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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Numismatics||View Options:   | | | |
A Persian Period imitation of Athenian types from the Holy Land. In the past these coins were all attributed to Gaza, however, recent hoard finds indicate a mint at Ashkelon probably also struck this type. It is likely that at least several small mints struck these imitative types.JD111399. Silver obol, cf. Gitler-Tal IX.1O; Samaria Hoard pls. 4t6 - 50, SH269 ff.; SNG ANS 15 ff.; HGC 10 -, NGC VF, strike 3/5, surface 3/5 (6829734-001), weight 0.566 g, maximum diameter 7.3 mm, die axis 30o, Gaza or Samaria mint, c. 5th - 4th Century B.C.; obverse helmeted head of Athena right, profile eye; reverse owl standing right, head facing, olive spray upper left, [AΘE downward on right?]; photo taken before certification, NGC| Lookup; rare; $300.00 (€282.00)
Nysa, Lydia, c. 100 - 30 B.C.
The type as described in GRPC Lydia, etc., does not name a magistrate on the reverse. Based on the plates, however, the inscriptions are obscure; they may also name Simon. Perhaps our coin is the same type just on an larger flan. It is either unpublished and the only specimen known to FORVM, or the only specimen of the extremely rare published type with clear inscriptions. There have been zero sales of this type on Coin Archives in the last two decades.GB115029. Bronze AE 12, cf. GRPC Lydia III pl. 198, 32 (0.7g, 8mm, no magistrate named); Nysa Regling 24 (same); SNG München 23, 357 (same); RPC Online I -, gF, well centered on a broad flan, weight 1.353 g, maximum diameter 11.7 mm, die axis 180o, Nysa (near Sultanhisar, Turkey) mint, c. 100 - 30 B.C.; obverse bearded and laureate head of Hades right, anepigraphic; reverse poppy head on stalk, ear of barley below right, diagonal to right, NYΣAE-ΩN clockwise from above, ΣIMΩN (Simon [magistrate) downward on left end curving counterclockwise; from Shawn Caza, former diplomat, author of A Handbook of Late Roman Coins (Spink, 2021), collection assembled during postings and international travel; ex Dorotheum (Vienna, Austria);; unique or extremely rare; $160.00 (€150.40)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Arabian Tridrachm Series, "Rome" Style
In a 1997 book review in the Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau (SNR), Kevin Butcher agreed with William Metcalf that the Greek inscribed silver "coinage of Trajan dated to his sixth consulship" is part of the "Rome style" club. He goes on to write, "The existence of this Rome style coinage in the eastern provinces caused great confusion in the past, with a whole series of coins which we now know belong to Syria, Arabia and Cyrenaica being given to Caesarea by Sydenham. It is largely thanks to M.'s [Metcalf's] work on Caesarea and the Arabian coinage that most of the issues have been reattributed away from Caesarea. The source of confusion was the stylistic similarity of all of these groups, because they are all in the style of the Rome mint." Just how involved Rome was in the minting of these coin groups is still a mystery. Its complexity is suggested by a probable Rome style Arabian drachm of Trajan (RPC III 4075) overstruck on a Nabatean drachm. See FORVM RS113121 for an example!RY114286. Silver tridrachm, RPC Online III 4062A (5 spec.), Woytek Cistophore A1h.1, Ganschow X14d, cf. Metcalf Tell Kalak 8-10 (diff. busts), Sydenham Caesarea 224-226 (same), gVF, great centering, fine style obv. showcasing a high point in Roman imperial portraiture, patch of roughness on neck, otherwise smooth surfaces, mild die wear, weight 10.575 g, maximum diameter 25.1 mm, die axis 180o, struck for use in Arabia by Rome or Arabian mint, "Tr Pot Cos VI" issue, 112 - 114 A.D.; obverse AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from front; reverse ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATO ϛ (holder of Tribunician power, consul six times), two standards (signa) flanking an aquila with wreath atop left standard and hand atop right standard; Published in RPC Online III (#4 = this coin!); very rare; $400.00 (€376.00)
Vitellius, 2 January - 20 December 69 A.D.
