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"As de Nîmes" or "crocodile" Ӕ dupondius of Nemausus (9 - 3 BC), honoring Augustus and AgrippaIMP DIVI F , Heads of Agrippa (left) and Augustus (right) back to back, Agrippa wearing rostral crown and Augustus the oak-wreath / COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm-shoot with short dense fronds and tip right; two short palm offshoots left and right below, above on left a wreath with two long ties streaming right.

Ó”, 24.5 x 3+ mm, 13.23g, die axis 3h; on both sides there are remains of what appears to be gold plating, perhaps it was a votive offering? Rough edges and slight scrapes on flan typical for this kind of coin, due to primitive technology (filing) of flan preparation.

IMPerator DIVI Filius. Mint of COLonia NEMausus (currently Nîmes, France). Known as "As de Nîmes", it is actually a dupontius (lit. "two-pounder") = 2 ases (sometimes cut in halves to get change). Dupondii were often made out of a golden-colored copper alloy (type of brass) "orichalcum" and this appears to be such case.

Key ID points: oak-wreath (microphotography shows that at least one leaf has a complicated shape, although distinguishing oak from laurel is very difficult) – earlier versions have Augustus bareheaded, no PP on obverse as in later versions, no NE ligature, palm with short fronds with tip right (later versions have tip left and sometimes long fronds). Not typical: no clear laurel wreath together with the rostral crown, gold (?) plating (!), both features really baffling.

But still clearly a "middle" kind of the croc dupondius, known as "type III": RIC I 158, RPC I 524, Sear 1730. It is often conservatively dated to 10 BC - 10 AD, but these days it is usually narrowed to 9/8 - 3 BC.

It is a commemorative issue, honoring the victory over Mark Antony and conquest of Egypt in 30 BC. The heads of Augustus and Agrippa were probably positioned to remind familiar obverses of Roman republican coins with two-faced Janus. Palm branch was a common symbol of victory, in this case grown into a tree, like the victories of Augustus and Agrippa grown into the empire. The two offshoots at the bottom may mean two sons of Agrippa, Gaius and Lucius, who were supposed to be Augustus' heirs and were patrons of the colony. Palm may also be a symbol of the local Nemausian deity, which was probably worshiped in a sacred grove. When these coins were minted, the colony was mostly populated by the settled veterans of Augustus' campaigns, hence the reminiscence of the most famous victory, but some of the original Celtic culture probably survived and was assimilated by Romans. The crocodile is not only the symbol of Egypt, like in the famous Octavian's coins AEGYPTO CAPTA. It is also a representation of Mark Antony, powerful and scary both in water and on land, but a bit slow and stupid. The shape of the crocodile with tail up was specifically chosen to remind of the shape of ship on very common "legionary" denarius series, which Mark Antony minted to pay his armies just before Actium. It is probably also related to the popular contemporary caricature of Cleopatra, riding on and simultaneously copulating with a crocodile, holding a palm branch in her hand as if in triumph. There the crocodile also symbolized Mark Antony.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was born c. 64-62 BC somewhere in rural Italy. His family was of humble and plebeian origins, but rich, of equestrian rank. Agrippa was about the same age as Octavian, and the two were educated together and became close friends. He probably first served in Caesar's Spanish campaign of 46–45 BC. Caesar regarded him highly enough to send him with Octavius in 45 BC to train in Illyria. When Octavian returned to Rome after Caesar's assassination, Agrippa became his close lieutenant, performing many tasks. He probably started his political career in 43 BC as a tribune of the people and then a member of the Senate. Then he was one of the leading Octavian's generals, finally becoming THE leading general and admiral in the civil wars of the subsequent years.

In 38 as a governor of Transalpine Gaul Agrippa undertook an expedition to Germania, thus becoming the first Roman general since Julius Caesar to cross the Rhine. During this foray he helped the Germanic tribe of Ubii (who previously allied themselves with Caesar in 55 BC) to resettle on the west bank of the Rhine. A shrine was dedicated there, possibly to Divus Caesar whom Ubii fondly remembered, and the village became known as Ara Ubiorum, "Altar of Ubians". This quickly would become an important Roman settlement. Agrippina the Younger, Agrippa's granddaughter, wife of Emperor Claudius and mother of Emperor Nero, would be born there in 15 AD. In 50 AD she would sponsor this village to be upgraded to a colonia, and it would be renamed Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (colony of Claudius [at] the Altar of Agrippinians – Ubii renamed themselves as Agrippinians to honor the augusta!), abbreviated as CCAA, later to become the capital of new Roman province, Germania Inferior.

In 37 BC Octavian recalled Agrippa back to Rome and arranged for him to win the consular elections, he desperately needed help in naval warfare with Sextus Pompey, the youngest son of Pompey the Great, who styled himself as the last supporter of the republican cause, but in reality became a pirate king, an irony since his father was the one who virtually exterminated piracy in all the Roman waters. He forced humiliating armistice on the triumvirs in 39 BC and when Octavian renewed the hostilities a year later, defeated him in a decisive naval battle of Messina. New fleet had to be built and trained, and Agrippa was the man for the job. Agrippa's solution was creating a huge secret naval base he called Portus Iulius by connecting together lakes Avernus, Avernus and the natural inner and outer harbors behind Cape Misenum at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples. He also created a larger type of ship and developed a new naval weapon: harpax – a ballista-launched grapnel shot with mechanisms that allowed pulling enemy ships close for easy boarding. It replaced the previous boarding device that Romans used since the First Punic War, corvus – effective, but extremely cumbersome. A later defence against it were scythe blades on long poles for cutting ropes, but since this invention was developed in secret, the enemy had no chance to prepare anything like it. It all has proved extremely effective: in a series of naval engagements Agrippa annihilated the fleet of Sextus, forced him to abandon his bases and run away. For this Agrippa was awarded an unprecedented honour that no Roman before or after him received: a rostral crown, "corona rostrata", a wreath decorated in front by a prow and beak of a ship.

That's why Virgil (Aeneid VIII, 683-684), describing Agrippa at Actium, says: "…belli insigne superbum, tempora navali fulgent rostrata corona." "…the proud military decoration, gleams on his brow the naval rostral crown". Actium, the decisive battle between forces of Octavian and Mark Antony, may appear boring compared to the war with Sextus, but it probably turned out this way due to Agrippa's victories in preliminary naval engagements and taking over all the strategy from Octavian.

In between the wars Agrippa has shown an unusual talent in city planning, not only constructing many new public buildings etc., but also greatly improving Rome's sanitation by doing a complete overhaul of all the aqueducts and sewers. Typically, it was Augustus who later would boast that "he had found the city of brick but left it of marble", forgetting that, just like in his naval successes, it was Agrippa who did most of the work. Agrippa had building programs in other Roman cities as well, a magnificent temple (currently known as Maison Carrée) survives in Nîmes itself, which was probably built by Agrippa.

Later relationship between Augustus and Agrippa seemed colder for a while, Agrippa seemed to even go into "exile", but modern historians agree that it was just a ploy: Augustus wanted others to think that Agrippa was his "rival" while in truth he was keeping a significant army far away from Rome, ready to come to the rescue in case Augustus' political machinations fail. It is confirmed by the fact that later Agrippa was recalled and given authority almost equal to Augustus himself, not to mention that he married Augustus' only biological child. The last years of Agrippa's life were spent governing the eastern provinces, were he won respect even of the Jews. He also restored Crimea to Roman Empire. His last service was starting the conquest of the upper Danube, were later the province of Pannonia would be. He suddenly died of illness in 12 BC, aged ~51.

Agrippa had several children through his three marriages. Through some of his children, Agrippa would become ancestor to many subsequent members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He has numerous other legacies.Yurii P

(0161) LUCIUS VERUS161 - 169 AD
AE SESTERIUS
32 mm 25,08 g
O: L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX
LAUR HEAD R
R: VICTORY STANDING HEAD R ATTACHING SHIELD INSCRIBED VIC/PAR TO PALM TREE, S-C
(COMMEMORATES PARTHIAN VICTORY)laney

(0193) SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS193 - 211 AD
AE 27 mm 10,50 g
O: ΑΥ Κ Λ CΕΠ CΕΥΗΡΟC Π Laureate head right
R: [ΥΠ ΑΥΡ] ΓΑΛΛΟΥ ΝΕΙΚ[ΟΠ ΠΡΟ]C ΙC, Bearded River-god reclining left, right hand outstretched toward tree, left arm resting on urn from which river waters flow
Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior; cf Varbanov 2616, rare (R5) laney

(02) AUGUSTUS27 BC - 14 AD
struck 10 - 14 AD
AE Dupondius 26 mm, 12.91 g
O: IMP DIVI F P P, laureate heads of Agrippa wearing rostral crown left, and Augustus right, back-to-back;
R: COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm tree, wreath with long ties above, two palms fronds below
Nemausus mint; cf. RIC I 159, RPC I 525, SRCV 17311 commentslaney

