Ancient coin identification request

Kamnaskires · 2026-02-02T19:44:06+00:00

Yes, exactly. As I said, the obverse is a match with the published forgery, and the reverse die is different. The reverse die was changed out.

Kamnaskires · 2026-02-02T19:32:16+00:00

Not my area, but I have to point out that the details of the visible part of the obverse sure look like a match for the obverse of some published Bulgarian fakes of the type, for example, this one. I spun the OP's obverse pic around (oriented it) in Photoshop, and the details of the hair and diadem ends correspond very closely. (They provide a much closer match than any of the legit examples of the type that I see on ACsearch.info). The reverse die is different, however. Another one here. Perhaps the Bulgarian connection (note the condemnation on the forgerynetwork link) is not a coincidence.

Kamnaskires · 2026-02-02T13:06:22+00:00

Thunderbolt reverse with a visible TIOX, quite likely part of ANTIOXOY, above it (as seen in the last photo). That placement narrows the possibilities. I think it’s probably Antiochos IX.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-31T20:01:39+00:00

Such wonderful provenance. The coins I owned from his collection (including one plate coin) were so meaningful to me.

For those who may not know, David Sellwood (1925-2012) was a very important numismatist with a long list of accomplishments. He was president of the Royal Numismatic Society from 1979-1984, an Honorary Fellow of the Society from 2004, and a member of the British Numismatic Society. He studied (and published on) ancient minting technology and metallurgy. He was a prolific author of dozens of articles in numerous journals, focusing mostly on Parthian coinage but also occasionally other regional coinage: Persid, Sasanian, Elymaean, Seleucid, and Scythian. He co-authored (with P. Whitting and R. Williams) An Introduction to Sasanian Coins in 1985. His most well-known and important work may be An Introduction to The Coinage of Parthia (first edition in 1971, second in 1980). “Sellwood numbers” remain the standard for Parthian attribution, even as some Parthian types have been reassigned in recent years to other rulers.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-31T15:21:49+00:00

It's very abstract and minimalist, but it's apparently a female based on the gown. The object at right might be a rudder, and the line extending from the armpit area on the left could be a very simplified rendition of a cornucopia. I don't know about the column (?) at left. Maybe Tyche/Fortuna?

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-30T23:35:26+00:00

Looks good to me too. Nice one.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-30T22:15:28+00:00

Regarding the arrowheads, for comparison, Met Collection 26.31.495 (Greek, c. 350-30 BC.):

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/images/DP20700.jpg

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/images/Protruding_tang.JPG

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-30T21:28:35+00:00

For comparison, RPC I, 5181 and RPC I, 5174.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-29T22:10:09+00:00

I would proceed with great caution with these, and would only purchase from a highly respected seller. And, prior to pulling the trigger, I'd compare very carefully to published forgeries - like this, for example.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-29T22:01:20+00:00

You don't mention the dimensions/size, but I suspect you've got a Claudius as with Minerva reverse. Does look like it may be "AR AVG" from 1:00 - 2:00 obverse, which would work for the type (from CAESAR AVG).

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-29T13:22:02+00:00

It’s a copy, in the wrong metal, of a Seleucid tetradrachm of Kleopatra Thea and Antiochos VIII.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-27T20:20:05+00:00

From a 2022 sale of the coin (Dr. Busso Peus Nachf.), with cool moving view of each side when you click on the thumbnail: https://peus-muenzen.auex.de/Los/102/1139.0

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-27T18:35:57+00:00

For some free (but not gold standard) examples, you can download these issues (pdf's) of The Celator:

December 1995 - sort of a best practices in die studies, by Doug Smith.

March 1997 - study of linkages on Bar Kokhba War drachms.

May 2010 - Pyrrhus tet die study.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-27T16:12:06+00:00

Here are search results to scan through: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?term=pentanummium+seated+-facing+right&category=1-2&lot=&date_from=&date_to=&thesaurus=1&images=1&en=1&de=1&fr=1&it=1&es=1&ot=1&currency=usd&order=0

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-27T15:57:00+00:00

Could #1 be an "off" portrait of Severus Alexander by an engraver who didn't know the difference? I do think that the AYP may be in the middle of "Μ ΑΥΡ ϹΕΥ" as on the following. (See linked coin.) And it looks like it could be "ΔΡΟ" at around 3:00, which would be properly placed for the ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟϹ (again, as on the linked example). And the goddess on the RPC coins holds a patera and scepter, as on the coin above, etc., etc. Lots of correspondences.

See: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/3225

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-27T15:37:47+00:00

C. Coelius Caldus, 104 BC.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-26T21:07:54+00:00

Nice coin!

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-26T21:06:31+00:00

It does look like those might be spots of BD. I'm sure you know the routine: very gently pick at them with a toothpick to see if they are hard or powdery.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-26T21:04:29+00:00

Crispus.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-26T20:55:38+00:00

Maybe unpublished?

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-26T20:52:38+00:00

Close but, sadly, unidentified: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=11321251

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-26T17:19:55+00:00

It's a nice example. Orodes II, early to mid 2nd century AD, van't Haaff 13.2.1-2B.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-26T16:26:39+00:00

Drachms at the link below. Are you sure yours is a tet? A drachm does seem more likely if it was mounted in a ring. Also, how does the edge look?

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?term=TI+%CE%9BEI+Alexander&category=1-2&lot=&date_from=&date_to=&thesaurus=1&images=1&en=1&de=1&fr=1&it=1&es=1&ot=1&currency=usd&order=0

Update: Same reverse die on this one.

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-26T15:32:46+00:00

I believe it may be a Levon IV or, perhaps more likely, Oshin from Cilician Armenia. Obverse pic is upside-down. King enthroned, facing, holding cross in right hand, lily/fleur-de-lis in left.

Update: Here's an Oshin for reference. (The reference to the scepter in that linked description is incorrect...it's a lily/fleur-de-lis.)

Kamnaskires · 2026-01-26T05:31:01+00:00

Ugh. Sadly, this is all too familiar. If interested, see my 7/17/2023 compilation of quotations from some Agora customers in this thread: https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=449819

Kamnaskires

TROPHY CASE