| Most viewed - The Pantheon - Gods, Goddesses and Personifications |
Hilaritas1089 viewsThe most amusing goddess! Silver denarius, S 5254, RIC M. Aur. 686, RSC 111, gVF, 2.92g, 16.6mm, 180o, Rome mint, 161-175 A.D.; obverse FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right; reverse HILARITAS, Hilaritas standing left holding palm branch and cornucopia
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Vulcan, Claudius II antoninianus1045 viewsIMP C CLAVDIVS AVG
REGI ARTIS
RIC 215 ; Cohen 239 (30 fr.)
RIC rate it Common, but it's a very rare coin, Volkano is rarely seen on roman imperial coins.
fredericweber.com frederic W
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Abundantia952 viewsObv:– IMP C PROBVS . P . F . AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– ABVNDANTIA AVG, Abundatia, standing right, empting cornucopiae
Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe.) Emission 4 Officina 4
Date Minted – Middle to End 277 A.D.
References: Cohen 1. Bastien 195 (54 examples). RIC 17 Bust type F (Common)
Abundantia stands for abundance or plenty. Her attributes are ears of corn (grain) and cornucopiae. She is sometimes (as here) shown emptying the cornucopiae and sometimes shown seated. Her Greek name is Euthenia maridvnvm
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Zeus Nikephoros790 viewsThe image of Zeus with Nike (Zeus Nikephoros) was introduced by Seleukos I Nikator at Seleukeia on Tigris mint around 300 BC.
The initial iemissions from this mint in the name of Seleukos maintained the Zeus Aetophoros (eagle) reverse image typical of the earlier "Alexanders". However, shortly after the mint was established, the Zeus Nikephoros (Nike) image was introduced, eventually replacing the Zeus Aetophoros image on Babylonian coinage. The Nikephoros reverse was a direct allusion to Seleukos victory over Antigonos at Ipsos in 301 BC. This victory was the penultimate victory required to cement the Seleukid dynasty in a near unassailable position during the forty year struggle that ultimately saw Seleukos emerge as the most successful of the Diadochi.
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VIA TRAIANA, TRAJAN655 viewsAR denarius. 112-114 AD. 3,36 grs. Laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P / Via Traiana reclining left, left elbow on rock, holding wheel and reed. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI. In exergue VIA TRAIANA.
Minted to commemorate the construction of the Via Traiana from Beneventum to Brindisium. On the left a pic of part of the road,and on the right a miliaria ( milia passuum, "one thousand paces", 4,841 feet ) or milestone.
The stone, besides the titles of the emperor, reports that it was constructed at the emperor's expense ( PECVN SVA FECIT ).
benito
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Aesclepius639 viewsCaracalla denarius
Obv:– ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, Laureate bust right
Rev:– P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P, Aesculapius standing front, head left, with serpent-entwined wand; globe on ground at right
Minted in Rome in A.D. 215
References:- BMCRE 103, RIC 251, RSC 302
Aesclepius is the god of medicine and holds staff with a snake entwined around it. maridvnvm
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Zeus Ammon on Ptolemy IV Hemidrachm624 viewsZeus Ammon portrait by master die artist. In unusually high relief and expressive style. Uncommon for this type (~ 35mm, 35gm). Issued ca. 220BC at Alexandria mint. This is one Zeus that looks like he really might just get up and step right off the coin or turn around and have something to say of great mythological significance :) PtolemAE
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Aphrodite589 viewsAphrodite is the greek goddess of beauty and love. She is much older and more primordial than Venus. Venus was a more local goddess and came to Rome not before the 4th century. Aphrodite is melted together of indoeuropean-hellenistic, aegaean-anatolean and semitic-oriental elements. The origin of her name is unknown, perhaps it is related to the sem.*asthart. Her relation to Cyprus is referring to that origin. Possibly the name of the month April comes from etruscan *aprodita. So there could be an etruscan intermediation. She seems to be a conglomerate of old fertility goddesses. Her attributes dolphin and shell points to marine, dove, sparrow and and swane to caelestic and apple, rose and pomegranat to herbal sexual spheres. With Homer Aphrodíte replaces the dark weird deities as a light goddess of charm and gracefulness. She was called 'philommeides', the smiling, and she was the mistress of the Graces.
On the rev. of this coin we see Aphrodite as a later depiction as goddess of grace and seduction. She holds a mirror as the symbol of vanity. Her companions are two Erotes with torches to ignite love.
Jochen
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Venus Victrix - the rear view586 viewsSabina, AR denarius, 128 AD.
RIC 412, RSC 89, Sear RCV II,3927.
A gorgeous rear view of the goddess of love, with an elegant "Grecian bend"-curve to the figure, much more pleasing than the dumpy little ladies normally found on denarii of Domna, etc.
- BritannicusBritannicus
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Artemis (Diana) as the huntress584 viewsThrace, Augusta Trajana. Æ 24mm, 8.9 g.
Obv: FAVCTEINA CEBACTH, draped bust right.
Rev: AVGOVCTHC TRAIANHC, Artemis standing right, holding bow, drawing arrow from quiver, hound at her side.
Similar to SGI 1729; BMC 3.177, 1.
Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo. As the huntress, she holds a bow with arrows, accompanied by a hound.
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Apollo / Zeus Labraundos, Pixodaros Didrachm560 views340-334 BC. AR Didrachm (21mm, 6.98 g). Laureate head of Apollo, facing slightly right / Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding double axe (labrys) and lotus-tipped sceptre.
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Demeter, Thrace, Byzantion (220-240BC)556 viewsTHRACE, Byzantion. Circa 240-220 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 12.07 gm). Veiled and wreathed head of Demeter right / Poseidon seated right on rocks, holding trident in left arm, aphlaston in right hand. Magistrate [EPI SI]LWN[OS], a man called Silo, is located below Poseidon.
Schoenert-Geiss, Byzantion, p. 135, no. 1004, pl. 44, citing and illustrating Naville I, 1920, 1135, same dies. SNG Black Sea 59-61.
From the Garth R. Drewry Collection; ex. Superior Galleries, May 30, 1995.
Owned & posted by Cogito
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Athena Panthea - Goddess of one-stop shopping554 viewsAttributes: the wings of Nike, the rudder of Tyche, the sistrum of Isis, the grain ears of Demeter, the cornucopia of nearly everybody, and her own shield.Ed Flinn
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Africa524 viewsSeptimius Severus Denarius
Obv:– SEVERVS PIVS AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– AFRICA, Africa, wearing elephant-skin head-dress, reclining left with scorpion & cornucopiae; basket of heads of grain (called corn ears in the UK) before
References:– VM 8/2, RIC 254, RCV02 6261, RSC 31
Personification of North Africamaridvnvm
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Athena and Deified Alexander497 viewsThe deified Alexander the Great is depicted on the obverse of this coin of Lysimachos, dating to the early third century BC.