(02) AUGUSTUS27 BC - 14 AD
struck 10 - 14 AD
AE Dupondius 27 mm, 12.5 g
O: IMP DIVI F P P, laureate heads of Agrippa wearing rostral crown left, and Augustus right, back-to-back;
R: COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm tree, wreath with long ties above, two palms fronds below
Nemausus mint; cf. RIC I 159, RPC I 525, SRCV 1731laney

(02) AUGUSTUS27 BC - 14 AD
struck 10 - 14 AD
AE Dupondius 28 mm max, 11.87 g
O: IMP DIVI F P P, laureate heads of Agrippa wearing rostral crown left, and Augustus right, back-to-back;
R: COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm tree, wreath with long ties above, two palms fronds below
Nemausus mint; cf. RIC I 159, RPC I 525, SRCV 1731laney

*SOLD*Bar Kokhba Revolt

Attribution: TJC 292., Hendin 1437 (prev. 736). Mildenberg 125; Palestina
Date: assumed AD 134-135
Obv: 7-branched palm tree, two clusters of fruit beneath; (ŠM'WN) beneath in 2 lines
Rev: Trifoliate vine leaf;(RWT YRWŠLM) around; Undated, assumed year 3 = AD 134-135
Size: 22.8 mm
Weight: 9.3 gramsNoah

012p Claudius I. (41-54 A.D.), Judaea, Jerusalem, RPC I 4971, Antonius Felix Procurator, under Claudius, (52-60 A.D.), AE-16(Prutah), BRIT/K-AI, Six branched palm tree, #1012p Claudius I. (41-54 A.D.), Judaea, Jerusalem, RPC I 4971, Antonius Felix Procurator, under Claudius, (52-60 A.D.), AE-16(Prutah), BRIT/K-AI, Six branched palm tree, #1
avers: NEPΩ KΛAY KAICAP, Two crossed shields and spears. (Nero (Caesar)).
reverse: BRIT/K-AI, Six branched palm tree bearing two bunches of dates, L-IΔ, K-AI across the field. (Britannicus (Caesar)).
exergue: L/IΔ//K/AI, diameter: 16,0mm, weight: 2,28g, axes: 0h,
mint: City: Jerusalem, Region: Judaea, Province: Judaea,
date: Dated Year of Claudius (Year 14 = 54 A.D.)
ref: RPC I 4971, Hedin 652,
Q-001quadrans

146 Constans (333-337 A.D. Caesar, 337-350 A.D. Augustus), Constantinopolis, RIC VIII 086, -/-//CONSA, AE-2 Follis, FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Tree, #1146 Constans (333-337 A.D. Caesar, 337-350 A.D. Augustus), Constantinopolis, RIC VIII 086, -/-//CONSA, AE-2 Follis, FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Tree, #1
avers:- DN-CONSTA-NS-PF-AVG, Cn8, G3L, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding globe.
revers:- FEL-TEMP-REPAR-ATIO, Constans advancing right, dragging barbarian from hut under tree.
exergo: -/-//CONSA, diameter: 22-23,5mm, weight: 3,38g, axis: 0h,
mint: Constantinopolis, date: 348-351 AD.,ref: RIC-VIII-086-p454,
Q-0013 commentsquadrans

146 Constans (333-337 A.D. Caesar, 337-350 A.D. Augustus), Siscia, RIC VIII 218, -/-//BSISsymbol2M, AE-2 Follis, FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Tree, #1146 Constans (333-337 A.D. Caesar, 337-350 A.D. Augustus), Siscia, RIC VIII 218, -/-//BSISsymbol2M, AE-2 Follis, FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Tree, #1
avers:- D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG, Cn8, G3L, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding globe.
revers:- FEL TEMP REPAR-ATIO, Constans advancing right, dragging barbarian from hut under tree.
exergo: -/-//BSISsymbol2M, diameter: 20,5-22,0mm, weight: 3,51g, axis: 11h,
mint: Siscia, date: 348-351 AD., ref: RIC-VIII-218-p,
Q-0011 commentsquadrans

161-180 AD - MARCUS AURELIUS AE sestertius - struck 166 ADobv: M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX (laureate head right)
rev: TR POT XX IMP IIII COS III (Victory standing facing, head right, holding palm & placing shield inscribed VIC PAR on palm tree, at base arms), S-C in field
ref: RIC III 931, C.807(12frcs)
20.27gms, 30mm, berserker

3+ lb. Grassy Mtn. Petrified Wood - Hoodoo Creek Elm 7 3/4" high and measures about 4 3/4" wide across the mirror polished face. Weight is 3.06 lbs. elm tree, Grassy Mountain site in Eastern Oregon, Hoodoo Creek, a short distance from the Grassy Mtn. peak. 1 commentsAntonivs Protti

3.0 Bar Kokhba small bronze, year 3 (134-135 CE)Bar Kokhba rebellion (second Jewish Revolt against Rome)
Year 3 (134-135 CE)
small bronze (19.5 mm)
VF+/VF
Hendin 739

obv. seven branched palm tree, symbolizing Judaea (like Menorah?)
SHIMON (Simon [Bar Kokhba]) in field below tree
rev. Bunch of grapes L'CHAROT YERUSHALAYIM (For the Freedom of Jerusalem) around5 commentsEcgþeow

79-81 AD - TITUS AE sestertius - Paduan obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII (laureate head left)
rev: IVDAEA CAPTA (Jewess seated right under palm tree, mourning; on left side Jew standing right, heap of arms), S-C in ex.
ref: C.114 (12frcs) Paduan, RIC II 93 (S)
18.35gms, 32mm, bronze
Rare

A well-known Paduan medal after Giovanni Cavino, but this is not the 20th century cast with dark patinated aluminium alloy, and it is in Cohen and RIC catalog as Paduan coin. OK, you say this is a fake, but I say it has room in my collection.2 commentsberserker

A. Overstrike: Bar Kochba AE over Flavian AE, Hendin Plate CoinPhoto Credit: NYS (edited).
Judaea, Bar Kochba Rebellion AE Middle Bronze (25mm, 9.88 g, 6h; undertype Agrippa II – Titus [87/8 CE]), 133/4 CE.
Obv: 'Sma' (abbreviating Simon; Paleo-Hebrew). Seven-branched palm tree, two bunches of dates.
Rev: 'Year two of the redemption of Israel' (Paleo-Hebrew). Grape vine leaf on tendril. Undertype portrait of Titus visible.
Ref: Hendin GBC2, 160a (this coin illustrated).
Prov: Ex David Hendin Collection (w/ his tag), Goldberg Sale 21 (15-17 2003, Pre-Long Beach Auction), Lot 1607; CNG e-538 (10 May 2023), Lot 244.
Also: NY Sale 48 (14 Jan 2020), Lot 90; Goldberg 116 (2 Jun 2020), Lot 894; CNG e-486 (24 Feb 2021), Lot 245; NY Sale 54 (11 Jan 2022), Lot 105.

Notes: A fascinating overstrike with visible Flavian bust, probably a “Judaea Capta” issue of Agrippa II struck in Caesarea Paneas, 75/6 CE. In my opinion, the undertype is RPC II 2285 & the bust of Titus is a die match to ex. 7 (ex Galst).2 commentsCurtis JJ

aradosbmc383Elagabalus
Arados, Phoenicia

Obv: AVT K M [AVÎ¡ ANTâ²°NI]NOC, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: [ARAÎ”Iâ²°N] â†’ E ZOY (Z is backwards), Cypress tree, between bull standing right and lion standing left, standard behind each, star above lion’s head.
26 mm, 12.53 gms

BMC 383Charles M

aradosbmc383_2Elagabalus
Arados, Phoenicia

Obv: AVT K M AVÎ¡ [ANTâ²°NINOC], laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: ARA Î”[Iâ²°N â†’ E ZOY (Z is backwards)], Cypress tree, between bull standing right and lion standing left, standard behind each, star above lion’s head.
25 mm, 12.78 gms

BMC 383Charles M

aradosbmc383_3Elagabalus
Arados, Phoenicia

Obv: AVT K M AVÎ¡ ANTâ²°NINOC, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: APA [Î”I â²°N] â†’ E ZOY (Z is backwards), Cypress tree, between bull standing right and lion standing left, standard behind each, star above lion’s head.
28 mm, 15.69 gms

BMC 383; Naville Numismatics Auction 52, lot 236 (this coin)Charles M

aradosbmc384Elagabalus
Arados, Phoenicia

Obv: [AVT K M AVÎ¡ ANTÎ©NINOC], laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: [ARAÎ”Iâ²°N â†’ E ZOY (Z is backwards)], Cypress tree, between bull standing right and lion standing left, standard behind each, crescent above lion’s head.
25 mm, 12.05 gms

