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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,418 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I thought this might be fun. Why doesn't everyone post their oldest bronze coin. Bronze (AE) was used extensively in antiquity. The composition of Bronze often varies from time to time and place to place, so for the sake of simplicity, post any of your "Brasses" or copper alloys. Bronze coins do not hold up to the centuries as well as silver or gold, so to have to an intact nice ancient bronze piece, it is special. I never thought of Bronze as third best. Bronze coins are often the most circulated form of ancient coins, and many have fallen victim to corrosion, melt for use in other coins and tools, or heavy wear, yet many beautiful ancient bronze coins exist. The older the better! I will share with you my oldest bronze coin...A very large early Greek Bronze Litra of Syracuse. Its is quite heavy and feels not like a coin but rather a rock. The coin's flan was cast in a chain, separated and struck, leaving casting sprues on either side of the finished coin. The resulting coin had a very unique shape that is seen on many different types of coins from Sicily. Italy, Sicily, Syracuse AE Litra 25.16 g x 29.2 mm 405-367 BC s. After 395 BC Time of Tyrant Dionysos I - The Third Democracy Obverse: Head of Athena Left wearing Corinthian Helmet. Greek Script SYRA Reverse: Octopus Between Two Dolphins. ref: Calciati pg. 182 62/70 SNG ANS 454 Sear #1189 SNG MorCom 697 Post them up everyone- Lets see your Oldest copper alloy!  Edited by Ancientnoob
07/07/2013 11:29 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
Here is my oldest bronze. Philip II of Macedon (359 - 336 B.C.) AE 17, 356 - 336 B.C., Macedonian, 16.9mm, 6.45g, 180°, SNG ANS 869. Obv: Head of Apollo right wearing taenia. Rev: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ. Young male riding horse prancing to right, trident head right below.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
I have two that are just about even in age. One is from approximately 410 BC. It's a 15mm coin from Sicily with a (worn) Athena on the front and an owl on the back.  The second is from around the same time period. It's got the nymph Himeria on the front with a pretty good looking portrait and a wreath on the back.  I'm working on getting my coins all scanned in and then I should have better pictures but these aren't too bad. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Joseph, my oldest bronze is the same as yours. Should arrive in today's mail. These pictures are from the seller. I look forward to seeing this one in person (and to taking better pictures).  Macedonian Kingdom, Philip II, 359-336 BC AE 18 Obv: diademed head of Apollo right wearing taenia Rev: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ. Young male riding horse prancing to right, (delta)I dot in lambda below SNG ANS 913 935I think the attribution may be a little off-- will soon see! Edited to add: looks like the attribution is off, if the similar coin on wildwinds is correctly attributed. The coin is very cup-shaped which makes it harder to photograph. Here are some additional views.    Edited by ThisIsFun
07/09/2013 05:53 am
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
Great coins all.
TIF- is the horse and rider engraved "recessed" into the coin. I don't think I have ever seen that before.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I don't think it is. Just an optical illusion or trick of lighting. Should be out for delivery this morning, hope to see it later today.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Its a very nice piece in good condition. The photo illusion makes sense, that I have seen before. Can't wait to see your own images.
Thanks everyone for posting your oldest Bronze coin- Keep them coming.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
This is my oldest Bronze. Celtic proto ring money circa 500 BC.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
i don't have any coins from before the 2nd century bc...i'll have to fix that issue in the future...after my current byzatine bug has run its course. I'm not sure which of these is the oldest, this is second century bc...maybe up as late as 185 bc pushkalvati local coin   and is one from is a semis from castulo spain, unspecified "2nd centry" bc time..   Edited by chrsmat71
07/08/2013 8:53 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Chris your first coin is called a Karshapana!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Anoob, you might recognize this one  My oldest bronze (and oldest coin overall) is a Carthaginian bronze, approx. 16 mm wide, which was minted around the early 4th century BC. Obv: Tanit head left Rev: Horse galloping right  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Well played VK. That coin is hella-old.
Hey everyone look at the shape of VK's coin, Similar to the big litra, right?!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I am not in the least surprised that bronze coins of Philip 11 of Macedon would show up in this thread.
They are relatively easy to obtain for not to much money, and modern day collectors are quite attracted to them.
I guess that echizento may 'take the money' in this one!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I corrected the attribution for my Phillip II and added some new photos in my prior post.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Sel- I think you are right! Echizento will take this one as the "oldest bronze coin."
You can't deny that Chuy1530's Athena Owl bronze is mighty old!
TIF- I would Verdi-care the crap out of that coin. In the VI you will have a lump of green dust by the end of the week.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Looks like it's got a good coat of Ren wax on it already.
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,418 |
Posted 07/08/2013 01:08 am