This variant with a bare-headed portrait and GERMANICVS shortened to GERMAN is unpublished in the references and missing from the collections examined by FORVM. It is missing from the ANS collection. We know of two other specimens from auction records on Coin Archives.SL115013. Silver denarius, RIC I 73 var.; RSC II 20 var.; Hunter I 3 var. ; BMCRE I 7 var., BnF III 38 var. (all with laureate head right), NGC F (6710501-002), weight c. 3.2 g, maximum diameter 17.0 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, c. late Apr - Jul 69 A.D.; obverse A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P, bare head right; reverse CONCORDIA P R (harmony with the people of Rome), Concordia seated left, patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; ex Stack's Bowers World CCO Auction (26 Feb 2024), lot 74103; NGC| Lookup; extremely rare; $680.00 (€639.20)
Mylasa, Caria, c. 420 - 390 B.C.
Mylasa was often mentioned by ancient writers. The first mention is from early 7th century B.C., when Arselis, a Carian leader from Mylasa, helped Gyges in his fight for the Lydian throne. Under Persia, Mylasa was the chief city of Caria. Mylasa joined the Delian League c. 455 B.C., but Persian rule was restored by 400. Mylasa was the hometown and first capital of the Hecatomnid dynasty, nominally Persian satraps, but practically kings of Caria and the surrounding region, 377 - 352 B.C. In the Hellenistic era, the city was contested by Alexander's successors, but prospered. Mylasa was severely damaged in the Roman Civil War in 40 B.C., but again regained prosperity under Roman rule.GA115020. Silver tetartemorion, SNG Kayhan 944, HN Online T977, weight 2.047 g, maximum diameter 6.3 mm, Mylasa (Milas, Turkey) mint, c. 420 - 390 B.C.; obverse lion forepart left, head turned back right, roaring; reverse bird standing right, two pellets - upper left and lower right, all in incuse square; from Shawn Caza, former diplomat, author of A Handbook of Late Roman Coins (Spink, 2021); ex Dorotheum (Vienna, Austria); rare; $38.00 (€35.72)
Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D., Hadrianopolis-Sebaste, Phrygia
Coins of Hadrianopolis-Sebaste in Phrygia are relatively scarce and their somewhat barbaric-looking busts and poorly engraved legends can usually help to distinguish its coins from the better engraved coins of Hadrianopolis, Thrace. Also note, Hadrianopolis-Sebaste is not the same city as Sebaste, Phrygia. -- www.wildwinds.comRP114417. Bronze AE 23, RPC V.2 (to be published; 3 spec. incl. this coin), cf. Waddington 6065 (Sept. Sev.; same rev. die), Lindgren III 589 (same) corr. (Commodus), Choice F, barbaric style, good centering, green patina, minor encrustations, weight 5.204 g, maximum diameter 23.4 mm, die axis 180o, Hadrianopolis-Sebaste (near Doganhisar, Turkey) mint, c. 198-211 A.D., Mnesitheos, son of Hieron (magis); obverse M AY?AN-T℧NEINOC (NEI ligate), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse CEB? AΔPIANOΠ-O EΠI?MNHC IEPO? (NH ligate), Tyche-Fortuna standing facing, head left, kalathos on head, in right hand rudder on globe, cornucopia in left; added to the (still in progress) RPC V.2 database!; very rare ; $165.00 (€155.10)
Seleukid Kingdom, Alexander I Balas, 152 - 145 B.C., Apameia Civic Coinage
| This rare civic coinage type, without the portrait of the Seleukid King, was only issued for one year, 150 - 149 B.C. Apameia was on the right bank of the Orontes River, about 55 km (34 mi) to the northwest of Hama, Syria, overlooking the Ghab valley. Originally named Pharmake, it was fortified and enlarged by Seleucus I Nicator in 300 B.C., who renamed it after his Bactrian wife, Apama. The fortress was placed upon a hill; the windings of the Orontes, with the lake and marshes, gave it a peninsular form. Seleucus had his commissariat there with 500 elephants, 30,000 mares, and 300 stallions. The pretender, Diodotus Tryphon, made Apameia the basis of his operations. Located at a strategic crossroads for Eastern commerce, the city flourished to the extent that its population eventually numbered half a million. It was one of the four cities of the Syrian tetrapolis, boasted one of the largest theaters in the Roman world, and a monumental colonnade. |  |
