Featured White Whale Acquired: Not the Usual Athens

I want to say - I just spent a very pleasant hour drooling over one of the nicest collections I've ever seen. That is truly amazing, and this coin is a worthy addition to your cabinet!

 

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Well yeah, Joe has some nice coins and all, but he does not seem to have a Falling Horseman or a decent Camp Gate. Maybe we can take up a collection and get him a nice one?



John

 

I beg to differ, nothing wrong with this one........

https://www.colosseocollection.com/p443726947/hac4b796a#h818ab53f

 

I assumed if anyone else had one of these, it would be better than mine. I was right. Mine was from Jonathan Kern. Not every dealer would be caught dead with one of these in stock. At 96 to a tetradrachm, I am amazed at how close they are to correct weight. Mine is 0.15g (more underweight than yours).


I have not seen a hemitartemorion. Have you?

 

I see we both have rather flan-challenged Athenas, @dougsmit. It's unfortunate that the nice ones tend to go for $500+!

No. If one comes up at a reasonable cost I hope I see it first.

 

There is one on vcoins.

 

Rarity is one thing. Rarity with a story is always better. Impressive coin and excellent write-up.

 

Thanks, Pish! Turns out it's a false alarm, though... it's a Phokaian example, not Athenian.

 

A well deserved featured post... congrats!!

 

Nice score!

 

ycon said :
"Several of my coins were described or mentioned in contemporary sources like Cellini and Vasari--imagine one described in a play by aristophanes! "
I entirely agree.

Ancient Joe : as a newish member, I have only just discovered your website, but am already in awe of your collection,
and the care with which you have chosen it.

As for melting things down in emergencies to pay for wars etc., this practice has continued into modern times.
I recently saw a solid silver toilette service, commissioned by Louis XIV for his palace at Versailles, on display at Chatsworth House (Dukes of Devonshire). It is the only one that still exists - a present to an earlier duke. All the others were melted down
by Louis XIV to help pay for one of his wars.

 

I couldn't find it. Did someone buy it?

 

May I ask what an "ethnic" is in exergue?

I don't seen any ethnics there.

 

A Θ Ε, for Athens

 

Okay, thanks. Athens, got it.

Now, what is an "ethnic" in this sense? Does this mean "text?" I thought ethnic was an old-fashioned term for a "barbarian."

 

From FAC's Numiswiki:

Ethnic
Ethnic refers to a coin inscription or legend that simply names the state issuing the coin.

 

Thanks! Does this term "ethnic" only apply to ancient coinage? In U.S. coinage, is the legend, "United States of America" the ethnic?

 

I don't know.

 

I checked out your site. Nice collection!