Ancient Identification Help

Darkhorse · May 17, 2005 4:45AM

Mike Sherman brought this puppy in today, it's a big bronze ancient and we'd like to know if anyone here can give us some mroe info on it. Check it out:

CIVITAS · May 17, 2005 5:08AM

Ptolemaic Egypt.
Likely Ptolemy III Euergetes 246-221 B.C.
Obv: Head of Zeus Ammon, r.
Rev. Eagle standing on Thunderbolt; cornucopiae in l. field; (delta) between eagle's legs: PTOLEMAIOU BASILEWS

Very nice coin.

Sylvestius · May 17, 2005 5:10AM

I know nothing about ancients but i like it!

One question is it test cut (drilled) on both sides or is that just part of the design.

CIVITAS · May 17, 2005 5:22AM

Sylvester,

You've hit upon a subject of much debate among ancient numismatists.

They are commonly referred to as "centering marks" or "centering holes" due to the original belief that they were the result of some attempt at centering the flan by those striking the coins. Perhaps a small protrusion from each die. The problem is that they don't always show up in the center of the coin, even when it's struck perfectly centered.

Others believe they are the result of flan preparation in which the worker would take the flan after being cast, and attach it to some sort of lathing device to smooth it out or adjust for weight. The concentric marks in the fields to the r. of the eagle are typical on issues with these divots and often used to support this theory.

Those are the two most popluar theories, but neither one seems to be likely beyond a reasonable doubt.

For more info (and lots of flames and bickering) do a search of Yahoo Group Moneta-L for "center dimples" or "lathe marks" or something to that effect.

Darkhorse · May 17, 2005 5:51AM

Thanks guys!

Sylvestius · May 17, 2005 5:59AM

<< <i>Sylvester,

You've hit upon a subject of much debate among ancient numismatists.

They are commonly referred to as "centering marks" or "centering holes" due to the original belief that they were the result of some attempt at centering the flan by those striking the coins. Perhaps a small protrusion from each die. The problem is that they don't always show up in the center of the coin, even when it's struck perfectly centered.

Others believe they are the result of flan preparation in which the worker would take the flan after being cast, and attach it to some sort of lathing device to smooth it out or adjust for weight. The concentric marks in the fields to the r. of the eagle are typical on issues with these divots and often used to support this theory.

Those are the two most popluar theories, but neither one seems to be likely beyond a reasonable doubt.

For more info (and lots of flames and bickering) do a search of Yahoo Group Moneta-L for "center dimples" or "lathe marks" or something to that effect. >>

Thanks, i think i've been there before, but i'll check it out again in the next few days!