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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Geographic - All Periods| ▸ |Anatolia||View Options:   | | | Anatolia is the region comprising most of modern Turkey, bounded by the Black (North), Aegean (West) and Mediterranean (South) seas; to the East it is bounded by the Taurus Mountains and main Asia. The name comes from Ionian Greek meaning "the land of the sunrise" or simply "the East." It was named Asia Minor by the Romans. The land is first mentioned by Akkadian records, and played a very important role for all subsequent Mesopotamian civilizations. We should not forget to add that Anatolia is the birthplace of coinage in the late 7th Century B.C.! |
| St. Paul the Apostle and Barnabas visited Antioch in Pisidia on his first missionary journey. Paul's sermon in the Jewish synagogue there caused a great stir among the citizens, but the ensuing conflict with the Jews led to the expulsion of the two Christian missionaries from the city. They returned later and appointed elders for the Christian community there. Paul also visited the region in both his second and his third journeys. Paul's "persecutions and sufferings" at Antioch are spoken of in 2 Timothy 3:11. One of the most important building complexes of Antioch is the Great Basilica identified as the "Church of St. Paul" by an altar which was found in Yalvac market place. The foundations at the south side of the basilica are thought to belong to the synagogue where St. Paul first preached to the Gentiles. The altar is dated to the 6th century and the inscription reads AΓIOΣ ΠAYΛOΣ. It is not clear if the basilica was used for another purpose in its earlier levels. Conservation and lifting of the mosaics will shed further light on this important building. |  |
Geta, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D., Ephesos, Ionia
At the beginning of the third century, Ephesus asked to build temples to Caracalla and Geta, brother-emperors and sworn enemies. Both agreed, but on separate temples. Caracalla allowed the honor of his to go to Ephesus' patron goddess Artemis. A new temple was to be built for Geta. After Caracalla killed Geta any sign of worship for the dead brother was eradicated.RP112065. Bronze AE 18, Karwiese 5 553 (V1/R25), SNG Cop 429; SNG Leypold I 589; SNG Tubingen 2839; BMC Ionia p. 88, 288; Lindgren 468; SNGvA -, VF, dark patina with earthen encrustation, weight 2.806 g, maximum diameter 18.3 mm, die axis 135o, Ephesos (near Selçuk, Turkey) mint, as caesar, 198 - 209 A.D.; obverse Λ CEΠ ΓE-TAC KAI, bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse EΦE-CIΩN, stag right; scarce;
Geta, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D., Sillyum, Pamphylia
Sillyon (or Sillyum) was a relatively unimportant city but a significant fortress. According to one legend, it was founded as a colony from Argos; another holds that it was founded, along with Side and Aspendos, by the seers Mopsos, Calchas and Amphilochus after the Trojan War. Sillyon is first mentioned in c. 500 BC by Pseudo-Scylax. From 469 B.C., it became part of the Athenian-led Delian League. It is mentioned in the Athenian tribute lists from c. 450 B.C. and again in 425 B.C., and then disappears again from the historical record until 333 B.C., when Alexander the Great unsuccessfully besieged it. It was well-fortified and had a strong garrison of mercenaries and "native barbarians," so Alexander, pressed for time, abandoned the siege after the first attempt at storming it failed. The city was extensively rebuilt under the Seleucids, especially its theater. Later, when most of western Asia Minor was subject to the Kingdom of Pergamon, Sillyon remained a free city by a decision of the Roman Senate.RP112010. Bronze diassarion, SNG BnF 3 988, Waddington 3532, Lindgren III 675, BMC -, SNG Cop -, SNGvA -, SNG Pfalz -, SNG Leypold -, aF, tight flan, porous/rough, weight 13.235 g, maximum diameter 22.8 mm, die axis 0o, Sillyon (near Serik, Turkey) mint, as Augustus, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D.; obverse AVK ΠO - CE ΓETAC, laureate head right; reverse CIΛΛYEΩN, Dionysus standing facing, head left, nude to waist, himation around hips and legs, cantharus in right hand, filleted thyrsus in left hand, panther at feet left; first specimen of the type handled by FORVM, Coin Archives records only one specimen of the type at auction in the last two decades; very rare;
Kings of Galatia, Amyntas, 37 - 25 B.C.
