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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |History||View Options:   | | | Holding an ancient coin is holding history in your hands. Some coins actually depict historical events. Many include the image of a historic king or emperor. Every ancient coin relates to the people and events of the time and place it was struck. Every ancient coin relates to an interesting historical story. The stories on this page are a primary source of our ancient coin obsession. We hope you enjoy them. |
This type is dated to the reign of Philip I based on this coin's reverse die which is shared with a coin of Otacilia Severa. The Π on the reverse abbreviates ΠYΘIAN, referring to the Pythian games, which were, after the Olympian, the greatest in importance of the four chief Hellenic festivals. The X abbreviates XPYΣANΘINA, referring to games held near Hierapolis on the banks Chrysoroas river. RP114890. Bronze AE 24, RPC Online VIII U63168 (15 spec., this coin cited), Franke-Nollé 872, SNG Tüb 4050, Weber 7122, Johnston Hierapolis -, SNG Cop -, VF, near centered on a tight flan, weight 5.931 g, maximum diameter 24.0 mm, die axis 180o, Phrygia, Hierapolis (near Pamukkale, Turkey) mint, pseudo-autonomous, c. 244 - 249 A.D.; obverse IEPA CY-NKΛHTO-C, draped bust of the senate right; reverse IEPAΠOΛEITΩN K CAPΔIANΩN NEΩKOPΩN OMONOIA, two wreaths, containing letters Π and X; ex Rex Numismatics budget auction 4 (15 Dec 2023), lot 400; $170.00 (€159.80)
Julia Domna, Augusta 194 - 8 April 217 A.D.
Hilaritas, the personification of rejoicing, is usually depicted as a matron, standing with a cornucopia in her left hand and a long palm frond on the ground in her right. Green branches were a sign of gladness and for special occasions, both public and private, it was the custom in ancient times to ornament streets, temples, gates, houses, and even entire cities, with branches and leaves of trees. This tradition carries on today in the form of wreaths and Christmas trees.RB114021. Copper as, RIC IV p. 210, S877 (S); BMCRE V p. 312, S787; SRCV II 6641, Cohen IV 74, VF, rough, parts of legends weak, edge split/crack, weight 8.672 g, maximum diameter 26.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 198 A.D.; obverse IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair in waved horizontal ridges, looped plait on neck; reverse HILARITAS, Hilaritas standing half left, grounded long palm frond in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, S - C (senatus consulto) low across field; scarce; $110.00 (€103.40)
Julia Domna, Augusta 194 - 8 April 217 A.D.
[Claudius AE32 Dupondius Rome Mint 50-54 AD Ceres Seated On Throne] NEW Ceres' known mythology is indistinguishable from Demeter's. Her virgin daughter Proserpina (Persephone) was abducted by Hades to be his wife in the underworld. Ceres searched for her endlessly lighting her way through the earth with torches. While Ceres (Demeter) searched, she was preoccupied with her loss and her grief. The seasons halted; living things ceased their growth, then began to die. Some say that in her anger she laid a curse on the world that caused plants to wither and die, and the land to become desolate. Faced with the extinction of all life on earth, Zeus sent his messenger Hermes to the underworld to bring Proserpina back. However, because she had eaten while in the underworld, Hades had a claim on her. Therefore, it was decreed that she would spend four months each year in the underworld. During these months Ceres grieves for her daughter's absence, withdrawing her gifts from the world, creating winter. Proserpina's return brings the spring.RB114025. Orichalcum dupondius, RIC IV p. 311, C596 (S); BMCRE V p. 471, C220; Cohen IV 13, SRCV II 7126, VF, well centered, green patina, rough/porosity, weight 11.271 g, maximum diameter 26.7 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 211 - 217 A.D.; obverse IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, draped bust right, hair in waved horizontal ridges, looped plait on neck; reverse CEREREM, Ceres standing facing, head left, corn-ears in right hand held over modius at feet left, long scepter in left hand, S - C (senatus consulto) divided across field; scarce; $125.00 (€117.50)
