Description
Denomination: Silver stater or drachm
Period: Ancient Greece
Date: 400-350 BC
Origin: Istros (Istrus) mint
Condition: Very fine+. scarce variety
Obverse: Two young male heads facing. the right inverted
Reverse: ISTPIH. sea-eagle left on dolphin; PXA in monogram beneath dolphin with head of the P turned inwards. delta beneath eagle
Size and Weight: 19mm. 5.19g
References: Peus 416.93; S1669 var
Features and Provenance: Normally. the two-headed configuration on coins is side-by-side. the same way up; depicting kings and queens or two brothers etc.. and this is called ‘jugate’ by coin collectors. Here. the heads are side-by-side but one is inverted. There are two versions of this coin. issued more or less in equal numbers. where the head to the left is one way up. but on the other version. the opposite. Who these two males are has never been definitely determined but there have been various theories put forward by numismatists. One thought. and the most probable. is that they are Castor and Pollux. the Dioscuri. and ultimately in death – the heavenly twins. Gemini. Another suggestion is that they represent the rising and setting sun. You take your pick!
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades in 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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