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Coin Zoo - Animals

Phoenix, ConstansNummus of Constans. Obverse depictes draped, diademmed bust of Constans facing right. Legend reads DN CONSTANS PF AVG. Reverse shows phoenix with radiate crown atop a pyramid, reads FEL TEMP REPARATIO. Sisica mint mark, Γ officina mark, "backwards lambda" officina mark. See RIC VIII Sisica 241. Minted 348-350 CE. Purchased from Heritage Auctions.Adrian H

Sphinx2 commentslaney

Turtle, Aegina, AR Drachm (Testudo Graeca Ibera)Greek (Classical). Islands off Attica (Saronic Gulf), Aegina. AR Drachm (5.0g, 19.5mm, 3h?), struck c. BCE 350-338.
Obv: Land tortoise (prob. testudo graeca ibera) with segmented shell of 13 plates. Rev: Large incuse square with skew pattern, two pellets (astragalos?) in one of five compartments (left, top or bottom?) . Ref: Millbank Period V (404-375 BC), pl. II, 16; HGC 6, 443; SNG Cop 520; SNG Lockett 2004 ("acorn"). Prov: Ex-Colosseum Coin Exchange (Ira Teitelbaum, Hazlet NJ) MBS 59 (22 Nov 1991), Lot 2.3 commentsCurtis JJ

Crayfish, Thrace, Apollonia Pontika Thrace, Apollonia Pontika, late 5th-4th centuries BC. AR Drachm (12mm, 2.86g, 1h). Facing gorgoneion. R/ Anchor; A to l., crayfish to r. SNG BM Black Sea 160-1; SNG Copenhagen 4571 comments

Ancient Greek Bestiary: revamped!A choice example of ancient Grecian animals (some are imagined or mythical). Can you identify any of them?

(Please click picture for better resolution)1 commentsJason T

MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURES COLLAGETop row: Agathodaemon; Griffin; Centaur
Row 2: Capricorn; Sphinx; Hippocamp; Kerberos
Row 3: Gorgon; Horned Panther; Phoenix
Bottom row: Pegasos; Pan; Horned Lion; Chimaera
(examples from my collection)2 commentslaney

Bull and Deer, Chersoneos City IssueChersonesos City Issue, 300-290 BC, Bull and Virgo
AE 6.9gm/22mm
Obv/ KLEMYTADA; bull butting l., below legend, bow and long, thin quiver
Rev/ Virgo leaping l., spearing fallow deer.
Con/ EF, near-black patina. Very rare coin with an elegant reverse.
Ref/ Anokhin, Coins of the Chersonese (Monetnoe dela Chersonesa), no. 80, but giving the legend as KLEMYTADA; Anokhin lists only four varieties, with different names of magistrates. Mayadigger

BULL, Panticapaeum City Issue, Old Satyr and Ox, 325 BCPanticapaeum City Issue, Old Satyr and Ox, 325 BC

Æ 18mm/5.5gm, struck c. 325 BC
Obv/ Head of bearded Satyr l.
Rev/ ΠAN; head of ox left.
Con/ VF, dark brown patina.
Ref/ MacDonald # 67Mayadigger

Lion, Macedonian Kingdom, Kassander, c. 319 - 297 B.C.GB82382. Bronze AE 17, SNG Alpha Bank 881 - 882, VF, Macedonian mint, weight 4.072g, maximum diameter 17.3mm, die axis 270o, 305 - 297 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress tied at neck; reverse KAΣΣAN/∆POY, lion reclining right, Λ right; green patinaNORMAN K

Wolves X 3Philip I AR Antoninianus. Rome, AD 248. Commemorating the 1000th Anniversary of the founding of Rome. IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / SAECVLARES AVGG, she-wolf standing left, suckling the twins; II in exergue. RIC 15.

