RARE Authentic Ancient GREEK Coins from circa 500-100BC Collection and Collecting Guide
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Article by Ilya Zlobin, world-renowned expert numismatist, enthusiast, author and dealer in authentic ancient Greek, ancient Roman, ancient Byzantine coins and beyond, running the eBay store Authentic Ancient Greek Roman Coins.
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Rare coins from the Video:
TYNDARIS in SICILY 44BC Caps of Dioscuri Dolphin Ancient Greek Coin i43656
Authentic Ancient Coin of: Greek city of Tyndaris in Sicily
Bronze 22mm (6.15 grams) Struck circa 44-36 B.C. or later
Reference: HGC 2, 1641 (R2); RPC I, no. 650 (Segesta)
M.VIPS.DOSV.F …, Pilei surmounted by stars.
EX/D.D, Dolphin leaping right.
Founded by Dionysios of Syracuse in 396 B.C. for the settlement of exiles from Greece expelled by the Spartans following the Peloponnesian War. The city was named after Tyndareos, father of the Dioscuri.
TAUROMENION in SICILY 392BC Phrygian Helmet Rare R1 Ancient Greek Coin i51560
Authentic Ancient Coin of: Greek city of Tauromenion in Sicily
Silver 12mm (1.72 grams) Struck circa 392-358 B.C.
Reference: HGC 2, 1608 (R1); CNS III, nos. 2-3
Phrygian helmet right.
TA monogram within laurel wreath.
Thermai Himeraiai Sicily 407BC RARE R1 Ancient Greek Coin Hera Hercules i51587
Authentic Ancient Coin of: Greek city of Thermai Himeraiai in Sicily
Bronze 14mm (2.77 grams) Struck 407-340 B.C.
Reference: HGC 2, 1627 (R1); Sear 1111; B.M.C.2.2
Head of Hera right, wearing stephanos ornamented with honeysuckle.
Head of young Hercules right, in lion’s skin.
The refugees from Himera were permitted by the Carthaginians to found a new settlement at the hot springs not far from the the old city.
Kings of Paphlagonia Pylaimenes II or III Rare 133BC Rare R1 Greek Coin i53320
Authentic Ancient
Greek coin of the Kings of Paphlagonia King Pylaimenes II or III Bronze 16mm (3.91 grams) Struck circa 133-103 B.C. Reference: SNG Black Sea 1555-1556; HGC 7, 441 Rare R1; Sear 3715; B.M.C.13.103,2-3 Bull’s head facing. Winged caduceus; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΠΥΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ/ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ to left.
AKRAGAS in SICILY 400BC River God Easgle Crab Hexonkia RARE R1 Greek Coin i53385
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Akragas in Sicily Bronze Hexonkia 27mm (17.10 grams) Struck circa 400-380 B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 139 (R1); CNS I, p. 194-195, nos. 89-89 st 1 AKPAΓΑΣ, Horned head of River-god Gelas left, wearing tainia. Eagle standing left on Ionic column, head right, crab to left; value mark (six pellets) to right.
Akragas SICULO-PUNIC Sicily Carthage Silver Greek Hannibal Time Coin R2 i53514
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Akragas in Sicily SICULO-PUNIC coin struck for Carthage Time of 2nd Punic War against Rome led by general Hannibal Silver Eighth Shekel or Hemidrachm 14mm (1.17 grams) Struck circa 214-210 B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 173 Rare R2; SNG ANS 3, no. 1233 Male head (ostensibly Triptolemus) right, wreathed with grain. Punic letters below horse galloping right.
The city of Carthage had many cities of Sicily under their control during the 2nd Punic war with Akragas being one of them. This is an excellent example of a Carthaginian coin being struck in Sicily, giving it the name of being Siculo-Punic.
Akragas (Agrigentum), was a city of great wealth and importance in the 5th Century B.C., but in 406 B.C. it was sacked by the Carthaginians, a disaster from which it never fully recovered; finally fell to the Romans in 210 B.C.