In the years following his death Alexander the Great came to be the subject of cult worship throughout the Mediterranean basin. His corpse was appropriated by Ptolemy I who transported it to Egypt, initially interring it at Memphis, then to a mausoleum and center of worship in Alexandria. It survived until the 4th century AD when Theodosius banned paganism, only to disappear without trace.
Athena depicted on the reverse of this coin was the patron goddess of Athens. She came to be worshiped throughout much of the Mediterranean basin during Hellenistic period.
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Annona492 viewsDenarius
Obv:– L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, Laureate head right
Rev:– ANNONAE AVGG, Annona, standing left, right foot on prow, holding heads of grain (called corn ears in the UK) and cornucopiae
Minted in Laodicea-ad-Mare, A.D. 198 - 202
References:– RIC 501 (Common), RSC 21
Annona was the Goddess of the circling year and its harvest produce; Matron of commerce and the market place.maridvnvm
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Poseidon - Ποσειδῶν490 viewsPoseidon is portrayed on the reverse of this Baktrian tetradrachm issued by Antimachos I (ca. 175-170 BC). A uniquely curious choice for a landlocked country, although the association of Poseidon with earthquakes (which regularly shake the region of Afghanistan) may have been a determining factor in Antimachos choice of a patron god.
Poseidon (Ποσειδῶν) was the god of the sea and the earth-shaker (god of earthquakes) of Greek mythology. He was the protector of many Hellenic cities, although he lost the contest for Athens to Athena. The contest revolved around a gift of each god to the city, with the preferred one of the Athenians determining the outcome. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, whereupon a spring came into being, only its water proved salty. Athena on the other hand, offered an olive tree making the choice of the Athenians decisive. To placate Poseidon on their choice the Athenians erected a temple to him (Poseidon) at Cape Sounion to the south of Athens.
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ZEUS and AMALTHEA474 viewsBI Antoninianus. Cologne 257-258 AD. 3,41 grs. Radiate and draped bust right. VALERIANVS CAES / Infant Jupiter seated facing on goat (Amalthea) standing right,his right hand raised. IOVI CRESCENTI.
RIC 3. RSC 26.
The myth.
"Rhea, when she was heavy with Zeus, went off to Krete and gave birth to him there in a cave on Mount Dikte. She put him in the care of both the Kouretes and the nymphs Adrasteia and Ide, daughters of Melisseus. These Nymphai nursed the baby with the milk of Amaltheia, while the armed Kouretes stood guard over him in the cave, banging their spears against their shields to prevent Kronos from hearing the infant’s voice." Pseudo-Apollodorus.
She gave the god milk, but snapped her horn on a tree and was severed from half her loveliness. The Nympha picked the horn up, ringed it with fresh herbs, and took it fruit-filled to Jupiter’s lips. When he controlled the sky and sat on his father’s throne and nothing surpasses unconquered Jove, he made stars of the nurse and the nurse’s fruitful horn, which bears even now its mistress’ name." Ovid.
benito
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Aequitas468 viewsSeverus Alexander Denarius
Obv:– IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, Laureate, draped bust right
Rev:– AEQVITAS AVG, Aequitas standing left with scales & cornucopiae. Star in left field.
Minted in Antioch. A.D. 222
Reference:– RIC 274. RCV02 7856. RSC 11
'Fairness' holds a scales and cornucopiamaridvnvm
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Dea Caelestis, goddess of Carthage447 viewsSeptimius Severus Denarius
Obv:– SEVERVS PIVS AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– INDVLGENTIA AVGG / IN CARTH, Dea Caelestis, goddess of Carthage, with elaborate headdress, looking front, riding right on springing lion, holding thunderbolt and sceptre, water gushing from rocks at left below
Minted in Rome, A.D. 203 A.D.
References:– RIC 266, RCV02 6285, RSC 222maridvnvm
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Apollo Salutaris (the Rescuer)445 viewsTrebonianus Gallus 251 - 253
Antoninianus mint of Rome
obv. IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG
rev. APOLLO SALVTARI
Apollo stdg. l, holding laurel-branch in l. hand and
leaning with r. hand on lyra(?) on rock
RIC IV, 32(s); C.2
VF
Struck as gratitude for rescue from plague(?) for Apollo the Rescuer
The Lyre was invented by Hermes , made from the shell of a turtoise.
Apollo on the other hand should have always a cithara!Jochen
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Aeternitas, Personification of eternity and stability444 viewsFaustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius, Augusta 138-141 C.E.
AR Denarius, Rome mint, 147-161 C.E.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, Draped bust, r.
Rev: AETERNITAS, Aeternitas standing l., holding phoenix and lifting fold of skirt.
RIC-347; Sear-4576; BMC-354; Cohen-11.
Aeternitas personifies eternity and stability. She is depicted with a variety of attributes which may include a torch, globe, phoenix, cornucopiae, scepter or the heads of Sol and Luna; she is often shown leaning against a column or seated on a globe.
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Hekate Triformis443 viewsJulia Soaemias -- AE20 from Mastaura (Lydia).
Hekate Triformis, was a goddess from Asia minor. Her main holy shrine was in Lagina. The Triformis created by Alkamenes, end of 5. century. Her companion a dog. featherz
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Romulus and Remus 420 viewsRomulus and Remus - Suckling on a wolf after their uncle Amulius, fearing that the boys would grow up to overthrow him, had them placed in a trough and thrown into the River Tiber.
Urbs Roma - Constantinople Commemorative Coin
Noah
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Diana (Artemis) as the moon goddess417 viewsFaustina Junior -- Died 175/6. Wife of Marcus Aurelius. Augusta, AD 147-175/6.
Orichalcum sestertius (30 mm), issued posthumously, Rome mint, AD 176-180.
Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA PIA, Bare-headed and draped bust right.
Rev: SIDERIBVS RECEPTA S C, Diva Faustina, as Diana Lucifera, draped, wearing crescent on shoulders behind neck, standing r., holding lighted torch in both hands.
RIC-1715; BMC-1584; Cohen-215.
Diana in her lunar aspect here holds a torch and is shown with a crescent moon on her shoulders. SIDERIBVS RECEPTA = "received by the stars". Diana Lucifera lit the way for the dead to journey to their new home among the heavens, appropriate for a posthumous issue.
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Bacchus, Cista Mystica416 viewsTetradrachm of Pergamon, Mysia (133-67 B.C.)
Obv: Cista mystica containing serpent, all within wreath (of grapes?).
Anepigraphic.
Rev: Bow case between two coiled serpents, MOE above, snake entwined Asklepian staff to right, mint monogram to left.
25.8 mm 12.2 gm
They can keep the snakes, but a healthy glass of wine about now would be a winner!
Massanutten
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SOL412 viewsObverse: IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG
Reverse: SOL INVIC-TO COMITI
Left Field: T
Right Field: F
Exergue: BTR
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Apollo403 viewsDenarius 194 ; 1,97 g. ; 17 mm.
Obv:- L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP IIII His laureate head right.