These are three examples in my collection. paul1888

ElephantPhilip I. AD 244-249. AR Antoninianus (22mm, 3.47 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 249. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Elephant advancing left, guided by mahout holding goad and wand. RIC IV 58; RSC 17.

paul1888

Hippocamp Right - GallienusObverse:- [GA]LLIENVS[AVG], Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- NEPTVNOCONSAV[G], Hippocamp right
Exergue:- Nnogoodnicksleft

Dolphin - Augustus, Carteia Spain, Tyche & NeptuneAugustus 27 BCE - 14 CE
AE Semis, 20 mm diam. 4.6 g. RPC I 122, Villaranoga 71
Obverse - CARTEIA, turreted bust of Tyche right
Reverse - D D, Neptune standing left, holding dolphin and tridentNORMAN K

DOGAR denarius. 74 BC. 3.52 gr. Bust of Diana huntress right,bow and quiver on shoulder. / Hound running right,hunting spear below. C. POSTUMI/TA (in monogram) below. Toned. Craw 394/1a . RSC Postumia 91 commentsbenito

HIPPOCAMPUSAR denarius. 72 BC. 3,78 grs. Bust of Amphitrite right,seen from behind letter C before, symbol (crab) behind / Neptune,brandishing trident, in sea chariot right,drawn by two hippocamps,above C.
Q.CREPER.M.F. / ROCVS in two lines below.
Craw 399/1b. RSC Crepereia 2. CNR Crepereia 2/3. 1 commentsbenito

GOATAR denarius. 55 BC. 3.52 gr. Head of Macedonia right, wearing kausia. CN PLANCIUS before. AED CVR S C behind. / Cretan goat standing right, bow and quiver behind. Craw. 432/1. RSC Plancia 1. Smyth XII/14.benito

Bull, Gallienus, AE Antoninianus, RIC V, I 285Gallienus
As sole Augustus, 260-268 A.D.

Coin: AE Antoninianus, invoking the protection of Sol against the revolt of Aureolus.

Obverse: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate bust facing right.
Reverse: SOLI CONS AVG, a Bull, standing to the right. XI in exergue.

Weight: 2.34 g, Diameter: 21 x 20 x 1 mm, Die axis: 200°, Mint: Rome, struck between 267 - 268 A.D. Reference: RIC V, I 285, Note: 1 of 25 AE Antoninianii, ranging from Gallienus to Tetricus II, I bought from a seller in 2012. He had 125 for sale in total, and had in turn bought them from the original finder, who is said to have found this Hoard in 2003 near Harlow in the County of Essex.Constantine IV

Eagle DIVUS ANTONINUS PIUS. Commemorative AR Denarius of Rome. Struck A.D.161 under Marcus Aurelius.
Obverse: DIVVS ANTONINVS. Bare headed and draped bust of Antoninus Pius facing right.
Reverse: CONSECRATIO. Eagle standing facing right, head left, on garlanded altar.
Diameter: 19mm | Weight: 2.9gms | Die Axis: 6
RIC III : 431*Alex

TIGRESS, Gallienus RIC VI 230Gallienus, Striped Tigress, AE Antoninianus. Rome mint, sole reign.
Obverse - GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right.
Reverse - LIBERO P CONS AVG, striped tigress walking left.
Mintmark R, Rome. 19.4 mm diam. 3.1 gNORMAN K

EAGLE, MOESIA, ISTROS AR DRACHMMoesia, Istros AR Drachm.
4th Century BC.
Facing male heads, the right inverted / ISTPIH, sea-eagle left grasping dolphin with talons, AG monogram below dolphin.
BMC 246; SNG Munich 236; SNG Copenhagen 192; Pick AMNG 417.
5.02g, 20mm.

1 comments

Ancient Greek BestiaryClockwise: Lion of Chersonessos, Dyrrhachion Cow, Calf and Wasp; Dove of Sikyon; Pegasos of Leukas (mythical); Lion and Bull of Tarsos; Macedonian Horse and Human.
Center: Owl of Athens.
Of the animals listed above, it is said that the human animal is the most violent and destructive of all.4 commentsJason T

Criocamp, GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- MERCVRIOCONSAVG, Criocamp right
Exergue:- Hnogoodnicksleft

Hippocamp - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- NEPTVNOCONSAVG, Hippocamp right
Exergue:- Nnogoodnicksleft

Hippocamp - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- NEPTVNOCONSAVG, Hippocamp right
Exergue:- Nnogoodnicksleft

Gazelle - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right cuirassed bust with radiate crown
Reverse:- DIANAECONSAVG, Gazelle left
Exergue:- XIInogoodnicksleft

Griffin - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- APOLLINICONSAVG, Griffin left
Exergue:- Delta1 commentsnogoodnicksleft

