Classical Numismatics Discussion Members' Coin Collection Photo Gallery

Image search results - "warrior"

Denarius serratus - 118 B.C. - Narbo
L. COSCONIVS, L. LICINIVS, CN. DOMITIVS - Gens Cosconia
Obv.: Helmeted head of Rome right; COSCO M.F.. X behind.
Rev.: Gallic warrior (Bituitus?) in biga right, with shield and carnix. L LIC CN DOM in ex.
Gs. 3,8 mm. 19,7
Craw. 282/2, Sear RCV 158Maxentius

Denarius - 103 BC.
Q. MINVCIVS M.f. THERMVS - Gens Minucia
Obv.:Helmeted head of Mars (or Rome) left
Rev.: Q. THERM (THE in monogram) M.F. (in monogram) below two warriors in combat, one on left protecting a fallen man.
Gs. 4 mm. 19,37x20,10
Crawf. 319/1, Sear RCV 197

2 commentsMaxentius

BERIA, Bolskan. Circa 150-100 BC. AR Denarius (17.5mm, 4.05 g, 1h). Bare bearded head right; Iberian bon to left / Warrior, holding spear, on horseback right; Iberian bolśkan below. ACIP 1417; SNG BM Spain 710–33. Ex. Triton XX, lot 1, 1/10/2017 (unsold), ex: CNG Electronic Auction 412, lot 1, 1/17/2018.1 commentspaul1888

1st Century CE, IRON AGE BRITAIN, Tribe: Iceni, AR Unit, Struck c.60 - 61 under Boudica (Boadicea)Obverse: No legend. Abstract Celtic style head with slit for eye and no ear facing right. Three pellets below head, branch emblem behind neck.
Reverse: No legend. Celtic style horse facing right, lozenge-shaped box with pellets on outer corners below horse. Section of large elaborate wheel-like object above horse, pellet below horse's tail.
Class: Icenian O
Diameter: 14mm | Weight: 0.9gms | Axis: 10
Spink: 434

The first known recorded example of this coin was made by William Stukely, an English antiquarian whose ideas influenced various antiquaries throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Stukeley published over twenty books on archaeology and other subjects during his lifetime and he is regarded as an important forerunner of archaeology for his emphasis on methodically measuring and documenting ancient sites. He died of a stroke in early 1765.
The theory that this coinage was connected with Boudica was originally reported in 1987 and this was endorsed by R D Van Arsdell, an authority on the Celtic coinage of Britain, as Boudican in the 1990's. At the time though this was disputed by many in the numismatic community, some of whom continued to rely on older studies that lumped all "Face-Horse" coins together in a group dating before 20 CE.
However, John Talbot of the University of Oxford carried out research on these issues and, as his die-link and hoard work gradually progressed through the 1990's into the early twenty-first century, these coins were confirmed to be the final coinage of the Iceni. As Talbot's findings were only gradually revealed over a period of time, the accepted dating used in some dealer catalogues did not always keep up with the latest information. During his studies, Talbot discovered that coins from several die sets are only found in the Boudican Rebellion hoards. He also confirmed that these coins were struck in abnormally great numbers for any Icenian issue. But, because he was not certain that this was enough evidence to date the coins to 61 CE. he suggested only that they could have been struck any time after the Claudian Invasion of 43 CE.
Considering though that some die sets are known only from the Boudican Rebellion hoards, that it is still the case that these coins appear in uncirculated condition in the hoards, and that to date none of these coins have been found from secure contexts earlier than the time of the Boudican rebellion, it would appear that the 1987 report was essentially correct and these coins must have been struck nearer to the date of the Boudican Rebellion than earlier, possibly in connection with the financing of that rebellion. The conclusion now is that these coins can, with some confidence, be attributed to Boudica.

THE ICENI
The Iceni were a tribe located in eastern Britain during the Iron Age and the early Roman era. Their territory was bordered by the Corieltauvi to the west, and the Catuvellauni and Trinovantes to the south. In the Roman period, their capital was Venta Icenorum at modern-day Caistor St Edmund.
Julius Caesar did not mention the Iceni in his account of his invasions of Britain in 55 and 54 BC, though they may have been related to the Cenimagni, whom Caesar notes as living north of the River Thames at that time. The Iceni were a significant power in eastern Britain during Claudius I's conquest of Britain in AD 43, in which they allied with Rome. Increasing Roman influence on their affairs led to a revolt in AD 47, though they remained nominally independent under king Prasutagus up until his death around AD 60. Roman encroachment after Prasutagus' death led his wife Boudica to launch a major revolt from 60–61. Boudica's uprising seriously endangered Roman rule in Britain and resulted in the burning of Londinium and other cities. The Romans finally crushed the rebellion, and the Iceni were eventually incorporated into the Roman province.
Archaeological evidence of the Iceni includes torcs, which are heavy rings of gold, silver or electrum worn around the neck and shoulders. The Iceni began producing coins around 10 BC. Their coins were a distinctive adaptation of the Gallo-Belgic "face/horse" design, and in some early issues, most numerous near Norwich, the horse was replaced with a boar. Some coins are inscribed ECENI, making them the only coin-producing group to use their tribal name on coins. The earliest personal name to appear on coins is Antedios (about 10 BC), and other abbreviated names like AESU and SAEMU followed. The name of Prasutagus also appears on some coins as PRASTO.

