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God of light, healing, music, poetry, prophecy, archery, and the arts. Symbols include the bow and the lyre. Artemis is his twin sister. Son of Zeus and Leto.
Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Delphi, Phokis
Delphi is a town on Mount Parnassus in the south of mainland Greece. It's the site of the 4th-century-B.C. Temple of Apollo, once home to a legendary oracle. This extensive mountainside archaeological complex contains the remains of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia, as well as an ancient stadium and theater. Delphi Archaeological Museum displays artifacts found among the ruins.RP111645. Bronze AE 21, RPC III 429.6 (this coin, 7 spec.); BCD Lokris 394 (this coin); Svoronos p. 36, 55, pl. XXVII, 13; BMC Central p. 28, 25 pl. IV, 16; SNG Cop 156, VF, nice green patina, light roughness, weight 5.289 g, maximum diameter 20.8 mm, die axis 0o, Delphi (Greece) mint, obverse AY KAI TPAIANOC AΔPIANOC AYΓ (Imperator Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus), laureate bust of Hadrian right, bare chest (heroic bust), aegis on left shoulder; reverse ΔΕΛΦΩN, Apollo Citharoedus standing right, wearing long chiton and long chlamys, playing Kithara (lyre); ex Numismatica Ars Classica auction 55 (8 Oct 2010), lot 394 (price realized 1,500 CHF, plus fees); ex BCD Collection ; rare; $2000.00 SALE PRICE $1800.00
Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus II Theos, 261 - 246 B.C.
Antiochus faced a formidable task holding the empire together. Revolt broke out in Syria almost immediately after his father's death. He earned the title Soter (savior) for victory over hordes of Gauls that attacked Anatolia. Elsewhere, he had little success. He was forced to abandon Macedonia, Thrace, Bithynia, and Cappadocia and to execute his eldest son for rebellion.SH99542. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton-Lorber I 587(4); HGC 9 236g; cf. Newell ESM 188 ff. (various 2nd control monograms); BMC Seleucid p. 9, 18 (2nd monogram ΩΠA), VF/F, well centered, bumps and marks, areas of light corrosion, weight 16.592 g, maximum diameter 28.3 mm, die axis 0o, Seleukeia on the Tigris (south of Baghdad, Iraq) mint, 261 - 246 B.C.; obverse diademed head right; reverse Apollo Delphios seated left on omphalos, nude, examining arrow in right hand, resting left hand on bow grounded behind, BAΣIΛEΩΣ (king) downward on right, ANT-IOXOY downward on left, XAP monogram (primary control) outer left, monogram (obscure, secondary control) outer right; ex Forum (2021), ex Errett Bishop Collection; $390.00 SALE PRICE $351.00
Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus II Theos, 261 - 246 B.C.
Antiochus II Theos was the son of Antiochus I and Princess Stratonice, the daughter of Demetrius Poliorcetes. He inherited a state of war with Egypt and while he was thus occupied, his satraps in Parthia and Bactria declared independence. To make peace with Egypt and to seal the treaty, Antiochus repudiated his wife Laodice I, exiled her to Ephesus, and married Ptolemy II's daughter Berenice. Antiochus later left Berenice and their infant son Antiochus, to live again with Laodice. Laodice poisoned him, had Berenice and her infant son murdered, and proclaimed her son Seleucus II as king.GY99608. Bronze AE 17, Houghton-Lorber I 592, Newell ESM 196, HGC 9 268 (R2), VF, dark green patina with highlighting earthen deposits, weight 3.964 g, maximum diameter 17.1 mm, die axis 0o, Seleukeia on the Tigris (south of Baghdad, Iraq) mint, c. 250 - 246 B.C.; obverse helmeted and draped bust of Athena slightly left, wearing triple crested helmet; reverse Apollo seated right on omphalos, holding kithara on lap with right hand, tall tripod lebes behind on left, BAΣIΛEΩΣ downward on right, ANTIOXOY downward on left, monograms (controls) outer left and outer right; ex CNG e-auction 513 (6 Apr 2022), lot 178; this coin is the only specimen of this type recorded on Coin Archives in the last two decades; very rare; $200.00 SALE PRICE $180.00
Ake Ptolemais, Galilee, c. 111 - 110 B.C.
Ptolemais was a maritime city of Galilee (Acts 21:7). It was originally Accho, but was renamed Ptolemais under the rule of Ptolemy Soter.
