Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-22
MONEY OF The ANCIENTs.
Primitive Coins that Numism stists Seek
With Modern Dollars.

With Modern Dollars.
One Of the most extensive, and at the
came time probably the most attrac tive
collection of ancient coins anywhere in
the South is in possession of MIR. Joseph
b. Ripley, of this city.
A News reporter was recently given
an opportunity to look through the
large trays of the ingenious old
cabinet in which they are placed
Among the handsomest are what are
known as the tetradachms, going back
over 400 years before the Christian era.
Many Of these old coins. any of which
would set numismGtist wild with envy,
are of the most perfect coinage, and have
resisted in Il wonderful degree the raw
ages Of time. Others have been roughly
q ealt with, and the stamp has been par
TALLY Obliterated. Mr.. Ripley has spent
many years in getting together the collec-
ton. 1t is treasure upon which no Ordi-
nary value can be placed, and which,
If once lost, it is doubtful if it could ever
be replaced. The most ancient coin in
the collection is that of Archelaus L.,
King OF Macedonia, and dates from 4l3 to
800 p. c. On the diverse of the coin is a
head wearing regal tllct or bandlet
of the coin Is ArkelaO. The next oldest is
that of Amyntas H., dating from 1893 TO
1863 B. c., aud is one of the finest in the
collection. The diverse bears the hell
melted head Of Minerva; the reverse the
figure of a winged victory, and the in
scripti0n BasieOs AmyntOu.
The third in the collection is the coin of
Philip H., dating from 800 to 1886 B. G.
On its diverse is the laureated' head of
no
its rider wearing the Macedonian hat.
The coins vary in size, but are all of them
small. The following are the names,
dates, and inscriptions Of a few of the
most ancient besides those enumerated,
and perhaps the most rare of all.
Alexander Ill tthe Great, King OF NJ acedo-
MIA 1896 TO 923 b. q. Diverse head Of Her
sitting figure Of the eagle bearing Jupiter.
Inscription, AleXaudrOu.
Philip IIGS, King OF Macedonia. 1913 to 3l7
b. G. Diverse, head Of Hercules, with lion
skin head dress. Reverse, sitting figure Of
! tho eagle bearing Jupiter. Inscription,
! Philippou.
Lysinachus, King Of Macedonia. 2s7 to 2Sl
| Il. g. diverse, head with regal filet and
/ with horns of the AmmOnIan Jupiter. Re
| verse. sitting figure OF Minerva, with small
| figure of a victory. Inscription, Basileos Ly-
slmakOu.
| Antigonus Gonatus, King OF Macedonia.
| 27S to 2i2 b. e. Diverse. head of BacChus in
| centre OF seven Macedoni an shields. Reverse,
/ standing figure of Minerva, with shield, in
/ fighting attitude. Inscription, Basileos An
/ tig0nOu.
! prmotrius H., King Of Macedonia. 239 to
! 228 3. &. diverse, head Of the king. Reverse,
| eagle standing on thundorbolt. Inscription,
Bias lcos DeRetuou.
! AntiOchus l. tS0ter), King of Syria. 2S2 10
/ 2i3 B. G. diverse, head of the King. filleted.
| Reverse Apollo, seated. Inscription: Basi-
\ leOs AutiOchou.
| Demctrius l., King Of Syria tSoter). 1862 ia
] 1852 b. Q. Diverse mead OF the king. within
wreath OF olive. Reverse, sitting figure. hold
I ing curnucopla. Inscription, Baslieos Deme-
/ triou Soteros.
! Alexander (Balas) King OF Syria. $50 "a
/ AZ u. G.. diverse head of the King. Revere
4 seated figures Of Jupiter holding small VIC
| tory. Inscription. Basileoue AieXandruu.
Antiochus. WI. King Of Syria. l23 70 " d
! G.. Diverse, head OF the King. 1eted with
| regal band. Reverse. sitting figure Of jupi-
ter. holding victory and spear. Thunder
bolt. etc. inscription, Basileos Antiochou
| Epiphanous.