Rev:- APOLLINI AVGVSTO Apollo draped standing in front, looking at left, holding a patera in the right hand and a lyre in the left.
Cohen 42, RIC 40.
This representation of apollo is probably a roman copy of a statue of Apollo citharede which we can see on Augustus and Antoninus Pius' coins too. This statue was in the temple on the Palatino.septimus
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Salus, goddess of health safety and general welfare.400 viewsCrispina -- Died 182/3 CE. Wife of Commodus. Augusta, 177-182/3 CE.
Orichalcum Sestertius (31 mm, 21.12 gm). Rome mint, 177-182 CE.
Obv: CRISPINA AVGVSTA, Bare-headed & draped bust r.
Rev: SALVS SC, Salus seated l., feeding out of patera snake coiled round altar, l. arm on side of chair.
RIC-672a, BMC-420, Cohen-33, Sear-6010.
Salus was an old Roman goddess often identified with Hygieia, a daughter of Aesculapius. While the name SALVS appears on many Roman coins, it is often not in a true medical context, but rather in a political sense that peace and safety prevailed in the Empire. She usually holds a scepter and is shown feeding a snake from a patera.
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Talos and never missing hound Laelaps398 viewsPhaestos, Crete. 300 - 250 BC
AE17, 4.4 g
GCV 3208, Plant 1078, Lindgren III A128bPekka K
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Gorgon, Greek, Apollonia Pontica398 viewsSilver Drachm
Obverse : Gorgon Facing with tongue protruding.
Reverse :Upturned anchor, crayfish and A to either side.
Apollonia Pontica Mint , 450 - 404 BC ( Before Christ ).
XF , Max Dia 14mm , 2.9 gr. scarce.
References : SNG 160f
Historical & Numismatic Note:
This is a scarce and interesting authentic ancient silver drachm from Apollonia Pontika.
Apollonia Pontika was a Greek colony on the Black sea in Thrace. It was settled around 600 B.C., and was first called Antheia before being renamed after the town's most prominent feature, a Temple dedicated to Apollo centering around a colossal statue of the Greek God. The city's name means, literally, “City Of Apollo On The Black Sea.” This coin features a spectacular image of Medusa on the obverse side. In ancient Greek mythology, if you gazed at Medusa's face you would immediately turn to stone. Perseus overcame this obstacle, slaying Medusa and using her head to adorn the face of his shield. And despite it's frightening visage, the image of Medusa was used as a protection talisman in many of these ancient Greek societies. The reverse of this coin shows the city's connection with the Black Sea, and displays an anchor turned upside down, flukes up, as if it were hanging off the edge of a ship. There is a crawfish to the right and an A, for Apollonia Pontika, to the left.
Mrs. Amy Savasta - Gauthier Collection.
EX The Sam Mansourati Collection. Sam
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Apis391 viewsJulian II the philosopher 360 - 363, nephew of Constantin I
AE - Maiorina, 7.30g, 25mm
Thessalonica 1. officina, summer 361 - June 26. 363
obv. DN FL CL IVLI - ANVS PF AVG
bust draped and cuirassed, pearl-diademed head r.
rev. SECVRITA[S R]EI PVB
diademed bull r., head facing, two stars above
exergue: TESA between palmbranchs
RIC VIII, Thessalonica 225; C.38
Rare; good F
APIS, holy bull of Memphis/Egypt, herald of god Ptah, making oracles in the name of the god. Each new bull should have a white triangle on the forehead or a moon-like spot at the sides. After his death buried as Osiris-Apis, from which the Serapis cult developed. Julian II has renewed this cult. For a new interpretation of the bull see the remarks in 'Jochen's Folles' to Julian II RIC VIII, 163! Jochen
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Pan387 viewsAE27 Elagabalus (218-222)
Nikopolis ad Istrum, consular legate Novius Rufus
Obv: AVT K M AVPH ANTΩNINOC. Laur. draped and cuir. bust r.R
Rev: VÎ NOBIOV ROVΦOV NIKOÎ OΛITΩN Î PO; In ex: CICTPΩ· Pan, stg.r., horned, holding rabbitcatcher (lagobalon) over shoulder, flute in hand, foot on panther lying supile on the ground.
27 mm / Porosity
Moushmov 1436Gert
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Ceres385 viewsFaustina Senior Denarius
Obv:– DIVA FAVSTINA, Draped bust head right, hair in bun
Rev:– AVGVSTA, Ceres standing left, holding grain ears and torch
References:– RIC 360, RSC 78
Ceres, goddess of agriculture, carries grain ears and a torch used when she descended into the underworld in search of he daughter Persephonemaridvnvm
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ZEUS, Ptolemy II Philadelphos, Syracuse Issue of Hieron II, Diobol - 285/246BC381 viewsAE 26.3-27.5mm : 18.282gm : 3h
OBV - Laureate Zeus facing right
REV - Eagle standing on thunderbolt facing left, wing open, head facing left, no leg monogram, shield in left field. BASILEOS right, PTOLEMAIOY left
REF - Svoronos 610 (Plate 12 #17) SNGCop 114 Weiser 18
NOTE - This type actually struck in Syracuse by Hieron II ca. 265BC. New research just published on this subject (2007). The paper that presents this new attribution is available online at www.ptolemybronze.com.PtolemAE
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Herakles plus Zeus Aetophoros accompanied by Helios372 viewsHerakles on the obverse with Zeus seated with his eagle (Zeus Aetophoros) on the reverse was the standard reverse typology of Alexander the Great and his immediate successors (the Diadochi). On this coin of Babylon the image of Zeus Aetophoros is accompanied by an image of Helios in the left field. Three gods for the price of one!
Further background http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-60892
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Minerva370 viewsTI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P
Bare head of Claudius, left.
S C
Minerva advancing, right, brandishing spear and holding shield.
Copper As. 28.5 mm 10.9 gm 180 die alignment
Ancient even for the Romans. Italian or Etruscan origin for this goddess and directly identified with the Greek Athena. Shown here wearing a Corinthian helmet. Although a war goddess, she is also the patron of wisdom and handicrafts. This latter is probably what made her attractive to Claudius who reportedly authored several histories, none of which, unfortunately, have survived.
Massanutten
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Apollo Sauroktonos367 viewsNikopolis ad Istrum/Moesia inferior, Geta 198-202
AE 25, 11.38g
obv. L CEPTIMI GETAC KAICAR
bust draped, bare head r.
rev. [YP AVR G]A[LL]OC NIKOPOLITWN PROC ICTRON
Apollo, naked, laureate, with crossed legs, stg. r., r. hand raised behind holding arrow, l. hand resting on tree before him; at the tree a lizard, touching Apollo
AMNG 1654, VF, lizard only partially visible due to a weak strike, but nice green patina
Rare, only one spec. in AMNG ex coll. Löbbecke
From Pliny the Elder we know the detailed description of a famous bronze sculpture of Praxiteles (4th century BC) named Sauroktonos, the Lizard-killer. The original sculpture is lost. We have two Roman marble copies in the Louvre and in the Musei Vaticani in Rome. May be the coin is the pic of Pliny's description or may be not. But the reverse shows clearly the two sides of Apollo: Here the youthful smiling bringer of light and in the same moment the merciless killer for fun.Jochen
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Jesus363 viewsJesus Christ - the incarnate son of the living God according to the Christians; a rebellious and blasphemous troublemaker according to the Jewish authorities; and the leader of an annoying cult in Judea according to the Romans.
