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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Geography||View Options:   | | | Every ancient coin is associated with a place, at the least where it was minted. Rarely, but occasionally, we learn where a coin was found. Many ancient coins depict the personification of a nation, province, city, or river. Every coin has some tie to geography. Of course collecting every coin is not a theme, so geography must be narrowed down in some way. Collecting the coins of one mint, city or region is popular. Hadrian's famous "travel series" would make an excellent geography theme collection. Another is the travels of Paul. Or you could collect coins from all places you simply find captivating. |
This is apparently only the second known specimen of this type. All the references given describe the same coin and the plates share photos of a single specimen from the S. Moussaeiff Collection. This coin was struck with the same obverse die but it appears to be from a different reverse die. See the Moussaeiff Collection coin here.JD99501. Silver 1/4 drachm, Hendin 6088 (RRR); Lorber CPE 710; Gitler-Lorber II Group 7, 15; Deutsch Unrecorded 4; Meshorer TJC -; Mildenberg Yehud -, gVF, toned, deposits, obv. off center, edge splits, weight 0.876 g, maximum diameter 10.4 mm, die axis 315o, Jerusalem mint, probably 272 - 261/0 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Ptolemy I right; reverse eagle standing half left on thunderbolt, wings open, head left, Aramaic, Aramaic
(YHDH) on left, read right to left (upward); ex CNG auction 117 (19-20 May 2001), lot 328 (listed in error as the much smaller and less rare quarter ma'ah); 
Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D., Judaea Capta
References describe the figure on the reverse as Vespasian, but on this coin he appears young - perhaps it is Titus? On 14 April 70 A.D. Titus surrounded Jerusalem. He allowed pilgrims to enter to celebrate Passover but this was a trap to put pressure on supplies of food and water; he refused to allow them to leave. On 10 May he began his assault on the walls. The third wall fell on 25 May. The second wall fell on 30 May. On 20 July Titus stormed the Temple Mount. On 4 August 70 A.D. Titus destroyed the Temple. The Jewish fast of Tisha B'Av mourns the Fall of Jerusalem annually on this date. This type celebrates the victory of Vespasian and Titus. Coins commemorating this event are referred to as "Judaea Capta" issues.RB111383. Orichalcum sestertius, BMCRE II 812 (same dies), Hendin 6574 (R), RIC II-1 1181 (R), BnF III 814, Lyon 63, Hunter I -, SRCV I -, gF, near centered, brown patina with brassy areas, porosity, weight 25.456 g, maximum diameter 34.0 mm, die axis 225o, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, 72 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS IIII, laureate bust right, globe at point of bust; reverse IVDAEA CAPTA, date palm tree; Vespasian (or Titus?) on left standing right with left foot on helmet, wearing military dress, vertical spear in right hand, parazonium in left hand, Jewess on right, seated right, propping head with left hand in attitude of mourning; S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; ex Noonans Mayfair auction, 13 Oct 2022, lot 402; rare;
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246 - 222 B.C.
Ptolemy III Euergetes was the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. He promoted the translation of Jewish scriptures into Greek as the Septuagint. Due to a falling out at the Seleucid court, his eldest sister Berenice Phernophorus was murdered along with her infant son. In response, he invaded Syria, occupied Antioch, and even reached Babylon. This war, the Third Syrian War, is cryptically alluded to in Daniel XI 7-9. The Ptolemaic kingdom reached the height of its power during his reign.GP111845. Bronze octobol, Lorber CPE B365; Svoronos 446; Weiser 19; BMC Ptolemies p. 37, 158; SNG Cop 142; Noeske 64; Hosking 13; Malter 67, Choice VF, well centered, central dimples, obv. edge beveled, flan casting voids, weight 97.987 g, maximum diameter 48.2 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 246 - 230 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings open, head turned back right, E between legs; HUGE 97.987g, 47.7mm bronze! among the largest of all Ptolemaic bronze coin types; scarce;
Claudius, 25 January 41 - 13 October 54 A.D., Roman Egypt
RPC I quotes Walker’s surface analysis of Claudius billon at 21 - 26% silver, a significant drop from the 30% silver for those of Tiberius.