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Ascalon, Philistia, Judaea
Askalon lies on the shore of the Mediterranean, ten miles north of Gaza and about 40 miles south of Joppa. Herod the Great ruled all of Palestine, except Askalon, which remained a free city. Today, a national park at Ashqelon, Israel includes ruins of Canaanite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Crusader walls and buildings. Ascalon's era of autonomy, used to date this coin, began in 104 B.C.RP115001. Bronze AE 23, RPC III 3990; Sofaer 108; De Saulcy 10; SNG Cop 39; BMC Palestine p. 124, 146; SNG ANS -, gF, dark patina, light marks, light earthen deposits, weight 10.585 g, maximum diameter 22.6 mm, die axis 0o, Askalon (Ashqelon, Israel) mint, 111 - 112 A.D.; obverse CEBACTOS (or similar), laureate head right; reverse ACKAΛO, Tyche-Astarte standing left on galley, standard vertical before in right hand, aphlaston cradled in left arm, altar in left field, dove over EIC (year 215) lower right; ex Agora Numismatics; rare; $100.00 (€94.00)
Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Irenopolis, Cilicia
Irenopolis or Eirenopolis or Eirenoupolis, known briefly as Neronias in honor of the Roman emperor Nero, was in northeastern Cilicia, not far from the Calycadnus river, on the site of modern Düzici, Osmaniye province, Turkey, at the mouth of the Darb al-'Ain pass. It was probably founded by Antiochus IV of Commagene. Coins of the city show that Asclepius and Hygeia were worshiped there, probably connected with the natural spring of the area. The city is mentioned by Hierocles, Nicephore, and Calliste. Christianity first came to the area in the 1st century; the mountain pass location made it an early candidate for missionaries. The city came under Muslim rule following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.RP114912. Bronze AE 31, RPC VII.2 Online 3221A (2 spec.; #1 = this coin), Isegrim -, Karbach Eirenopolis -, aF, green patina, highlighting light earthen deposits, both sides off-centered, weight 9.683 g, maximum diameter 30.8 mm, die axis 180o, Irenopolis (Düzici, Turkey) mint, 242/243 A.D.; obverse AY K M ANTW ΓOPΔIANOC, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse EIPHNOΠO-ΛEITWN, Dionysos standing mostly left, wreathed in ivy(?), otherwise nude, cantharus in right hand, upright thyrsus in left, panther standing left at feet with head turned back and upwards in anticipation, ET (Greek abbreviation: ETOYC - "of year") in left field, BϘP (192, obscured) in exergue; zero sales of this type listed on Coin Archives in the last two decade; one of two known, listed on RPC Online; ex Pandora Numismatics auction 2 (27 Aug 2023), lot 415 (sold unattributed); extremely rare; $160.00 (€150.40)
Syracuse, Sicily, Roman Rule, c. 212 B.C. - 133 B.C.
Overcoming formidable resistance and the ingenious devices of Archimedes, the Roman General Marcus Claudius Marcellus took Syracuse in the summer of 212 B.C. Archimedes was killed during the attack. The plundered artworks taken back to Rome from Syracuse lit the initial spark of Greek influence on Roman culture.GI114973. Bronze AE 22, Calciati II p. 433, 239; SNG Cop 907; SNG ANS 1061 - 1065; BMC Sicily p. 226, 688; HGC 2 1437 (R2), VF, green patina, broad round flan, scratches, weight 7.822 g, maximum diameter 22.1 mm, die axis 315o, Syracuse mint, c. 212 B.C. - 133 B.C.; obverse laureate and bearded head of Zeus right; reverse ΣYPAKOΣIΩN, Tyche standing left, wearing mural crown with two towers, rudder held by tiller in right hand, scepter vertical behind in left hand, prow right behind; ex Classical Numismatic Group mail bid 78 (14 May 2008), lot 124 (part of); very rare; $110.00 (€103.40)
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