Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov Nikopolis Addenda #10

[Jochen]

Dear friends of Nikopolis ad Istrum!

After the sad passing away of Nina Hristova ud Gospodin Jekov, I am now the only author. But Dona-Gita Marinova, their daughter, has promised to support me in printing the books. The USB-stick with the PDF-Files of the 2023 edition of "The Coinage of Nicopolis ad Istrum" is on the way to Bulgaria.

When the first books come out of the printers, I will publish it here. This edition will be published in honourable memory of Nina Hristova and Gospodin Jekov.

Here are the statistics. The new edition contains a total of 2824 different types:

Statistics of the last 11 editions:

                                   '09   '11   '12   '13   '15   '17   '18   '19   '20   '21   '23
  1. pseudo-autonomous    22    23    29    27    31    34    37    38    48    53    56
  2. Antoninus Pius            28    31    32    32    35    36    40    40    41    43    42
  3. Marcus Aurelius             7      8      7      8      8      9     11     11      9     13     13
  4. Commodus                   70     81     98   111   126   134   153   152   159   160   177
  5. Severus                  416   469   517   584   622   686   710   719   745   757   772
  6. Severus&Caracalla     4      4      3      3      3      3      3      3      3      3      4
  7. Iulia Domna                   72     80     80     96    98   101   103   105   107   110   113
  8. Caracalla                  228   278   297   320   334   344   359   363   384   390   410
  9. Caracalla&Geta             6      7      7      7      8      8      8      8      7      8      8
10. Plautilla                    27     35     35     36     38     40     39     39     40     39     40
11. Geta                            76     93   100   115   124   129   131   130   133   134   133
12. Macrinus                  178   164   207   221   227   244   246   245   251   272   284
13. Diadumenian          158   169   169   187   192   200   199   200   203   205   207
14. Elagabal                  235   277   292   329   334   348   356   357   365   372   375
15. Gordian III                  143   109   105   123   130   136   139   139   146   143   148
16. Countermarks             2      1      4      4      5      5      6      6     11     14     14
17. Barbaric imitations     -      1      3      4      5      5      5      8      9     15     16
18. Brockages                     -      -      -      3      3      3      3      3      3       3       3
19. Doubtful coins             -      -   .   -      -      8      8      9      9     12      11      9
      Sum                       1625  1830 1984 2210 2331 2482 2561 2579 2676 2745 2824

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

The chase goes on!

#001

A new rev. legend variant for Commodus

Commodus, AD 177-192
AE 27(?)
struck under governor Caecilius Servilianus
obv. AV - T KAI MAR AVRH - KOMODOC
       Laureate head r.
rev. NEIKOPO PROC IC - T - HGEMO KAIKI CERBEILIA
       Zeus, in himation, enthronend l., resting with raised l. hand on long sceptre and
       holding in extended r. hand patera; at his feet the eagle stg. l., head turned r.
ref. a) AMNG I/1, 1230 var. (different rev. legend)               -
      b) Varbanov 2146
      c) not in Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023):
          rev. No. 8.10.1.22 var. (different legend breaks)
          obv. e.g. No. 8.10.1.2 (same die)
coll. Hoeft

Best regads
Jochen

[Jochen]

#002

A new type for Nicopolis

Pseudo-autonomous, 2nd-3rd century AD
AE 14, 0.84g
obv. Vessel(?)
rev. Crescent, above 3 stars
ref. Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8(?)0.48._new
Leu Numismatik AG, Web Auction 26, July 2023, Lot 2141

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#003

A correction for Macrinus

Macrinus, AD 217-218
AE 28, 11.99g, 27.71mm, 345°
struck under governor Statius Longinus
obv. AVT K M OPPELLI CEV[H] - MAKRINOC
        Laureate head r.
rev. VP CTATI LONGINO - V.NI - KOPOLITWN PR / [OC ICTR]
       Zeus in himation enthroned l., resting with raised l. hand on long sceptre and
       holding in extended r. hand patera; without eagle
ref. a) not in AMNG:
          cf. AMNG I/1, 1722
      b) Varbanov 3538
      c) Hristova//Hoeft/Jekov (2023) No. 8.23.1.10 corr. (legend break after V NI - not mentioned)
coll. Hoeft

Best regards

[Tom Mullally]

Jochen,

I have recently noticed that many (most?) of the AMNG cross references are close but often not exact.  And when there are multiple variations but only one or two AMNG numbers, it's impossible to know which number is supposed to correspond to the HH&J number.  I hope this is addressed in future editions.