Mark Antony made Amyntas king of Galatia and several adjacent countries in 37 B.C. On this type Artemis often appears to have the features of Antony's wife, the famed Cleopatra VII of Egypt. According to Plutarch, Amyntas was among the adherents of Mark Antony at Actium in 31 B.C. but deserted to Octavian just before the battle. In 25 B.C., Amyntas was killed in an ambush by the widow of a highland prince avenging her husband's execution. Upon his death Galatia became a Roman province.GB113533. Bronze AE 19, RPC I 3503; SNG BnF 2369; SNG Cop 102; Sear Imperators 815; BMC Galatia p. 3, 14; HGC 7 784 (S), VF, nice glossy green patina, light earthen deposits, rev. a little off center, light scratches, weight 4.906 g, maximum diameter 19.2 mm, die axis 0o, Galatia, Pisidia or Lykaonia, uncertain mint, 37 - 31 B.C.; obverse draped bust of Artemis (with the features of Cleopatra VII) right, bow and quiver to left; reverse stag standing right, BAΣIΛE-ΩΣ above, AMYNTOΣ in exergue; scarce;
Tranquillina, Augusta, May 241 - 25 February 244 A.D., Cius, Bithynia
Tranquillina was the beautiful daughter of the faithful praetorian prefect Timisitheus. Greatly loved by her husband, she survived his assassination, possibly due to her popularity with the general population and the soldiers.
Cius was an ancient Greek city bordering the Propontis, now known as the Sea of Marmara, in Bithynia and in Mysia in modern northwestern Turkey, and had a long history, being mentioned by Herodotus, Xenophon, Aristotle, Strabo and Apollonius Rhodius.RP113724. Bronze AE 23, RPC Online VII.2 1880; Rec Gén I.2 111, pl. LIII, 4; BMC Pontus p. 135, 46; SNG Cop 397; SNG Hunter 1069; SNG Verona 1352; SNGvA -, VF, obv. well centered, rev. off center, dark tone with brassy high points, porous/grainy, central dimples, weight 6.976 g, maximum diameter 23.3 mm, die axis 180o, Bithynia, Cius (near Gemlik, Turkey) mint, May 241 - 25 Feb 244 A.D.; obverse CABEI TPANKYΛΛEINA, draped bust right, wearing stephane; reverse KIANΩN, two goats rearing facing one another, amphora between them; first specimen of this type handled by FORVM; rare;
Maximus, Caesar, 235 or 236 - 24 June 238 A.D., Bruzus, Phrygia
Bruzus or Brouzos was a town of ancient Phrygia, in the Phrygian Pentapolis, inhabited during Roman and Byzantine times. Druzon, which Ptolemy places among the cities of Phrygia Magna, should be Bruzon. Its site is located near Karasandikli in Asiatic Turkey.RP113726. Bronze diassarion, RPC Online VI T5627 (5 spec.), BMC Phrygia p. 112, 15; SNG Cop -; SNGvA -; SNG Mun -; SNG Tire -, SNG Leypold -, aF, green patina, corrosion, encrustation, weight 7.661 g, maximum diameter 25.6 mm, die axis 180o, Bruzus near (Karasandikli, Turkey) mint, 235/236 - 24 June 238 A.D.; obverse Γ IOY OY MAΞIMOC K, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from front; reverse BPOYZHNΩN (normal Z), Hygieia standing facing, head right, feeding snake in right hand from patera in left hand; first specimen of this type handled by FORVM; very rare;
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Side, Pamphylia
Side was founded by Greeks from Cyme, Aeolis, most likely in the 7th century B.C. The settlers started using the local language and over time forgot their native Greek. Excavations have revealed inscriptions written in this language, still undeciphered, dating from as late as the 2nd century B.C. The name Side is from this indigenous Anatolian language and means pomegranate.RP113732. Bronze AE 19, RPC Online I 3404 (4 spec.), BMC Lycia p. 53, 75; SNGvA 4810; cf. SNG Cop 414 (younger portrait), aVF, dark patina, highlighting earthen deposits, scratch behind eye, weight 4.576 g, maximum diameter 19.1 mm, die axis 45o, Side (near Selimiye, Antalya Province, Turkey) mint, c. 65 A.D.; obverse NEPΩN KAICAP, draped, bare-headed bust right; reverse CIΔ-HT, Athena advancing left, spear and pomegranate in right, shield in left, snake before at feet; scarce;
