A nice unknown type from Akmoneia

[Jochen]

Hi!

I want to share a new rare coin from Akmoneia in Phrygia:

Phrygia, Akmoneia, Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE 30, 11.09g, 29.91mm, 180°
obv. AYT K M A AYR - ANTWNEINOC
       Bust, cuirassed, seen from behind, aegis over l. shoulder, sword belt over back, laureate,
       r.
rev. A - KMONEWN (NE ligate)
      Horseman with waving chlamys, wearing boots, galloping r. toward rocks, on which 2
      female figures, diademed, stg. l., the posterior extending r. hand to the horseman, the
      anterior lifting garment of her r. shoulder, beneath the horse river god Sindros leaning l., r.
      hand on r.knee, l. arm with long plant resting on overturned vase from which water is  
      flowing; above an eagle flying r.
ref.
very rare, about VF, green patina
Pedigree:
ex Bankhaus Hauck & Aufhäuser
ex coll. A. Wenninger

This type  is known from Volusian too, SNG von Aulock 3380, BMC 107/108, SNG Leypold 1403  (look at CNG auction 81, lot 790, 5/2009). The horseman is surely not the emperor. CNG writes: The main figure of the horseman, in association with the presonifications of the river-god and the presence of the female figures (whether themselves personifications of the surrounding countryside, or actual individuals), may represent an otherwise unknown foundation myth for Acmoneia.

Anyone who does know this type and has a reference for me?

Thanks in advance

[gordian_guy]

Incredible coin Jochen, congratulations!!

c.rhodes

[Mark Fox]

Dear Jochen and board,

A super coin you have there!  From Isegrim:

   20. Description (39298)
   geändert: Array
ERD:   AM
PRO:   PHRYGIA
PO :   ACMONEIA
PZ :   Between 198 and 217
   Obverse
VSG:   AYT K MA AYR ANTWNEINOS
VT :   PORTRAIT MAN R / CARACALLA
VA :   BEARD / WREATH LAUREL / AEGIS / CLOTHES
   Reverse
RSG:   AKMONEWN
RT :   PERSONS 3 / MAN RIDING R(1) / THEREUNDER / MAN RECUMBENT L / RIVER-GOD / ROCK / WITH / WOMAN STANDING HL / THEREABOVE / BIRD <R> / EAGLE
RA :   WHIP(1)
   Technical details
M  :   AE
GEW:   30(1)
   Bibliographical references
ZIT:   IMHOOF RSN 1923 S311,344(1) / COLL BERLIN(1) <LOEBBECKE>
   Additional remarks
FR :   VS: AYT K MA AYR ANTWNEINOS RS: AKMONEWN
 

http://retro.seals.ch/digbib/erez4?pid=snr-002:1923:23::315

Not a perfect match, but apparently very similar.  Hope this helps!   


Best regards,

Mark Fox
Michigan

[Jochen]

Thank so much, Mark. Yes that helps a bit!

Jochen

[Altamura]

I just have seen that Jochen posted his coin here as well (as in the german forum), so I would like to post my answer also:

There is an article by Louis Robert "Nonnos et les monnaies d'Akmonia de Phrygie" (in French, as you can derive from the title ) dealing with this kind of reverse and containing a bit more of information: http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/jds_0021-8103_1975_num_3_1_1326

Regards

Altamura

[Samaritan]

RPC lists several known examples from Volusian and at least one from Marcus Aurelius. The reverse myth is described as:

Hero Akmôn with flying chlamys, holding whip, galloping r., towards hill Dindymos, on which stands two nymphs (Oreiades); at foot of the hill, a river-god, reclining, r.

I have included one of their Volusian examples for comparison. Hope this adds to the string.

-Mark

[Jochen]

Thank you so much for your addition.

Jochen