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 Replies: 11 / Views: 3,267 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I took the coins out to "play" with them and I thought it would be fun to revisit one of my favorute Bronze coins. For your enjoyment, here is a rather tiny, scarce and majestic high quality bronze piddler from Cebren, Troas (Troy) in Asia Minor. Struck around 350-310 BC, 8 mm and 0.92 grams, the coin features a dark even black patina with some nice original dirt. The youthful head of Apollo is clearly defined on a obverse. The reverse features a Ram's head right. I know many out there like those big coins and I am certainly one of them, but I just cant ignore how tiny and well executed this piece is. Many scholars have attempted to debunk the use of optical magnification in ancient times, but as far as I am concerned the proof is in the pudding. I have 20/20 vision the coin is almost uncomfortable to look at, a die would be impossible to engrave with the naked eye. The man or men that made this had some serious spectacles. I believe the modern consensus for the transportation and loss prevention of such a coin was such that the ancient fella carried the coin in his mouth, as the purse could be stolen and then pocket had not been introduced to Europe yet.    |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3446 Posts |
I would never want to clean the dirt away from a coin coming from the 'Troad'. Not too many years ago they found 'stuff'(2 antique crates) in the basement of my local Art Museum. The only ID they had since they apparently had been 'lost' were the labels on the crates. It stated that the contents had been purchased from Frank Calvert (circa 1890). Dirty old grey clay pots and shards of things. Some curator back in 1890 must have been so disgusted that he told the help to dump it all downstairs somewhere in the basement. Frank Calvert was the man who sold half the site of Hisarlik to Henry Schliemann. "Grey Minyan" was the designation later given to the pottery he found all through the upper levels of Troy. The ones which Schliemann mis identified as being too recent (besides he wanted gold not some 'stinky' grey colored pots !) to be the real deal. They discarded it by the ton.
I would have paid money just for the dirt they probably washed off these dirty old pots. They most probably (who really knows for sure) came from the place where ........
"Even the stones have names"
Nice coin by the way ! If it were a bit larger I would be trying to trade you for it.
Edited by FVRIVS RVFVS
02/18/2014 10:20 am
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Sweet little coin. Don't drop that on the rug you would never find it again :) Excellent detail.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1045 Posts |
I love everything about this coin. Portrait, reverse design, patina, size. A real gem!
Edited by Biancasdad
02/18/2014 10:08 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
905 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Big coins are wonderful but the tiny ones are equally fascinating. I like this one a lot :)
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
 That coin has a lot of presence, even perched on the tip of your finger. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
that's quite a bit of coin on 8mm of flan really!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
905 Posts |
I'd like to mention that you don't need a coin on a small flan to appreciate the fine details some engravers put into their coins- the coin below is 18mm, and the shield is carefully engraved with a horseman holding a shield and spearing an enemy while leaping over another fallen enemy who has dropped his shield to the left...all on a space of less than 6mm. The cuirass is also decorated with a gorgon.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
Yup- That's Phat, well played Victor.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3446 Posts |
One of 'Noobs' favorites with very fine albeit rusted sewing needle (size ?) and a single grain of sugar. I would have used a grain of salt but having made the switch to 'kosher' salt (much tastier) which is flaked I couldn't find any !  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Hey fellas- Look at me I'm 11 mm x 1.88 grams. A little bit bigger and from Adramyteion, mysia struck 357-352 BC. Laureate head of Zeus right. Forepart of Pegasus right MY around. ref: Weber #4950- von Fritz #2 Some good relief...  |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 3,267 |
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Posted 02/18/2014 1:47 pm