Griffin - GallienusObverse:- IMPGALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- APOLLINICONSAVG, Griffin right
Exergue:- Deltanogoodnicksleft

Bull - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- SOLICONSAVG, Bull standing right
Exergue:- XI
(purchased from the FORVM shop)nogoodnicksleft

Bull - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- SOLICONSAVG, Bull left
Exergue:- XInogoodnicksleft

Hippocamp - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- NEPTVNOCONSAVG, Hippocamp left
Exergue:- Nnogoodnicksleft

Tigress - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- LIBEROPCONSAVG, Tigress left
Exergue:- B2 commentsnogoodnicksleft

Pegasus - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG , Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- SOLICONSAVG , Pegasus springing left
Exergue:- A
Previously in the collection of the Baron Louis Chaurandnogoodnicksleft

Pegasus - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG , Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- SOLICONSAVG , Pegasus springing right
Exergue:- Anogoodnicksleft

Pegasus - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG , Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- SOLICONSAVG , Pegasus springing right
Exergue:- Anogoodnicksleft

Boar - GallienusObverse:- GALLIENVSAVG, Head right with radiate crown
Reverse:- HERCVLICONSAVG, Boar right
Exergue:- Enogoodnicksleft

Bull charging right, tunny-fish below. AR nomos Lucania, ThourioiLucania, Thourioi
Silver didrachm. 385-360 B.C.
21.2mm, 7.00g

O: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with Skylla holding trident
R: Bull charging right, ΘΟΥΡΙΩΝ above, tunny-fish right in exergue.Salaethus

Goat - Philip II Antoninianus. A.D.248Obverse: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip II facing right, seen from behind.
Reverse: SAECVLARES AVGG. Goat walking left; in exergue, III (officina 3).
RIC IV iii : 224

This coin is one of a series of coins struck by Philip I and Philip II in A.D.248 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Rome. Many of these coins depict the various animals, brought from all over the Empire, which were displayed in the arena during the games celebrating this event.*Alex

Antelope, Philip I Antoninianus. A.D.248.Obverse: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I facing right, seen from behind.
Reverse: SAECVLARES AVGG. Antelope walking left; in exergue, VI (officina 6).
RIC IV iii : 21 | RSC IV : 189 | SRCV III : 8959

This coin is one of a series of coins struck by Philip I and Philip II in A.D.248 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Rome. Many of these coins depict the various animals, brought from all over the Empire, which were displayed in the arena during the games celebrating this event.*Alex

PEACOCK, ROMAN EMPIRE / FAUSTINA SESTERTIUS Reverse: CONSECRATIO S C, Peacock standing left with tail spread open.
Rome Mint 161 - 180 AD
Æ Sestertius
WEIGHT : 23.35 grs DIAMETER :23.5 mm THICKNESS : 5.5 mm
A scarce type issued after her death. A wonderful example with a nice fanciful peacock. brown patina.
Refrences RIC1703
EX richardo828 eBay (Mr. Tony Owens Store )
Sam Mansourati Collection2 commentsSam

Phoenix, CONSTANTIUS II Constantintius II, Constantinople, AE 3. 348-351 AD. DN CONSTANTIVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right. reverse FEL TEMP REPARATIO, phoenix, radiate, standing right on globe. Mintmark CONS gamma star. RIC VIII Constantinople 93 varNORMAN K

Lion and CowLesbos Mytilene EL Hekte 521-478BC 2,59g Bodenstedt 13 SNG Kjøpenhavn 3012 comments

sphinxKaunos , 10mm , 1.4gXLi

sphinxChios , 10mm , 0.99g1 commentsXLi

SCORPION, Another nice scorpio for the zoo !2 provincial animals !3 commentsphilippe B2

LION - Philip I. AD 244-249. AR Antoninianus Secular Games issuePhilip I. AD 244-249. AR Antoninianus (22mm, 4.28 g, 1h). Secular Games issue. Rome mint, 1st officina. 9th emission, AD 248. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Lion advancing right; I in exergue. RIC IV 12; RSC 173. EF. Well struck reverseAdrian W

CHIMAERAAR Hemidrachm. Sikyon ( Peloponessos ). c. 330-320 BC. 2,86 grs. 8h. Chimaera advancing left, right paw raised. ΣI below / Dove flying left.
BMC 119.