THASOS Thrace Island 411BC Silenos Dolphins RARE R1 Silver Greek Coin i53881
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Thasos, an Island off Thrace Silver Hemiobol 7mm (0.38 grams) Struck circa 411-404 B.C. Reference: HGC 6, 340 Rare R1; Le Rider 12 Head of Silenos right. Θ-A-Σ, Dolphin leaping left above dolphin leaping right.
Antiochos III the Great 223BC RARE R1 Seleukid King Greek Coin Elephant i54343
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Seleukid Empire Antiochos III, Megas – King: 222-187 B.C. Bronze 11mm (1.57 grams) Sardes mint: 223-187 B.C. Reference: HGC 9, 560 (Rare R1); SC 979; Newell, WSM 1114; SNG Spaer 615 Laureate head of Apollo right. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ANTIOXOY above and below Elephant advancing left; upturned anchor before.
PANORMOS in SICILY 415BC Trionkion Ancient Greek Coin ROOSTER Rare R1 i55282
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Panormos in Sicily Bronze Tetras or Trionkion 20mm (11.10 grams) Struck circa 415-400 B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 1054 Rare R1; CNS I, p. 269, nos. 2-2/5 Cock (rooster) standing right. Three pellets value mark. The principal Phoenician city in Sicily, Panormos produced a limited coinage in the latter part of the 5th Century; but following the great success of Carthaginian arms, 409-405 B.C., the issues of the mint became much larger. The types are mostly copied form the coinages of other Sicilian cities, such as Gela, Segesta and Syracuse.
SOLUS in SICILY 4thCenBC Athena Archer RARE R1 Genuine Ancient Greek Coin i55286
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Solus in Sicily Bronze 13mm (2.11 grams) Struck late fourth century B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 1254 Rare R1 ; CNS I. p. 309, nos. 5-5/3; Sear 1181; B.M.C.2.,p.242,5 Head of Athena three-quarter face to right, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet. Punic legend ‘kfra’. Naked archer kneeling right, about to discharge arrow from bow.
A Phoenician town not far from Panormos, and a dependency of Carthage until the First Punic War.
AKRAGAS in SICILY 450BC RARE R1 Eagle Crab Ancient Tooth Shape Greek Coin i56152
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Akragas in Sicily Bronze Trias 17x16x12mm (11.71 grams) Cast circa 450 B.C. Reference: Sear 1020; B.M.C. 2.,p. 24, nos. 3,4; HGC 2, 127 Rare (R1) On one side, two eagle’s heads back to back, A beneath the one on left; on the other, crab; on the base, three pellets (value mark).
* Numismatic Note: Tooth-shaped, with flat base, and possibly a weight rather than actual coin. Akragas (Agrigentum), was a city of great wealth and importance in the 5th Century B.C., but in 406 B.C. it was sacked by the Carthaginians, a disaster from which it never fully recovered; finally fell to the Romans in 210 B.C.
ORCHOMENOS in BOEOTIA 371BC Grain Shield Star Rare R1 Ancient Greek Coin i56244
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Orchomenos in Boeotia Bronze 15mm (2.91 grams) Struck circa 371-364 B.C. Reference: HGC 4, 1260 Rare R1; Babelon III, no. 326; BCD Boiotia 225 and 227a Boeotian shield decorated with grain ear. E – P – X – O, Eight-pointed star around central pellet.
LEONTINI SICILY 2-1CenBC RARE R1 Authentic Ancient Greek Coin APOLLO LION i57281
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Leontini in Sicily Bronze 14mm (2.54 grams) Struck late second-early first centuries B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 725 Rare R1 ; CNS III, p. 83, nos. 15-15/4; Sear 1122 var. Laureate head of Apollo left; plow to right. Forepart of lion facing left; monogram blow.
EUKRATIDES I – NGC AU Silver Tetradrachm RARE R1 Indo Greek Baktria Coin i57701
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Indo Greek & Baktria Kingdom in India Eukratides I Megas – King circa 171-145 B.C. Silver Tetradrachm 34mm (16.08 grams) Uncertain mint in the Paropamisadai or Gandhara Reference: HGC 12, 131; Bopearachchi Série 6; Bopearachchi & Rahman -; SNG ANS 473; MIG Type 177l Certification: NGC Ancients AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5 4278655-007 Diademed and draped bust right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull’s horn and ear; all within bead-and-reel border. BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛΟΥ above, EYKPATIΔOY below, the Dioskouroi on horses rearing right, palm fronds and lances; monogram to right.