The ancients did not all agree on the attributes of Serapis. A passage in Tacitus affirms that many recognized in this god, Aesculapius, imputing healing to his intervention; some thought him identical with Osiris, the oldest deity of the Egyptians; others regarded him as Jupiter, possessing universal power; but by most he was believed to be the same as Pluto, the "gloomy" Dis Pater of the infernal regions. The general impression of the ancients seems to have been that by Serapis, was to be understood the beginning and foundation of things. Julian II consulted the oracle of Apollo for the purpose of learning whether Pluto and Serapis were different gods; and he received for an answer that Jupiter-Serapis and Pluto were one and the same divinity.SH110653. Billon drachm, RPC I 5136 (4 spec.); BMC Alexandria p. , 78; Kampmann 12.25; Emmett 76/3 (R4); Geissen -; Dattari -; SNG Hunterian -, F, dark patina, earthen deposits, scratches, porosity, weight 3.330 g, maximum diameter 16.0 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 42 - 43 A.D.; obverse TI KΛ KA CE AY, laureate head right, L Γ (year 3) right; reverse draped bust of Serapis right, kalathos on head; the best of this type known to FORVM; very rare;
Roman Egypt, Silenus Head Terracotta Lamp, c. 2nd Century A.D.
The Getty Museum lamp is slightly larger and a little finer style, but this lamp is very very similar and certainly worthy of any collection. See it here.AL23908. Silenus Head Terracotta Lamp; cf. Getty Museum p. 440, 600; Kestner Lamps p. 417, 405, Fantastic type in nice collectible condition, handle and tip of nozzle missing, a few small bumps and chips, soot marks, length 8.5 cm (3 1/8") long, c. 2nd Century A.D.; mold made, red clay, in the shape of the head of Silenus, with mustache, knit eyebrows, smiling, crown of leaves and fruit alluding to Bacchus, large filling whole at top of head, nozzle at chin, ribbon handle (missing), raised oval ring base; ex Griffin Gallery of Ancient Art (Boca Raton FL);
France, Louis XVI, 10 May 1774 - 4 September 1791 A.D.
Louis XVI, born Louis-Auguste, was the last King of France and Navarre before the French Revolution; during which he was also known as Louis Capet. In 1765, at the death of his father, Louis, Dauphin of France, son and heir apparent of Louis XV of France, Louis-Auguste became the new Dauphin. Upon his grandfather's death on 10 May 1774, he became King of France and Navarre, which he remained until 4 September 1791, when he received the title of King of the French until his suspension on 10 August 1792. Louis XVI was guillotined on 21 January 1793.
The Louis d'or (20 francs) under Louis XVI was minted between 1785 and 1792 and had a dimension of 23 mm, and a weight of 7.6490 g, a fineness of 0.917, and gold content of 0.2255 troy oz.WO111007. Silver Ecu, Duplessy 1708, Ciani 2187, Gadoury 356, SCWC KM 564.10, aEF, lustrous in recessed areas, light tone, flan adjustment marks on rev., light marks, weight 29.356 g, maximum diameter 41.4 mm, die axis 0o, Toulouse mint, 1789; obverse LUD•XVI•D•G•FR•ET•NAV•REX• (LVDOVICVS XIII DEI GRATIA FRANCIAE ET NAVARRAE REX - Louis XIII by the grace of God king of France and of Navarre), bust of Louis XVI left, wearing an embroidered military jacket with the order of the Holy Spirit, hair tied at the nape of the neck with a ribbon, tiny B. DUVIV. F (engraver Pierre-Benjamin Duvivier) on base of bust, small crown (privy mark) below; reverse SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTVM*1789• (May the name of the Lord be Blessed), crowned arms of France, crowned oval shield with three lis, surrounded by wreath of two oak wreath, M (mintmark) below; the luster is not well captured by the photograph, ex Karl Stephens (Temple City, CA);
France, Louis XV the Beloved, 1 September 1715 - 10 May 1774
