Dear All,
Having just acquired a new coin from Edessa,
Mesopotamia, I starting roaming the internet for more information its curious
reverse (to me anyway) . It brought me to "Cults and Beliefs at Edessa" by H. J. W. Drijvers at
Google Books. The pages I read have an interesting story which has parallels with this coin (Pages 29 - 33 & 72 - 73). He formulates that the
reverse is not Aquarius but Nebo, the city goddess of Edessa. For
Tyche to hold up a statue and gaze at it, it clearly must be sufficiently important. I have enclosed two pics, both luckily enough NOT from my scanner :-) (the 2nd one is mine)
Data : Bronze - 27-28 mm - 14,5 grams -
Die axis 12:00.
Obv. [AVTOK K M ANT
GORDIANOC CEB]
Draped and
cuirassed bust of laureate emperor facing right
Rev. MHT KOL EDECCHNWN
Bust of
Tyche, draped, veiled, wearing turret crown, facing left. Before her at left standing on
altar Aquarius, draped, facing her. (Possibly Aquarius before burning
altar)
Suggestions, comment etc always welcome !
Greetz !
Michael van der Lee - NL