Spawned by Typhoeus and Echidna, the Chimaera had three heads - lion, goat, and snake .Its body was also mixed having the front part of a lion, middle of a goat, and snake for a tail. It breathed fire. It ravaged Lycia, killing cattle and setting fires until it was killed by Bellerophon2 commentsbenito

Elephant, Menander I Soter AE Square ChalkousAttribution: Mitchiner 134, Type 239; of Pushkalavati, chief workshop; Bactria
Date: 155-130 BC
Obverse: Elephant head with trunk raised and bell suspended from neck
Reverse: Karosthi inscription (Maharajasa Tratasara Menandrasa) around club of Herakles, monogram to l., “A” to r.
Size: 14 mm
Weight: 2.93 gramsNoah

RAML.Rustius. AR Denarius. 74 AD 3.82 grs. Helmeted head of Mars right; mark of value below chin; SC behind / Ram standing right. L RVSTI in exergue.
Craw 389/1. RSC Rustia 1.1 commentsbenito

SphinxAR Dendarius (3.8g, 17mm, 8h). Rome mint, Struck 46 BC. Monneyer: T.Carisius.
Obv. Head of Aphrodisian Sybil facing right.
Rev. T.CARISIVS before, III·VIR [in ex.] sphinx seated right.
BMC 4061; Sear (RCV) 321a:150; Sear (RSCV) Carisia 11
5 commentsCharles S

WOLF, (She wolf)AR denarius (4.0g, 18mm, 4h) Rome mint, struck 77 BC.
IIIXXXT gehind, helmeted head of Mars right.
ROMA above, P.SATRIE-NVS in ex. below, She-wolf standing left
BMC 3209-37, RSCV Satriena 1, RCV 283:125
Monneyer: P.Satrienus. Type refers to the foundation of Rome by Romulus and Remus with Mars, the father, and the she-wolf who suckled them.
2 commentsCharles S

Pegasusorichalcum dupondius (12.5g, 28mm, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 125-128.
HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS radiate bust of Hadrianus facing right.
COS III S C, Pegasus running right.
RIC (Hadrian) 658 (scarce)2 commentsCharles S

Eagle on starry globeLucius Verus. 161-169 AD. Sestertius (24.3g, 31mm, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Marcus Aurelius, 169 AD. Obv.: DIVVS VERVS, bare head facing right. Rev.: CONSECRATIO [around] S C [below in field], Eagle with head turned left perched on globe with stars.
RIC (M. Aurelius) 1509 (scarce); Cohen 56; Foss (Roman Historical Coins) 137:35

This coin refers to the funeral and deification of Lucius Verus in 169 AD. 1 commentsCharles S

ELEPHANTELEFAN

WOLF, This wolf is allowed in a zoo, see... she is good with kids!She wolf suckling Romulus and Remus2 commentsSkyler

Antelope, Gallienus (253-268 AD.) AE-Antoninianus, DIANAE CONS AVG,Gallienus (253-268 AD.) AE-Antoninianus,
avers:- GALLIENVS-AVG, radiate head right.
revers:- DIANAE-CONS-AVG, antelope walking left, right legs forwards.
exergo: Gamma
diameter: 19-20mm
weight: 2,84g
mint: Rome
date:
ref: RIC-181var, Cunetio hoard 1344, Minster hoard 69, Appleshaw hoard 82,
Q-001 1 commentsquadrans

Pegasus, Gallienus AE AntoninianusGallienus AE Antoninianus. Rome mint.

Obverse: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right.
Reverse: SOLI CONS AVG, Pegasus springing right.

Officina letter A in exergue,

RIC V-2 283. Cohen 979.

Serpent, Nero Tetradrachm - Agathodaemon with Opium Poppy Pods and Grain, RY: 3--
*Not sure if this would be considered a 'zoo animal'.... it seems at least half of it is ..... but it sure does look amazing and intricate on some coins, and is often depicted wearing the crowns of upper and lower Egypt, like the Pharohs of old, you can see the crown on his head on this example fairly well, as well as the Opium Poppies and Grain.
-----
Description:
-------------
Roman Empire
Emperor Nero Caesar (54 - 68 AD)
AR/BI Tetradrachm of Alexandria, Egypt.
Regnal Year: 3 = ( 56/57 AD )