Silver Grosh, 1331 to 1355 AD, Europe: The obverse (front) of this coin is JESUS CHRIST wearing a halo. The reverse scene is Ivan Alexander and his co-ruler Michael Asen (died in 1355).
Noah
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Horus (Harpokrates) & Bes361 viewsΑVΤ Κ Π ΛΙΚ ΓΑΛΛΙΗΝΟC CΕΒ, Laureate draped cuirassed bust right / LΙ_Ε, Horus (Harpokrates) standing facing, head right, palm in right field, Bes in left. Regnal year across fields.Ed Flinn
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Four Seasons360 viewsJulia 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.
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ZEUS358 viewsPtolemaic Egypt, Ptolemy Coin GAE099
Ptolemy II Philadelphos Drachm - 285/246BC - Alexandria
AE 47.4-48.1mm : 95.66gm
OBV - Zeus Ammon, facing right
REV - Eagle standing on thunderbolt, wing open on right side of coin, head reverted over open wing, EPSILON monogram between legs. BASILEOS on left, PTOLEMAIOY on right. Denomination A.
REF - SNGCOP 142 Svoronos 446 (Plate 17 #2)PtolemAE
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Serapis351 viewsMaximinus II Daia 309 - 313
AE - Follis (Bronce), 5.00g, 22.2mm
Cyzokus 4. officina, 311 - 312
obv. IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS PF AVG
laureate head r.
rev. SOLE IN - VICTO
Sol radiate standing l. in long robe, r. raised, l. holding head of Serapis
field: Delta
exergue: MKV
RIC VI, Cyzikus 92; C.156
Scarce; good VF
from Forum Ancient Coins, ex Scott coll., thanks!
SERAPIS was a syncretic deity made of Osiris and Apis. Introduced by Ptolemaeus
as state deity. Later he was the highest deity with reminiscence of Zeus and even Christ(!). Because of that he connected Eastern, Egyptian religion with the Western world. Replaced by Christianity, after a short attempt by Julian II. Jochen
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Cybele, the mother goddess350 viewsSEPTIMIUS SEVERUS -- AD 193-211.
Thrace, Anchialus. Æ (27mm, 10.7 gm).
Obv: AV.K.L.CEP. CEVHROC., Laureate and cuir. bust, r.
Rev: OVLPIANWN AGXIALEWN. Cybele seated l., l. arm resting on drum, r. hand holding patera, two lions at her feet.
Moushmov 2817.
On coins, Cybele wears a turreted crown, holds a patera and tympanum (small drum) and is usually shown seated in a cart pulled by lions or (as here) on a throne with lion supporters.
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Hercules350 viewsThis medallion of Gordian III represents the third labour of Hercules. This labour was to capture the Hind of Cerynaea, the hind was known as Cerynitis. Eurystheus bestowed this task upon Heracles knowing full well that the animal was the sacred property of Artemis, that meant he would be committing impiety against the goddess. Artemis found a small herd of five while out hunting, she captured four to harness to her chariot, but the fifth escaped to Mount Cerynaea which borders Arcadia and Achaea. The animal was larger than a bull, brazen-hoofed also with huge golden horns or antlers of a stag.
With the hind being swift of foot it took Heracles a whole year to get close to the creature. He tracked the hind through Greece and into Thrace, (in some versions it says the chase took Heracles as far as Istria and the northern lands of the Hyperboreans). Never daunted by the long chase, Heracles was waiting for the hind to tire, this was not to be, and the hind seemed to have plenty of stamina and agility left.
Heracles knew he must disable the creature in some way, then by chance the hind stopped to drink at a river. Taking an arrow and removing the blood of the Hydra from the tip, Heracles took aim and hit the hind in the leg, making it lame, this made catching the creature much easier. Heracles bound the wound and then set off on his long journey home. On the way to the palace of Eurystheus he was met by the goddess Artemis and her twin brother Apollo. On seeing the Ceryneian Hind, the huntress accused Heracles of sacrilege. Heracles pleaded with them, saying it was a necessity to return the sacred hind to the court of king Eurystheus, as he was bound by the labor imposed on him. Artemis granted Heracles forgiveness and he was allowed to carry the hind alive to the palace.
Upon bringing the hind to Eurystheus, he was told that it was to become part of the King's menagerie. Heracles knew that he had to return the hind as he had promised, so he agreed to hand it over on the condition that Eurystheus himself come out and take it from him. The King came out, but the moment Heracles let the hind go, it sprinted back to its mistress, and Heracles left saying that Eurystheus had not been quick enough
benito
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Juno Lucina, the protectress of midwives and childbirth.348 viewsLucilla, wife of Lucius Verus, sister of Commodus. Augusta, 164-182/3 CE.
AR denarius (18mm, 3.24g), Rome mint, 166 CE.
Obv: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, Bare-headed and draped bust right.
Rev: IVNONI LVCINAE, Juno standing. l., holding baby in swaddling clothes in left arm.
RIC-771, Sear-5485, BMC-313, Cohen-38.
Lucina is the Roman name for the Greek goddess, Eileithyia, who was the protectress of midwives and who assisted during birth. She was later identified with Hera or Artemis. On Roman coins, Lucina is identified as an aspect of the goddess Juno associated with light and childbirth, during which she eased the pain and made sure all went well. Coins portraying Lucina may commemorate a birth in the Imperial family or that the help of the goddess had been invoked. She is usually portrayed with or holding children. A variety of objects may accompany her, sometimes a patera and scepter--attributes of Juno--or more commonly, a flower.
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Pluto(n)345 viewsCaracalla 198-217
AR - Antoninianus, 5.3g
Rome AD 215
obv. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM
cuirassed bust, radiate head r.
rev. PM TRP XVIII COS IIII PP
Pluto with polos on head seated l. on throne, sceptre in l. hand, r.
extended towards three-headed Cerberus l., before him.
RIC IV/1, 261(d); in Cohen only with Minotaur
Rare; nice EF, one of the earliest Antoniniani!
added to www.wildwinds.com
PLUTO(N), Greek HADES, god of the underworld, identified by the three-headed Cerberus. But the polos shows, that at this time Pluto was mixed up with Serapis. Caracalla should have built a Serapeion on the Quirinal. Jochen
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Hermes - Uncertain Dynast of Lycia AR diobol345 viewsUncertain Dynast of Lycia (possibly Tlos or Patara). Circa 450-430 BC. AR Diobol (1.11 gm). Helmeted head of Athena right / Head of Hermes right, wearing winged petasos; caduceus before, diskeles behind. Both Tlos and Patara struck coins with similar designs; this coin though lacks any identifying inscription. Greater similarities with Patara examples than Tlos.