QUEEN BOUDICA
Queen Boudica was married to Prasutagus, ruler of the Iceni people of East Anglia. When the Romans conquered southern England in AD 43, they allowed Prasutagus to continue to rule. However, when Prasutagus died he left a will dividing his lands between the Roman emperor and his family. The Romans decided to rule the Iceni directly and confiscated all the king's property. When this was contested they are said to have stripped and flogged Boudica and raped her daughters. These actions exacerbated the widespread resentment at Roman rule.
In 60 or 61 AD, while the Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paullinus was leading a campaign in North Wales, the Iceni rebelled, other tribes joined them, and Boudica led a major uprising against the occupying Roman forces.
Boudica's warriors defeated the Roman Ninth Legion and destroyed the then capital of Roman Britain, Camulodunum (Colchester). They then went on to destroy Londinium (London) and Verulamium (St Albans) killing thousands in the process. Finally, Boudica was defeated by a Roman army led by Paulinus. A great number of her army were killed and, though Boudica's fate is unknown, she is alleged to have either died in battle or poisoned herself to avoid capture. The site of the battle which brought an end to her uprising is also unknown.
The photograph below is of the Victorian statue of Boudica (Boadicea) situated on the Thames embankment in London.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE THEM

3 comments*Alex

C POBLICIUS Q F. 80 BCHelmeted bust of Roma right / Hercules strangling the Nemean lion; bow and quiver at left; club below. Cr. 380/1.

POBLICIA, a plebian family, but of consular rank. Its cognomen on coins is Malleolus. There are fifteen varieties, all of silver, on some of which a small hammer or mallett is engraved, evidently alluding to the surname Malleolus.

The first of Heracles' twelve labours, set by King Eurystheus (his cousin) was to slay the Nemean lion.

According to one version of the myth, the Nemean lion took women as hostages to its lair in a cave near Nemea, luring warriors from nearby towns to save the damsel in distress. After entering the cave, the warrior would see the woman (usually feigning injury) and rush to her side. Once he was close, the woman would turn into a lion and kill the warrior, devouring his remains and giving the bones to Hades.

Heracles wandered the area until he came to the town of Cleonae. There he met a boy who said that if Heracles slew the Nemean lion and returned alive within 30 days, the town would sacrifice a lion to Zeus; but if he did not return within 30 days or he died, the boy would sacrifice himself to Zeus.[3] Another version claims that he met Molorchos, a shepherd who had lost his son to the lion, saying that if he came back within 30 days, a ram would be sacrificed to Zeus. If he did not return within 30 days, it would be sacrificed to the dead Heracles as a mourning offering.

While searching for the lion, Heracles fetched some arrows to use against it, not knowing that its golden fur was impenetrable; when he found and shot the lion and firing at it with his bow, he discovered the fur's protective property when the arrow bounced harmlessly off the creature's thigh. After some time, Heracles made the lion return to his cave. The cave had two entrances, one of which Heracles blocked; he then entered the other. In those dark and close quarters, Heracles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight the lion bit off one of his fingers. Others say that he shot arrows at it, eventually shooting it in the unarmoured mouth.

After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife from his belt, but failed. He then tried sharpening the knife with a stone and even tried with the stone itself. Finally, Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told Heracles to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.

When he returned on the thirtieth day carrying the carcass of the lion on his shoulders, King Eurystheus was amazed and terrified. Eurystheus forbade him ever again to enter the city; in future he was to display the fruits of his labours outside the city gates. Eurystheus warned him that the tasks set for him would become increasingly difficult. He then sent Heracles off to complete his next quest, which was to destroy the Lernaean hydra.

The Nemean lion's coat was impervious to the elements and all but the most powerful weapons. Others say that Heracles' armour was, in fact, the hide of the lion of Cithaeron.ecoli

EGYPT, Uncertain
PB Tessera
Two figures standing facing
Warrior advancing right?
Milne -; Dattari (Savio) -; Köln -Ardatirion

003a8. TiberiusPHOENICIA. Tripolis. Ae. Hieratikos, magistrate. Obv: ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ. Bare head right. Rev: ΙΕΡΑΤΙΚΟΣ ΤΡΙΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ. Warrior on horse riding right, holding labrys; maeander pattern in exergue. RPC I 3052; SNG Copenhagen 739. 5.59 g., 19 mm. Naumann Auc 128, lot 571.lawrence c

076-075 B.C., L. Farsuleius Mensor, Republic AR-Denarius, Crawford 392/1b, Rome, Warrior in quadriga, #1076-075 B.C., L. Farsuleius Mensor, Republic AR-Denarius, Crawford 392/1b, Rome, Warrior in quadriga, #1
avers: MENSOR S•C Bust of Libertas right.
reverse: Warrior in quadriga assisting togate male into biga right, control number XXCVT under horses.
exergue: -/-//L•FARSVLEI, diameter: 17-19mm, weight: 3,76g, axis: 5h,
mint: Rome, date:, ref: Crawford-392-1b, Sydenham 789a, Farsuleia 2,
Q-001quadrans

