Unusual Die Axis

 

I have been searching for this combination of era date and Phoenician letters for quite some time now, so when i spotted this coin with its wonderful patina and very unusual die axis of 2h (60 degrees), i just had to have it. All the published coins with the same era date have a die axis of 12h (0 degrees).

Final attribution;

Phoenicia, Arados 140-139 B.C

AE 16.36mm (Thickness 2.72mm), weight 3.73g, die axis = 2h (60 degrees), denomination C.

Obverse: Braided, bearded head of Zeus right, border of dots.

Reverse: Triple pointed ram of galley left, Phoenician letters nun (N) & aleph (´) above, Aradian era date 96 below.

Duyrat 2005 Pg.63 No.2167-2172.

KM 2

By Coins Of The Southern Levant Posted in Arados

3 comments on “Unusual Die Axis

    • When determining the die axis of a coin, hold the coin between your index finger and thumb. Make sure that the obverse side is facing you. Align the coin so that your that your index finger Is at the top and your thumb is at the bottom. Using your other hand turn the coin slowly and horizontally. Turn the coin until the reverse is facing you, if the coin is the right side up the die axis is 0 degrees or 12 o’clock. If the reverse is upside down then the die axis is 180 degrees or 6 o’clock. Does this help you understand how to work out a die axis ?

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