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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Greek Imperial||View Options:   | | | From Augustus (27 B.C. - 14 A.D.) to Tacitus (275 - 276 A.D.), the Roman Empire allowed many provinces and cities to mint coins for local use - those coins are referred to as Roman provincial coins (or Greek imperial coins). Most Roman provincial coins were copper, bronze or brass, but silver provincial coins were also issued. There are three subcategories: colonial (mostly Latin legends), Greek imperial (Greek legends), and quasi-autonomous (issued under Roman authority but without the Emperor's portrait). Roman provincial coins are known from about 600 cities, though after Caligula (37 - 41 A.D.) only cities from Greece eastward issued them. If you are looking for coins of a specific emperor, go to our Roman coins pages. The link to our Roman Coins is in the header above. |
In "An intriguing new coin from Mallus, Cilicia" (2008), Jyrki Muona, based on a high grade specimen with an excellent portrait, identified the head on this type as Otho. He noted the portrait is influenced by the style of the Antioch mint. Indeed the portrait on that specimen looks very much like the portraits of Otho from Antioch. RPC I attributes the type to Nero but notes, "The portrait does not look much like Nero, but the date seems clear. Could it possibly be a coin of Galba?" We are following RPC I, listing it as Nero, but noting the other possibilities.RP112383. Bronze AE 25, RPC Online I 4024 (3 spec.), SNG Levante 1269, aVF, dark green patina with traces of red, cleaning scratches, minor flan flaws on rev. edge, weight 9.678 g, maximum diameter 25.4 mm, die axis 0o, Mallus (near Karatas, Turkey) mint, 67 - 68 A.D.; obverse ...CEBACTOC..., laureate head right; reverse MAΛΛΩTΩN, Athena Magarsis standing facing, spear vertical in right hand, star above each arm, EΛP (year 135) outer left; ex CNG e-auction 538 (10 May 2023), lot 413; very rare; $580.00 (€545.20)
Judaea, Bar Kochba Revolt, 132 - 135 A.D.
After the defeat of Bar Kochba rebellion, Judea would not be a center of Jewish religious, cultural, or political life again until the modern era, although Jews continued to sporadically populate it and important religious developments still took place there. Galilee became an important center of Rabbinic Judaism, where the Jerusalem Talmud was compiled in the 4th-5th centuries. In the aftermath of the defeat, the maintenance of Jewish settlement in Palestine became a major concern of the rabbinate. The Sages endeavored to halt Jewish dispersal, and even banned emigration from Palestine, branding those who settled outside its borders as idolaters.JD99307. Bronze AE 21, Mildenberg 112 (O10/R76); SNG ANS 570 - 572 (same dies); cf. BMC Palestine p. 307, 31; Sofaer 144; Meshorer TJC 292a; Hendin 6464, VF, dark green patina, earthen deposits, tight flan, small edge cracks, weight 7.709 g, maximum diameter 21.0 mm, die axis 180o, year 3, 134 - 135 A.D.; obverse paleo-Hebrew inscription: "Shimon", seven branched palm tree with two bunches of dates; reverse paleo-Hebrew inscription: "for the freedom of Jerusalem", five-lobed vine-leaf with strongly accentuated ribs, hanging from curved branch, short tendril right; from a private collector in New Jersey; $560.00 (€526.40)
Judaea, Bar Kochba Revolt, 132 - 135 A.D.
