Ian Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 In the real world, this coin is not exactly `museum quality', however, its likely to be the only one I will ever be able to afford and otherwise have the priviledge of owning...besides, there isn't another one in this `virtual' museum....yet. circa 476bc struck during the reign of Hieron I, tyrant of Syracuse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldeCollector Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 A fantastic coin, thank you for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saor Alba Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 From collecting experience, Syracusian coins are the epitome of beauty in ancients, but they are exponentially priced as you note. I myself have ventured into only one silver coin, and an 8 Litrai at that. Bronze is very very attractive, and much more attainable for collectors. It is rather like bronze is a bit overlooked, not that I mind though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 circa 476 struck during the reign of Hieron I, tyrant of Syracuse Very nice Ian, happy new year. The date is circa 476BC, I know it is just a typo. Obv. slow quadriga, horses crowned by Nike Rev. head Arethusa, 4 dolphins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmarotta Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 In the real world, this coin is not exactly `museum quality', however ... Still a nice addition. You must be very happy with it. The wear attests to the history. No telling what this coin saw in its day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Very nice Ian, happy new year. The date is circa 476BC, I know it is just a typo. Obv. slow quadriga, horses crowned by Nike Rev. head Arethusa, 4 dolphins Thanks for that. I've corrected the typo. still waiting here for the new year to arrive with us, but I take this opportunity to wish you and all of our fellow numismates avery good one when it comes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 From collecting experience, Syracusian coins are the epitome of beauty in ancients, but they are exponentially priced as you note. I myself have ventured into only one silver coin, and an 8 Litrai at that. Bronze is very very attractive, and much more attainable for collectors. It is rather like bronze is a bit overlooked, not that I mind though. what you say about bronze is soooo true. the problem is getting specimens that are more than just examples of the many and various different colours of verdigris. I've seen some very decent bronzes of Hieron and other later Syracusan leaders but they too come with a price to match. The `balance' of affordability is all relative to the size of your pocketbook, no matter the type of metal. Personally I'd be too tempted to 'curate' a not too perfect bronze, so I tend to stick clear of buying ancient bronzes that are within my price range . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 Still a nice addition. You must be very happy with it. The wear attests to the history. No telling what this coin saw in its day. This was a chance purchase on my part. Was browsing a Belgian auction catalogue last month and decided to venture the minimum bid........Well, in short I was more than delighted to pay the bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougsmit Posted December 31, 2010 Report Share Posted December 31, 2010 From collecting experience, Syracusian coins are the epitome of beauty in ancients, but they are exponentially priced as you note. It makes me glad to see others appreciate coins not in mint state. As far as Syracuse goes my favorite is an ugly silver hexas (1/6 of a litra or 1/120 of your coin) which weighs a bit under .01g (partly due to the peeling surface) and is 8mm in diameter. I've never seen a nice one in person but suspect I could not afford it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Neat pieces! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saor Alba Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 what you say about bronze is soooo true. the problem is getting specimens that are more than just examples of the many and various different colours of verdigris. I've seen some very decent bronzes of Hieron and other later Syracusan leaders but they too come with a price to match. The `balance' of affordability is all relative to the size of your pocketbook, no matter the type of metal. Personally I'd be too tempted to 'curate' a not too perfect bronze, so I tend to stick clear of buying ancient bronzes that are within my price range . Ah, yes, nice bronzes are rather the exception, in fact they are decidedly quite scarcer in practice than the silver brethren. However interests in them by collectors are commensurately lower, thus they command lower premium. Somehow the soils of Sicily must not have been very conducive to preservation of bronze as most coins are particularly rough. Of course it is possible to set back five figures on a nice AE, but nice examples can be found in the mid three figures also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougsmit Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Ah, yes, nice bronzes are rather the exception, in fact they are decidedly quite scarcer in practice than the silver brethren. Also consider that large silver coins were circulated much less than small silver and bronzes simply because they were a lot of money. It is like $100 bills last longer than $1 bills. Most big denominations were used in banking and to pay large debts like land deals. That means they were stored in bulk in pots and cared for like the big things they were. Bronzes made daily transactions and could be spent a dozen times in a day. I'd be shocked to find a large pot full of Hexas denominations while it would be reasonable to find a pot with a thousand tetradrachms - all in mint state. Big silver will always be expensive but the combination of all these factors will make perfect bronzes a lot harder to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted October 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 This is a silver obol from Syracuse circa 485 bc during the time of Gelon and Hieron. Detail is quite remarkable for a coin that's only 9mm diameter but clearly the worse for wear. obverse is Arethusa. The reverse is a four spoked wheel. this one seems to have cuds at the centre which suggests the die was.... erm...dying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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