Bust over eagle iconography?

[Ed Flinn]

I have coins with obverses like this from four cities: Perga and Side in Pamphylia as well as Sillyum and Colybrassus in Pisidia.  Gallienus and both his sons are represented.

Any thoughts on the significance of the iconography?

[Pscipio]

This coin must has been struck after the death of Valerianus II. in late 57 or beginning 58 AD, the eagle symbolizing his consecratio as Divus Valerianus Caesar.

Regards
Lars

[Ed Flinn]

I don't think so.  Consider this from Side in Pamphylia:

obverse legend AVT KAI ΠO ΛI ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB.  I have the bust style for Gallienus and both sons.  I think the use of the motif on coins of Gallienus demonstrates that it's not a mark of consecratio.

[Pscipio]

CNG Mail Bid Sale 69 showed a coin from Colybrassus, struck for Valerian II, Lot 1095.

Comment: "The obverse legend with OVALEPIANON in the accusative and the eagle beneath the bust indicate that this coin was struck for Valerian II. upon his death. (...)"

Unfortunately, I don't know why the eagle is showing up on your Gallienus coins from Side too, it seems, however, the only town "breaking the rule". Hopefully someone else can explain it...

Regards
Lars

[Ed Flinn]

OK, I hadn't seen that.  I think CNG is wrong. 
Another Gallienus from Side, SNG Pfälzer Privatsammlungen 843-6/871, apparently, with an arrow below the bust:

[Pscipio]

Well, the eagle has been standing for a consecratio over centuries and people knew this very well, so we can't question it's general meaning but only search for an explanation of this particular eagle showing up jointly with a living romans bust on Side coins.

Regards
Lars

[curtislclay]

The motif of an eagle below the emperor's bust also appears on some Syrian tetradrachms of Trajan and Caracalla.  See Sear, GIC 1089 and 2688; also of course Prieur's book, of which my copy is at the office.

[Ed Flinn]

Not standing solely for a consecratio, though.  It's seen atop legionary aquilae:

as an attribute of Zeus/Jupiter:

and, perhaps, in astrologically significant uses:

[Pscipio]

Not standing solely for a consecratio, though.

I didn't say that, though. I just meant that an eagle an a dead emperor together on one coin stand for consecratio.

I'm curious to hear more about those Gallienus coins, however.

[Steve Minnoch]

Could it be a more general reference to Zeus?

Steve

[slokind]

Ed Flinn's Alex Troas eagle with bull's head in its talons is the best one I ever saw.  And I ask, if Troas can make Gallienus coins like this, why can't Rome?  Pat L.