BMC 384 (Note: Serrated in ancient times. This was likely done for purely decorative reasons for a coin that was no longer legal currency. One theory is that it was done to be used as a playing token.)Charles M

aradosbmc385Elagabalus
Arados, Phoenicia

Obv: AVT K M AVÎ¡ [ANTÎ©NINOC], laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: ARA-Î”I-â²°N â†’ E ZOY (Z is backwards), Cypress tree, between bull standing right and lion standing left, standard (hand and vexillium) behind each, no symbol above lion’s head.
28 mm, 18.15 gms

BMC 385Charles M

Athena (helmeted bust of)TROAS. Ilium. Faustina Jr. Æ 25. A.D. 146-175. Obv: CEBAC-Î¦AVCTINAAVÎ“. Draped bust right; countermark on neck. Rev: IÎ›I-EÎ©. To right bull suspended from tree, on back of bull sits male figure (Ilos), plunging knife into bull’s neck; to left statue of Athena Ilias on pedestal. Ref: BMC 53. Axis: 15°. Weight: 9.50 g. CM: Helmeted bust of Athena right, in oval punch, 6 x 7 mm. Howgego 186 (53 pcs). Collection Automan.Automan

Augustus (RIC 159, Coin #564)Augustus , RIC 159, AE AS, Nemausus, Gaul (Nimes, France), 10 - 14 AD.
Obv: IMP DIVI F P P Laureate heads of Agrippa and Augustus back-to-back.
Rev: COL NEM Crocodile right chained to palm tree, wreath with long ties
above, two palms fronds below.
Size: 26.7mm 12.36g.2 commentsMaynardGee

Augustus AsAugustus AE As , ca. 10 BC - 10 AD.
Obv: IMP DIVI F; heads of Agrippa wearing rostral crown and Augustus laureate back to back

Rev: COL NEM ; crocodile r., chained to palm tree, wreath and fillet in upper field.

RIC 158Tanit

Augustus, Procurator Marcus Ambibulus, Æ Prutah, Year 41 = 11 ADAncient Greek, Judaea, Augustus, Procurator Marcus Ambibulus, Æ Prutah, Year 41 = 11 AD, 1.7g, 16mm

Obverse: KAICA-POC, Head of barley curved right.

Reverse: Eight-branched date palm tree, bearing two bunches of dates, L - MA (year 41).

Reference: Hendin 1331, Meshorer TJC 315
Gil-galad

BCC m61-m65Five minute coins from Caesarea Maritima
Mint: Caesarea or Tyre?
Obv:Head of Tyche right, crudely rendered
on some specimens.
Rev: Palm tree, with fruits and/or traces
of inscription or pseudo-date.
AE10.5-12.0mm. 0.62-1.07gm. Axis: 90
Similar to Hamburger #6-26 “Minute Coins
from Caesarea Maritima” Vol.1 Atiqot,1954.
Hamburger assigns this type to the mint at
Tyre, in imitation of the well-known autono-
mous coins of that city from the late 1st and
early 2nd Cent. CE. However, other experts
suggest Caesarea was the mint, since they
seem to be commonly found there. Of note
is the 90 degree axis seen in the majority of
these Tyche/Palm Tree minimae.
Surface finds Caesarea Maritima, 1970's
J. Berlin Caesarea Collection
v-drome

BCC m66-m70Caesarea Minimae
Five minute coins from Caesarea Maritima
Mint: Caesarea or Tyre?
Obv:Head of Tyche right, crudely
rendered on some specimens.
Rev: Palm tree, with fruits, traces
of inscription, or pseudo-date.
AE15mm-12.5mm. 2.01gm-0.7gm.
Axis: var. Similar to Hamburger #6-#26.
Hamburger assigns this type to the mint
at Tyre. Other experts suggest Caesarea
since they are commonly found there.
However, very small module coins,
apparently official issues from cities
around the eastern empire, were also
frequently found in the surrounding
sand dunes.v-drome

bmcxxx-8Elagabalus
Tyre, Phoenicia

Obv: IMP CAES MAV AN-TONINVS AVG, laureate draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind.
Rev: TV RI [O] RVM, Dido, semi-nude, standing facing, head left, branch in extended right hand over palm tree, caduceus cradled in left arm, murex shell to right.
27 mm, 14.09 gms

BMC---; AUB---; SNG Cop---; Rouvier---; Babelon BnF 2230.Charles M

C. Sulpicius C.f. Galba, DenariusC. Sulpicius C.f. Galba, Denarius

RRC 312/1
106 bc

Av: Jugate, laureate heads of Dei Penates l.; before, D P P,
Rv: Two male figures standing facing each other, each holding spear and pointing at sow which lies between them; above, L; in ex., C SVLPICI C [F].

Reverse depicts scene from Aeneid. According to the prophecy, in the place where a white sow casts 30 piglets under an oak tree, a new city shall be built (Lavinium); also, a new city called after the white sow shall be built by Ascanius 30 years later (Alba Longa). (Wikipedia)

Ex Bertolami Fine arts, Auction 24, Numismatics, London, 23.06.2016, #413Norbert

Carthage - AESicily
340-320 BC
palm tree, three fronds on each side and a bunch of dates on each side
horse head right
Calciati III p. 384, 12/15 (same dies); Viola CNP 255; SNG Cop 102; Alexandropoulos MAA 20; HGC 2 1668,
6,9g 18mm
ex ArtemideJ. B.

Cilicia, Ninica-Claudiopolis, Maximinus I, SNG Levante Supp. 170 (plate coin)Maximinus I AD 235-236
AE 30 mm, 14.59 g
obv. IMP.CAES.SA.IVL.VER.MAXI / MINVS
Bust, draped and cuirassed, bare-headed, r.
behind bust c/m Howgego 338 eagle r., head l.
rev. NINIC COL CLA / VDIOPO / L
She-wolf standing right under Ruminal fig tree, head l., suckling the twins
Remus and Romulus
SNG Levante 618 (same dies); SNG Levante Supp. 170 (this coin); SNG Paris 791 (same dies); SNG von Aulock 5775 (same dies)
Choice EF, nice olive-brown patina, rare this nice.
published on www.wildwinds.com

The fig tree was sanctified to the goddess Rumina. Later the twins were found by the shepherd Faustulus. The rest is well-known!
The legend is in Latin because the city was a Roman colonia. The she-wolf looks a bit like a horse!
6 commentsJochen

Conder Token: Thomas Spence, Middlesex 860Obv: A shepherd reclining under a tree, countryside and mountain peak in the distance. 1790 in exergue.

Rev: A stag sprinting past a tree.

Edge: Plain

Thomas Spence, Halfpenny Conder token

Dalton & Hamer: Middlesex 860Matt Inglima

Constans (RIC 103, Coin #562)Constans, RIC 103, AE2, Aquileia, 348 - 350 AD.
Obv: D N CONSTANS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped
and cuirassed bust left, globe in right.
Rev: FEL TEMP REPARATIO (AQT dot) Helmeted soldier, leading
barbarian with right hand from hut under tree, spear in left.
Size: 22.8mm 4.54g.MaynardGee

Constans - AE 2 (Maiorina)Cyzicus
348-350 AD
pearl-diademed cuirassed draped bust left, globe in hand
D N CONSTA_NS P F AVG
helmeted soldier advancing right, head left, holding inverted spear and dragging small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath tree, plain leafless branches
FEL TEMP REPAR_ATIO
*SMKΓ
RIC VIII Cyzicus 79; Sear 18699
3,8g 20mm
ex NaumannJ. B.

Constans - AE 2 centionalisThessalonica
348-350 AD
pearl-diademed cuirassed draped bust left, globe in hand
D N CONSTA_NS P F AVG
helmeted soldier advancing right, head left, holding inverted spear and dragging small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath tree, 3 branches on tree
FEL TEMP REPAR_ATIO
TESΓ
RIC VIII Thessalonica 118
3,9g 21mmJ. B.

Constans Centenionalis Fel Temp Reparatio hutAE Centenionalis
Constans, 337-350 CE
Diameter: 19 mm, Weight: 4.20 grams, Die axis: 6h

Obverse: D N CONSTANS PF AVG
Diadem, draped, and cuirassed bust to left, holding globe.

Reverse: FEL TEMP REPARATIO
Helmeted soldier advancing right, leading small child from hut beneath tree.

Mint: CONSЄ*: Constantinopolis

References: RIC 88

Notes:
- This coin depicts a small figure with quite foreign features, for example the upright hair. This depiction is quite common, particularly to some Eastern mints, as noted on Bill Welch's excellent hut site. This is why the small figure is sometimes described as a 'barbarian'. However there are plenty of other plausible interpretations.
- ‘FELix TEMPorvm REPARATIO’ = Happy times restored.
- This type was issued at 13 different mints, each using a different tree, shrub or plant.

Purchased from eBay UK, ex the Bill Welch hut collection with his ticket indicating purchase from eBay 2006Pharsalos

Constans Centenionalis Fel Temp Reparatio Hut CyzicusAE Centenionalis
Constans, 337-350 CE
Diameter: 21 mm, Weight: 4.20 grams, Die axis: 7h

Obverse: D N CONSTANS PF AVG
Diadem, draped, and cuirassed bust to left, holding globe.

