Summary
Coin issued by Ancona, Picenum, Italy, Ancient Greek States, circa 400 BC
Minted by Ancona
Obverse Description
Head of the Greek goddess Aphrodite laureate facing right wearing earring. Behind the base of her neck (largely worn away) the letter M
Reverse Description
A right arm holding a palm branch (largely worn away). Above the arm are two stars (largely worn away) and below are the Greek letters 'AGKON' meaning an elbow .
Edge Description
Plain
Significance
The reverse depiction of an arm is apparently selected as a pun on the famed shape of the town's harbour which resembled an elbow-joint. The harbour at Ancona was the best on the central east coast of Italy. It may have been first settled by refugees from Dionysius I of Syracuse in about 400 BC, the time that this coin is thought to have been struck.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Mr Lincoln, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
circa 400 BC
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Issued By
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Deity Depicted
Aphrodite, Ancona, Picenum, Italy, 400 BC
The date of issue must preceed Roman conquest which occured in the early 3rd century BC. -
Previous Collection
Eugene von Guerard, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, pre 1880
Listed in Eugene von Guerard's catalogue, vol.1, p.5 under Ager Picenus. Purchased by Eugene von Guerard from the London coin dealer Mr Lincoln for 3 shillings. -
Material
Copper
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Axis
3
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
20 mm (Outside Diameter), 6.132 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
BMC. Italy p. 40 no.1 SNG ANS Part 1 Nos. 109 & 110, Plate 3
[Book] Poole, Reginald S. 1873. A Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Italy., 40 Pages
[Catalogue] Pullin, Ruth. 2011. Nature Revealed: Eugene von Guerard.
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Keywords