SELEUKOS II Kallinikos 246BC Seleukid RARE R2 R3 Ancient Greek Coin i57711
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Seleukid Empire Seleukos II Kallinikos – King: 246-225 B.C. Bronze 16mm (3.70 grams) Magnesia on the Maiandros or perhaps Ephesos mint Reference: HGC 9, 347 (Rare R2-R3); SC 670 and 673 Head of Artemis artemis right, wearing stephane. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ either side of Apollo Delphios standing left, holding arrow and grounded bow.
ANTIOCHOS III Megas 222BC Seleukid RARE R3 Authentic Ancient Greek Coin i58035
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Seleukid Empire Antiochos III, Megas – King: 222-187 B.C. Bronze 17mm (8.62 grams) Uncertain Mint 67 in Seleukia or Mesopotamia Reference: HGC 9, 527 Rare R3 Diademed head of Antiochos III right. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow and grounded bow; monogram in field to left.
PHILIP V Macedonia King 221BC RARE R1 Ancient Greek Coin HERCULES GOATS i58071
Authentic Ancient
Greek coin of the Kingdom of Macedonia Philip V – King: 221-179 B.C. Bronze 19mm (7.22 grams) Struck circa 221-179 B.C. Reference: HGC 3, 1068 Rare R1; Sear 6797; Forrer/Weber 2204 Head of young Hercules right, clad in lion’s skin. BA / Φ above and beneath two goats kneeling right, side by side.
SYRACUSE SICILY 269BC Hieron II Apollo Horse RARE R1 Ancient Greek Coin i58437
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Syracuse in Sicily Bronze 17mm (4.79 grams) under king Hieron II, struck circa 269/265-240 B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 1552 Rare R1; CNS II, p. 407, nos. 202-202/7 Laureate head of Apollo left. IEPΩNOΣ, Horse galloping right.
When in it’s foundations that the city of Syracuse only consisted of the island of Ortygia, that island was said to have been the home of the nymph Arethusa. She had been a chaste, faithful attendant of Artemis. It is said that she got the unwanted attentions from the river god, Alpheios, while bathing in his Peloponnesian stream. Artemis hid her in a cloud in an attempt to save her, however she sweated so profusely out of fear that she was transformed into a stream. Artemis broke apart the ground to allow her to escape. She found her way to the island of Ortygia where she became the fountain on that island.
ADRANON in SICILY Rare R1 344BC Athena Octopus Genuine Ancient Greek Coin i59226
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Adranon in Sicily Bronze Hemilitron 18mm (5.04 grams) Struck circa 344-336 B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 40 Rare R1; SNG ANS -; Calciati III pg. 160, 7; BMC Sicily -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG Morcom 506; Laffaille -; Virzi 505; Campana 9; CNS 7 Head of Athena in Corinthian helmet left. A-Δ-P-A-N-Ω-N, octopus facing.
AKRAGAS SICILY Rare R1 Silver Tetradrachm Eagle Crab Ancient Greek Coin i60291
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Akragas in Sicily Silver Tetradrachm 24mm (17.20 grams) struck circa 464-446 B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 87 Rare R1; SNG Lewis 289, SNG ANS 979-981 Pedigree: Ex Christopher “Kit” Reed Collection Sea eagle standing left; AKRAC-ANTOΣ (partially retrograde) around. Crab within shallow incuse circle.
Akragas (Agrigentum), was a city of great wealth and importance in the 5th Century B.C., but in 406 B.C. it was sacked by the Carthaginians, a disaster from which it never fully recovered; finally fell to the Romans in 210 B.C.
LARISSA THESSALY 360BC BULL HORSE MAN Ancient Silver Greek Coin RARE R2 i60293
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Larissa in Thessaly Silver Drachm 18mm (6.03 grams) Struck circa 360-356 B.C. Reference: HGC 4, 449 Rare R2; Hermann pl. IV, 17; SNG Copenhagen 118; BCD Thessaly I, 1136; BCD Thessaly II, 186 | Pedigree: Ex Christopher “Kit” Reed Collection ΛAPIΣAION above bull running right. Horseman wearing kausia and cape riding right.