Hierapolis, Phrygia, c. 244 - 249 A.D., Homonoia with Sardis
This type is dated to the reign of Philip I based on this coin's reverse die which is shared with a coin of Otacilia Severa. The Π on the reverse abbreviates ΠYΘIAN, referring to the Pythian games, which were, after the Olympian, the greatest in importance of the four chief Hellenic festivals. The X abbreviates XPYΣANΘINA, referring to games held near Hierapolis on the banks Chrysoroas river. RP114891. Bronze AE 26, RPC Online VIII U63168 (15 spec., this coin cited), Franke-Nollé 868, SNG Tüb 4050, Weber 7122, Johnston Hierapolis -, SNG Cop -, Choice F, well centered on a broad flan, a few light marks, central depression on rev., weight 5.046 g, maximum diameter 26.2 mm, die axis 180o, Phrygia, Hierapolis (near Pamukkale, Turkey) mint, pseudo-autonomous, c. 244 - 249 A.D.; obverse IEPA CY-NKΛHTO-C, draped bust of the senate right; reverse IEPAΠOΛEITΩN K CAPΔIANΩN NEΩKOPΩN OMONOIA, two wreaths, containing letters Π and X; ex Rex Numismatics budget auction 4 (15 Dec 2023), lot 399; $150.00 (€141.00)
Sabina, Augusta 128 - c. 136 A.D., Wife of Hadrian
Juno was the chief female divinity in the Roman pantheon. She was the wife of Jupiter and a member of the Capitoline Triad. She had many different aspects, such as Juno Moneta, Juno Sospita, and Juno Lucina, but here she is depicted as Juno Regina, "Juno the Queen." Juno is usually shown holding a patera, scepter or a statuette of Athena, and is often accompanied by a peacock.MA114206. Silver denarius, RIC II Hadrian 395a, BMCRE III Hadrian 940, RSC II 43, Strack II 379, Hunter II 15, SRCV II 3921, F, well centered, flow lines, uneven toning, porous, scratches, marks, edge ragged with small splits, weight 2.907 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 128 - 137 A.D.; obverse SABINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair waved into crest on top of diadem, long plait falling down back of neck; reverse IVNONI REGINAE, Juno standing slightly left, head left, veiled, patera in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand; ex Priapus Numismatics e-auction 1 (5 Nov 2023), lot 763; $41.21 (€38.74)
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Berenike II, 244 - 221 B.C., Wife of Ptolemy III
This type has traditionally been attributed to Ake Ptolemais, Galilee (Acre, Israel). R. Poole attributed them to Cyprus and they have been found there, but C. Lorber notes they were found in numbers in the Ras Ibn Hani Excavations, on the North Syrian coast. This site had easy access to Cyrus. She also finds Seleukid influence in the skilled epigraphy and reverse legend arrangement. She thus attributes the type to an uncertain North Syrian mint.GP114718. Bronze tritartemorion, Lorber CPE B460; Svoronos 1055; SNG Cop 460; Weiser 84; Noeske -, aVF, porous/rough, legends weak, light earthen deposits, obv. edge beveled, weight 6.387 g, maximum diameter 21.0 mm, die axis 0o, uncertain North Syrian mint, 244 - 221 B.C.; obverse BEPENIKHΣ downward on left, BAΣIΛIΣΣHΣ (clockwise), diademed and draped bust of Queen Berenike II right; reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (clockwise), eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed, head left; $100.00 (€94.00)
The First Jewish Revolt, 66 - 70 A.D.
In 69 A.D., Vespasian began to lay siege to Jerusalem, the city was captured the following year by his son Titus. On 4 August 70 A.D. Titus destroyed the Temple. The Jewish fast of Tisha B'Av mourns the Fall of Jerusalem annually on this date.JD114514. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6392; Meshorer TJC 204; SNG ANS 446; Sofaer pl. 223, 31, F, green patina, earthen deposits, rev. edge beveled, sprue cuts, weight 3.571 g, maximum diameter 18.1 mm, die axis 270o, Jerusalem mint, year 3, 68 - 69 A.D.; obverse Paleo-Hebrew: Year three, amphora with fluted body, narrow neck, broad rim, two handles, and conical fluted lid decorated with tiny globule at peak and row of tiny globules around edge; reverse Paleo-Hebrew: The freedom of Zion, vine leaf on small branch with tendril; $140.00 (€131.60)
The First Jewish Revolt, 66 - 70 A.D.