The kithara (cithara) was an ancient stringed musical instrument resembling the lyre. The lyre was a simpler folk-instrument with two strings and tortoise shell body. The kithara had seven strings and a flat back. A symbol of Apollo, who was credited with inventing it, the Kithara's origins were likely Asiatic. The kithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes. In modern Greek, the word kithara has come to mean "guitar."GY111139. Bronze AE 15, cf. Kadman Akko 51; HGC 10 23 (R1), Seyrig Ptolémaïs 4, VF, near centered, porosity, obv. edge beveled, edge cracks, date obscure but only BΣ published, weight 2.405 g, maximum diameter 15.3 mm, die axis 0o, Ake Ptolemais (Acre, Israel) mint, c. 111 - 110 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Apollo right; reverse kithara (lyre), ANTIOXEΩN downward on right, TΩN / EN ΠTOΛEMAIΔI in two downward lines on left, BΣ ([year] 202 [Seleukid era]) outer left; rare; $130.00 SALE PRICE $117.00
Faustina Junior, Augusta 146 - Winter 175/176 A.D., Wife of Marcus Aurelius, Saitta, Lydia
Saitta (or Saittai) was in eastern Lydia, in the triangle between the upper Hyllus river (modern Demirci Çayi) and the Hermus river (modern Sidaskale). Representations of the river gods are found on coins of the Imperial Period. The moon god Mên Akziottenos was honored, but Zeus, Dionysos, Aphrodite, Hygieia, Asklepios, Apollo, Kybele, and Herakles were also revered at Saitta. The town was a regional center for textile production. Hadrian probably visited in 124 A.D. In the city, In the Christian era Saittai was attached to the Archbishopric of Sardeis.RP110656. Bronze AE 18, GRPC Lydia III pl. 255, 71; RPC Online IV.2 T1392; BMC Lydia p. 218, 36; SNGvA 8247; Lindgren I A790B; Winterthur 3887; SNG Cop -, Choice aVF, well centered, dark patina, earthen deposits, scratches, weight 4.402 g, maximum diameter 18.2 mm, die axis 180o, Saitta (Sidaskale, Turkey) mint, Titianos (archon), c. 161 - 163/165 A.D.; obverse ΦAVCTEINA CEBAC (from upper right), draped bust right; reverse EΠI TITIANOV CAITTHNΩN (under authority of Titianus, Saitta), Apollo standing facing, nude, head left, legs crossed, laurel branch downward in right hand, drapery over left left forearm which is resting on a waist high column; $120.00 SALE PRICE $108.00
Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Philadelphia, Lydia
Several ancient cities were named Philadelphia, but this one is the sixth among the seven churches listed by John in the Book of Revelation. A letter to the Philadelphian church is recorded in Revelation 3:7-13. According to which, the Philadelphian Christians were suffering persecution by the local Jews. The city's history of earthquakes may lie behind the reference to making her church a temple pillar. Philadelphia shares with Smyrna the distinction of receiving nothing but praise from Christ, except Smyrna was warned of temptation lasting "ten days," while Philadelphia was promised a total exemption from temptation. This explains why modern Protestant churches sometimes use "Philadelphia" as a component in the local church's name as a way of emphasizing its faithfulness.SL111606. Bronze AE 16, GRPC Lydia III 219; RPC Online II 1331; SNG Leypold 1126; BMC Lydia p. 197, 62; Winterthur 3863, NGC VF (4933657-005), weight c. 2.5 g, maximum diameter c. 16 mm, die axis 180o, Philadelphia (Alasehir, Turkey) mint, as caesar, 79 - 81 A.D; obverse ΔOMITIAN KAICAP (counterclockwise from lower right), bare headed, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse ΦΛABI ΦIΛAΔEΛΦEΩΝ (counterclockwise from lower right), Apollo standing half right, head right, wearing long belted chiton, plectrum in right hand low at side, kithara (lyre) in left hand and arm; $120.00 SALE PRICE $108.00
Kings of Thrace, Adaios, c. 255 - 245 B.C.
Adaios probably served as a Seleukid strategos (military governor) of Thrace under the King Antiochos II Theos. Antiochos II took Thracian territory from Ptolemy II Philopator, c. 255 - 253 B.C., during the Second Syrian War. After Antiochos II and Ptolemy II made peace. Adaios continued to rule southern Thrace, making Kypsela his capital. Adaios was executed at Kypsela by Ptolemy III Euergetes after Ptolemy advanced into southern Thrace, c. 246 - 241 B.D., during the Third Syrian War.
