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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,482 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
This was thrown into a bag by a dealer when I bought some coins. On one side a bulls head can be seen and the other is un-identifiable (Maybe a portrait?) I posted it before and nobody could tell me anything but a long time has passed so maybe someone has some idea for me. It is a tiny coin    It looks like it is silver, and probably the bull was inside an incuse square (seems to have a lip) I have seen plenty of bulls on ancient coins but not in this style. Clearly it is not the crown jewels, but not knowing for such a long time is starting to bother me ^^ |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Do you have any idea what is depicted on the reverse?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
8mm x 5mm and I haven't got scales handy but it cannot be more than 0.3g more likely 0.2g I think the reverse is a portrait of some sort. It appears to have hair flipping the image around the other way perhaps... I thought at first maybe the bust was looking left with a Corinthian helm on top and hair flowing towards the bottom right. Comparing to other portraits where they have the helm up the metal is in roughly the right place except the bit pointing north-west. On the other hand, with the coin turned as before perhaps that is the point of a chin, and the bump in the middle is a nose pointing right with the hair flowing left at the top. Perhaps these theories are just my imagination, but the presence of hair make me think it is likely a face of some kind. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Hmm, I thought it might be a lion! Have you looked at the Karia bulls?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I have looked and like I say despite seeing many bulls I haven't seen one in this style (many are face on, and some are sideways...but mine is like a three-quarter view)
The reverse could be anything at this stage, I wouldn't rule out a lion.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Well the size, weight and material suggests to me that it is a tetartemorion. Possibly Byzantion or Euboean since both these places seem to like their bulls and the closest I came to the bulls head were these two.   I would still like something a bit less speculative though... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Style looks like Asia minor around BC 500. I'm looking now! Interesting reticulated surface, a sure sign of great age. It is amazing this coin survived.
Edited by Ancientnoob
08/21/2015 10:41 am
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Thanks Ancient... Spurred on by PishPash I looked through some more coins from Caria. Do you think (despite my bull facing the wrong direction) it could be a less than complete one of these?  Edited by DavidUK
08/21/2015 1:42 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Closest bulls I see to this are: MYSIA. Kyzikos. Hemiobol (410-390 BC). Obv: Head of Attis left, wearing Phrygian cap. Rev: KYZI. Head of bull right.   Even the shape of the flan is similar... Edited by Kamnaskires
08/21/2015 8:56 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Wow, Bob I think you nailed it. I've been looking through coins on and off all day. Never hit on this new.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Here's a comparison (with another of the same type) for the obverse:  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1006 Posts |
Bob L has got it when I first saw the bull I though Akanthus however the reverse style is generally a quadripartite incuse (essentially this was the earliest currency union as coins stamped with the incuse quadripartite were acceptable throughout Macedonia, Thrace and other countries who agreed to the standard)
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Wow thanks, Finally got it nailed down!
I thought I might be onto something but when I saw Bobs post there can be no doubt that's the one ^^
Can finally put an attribution with the coin :)
Thank you very much for all your assistance
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,482 |
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Posted 08/21/2015 07:57 am