Reverse: FEL TEMP REPARATIO
Helmeted and caped Soldier advancing right, dragging small child from hut beneath tree.

Mint: SMKA: Cyzicus

References: RIC 72

Notes:
- ‘FELix TEMPorvm REPARATIO’ = Happy times restored.
- This type was issued at 13 different mints, each using a different tree, shrub or plant.

Purchased from Victor’s Imperial Coins, 2014Pharsalos

Constans FT Reparatio RIC 118Constans, Thessalonica, 21mm, 4.4g, 148 - 350 AD, RIC VIII Thessalonica 118
OBV: DN CONSTANS PF AVG, pearl-diadem, draped & cuirassed bust left, holding globe
REV: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, helmeted soldier advancing right, head left,
holding inverted spear & dragging small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath tree,
3 branches on tree ending in one large circular pod each. TESE in ex. SRukke

Constans, RIC 118DN CONSTANS PF AVG
FEL TEMP REPARATIO
AE2, 23mm, 4.74g
Pearl diadem, draped & cuirassed bust left, holding globe
Helmeted soldier advancing right holding inverted spear drags small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath tree, 3 branches ending in circular pod
TESΓ
novacystis

Constantinopolis City Commemorative, AE3, NO LEGEND; Victory, SCONSTAE3
Constantinopolis City Commemorative
Issued: 335AD
19.0 x 18.0mm 2.50gr 6h
O: CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS; Constantinopolis helmeted, laureate bust left, holding scepter over shoulder.
R: NO LEGEND; Victory standing left, stepping on galley prow, cradling scepter and resting hand on a shield.
Exergue: Tree, left field; SCONST, below line.
Arelate Mint
RIC VII Arles 393; Sear 16457; Aorta: 109: B3, O2, R9, T12, M4.
Rated R4
2/19/17Nicholas Z

Constantius II Centenionalis Fel Temp Reparatio hutAE Centenionalis
Constantius II, 337-361 CE
Diameter: 21 mm, Weight: 3.97 grams, Die axis: 1h

Obverse: D N CONSTANTIVS PF AVG
Diadem, draped, and cuirassed bust to left, holding globe.

Reverse: FEL TEMP REPARATIO
Soldier advancing right, dragging young barbarian from hut beneath tree.

Mint: TRS: Trier

References: RIC 222

Notes:
- ‘FELix TEMPorvm REPARATIO’ = Happy times restored.
- This type was issued at 13 different mints, each using a different tree, shrub or plant.

Ex Central City Coins Brisbane, 20021 commentsPharsalos

Constantius II Centenionalis, RIC VIII Thessalonica 117Thessalonica mint, Constantius II Centenionalis, 348-350 A.D. AE, 21mm 3.81g, RIC VIII Thessalonica 117
O: DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped cuirassed bust left with globe in right hand
R: FEL TEMP REPAR-ATIO, helmeted soldier advancing right, head left, leading captive with right hand from hut beneath tree, spear in left hand pointing downward
EX: TES()
*Ex Vel Garnett collection
casata137ec

Coponius procurator under Augustus, Æ 6-9 CEBronze prutah of Coponius, procurator of Judea under Augustus, 6-9 CE, 16.1 mm, 1.81 grams.

Obverse: Ear of grain, KAICA POC ("Of Caesar").
Reverse: Eight-branched palm tree, bearing two bunches of dates, date in field L Λς [lambda][stigma] (year 36).

Reference: Hendin 635, TJC 311.

Added to collection: January 16, 2006Daniel F

Cr 433/2 AR Denarius M. Junius BrutusAR Denarius 54 bce Rome 4.09 gm 17.5 mm
o: BRVTVS, downwards behind head of L. Iunius Brutus r, border of dots
r: AHALA, downwards behind head of C. Servilius Ahala r, border of dots
Junia 30; Servilia 17; Sydenham 932

This type has always puzzled me. It clearly depicts the two anti-tyrants in the Junia family tree, L. Junius Brutus and C. Servilius Ahala. (Crawford uses the phrase "tyrannicides", but Brutus did not kill Tarquin and Ahala seems to have sucker-stabbed Maelius in anger.) Young Brutus, or whatever his name was when he was a moneyer, clearly chose to put them on his coins at the time when Pompey's prominence in the state was at its peak; Caesar was in Gaul or Britain, and could not help him. This decision as to coinage, therefore, seems to me extremely unhealthy. Roughly the same number of dies have been identified for both of Brutus's moneyer issues, so it is unlikely that this type is an indiscretion that was quickly withdrawn. So, was Brutus being played or deployed by Pompey against Caesar? Pompey was ostentatiously NOT claiming the dictatorship, so why "warn" him, especially when a "warning" from a 30-ish year old aspiring politician who maybe had held a staff officer's post would not likely impress Pompey, "the teenage butcher"? Worth, I think, exploring a bit.2 commentsPMah

Crete, Gortyna. Europa & Eagle Stater.Greece. Crete. c. 330-270 BC. AR stater (15.23 gm, 24.0mm, 2h) of Gortyna. Europa seated facing in tree, raising her veil and hand on the back of eagle with its wings spread. / Bull standing right, head reverted. VF Bt. Herakles Numismatics, 2021. Ex-Thomas Bentley Cederlind, CNG 102 #318; Hirsch 275 (22 Sept 2011) #3648; G. Hirsch 135 (19 Jan 1982), #380. SNG Cop. 3 (Argolis-Aegean Islands) #443v; BMC Crete 30; Boston MFA 117; Svoronos Crète p.168 #84 (pl.XV #7) (same obv die). cf. Heritage Auction 3061 #29134.1 commentsAnaximander

Danubian Riders Lead Votive Plaque - RomanRound style of lead Danubian Rider votive plaque. It is 72 mm in diameter. Likely 3rd century AD.

Details are hard to see in this image. Description is from top to bottom, left to right.

The very top has the seven star between a crescent moon and a "O" (full moon?).

Below the stars is a fish.

Next register shows an altar/table/?, bust of Sol right, standing female wearing chiton and head right, bust of Luna left, bird standing left with star by its head.

Next register shows bird standing right, horseman arm raised horse trampling prone figure right, facing standing female in chiton with length of fabric held across waist, horseman arm raised left, unclear standing figure left.

Bottom register is heavily damaged, shows bull standing right, figure(s), tree, lion (?) standing left.
SC

EB0408 Domitian / Victory erecting trophyDomitian, AE As, 85 AD.
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P, laureate head right.
Rev: VICTORIAE AVGVSTI, Victory standing left, holding palm & erecting trophy set on tree, S-C either side of trunk.
References: RIC 389; Cohen 640.
Diameter: 28mm, Weight: 11.204 grams.
Note: Sold.EB

EB0529 Agrippa and Augustus / CrocodileAgrippa and Augustus, AE 24 (As) of Gaul, Nemausus, ca 10 BC - 10 AD.
Obv: IMP DIVI F, back-to-back heads of Agrippa left in rostral crown, & Augustus right (bare? / in oak wreath?).
Rev: COL [NEM], Crocodile chained to palm tree, [wreath] with long ties trailing above.
References: cf. RIC 158, Cohen 10; RPC 523 (bare head) or 524 (oak wreath).
Diameter: 24mm, Weight: 6.642 grams.EB

EB0530 Agrippa and Augustus / CrocodileAgrippa and Augustus, AE As of Gaul, Nemausus, ca 10 BC - 10 AD.
Obv: IMP DIVI F, back-to-back heads of Agrippa left in rostral crown, & Augustus right in oak wreath.
Rev: COL NEM, Crocodile chained to palm tree, wreath to left of palm with long ties trailing right.
References: cf. RIC 158, Cohen 10; RPC 524.
27mm, Weight: 11.477 grams.1 commentsEB

EB0554 Philip II / AthenaPhilip II, AE 35 of Side, Pamphylia 247-248 AD.
Obv: AYT K MARK IOVΛ CE OVHR FIΛIΠΠON C[EB], laureate, draped, cuirassed
bust right, epsilon to right.
Rev: CI ΔH TΩ N, Athena standing left by olive tree, holding patera and spear (double or overstrike).
References: SNG BN 869 var.
Diameter: 36.5mm, Weight: 18.493 grams.EB

Four SeasonsJulia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, Augusta, 193-217 C.E.
AR Denarius (3.24g, 20.0mm), Rome mint, AD 207.
Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right.
Rev: FECVNDITAS, Terra reclining left under tree, left arm on basket of fruits, right hand set on globe, spangled with stars, in background four children representing the four Seasons.
RIC 549, RSC 35, BMC 21, Sear 6579.
Ex FORVM Ancient coins.