Tom

[Jochen]

Dear Tom!

Yes, you are right. But due to time constraints, I was not able to correct the AMNG numbers in the 2023 edition. They are on my to-do list.

Another annoyance are the rarity numbers. They, too, always apply as an average for a whole series of coins.

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#004

A rev. legend variant for Gordian III

Gordian III, AD 238-244
AE 25, 9.78g, 24.65mm
struck under governor Sabinius Modestus
obv. AVT K M ANTWN - GORDIANOC.
        Bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate, r.
rev. VP CAB MODECT - (OV) NIKOPOLEIT / PROC ICT / R O N
        Tetrastyle temple, within statue of Concordia stg. on base,  triangular pediment
         decorated with globe
ref. a) not in AMNG:
          cf. AMNG I/1, 2090 (for the type only)
      b) cf. Varbanov 4239
      c) not in Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023):
          rev. No. 8.36.46.8 var. (has NIKOPOLEITWN / PROC ICTR / W N)
          obv. e.g. No. 8.36.35.11 (same die)
coll. Hoeft

Best regards

[Jochen]

#005

A rev. legend variant for Caracalla (and a new die combination)

Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE 28, 11.10g, 27.51mm 30°
struck under governor Flavius Ulpianus
obv. AV K M AVR - ANTWNINOC
        Bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate r.
rev. V FL OVLPIAN - NIKOPOLI / PROC IC
       Hygieia stg. frontal, head r., feeding snake in r. arm from patera in l. hand
ref. a) not in AMNG:
          cf. AMNG I/1, 1573 (has NIKOPOLIT / PROC I)
      b) not in Varbanov:
          cf. #3147 (= AMNG 1573)
      c) not in Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023):
          rev. No. 8.18.21.5 var. (has NIKOPOLIT / PROC I)
          obv. e.g. No, 8.18.3.3 (same die)
coll. Hoeft

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#006

A new type for Nicopolis

Pseudo-autonomous issue, 2nd-3rd century AD
AE 15, 1.15g
obv. Hero (Herakles?)
rev. Crescent with 3 stars, 1 big star in the cavity, the other 2 on top of the horns
ref. Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8(?)0.48._new #2
coll. Simon Wieland
Pedigree
Concordia Numismatic, Auction 5 (17.06.2023), Lot 380

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#007

A new type for Nicopolis

Pseudo-autonomous issue, 2nd-3rd century AD
AE 12, 0.55g
obv. Head of Athena, helmeted, draped, l.
rev. Crescent with 3 6-pointed stars
ref. Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8(?)0.48._new #3
coll. Simon Wieland
Pedigree
N&N London, Green Auction 12 (10.07.2023), Lot 628

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#008

A new type for Nicopolis

Pseudo-autonomous issue, 2nd-3rd century AD
AE 13, 0.96g
obv. Female figure, veiled, r.
rev. Crescent, above 3 8-pointed stars
ref. Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8(?)0.48._new #3
coll. Simon Wieland
Pedigree:
N&N London, Online Auction 17 (28.05.2023), Lot 306

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#009

A rev. legend variant for Geta

Geta, AD 209-21
AE 28, 11.89g, 30°
struck under governor Flavius Ulpianus
obv. AVT K P CE - P GETAC AV
        Bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate, r.
rev. V FL OVLPIAN - NIKOPOLI / PROC I
       Eagle wih open wings stg. frontal on garlanded base; head with wreath in beak
       turned r.
ref. a) AMNG I/1, 1676 var. (without legend break on rev.)
      b) Varbanov 3286 (= AMNG 1676)
      c) Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8.22.47.6 var. (without legend break between
          OVLPIAN and NIKOPOLI)
cgb.fr, Vcoins, August 2023

