Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XII 29 September 2016
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Greek AV Danake. 5th-1st centuries BC. Bearded facing male head / Blank. Cf. CNG e220, 239; cf. CNG e214, 259; cf. CNG 55, 359 and 1866. 0.53g, 10mm.
From the G.J.P. Collection, purchased c. 1920s.
Such thin and lightweight pseudo-coins are known in a variety of types that mimic coin designs, (see, e.g., CNG 55, lot 359, mimicking the reverse type of New Style Tetradrachms of Athens; and CNG 55, lot 1866, mimicking the reverse type of Sikyon staters). They are commonly found in burial sites and have no signs of attachment for use as jewellery or decoration. Part of the ancient Greek funerary customs was the placing of a coin with the dead so that the deceased could pay the boatman Charon to ferry them across the river Styx. These pseudo-coins most likely served the same purpose.
From the G.J.P. Collection, purchased c. 1920s.
Such thin and lightweight pseudo-coins are known in a variety of types that mimic coin designs, (see, e.g., CNG 55, lot 359, mimicking the reverse type of New Style Tetradrachms of Athens; and CNG 55, lot 1866, mimicking the reverse type of Sikyon staters). They are commonly found in burial sites and have no signs of attachment for use as jewellery or decoration. Part of the ancient Greek funerary customs was the placing of a coin with the dead so that the deceased could pay the boatman Charon to ferry them across the river Styx. These pseudo-coins most likely served the same purpose.