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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Geography||View Options:   | | | Every ancient coin is associated with a place, at the least where it was minted. Rarely, but occasionally, we learn where a coin was found. Many ancient coins depict the personification of a nation, province, city, or river. Every coin has some tie to geography. Of course collecting every coin is not a theme, so geography must be narrowed down in some way. Collecting the coins of one mint, city or region is popular. Hadrian's famous "travel series" would make an excellent geography theme collection. Another is the travels of Paul. Or you could collect coins from all places you simply find captivating. |
Ptolemy III Euergetes was the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. He promoted the translation of Jewish scriptures into Greek as the Septuagint. Due to a falling out at the Seleucid court, his eldest sister Berenice Phernophorus was murdered along with her infant son. In response, he invaded Syria, occupied Antioch, and even reached Babylon. This war, the Third Syrian War, is cryptically alluded to in Daniel XI 7-9. The Ptolemaic kingdom reached the height of its power during his reign.GP93411. Bronze tetrobol, Lorber CPE 366, Svoronos 974, SNG Cop 224, Weiser 91, Noeske 155, Hosking 45, SNG Milan 246, Nice VF, attractive style, nice brown tone, reverse slightly off center, light marks, central depressions, obverse edge beveled, weight 43.446 g, maximum diameter 37.9 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, c. 246 - 230 B.C.; obverse head of Zeus Ammon right, wearing taenia; reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ (King Ptolemy), eagle standing half left on fulmen (thunderbolt), wings closed, head right, filleted cornucopia ascending behind from shoulder, E between legs; from the Errett Bishop Collection, attractive huge 43 gram bronze; SOLD
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos, 80 - 58 and 55 - 51 B.C.
Ptolemy XII was a weak and unpopular ruler. He was awarded the belittling title Auletes - the flute player. Deposed by his own subjects in 58 B.C., he regained his throne with Roman assistance. His daughter, the famous Cleopatra VII, was the last Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt.GY113578. Silver tetradrachm, Svoronos 1860, Noeske 339, Cohen DCA 69.13, BMC p. 119, 22; SNG Cop -, VF, dark tone, near centered on a tight flan, weight 14.269 g, maximum diameter 24.7 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria or Paphos mint, 69 - 68 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis; reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed, LIΓ (year 13) left, ΠA right; SOLD
Celtic, Gaul or Iberia, La Tène - Hallstatt Variant Fibula, c. 3rd - 1st Century B.C.
From the collection of Alex G. Malloy, former dealer in antiquities for 40 years.
This very unusual fibula with one-piece construction is similar to those of the La Tène Culture from the 3rd to 1st Century B.C. The cord wrapped around the head is rare, but known from some Gallic and Iberian Celtic fibula. The perforated catch-plate is a Hallstatt characteristic. The large number of windings on this piece perhaps indicates a later date, but is known on some early pieces. One-piece construction was rapidly replaced by the easier to manufacture two-piece construction in the middle of the 1st century A.D. We date this type as most likely from the 3rd century B.C. to the 1st century B.C. but it could be from as early as the 6th century B.C. or as late as the mid-first century A.D.AI36104. Bronze fibula; Hattatt -;1 ¾ x 1 ¾ inches; one-piece construction; open spring and cord, cord wrapped around the head, Superb, perforated catch-plate, decorated with incised V shaped lines complete and intact, fine green patina, with wood base for display; rare, without close parallel in Hattatt, and extremely rare in this condition; SOLD
Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt
During the mummification process, large organs, such as the liver, lungs, stomach and intestines were extracted and placed in four jars. In the Ptolemaic period, the Greeks called these jars "canopic jars," relating them to the deity of the old city Canop (now a village in Abu Kyr). The heart was left in the body because it held the spirit, understanding and senses and would be needed on the Day of Judgment in the underworld.RX57314. Billon tetradrachm, Kampmann-Ganschow 32.351; Geissen 903; Dattari 1326; Milne 1154; BMC Alexandria p. 75, 630; Emmett 827, Choice gVF, weight 11.085 g, maximum diameter 25.1 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 125 - 28 Aug 126 A.D.; obverse AYT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CEB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, wearing aegis, seen from behind; reverse L ΔE KATOV (year 10), Canopus jar of Osiris, ornamented with figures, wearing crown of horns, uraei disk, and plumes; SOLD
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.
