Prize crowns

Phokis, Delphi, Faustina Sr. d.141 A.D.

AE 23,   7.74g.  Diademed and draped bust of Faustina to right.  Rev. Agonistic(games) table for the Pythian games with vase, laurel wreath, five apples, and a crow.  BMC 35.  Svoronos, "Coinage of Delphi," in Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, XX, 1896, p. 47, 91 and plate XXX,4.  RPC on-line 4602. Dark Brown patina.  Scarce and superior in quality to most published examples. 

The reverse type with the games award table and the inscription commemorate the Pythian games which originated at Delphi in honor of Apollo whose temple and oracle were located there.  Other cities copied these games and referred to them on their coins.

Provenance/Pedigrees:
Ex Kölner Münzkabinett, Köln, Auction 80, November, 5, 2003, lot 366
Ex: BCD collection,  NAC, Zurich, Auction 55, October 8, 2010, lot 411

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Very Fine/good Very Fine $3,350.

Pontos, Neokaisareia, Gordian III, 238-244 A.D.

AE 29, 16.54g. Laureate, draped, and curirassed bust of Gordian to right. Rev. Two prize crowns with palm branches on altar inscribed "AKTIA" for the Aktian games. SNG von Aulock 6761. reddish-brown patina.

Ex: Fontana collection, Finarte, Milan, Auction, November 26-27, 1996, lot 666.
Ex: Peter Vogel collection, Helios, Munich, Auction 5, June 25, 2010, lot 618.

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good Very Fine $300.