(titles in Greek)
obv: Laureate head right
rev: Agathodaemon serpent rearing up, with two Opium Poppy Pods, and two Grain Ears. Date in right field. Regnal Year: 3

Size: 28mm
Weight: 12.4 Grams
---
more info on the coin:
-------------------
The Agathodaemon was a good spirit/demon that was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians.
He had the shape of a serpent with a human head.
The Greek inscription on the reverse of this coin shows that this is the "neo" or "new" agathodaemon serpent, or, in other words, the new good spirit (of rule by Nero).
------------------2 commentsrexesq

Centaur, RIC 163, Z Gallienus, Antoninianus. Sole reignRIC 163, Z Gallienus, Antoninianus. Sole reign. Rome mint. GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right / APOLLINI CONS AVG, Centaur walking right, drawing bow. Officina letter Z below. RIC V-1, 163; RSC 72; Sear5 10177.19mm 1.8gms

FROG, Apulia, Luceria, 3rd Century BC, Æ UnciaFrog
Grain ear, between I and pellet (mark of value).
Thurlow & Vecchi 278var.; HN Italy 674var..

Pegasus, Gallienus, AE antoninianusGallienus - Sole reign - AE antoninianus - Rome
260-268 A.D.
Obv : GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right
Rev : SOLI CONS AVG, Pegasus right springing heavenward ; A in exergue
21 mm - 2.7 g
(RIC 283)1 comments

LionAR antoninianus. 248 AD. 4,30 grs. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind . IMP PHILIPPVS AVG. / Lion walking right, I in exergue. SAECVLARES AVGG.
RIC IV 12.
1 commentsbenito

SERPENTSeptimius Severus. AE 15. Nikopolis. 3,0 grs. Laureate head right. AYK Λ CEYHPOC. / Fourfold coiled serpent , with erected head right. ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ ΠΡOC I.
Varbanov 2492

2 commentsbenito

ELEPHANT, Philippus I, Rome mint, struck 249 AD, Æ SestertiusIMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
AETERNITAS AVGG, SC elephant advancing left, led by cornak, holding staff and goad
RIC 167a; Cohen 182 comments

Turtle, Islands off Attica, Aegina. Stater.Islands off Attica, Aegina. Circa 480-457 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 11.82 g, 7h). Sea turtle / Square incuse with large skew pattern. Milbank pl. I, 15; SNG Copenhagen 507.2 comments

CapricornAR cistophoric tetradrachm. (12.07 gm). Ephesus mint, 25-20 BC. Bare head right. IMP CAESAR / Capricorn right, head left, holding cornucopiae ,AVGUSTVS below ; all within laurel wreath. RIC I 480; Sutherland Group VI, 241a (O35/R45-same reverse die); RSC 16.
Triton VII, Lot: 847.
AIGIPAN (or Aegipan) was one of the goat-footed gods known as Panes. When the gods fled from the monstrous giant Typhoeus and hid themselves in animal form, Aigipan assumed the form of a fish-tailed goat. Later he came to the aid of Zeus in his battle with creature, by stealing back his stolen sinews. As a reward the king of the gods placed him amongst the stars as the Constellation Capricorn. The mother of Aigipan, Aix (the goat), was perhaps associated with the constellation Capra.

benito

Peacock - Faustina Sr.Annia Galeria Faustina (AD 138-141) Wife of Antoninus Pius.
Rome mint, AD 147-161. Silver Denarius.

Obv: DIVA FAUSTINA - Draped bust right.

Rev: CONSECR ATIO - Peacock facing right, head left, standing on scepter with knobs on both ends.

*Note the Peacock's headfeathers sticking up between the 'R' and 'A' of 'CONSECRATIO'.
2.62 grams.
rexesq

LIONBabylonia, Babylon, Stamenes 328-323 BC, AR Stater or Double Shekel
Baal enthroned left holding sceptre. / Lion advancing left, spear head above.
Nicolet-Pierre p. 289, 2; Pozzi 2868; Mitchiner type 7(b); Sear 6141. Babylon 328/327 BC.
(25 mm, 17.1 g, 11h)
3 comments

