Denomination: Copper-alloy, AE22
Period: Classical
and Hellenistic
Date: 85-65BC
Origin: Black
Sea area
Condition: VF+
Obverse: Aegis
(shield) with gorgoneion at centre
Reverse: Nike
advancing right, holding wreath and palm branch, AMI-SOY (in Greek) across
fields, monograms to left and right
Size
and Weight: 22mm, 7.9g
References: Spink
3653
Features
and Provenance: The face on the shield is that of Medusa,
one of the Gorgons. She was believed to have been so ugly, with her head full
of snakes that anyone who looked at her directly was turned to stone.
Perseus, is heroically supposed to have used his shield as
a mirror to decapitate Medusa and subsequently carry her head in a bag for use
as a weapon. Finally he gave the head of Medusa it to Athena attached it to her
shield, an aegis, and this is what is depicted upon this coin
On the reverse we have the goddess Nike, the
personification of victory. She has wings and holds a palm leaf. As the
peaceful messenger or Zeus, she would bestow wreaths of victory on the winners.
She is also know as Victory or Victoria.
Condition
Summary. This varies with the age of coin and
there are grades between
Uncirculated
(U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely
Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all
parts of legend etc present, visible and clear
Very
Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher
parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn
Fine
(F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend
etc may be missing or not visible
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Code: RNC076