Until very recently I was under the impression that the ubiquitous "standards" coins of Nicaea (not to mention
Juliopolis and
Nicomedia) were topped, where applicable, only by eagles.
However this coin was shown to me today, and those standards are clearly not tipped by eagles. It's hard to be certain what sort of animal is on top... it's owner, William Peters (
aka Aeratvs) thinks they are rams, I am not sure, I couldn't rule out goats or even capricorns. (I know the latter were used as the symbol of some legions).
Have these been noticed before, if so, what is the general view on what they are, and what evidence backs that up?
I haven't checked
Rec Gen, as I haven't been able to
work out the system of the listings yet, which means I'm likely as not to miss anything relevant.
Steve
P.S.
Here is another coin for
Severus Alexander, with the same creatures.
http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/severus_alexander/_nicaea_AE23_SGI_3287v2.jpgAnd the default coin (and I think the last in the list also) on this
wildwinds page is clearly out of place, as again we have not eagles, but another animal on top. I haven't told Dave yet but I'll attract
his attention to this
thread, hopefully once any mystery has been solved.
http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear/s2523.html