The four seasons--spring, summer, fall and winter--are typically personified by four nude boys at play.1 comments

Gallo-Roman Figural Votive Plaque c. 3rd Century AD #7Gallo-Roman Figural Votive Plaque c. 3rd Century AD #7
Such artifacts are also referred to as "Danube Rider" or "Danube Mystery Cult" plaques,
Rectangular type: above, fish swimming left
The 1st Tier: Writhing snakes facing inward and feeding on an urn/chalice. To left, bust of Luna on the crescent moon; to right, radiate bust of Sol.
The 2nd Tier: A pair of mounted horsemen (Castor and Pollux) each proceeding inward and flanking the standing facing figure of Epona, the sole Celtic divinity ultimately worshipped in Rome itself as the patroness of cavalry. To left, forepart of a ram, one leg raised; to right, a togate (?) figure. Beneath the horsemen, a pair of trampled enemies, supine, facing each other, one arm expended.
3rd Tier: left to right; tripod, eagle-topped standard, a man kneeling left, hanging rabbit in a small tree, three pellets above an amphora, and a cockerel standing left on a ram's skull (bucranium).

diameter: 74x85mm, weight:
mint: ,
ref:
Q-0011 commentsquadrans

German Notgeld: Weilburg, Hesse-NassauCity: Weilburg

State: Hesse-Nassau

Denomination: 10 Pfennig

Obverse: Weilburg – 1917 ✠, head of town mayor wearing steel helmet and facing right; artist name: W. O. PRACK.

Reverse: 10 Pf divided by oak tree with Coat of Arm at bottom of tree, Kleingeld – Ersatzmarke

Date: 1917

Grade: VF

Catalog #: L564.3Matt Inglima

Geta Sestertius Victoriae Brittanicae Spink lot 80061134 Geta , AE Sestertius, 211, laureate bust right, drapery on far shoulder, imp caes p sept geta pivs avg , rev. victoriae britannicae sc , two Victories fixing shield to palm tree, two captives at its base (RIC 167 var.- no aegis on neck), minor flan-crack, very rare, almost very fine. The Prior Collection. Dr J S Vogelaar Co; Ref RIC 167var, BMCRE p.392, C.224, RCV 72712 commentsmattpat

Gordian III, Pisidia, Antioch-2 AE35, Antioch, Pisidia, 238-244 AD
Obverse: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: CAES ANTIOCH COLNI, Two Nikes
standing, placing shield marked SR on palm tree, two captives , seated at base of palm, back to back, SR in exergue.
BMC99; SNG VA 4961.
34mm, 25.4gm.Jerome Holderman

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1970 NYU Hall of Fame MedalObv: HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW, bust of Longfellow three-quarters to left, 1807 – 1882, THE HALL OF FAME FOR GREAT AMERICANS AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY ©1970.

Rev: Imagery from some of Longfellow’s famous works, at top is Paul Revere’s moonlight ride, on the right is Evangeline the Acadian girl, at bottom center the Blacksmith works at his anvil beneath a spreading chestnut tree, on the left is Hiawatha with bow .

Category: Literature

Year Elected: 1900

Medal Issued: 1970

Sculptor: Anthony Notaro

Mint: Medallic Art Company

Details: Bronze, 44 mm, 0°
Matt Inglima

hhj8.26.04.10Elagabalus
Nicopolis

Obv: [AVT K M] AVPH ANTΩ[NEINOC], laureate draped cuirassed bust right, seen from behind.
Rev:[VΠ NOBIOV] POVΦOV NIKOΠOΛITΩN →ΠPOCICT, Athena standing left, patera in right hand feeding snake coiled around olive tree, her shield behind her.
26 mm, 9.43 gms

Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov 8.26.4.10Charles M

hhj8.26.04.10_2Elagabalus
Nicopolis

Obv: AVT K M AVPH ANTΩNEINOC, laureate draped cuirassed bust right, seen from behind.
Rev:VΠ NOBIOV POVΦOV NIKOΠOΛITΩN →ΠPOCICT, Athena standing left, patera in right hand feeding snake coiled around olive tree, her shield behind her.
26 mm, 13.18 gms

Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov 8.26.4.10

From Gorny & Mosch Online Auction 271, lot 1251 commentsCharles M

II-TRAIANUS -a/1 - Dupondius WOYTEK 0210Av) IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V PP
Radiate bust with drapea and aegis right

Rv) SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI SC
Victoria standing right, putting left foot on helmet, holding with the left hand round shield ,
on which is wriiten: >, shield is fixed on a palm tree,
in her right hand he holds stylus

Weight:12,4g; Ø: 28mm; Reference: Reference: WOYTEK: page 297/210;
ROME mint, struck :104-107 A.D.

INDIA - Mauryan EmpireINDIA - Post-Mauryan Empire - Sunga Period (185-73 BCE). Obverse: Elephant, triangle standars, swastika, taurine symbol. Reverse: Three arched hill, hollow cross, railed tree, taurine symbol. 15x16 mm. Reference: MACW: #4297-4302, attributed by Mitchiner to the Mauryan-Sunga period.dpaul7

Ionia, Ephesos, Gallienus, SNG Copenhagen 514Gallienus, AD 253-268
AE 28
obv. AVT PO LIK GALLIHNOC
bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate, r.
rev. EFECI[WN?] D - NEWKORWN
Artemis, wearing a short hunting dress and boots, stg. frontal, head r., holding
bow in l. hand and reaching with r. hand to quiver over her r. shoulder.
Left beside her a leaved branched tree, one branch reaching behind her to her l.
shoulder.
SNG Copenhagen 514
about EF, dark-green patina

The garment which Artemis here is wearing I have never found on my other coins:
(1) She seems to wear very high boots reaching over her knees
(2) Her hunting skirt seems to have aprons hanging down over her thighs
(3) Her belly seems to be protected by a belly bandage
(4) This bandage seems to be held by two straps over her shoulders.

This garment no longer is the beautiful often coquettish clothing of a young lady but rather the garment of a workman.
Jochen

Italy- Napoli- Mount_vesuviusOn August 24 of 79 A.D., the area around Mount Vesuvius shook with a huge earthquake. The mountain's top split open and a monstrous cloud raced upward. The inhabitants of Pompeii were showered with ash, stones, and pumice. A river of mud was beginning to bury the city of Herculaneum. The uncle of Pliny the Younger, known as Pliny the Elder, was a commander of a fleet of war ships at Misenum (see map). He decided to use his ships to rescue people close to the volcano. The nephew describes the huge cloud towering over the area (Radice, 1969):

. . . its general appearance can best be expressed as being like a pine rather than any other tree, for it rose to a great height on a sort of trunk and then split off into branches, I imagine because it was thrust upwards by the first blast and then left unsupported as the pressure subsided, or else it was borne down by its own weight so that it spread out and gradually dispersed. Sometimes it looked white, sometimes blotched and dirty, according to the amount of soil and ashes it carried with it. (p. 427)

Pliny the Elder's ship approached the shore near Pompeii.

Ashes were already falling, hotter and thicker as the ships drew near, followed by bits of pumice and blackened stones, charred and cracked by the flames . . . Meanwhile on Mount Vesuvius broad sheets of fire and leaping flames blazed at several points, their bright glare emphasized by the darkness of night. (pp. 429, 431)

But they could not land because the shore was blocked by volcanic debris, so they sailed south and landed at Stabiae. Hoping to quiet the frightened people, the uncle asked to be carried to the bath house. Afterward he lay down and ate. Next, hoping to quiet the inhabitants, he went to bed. The volcano did not do likewise, however.

By this time the courtyard giving access to his room was full of ashes mixed with pumice-stones, so that its level had risen, and if he had stayed in the room any longer he would never had got out. . . . They debated whether to stay indoors or take their chance in the open, for the buildings were now shaking with violent shocks, and seemed to be swaying to and fro as if they were torn from their foundations. Outside on the other hand, there was the danger of falling pumice-stones, even though these were light and porous. . . . As a protection against falling objects they put pillows on their heads tied down with cloths. (pp. 431, 433)

Finally, the uncle decided to leave. The level of ash and pumice-stone had risen to the point that a hasty departure seemed the best option.

. . . the flames and smell of sulphur which gave warning of the approaching fire drove the others to take flight and roused him to stand up . . . then [he] suddenly collapsed, I imagine because the dense fumes choked his breathing by blocking his windpipe which was constitutionally weak and narrow and often inflamed . . . his body was found intact and uninjured, still fully clothed and looking more like sleep than death. (p. 433)

Later, Pliny the Younger and his mother leave Misenam to escape from the approaching volcanic conflagration. They travel across country to avoid being trampled by the crowds of people on the road.