This type was the largest of three bronze denominations Adaios issued. References list the lower monogram only as Σ, but on better specimens the AΣ monogram is clear.GB110080. Bronze AE 22, SNG Tüb 971; SNG Cop 1179; SNG BM 324; HGC 3.2 1763 (S); Peter p. 237; AMNG III-2 p. 147, 17 var. (monograms), VF, nice green patina, monograms and inscription not fully struck, weight 8.717 g, maximum diameter 22.0 mm, die axis 315o, Kypsela (near Ipsala, Turkey) mint, c. 255 - 245 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Apollo right; reverse tripod lebes, HP over AΣ monograms downward on left, AΔAIOY downward on right; scarce; $100.00 SALE PRICE $90.00
Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Caesarea Maritima, Samaria, Judaea
Caesarea, about 30 miles north of Joppa and about 70 miles northwest of Jerusalem, was the capital of the Roman province of Judaea, the seat of the procurators, and the headquarters of the Roman troops. It was founded by Herod the Great and named after Caesar Augustus. This city is the location of the 1961 discovery of the Pilate Stone, the only archaeological item that mentions the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, by whose order Jesus was crucified. Its ruins are a national park on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, about halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa.RP111373. Bronze AE 17, RPC III 3961; SNG ANS 771; SNG Cop 6; Kadman Caesarea 29; Rosenberger II 25; Sofaer 31; BMC Palestine p. 21, 69; De Saulcy 2, Baramki AUB 23, gF, dark green patina, highlighting buff earthen deposits, off center, weight 7.152 g, maximum diameter 17.4 mm, die axis 0o, Caesarea Maritima (Keisaria, Israel) mint, 11 Aug 117 - 10 Jul 138 A.D.; obverse IMP TRA HADRIANO CAE, laureate and draped bust right; reverse C I F AVG CAESAR (Colonia Prima Flavia Augusta Caesarea), Apollo standing left, nude but for chlamys around neck and over left arm, extending right hand to snake rising up before him, resting left elbow on tripod lebes behind; $100.00 SALE PRICE $90.00
Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D., Alexandria Troas, Troas
NEW Alexandria Troas was founded by Antigonus around 310 B.C. with the name Antigoneia. He populated his new city with the inhabitants of Cebren, Colone, Hamaxitus, Neandria, and Scepsis. About 300 B.C., Lysimachus improved the city and re-named it Alexandreia. RP111718. Bronze as, Bellinger A298 var. (legends). SNGvA 7559 var. (legends, bust), BMC Troas -, gF, dark green patina, slightly rough, parts of legends obscure (verified from die match), weight 6.632 g, maximum diameter 23.9 mm, die axis 180o, Alexandria Troas (Eski Stambul, Turkey) mint, 28 Jan 198 - 8 Apr 217 A.D.; obverse M AVPE ANTONINOC (sic!), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse COL ALEXAN AVG, Apollo standing left, leaning forward, right foot on base, laurel branch downward in right hand, right forearm resting on knee, left hand on hip; rare variant; $100.00 SALE PRICE $90.00
Lysimacheia, Thracian Chersonese, c. 245 - 240 B.C.
NEW About 250 B.C. the Seleukid king Antiochos II invaded Thrace. About 245 B.C., after Antiochos was defeated, Lysimachia overstruck his bronze coins en mass, undoubtedly re-monetizing the demonetized Seleukid coins for a fee.
The Antiochos II undertype obverse was the diademed head of Apollo right. The reverse, a tripod above anchor, BASILEWS right, ANTIOXOY left, monograms outer left and right. Although traditionally attributed to Sardes, Houghton and Lorber suggest it may have been struck in Thrace.GB111735. Bronze AE 19, MacDonald Overstruck p. 117 - 118, 91; cf. SNG Cop 917; BMC Thrace p. 195, 4; HGC 3.2 1500 (S); undertype: Houghton-Lorber I pp. 185, 525 ff., aVF, green patina, overstruck with strong undertype effects, weight 4.885 g, maximum diameter 19.4 mm, die axis 0o, Lysimacheia (Eksemil, Turkey) mint, c. 245 - 240 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress; undertype: traces of inscription, feet of tripod and anchor remain; reverse ΛYΣIMAXIΩN, Nike standing left, holding wreath and palm branch; undertype: strong face of Apollo remains; $100.00 SALE PRICE $90.00