THE CORIOSOLITE EXPERT SYSTEM
GROUP: A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
SERIES: X
Y
Z

Group J

These coins are the transition between the former Classes I and III of my Series Y.

Until now, the coins of Group J have been the most enigmatic of all Coriosolite coins. It seems that everyone has had a different idea of where they belong. Of late, Gruel has identified the obverse of one of Group J as Class II, and believed that it formed a die link to these 'non-Coriosolite' coins. The confusion comes mainly from the nose design. The nose on Coriosolite coins has been seen as so important that other features are ignored! The whisks around the head of this coin are different from anything on Class II staters, as is the mouth ornament. All of the obverses of Group J have a line through the pupil of the eye. The obverse that does not have whisks around it is the prototype for Class III, the only difference being the line through the pupil.

The last die of this group (the coin illustrated) has a small curl at the front of the neck. This design element is modified in Group K, another continuing obverse element is the line at the back of the neck that becomes one of the hairs on the head. This clever device was among the Coriosolite design elements copied by the die engraver of the Class II (Unelli) coins.

The most convincing and, retrospectively, obvious evidence for the chronological placement of these coins are the designs of the ponies' eyes. In all group H and I coins they are a pellet. In all Class III coins prior to the major design change of the pony, the eyes are a 'V' section cut out of the cheek section. In Group J both varieties of eyes are present!

These coins should be used as a lesson in typology, and a warning to those that might take art-historical analysis lightly.

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