SNG von Aulock 4196 var. (no caduceus of diskeles); Traité pl. ci, 21 var. (same). Ex CNG Triton IV (5 December 2000), lot 284. Ponterio & Assoc. Sale #134 (22 April 2005), lot 1445.
Posted by cogito.
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Fortuna, Personification of good luck341 viewsFaustina Junior, wife of Marcus Aurelius, Augusta 147-175/6 C.E.
AR Denarius (18.5 mm), Rome mint, 161-175 C.E.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, Bare-headed & draped bust r.
Rev: FORTVNAE MVLIEBRI, Fortuna enthroned left, holding rudder and cornucopiae.
RIC-683; Sear-5253; BMC-96; Cohen-107.
This legend, unique to this empress, dedicates the type 'to the Fortune of Women'. Festus speaks of a statue of this goddess at the fourth milestone from Rome.
Fortuna personifies good fortune, luck and prosperity. She is usually depicted holding a rudder or cornucopiae; she sometimes holds a wheel at her side.
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Liberalitas339 viewsPhilipp I Arabs 244 - 249
AR - Antoninian, 5.4g, 23mm
Rome AD 244-247
obv. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG
bust draped and cuirassed, radiate head r.
rev. LIBERALITAS AVGG II
Liberalitas standing l., holding abacus and cornucopiae
RIC IV/3, 38(b); C.87
nice EF
LIBERALITAS, liberality, the personification of generosity.
The so-called ABACUS is a misattribution! Really it is a kind of shovel with depressions on its surface, designed to pick up from a bag the correct number of coins when a distribution of money was being made, the 'largitio', largesse; here the second largesse of the emperor.Jochen
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Priapus, god of gardens and fruitfulness338 viewsThe god of gardens and fruitfulness is shown here holding a lapful of fruit, or, if you prefer to see it that way, balancing the fruit on his personal fertility symbol. A much scarcer coin than the standard Nicopolis "Look what I've got!" issues.Britannicus
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Marsyas337 viewsL. Censorinus, gens Marcia
AR - Denar, 3.68g, 24.17mm
Rome 82 BC
obv. (no legend)
bust of Apollo, laureate, r.
rev. L. CENSOR
Marsyas walking l., gazing upwards, raising r. Hand, with wineskin above
shoulder; tall column behind, surmounted by a draped figure (Minerva?)
Crawf. 363/1d; Syd. 737; Marcia 24
gVF/nEF
Marsyas was a Silen who found the flute which Athene had invented some times before. But when Athene saw in a mirror how awful her face was looking when playing the flute, she throw it away with a curse. Marsyas then learned to play the flute better as everyone else so that he challenged Apollo to a contest. The Muses should be the arbiters. But in this contest Apollo outsmarts Marsyas by singing to the cithara what Marsyas was not able to do with his flute. So he lost the contest and Apollo hung him up in a tree and let him skinned by a Skyth alive. His blood or the tears of the Muses then became the river Marsyas.
(Ovid, Metamorphoses, lib.VI, 382-400)Jochen
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Minerva336 viewsMinerva - Romano/Etruscan goddess of wisdom
Claudius AS
Attribution: RIC I 100
Date: 41-42 AD
Obverse: TI CLAUDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP; bare head rt.
Reverse: Minerva advancing rt. brandishing spear and holding shield on lt. arm; large SC in lt. and rt. fields
Size: 25.8 mm
Noah
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Baal or Zeus (Interpretatio Graecia) on Cilician Stater of Satrap Mazaios335 viewsCirca 361-334 B.C. AR Stater (10.88g, 24mm, 5h). cf. SNG Levant-106; SNG Paris-. Obverse Baal of Tarsos enthroned left, head facing, holding club, bunch of grapes, wheat ear, and eagle in right hand, lotus-headed scepter in left hand, B’LTRZ (Baaltarz) in Aramaic behind, M below throne, all within a circle of dots. Reverse lion bringing down bull, attacking with teeth and claws, MZDI (Mazdai) in Aramaic above, unlisted ankh symbol, wheat ear below, all within a circle of dots. Sharply struck on an excellent metal with areas of flat strikes on high points. Choice superb EF/EF. Toned, lustrous.
Ex Ponterio and Associates Sale No. 84, November 1996, lot 141. Ex Stacks Bowers and Ponterio Sale No. 172, November 2012, lot 11680. Ex Pars Coins.
The depiction of Phoenician-Canaanite god Baal on Cilician coinage suggests the preeminence of his cult in Tarsos. He is shown enthroned, most probably on Mount Zaphon. The symbols corn-ear/barley and grapes suggest Baal’s capacity as a god involved in the seasonal cycles of life and death, or a more specific reference to Cilicia’s fertile plains. The iconography of this late coinage is also a syncretic mixture of other cultures, including Greek. The treatment of the god’s body gives us a hint of the extent of influence of Hellenic culture exerted in Eastern Asia Minor long before Alexander’s conquest, and it is said that Baal could be equated with Zeus in the Greek context. After the conquest of Alexander III of the East, Mazaios was appointed governor of Babylon. The new coinage of Alexander was strongly influenced by Mazaios’ pre-Alexandrine coinage (the Zeus Aetophoros commonly found on the reverses of his tetradrachmai is a direct descendant of this). The reverse depicts the City’s Emblem and clearly has an underlying meaning now lost to us. Some say it symbolizes the victory of Day over Night, while others suggest military conquest and subjugation of the enemies by the Persian Empire. Marvin Tameanko has persuasively argued (see Celator, Jan. 1995, pp. 6-11) that the kneeling bull (without the lion) is symbolic of Zeus, as attested on scores of later Greek and Roman coins; and the lion is symbolic of the supreme god Baal of the Cilicians. This concludes the lion-over-bull motif on this coin delivers a message that is blatantly direct and simple, if the argument put forward is to be believed.
Jason T
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Providentia Deorum331 viewsLucius Verus, Co-Emperor AD 161 - 169
AR - Denar, 3.59g
obv. IMP L AVREL VERVS AVG
bare head r.
rev. PROV DEOR TRP COS II
Providentia standing l., holding globe and cornucopiae
RIC II, 463; C.144
nice EF
PROVIDENTIA, foreseeing, especially of the emperor, a so-called emperor's virtue in the emperor's cult. 'Monarchy, in fact, is Providence', Charlesworth. As legend it appears first under Tiberius, showing the Altar of Providence. Under Hadrian the idea of PROVIDENTIA DEORUM (Divine Providence) begins to be symbolized as the foresight of the gods.Jochen
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Luna/Diana322 viewsCaracalla AD 198 - 217
AR - Denar, 3.13g, 19mm
Rome AD 217
obv. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM
laureate head r.
rev. PM TRP XX COS IIII PP
Luna/Diana with crescent on head and scarf flying
behind her, standing in bull-biga, driving l.