090 B.C., Lucius Calpurnius Piso, Republic AR-Denarius, Crawford 340/1, Rome, Warrior riding horse right, #1090 B.C., Lucius Calpurnius Piso, Republic AR-Denarius, Crawford 340/1, Rome, Warrior riding horse right, #1
avers: Laureate head of Apollo right; control-number to left XXXXV (right to left).
reverse: L•PISO FRVGI, Warrior riding horse right, holding reins and palm frond; control-number above ↓XV, Roma monogram below (PMA).
exergue: -/-//L•PISO FRVGI, diameter: 18,0mm, weight: 3,74g, axis: 3h,
mint: Rome, date: 90 B.C.,
ref: Crawford 340/1, Sydenham 663., Calpurnia 12,
Q-0011 commentsquadrans

112-109 B.C., L. Pomponius Cn. f., L. Licinius Crassus and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, Republic AR-Denarius Serratus, Crawford 282/4, Rome, Gallic warrior in biga right, -/-//L•LIC•CN•DOM•, #1112-109 B.C., L. Pomponius Cn. f., L. Licinius Crassus and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, Republic AR-Denarius Serratus, Crawford 282/4, Rome, Gallic warrior in biga right, -/-//L•LIC•CN•DOM•, #1
avers: L•POMPONI•CNF (NF ligate), Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind.
reverse: Gallic warrior (Bituitus?) driving galloping biga right, hurling spear and holding shield and carnyx, in ex. L•LIC•CN•DOM•,
exergue: -/-//L•LIC•CN•DOM•, diameter: 19,5mm, weight: 3,74g, axis: 1h,
mint: Rome, date: 118 B.C., ref: Crawford 282/4, Syd 522a, Pomponia 7a,
Q-001quadrans

112-109 B.C., L. Pomponius Cn. f., L. Licinius Crassus and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, Republic AR-Denarius Serratus, Crawford 282/4, Rome, Gallic warrior in biga right, -/-//L•LIC•CN•DOM•, #2112-109 B.C., L. Pomponius Cn. f., L. Licinius Crassus and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, Republic AR-Denarius Serratus, Crawford 282/4, Rome, Gallic warrior in biga right, -/-//L•LIC•CN•DOM•, #2
avers: L•POMPONI•CNF (NF ligate), Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind.
reverse: Gallic warrior (Bituitus?) driving galloping biga right, hurling spear and holding shield and carnyx, in ex. L•LIC•CN•DOM•,
exergue: -/-//L•LIC•CN•DOM•, diameter: 19,0-19,5mm, weight: 3,73g, axis: 2h,
mint: Rome, date: 118 B.C., ref: Crawford 282/4, Syd 522a, Pomponia 7a,
Q-002quadrans

118 B.C., L. Licinius Crassus, and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus with C. Malleolus C.f., Republic AR-Denarius Seratus, Crawford 282/3, Rome, Bearded warrior in biga right, L•LIC•CN•DOM, #1118 B.C., L. Licinius Crassus, and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus with C. Malleolus C.f., Republic AR-Denarius Seratus, Crawford 282/3, Rome, Bearded warrior in biga right, L•LIC•CN•DOM, #1
(L. Licinius Crassus, Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus and associates, Narbo 118.)
avers: C•MA-L-LE-C•F Helmeted head of Roma right, behind, X.
reverse: Bearded warrior (Bituitus?) fast biga right, holding a shield, carnyx, and reins and hurling spear, in exergue, L•LIC•CN•DOM.
exergue: -/-//L•LIC•CN•DOM, diameter: 19,0-20,0mm, weight: 3,79g, axis: 11h,
mint: Rome, date: 118 B.C., ref: Crawford 282/3, Syd-524, Licinia 13 and Domitia 17,
Q-0012 commentsquadrans

118 B.C., L. Licinius Crassus, and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus with C. Malleolus C.f., Republic AR-Denarius Seratus, Crawford 282/3, Rome, Bearded warrior in biga right, L•LIC•CN•DOM, #2118 B.C., L. Licinius Crassus, and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus with C. Malleolus C.f., Republic AR-Denarius Seratus, Crawford 282/3, Rome, Bearded warrior in biga right, L•LIC•CN•DOM., #2
(L. Licinius Crassus, Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus and associates, Narbo 118.)
avers: C•MA-L-LE-C•F Helmeted head of Roma right, behind, X.
reverse: Bearded warrior (Bituitus?) fast biga right, holding a shield, carnyx, and reins and hurling spear, in exergue, L•LIC•CN•DOM.
exergue: -/-//L•LIC•CN•DOM, diameter: 19,0mm, weight: 3,73g, axis: 3h,
mint: Rome, date: 118 B.C., ref: Crawford 282/3, Syd-524, Licinia 13 and Domitia 17,
Q-0023 commentsquadrans

118 B.C., L. Licinius Crassus, and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus with C. Malleolus C.f., Republic AR-Denarius Seratus, Crawford 282/3, Rome, Bearded warrior in biga right, L•LIC•CN•DOM, #3118 B.C., L. Licinius Crassus, and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus with C. Malleolus C.f., Republic AR-Denarius Seratus, Crawford 282/3, Rome, Bearded warrior in biga right, L•LIC•CN•DOM., #3
(L. Licinius Crassus, Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus and associates, Narbo 118.)
avers: C•MA-L-LE-C•F Helmeted head of Roma right, behind, X.
reverse: Bearded warrior (Bituitus?) fast biga right, holding a shield, carnyx, and reins and hurling spear, in exergue, L•LIC•CN•DOM.
exergue: -/-//L•LIC•CN•DOM, diameter: 18,0-19,0mm, weight: 3,35g, axis: 1h,
mint: Rome, date: 118 B.C., ref: Crawford 282/3, Syd-524, Licinia 13 and Domitia 17,
Q-003quadrans

