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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,469 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
A real chubby! I spotted this coin on the 'bay. Its a type that I have wanted for quite sometime. In the past I have been either completely priced out of it or the coin was so off centered that the it would be bother me. These rare coins are rarely found in grades higher than 'VF' and are often found in lets say 'F' condition and are still expensive. The coin is of supreme chunk, and extra chubby. Minted in Babylon between 328-311 BC. Featuring the enthroned Ba'al holding a scepter in one hand and the back of the throne with the other. The particular issue also features a 'hammer' device in the obverse left field. The reverse is a large lion walking left with the Greek letter 'G' above. Few questions I cant find any clarification on the meaning of the Greek letter. One would assume it is a regal year in this case it would be 'G' = 3. I can not find this confirmed anywhere and usually call it a monogram. If that is the case than the true meaning may never be known. If it is a regnal year then of whom? Alexander?, Seleukos? or another local governor of the time? One type in the series features the name of the governor in Aramaic on the reverse, then there was another governor whose name appears after this then there is this issue and there a fourth issue attributed to the governorship of Seleukos I and these feature and anchor, common on later Seleucid coinage. This is not an imperial issue to per say but rather local coinage coined for use in Babylon. These coins are rarely found West of the Tigres river. I would like to learn more about this piece and get the skinny on the 'G'. Otherwise the coin is absurd in its fatness. It is about 22 mm x 16.17 grams and approx. 5 mm thick, at the edge. I found a picture of the coin in the BMC Arabia (1922) as Pl. XXII no.1 https://archive.org/stream/catalogu.../search/xxiiComments, suggestions, corrections or what ever is encouraged and appreciated. Alexandrine Empire of the East Satrapy of Babylonia s. 328-311 BC AR Tetradrachm 22 mm x 16.17 grams Obverse:Ba'al enthroned with scepter. Reverse: Lion walking left Gamma above Ref: BMC Arabia XXII no.1  Edited by Ancientnoob
10/30/2013 7:06 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Beautiful heavy coin excellent find. Congrats buddy.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
An incredible score, congratulations!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
 Insanely fat for the diameter! |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1569 Posts |
wow... that looks juicy!! I love the way we get a bit of info as well..  You will never soar like an eagle if you hang around with turkeys.....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
This type was discussed by Martin Price in his article "Circulation at Babylon in 323 BC," in the book "Mnemata: Papers in Memory of Nancy M. Waggoner." He assets that a reengraved die clearly shows the "lion staters" with gamma followed the ones with delta. "They are probably shekels on the local standard." (page 67). He dates them to the lifetime of Alexander, because they were present in a hoard with deposition dated to 323/2. He doesn't give the earliest possible date explicitly, but mentions that Mazaeus was governor until 328 and issued coins, so I infer Price would put them at or after 328. So you can say "Struck 323 or before, under Alexander the Great." That is very cool!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
Martin Price offers no explanation for the lion stater issue sequence which is delta, gamma (yours), and then M-<lambda>Y. The place in the sequence of the ones with a five-pointed star is uncertain, but they are also regarded as lifetime issues. The symbols are control marks of some sort, but their meaning is unknown.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
Here is an example with the delta mark:   22 mm. 16.75 grams. Sear Greek 6147v. |
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Warren I appreciate the added research. Is there away I could get a copy of the sources. Are they available online say in pdf?
I must agree this is very cool, to say struck during his lifetime. I hope you remember I held off last year from buyuing one that was off center, you had mentioned that if I got the off strike over time it would bother me, well this was true and I am glad I waited for another one to come along.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Hows the photo guys? Not to dark? Look ok?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Looks OK. Not too dark :)
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,469 |
Posted 10/30/2013 7:36 pm
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