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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,301 |
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
With the incuse square reverse it might be Greek from the Archaic period.
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Pillar of the Community
 1121 Posts |
I am leaning somewhere towards LETE (see Wildwinds) but only because of similarities.  Edited by Topcat7
09/24/2014 7:46 pm
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Difficult to say. If you can clean it up a bit we might be able to see more detail.
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
I don't know how much more cleaning I can do.
It has already had a lengthy stay in DM water and a trip or two in the 'sonic' cleaner.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I agree with Echizento. It is archaic greek. I'm not sure what you mean by "LETE" but your coin appears to be from Lesbos. The obverse shows confronted boar/cow/bull/something heads. Many tiny silver and billion coins with confronted heads/incuse square were issued from Lesbos. Here's an example from CNG's archives:  Edited by ThisIsFun
09/24/2014 8:03 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
While difficult to appreciate in these tiny confronted head coins, if you search CNG's archives for "Lesbos, confronted" you will see some clearer examples where the two confronted heads combine to appear like a facing head. Often the combined head resembles a feline or some animal other than the two confronted heads.
I suspect this optical illusion was a deliberate artistic device of the designer or engraver.
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
TIF - I like you (metaphorically speaking). Going with you, I found this on vcoins. The size and weight roughly match, as well.  I can see that with a bit of wear, something like this could well image what I have. Thank-you. Oh, and thanks to all who contributed. My day is improving. Edited by Topcat7
09/24/2014 9:12 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I think you coin is not bad, actually. I wouldn't do too much to it. If you had a better camera or could take higher resolution and in-focus images you'd probably see the devices pretty well. Here it is in the proper orientation, tweaked a bit but you might want to work on your photo-taking. It is possible to get decent images with smart phones but you may need one of those little attachable macro lenses.  Edited by ThisIsFun
09/24/2014 9:13 pm
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
I do have a macro lens for my smart phone but on a (regular sized) coin it takes one too close. Perhaps on an 8 mm coin it might not.
Thanks for the tip. I'm off to try it.
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
Back again with my new photo. Thanks TIF.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I like the coin. The new picture is a bit better.
Some of the dark stuff might come off with an extended distilled water soak. Or maybe it won't, but it won't hurt to try. Some folks use lemon juice to clean ancient silver coins. Using an acid is certainly riskier.
Anyway, cool little coin :)
Edited by ThisIsFun
09/24/2014 10:13 pm
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I tried to enhance the image a bit also, but I think your's is better.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Wow I'm surprised this coin was IDable. It totally looked like a goner to me (no offense).
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
I would never have got that one! It is the sort of cleaning job that I love, blade hand is getting twitchy just looking at it.
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
Thanks to all. (Esp. TIF). Your input was invaluable and I too am amazed that we got that one.
I think "Case Closed"
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,301 |
Posted 09/24/2014 7:37 pm