1189 - 1199, RICHARD I (the lionheart), AR Denier minted at Melle, Poitou, FranceObverse: +RICARDVS REX. Cross pattée within braided inner circle, all within braided outer circle.
Reverse: PIC / TAVIE / NSIS in three lines within braided circle.
Diameter: 20mm | Weight: 1.0gms | Die Axis: 2h
SPINK: 8008 | Elias: 8

Poitou was an Anglo-Gallic province in what is now west-central France and its capital city was Poitiers, the mint at this time was however located at Melle. Melle was an active centre of minting during the early Middle Ages due to the important silver mines located under and around the city. This is the only coin issue struck during the reign of Richard I to bear his own name and titles as King of England.

Richard I was King of England from 1189 until his death on 6th April 1199. He also ruleNormandy, Aquitaine and Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Poitiers, Anjou, Maine, and Nantes, as well as being overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period. He was the third of five sons of Kind several territories outwith England, and was styled as Duke of g Henry II of England and Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine. He was known as Richard the Lionheart (Richard Cœur de Lion) because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior when, at the age of 16 and commanding his own army, he had put down rebellions against his father in Poitou.
Richard was a commander during the Third Crusade, and led the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France. However, although he scored several notable victories against the Muslims led by Saladin, he failed to retake Jerusalem from them.
Although Richard was born in England and spent his childhood there before becoming king, he lived most of his adult life in the Duchy of Aquitaine. Following his accession, his life was mostly spent on Crusade, in captivity, or actively defending his lands in France. Rather than regarding England as a responsibility requiring his presence as ruler, he appears to have used it merely as a source of revenue to support his armies. Nevertheless, he was seen as a pious hero by his subjects and he remains one of the few kings of England who is remembered by his epithet rather than by his regnal number, and even today he is still an iconic figure in both England and France.2 comments*Alex

1413 - 1422, Henry V, AR Penny struck at York, EnglandObverse: + HENRICVS REX ANGLIE. Crowned facing bust of Henry V, mullet (left) and trefoil (right) at each side of crown, all within circle of pellets. Pierced cross in legend.
Reverse: CIVITAS ‡ EBORACI. Long cross pattée dividing legend around inner circle of pellets into quarters, trefoil in each quarter of circle, incuse quatrefoil in centre of cross.
York, Class F (Local dies)
Diameter: 18mm | Weight: 0.8gms | Die Axis: 10h
SPINK: 1788

HENRY V
Henry V was King of England from 1413 until his sudden death on 31st August 1422. He is thought to have died from dysentery contracted during the siege of Meaux in France. He was 36 years old and had reigned for nine years. He was the second English monarch of the House of Lancaster.
During the reign of his father, King Henry IV, Henry had acquired an increasing share in England's government due to his father's declining health. After his father's death in 1413, Henry assumed control of the country and asserted the pending English claim to the French throne.
In 1415, Henry embarked on war with France in the ongoing Hundred Years' War between the two countries. Despite his relatively short reign, Henry's outstanding military successes, most notably in his famous victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, made England one of the strongest military powers in Europe.
In 1420, after months of negotiation with Charles VI of France, the Treaty of Troyes was signed recognising Henry V as regent and heir apparent to the French throne. To seal the pact Henry married Charles' daughter, Catherine of Valois. Henry's sudden death however, prevented the prospect of the English King taking the French throne from ever taking place.
Immortalised in the plays of Shakespeare, Henry V is known and celebrated as one of the great warrior kings of medieval England.

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO ENLARGE IT

1 comments*Alex

1501s, Valentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D. (Siscia)Valentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D., Bronze AE 3, S 4103, VF, Siscia mint, 2.012g, 18.7mm, 180o, 24 Aug 367 - 17 Nov 375 A.D.obverse D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse SECVRITAS - REIPVBLICAE, Victory advancing left, wreath in right and palm in left, symbols in fields, mintmark in exergue.

De Imperatoribus Romanis, An Online Encyclopedia of the Roman Emperors and their Families

Valentinian I (364-375 AD.)

Walter E. Roberts, Emory University

Valentinian was one of Rome's last great warrior emperors. Flavius Valentinianus, was born in A.D. 321 at Cibalis (modern Vinkovci) in southern Pannonia. His father Gratian was a soldier renowned for his strength and wrestling skills. Gratian had an illustrious career in the army, rising from staff officer to tribune, to comes Africae, and finally [i/comes Britanniae.

The emperor Jovian died on 17 February 364, apparently of natural causes, on the border between Bithynia and Galatia. The army marched on to Nicaea, the nearest city of any consequence, and a meeting of civil and military officials was convened to choose a new emperor. The assembly finally agreed upon Valentinian.

