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ArchivesHow much is that Nanaia in the window? (Take II)
in reply to a message by The Goddess Nanaea
The two-drachmae coin was struck by King Kanishka I (c110-130 CE) of the Kushan Empire, located in the environs of northern India/modern Pakistan-Afghanistan. The Kushan kingdom was founded by Heraios, a renegade Greek, and encompassed a wonderful amalgam of Hellenic-Indian-Chinese-what-have-you traditions. This kingdom sounds fascinating, I know close to nothing of it, will look further into it :)
It is quite possible that the decendants of the Kushans are the Kalash, a Hellenic-dialect-speaking pagan people living in the northern Paki/Afghani region who have somehow managed thus far to elude being Islamized by their not-so-friendly neighbors or converted to Christianity by snivelling Greek missionaries who have been pestering them for the past couple of years. It is a shame that these people may inevitably find themselves in the crossfire during the upcoming regional military armaggedon.
The coin itself portrays either Kanishka I or Poseidon (sources differ) sacrificing over an altar and holding spear or a trident. On the reverse, Goddess Nanaia is "holding short staff tipped by the protome of a horse" according to one source.
P.S. Actually the pic's link is that of a brit coin peddler, and I suspect the Nanaia coin pictured may be still on sale. Check it out :)
It is quite possible that the decendants of the Kushans are the Kalash, a Hellenic-dialect-speaking pagan people living in the northern Paki/Afghani region who have somehow managed thus far to elude being Islamized by their not-so-friendly neighbors or converted to Christianity by snivelling Greek missionaries who have been pestering them for the past couple of years. It is a shame that these people may inevitably find themselves in the crossfire during the upcoming regional military armaggedon.
The coin itself portrays either Kanishka I or Poseidon (sources differ) sacrificing over an altar and holding spear or a trident. On the reverse, Goddess Nanaia is "holding short staff tipped by the protome of a horse" according to one source.
P.S. Actually the pic's link is that of a brit coin peddler, and I suspect the Nanaia coin pictured may be still on sale. Check it out :)
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Replies
I do hope that Nanaia's for sale...
Very cool background, Pavlos! I'm printing it up! Actually, I telephoned the Brit coin dealer today. He tells me he's not sure if the coin has been sold or not, and will be e-mailing me confirmation probably tomorrow. The coin is in good to very fine condition, and is priced at 90 pounds ($132 U.S. dollars). I'm seriously thinking of snagging this one. The last one you'd found for me (as you'll recall) was already sold -- and wasn't in as good condition, either.
If I can snag this one, I am *definitely* taking it to a jeweler and having it placed in a pendant setting to wear on a chain around my neck. Wish me luck! :)
-- Nanaea
Very cool background, Pavlos! I'm printing it up! Actually, I telephoned the Brit coin dealer today. He tells me he's not sure if the coin has been sold or not, and will be e-mailing me confirmation probably tomorrow. The coin is in good to very fine condition, and is priced at 90 pounds ($132 U.S. dollars). I'm seriously thinking of snagging this one. The last one you'd found for me (as you'll recall) was already sold -- and wasn't in as good condition, either.
If I can snag this one, I am *definitely* taking it to a jeweler and having it placed in a pendant setting to wear on a chain around my neck. Wish me luck! :)
-- Nanaea
1
What a good idea but (txt)
If you have it embedded into some kind of jewelry then make sure that both sides are visible and the edge as well, if some kind pattern is engraved there. I have before encountered coins embedded in jewelry but at times it has, in my opinion, been done in a sad way where parts of the coin has been destroyed.
This is especially sad if the coin is of ancient kind and thus only exist in very few copies.
-Selwyn
If you have it embedded into some kind of jewelry then make sure that both sides are visible and the edge as well, if some kind pattern is engraved there. I have before encountered coins embedded in jewelry but at times it has, in my opinion, been done in a sad way where parts of the coin has been destroyed.
This is especially sad if the coin is of ancient kind and thus only exist in very few copies.
-Selwyn
1
May it be the will of the Goddess Nanaia !
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