We also saw the sea sucked away and apparently forced back by the earthquake: at any rate it receded from the shore so that quantities of sea creatures were left stranded on dry sand. On the landward side a fearful black cloud was rent by forked and quivering bursts of flame, and parted to reveal great tongues of fire, like flashes of lightning magnified in size. . . . We had scarcely sat down to rest when darkness fell, not the dark of a moonless or cloudy night, but as if the lamp had been put out in a closed room. You could hear the shrieks of women, the wailing of infants, and the shouting of men; some were calling their parents, others their children or their wives, trying to recognize them by their voices. People bewailed their own fate or that of their relatives, and there were some who prayed for death in their terror of dying
Peter Wissing

Judaea, Bar Kochba RevoltBar Kochba bronze, 132-135 AD.
Obverse- Palm tree, 'Simon'.
Reverse- Vine leaf, 'year 2 of the freedom of Israel.'
Hendin-708, 24 mm, 8.4 g.4 commentsb70

Judaea, Coponius or Marcus Ambibulus, Roman Prefects under Augustus6 - 11 AD
AE prutah 16 mm, 1.473 grams, 0 degrees

O: KAICAPOC (of Caesar), head of barley curved right

R: Eight-branched date palm tree, bearing two bunches of dates, uncertain date flanking trunk off flan

Ref: Hendin 6357 - 6360, Meshore TJC 311 - 315

Notes: F, highlighting earthen deposits, porous, rev. off center., Jerusalem mint

Ex- Forum Ancient Coins Members Auction, May 2023Virgil H

Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, Augusta, 193-217 CE.AR Denarius (3.24g, 20.0mm), Rome mint, 207 CE.
Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right.
Rev: FECVNDITAS, Terra reclining left under tree, left arm on basket of fruits, right hand set on globe, spangled with stars, in background four children representing the four Seasons.
RIC 549, RSC 35, BMC 21, Sear 6579.

Ex FORVM Ancient coins.
1 comments

Kalinga: Anonymous (ca. 500-400 BC) AR ½ KarshapanaObv: Tree, 7-annulet pattern, 4-arm symbol, and elephant facing right
Rev: Blank
Quant.Geek

L. Censorinus. 82 BC. In the contest between Apollo and Marsyas, the terms stated that the winner could treat the defeated party any way he wanted. Since the contest was judged by the Muses, Marsyas naturally lost and was flayed alive in a cave near Celaenae for his hubris to challenge a god. Apollo then nailed Marsyas' skin to a pine tree, near Lake Aulocrene (the Turkish Karakuyu Gölü), which Strabo noted was full of the reeds from which the pipes were fashioned. Diodorus Siculus felt that Apollo must have repented this "excessive" deed, and said that he had laid aside his lyre for a while, but Karl Kerenyi observes of the flaying of Marsyas' "shaggy hide: a penalty which will not seem especially cruel if one assumes that Marsyas' animal guise was merely a masquerade." Classical Greeks were unaware of such shamanistic overtones, and the Flaying of Marsyas became a theme for painting and sculpture. His brothers, nymphs, gods and goddesses mourned his death, and their tears, according to Ovid's Metamorphoses, were the source of the river Marsyas in Phrygia, which joins the Meander near Celaenae, where Herodotus reported that the flayed skin of Marsyas was still to be seen, and Ptolemy Hephaestion recorded a "festival of Apollo, where the skins of all those victims one has flayed are offered to the god." Plato was of the opinion that it had been made into a wineskin.

There are alternative sources of this story which state that it wasn't actually Marsyas who challenged Apollo but Apollo who challenged Marsyas because of his jealousy of the satyr's ability to play the flute. Therefore, hubris would not necessarily be a theme in this tale; rather the capricious weakness of the gods and their equally weak nature in comparison to humans.

There are several versions of the contest; according to Hyginus, Marsyas was departing as victor after the first round, when Apollo, turning his lyre upside down, played the same tune. This was something that Marsyas could not do with his flute. According to another version Marsyas was defeated when Apollo added his voice to the sound of the lyre. Marsyas protested, arguing that the skill with the instrument was to be compared, not the voice. However, Apollo replied that when Marsyas blew into the pipes, he was doing almost the same thing himself. The Muses supported Apollo's claim, leading to his victory.

Ovid touches upon the theme of Marsyas twice, very briefly telling the tale in Metamorphoses vi.383–400, where he concentrates on the tears shed into the river Marsyas, and making an allusion in Fasti, vi.649–710, where Ovid's primary focus is on the aulos and the roles of flute-players rather than Marsyas, whose name is not actually mentioned.

AR Denarius (17mm - 3.97 g)

Laureate head of Apollo right / Satyr Marsyas standing left, holding wine skin over shoulder; column surmounted by statue to right. 1 commentsecoli

Low Countries, silver jeton 1603: the siege of OstendObverse: ALIVD•IN•LINGVA•ALIVD•IN•PECTORE, fox on the ground staring at cock in a tree, rosette above
Reverse: IN•ADVERSIS•VIRTVS•1603 (in chronogram), view on the town of Ostend, which is surrounded by redoubts/dugouts and trenches, rosette between pellets above

Minted in: Dordrecht

The Siege of Ostend was a three-year siege of the city of Ostend (in present-day Belgium) during the Eighty Years' War and one of the longest sieges in history. It is remembered as the bloodiest battle of the war, and culminated in a Spanish victory. It is said "the Spanish assailed the unassailable; the Dutch defended the indefensible." Described as a "long carnival of death", in 1603, General Spinola assumed command of the Spanish forces. Under his able leadership, the Spanish tore Ostend's outer defenses from the exhausted Dutch and put what remained of the city under the muzzles of their guns, compelling the Dutch to surrender. The cost of the victory was enormous: 35,000 men in the blasted trenches and dugouts surrounding the ruined city. The devastation led to the first serious discussions for peace but the negotiations, instead, produced a Twelve-Year Truce (1609-1621) between Spain and the United Provinces.

The obverse of this jeton refers to Aesop's fable of the Fox and the Crow (though a cock is depicted). This fable warns against listening to flattery.RomaVictor

Marcus Ambibulus procurator under Augustus, Ã†, 9-12 CEBronze prutah of Marcus Ambibulus, Procurator of Judea under Augustus, 9-12 CE, 16 mm.

Obverse: KAICAPOC (of Caesar), barley head curved to right;
Reverse: 8-branched date palm tree, bearing two bunches of dates, L – Î›Î˜ (Lambda theta) (= year 39 = 9/10 CE)

Reference: Hendin 636, SGIC 5607, TJC 313, AJC II, 281, Supp. V, 3.

Added to collection: November 27, 2005Daniel F

Marcus Aurelius Victoria RIC 1002 DupondiusMarcus Aurelius, Rome, Dupondius, 26.28mm, 12g, 170 - 172 AD, Cohen 268, RIC 1002
OBV: M.ANTONINIVS.AVG.TR.P.XXV, Radiate head right
REV: IMP.VI.COS.III, S-C, Victoria standing right, attaching to a palm tree, shield with VIC/GER
SRukke

Moesia inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum, 23. Macrinus, HrHJ (2018) 8.23.07.02 #2Macrinus, AD 217-218
AE 27, 13.42g, 26.82mm, 345°
struck under governor Marcus Claudius Agrippa
obv. AV K OPPEL CE - VH MAKRI NOC
laureate head r.
rev. [VP AG]RIPPA NIKOPOL - ITWN PROC IC
in l. and middle field TR - W
Apollo Sauroktonos, nude, with crossed legs, l. leg set behind r. leg, stg. r., l.
hand resting on tree-stump, in bent r. hand holding branch with which he touches
the tree
ref. a) AMNG I/1, 1687, pl. XIV, 35 (5 ex.)
b) Varbanov (engl.) 3372
c) Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2018) No. 8.23.7.2 (same dies)
d) Pat Lawrence obv. M, no.10 (gap between I and N on obv. not mentioned)
VF, dark green patina

Pick writes:"the left on a tree-stump from which a lizard(?) is jumping to him." But on this coin it is rather a branch with small round fruits.
Pat Lawrence (in 'The Pontianus and Agrippa Dies for Macrinus and Diadumenianus at Nicopolis ad Istrum"): Apollo Sauroktonos, so labeled by Pick (and Taf. XIV, 35) and earlier, though Postolakas at Athens: Achilles Postolakas, Catalogue of the Ancient Coins of Regions, Nations, Cities and Kingdoms, National Numismatic Museum, 1872, no.847, is at pains to describe what he sees: "...to one side and the other of Apollo, naked, stg. r., bending his l. knee, having his head laureate and holding with his r. hand a twig (or branch) slanting downwards, placing his raised l. hand on the little tree, stripped of its branches, stand in front of him." He, too, doubted wether we may read the elements between Apollo's torso and the tree trunk as a leaping lizard. Just as the 'Medici' Aphrodite of Agrippa's engraver is comically misconstrued, so is his Apollo Sauroktonos.
3 commentsJochen

