Silver tetradrachm of Antiochos VIII minted in Ake-Ptolemais, Seleukid Empire (121-96 BCE) Obverse: diademed head of Antiochos VIII; Reverse: Zeus standing facing left with star in right hand and sceptre in left, with crescent above ROM 925.6.2 photo: Laura Lipcsei, 2023

Diagram showing how ancient coins were minted by hand

Ancient #Greek #coins were handmade so mistakes happened when minting. The Seleucid coin has slipped between hammer strikes so the figure (Zeus) has a second pair of ghostly legs. It was still used because it was the correct weight of silver.
#classicsbluesky #ancientbluesky #museums #numismatics 🏺

Athenian silver tetradrachm coin showing the goddess Athena with a test cut over her mouth. Minted in Athens about 449-412 BCE ROM 978.305.4 Photo: Laura Lipcsei, 2023

Early #Greek #coins were made of solid silver (or gold) and were literally worth their weight in silver. Ancient Greeks would cut some coins with a chisel to check that they weren't fakes with a cheaper metal core disguised with silver plate.
#classicsbluesky #ancientbluesky #museums #numismatics 🏺

Silver tetradrachm of Alexander I made in Tyre (modern day Lebanon) in 146/5 BCE. It shows the portrait of Alexander I on the obverse and an eagle standing on a ship's prow with a palm branch over its shoulder and a club in front (and several inscriptions) on the reverse. ROM 924.5.57 (https://collections.rom.on.ca/objects/420927) © Royal Ontario Museum Photo (before cleaning): Laura Lipcsei, 2023

Silver tetradrachm of Alexander I made in Tyre (modern day Lebanon) in 146/5 BCE. It shows the portrait of Alexander I on the obverse and an eagle standing on a ship's prow with a palm branch over its shoulder and a club in front (and several inscriptions) on the reverse. ROM 924.5.57 (https://collections.rom.on.ca/objects/420927) © Royal Ontario Museum Photo (before cleaning): Laura Lipcsei, 2023

This 2nd century BCE #Greek #coin of the Seleucid ruler Alexander I is amazing! Just look at the feathers on this striding eagle (in @romtoronto.bsky.social). The detail is all so clear, even before cleaning.
#classicsbluesky #ancientbluesky #museums #numismatics

Photographs of an owl posing in front of an image of an Athenian coin and coin catalogues in the American School of Classical studies in the 1940s. #Homer Thompson #Alison Frantz photo: Kate Cooper, 2023

And just one more #owl and #Greek #coin from the AGR archives @romtoronto.bsky.social. These photos were taken in the American School of Classical Studies in Athens in the 1940s.
#classicsbluesky #ancientbluesky #museums #archives #Athens #owls #numismatics

large painting of an owl on the exterior wall of the Kimpton Saint George hotel, Toronto Photo: Kate Cooper, 2023

Silver tetradrachm coin showing the owl of Athena on the reverse. Minted in Athens ROM 922.44.39 © Royal Ontario Museum Photo: Kate Cooper, 2023

Some of my favourite owls in Toronto while I get started over here! One from my walk into work, and the other from our #Greek #coin collection @romtoronto.bsky.social.
#ancientbluesky #classicsbluesky #numismatics #museum

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