The Bar Kokhba revolt, led by Simon bar Kokhba, was the last of the major Jewish–Roman wars. The Roman army suffered heavy losses. It took six full legions, auxiliaries, and elements from as many as six more legions three years to crush the revolt. The Romans annihilated much of the Judean population. In 134, the they captured Jerusalem and Simon bar Kokhba was killed in 135. Legio VI Ferrata rebuilt the legionary fortress in Jerusalem and constructed a Roman temple at Golgotha. An altar to Jupiter was erected on the site of the Temple. The Jewish diaspora began as Hadrian barred Jews from Jerusalem and had survivors of the massacre dispersed across the Roman Empire. Many were sold into slavery. The Jewish people remained scattered without a homeland for close to two millennia.JD113058. Bronze AE 27, Mildenberg 42 (O1/R9); Sofaer p. 177 & pl. 227, 7; Hendin 6407(b?); SNG ANS 508; Meshorer TJC 222; BMC Palestine p. 305, 23, aVF, overstruck (perhaps on a coin with a Legion X countermark?), some corrosion/encrustation, weight 12.793 g, maximum diameter 26.7 mm, die axis 135o, year 1, 132 - 133 A.D.; obverse even branched palm tree with two bunches of dates; Paleo-Hebrew inscription across fields: "Simon Prince of Israel"; reverse Paleo-Hebrew inscription: "Year one for the redemption of Israel", vine leaf on tendril; rare; $550.00 (€517.00)
Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Gerasa, Arabia Petraea
Jerash, Jordan is north of the national capital Amman. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, it's known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman city Gerasa just outside the modern city. Josephus mentions the city as being principally inhabited by Syrians, but also having a small Jewish community. In 106, Jerash was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia, which included Philadelphia (modern day Amman). Jerash is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture outside of Italy. It is sometimes referred to as the "Pompeii of the Middle East" due to its size, extent of excavation and level of preservation.RP57203. Bronze AE 20, RPC Online VI T9306.4 (same c/m, 7 spec.); Spijkerman 34a.3 (same coin); Rosenberger 41 (same c/m); Sofaer 32; c/m: Howgego 376 (9 spec.), Choice F, well centered, nice sea-green patina, rare fully legible rev. legend; c/m: F, weight 7.065 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 180o, Gerasa (Jerash, Jordon) mint, c. 218 - 222 A.D.; obverse AVT KAICAP ANTWNINOC, laureate and draped bust right, seen from behind; reverse AΛEΞANΔPOC MAKEΔWN, diademed head of Alexander the Great right, countermark: strung bow; very nice for the type!; very rare; $500.00 (€470.00)
Judaea, Bar Kochba Revolt, 132 - 135 A.D.
After the defeat of Bar Kochba rebellion, Judea would not be a center of Jewish religious, cultural, or political life again until the modern era, although Jews continued to sporadically populate it and important religious developments still took place there. Galilee became an important center of Rabbinic Judaism, where the Jerusalem Talmud was compiled in the 4th-5th centuries. In the aftermath of the defeat, the maintenance of Jewish settlement in Palestine became a major concern of the rabbinate. The Sages endeavored to halt Jewish dispersal, and even banned emigration from Palestine, branding those who settled outside its borders as idolaters.JD111103. Bronze AE 27, Mildenberg 106 (O08/R70); cf. Meshorer TJC 292; BMC Palestine p. 312, 80; SNG ANS 572; Hendin 6464, F, uneven strike with some legend unstruck, weight 10.386 g, maximum diameter 24.8 mm, die axis 180o, year 3, 134 - 135 A.D.; obverse paleo-Hebrew inscription: "Shimon", seven branched palm tree with two bunches of dates; reverse paleo-Hebrew inscription: "for the freedom of Jerusalem", five-lobed vine-leaf with strongly accentuated ribs, hanging from curved branch, short tendril right; $430.00 (€404.20)
Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Ascalon, Philistia, Judaea, Extremely Rare Duel Dated Variant
RPC Online III notes of their specimen, "The date does seem to begin with E, even though one would expect ς with year 4 of the second era. Confirmation required. If correctly read, it might show that the Hadrianic era began at a different time of year from the normal city era, or it might just be a mistake, as commonly happened at Gaza." Our coin appears to have the expected date, but with a reversed ς.RP111379. Bronze AE 24, Unpublished variant, RPC Online III 4014A var. (EKC, the only known specimen), VF, attractive highlighting earthen deposits, rev. off center, weight 12.265 g, maximum diameter 23.5 mm, die axis 0o, Askalon (Ashqelon, Israel) mint, 132 - 133 A.D.; obverse CEBAC-TOC (starting counterclockwise on right, ending counterclockwise on left), laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse ACKΛAW upward on left, Tyche-Astarte standing half left on prow, head left, vexillum standard in right hand, aphlaston in left hand, LΔ (year 4 [of Hadrian]) over incense altar inner left; dove standing left over ΣKC ([year] 226 [of Ascalon], Σ reversed) lower right; extremely rare; $400.00 (€376.