I think of Greek silver coins as expensive, but some of the most common types are both classic and not too expensive. If you wanted to show a Greek coin to someone who knew nothing about them, a pegasus from Corinth would be a impressive choice. Another common type that is classic is the wrestlers from Aspendus in Pisidia. Selge in Pisidia also minted the type. Here is one that came today: Selge, Pisidsa. c. 300-190 BC. 24-22 mm. 8.90 grams. Two wrestlers grappling, K between. Slinger slinging right, triskeles in right field, club and cornucopia below ΣEΛΓEΩN up the left Sear Greek II 5477 (has the same symbols) SNG von Aulock 5270 (different symbols below) Show us a classic Greek coin, not too expensive, that would be appreciated by someone who knows nothing about ancient coins.
That is just the sort of coin I was thinking about. Anyone would find those two inverted heads interesting and the eagle on dolphin is interesting too. All that on one of the least expensive Greek silvers!
Since the staters of Corinth were mentioned... One could pick up a fairly decent example for under $300. Without looking at rare issues, examples in higher grade and with better centering may go for $400 - $800. On the other hand, issues from one of the more common Corinthian colonies (eg., Leukas or Anaktorion) will be slightly cheaper, and examples can be had for as little as $200. This one below is from Anaktorion.
I agree that Corinth staters (and others with that design) tend to impress people, or at least the who see some of my coins. Part of the reason is familiarity, at least of Pegasus. In the US this advertising icon is familiar to a few generations (seen here atop the Magnolia building in Dallas, Texas, circa 1940s; image from thedallaswhisperer) Mobil oil company used Pegasus as their logo for a long time, and many of us have fond memories of the neon red winged horse seen throughout the US An old Mobil gas pump (image from wikipedia) Yeah, that is the question and the answer will vary from person to person. Compared to the more interesting US coins, almost all ancient coins can be considered "not too expensive". Here's my first Corinth stater and it always draws oohs and ahhs from non-collectors. It was my first "expensive" coin, but I've since recalibrated what I consider expensive CORINTHIA, Corinth 345-307 BCE AR stater, 8.65 gm Obv Pegasus flying left, qoppa below Rev: helmeted head of Athena left wearing necklace; mask of Silenus behind Ref: Ravel 1046. Calciati 408. Scarce variety. from Heritage Auctions, June 2013 This scarce variety was chosen to represent Corinth staters, #23 in Harlan J. Berk's book, "100 Greatest Ancient Coins". Although the example below probably doesn't fit with what Warren meant by "not too expensive", it is certainly possible to find Alexander the Great tetradrachms which are more modestly priced. The hefty coins are physically impressive and the design probably rings a bell even for noncollectors. If the beauty alone doesn't do it, name recognition will probably impress them. KINGS OF MACEDON, Alexander III AR tetradrachm, 17.14 gm late lifetime issue, struck in Aradus c. 324/3 BCE Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ; Zeus seated left, holding eagle and scepter; I in left field; AP monogram below throne Ref: Price 3325 ex Colosseo Collection
How about one much scarcer as a fractional and is NOT nearly as expensive as its counterpart? Athens Attica 454-404 BCE ARr hemidrachm 16mm 2.08g Athena frontal eye - facing Owl wings closed olive branches COP 70 SG 2528 How about TINY! And it is old on a relative coin scale. That always gets their interest: Iona Kolophon AR Tetartemorion 530-520 BCE Archaic Apollo Incuse Punch 0.15g 4.5mm- SNG Kayhan 343
Greek coins are expensive if you only can tolerate min state and large sizes but there certainly are many available for those on a budget. Early Italian silver with incuse reverses are expensive in the largest and earliest versions but there are fractions and slightly later versions like this Kroton stater that can be found for less. Velia issued many lion variations using soft silver that resulted in many worn coins selling, quite appropriately, for a fraction of mint state examples. If you can tolerate these, fine. If not, pay. If the full stater or double of Thourioi is out of your price bracket, consider the 1/8 starter below. There are some Greek types that were issued in quantities large enough that they are not expensive in moderate grades. This is a drachm of Apollonia. Test cut coins should be cheaper than their perfect counterparts. This Athenian tetradrachm has a cut that distracts less than many. Hellenistic silver tetradrachms are usually seen in high grade but they do come in used as well. This is Antiochus I.
Here's an inexpensive greek stater I bought from @Valentinian, which I often show to friends who know nothing about ancient coins. While it is not perfect, the metal is nice and the coin is very thick, so it is quite impressive in-hand. And all my friends know who Dionysos and Aphrodite are, so they like seeing a depiction of them. c. 400-380 BC Cilicia, Nagidos AR stater 10.18gm - 20-17 mm Obv: bearded head of Dionysos with ivy wreath. Rev: head of Aphrodite right
Such a coin should be big enough that it looks like a coin. It should have design elements that are still used on coins today. The grade should be high enough to be recognizable but not pristine. It should reference a person or place that is known today from TV and movies. SELEUKID EMPIRE. Seleukos I Nikator. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 16.8g). In the name of Alexander III of Macedon. Ekbatana mint. Struck circa 311-295/81 BC. Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin Rev: Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, monogram above anchor; ΣΩ below throne. Seleucid Coins 202.12; Price 3938 From the collection of Dr. Will Gordon, Ex Classical Numismatic Group 61 (25 September 2002), lot 479. Note: This is the Wildwinds.com example.
Probably fits the bill , $60 paid incl.shipping the ""invinceble"" Chimaera , killed by Bellerophon riding Pegasus the winged horse,he used a spear dipped in poisonous lead.
