Description: lsd Archaios Numismatics Description: Greek Autonomous Bronze coin of Hermocapelia in Lydia, 2nd Century BC Obverse: Draped bust of the Senate right, Monogram to lower right; [ΙЄΡΑ CYΝ]-ΚΛΗΤΟС around from upper right. Reverse: Turreted and Draped bust of Roma right, Star or Monogram to lower right; ЄΡΜΟ-ΚΑΠΗΛΙ around from upper right Mint: Hermocapelia, Lydia Size: 15 mm Weight: 3.21 g Ref: SNG Cop 164, RPC III 1879; BMC 11-2. cf. CNG 189, Lot 91 (Est:100; Hammer: $170) Condition: VF, Nice coin of a scarce Lydian city state Use the Pictures as your judge as grading is subjective. Inventory: 1906.28.15 Notes: Hermocapelia was an ancient Roman and Byzantine era city on the Hermos River, in the provence of Lydia of Asia Minor. It is described as to the west of Apollonis in its own little plain, the Hyrcanian Plain, almost completely surrounded by mountains. It was mentioned by Pliny but is best known for the coins which it minted to prove its existence today. It was not until after the defeat of Antiochus by the Romans at Magnesia, B.C. 190, that some of the more important Lydian towns began to issue bronze money, and it was only in Imperial times that a general revival of trade set in, and that every little community, of sufficient standing to rank as a Polis availed itself of the privilege of coining bronze money in its own name. This local coinage was often issued only during Festivals. Lydia was one of the provinces of Asia Minor bordering in ancient times both the Mediteranean and the Euxine or Black Sea. The ‘The Lydians,’ says Herodotus (i. 94), ‘were the first people we know of to strike coins of gold and of silver’ and Xenophanes of Colophon bears witness to the same tradition. We are led to ascribe to the seventh century B.C., and probably to the reign of Gyges (B.C. 687- 652), the founder of the dynasty of the Mermnadae and of the new Lydian empire, as distinguished from the Lydia of more remote antiquity., the first issues of the Lydian mint. These were bean-shaped ingots of the metal called by the Greeks ‘electrum’ or ‘white gold’, a natural compound of gold and silver, collected at Sardes from the washings of the little mountain torrent Pactolus, and perhaps from diggings on the slopes of Tmolus and Sipylus. Ingots and rings, &c., of the precious metals adjusted to fixed weights had been used for purposes of exchange for ages before the Lydians first invented the convenient process of stamping them with marks as guarantees of value. Ingots thus stamped henceforth passed freely as current coin, and, so long as they were correct in weight, the exact amount of pure gold in each lump of metal does not appear to have been taken into consideration. Some excerpts from Head, Hist. Num.; Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia We Thank You for stopping in and taking time to look at and bid on our listings. Good Luck Bidding ! We encourage you to click the "See other items" link above in the "Seller Information" area of the listing as well to check out our other items posted. We have a variety of great classical and other ancient numismatic items available. We will be regularly continuing to post for sale and auction a wide variety of Ancient Roman, Greek, and Eastern coins as well as Medieval, Byzantine, and some Modern coins as well. You can also follow us to be notified when new listings are posted. With over 20 years in the numismatics hobby we continue to revel in the excitement that comes from holding each new small piece of history in our hands. We enjoy the enduring sense of history both of the prior uses and users as well as the creativity and necessity that surround the time and place at which these coins were minted and used in circulation. Our aim is to cater not just to the high end collector but also to the hobbyist and the newly initiated and those on a limited budget. Everyone starts the hobby somewhere and where we can share our knowledge to help inform or jumpstart your collecting pleasure we will aim to do so. We want you to love every purchase you make with us and we always stand by the quality and authenticity of all the coins we are selling.
Price: 65 USD
Location: Seattle, Washington
End Time: 2024-01-11T21:57:06.000Z
Shipping Cost: 3 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
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
Composition: Bronze
Era: Ancient
Historical Period: Greek (450 BC-100 AD)
