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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,205 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Been slow on the board, so I'll post a recent pickup that I snagged - incredibly (imo) for just $7. That includes shipping. It is a minor "filler" coin in my collection, but I do like it. It's a coin of Orodes IV of Elymais from the second half of the 2nd century AD. The obverse shows the king facing forward, wearing diadem, with hair tufts on top and to the sides. The tripartite hairstyle seems to have been popular during this period in ancient Iran, and it can be seen in a number of Elymaean and Parthian depictions of kings from that period - both on coins and sculptures. The reverse here shows what is believed to be a bust of the goddess Artemis, wearing low tiara with a crest of dots, and an anchor (the symbol of Elymais, inherited and transformed from the Seleukids) to the right. The flan condition seen here is the norm for these. Flan prep and minting practices during this period in Elymaean history - this is from the so-called Elymais Arsacid Dynasty - were quite a step down from the preceding Kamnaskirid Dynasty. Overall, this coin is actually pretty exceptional, with relatively little wear for the type. It is possibly superior to the one I had already owned. That I got this for seven bucks is remarkable. It's probably worth 5-7 times that amount.  Orodes IVAE drachm, second half of 2nd century AD Van't Haaff type 17.2 Among several other recent cheapie Elymaean pickups is this wonderfully wacky bug-eyed Kamnaskires-Orodes (my second coin with this obverse die) - $14 with shipping: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/g...?pos=-161407Feel free to post any cheap-but-nice coins here, if you wish. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
There is a lot of detail for an inexpensive coin, Bob. Nice pick-up. I do like the bug-eyed Kamnaskires-Orodes too.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 Sweden
2124 Posts |
That is such a lively portrait! And a great find for $7! My first thought when I saw it: "Is he doing a thumbs up...?"  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Thanks for the write-up. If it was me, at $7, that's one heck of a cherry pick! Congratulations. Somebody in the recent past must have wished you the best of luck, and you have scored !  |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
It's interesting to see an actual reverse on one of these coin rater than just the tick marks. For $7 I would say this was a steal. Lovely coin Bob.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Nice coin ,Bob I have one similar, I believe it is Orodes IV, but not sure of the exact attribution. I got it for the reverse image of Artemis. Wish the obverse was better. Like you mentioned it shows a lot of wear.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7066 Posts |
Thanks, all. Quote:
I have one similar, I believe it is Orodes IV, but not sure of the exact attribution. Yes, Scott, it's Orodes IV. Appears to have one crossbar at the top of the anchor, so it's a Van't Haaff 17.2.1-1. The crossbar(s) is cropped off on mine, forcing me to go with the more generic "type 17.2". But with that crossbar visible on yours, we can add the "1-1" subtype. ("1-2" would be for two crossbars) I see that xoduspbc posted one of these not too long ago: http://goccf.com/t/364479 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1120 Posts |
Not my area of collecting, but a very interesting coin. Slow night or not, everyone should post a "steal" once in awhile. It's one of the reasons why collecting is fun!
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
2752 Posts |
Very nice coins Bob! And what a price. Lovely detail and I really like that chocolate brown colouring...Great pick ups...Paul Quote:
Feel free to post any cheap-but-nice coins here, if you wish. A hoard of these came up recently on ebay.....I managed to pick this one up for $15 with a nicely centralised elephant.... Chalukyas of Gujarat - Rana Hastin (900-1000 AD), Silver Dramma 9 mm/0.50 gm. Obverse- Elephant facing right with dotted border around. Reverse- Nagari legend Sri Rana / Hasti in two lines. MACW 4910-4913.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Nice pickup, Paul, and quite a bargain. I like that rendition of the elephant. Thanks for posting it.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
That is a very nice pick up for the price Paul. Really good detail. This ancient Greek coin is the cheapest one that I ever bought, and it cost £0.99. Unlike Bob's beautifully detailed Orodes IV of Elymais coin, this one has no detail at all. It was interesting to see how a depleted coin could be brought back into circulation, with the authenticating eagle and lyre counter marks.  |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,205 |
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Posted 03/19/2020 04:27 am