Moesia inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum, 26. Elagabal, HrHJ (2018) 8.26.43.02 #1Elagabal, AD 218-222
AE 27, 12.70g, 26.52mm, 225°
struck under governor Novius Rufus
obv. AVT M AVR - ANTWNEINOC
Bust, draped and cuirassed, radiate, r.
rev. VP NOBIOV ROVFOV NIKOPOLITWN / PROC ICTR / ON
The youthful local mountain god Haimos sitting on rock l., reclining on tree,
hands above head; stag behind him jumping r., bear, coming out of cave below, r.
ref. a) AMNG I/1, 1953 (pl. III, 23, same rev. die)
b) Varbanov (engl.) 4028
c) Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2018) No. 8.26.43.2 (same dies)
Very rare (R7), EF, the nicest specimen ever seen
added to www.wildwinds.com

Haimos, a Thracian king, was married with Rhodope. Their love was so great that they called each another Zeus and Hera. For that blasphemia the real Zeus turned them into homonymous mountains. (Ovid, Met. VI, 87)
A similar myth is known from Keyx and Alcyone where they are turned into birds, Keyx into a diver and Alcyone into a kingfisher. (Ovid, Met. XI, 410)

Dr. Falter (Germany) suggests that the bear is drinking from a well.Jochen

Moesia inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum, 26. Elagabal, HrHJ (2018) 8.26.43.02 #2Elagabal, AD 218-222
AE 28, 15.94g, 27.56mm, 225°
struck under governor Novius Rufus
obv. AVT M AVR - ANTWNEINOC
Bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from fron, radiate, r., Aegis on l. shoulder
rev. VP NOBIOV ROVFOV NIKOPOLITWN / PROC ISTR / ON
The youthfull locale mountain god Haimos sitting on rock l., reclining on tree,
hands above head; stag behind him jumping r., bear, coming out of cave below, r.
ref. a) AMNG I/1, 1953, pl. III, 23 (same rev. die)
b) Varbanov (engl.) 4028
c) Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2018) No.8.26.43.2
very rare (R7), good VF, black-brown patina, light roughness
pedigree:
ex CNG auction 70, 21.9.2005, lot 537 (wrong pic!)

Haimos, a Thracian king, was married with Rhodope. Their love was so great that they called each another Zeus and Hera. For that blasphemia the real Zeus turned them into homonymous mountains. (Ovid, Met. VI, 87)
Jochen

Nepal Manuscript Covers: The Churning of the Ocean of MilkThe churning of the ocean of milk, in Hinduism, is one of the central events in the ever-continuing struggle between the devas (gods) and the asuras (demons, or titans).

The gods, who had become weakened as a result of a curse by the sage Durvasas, invited the asuras to help them recover the elixir of immortality, the amrita, from the depths of the cosmic ocean. Mount Mandara—a spur of Mount Meru, the world axis—was torn out to use as a churning stick and was steadied at the bottom of the ocean by Vishnu in his avatar as the tortoise Kurma. The asuras held the head of the naga (half-human, half-cobra) Vasuki, who was procured for a churning rope, and the gods held his tail. When Vasuki’s head vomited forth poison that threatened to fall into the ocean and contaminate the amrita, the god Shiva took it and held it in his throat, a feat that turned his throat blue.

In the churning of the ocean many wonderful treasures were brought up from the depths:

(1) Chandra, the moon,
(2) parijata, a beautiful and fragrant tree that is now planted in Indra’s heaven,
(3) the four-tusked elephant Airavata, Indra’s mount,
(4) Kamadhenu, the cow of plenty,
(5) Madira, the goddess of wine
(6) Kalpavriksha, the wish-fulfilling tree,
(7) the apsaras (celestial dancers),
(8) the celestial horse Uccaihshravas,
(9) the goddess Lakshmi, who became Vishnu’s wife,
(10) Panchajanya, Vishnu’s conch,
(11) Vishnu’s mace and magic bow,
(12) various gems,
(13–14) Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, who rose up out of the waters carrying in his hands the supreme treasure, the amrita.

When the amrita appeared, the gods and the asuras fought over its possession, though they had originally agreed to share it equally. After many adventures, it was finally consumed by the gods, who were thus restored in strength.1 commentsQuant.Geek

Nerva / Palm IVDAICINerva Æ Sestertius. 27.84g, 33mm, 6h. Rome, AD 96.
O: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head to right
R: FISCI IVDAICI CALVMNIA SVBLATA, palm-tree, with two clusters of dates; S-C across fields.
- RIC II 58; BMCRE 88. From the Antonio Carmona Collection.

According to the Roman historian Suetonius: "More than any other, the Fiscus Iudaicus was administered very severely; and to it were brought, or reported, those who either had lived the life of a Jew unprofessed, or concealing their origin, had not paid the tax imposed upon by the people. I remember that it was of interest to me during my youth when a ninety-year-old man was brought before the procurator and a very crowded court to see wheather he was circumcised."

Marius Heemstra challenged the earlier interpretation of the reverse inscription. "The embarrassment (CALVMNIA) of the Jewish Tax (FISCI IVDAICI) is removed," ie., that the Jewish tax, which had been introduced by Vespasian after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, was repealed by Nerva, in whole or in part. Heemstra also disagrees with the theory that the CALVMNIA, was "the circumcision test" described by Suetonius (Dom. 12.1-2).

Rather, Heemstra maintains that the tax was not repealed, but, rather, that the legend should be translated: "The removal of the wrongful accusation (CALVMNIA) of the Fiscus Judaicus (the imperial tax collection agency)."

What was the CALVMNIA? Meestra explains that before the "removal" of the "wrongful accusation," by Nerva, it is highly plausible that the charge of 'leading a Jewish life without publicly acknowledging that fact' could have been levied against high-ranking Romans who could then have been victims of the Fiscus Judaicus, which would confiscate their wealth.

Conviction could occur either on political grounds, instigated by the emperor himself (Domitian), or because any affiliation with Judaism, however, small could lead to an accusation of "atheism," which to Romans meant not recognizing their pagan gods.

Meestra points out that an important impact of the new law was that it necessitated a clarification in the definition of who was the taxpayer, and, thus who was considered to be a Jew. Instead of "each one of the Jew"s (Josephus), or, "those belonging to the Jewish gens" (Suetonius), the definition changed to "those Jews who continued to observe their ancestral customs" (Dio). In practice, these were the Jews that had been paying the tax in the first place.

By removing the CALVMNIA "the wrongful accusation," Nerva succeeded in transforming the definition of 'Jew' from an ethnic one into a religious one, which both the Romans and Jews adopted.

The coin represents Nerva's order not to abolish the tax itself but of the insulting method of collecting the Jewish tax. - See discussion in: Marius Heemstra, "The interprretation and Wider Context of Nerva's Fiscus Judaicus Sestertius, Judaea and Rome in Coins 65 BCE - 135 CE, London: Spink and Sons, 2010, 187-201.

David Hendin quotes David Vagi for another theory for the Fiscus Judaicus in his Guide to Biblical Coins, Fifth Edition.
"In all likelihood (this reverse type) celebrates Vespasian's requirement of 71/2 CE that the annual didrachm Temple Tax, the Fiscus Iudaicus, be paid to Rome rather than to the Jewish Temple.
This tax was extended to every Jew, male and female, from the age of three, and even to slaves of Jewish households. The proceeds were earmarked for the rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Captiolinus in Rome, which had been destroyed in the last days of the Roman Civil War of 68-69."
"Thus, FISCI IVDIACI CALVMNIA SVBLATA ('the insult of the Jewish Tax has been removed') would refer to Vespasian's removal of the insult that prior to 71/2 the Jewish Temple Tax had been collected by Jews for their own use. After all, Romans considered themselves the only legitimate taxing authority within the empire, and the only rightful beneficiary of tax revenues."

"In summary, the idea that this coin represents a Roman apology, or a Roman acknowledgment of its own callous behavior, must be abandoned" (p. 458).4 commentsNemonater

Pompeia AR Denarius 19.28 mm 3.85 gr.
Obv: No legend, Roma helmeted right,
X below chin, jug behind head
Rev: SEX PO FOSTLVS, she-wolf standing right suckling Romulus and Remus,
shepherd Faustulus left leaning on staff,
birds in fig tree, ROMA in exergue
Mint: Italian (137 BC)
RSC I 1a; Sydenham 461aKen W2

Postumus Double Sestertius RIC V 166Attribution: RIC 166 Lugdunum
Date: 259-268 AD
Obverse: IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS…., Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: VICT….Two Victories attaching shield to palm tree, with two captives seated below, S C in exergue
Size: 34.02 mm
Weight: 25.3 gramscliff_marsland

Punic Empire 3RD. Century B.C.E.Obverse - Head right
Reverse - Horse facing right in front of palm tree, letters AA above
Bronze 9.65 mm 1 gNORMAN K

R., Judaea, Jerusalem, 012p Claudius I. (41-54 A.D.), RPC I 4971, Antonius Felix Procurator, under Claudius, (52-60 A.D.), AE-16(Prutah), BRIT/K-AI, Six branched palm tree, #1R., Judaea, Jerusalem, 012p Claudius I. (41-54 A.D.), RPC I 4971, Antonius Felix Procurator, under Claudius, (52-60 A.D.), AE-16(Prutah), BRIT/K-AI, Six branched palm tree, #1
avers: NEPΩ KΛAY KAICAP, Two crossed shields and spears. (Nero (Caesar)).
reverse: BRIT/K-AI, Six branched palm tree bearing two bunches of dates, L-IΔ, K-AI across the field. (Britannicus (Caesar)).
exergue: L/IΔ//K/AI, diameter: 16,0mm, weight: 2,28g, axes: 0h,
mint: City: Jerusalem, Region: Judaea, Province: Judaea,
date: Dated Year of Claudius (Year 14 = 54 A.D.)
ref: RPC I 4971, Hedin 652,
Q-001quadrans

RIC 0221 VespasianÆ Sestertius, 19.38g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; S C in exergue; Victory stg. r., l. foot on helmet, inscribing OB / CIV / SERV on shield on palm tree; to r., Judaea std. r.
RIC 221 (C3). BMC 582. BNC 561. Hendin 1508.
Ex CNG eAuction 453, 2 October 2019, lot 522.