RIC IV, 284; C.396
Scarce; good EF
LUNA, goddess of the moon. Her usual attribute is a crescent worn at top of her head. She first appears early 2nd century BC on Bigati. Equated with DIANA and sometimes impossible to make any clear distinction between these two. The bull is connected to DIANA by a myth, in which sacrificing a big bull would bring great power to the city of the person who sacrificed him. Thus Rome was given the imperium! Diana was the patron of the Biga racing driver too!Jochen
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Hades, Hadrian322 viewsHadrian. (117-138 AD). Silver cistophoric tetradrachm (11.35 gm). Lydia, Sardes. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P, head bare right / COS III, Hades standing left in quadriga of horses leaping right, carrying away protesting Persephone and holding scepter and reins in left hand.ROMA
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Zeus Ammon, Ptolemy V322 viewsAE 36 28.4gm 12h
Svoronos 1058
Tyre Provincial Mint
Ptolemy V
ca. 205-180BC
Unusual Style - Stern and Expressive Zeus PortraitPtolemAE
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Felicitas321 viewsJulia Mamaea, died 235, mother of Severus Alexander
AR - Denar, 3.22g, 19mm
Rome AD 230
obv. IVLIA MA - MAEA AVG
draped bust, diademed head r.
rev. FELICITAS - PVBLICA
Felicitas sitting l., holding caduceus l. and cornucopiae r.,
l. foot on footstool
FELICITAS, personification of 'happiness' in the sense of prosperity and
success, here of the state (PVBLICA)
1 Caduceus, herald's staff, originally carried by Mercury, later decorated
at the top with a pair of serpents and often winged. Suggesting peace,
stability and concord
2 Cornucopiae, 'horns of plenty', overflowing with fruits and ears of grain,
a motif borrowed from Greek art, symbol of prosperty (brought to the people by
the emperor) Jochen
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Dacia320 viewsTrajan Decius Antoninianus
Obv:– IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– DACIA, Dacia, wearing robe reaching feet, standing left, holding vertical staff with ass’s head
Minted in Rome. A.D. 249 - 251
Reference:– RIC 12b. RSC 16
Personification of the province of Daciamaridvnvm
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Virtus (female)319 viewsGordian III Pius, AD 238-244
AR - Antoninian, 4.84g, 22mm
Rome 1st emission, 5th officina, July 238 - July 239
obv. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG
Bust draped, cuirassed, radiate r.
rev. VIRTVS AVG
Virtus in military dress, standing front, head l., resting r. hand on oval shield,
set on ground, holding vertical spear in l.
RIC IV/3, 6; C.381
about EF, mint luster
VIRTVS, personification of military virtue, a female figur, here shown clearly by her bare breast r., so looking like an Amazon, helmeted and with military cloak. From the time of the Civil Wars AD 69 until the time of Honorius she played a big role in the imperial coinage. Later often as VIRTVS MILITVM or VIRTVS EXERCITI.Jochen
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Fecunditas, goddess of fertility314 viewsFaustina Junior, wife of Marcus Aurelius. Augusta, 147-175/6 CE.
AR Denarius (19mm, 3.16g), Rome mint, 161-175 CE.
Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, a double band of pearls around her head.
Rev: FECVNDITAS, Fecunditas standing right, holding scepter & child.
RIC 677; RSC 99; BMC 91; Sear 5252; Cohen 99.
Although many coin reference books classify Fecunditas as a personification of fertility rather than as an actual deity, Fecunditas was recognized as a Roman divinity by Nero, who erected a statue to her. Tacitus notes that upon the birth of Claudia Neronis, the senate decreed the construction of a temple of Fertility to be built at Antium.
Fecunditas is always portrayed as a female figure holding a child, or children and often a scepter, cornucopia, palm branch or caduceus. Sometimes the children are depicted standing at her feet. Coins portraying her usually advertise the fertility of the imperial family who issued the coin.
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Mars Ultor313 viewsSeverus Alexander 222-235
AR - Denar, 3.12g, 20.5mm
Rome 232
obv. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
draped, cuirassed bust, laureate head r.
rev. MARS - VLTOR
Mars walking r., holding spear and shield
RIC IV/2, 246; BMCR 831; C.161
near EF, toned
MARS ULTOR, Mars the Avenger. Two temples were dedicated to him during the reign of Augustus. The first 20 BC on the Capitol for the standards recovered from the Parthians (showed on coins!), the second 2 BC vowed during the battle of Philippi in 42 BC as a memorial to Julius Caesar.Jochen
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Three Graces, Goddesses of charm, beauty and culture.313 viewsJulia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, Augusta, 193-217 CE.
Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, Æ (24mm, 8.6 gm).
Obv: IOLAIA DOMNA CEB, Draped bust right, hair in bun.
Rev: MARKIANOPOLITWN, Statuary group of the Three Graces side by side.
Sear Greek Imp. 2313; AMNG (Pick) 603; Moushmov 417.
The three Graces, named Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Thalia, were the attendants of Venus/Aphrodite. They are shown on Roman provincial coins as a statuary group, nude and sometimes holding apples.
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Felicitas (standing)313 viewsPhilipp I, AD 244 - 249
AR - Antoninian, 4.05g, 21mm
Rome, AD 246
obv. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG
bust radiate, draped and cuirassed r.
rev. PM TRP III COS PP
Felicitas stg. l., holding caduceus and cornucopiae
RIC IV/3, 3; C.124
good VFJochen
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Spes312 viewsSeverus Alexander AD 222 - 235
AR - Denar, 3.35g, 18mm
Rome AD 232
Av.: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
draped and cuirassed bust, laureate head r.
Rv.: SPES PV - BLICA
Spes draped advancing l., holding flower r.,raising robe with l.
RIC IV/2, 254; C.546; BMCR.897
VF
SPES, hope, with near relations to Fortuna and Salus. Under the Principat part of the religion of loyality. Depicted like Aphrodite in the Greek art, holding flower, raising garment.Jochen
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Athena Greek Goddess of War310 viewsSilver tetradrachm, references: SNG Cop 1130; condition: VF, mint: uncertain, weight: 16.590g, maximum diameter: 30.5mm, die axis: 270o, date struck: after 297 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Alexander the Great wearing the horn of Ammon; reverse BASILEWS LUSIMACOU, Athena enthroned left, rests arm on shield, transverse spear against right side, holds Nike crowning name, monogram under arm, lion's head in exergue;
Sam Mansourati Collection
An absolute beauty EX FORVM auction Sam
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Athena and Pegasos on AR Stater of Leukas306 viewsCirca 320-280 B.C. AR Stater (22mm. 8.58g. 6h). BCD Akarnania 269 var. (no monogram). SNG Copenhagen 357 var. (same). Pegasi 134. Obverse Pegasus left, lambda below. Reverse helmeted head of Athena left, monogram below, lambda before stylis. EF, toned.
