Ancient Coins  :  Ancient Greek

Showing: 1 - 25 of 25 items


    Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5

    Ancient Greek: 305-281 BC Kingdom of Thrace Lysimachus AR Tetradrachm NGC Ch VF

    Vault Value
    Next Bid: $1,300.00
    Closes: 9D 6H

    Following the premature death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, his generals, friends, and heirs engaged in forty years of wars over his empire. Lysimachus one of Alexander's trusted companions and bodyguards, used the king's image on his own coins in order to cast himself in the role of successor and legitimize his claim to the kingdom of Thrace. Alexander, responsible for establishing the conventions of royal portraiture, is depicted in his preferred manner: youthful and clean-shaven, with long locks of hair rising above his forehead and eyes cast upward. Additionally, he is shown with horns curling around his ears. These horns of Ammon symbolize Alexander's claim that he was the son of the Egyptian god Ammon's claim reportedly confirmed by the oracle at the sanctuary of Zeus-Ammon at Siwa, Egypt. On the reverse of the coin, Lysimachus exerts his own royal autonomy by naming himself king. The goddesses Athena and Nike (Greek for Victory) crown his name with laurels, which symbolized victory or honor. The lion on the shield at Athena's side references Lysimachus's famous exploit of killing a lion with his bare hands and reinforces his association with Alexander, who used the skin of the Nemean lion as a symbol of power and courage. Lysimachus was a Macedonian Cavalry General, who served as a personal bodyguard to Alexander the Great during his conquest of Asia. After his death, he would take Thrace as governor (satrap) and later most of Asia Minor as King in 305 BC. Lysimachus would die in battle in 281 BC and would lose his kingdom.

    View/Bid

    180/167-133 BC AR Cistophorus NGC Choice XF (Ancient Greek)

    $600.00
     

    This is an exciting and affordable offering of an extra fine example of Ancient coinage struck in Ionia, Ephesus, now modern day Turkey. The obverse (front) of this exciting Ancient coin bears the image of a cista mystica, or sacred chest, and often used to house snakes. Cistae mystica chests were used during initiation ceremonies by the followers of Bacchus, or Dionysus the famous gods of wine and drink. The cista on this coin is surrounded by a wreath. The reverse of the coin bears a bow case surrounded by 2 snakes. This coin is struck in silver and is quite desirable in this extra fine condition. Diameter is approximately 25 mm.

    Offer

    Shekel of Tyre, Lifetime Issue of Jesus Christ, Rare

    Ancient Greek: 126 BC-AD 67 Phoenicia Shekel of Tyre NGC Ch VF (Flan Crack) Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5

    Vault Value
    Next Bid: $2,750.00
    Closes: 9D 6H

    NGC graded CH VF, Strike 4/5 Surface 3/5; rare variety and historically important as it is a dated while Jesus Christ was alive. Known as a Lifetime issue struck years before the crucifixion of Christ. A highly desirable issue coveted by rare coin collectors because of the special date. The obverse depicts the likeness of the Phoenician god Melkart. An eagle is perched on the prow of a ship on the reverse. The Jerusalem minted Shekel continued to include the Mint mark of Tyre, a club near the eagle's foot, because Herod did not want to give the appearance that Tyre had lost power and that the Jews were sovereign in Jerusalem. The Shekel of Tyre was the main silver coin used in Judea during the time of the Temple and the New Testament. The coin used for the yearly one-half shekel donation to the Temple, and the infamous 30 pieces of silver for which Judas betrayed Jesus, are both references to the Silver Shekels of Tyre.

    View/Bid

    Ancient Greek: 121-91 BC Parthian Kingdom, Mithradates II AR Drachm NGC XF

    $135.00
     

    Like many regions of the ancient world, Alexander the Great once conquered the land later known as the Parthian Kingdom. After conquered by Alexander, the region would remain together as a province of the Seleucid Kingdom before becoming independent sometime around 200 BC. By 200 BC independent rule was firmly established along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. The region grew to include all the Iranian Plateau and the Tigris-Euphrates Valley. Throughout the reign of independence, Parthia was plagued by Scythian attacks on the northeastern borders. After defeating the Scythians, Mithradates II (123-88 BC) gained a considerable amount of territory and brokered a treaty with Rome for his Kingdom. After Mithradates II?s death, rivals vied for control, not settling until Phraates II came to power in 70 BC. Later, Rome attempted to invade several times, feeling obligated to retake the inheritance of Alexander the Great. After being routed at Carrhae in 53 BC, Rome backed off Parthia for a few centuries. Despite successfully holding Rome at bay, Parthia was ultimately overthrown by the Sasanians under Ardashir (AD 224-241). Near the end of the Parthian Kingdom, occasionally two or more rulers would reign concurrently. The ever changing ruler situation throughout Parthia's history saw many variations of coin production. The coins are a representation of the contentious battles the Parthian's fought throughout the Kingdom's history.

    Offer