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Copyright credit: Bucephalus / C. Doyen & E. Pavan
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Copyright credit: Bucephalus / C. Doyen & E. Pavan
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Copyright credit: Bucephalus / C. Doyen & E. Pavan
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Copyright credit: Bucephalus / C. Doyen & E. Pavan
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Copyright credit: Bucephalus / C. Doyen & E. Pavan
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Copyright credit: Auction Bucephalus 2023
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Copyright credit: Auction Bucephalus 2023
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Copyright credit: Auction Bucephalus 2023
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Copyright credit: Auction Bucephalus 2023
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Copyright credit: Auction Bucephalus 2023
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Copyright credit: Auction Bucephalus 2023
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WEIGHT
Authority
Apollonios, f. Aristeas, agoranomos (North Syria)
Mint
Laodicea ad Mare
Denomination
1 Mina
Material
Lead
Manufacture
Cast
Shape
Triangle
Length
13.30 cm
Width
13.70 cm
Height
1.10 cm
Metrology
| Mass (g) | Mass (grain) | Date of measurement | Reference | fragmented | cleaned | reference weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 700.00 | - | - | Auction Bucephalus 2023 | No | No | No |
| 756.30 | - | April 17, 2023 | Autopsy Charles Doyen & Emma Pavan | No | No | Yes |
Iconography
| Symbol | Technique | Direction | Position | Number | Synecdoche |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lattice pattern | Relief | ||||
| Poseidon | Relief | FACING | |||
| Hippocampus | Relief | ||||
| Bunch of grapes | Relief | ||||
| Mask | Relief | ||||
| Plant | |||||
| Marine (?) symbol |
Wear
Corrosion
Handle
No
Suspension hole
No
Recarved mould
No
Recarved weight
No
Intentionally destroyed
No
Archaeological description
Auction Bucephalus 2023: A rare and artistically beautiful large Hellenistic lead weight 2 Mnae. (Lead, 700gr) Condition: About very fine. Uncleaned with a nice natural cream patina. Obv: Down in the middle a female deity carrying on her shoulders a sheepskin. Above and on her right inscription in capital Greek: ΕΤΟVC Z ΔΗΜΟCIA MNA B (The seventh year {of the reign of a certain king} public {weight} of 2 mna.) Rev: Flat.
Autopsy: Triangular lead weight. Base: 13.3 cm. Height: 13.7 cm. Long sides: 14.8 cm. Thickness: 1.1 cm to 1.4 cm (relief). Mass: 756.3 g (17/04/2023). Inner frame: Base: 10.8 cm. Height: 10.3 cm. Long sides: 12.0 cm. Main symbol: facing male figure (Poseidon?) in vegetal or marine setting (?), holding a hippocampus to r. (?) (5.0×5.8 cm). Secondary symbol: bunch of grapes or theatrical mask (?) (5.0×5.8 cm). To the left: illegible letters, monogram or symbol. To the right: probably the agoranomos' monogram (Apollonios). Legend on the main surface, agonranomos' name on the three external sides
Autopsy: Triangular lead weight. Base: 13.3 cm. Height: 13.7 cm. Long sides: 14.8 cm. Thickness: 1.1 cm to 1.4 cm (relief). Mass: 756.3 g (17/04/2023). Inner frame: Base: 10.8 cm. Height: 10.3 cm. Long sides: 12.0 cm. Main symbol: facing male figure (Poseidon?) in vegetal or marine setting (?), holding a hippocampus to r. (?) (5.0×5.8 cm). Secondary symbol: bunch of grapes or theatrical mask (?) (5.0×5.8 cm). To the left: illegible letters, monogram or symbol. To the right: probably the agoranomos' monogram (Apollonios). Legend on the main surface, agonranomos' name on the three external sides
Autopsy
Yes
INSCRIPTION
| Language | Technique | Legend type |
|---|---|---|
| Greek | Relief | Authority, Date, Denomination, Legal status |
Fac simile
Edition
Ἔ|το|υς | ιζ´ | δημο|σία | μνᾶ || ἀγορανόμουντος | Ἀ̣π̣ο̣λ̣λωνίου | τοῦ Ἀριστέου.
Monogram
απω
ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
Findspot (region)
Findspot (site)
context
CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACQUISITION
Region
Turkey: Hatay
City
Date of first acquisition
April 21, 2023
circumstances
Antiquities trade. Allegedly found in Hatay.
DATING OF THE WEIGHT
Curatorial Section
GREEK
Time frame
FROM
-66
TO
-64
Comments on Chronology
Year 17 of the Freedom of Laodicea (starting in 82/81 or 81/80 BCE) = 66/65 BCE or 65/64 BCE.
Or year 17 of the Caesarian era of Laodicea (starting in 48/47 BCE) = 32/31 BCE?
Or year 17 of the Caesarian era of Laodicea (starting in 48/47 BCE) = 32/31 BCE?
COLLECTION HISTORY
Collection
| Name | Date of acquisition | Inventory number |
|---|---|---|
| Antiquities Trade | April 21, 2023 | None |
Bibliography
| Reference | Page/Column | Reference (number) | Plate / Figure | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auction Bucephalus 2023c | None | 550 | None | None |
VARIA
Additional comment
Mint: most probably Laodicea (triangle). Other possibilities: Seleucia or Antioch. Compare with https://pondera.uclouvain.be/artifact/3563/
Auction Bucephalus 2023: This is a rare and beautifully produced lead weight of 2 mnae from Hellenistic era, obviously from Middle East. Mna was a weight for metals and coins in ancient period with a varying at times weight. Here a mna equals to 350gr.
Auction Bucephalus 2023: This is a rare and beautifully produced lead weight of 2 mnae from Hellenistic era, obviously from Middle East. Mna was a weight for metals and coins in ancient period with a varying at times weight. Here a mna equals to 350gr.
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