| Author |
 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,473 |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I just had to have a couple/few just ta-have Caught Finn selling and although a few are on the way yet, I have permission to post and copy his images and his wonderful info he provided for me. Here's my Finn-ished collection so far. ( yeah finished uh huh .... we'll see about that ) No3.
Gallienus, sole reign 260-268
GALLIENVS AVG, Radiate bust right
DIANAE CONS AVG, Stag walking left
RIC 179
A weakly struck reverse with a superb portrait for the series. Attractive smooth black patina. This, along with the other "zoo series" were minted to invoke the divine protection against the continual onslaught of hardships facing the Empire. This one invokes Diana, goddess of the Hunt.
------------------
No9.
Tetricus I, Gallic emperor 271-274
IMP C TETRICVS PF AVG, Draped and radiate bust right
PAX AVG, Pax holding olive branch and scepter
RIC 100
Nice solid example of the type with a good portrait on a smallish flan.
--------------------
No11.
Tetricus I, Gallic emperor 271-274
IMP C TETRICVS PF AVG, Draped and radiate bust right
PAX AVG, Pax holding olive branch and scepter
RIC 100
Very nice portrait with an attractive patina on a severely reduced flan. May be a very good quality contemporary copy.
--------------------
No15.
Gallienus, sole reign 260-268
IMP GALLIENVS AVG, Radiate head right ABVNANTIA AVG, Abundantia standing, emptying cornucopia
RIC 157
Somewhat worn, but solid details with much better artwork on the reverse than is typical for coins of this period. Very nice political message! Glossy dark patina in hand.
--------------------------
No8.
Salonina, wife of Gallienus 253-268
SALONINA AVG, Draped bust right on crescent
PVDICITIA, Pudicitia seated, holding scepter and drawing back drapery from face. Mintmark VI
RIC 25
Difficult to photograph, but coin has a very attractive glossy black/charcoal patina. Very attractive in-hand, even if a bit worn. A solid example
--------------------------
Newest purchases from Finn
8.
India/Afghanistan
Hindu Shahis (c. 850-1000 AD)
AR Jital "Bull and Horseman"
Obv: Nandi (the mount of Shiva) reclining; Nagari legend "Sri Samanta Deva", "Honorable Chief-Commander"
Rev: Mounted cavalry wearing ornate mask and holding flag.
This is a more typical specimen, but still solid on its own. This is a great way to dip your toes into Indian numismatics! Note the subtle artistic differences, particularly in the face of the bull and the legend calligraphy; this is probably an earlier specimen and a good testimony to the longevity of this series.
--------------------------
3.
India, Indo-Scythians
Nahapana (c. 100 AD)
AR Drachm
Obv: Bust of Nahapana Right
Rev: Thunderbolt and Arrow, legend in Brahmi (left) and Kharosthi (right), "Nahapana, King and Satrap"
Nahapana was the third or fourth--and final--king of the first wave of Indo-Scythians to push into the heartland of India. He created a booming economy (as evidenced by a huge outpour of silver coinage) but his legacy came to a screeching halt when he was defeated and killed by the native Satavahana empire. His entire family was executed and it would be another several decades before the Scythians were able to re-take the lost territory.
--------------------------
13.
Indo-Greek Kingdom, Apollodotus II
AR Drachm
80-65 BC
Basileos Soteros Apollodotou, bust right
Translation of same in Kharosthi, Athena standing left, holding Aegis and throwing thunderbolt
The Indo-Greek kingdom was a splinter state from Greek Bactria, pushing into what we would today consider India. The kings maintained their Greek names and Heritage, but many learned the native languages and converted to Buddhism. Their kingdom thrived for about a century before being crushed by the invading Scythians and rising Kushans. This is about an average example of the type.
--------------------------
No1.
Alexander Jannaeus, c. 103-70 BC. He's an interesting and detestable individual, and a terrible Jew.