The commonness of most Judaea Capta types underscores how important the Jewish War and subsequent defeat of the Jews was to the fledgling Flavian dynasty. This iconic sestertius from the second bronze issue of 71 was struck in fairly plentiful numbers and copies a similar Victory type coined under Vitellius. It very likely was the first 'Judaea Capta' type struck for Vespasian. Colin Kraay records 21 different reverse dies used for this one type alone. The iconography on the reverse is quite explicit. Victory, nude from the waist up, is inscribing a shield attached to the trunk of a palm tree, the palm being a topographical symbol for the land of Judaea. The personification of Judaea herself sits in dejected mode to the right of the palm. The inscription on the shield, OB CIV SERV - 'for saving the citizens', credits the emperor for keeping the empire safe. The clear allegorical message of the reverse giving the credit to Vespasian for defeating the Jews and saving the empire would have been quite apparent to most people handling this coin. The amount of propaganda squeezed from the rebellion of such a small region is indeed remarkable. Josephus' declaration of the Jewish War as the 'greatest' of all time would have been quite welcomed by the Flavian regime.

Beautiful dark olive green patina good style.

NB: Special thanks to Curtis Clay for the Kraay citation.2 commentsDavid Atherton

RIC 0433 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]Æ Sestertius, 23.97g
Rome mint, 72 AD
Obv: T CAES VESPASIAN IMP PON TR POT COS II; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; S C in field; Victory stg. r., l. foot on helmet, inscribing VIC AVG on shield on palm tree
RIC 433 (R). BMC 637. BNC 624. Hendin 1526.
Acquired from Praefectus Coins, May 2021.

This iconic sestertius struck in 72 at Rome from Titus's second bronze issue commemorates his recent Judaean War victory. The iconography on the reverse is quite explicit. Victory, nude from the waist up, is inscribing a shield attached to the trunk of a palm tree, the palm being a topographical symbol for the land of Judaea. There is no mistaking this for anything other than a Judaea Capta commemorative. The type was also appropriately struck for Vespasian. 1 commentsDavid Atherton

RIC 0501 TitusObv : IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII, Laureate head right
Rev : IVD CAP (across field) S-C in field; Palm tree, to left, Judaea seated left on arms,; to right Captive standing right, head left.
AE/Sestertius (34.86 mm 24.71 g 5h) Struck in Thrace (?) 80-81 A D
RIC 501 (R2), BMCRE unlisted, RPC unlisted
ex Art Coins Roma eAuction 8 Lot 277
3 commentsFlaviusDomitianus

RIC 1233 VespasianÆ As, 9.19g
Lyon mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS VIII P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to r., Judaea std. r.; to l. of tree, arms
RIC 1233 (C). BMC 845. BNC 846. Hendin 1561.
Acquired from Zuzim, October 2018.

The amount of propaganda the Flavian regime was able to squeeze out of the Jewish War is astounding. Here we have an As struck seven or eight years after the fall of Jerusalem still touting the Jewish defeat. It was the singular event that more than anything else gave the dynasty its prestige. It would have been unseemly to celebrate the defeat of fellow Romans after the end of the Civil War, but quite appropriate to do so over an eastern people, despite the fact they were within the boundaries of the Roman empire. This As was struck in a fairly large issue from the Lyon mint, presumably to address a shortage of bronze coinage in the western provinces late in Vespasian's reign.

Distinctive Lyon portrait, struck on a bent flan.5 commentsDavid Atherton

RIC 1268 (V) Titus Æ AsT CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR
Laureate head right

IVDAEA CAPTA SC
Palm tree; Judaea seated right; to left of tree, arms

Lugdunum (Lyon), 77-8 CE

8.15g

RIC 1268 Vespasian (C2)

Ex-Sarl Numis 31 France

A common but important type. Minted 8 years after the conquest of Judea by Titus. A reminder of Titus' military prowess and his place as his father's successor.1 commentsJay GT4

RIC 1268 (V) Titus Æ As SOLD!T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR
Laureate head right

IVDAEA CAPTA SC
Palm tree; Judaea seated right; to left of tree, arms

Lugdunum (Lyon), 77-8 CE

8.81g

RIC 1268 Vespasian (C2)

Ex-Incitatus

A common but important type. Minted 8 years after the conquest of Judea by Titus. A reminder of Titus' military prowess and his place as his father's successor.

Sold to Calgary Coin April 2022
9 commentsJay GT4

RIC 1268 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]Æ As, 9.35g
Lyon mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to r., Judaea std. r.; to l. of tree, arms
RIC 1268 (C2). BMC 862. BNC 872. Hendin 1562.
Acquired from GB Collection, March 2019.

The importance of the Jewish War to the Flavian dynasty cannot be overestimated. It provided much needed legitimacy for the imperial rule of 'new men'. This common as struck for Titus Caesar nearly eight years after the 'Gotterdammerung' fall of Jerusalem is ample evidence of the dynasty's continued reliance on the propaganda value of 'Judaea Capta'. It would continue to be Titus' calling card even after he became emperor a year or so later. This coin was struck in Lugdunum (Lyon) in a fairly large issue that presumably addressed a shortage of bronze coinage in the Western provinces.

Good Lugdunese style with a fetching dark patina.5 commentsDavid Atherton

RIC 1558 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.14g
Antioch Mint, 72-73 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: Palm tree; to l., Vespasian stg. r. with spear and parazonium, foot on helmet; to r., Judaea std. r.
RIC 1558 (C). BMC 510. RSC 645. RPC 1930 (11 spec.). BNC 318. Hendin 1490 corr. (obv. legend).
Acquired from Jencek Historical Enterprise, July 2005.

A denarius that obviously celebrates Vespasian's victory over Judaea.

This is a typical example of a coin from the Antioch mint...distinctive high relief portrait , crude lettering, and a small flan.

A very much sought after reverse. 1 commentsDavid Atherton

ROMAN EMPIRE - Augustus & AgrippaROMAN EMPIRE - Augustus & Agrippa. Bronze dupondius. 27mm, 12.3g, die axis 30o, Nemausus mint, obverse IMP DIVI F P P, laureate heads of Agrippa and Augustus back-to-back; reverse COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm tree, wreath with long ties above, two palms fronds below. Reference: RIC I 159, RPC I 525, SRCV 1731.
Ex-Ardatirion Collection.dpaul7

ROMAN EMPIRE PROVINCIAL, Cilicia, Ninica-Claudiopolis, Maximinus I, SNG Levante Supp. 170 (plate coin)Maximinus I AD 235-236
AE 30 mm, 14.59 g
obv. IMP.CAES.SA.IVL.VER.MAXI / MINVS
Bust, draped and cuirassed, bare-headed, r.
rev. NINIC COL CLA / VDIOPO / L
She-wolf standing right under Ruminal fig tree, head l., suckling the twins
Remus and Romulus
ref. SNG Levante 618 (same dies); SNG Levante Supp. 170 (this coin); SNG Paris 791 (same dies); SNG von
Aulock 5775 (same dies)
Choice EF, nice olive-brown patina, rare this nice.
published on www.wildwinds.com

The fig tree was sanctified to the goddess Rumina. Later the twins were found by the shepherd Faustulus. The rest is well-known!
The legend is in Latin because the city was a Roman colonia. The she-wolf looks a bit like a horse!
2 commentsJochen

Roman Empire, Lucius Verus Denarius - Victory in Parthia (RIC 566)AR Denarius
Rome 166 AD
3.10g

Obv: Laureate bust of Lucius Verus (R)
L VERUS AUG ARM PARTH MAX

Rev: VICTORY standing (R) placing Shield on palm tree, incribed VIC - PAR.
Verus led the Parthian War between AD 162 - 166.

TRP VI IMP IIII COS II

Tooling evident in reverse legends.

RIC 566 RSC 2793 commentsOptimo Principi

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