Ex Sukenik Collection (acquired from Brian Kritt). Ex CNG.
Leukas is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea; and according to ancient sources, a former Corinthian colony. Their coinage reflect their ties with the mother city and almost identical with the coinage of Corinth which could only be distinguished by a small Greek letter to signify where the coins were made, in case of our coin, the letter lambda for Leukas. The coin we have is a beautiful specimen with exquisite details. We could strongly confirm from this coin that the winged Pegasus is a male mythical beast. The reverse is also quite interesting since Athena’s helmet is realistically well proportioned in relation to her head. Other coins of the same type show a smaller helmet which she could impossibly use! The engraver of this coin followed the rules of proportion. Of particular importance is that Leukas is associated with Sappho and the myth of her suicide at Cape Lefkada (Lefkada being the modern name of Leukas). Recently, some scholars suggested that Leukas is the actual place of Homer’s Ithaca. Passages from the Odyssey described Ithaca as an island reachable on foot, which is the case for Leukas since it is not really an island, that it was connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway.
Jason T
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Minerva305 viewsDomitian 81 - 96
AR - Denar, 3.62g, 18mm
AD 95/96
obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TRP XV
laureate head r.
rev. IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P PP
Minerva standing r. on columna rostrata(!), brandishing
javelin and and holding shield; owl at her feet; below two
figures (Jupiter and worshipping figure, ref. to Curtis Clay)
RIC II, 191; C.293
EF
MINERVA, a war-goddess and also patron of wisdom and handicraft.
One of the 'Capitoline Triad', with Jupiter and Juno a grouping certainly of
Etruscian origin. Her bird is the owl, head covered with a helmet.
Jochen
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DIANA and LELAPS.305 viewsAR denarius. 74 BC. 3.52 gr. Bust of Diana huntress right,bow and quiver on shoulder. / Hound running right,hunting spear below. C. POSTUMI/TA (in monogram) below. Toned. Craw 394/1a . RSC Postumia 9
Myth of Lelaps and the fox.
Procris was a mortal woman, a great favorite of the Goddess Diana, the goddess of hunting. Diana (also famous for her hunting hounds) made a gift of a dog to Procris. Lelaps was the swiftest of dogs and could outrun any rival. Diana also gave a JAVELIN that would never miss its target to Procris.
Procris fell in love and married a beautiful youth by the name of Cephalus. Cephalus was also a great hunter, and so Procris gave the presents of the hound and javelin to her husband.
It came to pass that some angry deity had sent a ravenous fox to plague the country, snatching his prey from under the farmers very noses. All the hunters turned out in great numbers and strength to kill the fox, but their efforts failed. None had a hound that could run this supernatural fox to ground.
At last the people came to Cephalus and begged him to set Lelaps, the famous gift hound from Diana, after the fox.
Lelaps was loosed and darted away faster than the eye could follow. It was said that if the men had not seen his footprints in the sand they would have thought he had taken flight. Cephalus and the hunters stood on a hill and watched the pursuit.
The fox tried every trick, every sly, cunning art he knew to evade the hound. He ran in a circle and turned on his track, he doubled back, he leapt over water and trotted across fallen logs, but no trick he knew would fool swift and clever Lelaps. The hound came on relentless, breathing on the foxes heels and snapping at his brushy tail, missing by only a hair!
Cephalus threw the magic javelin when suddenly both dog and fox stopped, frozen in mid-motion. The heavenly powers that had given both hound and fox their powers were not willing that either should conquer - or lose. In that very moment, they turned to Stone .ZEUS cast them into the stars as the constellations Canis Major (Lelaps) and Canis Minor (the Teumessian fox).[
benito
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Romulus304 viewsSeverus Alexander Denarius
Obv:– IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– P M TR P VII COS II P P, Romulus advancing right with spear & trophy
Minted in Rome
Reference:– RIC 85. RSC 351
Romulus, founder of the city, shares the attributes of Mars but not helmeted.maridvnvm
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Venus Victrix304 viewsPlautilla, killed 212, wife of Caracalla
AR - Denar, 3.6g, 18mm
Rome AD 204(?), struck under Septimius Severus
obv. PLAVTILLA - AVGVSTA
draped bust, bare head r.
rev. VENVS VICTRIX
Venus bare to waist, standing l., holding apple and palmbranch, and
resting left elbow on shield; at her feet l., Cupido, holding helmet
RIC IV/1, 369; C.25; BMCR. 429
Scarce; about VF
VENUS VICTRIX, the victorious Venus. It was first Sulla who in a dream saw Venus with the weapons of Mars as Venus Victrix and made her to his personal patroness. Pompeius then was inaugurating the cult of Venus Victrix in Rome. In the night before the battle of Pharsalus 48 BC Pompeius was dreaming of Venus Victrix - seemingly a lucky sign -, whereas Caesar was sacrifying to Venus Genetrix, but issued as watchword 'Venus Victrix', and defeated Pompeius! Jochen
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Mars Victor300 viewsAnt. IMP C PROBVS PF AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust R. MARS VICTOR, Mars walking R holding spear and trophy. II in exe. Lugdunum. RIC 38, Common.
Mars was the god of war. I love this giant figure striding along with a trophy casually slung over his shoulder. Robert_Brenchley
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Sol, holding whip299 viewsCaracalla Denarius
Obv:– ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, Laureate head right
Rev:– P M TR P XX COS IIII P P, Sol standing left, holding right hand up in salute and whip
Minted in Rome in A.D. 217
References:– VM 6/5, RIC 293d (Common), RSC 389maridvnvm
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Hercules296 viewsIMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG - Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
VIRTVTI AVGVSTI - Hercules, naked, standing right, right hand on hip, left hand on club resting on rock, lion-skin beside club
jimwho523
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Zeus Ammon, Ptolemy II Philadelphos Drachm - 285/246BC - Alexandria296 viewsAE 47.4-48.1mm : 95.66gm
OBV - Zeus Ammon, facing right
REV - Eagle standing on thunderbolt, wing open on right side of coin, head reverted over open wing, EPSILON control letter between legs. BASILEOS on left, PTOLEMAIOY on right.
REF - Svoronos 446 SNGCOP 142 PtolemAE
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Indulgentia, Personification of indulgence and mercy.295 viewsCaracalla
AR Denarius, Rome mint, 211 C.E.
Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, Laureate head right.
Rev: INDVLG FECVNDAE, Julia Domna as Indulgentia, wearing polos, seated l. on curule chair, extending r. hand and holding scepter.
RIC-214; Sear-6805; BMC-370,73; Cohen-104.
This coin is thought to commemorate Julia Domna's indulgence following the murder of Geta.
Indulgentia personifies gentleness, leniency or mercy. She is typically portrayed with a scepter and sometimes a patera.
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Arabia294 viewsTrajan (98-117) AR Drachm of Arabia Patraea, Bostra. Struck 112-117.