LARISSA in THESSALY 369BC RARE R2 Aleuas Eagle Ancient Silver Greek Coin i60294
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Larissa in Thessaly Silver Drachm 18mm (6.07 grams) Struck circa 369-360 B.C. Reference: HGC 4, 438 Rare R2; BCD Thessaly I, 1135; BCD Thessaly II, 185; Babelon IV, 699; Herrmann group VIII, pl. VII, 11; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC 12; Jameson 2469; Gulbenkian 473 (all from the same dies) | Pedigree: Ex Christopher “Kit” Reed Collection; Ex CNG Sale 78, May 14, 2008. Lot 463 ΛEY, head of Aleuas facing three-quarters left, wearing conical helmet (pileus), labrys in field to right. ΛΑΡΙΣΣΑΙΑ, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, head turned right; EΛΛΑ to left.
This is one of the rarest issues of Larissa, and also one with the most different interpretations. In one this drachm is meant to have been struck as propaganda for the Aleuad Hellanokrates, whose name appears on the reverse, against the machinations of Alexander of Pherai in 361. Another view sees it as a homage to Alexander III of Macedon, in honor of the supposed joint ancestry of the Macedonian royal house and the Thessalians, and thus it would date to the mid 330s, at the same time as Alexander’s own early eagle coinage. The further possibility of this being a result of Alexander of Pherai’s occupation of Larissa in 370 seems very unlikely. A note from BCD: Hoard information certainly dismisses the possibility of this coin having been sruck in the 330’s BC.
BOSPORUS King Leukon II 240BC Rare R1 Genuine Ancient Greek Coin Hercules i60700
Authentic Ancient
Greek coin of the Kingdom of Bosporus Leukon II – Spartocid Dynasty King, circa 240-220 B.C. Bronze 24mm (12.40 grams) Pantikapaion mint Reference: HGC 7, 189 Rare R1; MacDonald 99; Anohin 134 Head of young Hercules right, wearing lion skin headdress. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΛΕΥΚΩΝOΣ above and below the club and bow of Hercules.
DEMETRIOS I POLIORKETES Macedonia – RARE R1 Poseidon Athena Greek Coin i60718
Authentic Ancient Greek Coin of:
Macedonian Kingdom Demetrios I, Poliorketes – King: 306-283 B.C. Bronze 19mm (4.65 grams) Mint in Caria, struck circa 298-295 B.C. Reference: HGC 3, 1021 Rare R1; Newell 1927, nos. 39 and 166; SNG München -; SNG Alpha Bank -; Weber 2176 Laureate head of Poseidon right. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, Athena Promachos standing right, preparing to throw spear and holding shield; monogram to inner left, double-axe (labrys) to inner right. Son of Antigonos the One-eyed, Demetrios Poliorketes (the ‘Besieger’) was a romantic character who pursued a most colorful career spanning more than three decades. In his earlier years he assisted his father, whose power was centered in Asia Minor, and in 306 he achieved a great naval victory over Ptolemy of Egypt, in the battle of Salamis, off the coast of Cyprus. After many vicissitudes he seized the Macedonian throne in 294, although he reigned for only six years the dynasty which he founded lasted until the end of the Macedonian Kingdom. He died as a captive in Syria in 283 B.C.
PHILIP V or VI ANDRISKOS 200BC RARE R1 Ancient Greek Coin PERSEUS HARPA i61410
Authentic Ancient
Greek coin of the Kingdom of Macedonia Philip V – King: 221-179 B.C. Bronze 14mm (3.39 grams) Pella or Amphipolis mint Struck under Philip V, circa 200-179 B.C. or Philip VI Andriskos (circa 150-148 B.C.) Reference: HGC 3, 1081 Rare R1; Mamroth 1935, no. 28 Head of Perseus in Phrygian helmet right. ΒΑ/Φ, Harpa; all within oak wreath.
* Numismatic Note: Very interesting type that could be attributed to even Philip VI!