Personification of the siege of Sarmizegetusa! In 106 A.D., Trajan besieged Sarmizegetusa, the Dacian capital. With the aid of a Dacian traitor, the Romans found and destroyed water pipes supplying the city. Running out of water and food the city fell and was burned to the ground. Decebalus fled but, followed by the Roman cavalry, committed suicide rather than face capture. The river-god on the reverse is usually described as Tiber, however, the reverse likely personifies the impact of the Roman destruction of the Dacian's water supply. Dacia's own water supply has betrayed her, knocked her to the ground, and is choking her.SH63939. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC II 556, BMCRE III 793 note, Cohen II 526, aF, weight 20.524 g, maximum diameter 32.9 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 103 - 111 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES NERVA TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder; reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI S C, River-god, cloak billowing behind, leaning left with right knee on supine Dacia, forcing her to the ground, choking her with his right hand, reeds in left; very scarce; SOLD
Romano-British Empire, Carausius, Mid 286 - Spring or Early Summer 293 A.D.
S - P flanking across the fields with MC in the exergue (S-P/MC) is not a standard mintmark, most references cited do not list any examples with this mark. RIC V-2 does list one type each for Pax, Pietas, and Salus. MC in the exergue was used at Camulodunum for earlier issues but without S - P. Perhaps the rare specimens with this mintmark were issued in a small quantity for some special purpose. Perhaps the engravers just unintentionally added the M out of habit. Perhaps they are all unofficial. Further study is needed.RA73505. Billon antoninianus, apparently unpublished, RIC V-2 -, Webb Carausius -, SRCV IV -, Hunter IV -, Burton Latimer -, Bicester -, Linchmere -, VF/F, dark patina, nice portrait, minor patina chipping on edge, top half of reverse mostly weak or off flan, weight 4.334 g, maximum diameter 22.3 mm, die axis 225o, unofficial or Camulodunum (Colchester, England) mint, 292 - 293 A.D.; obverse IMP C CARAVSIVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse PROVID AVGGG (the foresight of the three emperors), Providentia standing left, raising globe in right hand, transverse scepter in left hand, S - P flanking across fields, MC in exergue; from the Charles Peters Carausius Collection; none of the approximately eighty published Providentia varieties struck under Carausius have this S - P / MC mintmark, no others known to Forum; SOLD
Anglo Saxon, Continental, Dorestad, Frisia, 695 - 740
The Early-Medieval emporium of Dorestad, Frisia (south-east of the province of Utrecht, Netherlands near Wijk bij Duurstede). The township was established at the base of a Roman fortress in the 7th Century and was situated near the northernmost Northern branch of the Rhine which splits into the Lek and the Kromme Rijn. The settlement was included in the North-eastern shipping routes due to its proximity to the fork in the Rhine, with access to Germany (via the Lek) and to England, the North of France, the Northern Netherlands, the North of Germany, and Scandinavia (via the Kromme Rijn). Initially, the Franks and the Frisians fought for control of the territory. However, the Franks quickly gained control of the Frisian Coast. Dorestad flourished between the 7th Century and the middle of the 9th Century. The settlement was well known for minting coins under the control of several Frankish rulers. It is generally believed that the township reached its peak around the 820s ? 830s and declined considerably thereafter. It is thought that the decline occurred due to Viking invasions as well as a decline in the economy. By the 9th Century, it seems that the need for international trade was waning as regional trade gained importance. The majority of the information known about the emporium comes from a combination of historical documents, archaeological finds and numismatic evidence.ME77834. Silver sceat, Abramson E215, North 45, SCBC 790G, gVF, toned, weight 1.214 g, maximum diameter 12.2 mm, Dorestad (near Wijk bij Duurstede, Netherlands) mint, 695 - 740; obverse degraded porcupine-like bust right; reverse pellet within annulet flanked by two lines, all within dotted square border, pellets and symbols in margin; SOLD
France, John II the Good, 1350 - 1364 A.D.
