th century BC, .1g
    3. Hektatomnos, Satrap of Caria, tetartemorion 395-377 B.C., .2g
    4. Syracuse, Sicily, Tyrant Gelon, hexas (1/6 litra or 1/300th of the popular dekadrachm), 485-478 BC, .05g? This is the lightest coin I have ever seen but the flaking surface of this specimen makes its weight lower than normal.
    5. Rhegion, Bruttium, hemitatemorion (1/8 obol), 466-415 BC, .1g.

    I'm still looking for the one I want most. There is a 1/8 obol of Athens according to Sear but ones I have seen offered were either too large or from the East. It has the types of the tetradrachms but much smaller.
     
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  6. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    This lil' 5 mm x 8 mm is one of my tiny darlings ...

    IONIA, Ephesos, AR Tetartemorion
    Circa 500-420 BC
    Diameter: 5 x 8 mm
    Weight: 0.17 grams
    Obverse: Bee
    Reverse: Head of eagle right within incuse square


    Ionia Ephesos Tetartemorion.jpg

    oh, and I definitely agree with Doug => until you have one of these in-hand, it is difficult to realize just how small these things really are (I find it amazing that they have lasted thousands of years!!)
     
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