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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,405 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I just received this coin in lieu of a second Justinian I follis I ordered about a month ago. The Follis was lost in transit and the dealer made good with the coin of my choosing (of the same value.) I selected this. I was already able to procure a Justinian plague follis so the loss of the coin was not a true loss to me. I suppose every rain cloud has an "AR" lining, eh? This coin was minted in Byzantion (Byzantium) a Greek Colony which would later become the site of the city of Constantinople and later Istanbul, Turkey. This is a really old style coin with a uniquely "Greek" feeling to it. The coin is beautifully toned to a nice iridescent grey. The coin is pretty well centered but not perfect. There is a small antiquated test cut on the reverse near the incuse punch. The incuse punch is described as "granulated", as it has a texture on the mill design. One could not ignore the unusual obverse rendering of a cow riding on the back of a dolphin. I suppose these motifs are indicators of the importance of those animals to the local livelihood. I am more than pleased with the coin and look forward to hearing everyone's reaction. I know there are a few guys out there with the same or similar examples. The coin has a two letter legend. UY. Which is an archaic rendering of the Greek letters BY. This coin was minted nearly 700 years before Constantine the Great would build Constantinople and nearly 1800 years before that city would fall to the Ottoman Turks. WOW! Byzantium, Thrace AR Half Siglos 14.0 mm x 2.44 g s. 416 - 357 BC Obverse: Cow riding on Dolphin left;UY above. Reverse: Granulated Mill Pattern incuse punch ref:SNG Cop 477 My Photo - I'm proud of it...  EDIT: Added measurements Edited by Ancientnoob
05/25/2013 7:22 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
I was about to call Shenanigans - thats not Byzantine! But I suppose it is. The worst bit is that the title isn't even misleading!
Its a lovely coin though - cow riding a dolphin? Incuse windmill thingymagig? Cool.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
I was really hoping the title would get a rise out of someone. I glad it snagged you Ben. As cool as this coin is, it was the mint that I found the most interesting thing about it. You're right, the title isn't even misleading. HAHAHA.
Edited by Ancientnoob
05/25/2013 8:29 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
nice photography also AN...looks good!
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Nate I was expecting to see an Miliarense from one of the early Byzantine emperors, but this is just as nice.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
When I handle this coin I think about all the great coins manufactured by this mint.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Very nice early silver coin, both obverse and reverse.
Could the cow on the dolphin be a reference to the myth of IO when she crossed the Bosporus as a cow on her journey throughout the world?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
Nice coins, I guess it all worked out in the end then! Congrats!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Interesting Doucet! I didn't think of that. I was not immediately familiar with the story. Post a link if you can, please.
jcm - it did work out and I am thrilled.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
A cow riding a dolphin?  Oh I want one :) |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Ancientnoob: I think that you have done MUCH better with that silver half siglos than with a nice follis of Justinian 1 !.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Wow, thanks for the kind compliments. I really thought the two coins were comparable but the more I read what you guys wrote and look at and hold the coin. I am super thrilled that I was able to get this very early coin from such a reputable and long lived mint. DO they still mint coins in Istanbul?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
they're still at it! not my coin, but pretty neat..1999 gold coin.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I like these coins, but would prefer one which is a full siglos (double the weight and much chunkier) It is surprising though how many of the dealers on V-coins describe these as siglos but you can tell from the weight they are half siglos...anyway whether full or half it is still a very nice type.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,405 |
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Posted 05/25/2013 6:35 pm
