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NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: MARCH 25, 2018Here's a selection of interesting or unusual items I came across in the marketplace this week. Tell us what you think of some of these. -Editor
Selinos Tetradrachm  SICILY. Selinos. Circa 455-409 B.C. AR tetradrachm. 16.97 gm. 25 mm. Artemis, holding reins, driving quadriga right; beside her, Apollo standing right, drawing bow; barley grain in exergue / The young river god Selinos standing facing, head left, cradling palm frond and holding phiale over altar to left; before altar, cock standing left; to right, selinon (wild celery) leaf above bull standing left on basis. Schwabacher 30. HGC 2, 1221. SNG ANS 698. Jameson 720. Near Extremely Fine; beautiful style dies, well struck. Lightly toned with iridescence; traces of horn silver around part of rim. Exceptionally attractive example of this beautiful and difficult issue. Rare. Selinos was founded about 628 BC, the westernmost Greek colony on Sicily, and was named for the wild celery that flourished there. This magnificent tetradrachm was struck at the height of Selinos' power and wealth, within a few decades before its destruction in 409 BC by an army of combined forces from Segesta and Carthage. A similar type was chosen by Charles Seltman for his famous book "Masterpieces of Greek Coins." This great piece is in the Davisson's E-Auction 24 closing Wednesday, April 4th, 2018. -Editor
Allan Davisson adds: This is a beautiful piece of art. In a strange sort of way the horn silver adds an intriguing element reflecting the passage of twenty-four centuries since it was crafted. (It also makes this piece of fine art more accessible to those with more limited financial means.) To read the complete lot description, see: North Africa, Sabratha AE Unit  North Africa, Sabratha (Time of Tiberius, 14-37 AD) AE Unit, Obverse: Radiate head of Divus Augustus facing right, CEASAR all within laurel wreath. Reverse: Bearded head (Baal-Melqart) facing right. Rare. Pleasing brown patina. Good Very Fine. 14.45gm. RPC 816.2. Crude, unusual looking piece. I don't know why, but I like it. From the online stock of Baldwin's. -Editor
To read the complete lot description, see: 1968 Illinois Sesquicentennial Bronze Medal   "Sesquicentennial" is a cool word I work into conversation when the occasion arises (yeah, usually never). The obverse of this medal suffers from the crowding of too
many design elements, and suffers as a result. The reverse is strong and nicely done. The scroll says "STATE SOVEREIGNTY NATIONAL UNION" The edge isn't shown. Does anyone know who
designed and struck this medal? -Editor
To read the complete lot description, see:  Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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