Obverse: AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANO CEB ΓEΣ M Δ Ak , laureate bust right, drapery on far shoulder.
Reverse:Arabia standing left holding branch & cinnamon sticks, camel behind.
Sydenham 189; SNG Cop. 205
ROMA
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Hygieia, the personification of health289 viewsGordian III and Tranquillina
Moesia Inferior, Tomis. Æ 4 Assaria (?) (27mm, 11.2 gm), struck AD 241.
Obv: AVT K M ANTWNIOC GORDIANOC, TRANKVLI/NA, Laureate bust of Gordian III, facing right, confronting diademed and draped bust of Tranquillina, facing left.
Rev: MHTROPONTOV TOMEWC, Hygeia standing, feeding snake from patera.
Moushmov 2288. (Contributed by EmpressCollector).
Hygieia is usually said to be a daughter of Asklepios, along with her sisters, Panacea and Iaso. Hygieia, though, was the most important of the attendants of Asklepios and was thought by some in antiquity to be not his daughter but his wife. She was more important than other members of the family and more on par with Asklepios himself. Hygieia is remembered today in the word, "hygiene." She appears on numerous coins, usually depicted feeding the sacred snake from a patera. She was often identified with Salus, an old Roman goddess.
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Uberitas288 viewsClaudius II Gothicus 268 - 270
AR - Antoninian, 2.78g, 19mm
Siscia 1. officina
obv. IMP CLAVDIVS AVG
cuirassed bust, radiate head r.
rev. VBER[IT]AS AVG
Uberitas standing l., holding cornucopiae and purse
RIC V, 193; C.286
good F, portrait!
UBERITAS, personification of richness and abundance,
go on from the idea of fertility goddesses. Introduced AD 249
by Decius. The object in her r. hand is interpreted as
1 purse,
2 bundle of grapes, or
3 udder of a cowJochen
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Hercules (Alternate depiction)286 viewsRIC 206a
Caracalla Denarius
Obv:– ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, Laureate bust right
Rev:– P M TR P XVI COS IIII P P, Hercules standing left,holding club and lion skin plus a branch in right hand
Minted in Rome. A.D. 213
Reference:– Van Meter 60/2. RIC 206a. RCV02 6828. RSC 220.
A nice clear depiction of the Lion on this one.maridvnvm
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Concordia285 viewsJulia Paula, Augusta AD 219, 1. wife of Elagabal
AR - Denar, 2.95g, 19mm
Rome AD 219
Av.: IVLIA PAVLA AVG
draped bust, diademed head r.
Rv.: CONCORDIA
Concordia draped sitting l. on throne, holding patera r. and resting l. arm on
back of throne.
star in l. field
RIC IV/2, 211; C.6; BMCR.172
Scarce; good VF
CONCORDIA, like the Greek Homonoia, but in a more political sense. 121 BC after the war against the Gracchi a great Concordia temple was built on the Forum where the Senatus often assembled. Together with Providentia, Fides and some others a numen with big importness for the genus humanum and therefore assumed as divine. She was one of the most worshipped deities in Rome.
Jochen
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Juno Regina, the Queen of the Gods.285 viewsSalonina, wife of Gallienus. Augusta, 254-268 CE.
Silvered Æ antoninianus (21.1 mm), Uncertain Eastern mint, 260-268 CE.
Obv: SALONINA AVG, diademed & draped bust right on crescent.
Rev: IVNO REGINA, Juno standing left, holding patera and scepter, peacock at her feet.
RIC-92; Cohen-67.
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 hoding a patera, scepter or a statuette of Athena, and is often accompanied by a peacock.
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FORTUNA REDUX.285 viewsAE sestertius. Rome, 211 AD. 28.05 gr. Laureate head right. P SEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG BRIT. / Fortuna seated left on throne, holding rudder on globe and cornucopiae, wheel under seat. FORT RED TR P III COS II P P S C. BMCRE 40. RIC 168a.
Fortuna is the Roman Goddess of Luck, Fate, and Fortune. Usually depicted holding in one hand a cornucopia, or a horn of plenty, from which all good things flowed in abundance, representing her ability to bestow prosperity; in the other she generally has a ship's rudder, to indicate that She is the one who controls how lives and fates are steered. She could also be shown enthroned, with the same attributes of rudder and cornucopia, but with a small wheel built into the chair, representing the cycles of fate and the ups and downs of fortune.
Fortuna Redux, one of the many aspects of Fortuna, was in charge of bringing people home safely, primarily from wars—redux means "coming back" or "returning". She may be one of the later aspects of Fortuna, as the earliest mention of Her is of an altar dedicated by the Senate in 19 BCE for the safe return of the Emperor Augustusbenito
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Virtus284 viewsSeptimius Severus Denarius
Obv:– SEVERVS AVG PART MAX, Laureate head right
Rev:– VIRT AVGG. Virtus standing left, holding Victory, spear and shield.
Minted in Rome in A.D. 200
References:– RCV88 1796, VM 172, RIC 171a, RCV02 6387, RSC 761
'Courage' is depicted as a helmeted soldier in armor holding a spear, victory or shield. Virtus and Mars can be distinguished since Mars is usually shown nude and Virtus is always shown clothes. Some coins appear to show Virtus as a female figure.maridvnvm
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VENVS283 viewsJulia Titi, denarius minted in Rome, c.79-81 AD
IVLIA AVGVSTA T AVG F, Bust of Julia right
VENVS AVG, Venus leaning on a column, holding helmet and sceptre
3.03 gr
Ref : Cohen #12, RCV #2611Potator II
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NEPTUNE280 viewsPosthumous issue of Caligula, in honour of his grandfather Agrippa
Rome mint, ca AD 37/41
M AGRIPPA L F COS III, head of Agrippa left with rostral crown
Neptun standing left, holding trident and dolphin. Large S C in fields
10.9 gr
Ref : RCV #1812, Cohen #3
Ex Alwin collectionPotator II
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Tranquillitas275 viewsAntoninus Pius 138-161
AR - Denar, 3.27g, 18.0mm
Rome AD 148-149
obv. IMP CAES T AEL HADR ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP
head laureate r.
rev. TR POT XIIII COS IIII
Tranquillitas standing r., holding rudder and corn-ears
in exergue: TRANQ
RIC III, 202b; C.825 (without PIVS, a slip); BMC 736
scarce; EF
TRANQUILLITAS, tranquillity, an abstraction personified for the first time on coins of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. She is shown with the attributes which seem to hint at an association with the grain supply, a rudder and ears of grain, sometimes a modius or a prow.
TRANQUILLITAS reappears on an antoninian of Philip I with sceptre and capricorne. Here she must considered an imperial virtue like Pietas or Nobilitas rather than a blessing. The legend occurs once more on the coinage from Licinius II to Constantine II in the form of BEATA TRANQVILLITAS accompanied by the type of a globe on an altar. Here the message is similar to Hadrian's, the peaceful security of the Roman Empire.Jochen
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