Antoninus Pius, August 138 - 7 March 161 A.D., Nicaea, Bithynia
Nicaea remained an important town throughout the imperial period. Although only 70 km (43 miles) from Constantinople, Nicaea did not lose its importance when Constantinople became the capital of the Eastern Empire. The city suffered from earthquakes in 358, 362 and 368; after the last of which, it was restored by Valens. During the Middle Ages, it was a long time bulwark of the Byzantine emperors against the Turks.RP113734. Bronze AE 18, RPC Online IV.1 T5902 (3 spec.); Rec Gen 118; SNG Cop -; SNGvA -, F, dark patina, rough, weight 3.172 g, maximum diameter 18.2 mm, die axis 0o, Nicaea (Iznik, Turkey) mint, Aug 138 - 7 Mar 161 A.D.; obverse AVTO KAICAP ANTΩNINOC, laureate head right, trace of drapery on left shoulder; reverse NIKAIE-ΩN, Apis-bull standing right, wearing uraeus headdress, sun disk between horns; zero sales of this type listed on Coin Archives in the last two decades; very rare;
Claudius, 25 January 41 - 13 October 54 A.D., Ephesos, Ionia
In 30/29 B.C., the Koinon of Asia and Bithynia requested permission to honor the Augustus as a living god. "Republican" Rome despised the worship of a living man, but an outright refusal might offend their loyal allies. A cautious formula was drawn up, non-Romans could establish cults and build temples for divus Augustus jointly with dea Roma. Communitas Asiae (Community of Asia) was pro-consular Roman province comprised of Lydia, Iconia, Caria, Mysia, Phrygia, and Hellespontus.SL113456. Silver cistophorus, RPC Online I 2221, RIC I 120 (R3, Pergamon), RSC II 3, BMCRE I 228, SRCV I 1838, NGC F, strike 5/5, surface 3/5 (2400265-002), weight 10.53 g, maximum diameter 26 mm, die axis 180o, probably Ephesos (near Selcuk, Turkey) mint, 41 - 42 A.D.; obverse TI CLAVD CAES AVG, bare head left; reverse Temple of Roma and Augustus, two columns, podium with four steps, within temple Augustus and Roma stand facing, Augustus in military garb with spear in right hand and shield in left, Fortuna crowns him with wreath in right hand and holds cornucopia in left hand, ROM ET AVG (Roma and Augustus) on entablature, COM - ASI (Communitas Asiae) across field at center; from a Virginia Collector, ex Eastern Numismatics Inc. (Garden City, NY, 17 Jan 2013, $1695); NGC| Lookup; very rare;
Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Sagalassus, Pisidia
Sagalassos, also known as Selgessos and Sagallesos, is an archaeological site in southwestern Turkey, 7 km from Aglasun (as well as being its namesake) in the province of Burdur, on Mount Akdag, in the Western Taurus mountains range, at an altitude of 1450–1700 metres. In Roman Imperial times, the town was known as the "first city of Pisidia", a region in the western Taurus mountains, currently known as the Turkish Lakes Region. During the Hellenistic period it was already one of the major Pisidian towns.ME113226. Bronze AE 19, RPC Online VI T5880; BMC Lycia p. 246, 33; SNG BN –, aVF, well centered, dark patina, earthen deposits, scratches, weight 3.46 g, maximum diameter 18.5 mm, die axis 0o, Sagalassos (near Aglasun, Turkey) mint, 13 Mar 222 - Mar 235 A.D.; obverse AV K M A CE AΛEΞANΔPOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse CAΓAΛAC CEΩN, Tyche standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, rudder in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; ex CNG e-auction 534 (15 Mar 2023), lot 368; this coin is one, and the better one, of only two specimens on Coin Archives; very rare;
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