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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,280 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
I haven't treated myself to anything Greek for a while..... That is now remedied. Ptolemaic Kingdom, Ptolemy II Soter (285 - 246 B.C.), Silver tetradrachm Obv:â€" Diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis Rev:- PTOLEMAIOY [SOTERWS], eagle standing left, head left, on thunderbolt, wings closed, PT and ME monograms left, date AL and Q right Minted in Galilee, Ake Ptolemais, Year 31. B.C. 255 Reference:â€" BMC.112 var. Svoronos 774 pl. XXV/10 (4 ex.) SNG Cop.470. Delepierre- Gülnar 2/4074 pl. 129(6 ex.)  Martin
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
It's a beauty, congrats. One of these days I'll be able to afford to buy one of these.
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
Quote: I haven't treated myself to anything Greek for a while..... About time  A sweet coin with a slightly unusual portrait I'd say 
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
I was struck by the portrait too. It would appear to be typical for the issue though. Martin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Very nice treat. Outstanding portrait.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I expected no less from you, my friend. Kudos, gorgeous piece worthy of another Kudos!
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
Many thanks for the comments. I have had to wait patiently for this one to arrive. It was shipped about 6 weeks ago and was just about to be declared lost when it turned up in a somewhat battered but still intact envelope. I had bought it for what I considered a bargain price with a couple of run of the mill eastern denarii of Septimius Severus and the loss of the package would have been a shame.
It still amazes me that one can buy a half decent, large, piece of silver for about $150 all in. Even though half the reverse legend is off flan due to the off-centre strike I still think that good value for money.
Martin
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Excellent chunk of ancient silver for the price, and well worth waiting for.
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Pillar of the Community
Bulgaria
843 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
Martin, this is one of my top ten on that list 100, this coin is awesome..  ..great details, well centered...looks like a nice treat.... 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
Great coin! Thank you for sharing! 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Could you take us on a tour of all those reverse letters telling which ones mean what? Al I am comfortable with is alpha lambda is one and thirty years. Others?
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
The PT monogram on the top left identifies the mint of Ptolemais. The ligate ME and the Theta appear to be issue marks that I have been unable to resolve in my limited references (Svoronos, BMC ..). I am still reading other references in my small library to see if anyone has any ideas. Regards, Martin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
how did I miss this one...super coin!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
I wonder if anyone recognizes this coin as similar to my #14 in my old 'Top 25 coins' listing? https://goccf.com/t/118733&whichpag...Terms=top,25I'm assuming the other marks relate to magistrates or something but it is nice to have year date and mintmark of Greek coins. Greek silver of this size has always been on the high side of my budget. #14 was $45 in the 80's (when a dollar was more than it is today?). I assume they are more now.
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,280 |