BULL, Indian Humped BullSeleukid Kingdom, Antioch on the Orontes, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AE20 Double
Winged head of Medusa right. / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKY Indian humped bull butting right, control mark Ξ in exergue.
SC 21.2(b); CSE 9; WSM 925; SNG Spaer 23; HGC 9, 92a (S-R1). Struck ca. 286-281 BC at Antioch on the Orontes.
(20 mm, 7.06 g, 2h).
Note the misspelled legend, missing the letter O in the genitive of the king's name; the only known example of this apparently unrecorded error.
ex-Forvm Ancient Coins

This coin type was produced at many mints across the Seleukid Empire in the last years of Seleukos’ reign. The bull on the reverse is an allusion to a story about Seleukos’ prowess related to us in Appian: He (Seleukos) was of such a large and powerful frame that once when a wild bull was brought for sacrifice to Alexander and broke loose from his ropes, Seleukos held him alone, with nothing but his bare hands, for which reason his statues are ornamented with horns.

OWL, Tyre - attic didrachmTyre. Uzzimilk (?) 357-333 BC. Attic didrachm, 8.67g.
Obv: Bearded god (Melqarth?) riding winged hippocamp to right, holding
bow. Beneath, waves. Guilloche border.
Rx: Owl standing to right, head facing, with crook and flail. In right field,
Phoenician numerals. Guilloche border. Caffaro

Chimaera and Dove Sikyonia, Sikyon, 330/20-280 BC, AR Triobol
Chimaera standing left; Î£I below. / Dove flying left; Î” above tail feathers. BCD Peloponnesos 298 (this coin); BMC 112 var.; SNG Copenhagen 61 var. (Î”I on reverse) - very rare variant.
(15 mm, 2.99 g, 7h)
CNG; ex- BCD Collection; LHS 96 (8 May 2006) Lot 298.

The Chimaera, featured on the obverse of this coin, was a mythical fire-breathing beast; a composite of a lion, a goat and a snake. In myth, it inhabited Lycia in Asia Minor. It’s sighting was considered to be a portent or omen of storms, shipwrecks and natural disasters. The Chimaera’s representation in the arts is wholly Greek. It evolved to become a decorative motif in the region around Corinth. The pairing of a motif that forebodes disaster on the obverse, with a dove, the symbol of Aphrodite, goddess of love on the reverse is curious. Perhaps this was a metaphor for the ancients’ view of the double-sided nature of life?2 comments

Lion and Scorpion, CARIA, MYLASA, AR Hemiobol CARIA, MYLASA, Hemiobol, 0,53 grams, diameter 7 mm, circa 450-400 B.C.

Facing of forepart of lion / Scorpion in incuse square punch

3 commentsAntonivs Protti

EAGLE, Elagabalus AE 25mm of Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior.Elagabalus Æ 25mm of Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior. Magistrate Novius Rufus. AVT M AVPH ANTWNEINOC, laureate head right / VP NOBIOV POVFOU NIKOPOLITWN PROCI-CT-PO-N, eagle standing facing, wings open, head left with wreath in its beak. Pick 1992. Moushmov 1433 Antonivs Protti

ELEPHANT, North African Elephant (Extinct)Antiochus IV Bronze. Seleucia-in-Pieria mint. Veiled bust of Laodice IV r. Border of dots / BASILEWS ANTIOCOU, North African Elephant (Extinct) head left. Houghton 113 ancientone

SOW, Antoninus Pius, As, Sow suckling youngAntoninus Pius Æ As. 143-144 AD. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head right / IMPERATOR II S-C, Sow seated right under helm-oak, suckling four young, another before, SC in ex. RIC 733, Cohen 450, BMC 1624 ancientone

Lion - Velia, LucaniaAR Didrachm (21mm, 7.5gm)
350-310 BC
O: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with griffin.
R: Lion prowling left; Φ above, engraver's monogram >K (Kleudoros) below, YEΛHTΩN in ex.
Williams 297 / SNG ANS 1312 / SNG Ashmolean 1233 / HN Italy 1289 / Sear 460v3 commentsEnodia

Panther and Pan, Caracalla197 - 217 AD
AE 26mm 10.81g
O: AVT K M AVR CEV ANTWNE[INOC]
Caracalla, Laureate Head R
R: ADRIANO[POLEITWN]
Pan stg facing L, hldg pedum in R hand and lionskin over L shoulder, L foot on panther

