Home› World & Ancient Coins Forum
Options

Gold Octadrachms - NEWPs!

SmEagle1795SmEagle1795 Posts: 2,199 ✭✭✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
Hi all,
I'm very excited to share my newest purchases: two gold octadrachms. These are incredible coins. I can't imagine how they still exist after 2,200 years, considering their weight of nearly an ounce of gold. I've been primarily a collector of US coins but upon learning about these pieces, I couldn't resist.

The diameter of each is a little over 27mm, about the size of a US $10 Indian.

246-211BC - Ptolematic Posthumous issue of Ptolemy IV from the Alexandria mint. 27.71g

image

image

253-246 BC - Arisone II, Wife of Ptolemy II Philadelphos (struck under Ptolemy II). 27.74g

image

image

Thanks for looking!
Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection

Comments

  • bronzematbronzemat Posts: 2,666 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow thats a average ancient collectors dream, I wish...

    Sweet additions, very jealous.
  • ormandhormandh Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭
    Not my area, but those are some SWEET gold coins!image
    Numismasource ebay store
  • JCMhoustonJCMhouston Posts: 5,306 ✭✭✭
    Very nice.
    JCM-Houston
    World Collection
    British Collection
    German States Collection
  • FilthyBrokeFilthyBroke Posts: 3,518 ✭
    Wow, those are nice!image


    27mm is quite large for ancient gold, isn't it? I don't remember seeing old gold much larger than 15 or 20mm, but I don't get to see much outside of our local shows.
  • ZoharZohar Posts: 6,678 ✭✭✭✭✭
    AWESOME!!
    Habsburg Talers
  • DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    image
    Becky
  • SmEagle1795SmEagle1795 Posts: 2,199 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Wow, those are nice!image
    27mm is quite large for ancient gold, isn't it? I don't remember seeing old gold much larger than 15 or 20mm, but I don't get to see much outside of our local shows. >>



    Thanks everyone! Yes, 27mm is very large for ancient gold. The Ptolemy octadrachms are some of the largest ancient gold coins, in diameter and weight. There are a couple other types of octadrachm at the same weight/size but I find these two the most aesthetically pleasing.
    Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
  • DabigkahunaDabigkahuna Posts: 3,419


    Simply Awesome! Wow!

    Any idea what the meaning is, if any, of the double cornucopia? I just noticed that on a 3rd century Roman coin I was looking at.

    image

    Larry
    My Ebay Auctions
    image
  • SmEagle1795SmEagle1795 Posts: 2,199 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Simply Awesome! Wow!

    Any idea what the meaning is, if any, of the double cornucopia? I just noticed that on a 3rd century Roman coin I was looking at.

    image

    Larry >>



    Thanks! As far as I know, the double cornucopia quite literally means double prosperity. The Greeks and Romans both used the cornucopia as a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and as a core symbol of the deities associated with a successful harvest.
    Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
  • MacCrimmonMacCrimmon Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭
    Sweet! Now you need to add a Ptolemy III
  • ZoharZohar Posts: 6,678 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looked again. Excellent !

    Had to patch them together.

    image

    image
    Habsburg Talers
  • WWWWWW Posts: 2,609 ✭✭✭
    Beautiful coins and a welcome contribution to the Ancient side of our forum.
  • worldcoinguyworldcoinguy Posts: 3,030 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Simply breathtaking. Thanks for posting.....I've reopened this thread several times just to stare at them. image
  • WillieBoyd2WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Those are really nice coins.

    The ancients had some great artists working then.

    image
    https://www.brianrxm.com
    The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
    Coins in Movies
    Coins on Television
  • CCC2010CCC2010 Posts: 1,997 ✭✭✭
    Made my image
    References:Coinsarefun,DerryB,Bloodman,Zubie,Gerard,Skyman,Bestclser1,Lakesammman,Yellowkid,PerryHall,Piecesofme,HTubbs,grote15
    Coinfame,Kaelasdad,Type2,UNLVino,MICHAELDIXON
    Justacommeman,tydye,78saen,123cents,blue62vette,Segoja,Nibanny
  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,028 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wowee...!
    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • Silvereagle82Silvereagle82 Posts: 1,219 ✭✭✭
    Beautiful image
  • DeiGratiaDeiGratia Posts: 273 ✭✭✭
    Very Nice image
  • dizzleccdizzlecc Posts: 1,124 ✭✭✭
    Sweet coins. I like the design. They make a good matched set.
  • AndresAndres Posts: 977 ✭✭✭
    Beautifull pair , great pictures !
    I know a silver octadrachme of approx. 35 Gramms, is worth 8 drachmes,
    how much drachmes are these gold octadrachmes worth ?

    collector of Greek banknotes - most beautifull world banknotes - Greek & Roman ancient coins.
  • SmEagle1795SmEagle1795 Posts: 2,199 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Beautifull pair , great pictures !
    I know a silver octadrachme of approx. 35 Gramms, is worth 8 drachmes,
    how much drachmes are these gold octadrachmes worth ? >>



    The denomination of octadrachm was also known as mnaieion, meaning a one-mina coin, and is equivalent to 100 silver drachms, or a mina of silver.
    Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
  • AndresAndres Posts: 977 ✭✭✭
    That puts the gold/silver ratio at 15:1

    I believe the minimum income was 1/3 of a drachme for a days labour,
    so one of these gold coins is approx. a one year minimum income in those days.

    and nowadays minimum income in the US, is probably the marketprice for one of these coins image

    collector of Greek banknotes - most beautifull world banknotes - Greek & Roman ancient coins.
  • trozautrozau Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭
    Sweet! image
    trozau (troy ounce gold)
  • SmEagle1795SmEagle1795 Posts: 2,199 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>That puts the gold/silver ratio at 15:1

    I believe the minimum income was 1/3 of a drachme for a days labour,
    so one of these gold coins is approx. a one year minimum income in those days.

    and nowadays minimum income in the US, is probably the marketprice for one of these coins image >>



    I've also read that one silver drachma was equivalent to one sheep, so one of these would be 100 sheep. Frankly, I'd prefer the coin image
    Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
  • WorldTypeSetWorldTypeSet Posts: 1,338 ✭✭✭
    I've also read that one silver drachma was equivalent to one sheep, so one of these would be 100 sheep. Frankly, I'd prefer the coin

    If you ever decide the opposite, I'll happily provide the sheep in trade. I'll even cover delivery image
    Paul

    My World Coin Type Set
  • SmEagle1795SmEagle1795 Posts: 2,199 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I've also read that one silver drachma was equivalent to one sheep, so one of these would be 100 sheep. Frankly, I'd prefer the coin

    If you ever decide the opposite, I'll happily provide the sheep in trade. I'll even cover delivery image >>



    Give it a few thousand years and maybe I will. The gold will certainly outlast the 100 sheep so if they begin to become extinct, it may end up being a good deal! image
    Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
Sign In or Register to comment.