Vespasian, along with legions X Fretensis and V Macedonica, landed at Ptolemais in April 67. There he was joined by his son Titus, who arrived from Alexandria at the head of Legio XV Apollinaris, as well as by the armies of various local allies including that of King Agrippa II. Fielding more than 60,000 soldiers, Vespasian began operations by subjugating Galilee. Many towns gave up without a fight, although others had to be taken by force. Of these, Josephus provides detailed accounts of the sieges of Yodfat and Gamla. By the year 68, Jewish resistance in the north had been crushed, and Vespasian made Caesarea Maritima his headquarters and methodically proceeded to clear the coast. -- WikipediaJD114516. Bronze prutah, Kadman III 12; Meshorer TJC 196a; Hendin 6389; SNG ANS 427; Sofaer pl. 222, 11, aVF, dark patina, earthen deposits, centered on a tight flan, rev. edge beveled, sprue remnants/cuts, weight 2.444 g, maximum diameter 16.8 mm, die axis 180o, Jerusalem mint, year 2, 67 - 68 A.D.; obverse Paleo-Hebrew: Year two, amphora with fluted body, narrow neck, broad rim, and two small curved handles; reverse Paleo-Hebrew: The freedom of Zion, vine leaf on small branch with tendril; $140.00 (€131.60)
The First Jewish Revolt, 66 - 70 A.D.
Vespasian, along with legions X Fretensis and V Macedonica, landed at Ptolemais in April 67. There he was joined by his son Titus, who arrived from Alexandria at the head of Legio XV Apollinaris, as well as by the armies of various local allies including that of King Agrippa II. Fielding more than 60,000 soldiers, Vespasian began operations by subjugating Galilee. Many towns gave up without a fight, although others had to be taken by force. Of these, Josephus provides detailed accounts of the sieges of Yodfat and Gamla. By the year 68, Jewish resistance in the north had been crushed, and Vespasian made Caesarea Maritima his headquarters and methodically proceeded to clear the coast. -- WikipediaJD114517. Bronze prutah, Kadman III 12; Meshorer TJC 196a; Hendin 6389; SNG ANS 427; Sofaer pl. 222, 11, aVF, dark patina, earthen deposits, well centered on a tight flan, weight 1.598 g, maximum diameter 15.7 mm, die axis 180o, Jerusalem mint, year 2, 67 - 68 A.D.; obverse Paleo-Hebrew: Year two, amphora with fluted body, narrow neck, broad rim, and two small curved handles; reverse Paleo-Hebrew: The freedom of Zion, vine leaf on small branch with tendril; $140.00 (€131.60)
The First Jewish Revolt, 66 - 70 A.D.
Vespasian, along with legions X Fretensis and V Macedonica, landed at Ptolemais in April 67. There he was joined by his son Titus, who arrived from Alexandria at the head of Legio XV Apollinaris, as well as by the armies of various local allies including that of King Agrippa II. Fielding more than 60,000 soldiers, Vespasian began operations by subjugating Galilee. Many towns gave up without a fight, although others had to be taken by force. Of these, Josephus provides detailed accounts of the sieges of Yodfat and Gamla. By the year 68, Jewish resistance in the north had been crushed, and Vespasian made Caesarea Maritima his headquarters and methodically proceeded to clear the coast. -- WikipediaJD114518. Bronze prutah, Kadman III 12; Meshorer TJC 196a; Hendin 6389; SNG ANS 427; Sofaer pl. 222, 11, aVF, green patina, earthen deposits, scratches, off center, rev. edge beveled, sprue remnants/cuts, weight 2.818 g, maximum diameter 16.4 mm, die axis 180o, Jerusalem mint, year 2, 67 - 68 A.D.; obverse Paleo-Hebrew: Year two, amphora with fluted body, narrow neck, broad rim, and two small curved handles; reverse Paleo-Hebrew: The freedom of Zion, vine leaf on small branch with tendril; $100.00 (€94.00)
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