Hadrianopolis, Thrace Jurokova S. 170 Rarelaney

EAGLE, Two for the price of oneMy Istros stater with not one but two animals! As can be seen they shouldn't be kept in the same cage as they have a tendancy to start fighting!Philoromaos

GoatRIC V-1 Rome 207 (Gallienus)
Bearded goat walking right

Deer (Stag)RIC V-1 Rome 179 (Gallienus)1 comments

BEE (The bee cage)Ephesos, Ionia 202BC-133BC
Ephesos mint
Obverse bee within wreath
Reverse Stag in front of palm tree3 commentsPaul D3

Elephants, Divus Augustus SestertiusObv.
DIVO AVGVSTO S P Q R
Statue of the deified Augusts riding left in Quadriga pulled by four elephants, who each have their own mahout

Rev.
TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST P M TR POT XXXVI
Large SC

Struck by Tiberius 34-35 A.D. in honour of the deified Augustus 2 commentsancientdave

Centaur THESSALY, THE MAGNETES

O: Laur. head of Zeus, L
R: The Centaur Cheiron prancing R

196 - 146 BC

AE 20mm 9.24 g laney

Hippopotamus, Otacilia Severa antoninianuswife of Philippus I.
SAECVLARES AVGG3 commentsTibsi

Sphinx--Antoninus PiusObv: Laur. head R
Rev: Sphinx, crowned with horns, disk and plumes, seated R, paw on wheel
AE 31.5 mm 20.02 g
Alexandria

1 commentslaney

Mules get vacationNerva. 96-98 AD. Sestertius (24.7g, 32-33mm, 6h). Rome mint. Struck 97 AD.
Obv.: IMP NERVA CAES AVG - PM TR P COS III P P, laureate head right,
Rev.: VEHICVLATIONE ITALIAE REMISSA, two mules grazing back to back, cart behind with shaft pointing upwards.
RIC 93; Cohen 143.

One of the measures which Nerva took to reduce the burden of the citizens was the assumption by the government of the costs of imperial post, formerly assumed by the municipalities.2 commentsCharles S

ElephantAntoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. As (8.6g, 26mm, 11h). Rome mint. Struck 148-149 AD. Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG - PIVS P P TR P XII, laureate head right, Rev.: MVNIFICENTIA AVG [around] COS IIII [in ex.] S C [below], Elephant walking right. RIC 862a; Cohen 565.

This coin was struck in conjunction with very impressive games and displays (for which many elephants were imported from Africa) for the 900th anniversary of the founding of Rome celebrated on April 21st, 147 AD.2 commentsCharles S

Eagle perching on the globeAntoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. Sestertius (26.7g, 32mm, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Marcus Aurelius, 161-169 AD. Obv.: DIVVS ANTONINVS, laureated head right. Rev.: CONSECRATION [around] S C [in field], Eagle perched left on globe with head turned right.
RIC (M. Aurelius) 1265; Cohen 162

This coin refers to the funeral and deification of Antoninus Pius in 161 AD.
1 commentsCharles S

Wolf with Romulus and RemusAntoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. Sestertius (23.3g, 30-32mm, 12h) Rome mint. Struck 140-144 AD. Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P , laureate head right. Rev.: TR POT COS III [around edge] S C [in ex], wolf in a cave suckling the twins Romulus and Remus. RIC 650; BMC 1318-1321; Cohen 917; Sear (II) 1274.

Coin belonging to a series depicting scenes from ancient Roman legends, issued in preparation of the celebration of the 900th anniversary of Rome in the year 147 AD.Charles S

Sow with pigletsAntoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. Sestertius (25.9g, 33mm, 12h), Rome mint, struck 141-143 AD. Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head right Rev.: S C in ex., Sow under oak tree suckling seven piglets; one more to the right.
RIC 629; BMC 1298; Cohen 775; Sear (II) 4226.

This type is part of a series depicting scenes from ancient Roman legends minted in preparation of the 900th anniversary of the founding of Rome (celebrated on April 21, A.D. 147). According to Vergil, The Trojan exile Aeneas sailed up the Tiber until he came upon a white sow nursing thirty piglets, and was to found a settlement on the site of this good omen, the town of Lanuvium, the precursor to Rome. 2 commentsCharles S

EagleSeverus Alexander provincial - Varbanov 1390 (similar to Moushmov 714)1 comments

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