Amphipolis mint Macedonia 149BC PHILIP VI ANDRISKOS Rare R1 Greek Coin i61821
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Amphipolis in Macedonia Striking for Macedonia “MAKEΔΟΝΩΝ” as a unified Region Bronze 20mm (6.81 grams) Amphipolis mint Probably struck under Philip VI Andriskos, circa 149-148 B.C. Reference: HGC 3, 333 Rare R1; AMNG III.2, p. 38, nos. 70-71 Laureate head of Apollo right. MAKE / ΔΟΝΩΝ above and below bow and kithara (lyre); monogram to right.
ELEUSIS in ATTICA near ATHENS RARE R1 Triptolemus Boar Ancient Greek Coin i63315
Item: i63315
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city Eleusis in Attica Eleusian Festival Coinage Bronze 14mm (3.25 grams) Struck circa 322/317-307 B.C. Reference: Sear 2574 var.; HGC 4, 1769 (Rare R1) (Athens); Kroll 1993, nos. 48-49 Triptolemos, favorite of Demeter, seated left in winged car drawn by serpents, holding corn-ears. ΕΛΕΥ above boar standing right on bacchos (mystic staff); all within grain wreath.
The obverse is inspired by a statue of Triptolemos that was presumably still in its temple when Pausanias (I. 38, 6) visited Eleusis in about AD 160: “The Eleusians have a temple to Triptolemos… They say that the plain called Rharion was the first to be sown and the first to grow crops… Here is shown a threshing floor and altar. My dream forbade the description of the things within the wall of the sanctuary, and the uninitiated are of course not permitted to learn that which they are prevented from seeing.”
Situated north-west of Athens, Eleusis possessed a magnificent temple of Demeter, and gave it’s name to the famous Eleusinian mysteries, concerned with the cults of Demeter and Persephone.
RHODES Caria Island RARE R1 Helios of Colossus Ancient Silver Greek Coin i63367
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Rhodes on an Island off Caria Silver Hemidrachm 11mm (1.51 grams) Struck circa 275-250 B.C. Reference: HGC 6, 1447 Rare R1 Pedigree / Provenance: Ex Coin Galleries Mail Bid Sale February 10, 1993 Lot No. 424 Head of Helios facing three-quarters right. P-O, rose with bud right; magistrate’s name APIΣΤΟΝΟΜΟΣ above; prow of galley in field to left.
This coin, with the head of Helios is a reference to the great “Colossus of Rhodes” statue in the city, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The “rose” is a pun on the city’s name “rhodos” in Greek.
HIMERA SICILY 420BC Hemilitron RARE R2 Ancient Greek Coin Gorgon NGC XF i58224
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Himera in Sicily Bronze Hemilitron 24mm (18.14 grams) Struck circa 430-420 B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 463 Rare R2; Sear 1105; B.M.C. 2.,p.39,27-30; CNS I, p. 25, nos. 1-1/2 Certification: NGC Ancients XF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5 4375810-012 Gorgon’s head facing. Six pellets.
AKRAGAS in SICILY 510BC Didrachm EAGLE CRAB Silver Greek Coin RARE R1 NGC i58237
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Akragas in Sicily Silver Didrachm 21mm (8.24 grams) Struck circa 510-500 B.C. Reference: HGC 2, 87 Rare R1; Jenkins 1970, Group Ia Certification: NGC Ancients Ch VF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 2/5 4375810-015 AKRA/CANTOΣ, Eagle standing left. Crab.
PHERAI THESSALY 302BC Ennodia Hypereia Lion Rare R2 Silver Greek Coin NGC i59921
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Pherai in Thessaly Silver Hemidrachm 15mm (2.80 grams) Struck circa 302-286 B.C. Reference: HGC 4; 553 Rare R2; Jameson 2474; BCD Thessaly I, lot 1321; BCD Thessaly II, lot 714 Certification: NGC Ancients Ch VF 4375823-400 Laureate head of Ennodia left; torch to right. ΦEPAIOYN, Hypereia standing left, touching lion head fountain; ΑΣTO within wreath in field to left.
