| Province |
Cilicia |
| City |
Hieropolis- Castabala |
| Size (mm) |
21 |
| Weight (g) |
8.91 |
| Die Axis |
180 |
| Tariff |
2 assaria |
| Governor |
- |
| Ob. Leg. |
M OΠEΛΛI ANT[ ] |
| Ob. Desc. |
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right - seen from behind |
| Meaning |
Marcus Opellius Antonius |
| Rev. Leg. |
IWPOPO KACT ABAΛ |
Rev. Desc. |
Prize basket (or crown) between two lit torches |
Meaning |
(Coin) of the residents of Hieropolis- Castabala – Blessings on the games |
References; |
Collection; SNG France 2, 2242; Lindgren I 1515 (this coin), ANS 1970.142.715; IMHOOF ZFN 1883 S278,44; ISEGRIM 40315 |
Notes: |
The prize basket (sometimes referred to as a crown) was awarded to the victors of athletic or cultural contests at the religious games Greek cities loved to hold. This basket may not have had a bottom and may have been symbolic of victory at a named games. It is probable that the symbolism of the lit torch has passed down to the present day Olympic Games.
This is also an example of an alliance coin. This is a purely Asia Minor and Thracian activity where ‘rival’ cities who had settled disputes or had decided to unite for other reasons issued a combined currency. Most common in the late second and third centuries some 87 cities were involved in issuing this type of currency.
|
| Province |
Cilicia |
| City |
Hieropolis- Castabala |
| Size (mm) |
21 |
| Weight (g) |
9.62 |
| Die Axis |
- |
| Tariff |
2 assaria |
| Governor |
- |
| Ob. Leg. |
M OΠEΛΛI ANT[ ] |
| Ob. Desc. |
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right - seen from behind |
| Meaning |
Marcus Opellius Antonius |
| Rev. Leg. |
IWPOPO KACT ABAΛ |
Rev. Desc. |
Prize basket (or crown) between two lit torches |
Meaning |
(Coin) of the residents of Hieropolis- Castabala – Blessings on the games |
References; |
SNG France 2, 2242 (same dies); Lindgren I 1515; ANS 1970.142.715; IMHOOF ZFN 1883 S278,44; ISEGRIM 40315; CNG 153 No. 167 (illustrated with permission) |
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