On 26 February 364, Valentinian accepted the office offered to him. As he prepared to make his accession speech, the soldiers threatened to riot, apparently uncertain as to where his loyalties lay. Valentinian reassured them that the army was his greatest priority. Furthermore, to prevent a crisis of succession if he should die prematurely, he agreed to pick a co-Augustus. According to Ammianus, the soldiers were astounded by Valentinian’s bold demeanor and his willingness to assume the imperial authority. His decision to elect a fellow-emperor could also be construed as a move to appease any opposition among the civilian officials in the eastern portion of the empire. By agreeing to appoint a co-ruler, he assured the eastern officials that someone with imperial authority would remain in the east to protect their interests. After promoting his brother Valens to the rank of tribune and putting him in charge of the royal stables on March 1, Valentinian selected Valens as co-Augustus at Constantinople on 28 March 364, though this was done over the objections of Dagalaifus. Ammianus makes it clear, however, that Valens was clearly subordinate to his brother.

Ammianus and Zosimus as well as modern scholars praise Valentinian for his military accomplishments. He is generally credited with keeping the Roman empire from crumbling away by “. . . reversing the generally waning confidence in the army and imperial defense . . ..” Several other aspects of Valentinian's reign also set the course of Roman history for the next century.

Valentinian deliberately polarized Roman society, subordinating the civilian population to the military. The military order took over the old prestige of the senatorial nobility. The imperial court, which was becoming more and more of a military court, became a vehicle for social mobility. There were new ideas of nobility, which was increasingly provincial in character. By this it is meant that the imperial court, not the Senate, was the seat of nobility, and most of these new nobles came from the provinces. With the erosion of the old nobility, the stage was set for the ascendancy of Christianity. Ammianus makes it clear that actions such as these were part of a systematic plan by Valentinian to erode the power and prestige of the senatorial aristocracy. Several pieces of extant legislation seem to confirm Ammianus’ allegations that Valentinian was eroding senatorial prestige.

Valentinian's reign affords valuable insights into late Roman society, civilian as well as military. First, there was a growing fracture between the eastern and western portions of the empire. Valentinian was the last emperor to really concentrate his resources on the west. Valens was clearly in an inferior position in the partnership. Second, there was a growing polarization of society, both Christian versus pagan, and civil versus military. Finally there was a growing regionalism in the west, driven by heavy taxation and the inability of Valentinian to fully exercise military authority in all areas of the west. All of these trends would continue over the next century, profoundly reshaping the Roman empire and western Europe.

By Walter E. Roberts, Emory University
Published: De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families http://www.roman-emperors.org/startup.htm. Used by permission.

Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.1 commentsCleisthenes

1501s, Valentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D. (Siscia)Valentinian I, 25 February 364 - 17 November 375 A.D. Bronze AE 3, RIC 5(a) ii, VF, Siscia, 1.905g, 19.3mm, 0o, 25 Feb 364 - 24 Aug 367 A.D. Obverse: D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right; Reverse: GLORIA RO-MANORVM, Emperor dragging captive with right, labarum (chi-rho standard) in left, •GSISC in exergue.

De Imperatoribus Romanis, An Online Encyclopedia of the Roman Emperors and their Families

Valentinian I (364-375 AD.)

Walter E. Roberts, Emory University

Valentinian was one of Rome's last great warrior emperors. Flavius Valentinianus, was born in A.D. 321 at Cibalis (modern Vinkovci) in southern Pannonia. His father Gratian was a soldier renowned for his strength and wrestling skills. Gratian had an illustrious career in the army, rising from staff officer to tribune, to comes Africae, and finally [i/comes Britanniae.

The emperor Jovian died on 17 February 364, apparently of natural causes, on the border between Bithynia and Galatia. The army marched on to Nicaea, the nearest city of any consequence, and a meeting of civil and military officials was convened to choose a new emperor. The assembly finally agreed upon Valentinian.

On 26 February 364, Valentinian accepted the office offered to him. As he prepared to make his accession speech, the soldiers threatened to riot, apparently uncertain as to where his loyalties lay. Valentinian reassured them that the army was his greatest priority. Furthermore, to prevent a crisis of succession if he should die prematurely, he agreed to pick a co-Augustus. According to Ammianus, the soldiers were astounded by Valentinian’s bold demeanor and his willingness to assume the imperial authority. His decision to elect a fellow-emperor could also be construed as a move to appease any opposition among the civilian officials in the eastern portion of the empire. By agreeing to appoint a co-ruler, he assured the eastern officials that someone with imperial authority would remain in the east to protect their interests. After promoting his brother Valens to the rank of tribune and putting him in charge of the royal stables on March 1, Valentinian selected Valens as co-Augustus at Constantinople on 28 March 364, though this was done over the objections of Dagalaifus. Ammianus makes it clear, however, that Valens was clearly subordinate to his brother.

Ammianus and Zosimus as well as modern scholars praise Valentinian for his military accomplishments. He is generally credited with keeping the Roman empire from crumbling away by “. . . reversing the generally waning confidence in the army and imperial defense . . ..” Several other aspects of Valentinian's reign also set the course of Roman history for the next century.

Valentinian deliberately polarized Roman society, subordinating the civilian population to the military. The military order took over the old prestige of the senatorial nobility. The imperial court, which was becoming more and more of a military court, became a vehicle for social mobility. There were new ideas of nobility, which was increasingly provincial in character. By this it is meant that the imperial court, not the Senate, was the seat of nobility, and most of these new nobles came from the provinces. With the erosion of the old nobility, the stage was set for the ascendancy of Christianity. Ammianus makes it clear that actions such as these were part of a systematic plan by Valentinian to erode the power and prestige of the senatorial aristocracy. Several pieces of extant legislation seem to confirm Ammianus’ allegations that Valentinian was eroding senatorial prestige.