PANTIKAPAION in Bosporus 370BC Pan Lion RARE R2 Silver Greek Coin NGC i60088
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Pantikapaion in Cimmerian Bosporus Silver Hemidrachm 12mm (2.50 grams) Struck circa 370-355 B.C. Reference: HGC 7, 68 Rare R2; MacDonald 45; Anohin 104 Certification: NGC Ancients F 4375823-314 Head of young Pan, the satyr, right, wreathed with ivy. ΠΑΝTI, Lion advancing right, head reverted.
PANTIKAPAION Black Sea Bosporus RARE R2 Ancient Silver Greek Coin NGC XF i60125
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Pantikapaion in Cimmerian Bosporus Silver Diobol 13mm (1.34 grams) Struck circa 450-437 B.C. Reference: HGC 7, 34 (Rare R2); SNG Strancomb 580; SNG BM Black Sea 841; MacDonald 11/1; Anohin 20 Certification: NGC Ancients XF 4375823-269 Lion’s head facing. Quadrapartitie incuse square with two raised compartments and two enclosing stellate pattern.
Sinope Paphlagonia Tyche Eagle RARE R1 Authentic Silver Greek Coin NGC i60163
Authentic Ancient Coin of: Greek city of Sinope in Paphlagonia
Silver Hemidrachm 14mm (1.95 grams) Struck circa 300-200 B.C.
Reference: HGC 7, 411 (R1); Sear 3704; SNG Black Sea 1510-1512; B.M.C.13.98,30-32
Certification: NGC Ancients Ch VF 4375823-241
Turreted head of Tyche left.
Eagle flying upward, head left; ΣΙΝ-Ω in lower field; bunch of grapes to left; monogram in field to right.
PANTIKAPAION BOSPORUS 310BC RARE R1 Ancient Greek Coin PAN & GRIFFIN NGC i61937
Authentic Ancient Coin of: Greek city of Pantikapaion in Cimmerian Bosporus
Bronze 21mm (7.57 grams) Struck circa 310-303 B.C.
Reference: HGC 7, 113 Rare R1; MacDonald 69; Anohin 111; Sear 1700; B.M.C.3.20
Certification: NGC Ancients AU 4529163-004
Head of Pan, the satyr right.
ΠΑΝ, Forepart of griffin advancing left; sturgeon below.
ALEXANDER II ZABINAS RARE R1 Seleukid Silver Greek Tetradrachm Coin NGC i62454
Authentic Ancient:
Greek Coin of Seleukid Kingdom Alexander II Zabinas – Reigned: 128-123 B.C. Silver Tetradrachm 28mm Damaskos mint, dated Seleukid Era (SE) year 190, 123/122 B.C. Reference: HGC 1149 Rare R1-R2; SC 2248.6. Certification: NGC Ancients XF 1884244-037 Diademed head of Alexander Zabinas right. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus seated left, holding Nike and scepter; monograms to outer left and below throne, date in exergue.
Surnamed Zebina or Zabinas (“the Bought One”), son of a merchant, but claiming to an adopted son of Antiochos VII Sidetes, or biological son of Alexander Balas. He was set up by Ptolemy VIIof the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt as a pretender to the throne of the Seleukid kingdom, shortly after the return of Demetrios II Nikator from his captivity among the Parthians, circa B.C. 128. He defeated Demetrios in 125, but was afterwards defeated by the forces of Cleopatra Thea and her son Antiochos VIII Grypos by whom he was put to death in 122.
SINOPE in PAPHLAGONIA 306BC RARE R1 Ancient Silver Greek Coin GALLEY NGC i63897
Authentic Ancient Coin of:
Greek city of Sinope in Paphlagonia Silver Hemidrachm 14mm (2.48 grams) Struck 306-290 B.C. Reference: Sear 3700; HGC 7, 421 Rare R1; SNG Black Sea 1504-1508 Certification: NGC Ancients XF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5 2068695-010 head of nymph Sinope left, hair rolled, wearing turreted head-dress. ΣINΩ above prow left; before, aplustre and monogram.
A colony of Miletos, founded in the 7th century B.C., Sinope rose to become the most important city on the southern coastline of the Black Sea. Sinope was the city of Mithradates VI’s birth.
