FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Roman Provincial Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: okidoki on May 13, 2019, 02:17:43 pm

Title: EGYPT, Alexandria Hadrian Drachm 134-35 AD Asclepius standing with olive-branch
Post by: okidoki on May 13, 2019, 02:17:43 pm

Dear cf,

Here's a very rare variant, only one other Asclepius with an olive branch/tree
https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/217/

not sure what is the link with him and olive



Reference.
Emmett 918.19; RPC III, 5959.3 = Dattari-Savio Pl. 76, 1624 (this coin). Dattari 1624 and Pl. X (this rev. illustrated).

Issue   L ƐΝΝƐΑΚ·Δ = year 19

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙС ΤΡΑΙΑΝ - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СƐΒ
Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear

Rev. L ENNEAK Δ
Asclepius standing facing head right, holding long serpent-staff, holding olive-branch

25.18 gr
33.5 mm

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-155249

Title: Re: EGYPT, Alexandria Hadrian Drachm 134-35 AD Asclepius standing with olive-branch
Post by: quadrans on May 13, 2019, 04:52:28 pm

Great find, Eric,  +++

Joe

Title: Re: EGYPT, Alexandria Hadrian Drachm 134-35 AD Asclepius standing with olive-branch
Post by: Meepzorp on May 14, 2019, 02:06:18 am

Hi oki,

Nice coin! :)

Meepzorp

Title: Re: EGYPT, Alexandria Hadrian Drachm 134-35 AD Asclepius standing with olive-branch
Post by: okidoki on May 14, 2019, 11:42:56 am

Thank you coin friends the olive branch must be an engravers error?

Title: Re: EGYPT, Alexandria Hadrian Drachm 134-35 AD Asclepius standing with olive-branch
Post by: archivum on May 19, 2019, 09:52:50 pm

This could be a healing plant; he is credited with discovering the supposed healing virtues of betony.

Title: Re: EGYPT, Alexandria Hadrian Drachm 134-35 AD Asclepius standing with olive-branch
Post by: okidoki on May 20, 2019, 03:58:53 am

Quote from: archivum on May 19, 2019, 09:52:50 pm

This could be a healing plant; he is credited with discovering the supposed healing virtues of betony.

yes a good point, or healing oil

Title: Re: EGYPT, Alexandria Hadrian Drachm 134-35 AD Asclepius standing with olive-branch
Post by: archivum on May 20, 2019, 09:35:54 am

Maybe more to the point than my previous note, Asclepius is a herbalist founder-figure (inventor herbarum) in many ancient contexts; on your outstanding coin, he is holding not one but two ID'ing attributes, both the standard serpent-staff and (let's say) a generic healing herb. We find him with a sprig on similar rare coin (https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/7314/) and his daughter Hygieia with a similar branch on another rare issue from Egypt (https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/15846/). The RPC coin that you previously cite seems to add Ceres' poppy for good measure; opium poppies are potent herbs, too, fitting features of Asclepius' repertoire.