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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,133 |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Received this neat little coin from TIF.   Revised ID AE Dichalkon Hadrain 117-138 AD 13mm x 1.8 grams Emmett 1281 Alexandria, Memphites Dated L-IA 126-127 AD |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Yeah, I think you may have nailed the attribution. I've asked someone with all of the Varbanov volumes to check and when I hear from him I'll post the reply.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
cool little coin...aniepigraphic obverse? that interesing.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Thanks, it's my first from that region in Egypt.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I asked someone who is fluent in identifying coins to take a look at this-- he catalogs coins for CNG and others. Here's his reply: Quote:Given the size, it cannot be an obol. This should be a dichalkon. I cannot clearly see the head of the creature, but it's shape seems more like a bull to me. The legend also appears to read MEM[...]. Accordingly: EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian, AD 117-138. AE Dichalkon (13mm, 1.8 g). Memphites nome issue. Dated RY 11 (AD 126/7). Laureate head right / MEM[ΦI], Apis bull standing right; [LIA to right]. Emmet 1281 Unfortunately, Emmet is the only reference for Roman Egypt that I have at home. Do note that these did not circulate solely in the nome named, but rather are found throughout Egypt, indicating that they were more of a commemorative nature, like the US State Quarter series. I thought the animal looked more ovine than taurine. With such a tiny canvas I guess it's hard to engrave precise detail. Edited by ThisIsFun
11/16/2013 1:24 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Here's the only one I've seen so far online: http://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=216015  Quote:Memphites Nome CNG 91, Lot: 748. Estimate $300. Sold for $1160. This amount does not include the buyer's fee. EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Dichalkon (14mm, 2.03 g, 12h). Nome issue - - " Memphites. Dated RY 11 (AD 126/7). Laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / Apis bull standing right; altar to right; L IA (date) across field. Köln -; Dattari 6300; K&G N29.9. VF, brown patina. Attractive and choice. From the Greenpoint Collection. Ex American Numismatic Society Duplicates (Gemini VI, 10 January 2010), lot 870; Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 183 (September 1958), no. 48.   Might want to treat that puppy to some Verdicare. Edited by ThisIsFun
11/16/2013 1:41 pm
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Goes to show that it is always best to have the books. The internet is good for general research but when it comes to more detail research the books are best. I'm surprised this little coin turned out to be so rare.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I suspected it might be since I couldn't find a match. It's an interesting little thing! Seriously, do you have some Verdicare? Probably a good idea to soak it in some in case the verdigris is active.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
The coin looks stable with no sign of DB. I'll have to get some Verdicare.
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Valued Member
384 Posts |
Looks nothing like a bull to me...even with a small area to engrave . the neck looks far too long and I think its a Ram.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
That is what I also thought. But I guess it might be a bull.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Dredging up this old thread with some new information. I bought Emmett's "Alexandrian Coins", which is the most recent and arguably the most comprehensive catalog of Alexandrian coins. It includes nome * coinage. Some of you felt the animal does not look like a bull. You may be right. Hadrian issued 57 types of dichalkons. The book only has drawings of a few but in the written list I first looked for a matching reverse legend. Echizento's coin has at least 4 letters. The first is definitely an M. Second is not legible. Third appears to be an M or N. Fourth not legible. Of Hadrian's dichalkon nomes with a four-legged animal standing right and name beginning with M, there are the following possibilities:
- Emmett 1281 Apis bull standing right, MEM(phi)I, rarity 1
- Emmett 1299 Goat standing right, MEN(delta), rarity 3
- Emmett 1329 Ram standing right, MAPE, rarity 3
- Emmett 1330 Ram standing right, head left, MAPE, rarity 5
MEM(phi)I is the Memphites nome MEM(delta) is Mendesius MAPE is Mareotes This information doesn't decisively identify Echizento's coin but I'm leaning towards it being the Mendesius coin (goat). The third letter looks more like an N to me and the animal looks more like a goat than a bull. Emmett rates rarity as 1-5, with 1 being least rare. A note on his rarity ratings from his book: Quote:
A coin assigned a rarity value of 5 would likely be found in only one or two of the published major Alexandrian collections; however, as previously unpublished collections become published, occasionally another specimen or two might turn up. Collectors should be able to obtain coins of rarity 1-3 for their collections fairly easily... *What are 'nome' coins? Excerpt from the book: Quote:
In addition to the regular bronze coins struck at Alexandria, there was a series of nome coins issued which differ from the regular issues by having the names of the nomes written in Greek on their reverses. These coins depict the local cult-worship of each nome. I bought four books recently and just received them. Wow, I should have bought more books months ago! Terrific! The Emmett book is most useful for attributions, being more of an identification catalog. I also bought three of Wayne Sales's books, Ancient Coin Collecting 2nd edition, Ancient Coin Collecting II (Greek), and Ancient Coin Collecting IV (Roman Provincial). I've only skimmed them but am looking forward to a cover-to-cover read! Sales's books are not references for attribution but the history and tidbits are going to be both interesting and useful. Since I won't be buying many coins for a while, it's time to do some learnin' Edited by ThisIsFun
02/13/2014 08:19 am
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Thanks for the update, I didn't think it was a Bull it did look more like a Ram. Was Emmett very expensive? I would like to get a copy. I have all of Wayne's books and find them very useful for general and historical information.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Thanks for the info, I'll have to get a copy.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,133 |
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Posted 11/15/2013 9:43 pm
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