Louis XV succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at five and reigned 58 years. Until he reached maturity, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, ruled as regent. Louis did not take sole control until his chief minister, Cardinal Fleury, died in 1743. He ceded New France in N. America to Spain and Great Britain at the conclusion of the disastrous Seven Years' War. He was succeeded by his grandson Louis XVI who perished in the French Revolution. Two of his other grandsons, Louis XVIII and Charles X, occupied the throne after the fall of Napoleon I. Historians generally give his reign very low marks, as wars drained the treasury and set the stage for the French Revolution.WO111010. Silver Ecu, Duplessy 1680, Ciani 2122, Lafaurie 698, Gadoury 322, SCWC KM 512.12, gVF, iridescent toning on luster, scratches, flan adjustment marks; edge lettering: DOMINE SALVUM FAC REGEM (Lord, save the king), weight 29.190 g, maximum diameter 41.8 mm, die axis 180o, Bayonne mint, 1767; obverse LVD•XV•D•G•FR•ET•NAV•REX• (Louis XV, by the Grace of God, king of France and Navarre), young head of Louis XV left, hair tied with a ribbon, tiny JCR (engraver Joseph-Charles Röettiers) on edge of neck, two flowers with crossed stems between two pellets (privy mark) below; reverse •SIT•NOMEN•DOMIN•BENEDICTVM*1767• (May the name of the Lord be blessed), crowned arms of France, crowned oval shield with three lis, surrounded by wreath of two oak wreath, L (mint mark) below;
Roman Provincial Egypt, 11 Billon Tetradrachms, c. 138 - 295 A.D.
LT75915. Billon Lot, 11 billon Roman provincial Egypt tetradrachms, various rulers from Antoninus Pius to the tetrarchy, F to VF, some rough and porous, Alexandria mint, c. 138 - 295 A.D.; unattributed, no tags or flips, the actual coins in the photographs, as-is, no returns;
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, 9 Large Bronze Coins, c. 264 - 204 B.C.
The following list was provided by the consignor and has not been verified by FORVM:
1) Ptolemy II, AE41 drachm, 66.3g, cf. Svoronos 463.
2) Ptolemy III, AE32 hemidrachm, Svoronos 965.
3) Ptolemy IV, hemidrachm, Svoronos 1127.
4) Ptolemy IV, drachm, Svoronos 1148.
5-9) Ptolemy IV, AE35, Svoronos 974 (4 specimens).
LT96234. Bronze Lot, 9 large bronze coins, c. 33g - 66g, 33.5mm - 39.7mm, average F-VF, with porosity and pitting, c. 264 - 204 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Zeus right; reverse eagle or two eagles standing on thunderbolt; unattributed, no tags or flips, the actual coins in the photograph, as-is, no returns, 9 large bronze coins;
Faustina Junior, Augusta 146 - Winter 175/176 A.D., Wife of Marcus Aurelius, Roman Provincial Egypt
This coin was struck during the reign of her father Antoninus Pius. Faustina II was the daughter, wife, and mother of emperors and empresses. When she gave birth to the first of many children she was given the title of Augusta, which for a time made her superior in rank to her husband. She was a devoted wife and mother and accompanied her husband on all his military campaigns.RX110732. Bronze drachm, Geissen 1954 (same obv. die); RPC Online IV.4 T13703; BMC Alexandria p. 163, 1334; Kampmann 38.60; Emmett 1976; Dattari 3279 var. (L - I∆), F, attractive green-brown patina, centered, most of legend weak/unstruck, small edge splits, obv. edge beveled, weight 25.632 g, maximum diameter 33.7 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 150 - 28 Aug 151 A.D.; obverse ΦAVCTINA CEB EVCEB ΘVΓ (from upper right), draped bust right; reverse Athena standing facing, head left, wearing crested helmet, chiton with diplois and aegis, Nike in her extended right hand offering wreath and bearing palm frond, spear vertical in left hand, L I-Δ (year 14) divided across fields, no shield;
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