Valentinian's reign affords valuable insights into late Roman society, civilian as well as military. First, there was a growing fracture between the eastern and western portions of the empire. Valentinian was the last emperor to really concentrate his resources on the west. Valens was clearly in an inferior position in the partnership. Second, there was a growing polarization of society, both Christian versus pagan, and civil versus military. Finally there was a growing regionalism in the west, driven by heavy taxation and the inability of Valentinian to fully exercise military authority in all areas of the west. All of these trends would continue over the next century, profoundly reshaping the Roman empire and western Europe.

By Walter E. Roberts, Emory University
Published: De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families http://www.roman-emperors.org/startup.htm. Used by permission.

Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.Cleisthenes

1658 Hadrian AS Roma 130-38 AD DaciaReference.
RIC II, 850; Strack 715; RIC III, 1658

Bust C2

Obv. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
Laureate, draped bust viewed from side

Rev. in ex. DACIA S C in field
Dacia seated left on pile of rocks, with foot on helmet, holding standard and falx (curved sword)

11.52 gr
26 mm
6h

Note.
At the time of the Dacian wars researchers have estimated that only ten percent of Spanish and Gallic warriors had access to swords, usually the nobility. By contrast Dacia had rich resources of iron and were prolific metal workers. It is clear that a large percentage of Dacians owned swords, greatly reducing Rome's military advantage.[7]
Marcus Cornelius Fronto described the large gaping wounds that a falx inflicted, and experiments have shown that a blow from a falx easily penetrated the Romans' lorica segmentata, incapacitating the majority of victims.1 commentsokidoki

1ab Marcus Licinius CrassusFormed First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey in 60 BC, killed at Carrhae in Parthia in 53 BC.

Denarius, minted by son, P Licinius Crassus, ca 54 BC.
Bust of Venus, right, SC behind
Amazon with horse, P CRASSVS MF.

These coins were probably minted to pay Crassus' army for the invasion of Parthia. The reverse figure is sometimes described as a warrior or Gaulish horseman, but this example clearly accords with those who identify the figure as a woman! Member of the first triumvirate, 59-53 BC.

Seaby, Licinia 18

Plutarch wrote of Crassus: People were wont to say that the many virtues of Crassus were darkened by the one vice of avarice, and indeed he seemed to have no other but that; for it being the most predominant, obscured others to which he was inclined. The arguments in proof of his avarice were the vastness of his estate, and the manner of raising it; for whereas at first he was not worth above three hundred talents, yet, though in the course of his political life he dedicated the tenth of all he had to Hercules, and feasted the people, and gave to every citizen corn enough to serve him three months, upon casting up his accounts, before he went upon his Parthian expedition, he found his possessions to amount to seven thousand one hundred talents; most of which, if we may scandal him with a truth, he got by fire and rapine, making his advantages of the public calamities. . . . Crassus, however, was very eager to be hospitable to strangers; he kept open house, and to his friends he would lend money without interest, but called it in precisely at the time; so that his kindness was often thought worse than the paying the interest would have been. His entertainments were, for the most part, plain and citizen-like, the company general and popular; good taste and kindness made them pleasanter than sumptuosity would have done. As for learning he chiefly cared for rhetoric, and what would be serviceable with large numbers; he became one of the best speakers at Rome, and by his pains and industry outdid the best natural orators. . . . Besides, the people were pleased with his courteous and unpretending salutations and greetings, for he never met any citizen however humble and low, but he returned him his salute by name. He was looked upon as a man well-read in history, and pretty well versed in Aristotle's philosophy. . . . Crassus was killed by a Parthian, called Pomaxathres; others say by a different man, and that Pomaxathres only cut off his head and right hand after he had fallen. But this is conjecture rather than certain knowledge, for those that were by had not leisure to observe particulars. . . .2 commentsBlindado

1ab Marcus Licinius CrassusFormed First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey in 60 BC, killed at Carrhae in Parthia in 53 BC.

Denarius, minted by son, P Licinius Crassus, ca 54 BC.
Bust of Venus, right, SC behind
Amazon with horse, P CRASSVS MF.

Seaby, Licinia 18

These coins were probably minted to pay Crassus' army for the invasion of Parthia, which led to its destruction. My synthesis of reviewing 90 examples of this issue revealed a female warrior wearing a soft felt Scythian cap with ear flaps; a fabric garment with a decorated skirt to the knees; probably trousers; an ornate war belt; a baldric; a cape, animal skin, or shoulder cord on attached to the left shoulder; and decorated calf-high boots. She matches the historically confirmed garb of the real amazons—Scythian horsewomen—and of course holds her steed. The horse’s tack is consistent with archeological discoveries of tack in use by Scythians and Romans.

