Description: Ptolemaic Egypt | Cleopatra III and Ptolemy X | AE28 "Hemidrachm" Reference: Svoronos 1695, Weiser 175 Date: 107-101 BCE Obverse: Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ; Two eagles with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; to l., small eagle with closed wings standing l. on thunderbolt (removed by centration/striking error) Mint: Uncertain Cypriot mint Size: 28.1 mm Weight: 18.28 grams DUAL REVERSE CENTRATION DIMPLES. This RARE heavy bronze coin is from the joint rule of Cleopatra III and her son Ptolemy X. Struck on a thick, frustal flan typical with Ptolemaic coinage. Rarity aside, from a numismatics standpoint this coin is incredibly interesting due to the centration error present on the reverse. Centration dimples are the small divots/pits usually found in the center of the obverse and reverse on bronzes of Ptolemaic Egypt and of certain Roman provincial cities in the Danube region and Asia Minor. They usually occur in pairs, with one on the obverse and one on the reverse. Numismatists agree that they are likely remnants of flan production technologies but beyond that it gets spicy. There are two primary theories: 1) The blank flan was screwed onto a lathe to allow the edge to be smoothed into a more-or-less round shape prior to striking. The faces may also have had some smoothing done at the same time. In support of this theory, dimpled coins do tend to be smoother and rounder than undimpled coins of similar size and age. Furthermore, the faces of some severely dimpled, weakly struck coins bear clear signs of lathe turning-marks. 2) Pincer-tongs were used to hold the flan in the forge until it began softening, at which point the flan would be placed between the dies and struck. If the furnace and anvil were too far apart and/or the mint worker carrying the flan was too slow, the metal cooled too much for the strike to obliterate all traces of the hole left behind by the tongs.In support of this theory, on some double-dimpled coins (one on the obverse and one on the reverse) the dimples are asymmetric. This would be possible with tongs but not a lathe. In addition, experiments with large bronze coin blanks (like this one) show the flan would need to be heated prior to striking since cold striking larger objects fails to impart the level of detail we obverse on ancient bronzes. This coin would seem to support the latter theory, as there are TWO reverse dimples and they are nearly overlapping. This could be the result of an ancient mint worker accidentally loosening the pincers grip on the flan before quickly re-clamping with a new grip pattern. Policies I apply the highest ethical standards in selling ancient coins. All coins are guaranteed to be genuine and any item found to be otherwise may be returned for a full refund. The most important thing is that you are happy with your new coin(s)! All coins are shipped in PVC-free, archival-grade coin flips and inserts made of acid-free paper Domestic (USA) shipping only If you purchase multiple items please message me before you pay and I will combine the shipping for you. I accept all returns within 30 calendar days upon receipt of the item. No explanation is required for the return, but it would be appreciated. Any item which has been altered from its original state may not be returned. Don't see what you're looking for? Just shoot me a message, I might have it but haven't gotten around to listing it!
Price: 99.99 USD
Location: Canton, Michigan
End Time: 2024-05-10T13:50:01.000Z
Shipping Cost: 5 USD
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Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Denomination: AE28
Historical Period: Greek (450 BC-100 AD)
Composition: Bronze
Year: 107-101 BCE
Era: Ancient
Country/Region of Manufacture: Egypt
