FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Roman Provincial Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Jochen on October 06, 2005, 05:45:46 am

Title: Apollo Smintheus from Alexandria/Troas
Post by: Jochen on October 06, 2005, 05:45:46 am
Hi!

Now I have my first Apollo Smintheus from Alexandria/Troas. It is an AE22 from Caracalla:
AE22, 6.1g
obv. ANTONINV - S PIVS AV
        bust, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
rev. GEN CO - L -  AVG TRO
       Genius standing facing, head l., holding cornucopiae r. and statue of Apollo Smintheus in
       his outstretched r. hand.
Lindgren & Kovacs 331
about VF

My questions:
1. Is there another attribution too?
2. It looks like Genius is wearing shoes! Kothornoi? Could that be possible?

Any information highly appreciated (as always!).

Best regards
Title: Re: Apollo Smintheus from Alexandria/Troas
Post by: slokind on October 06, 2005, 12:42:10 pm
Cothurns are boots, about 15-20cm high.  Genius is usually barefoot.  There might be exceptions, but less probably perhpas in Greek-speaking lands (it was the Romans who regarded barefootedness, or even sandals, as effeminate or somehow immodest--at least some did), but the burden of proof is on taking a Genius as shod.
That is a most wonderful reverse!  It looks like Imperial sponsorship of the cult for which Alex. Troas was famous, and it shows the Archaic style statue as that identifying the cult.  Apart from C.801, given by L&K, it could be in Bellinger's Troy Supplement catalogue, but I don't remember seeing it there.
Thank you for posting it.  Pat L.
Title: Re: Apollo Smintheus from Alexandria/Troas
Post by: curtislclay on October 06, 2005, 01:45:24 pm
     Bellinger 221 has the same rev. type for Commodus, but does not list it for Caracalla.
     Curious, since Cohen 801 has the type for Caracalla, citing the Paris collection.
      Jochen's coin is different, however, than Lindgren's and Cohen's.
Obv. legend different, ANTONINVS PIVS AV versus M AVREL ANTONINV.  Rev. legend different, GEN COL AVG TRO versus COL AVG TRO CN (=GEN?).
Title: Re: Apollo Smintheus from Alexandria/Troas
Post by: Jochen on October 06, 2005, 04:47:59 pm
Thank you for adding this information!

Best regards