Adrienne Mayor writes that amazon imagery on Greek vases suddenly appeared in 575-550 BC, initially depicting them in Greek-style armor. By the end of the century, as the Greeks learned more through direct and indirect contact with Scythians, they began to appear wearing archeologically confirmed Scythian-Sarmatian-Thracian patterned attire. (Adrienne Mayor, The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2014, 199-200). To this, artists added their own creative ideas regarding colors, fabric patterns, and decorations. “They dressed the warrior women in body-hugging ‘unitards’ or tunics, short chitons or belted dresses, sometimes over leggings or trousers. . . . In paintings and sculpture, pointed or soft Scythian caps with earflaps or ties (kidaris) soon replaced the Greek helmets, and the women wear a variety of belts, baldrics (diagonal straps), corselets, shoulder cords or bands, and crisscrossing leather straps attached to belt loops like those worn by the archer huntress Artemis. . . . Amazon footgear included soft leather moccasin-like shoes, calf-high boots (endromides), or taller laced boots (embades) with scallops or flaps and lined with felt or fur.” (Mayor, 202)

The artists apparently had detailed knowledge of gear used by real Scythian horsewomen to equip their imagined Amazons. “Archeological discoveries of well-preserved sets of clothing confirm that real horsewomen of ancient Scythian lands dressed much as did those described in Greek texts and illustrated in Scythian and Greek artwork.” (Mayor, 203)1 commentsBlindado

1ab_2 Marcus Licinius CrassusFormed First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey in 60 BC, killed at Carrhae in Parthia in 53 BC.

Denarius, minted by son, P Licinius Crassus, ca 54 BC.
Bust of Venus, right, SC behind
Amazon with horse, P CRASSVS MF.

Seaby, Licinia 18

These coins were probably minted to pay Crassus' army for the invasion of Parthia. My synthesis of reviewing 90 examples of this issue revealed a female warrior wearing a soft felt Scythian cap with ear flaps (visible in this example); a fabric garment with a decorated skirt to the knees; probably trousers; an ornate war belt; a baldric; a cape, animal skin, or shoulder cord on attached to the left shoulder; and decorated calf-high boots. She matches the historically confirmed garb of the real amazons—Scythian horsewomen—and of course holds her steed. The horse’s tack is consistent with archeological discoveries of tack in use by Scythians and Romans.

Adrienne Mayor writes that amazon imagery on Greek vases suddenly appeared in 575-550 BC, initially depicting them in Greek-style armor. By the end of the century, as the Greeks learned more through direct and indirect contact with Scythians, they began to appear wearing archeologically confirmed Scythian-Sarmatian-Thracian patterned attire. (Adrienne Mayor, The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2014, 199-200). To this, artists added their own creative ideas regarding colors, fabric patterns, and decorations. “They dressed the warrior women in body-hugging ‘unitards’ or tunics, short chitons or belted dresses, sometimes over leggings or trousers. . . . In paintings and sculpture, pointed or soft Scythian caps with earflaps or ties (kidaris) soon replaced the Greek helmets, and the women wear a variety of belts, baldrics (diagonal straps), corselets, shoulder cords or bands, and crisscrossing leather straps attached to belt loops like those worn by the archer huntress Artemis. . . . Amazon footgear included soft leather moccasin-like shoes, calf-high boots (endromides), or taller laced boots (embades) with scallops or flaps and lined with felt or fur.” (Mayor, 202)
The artists apparently had detailed knowledge of gear used by real Scythian horsewomen to equip their imagined Amazons. “Archeological discoveries of well-preserved sets of clothing confirm that real horsewomen of ancient Scythian lands dressed much as did those described in Greek texts and illustrated in Scythian and Greek artwork.” (Mayor, 203)

Plutarch wrote of Crassus: People were wont to say that the many virtues of Crassus were darkened by the one vice of avarice, and indeed he seemed to have no other but that; for it being the most predominant, obscured others to which he was inclined. The arguments in proof of his avarice were the vastness of his estate, and the manner of raising it; for whereas at first he was not worth above three hundred talents, yet, though in the course of his political life he dedicated the tenth of all he had to Hercules, and feasted the people, and gave to every citizen corn enough to serve him three months, upon casting up his accounts, before he went upon his Parthian expedition, he found his possessions to amount to seven thousand one hundred talents; most of which, if we may scandal him with a truth, he got by fire and rapine, making his advantages of the public calamities. . . . Crassus, however, was very eager to be hospitable to strangers; he kept open house, and to his friends he would lend money without interest, but called it in precisely at the time; so that his kindness was often thought worse than the paying the interest would have been. His entertainments were, for the most part, plain and citizen-like, the company general and popular; good taste and kindness made them pleasanter than sumptuosity would have done. As for learning he chiefly cared for rhetoric, and what would be serviceable with large numbers; he became one of the best speakers at Rome, and by his pains and industry outdid the best natural orators. . . . Besides, the people were pleased with his courteous and unpretending salutations and greetings, for he never met any citizen however humble and low, but he returned him his salute by name. He was looked upon as a man well-read in history, and pretty well versed in Aristotle's philosophy. . . . Crassus was killed by a Parthian, called Pomaxathres; others say by a different man, and that Pomaxathres only cut off his head and right hand after he had fallen. But this is conjecture rather than certain knowledge, for those that were by had not leisure to observe particulars. . . .1 commentsBlindado

1an GermanicusAdopted by Tiberius in 4 AD, died mysteriously in 19

As, struck by Caligula

Bare head, left, GERMANICVS CAESAR TI AVGVST F DIVI AVG N
C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT SC

RIC 57

Germanicus Julius Caesar (c16 BC-AD 19) was was born in Lugdunum, Gaul (modern Lyon). At birth he was named either Nero Claudius Drusus after his father or Tiberius Claudius Nero after his uncle. He received the agnomen Germanicus, in 9 BC, when it was posthumously awarded to his father in honour of his victories in Germania. Germanicus was the grandson-in-law and great-nephew of the Emperor Augustus, nephew and adoptive son of the Emperor Tiberius, father of the Emperor Caligula, brother of the Emperor Claudius, and the maternal grandfather of the Emperor Nero. He married his maternal second cousin Agrippina the Elder, a granddaughter of Augustus, between 5 and 1 BC. The couple had nine children. Two died very young; another, Gaius Julius Caesar, died in early childhood. The remaining six were: Nero Caesar, Drusus Caesar, the Emperor Caligula, the Empress Agrippina the Younger, Julia Drusilla, and Julia Livilla.

