Running Thread! Let's See Some Ancient (And Medieval) Eye Candy!

I like that owl tet. Since I'm ignorant on ancients, is that distinctively un-round shape the norm?!

And that spitzgroschen is in great shape!

I don't have Levinson, so I'm curious if the Brabant double briquets are also considered fairly common? Like @spence, I've also got a couple of those in the 1470s.

But to post another contemporaneous, but undated coin ... Not exactly eye candy, as it looks like it was struck on an undersized planchet, so, much of the legends are missing. This Naples coronato of Ferdinand of Aragon 1458-94. Purchased for the image of the archangel Michael skewering the serpent (not the ugly mug on the obverse)

The good coins just keep coming

Some more of my favorite Greeks:

Mysia, Parion AR Hemidrachm
350-300 BC


While not as impressive as some of the snarling Gorgons from Macedon, this is my favorite Gorgon coin, from halfway through her transformation from chthonic monster to femme fatale.


Cilicia, AR obol of Satrap Pharnabazos
380-374 BC



There is some scholarly debate about the identity of the helmeted bust, but many believe it to be the Satrap himself, which would make this one of the earliest portraits of a sitting ruler on coinage. I have a soft spot for Cilician obols; they come in a pleasing array of types, and are always expertly engraved at a micro scale.

Cilicia, unknown AR obol
4th century BC


At just 10mm, the skill required to make such a lifelike rendition of the two figures (Herakles and Zeus) is simply incredible.




Lycia, dynast Perikles, 1/3 stater
380-360 BC



Aesthetically pleasing, balanced design with an enigmatic language (Lycian) and a tiny little Helios control mark.


Seleucid empire, Antiochus I Soter Tetradrachm
281-261 BC


Apollo seated on the Omphalos is one of my favorite Seleucid motifs. Politically, they were making the assertion that they were the most important, "central" kingdom of the world, contrasting the long-standing belief that the honor belonged to Delphi.

Imitation of a coin of Philippe II from Mecedon :
AR drachme , Kugelwange-type , Boii .
3/2th centuru BC , struck by the Skordosky in Syrmia ( Croatia-Serbia).13 mm ,1.56 gr . albert

Steve that Antiochus looks familar

Arab-Sasanian, Tabaristan Khurshid 740-761

Phaataces and Musa drachm, 2 BC-4AD, a pretty good one for this rare type:



While, as an abstractionist myself, I can appreciate the above as "eye candy," in my earlier collecting days I gravitated towards Hellenistic naturalism - and, so, I'll include a collage of some used-to-own Greek tets below. I miss 'em all...

Delhi Sultanate (Bahlul Lodi) -- 1 tanka, 1487 AD = 892 AH (Rajgor 1509):





This is the coin that broke through the 1487 barrier on the "How far back can we go?" thread. Usually the dates on these coins are at least partially off the flan, but this one's so clear that it makes you wonder if it's genuine.

Bob, I want one of those drachm's with Musa. That is a beautiful group of tets that you once owned, wish I had a group like that. They would be the highlight of my collection.