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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,681 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I acquired this coin in trade with a friend. It was not on my wishlist or a type I have sought out but I did not own a Hekte...so here we are. This coin appears to be rated as a rare... The German language reference Die Elektronmunzen von Phokaia und Mytilene, list the example as em. 21 Mytilene, Lesbos. The coin is from the Greek Archaic period and dated BC 521-478 and is electrum (gold-silver mix.) The coin is NGC Graded Ch VF 5/5 - 4/5. Not bad for one of the oldest coins. Bodenstedt lists only 8 examples known at the time of publication (1981), an auction search shows this coin and about 10 others that have been sold in the last 10 years. Asia Minor coins website estimates there are about 20 examples known to exist between private collections and various museum collections. The coin is exceptionally awesome in its design, the obverse is a Ram's Head left with a Chicken right underneath, the reverse is interesting in that it features Hercules clad in a Lion Skin Headdress but pressed into the negative space. Certainly an impressive coin for 10 mm and 2.46 grams, mind you this coin was designed and struck before Optical magnification was known to exist. IMHO the proof is in the pudding.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Let me get this straight, Nate. Someone TRADED this, an electrum hekte, incredibly rare, one of only about twenty known specimens in the world. So, what did you trade? Your house? I mean, WOW...I just gotta bring out the sad Batman for this: True story: Batman reads Noob's posts. Goes home, takes out his collection. Sees no rarities, no Kidarite gold, no electrum hekte.  Edited by Kamnaskires
11/24/2015 10:47 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
Ha yea Bob. It was for a Diocletian Argenteus.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
What a phenomenal coin... Whatever you traded for this it seems likely that you got the better end of the deal. Congratulations.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
A little ripper, exceptional coin !Electrum is a mixture of silver and gold, in the right proportions it is also known as ' green gold'. I think that I am able to convince myself that I can see a green tinge there.  Perhaps it is my envy. Edited by sel_69l
11/25/2015 12:29 am
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I've seen your Diocletian which is an excellent coin, but you really got the better deal with this one. A real beauty, congrats.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
1194 Posts |
great coin , like the incusum reverse.congrats .
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
A beauty, well done man! The obverse is great.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,681 |
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Posted 11/24/2015 11:31 pm