Anepigraphic widow's mite with the star and anchor. It's a bit rough, but you can see it clearly enough in hand.
|
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Nice start, you need to add more to the collection.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
I agree, a very nice start. I especially like the Bactrian drachm.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
5244 Posts |
Good idea.Every collection should have a few ancients.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10284 Posts |
Bactrian ... is that 3. ? I don't know anything except I liked the way they looked and what info was included. I need to add more to the collection ... uh OK  I thought I had a complete set  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Quote:
Here's my Finn-ished collection so far. Ba-dum-bum-ching! Great looking set. Be careful or you might have to change to TheAntoninianusGuy down the line. Or maybe DrachmGuy? JitalGuy? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I like 8 best, the style of the Bull is so cool, I have a similar coin with a different reverse (mounted horseman) also 13, I like the indo-greek stuff.
Good start ^^ and a variety there which is always good.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
The Bactrian is number 13.
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
It's virtually impossible to stop collecting ancients once you've started. Thou art doomed. But it will be a fun trip...
Nice launching pad you've got now.
|
|
Moderator
United States
34418 Posts |
Quote:
I like 8 best, the style of the Bull is so cool I agree. This is a great way to get started! "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Thank you guys, The ancient coins and the history in those times can be quite horrendous and ugly.
A lot of battles and murder. Not that it doesn't go on today, but is there any era or any geographic issues that have a more pleasant, romantic or one of great exploration and human advances in philosophy and invention.
I guess Kings and Queens and Military leaders earned their place on coins by being great conquerors.
I think of the poor people, the lowly soldiers, peons and slaves, and the very rich and powerful.
If I am to continue from here, I need a direction I suppose. I bet that the Greek coins might be a way to steer.
They probably have the gods on some. Oh ... did I pick an expensive area? I bet I did.
|
|
CCF Advertiser
United States
1306 Posts |
If you read Herodotus in his book The Histories written 2400 years ago you'd be quite surprised how civilized the ancient Greek world was. I mean really did he like walk the whole old world safe enough? I often wonder if those people in the middle east back then could see what a hot mess it is all and how brutal it has been lately they'd be quite shocked. Especially how the Greek civilization had such high regard for women Goddesses on these coins especially Tyche. And that part of the world today has their women at home quite often not allowed to go out without a man under what kind of dress? The saddest part is those people really seemed to have needed a women Goddess to the point they dressed up the Virgin Mary in the Syrian Christian Church so much like Tyche was for a thousand years and preyed to her for much of the same protection. Sadly now the young don't have a women Goddess at all usually anymore over there which is quite sad as they seemed to really have tried hard to keep a Goddess Queen role model for the better part of all history until very recently.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I did some browsing tonight. A couple hours on the Greek coins. Seems to be a mellow area. I saved about 20 coins in my ebay and when I sort my watch list to show only the ancients, I can see I have a good eye for these as they would make a very nice looking bunch. I had this theory that I might want to look at the more expensive ones, not to buy, but just to study detail and then when shopping lower end coins, I'll know what I those are missing or lacking and whether they are acceptable. For now, I am in no hurry. It appears these coins have been around a long time and there is no scarcity of the ones I'll be buying. I am going to look for good looking coins. I will probably learn some history as I go along. Fortunately, my education in spotting fakes in modern coins has already been helpful in this area. Yes, I think I like the Greek coins and will focus in that area. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Those coins look familiar.... woah, deja vu, man  I'm glad you like them, and that the bug is spreading! Greek is a good area to go into, and one I haven't really taken the dive into yet. Stunning, beautiful coins, but it's nothing to blow a thousand bucks on some nice Greek silver. Caution is good; Greeks are the most appealing to counterfeiters, but DavidUK's collection is certainly drool-worthy! I would also highly recommend dabbling before going gung-ho after some big money coins. I never expected to get sucked into the Gadhaiya Paisa, but they took hold of me! |
| |
Replies: 13 / Views: 1,473 |
|
Posted 08/12/2017 4:11 pm
