This is a subject I have discussed privately with a fellow
Forum member in
the past, and wanted now to ask the broader community for their opinions.
This is a coin of
Geta from
Ephesus, and shows the ubiquitous stag on the
reverse. However, on this and a few other examples, there is an additional
symbol before the stag which remains either unidentified, or unsatisfactorily
identified and not fully explained (
IMHO).
I previously wrote: "
Karwiese describes this reverse as 'Candelabrum before
stag' ("Hirsch vor Kandelaber"). I am not so sure, and am inclined toward it
possibly being a rudder.
Neither can be readily confirmed, but the rudder compares a little with those
held by Tyche on some other examples.
Could it be a thymiaterion? Something else? BMC describes it as "an object
resembling a bundle of fasces, or a quiver with a conical top surmounted by
a wreath"." (quoted with a
minor edit)
I have attached an image of the coin in question, and ask what others may
think about this (
presently) mysterious symbol. What do you think?
Thanks in advance,
- Walter