When John II the Good (French: Jean le Bon) came to power, France faced many disasters: the Black Death killed nearly half its population, there were popular revolts, unemployed mercenaries plundered the country, and losses to the English, including the Battle of Poitiers of 1356, in which John was captured. While John was a prisoner in London, his son Charles had to suppress several rebellions. To liberate his father, in 1360 Charles concluded the Treaty of Brétigny, by which France surrendered territory and promised to pay an enormous ransom. In an exchange of hostages, including his son Louis, John was released from captivity to raise funds for his ransom. Upon his return in France, he created the franc to stabilize the currency. John tried to get rid of the mercenaries by sending them on a crusade, but Pope Innocent VI died shortly before their planned meeting in Avignon. After his son Louis escaped from captivity, John shocked and dismayed his people by announcing that for "good faith and honor" he would voluntarily return to captivity in England. John was greeted in London in 1364 with parades and feasts, however, a few months after his arrival he fell ill with an unknown malady and died. His body was returned to France, where he was interred in the royal chambers at Saint Denis Basilica. He was succeeded by his son Charles V.ME95905. Silver Gros à la couronne, Duplessy 305, Ciani 397, Roberts 2624, Lafaurie I 308, F, toning, weight 3.705 g, maximum diameter 31.3 mm, die axis 300o, 22 Aug - 30 Oct 1358; obverse outer legend: + BNDICTV: SIT: nOmE: DnI: nRI: DEI: IhV: XPI (the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed), inner legend: + IOhAnnES DEI : GRA (John by the Grace of God, two flowers legend break); cross fleury, base dividing inner legend; reverse crown, FRANCO / RV : REX in two lines below crown (three pellet within annulet inscription break), border of twelve lis within annulets; ex Gordon Andreas Singer; SOLD
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, 51 - 30 B.C.
Cleopatra VII originally shared power with her father Ptolemy XII and later with her brother-husbands Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. Her relationship with Julius Caesar led to sole rule. After Caesar's assassination, she aligned with Mark Antony. Her reign marks the end of the Hellenistic Era and the beginning of the Roman Era. She was the last Pharaoh of ancient Egypt.ME113258. Silver tetradrachm, Svoronos 1833 (Ptolemy XIII); SNG Cop 415; Noeske 377; BMC Ptolemies p. 116, 23 (Ptolemy XIII); Cohen DCA 70; Hosking -, VF, toned, tight flan, light corrosion, marks, weight 10.509 g, maximum diameter 24.2 mm, die axis 0o, Paphos or Alexandria mint, 34 - 33 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis; reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed, palm over right shoulder, LIΘ (year 19) over crown of Isis in left field, ΠA in right field; SOLD
Anglo-Gallic, Edward III, 1327 - 1377
Edward III transformed the Kingdom of England into one of the most efficient military powers in Europe. His reign saw vital developments in the evolution of the English parliament, the ravages of the Black Death and the beginning of the Hundred Years' War. He remained on the throne for 50 years.
The outer obverse legend abbreviates, "BENEDICTUM SIT NOMEN DOMINI NOSTRI DEI IHESU CHRISTI," which means, "Blessed be the name of the Lord our God, Jesus Christ."ME85375. Silver Gros Tournois a la Porte, SCBC-SII 8063, Elias 63, Duplessy Féodales 1067, Elias Collection 120, Poey d'Avant 2856, Boudeau -, gF, toned, tight flan, weight 2.478 g, maximum diameter 23.9 mm, die axis 270o, 1351 - 1356; obverse ED'· REX : A*nGLIE / + BnDICTV · SIT · nOmE : DnI : nRI : DEI : IhV · XPI (annulet and double annulet stops, secret mark: asterisk between A and n), short cross pattée; reverse + DVX : AQITA*nIE (double annulet stops, secret mark: asterisk between A and n), châtel aquitanique, gateway below; all within tressure of arches containing twelve leaves; rare; SOLD
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