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Antioch, Seleukis and Pieria, Syria, 128 - 129 A.D.
Michael Molnar, an astronomer, believes this coin depicts Jupiter's occultation of Aries in 6 B.C., the most probable "Star of Bethlehem." We think it is unlikely; nevertheless, the type is very popular and somewhat expensive.GB90244. Bronze trichalkon, RPC Online III 3729, Butcher CRS 266, McAlee 125(d), SNG Hunterian II 2950, F, dark near black patina, highlighting red earthen deposits, weight 5.145 g, maximum diameter 18.8 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, reign of Hadrian, 128 - 129 A.D.; obverse ANTIOXEΩN THC MHTPOΠOΛEWC, veiled and turreted head of Tyche right, weak countermark at chin; reverse ram leaping right, looking back, star within crescent above, ET ZOP (year 177 of the Caesarean Era) below; $100.00 SALE PRICE $90.00
Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D., Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior
A crescent with horns up with a star or stars above and within probably represents a solar eclipse.RP110612. Bronze assarion, H-H-J Nikopolis 8.14.48.29, Varbanov I 2410, AMNG I/I 1435, Moushmov 986, SNG Cop -, BMC Thrace -, VF, green patina, full legends, edge a little ragged, weight 4.114 g, maximum diameter 17.9 mm, die axis 30o, Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria) mint, obverse AV K Λ - CEVHPOC, laureate head right; reverse NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠPOC ICTP, three stars above and within a crescent with horns up; $90.00 SALE PRICE $81.00
Cyprus, Time of Augustus, 27 B.C. - 14 A.D.
Augustus' sun sign was Libra. We don't know why he selected the Capricorn as his emblem. Perhaps Capricorn was either his rising sign or his Moon sign. Popular astrology, of the newspaper kind, is sun sign astrology. The ancients tended to attach more importance to the Moon sign and rising signs. Perhaps Augustus selected the Capricorn because it is associated with stern moral authority. Tiberius (born Nov. 13) was a Scorpio.SH72881. Bronze hemiobol, RPC I 3916; Bank of Cyprus 6; BMC Galatia p. 112, 4 (Commagene); SNG Cop -, Choice EF, beautiful desert patina, weight 2.371 g, maximum diameter 18.1 mm, die axis 0o, Cypriot mint, 27 B.C. - 14 A.D.; obverse capricorn right, star with six rays above; reverse scorpion left, star with six rays above; SOLD
Julian II "the Apostate," February 360 - 26 June 363 A.D.
The common belief which identifies the bull with the Apis bull is probably wrong. An interesting passage from Dio Chrysostom compares a good ruler to a bull. Also, Julian was most likely born in May, in the sign of Taurus. The stars are probably the two important star clusters in Taurus, Pleiades and Hyades. Taurus or Apis, this bull is pagan and this coin was the last pagan coin type issued by the Empire.SH32850. Billon double maiorina, RIC VIII Constantinople 164 (S), SRCV V 19157, Cohen VIII 38, LRBC II 2059 var. (pellet at end of legend not noted), EF, weight 8.601 g, maximum diameter 28.7 mm, die axis 0o, 1st officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 3 Nov 361 - 26 Jun 363 A.D.; obverse D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse SECVRITAS REIPVB• (security of the Republic), bull right, two stars above, CONSP flanked by branches in exergue; scarce; SOLD
Cornelia Supera, Wife of Aemilian, Who Reigned 253 A.D., Parion, Mysia
Cornelia Supera is unknown to history, except through her coins. Her coins indicate she was probably the wife of Aemilian. C G I H P is an abbreviation for Colonia Gemella Iulia Hadriana Pariana.SH06010. Bronze AE 21, RPC Online IX 382 (11 spec.), SNGvA 7448, BMC Mysia -, SNG Cop -, SNG BnF -, aVF, weight 3.78 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 180o, Parium (Kemer, Canakkale, Turkey) mint, 253 A.D.; obverse G CORN SUPERA, diademed and draped bust right; reverse Capricorn right, cornucopia on back; globe between legs (Sear describes as a star, but this appears to be a globe, C G I H P (Colonia Gemella Iulia Hadriana Pariana) below; very rare; SOLD
Julian II "the Apostate," February 360 - 26 June 363 A.D.
The common belief which identifies the bull with the Apis bull is probably wrong. An interesting passage from Dio Chrysostom compares a good ruler to a bull. Also, Julian was most likely born in May, in the sign of Taurus. The stars are probably the two important star clusters in Taurus, Pleiades and Hyades. Taurus or Apis, this bull is pagan and this coin was the last pagan coin type issued by the Empire.RL51539. Billon double maiorina, RIC VIII Constantinople 163, LRBC II 2059, SRCV V 19157, Cohen VIII 38, aEF, weight 8.808 g, maximum diameter 28.5 mm, die axis 30o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 3 Nov 361 - 26 Jun 363 A.D.; obverse D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG, pearl diademed draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse SECVRITAS REIPVB (security of the Republic), bull right, two stars above, branch CONSPA branch in exergue; SOLD
Luceria, Apulia, Italy c. 217 - 212 B.C.
In 321 B.C., the Roman army was deceived into thinking Luceria was under siege by the Samnites. Hurrying to relieve their allies the army walked into an ambush and were defeated at the famous Battle of the Caudine Forks. The Samnites occupied Luceria but were thrown out after a revolt. The city sought Roman protection and in 320 B.C. was granted the status of Colonia Togata, which meant it was ruled by the Roman Senate. In order to strengthen the ties between the two cities, 2,500 Romans moved to Luceria. From then on, Luceria was known as a steadfast supporter of Rome.SH92202. Aes grave (cast) teruncias, Thurlow-Vecchi 283; Sydenham Aes Grave 140; Haeberlin pl. 71, 21; HN Italy 677c; Vecchi ICC 347; SNG Cop 652, F, dark green patina, minor roughness, weight 28.866 g, maximum diameter 28.1 mm, Luceria mint, c. 217 - 212 B.C.; obverse star of eight rays around a central pellet, all on a convex disk; reverse dolphin right, three pellets (mark of value) above, L below, all on a convex disk; ex CNG e-auction 233 (26 May 2010), lot 51; ex CNG auction XXIV (9 Dec 1992), lot 120; ex Fred V. Fowler Collection; ex Stack's auction (1969), lot 288; SOLD
Marcus Aurelius, 7 March 161 - 17 March 180 A.D., Carrhae, Mesopotamia
This coin may refer to an eclipse at Carrhae on 4 September 164. Carrhae is the Haran of the Bible. Crassus was defeated and killed by the Parthians near Carrhae in 53 B.C. Emperor Galerius was defeated on the same site in 296 A.D.RP92089. Bronze AE 20, RIC IV-3 Online T8037 (2 spec.), BMC Arabia -, SNG Cop -, SNGvA -, aF, earthen encrustations, scratches, weight 6.171 g, maximum diameter 21.9 mm, die axis 0o, Carrhae (Altinbasak, Turkey) mint, 164 - 169 A.D.; obverse AYT KAI[...], laureate head left; reverse KARHNWN ΦIΛOPWMEW, crescent horns upward, resting on a globe with fillets hanging from each side, star with six points above between the horns; ex Gerhard Rohde (9 Feb 2010); extremely rare; SOLD