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#010

A rev. legend variant for Severus

Septimius Severus, AD 193-211
AE 18, 3.04g, 17.83mm, 0°
obv. AV L - CEVHROC
        Laureate head r.
rev. NIKOPOLIT PROC IC .
       Crescent with 3 stars
ref. a) not in AMNG:
       b) not in Varbanov
       c) No. 8.14.48.28 var. (has PROC ICTR)
coll. Hoeft

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#011

A new rev. for Caracalla

Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE 27, 13.25g, 26.5mm
struck under governor Aurelius Gallus
obv. AV.K.M.AVR. - ANTWNIN
        Laureate head r., slightly darped on l. shoulder
rev. VP AVR GALLOV NI - KOPOLEITWN / PROC ICTR
       Nemesis/Aequitas, in long garment and mantle, veiled, stg. frontal, head l.,       
        holding cubit in l. arm and in extended r. hand scales; at her l. side big wheel
ref. a) not in AMNG
       b) not in Varbanov
       c) not in Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023):
           rev. No. 8.14.35.3 (for Severus, same die)
          obv. e.g. No. 8.18.6.1 (same die)
coll. Hoeft

Another example for a parallel issue for the imperial family.

Best regards
Jochen

[Curtis JJ]

It's very interesting to see all those similarly pierced 8(?)0.48's appearing in a short period, and from so many different vendors.

I'm imagining they were all strung together at some point? If it was just a string or leather cord maybe it wouldn't have survived, but it would be interesting to know how they were used. Unless that type is commonly seen pierced, in which case maybe it was a typical amulet worn for the astrological significance? (As you sometimes see with Alexandrian bronzes; I've seen it suggested that they were used as some kind of funerary amulet, rather than jewelry or just a "money belt.")

[Jochen]

#012

A completely new type for Caracalla

Caracalla as Caesar, AD 196-198
AE 16, 2.27g, 210°
obv. M AV K - ANTWNIN - OC
       Bare head r.
rev. NIKOPOLIT - PROC ICT
       Priapos, nude, chlamys over l. arm, stg. l., pointing with his extended r. hand to
       his enormous phallus.
ref. a) not in AMNG
       b) not in Varbanov
       c) not in Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023):
           rev. not yet listed
           obv. e.g. No. 8.18.27.1
Leu Numismatik, Web Auction 27, Lot 211, September 2023

This is the first Priapos for Caracalla!

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#013

A correction for Caracalla

Caracalla as Caesar, AD 195-198
AE18, 2.68g
obv. MAR AV KA - ANTWNI
        Bare head r.
rev. NIKOPOLIT - PROC ICTR
       Dionysos, nude, stg. frontal, head l., resting with raised l. hand on ribboned
       thyrsos and holding in extended r. hand kantharos
ref. a) not in AMNG
       b) not in Varbanov
       c) Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8.18.8.12 corr. (same dies, writes MAR AVR L)
Münzzentrum Rheinland, Auktion 200, September 2023

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#014

A correction for Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, AD 139-161
AE 26. 11.05g, 0°
obv. AVRHLIOC OVH - ROC KAICAR
        Bust, draped, seen from behind, bare-headed, r.
rev. NEIKOPOLI - TWN PROC IC
       Hades-Serapis (Pluto), wearing kalathos, stg. left, resting with raised l. hand on
       long sceptre and sacrificing from patera over burning altar
ref. a) not in AMNG
       b) not in Varbanov
       c) Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8.7.6.1 corr. (same dies, but writes "seen from front" and PROC ICT)
       d) RPC IV.1 online 17256 (this coin)
CNG Electronic Auction 546, Lot 205, September 2023

Best regards
Jochen

[Serendipity]

It's very interesting to see all those similarly pierced 8(?)0.48's appearing in a short period, and from so many different vendors.

I'm imagining they were all strung together at some point? If it was just a string or leather cord maybe it wouldn't have survived, but it would be interesting to know how they were used. Unless that type is commonly seen pierced, in which case maybe it was a typical amulet worn for the astrological significance? (As you sometimes see with Alexandrian bronzes; I've seen it suggested that they were used as some kind of funerary amulet, rather than jewelry or just a "money belt.")