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Herakles is depicted wearing the Nemean lion skin around his neck. The first of Herakles' twelve labors, set by his cousin King Eurystheus, was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. Herakles discovered arrows and his club were useless against it because its golden fur was impervious to mortal weapons. Its claws were sharper than swords and could cut through any armor. Herakles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight, the lion bit off one of his fingers. After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife but failed. Wise Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told him to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.RP114280. Silver tetradrachm, RPC Online III 3536, McAlee 459 (rare), Wruck 156, Prieur 1514, VF, centered, double struck, areas of mild porosity, edge cracks, weight 14.051 g, maximum diameter 25.8 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 109 - 110 A.D.; obverse AVTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Trajanus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate head right, club left below, eagle at point of bust standing right with wings closed; reverse ΔHMAPX - EΞ IΔ YΠAT E (tribunicia potestate XIV, consul VI), laureate bust of Melqart-Herakles right, Nemean lion-skin around neck, tied at front; first specimen of this type handled by FORVM; rare; $400.00 (€376.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Herakles is depicted wearing the Nemean lion skin around his neck. The first of Herakles' twelve labors, set by his cousin King Eurystheus, was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. Herakles discovered arrows and his club were useless against it because its golden fur was impervious to mortal weapons. Its claws were sharper than swords and could cut through any armor. Herakles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight, the lion bit off one of his fingers. After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife but failed. Wise Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told him to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.RP114277. Silver tetradrachm, RPC III 3533, Prieur 1496, McAlee 458, Wruck 151, VF, broad flan, double struck, edge cracks, graffito X obverse right field, weight 14.097 g, maximum diameter 27.2 mm, die axis 180o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 103 - 111 A.D.; obverse AVTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK (Imperator Caesar Nerva Trajanus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate head right, club left below, eagle standing right with wings closed at point of bust; reverse ΔHMAPX - EΞ IE YΠAT E (Tribunicia potestate, consul V), laureate bust of Melqart-Herakles right, Nemean lion-skin around neck tied at front, cruder larger bust style variant; $350.00 (€329.00)
Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
Domitian was at first effective and he spent much of his time in the provinces preserving order. But his reign was marred by paranoia and cruelty in his latter years and he executed many Senators. He was murdered in a plot, allegedly involving his wife.RP114884. Silver tetradrachm, RPC II Online 1976, McAlee 396 (scarce), Prieur 143, Wruck 106, SNG Righetti 1938, BMC Galatia -, SNG Cop -, VF, nearly centered, flow lines, light double strike, weight 14.384 g, maximum diameter 26.9 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 81 - 82 A.D.; obverse AYTOK KAIΣAP ΔOMITIANOΣ ΣEB (Imperator Caesar Domitian Augustus), laureate bust right, wearing aegis with snake; reverse ETOYΣ NEOY IEPOY B (New Holy Year 2), eagle standing right on fulmen (thunderbolt), wings open, head right, tail left, palm frond on right curving left; scarce; $350.00 (€329.00)
Roman Provincial Syria, Lot of 13 Bronze Coins, c. 30 B.C. - 250 A.D.
The following list was provided by the consignor and has not been verified by FORVM:
1) Augustus, AE24 As (11.2g), Cypriot mint, 27-23 B.C., CAISAR (sic), bare head right / AVGVSTVS in two lines in laurel wreath, RIC I 485, RPC I 2231.
2) Augustus, AE20, Berytus, Phoenicia, RPC I 4540.
3) Tiberius, AE26, RPC I 4270.
4) Nero, AE26, Antioch, RPC I 4307, countermark, RPC I lists two specimens with different countermarks.
5) Domitian. AE as, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch, laureate head left / large S C within laurel wreath, McAlee 409(b).
6) Trajan, AE18, Cyrrhestica, Beroea, legend in wreath, RPC I 3431.
7) Askalon, Judaea, AE16, Year 26 = 116/7 AD, veiled bust of Tyche right / galley right.
8) Marcus Aurelius & Lucius Verus, AE20, Aradus, Phoenicia, humped bull charging right. BMC 379.
9) Phoenicia, Tyre, Elagabalus, Æ29, IMP CAES M AV ANTONINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, oval countermark of Melqart right / SEPTIM TVRO / COLO Astarte standing left, holding scepter and crowning trophy to left, palm tree to inner left, murex shell to inner right, to outer right, column surmounted by crowning Nike left, cf. BMC Tyre 390; c/m: Howgego 15, Ex Richard Baker collection.
10) Elagabalus, AE16 (3.87g), Wreath around SC.
11) Elagabalus, AE19, Antioch, radiate head right / SC in wreath, ram right, head turned back, McAlee 791a.
12) Elagabalus, AE20, radiate head right / SC and eagle in wreath, aVF.
13) Philip I, AE32, Antioch, Syria, Tyche.
LT110949. Bronze Lot, 13 Roman provincial Syria bronze coins, 14.6mm - 28.8mm, mostly F, c. 30 B.C. - 250 A.D.; no tags or flips, the actual coins in the photograph, as-is, no returns, 13 coins; $300.00 (€282.00)
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