Yes, one cataloguer of the crescent and three stars series has noticed that all the examples known to him are holed, "suggesting a non-monetary role function for the series" perhaps astrological and/or funerary because of the recurrent crescent moon and three stars reverse. I very much like the funerary connection.

There is a Diva Faustina Senior reissue struck under Antoninus Pius (147-157 CE) with the crescent and stars reverse, albeit seven stars and not holed, which is clearly referencing the elder Faustina's posthumous deification, especially after the Temple of Faustina's completion (150 CE) coinciding with the upcoming ten-year anniversary of her deification (141 CE). Coins of Faustina were sometimes incorporated into jewellery and worn as amulets.

Certain cities struck posthumous coin issues in honour of the "Divine Faustina", the most notable such cities were Delphi, Alexandria, Bostra and Nicopolis. Martin Beckmann suggests that the coins of Nicopolis might have been minted at Rome and given out as imperial largesse at the Actian Games, celebrated at Nicopolis in honour of Apollo, with wrestling, musical contests, horse racing and sea battles. It was reestablished by Augustus, in commemoration of his victory over Mark Antony off Actium in 31 BCE.

[Jochen]

A note:
Nikopolis mentioned by Serendipity, is not Nikopolis ad Istrum but Nikopolis Epirus.

Best regards
Jochen

[Serendipity]

A note:
Nikopolis mentioned by Serendipity, is not Nikopolis ad Istrum but Nikopolis Epirus.

Best regards
Jochen

Thanks very much for pointing out the error in my argument with the highlighted links. The Actian Games were held at Nikopolis Epirus, not Nikopolis ad Istrum from where the crescent and three stars reverse series appears to originate. Much appreciated.

[Jochen]

#015

A correction for Gordian III

Gordian III, AD 238-244
AE 23, 12.72g
struck under governeur Sabinius Modestus
obv. AVT K M ANTWNIOC - GORDIANOC .
        Bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, radiate, r.
rev. VP CAB MODEST(OV) - NIKOPOLEIT(WN) (PR)O / C IC(TR)ON (OV, WN, PR and TR ligate)
      Eagle with open wings stg. frontal on thunderbolt, head with wreath in beak   erected l.
ref. a) not in AMNG:
           rev. AMNG I/1, 2102
           obv. AMNG I/1, 2101
      b) not in Varbanov
      c) Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8.36.1.7 corr. (same dies, ligation of TR not mentioned)
coll. Hoeft

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#016

A new die combination for Severus

Septimius Severus, AD 193-211
AE 18, 2.22g, 17.5mm, 180°
obv. AV-K L C - CEVHROC
        laureate head r.
rev. NIKOPOLI - TW PROC ICT
        Tripod, central foot entwined by snake, head in great bow r.
ref. a) not in AMNG
      b) not in Varbanov
      c) not in Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023):
          rev. No. 8.14.47.15 (same die)
          obv. e.g. No. 8.14.1.56 (same die)
coll. Hoeft

Best regards
Jochen

[Jochen]

#017

A correction for Caracalla

Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE 16, 4.00g, 16.42, 195°
obv. AVT KEC - ANTWN
        Bust, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
rev. NIKO-POLIT - P - ROC ICTR
        Concordia in long garment and wearing kalathos, stg. frontal, head l-, holding in
        l. arm cornucopiae and in extended r. hand patera
ref. a) not in AMNG
       b) not in Varbanov
       c) Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8.18.36.13 corr. (same dies, writes NIKOPOLI)
coll. Hoeft

Best regards

[Jochen]

#018

A new rev. legend variant for Caracalla

Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE 26, 9.47g, 26.46mm, 45°
struck under governor Flavius Ulpianus
obv. AV K M AVR - ANTWNINOC
        Bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate, r.
rev. V FL OVLPIA - N - NIKOPOLI / PROC I
       Dionysos, nude, wearing boots, srg. frontal, head l., resting with raised l. hand on ribboned thyrsos and holding in extended r. hand kantharos
ref. a) not in AMNG
      b) not in Varbanov
      c) Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov (2023) No. 8.18.8.4 var. (has OVLPIAN without break)
coll. Hoeft

Best regards
Jochen