According to Suetonius: Germanicus, who was the son of Drusus the Elder and Antonia the Younger, was adopted (in 4AD) by Germanicus’s paternal uncle, Tiberius. He served as quaestor (in7AD) five years before the legal age and became consul (in12AD) without holding the intermediate offices. On the death of Augustus (in AD14) he was appointed to command the army in Germany, where, his filial piety and determination vying for prominence, he held the legions to their oath, though they stubbornly opposed Tiberius’s succession, and wished him to take power for himself.

He followed this with victory in Germany, for which he celebrated a triumph (in 17 AD), and was chosen as consul for a second time (18 AD) though unable to take office as he was despatched to the East to restore order there. He defeated the forces of the King of Armenia, and reduced Cappadocia to provincial status, but then died at Antioch, at the age of only thirty-three (in AD 19), after a lingering illness, though there was also suspicion that he had been poisoned. For as well as the livid stains which covered his body, and the foam on his lips, the heart was found entire among the ashes after his cremation, its total resistance to flame being a characteristic of that organ, they say, when it is filled with poison.

All considered Germanicus exceptional in body and mind, to a quite outstanding degree. Remarkably brave and handsome; a master of Greek and Latin oratory and learning; singularly benevolent; he was possessed of a powerful desire and vast capacity for winning respect and inspiring affection.

His scrawny legs were less in keeping with the rest of his figure, but he gradually fleshed them out by assiduous exercise on horseback after meals. He often killed enemy warriors in hand-to-hand combat; still pleaded cases in the courts even after receiving his triumph; and left various Greek comedies behind amongst other fruits of his studies.

At home and abroad his manners were unassuming, such that he always entered free or allied towns without his lictors.

Whenever he passed the tombs of famous men, he always offered a sacrifice to their shades. And he was the first to initiate a personal search for the scattered remains of Varus’s fallen legionaries, and have them gathered together, so as to inter them in a single burial mound.

As for Germanicus, Tiberius appreciated him so little, that he dismissed his famous deeds as trivial, and his brilliant victories as ruinous to the Empire. He complained to the Senate when Germanicus left for Alexandria (AD19) without consulting him, on the occasion there of a terrible and swift-spreading famine. It was even believed that Tiberius arranged for his poisoning at the hands of Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, the Governor of Syria, and that Piso would have revealed the written instructions at his trial, had Tiberius not retrieved them during a private interview, before having Piso put to death. As a result, the words: ‘Give us back Germanicus!’ were posted on the walls, and shouted at night, all throughout Rome. The suspicion surrounding Germanicus’ death (19 AD) was deepened by Tiberius’s cruel treatment of Germanicus’s wife, Agrippina the Elder, and their children.1 commentsBlindado

22120 Minucius Thermus/ Two Warriors 22120 Minucius Thermus/ Two Warriors 103 BC
Obv: Helmeted head of Mars left
Rev: Q*TERM*MF below two warriors in combat, one on left protecting a fallen man.
Mint: Rome 20mm 3.6g
Syd 592, Cr319/1
Ex.Kolner Munzkabinett

1 commentsBlayne W

513. GratianFlavius Gratianus Augustus (April 18/May 23, 359 - August 25, 383), known as Gratian, was a Western Roman Emperor from 375 to 383. He was the son of Valentinian I by Marina Severa and was born at Sirmium in Pannonia.

On August 4, 367 he received from his father the title of Augustus. On the death of Valentinian (November 17, 375), the troops in Pannonia proclaimed his infant son (by a second wife Justina) emperor under the title of Valentinian II.

Gratian acquiesced in their choice; reserving for himself the administration of the Gallic provinces, he handed over Italy, Illyria and Africa to Valentinian and his mother, who fixed their residence at Milan. The division, however, was merely nominal, and the real authority remained in the hands of Gratian.

The Eastern Roman Empire was under the rule of his uncle Valens. In May, 378 Gratian completely defeated the Lentienses, the southernmost branch of the Alamanni, at the Battle of Argentovaria, near the site of the modern Colmar. Later that year, Valens met his death in the Battle of Adrianople on August 9.

In the same year, the government of the Eastern Empire devolved upon Gratian, but feeling himself unable to resist unaided the incursions of the barbarians, he promoted Theodosius I on January 19, 379 to govern that portion of the empire. Gratianus and Theodosius then cleared the Balkans of barbarians in the Gothic War (377–382).

For some years Gratian governed the empire with energy and success but gradually sank into indolence, occupying himself chiefly with the pleasures of the chase, and became a tool in the hands of the Frankish general Merobaudes and bishop Ambrose of Milan.

By taking into his personal service a body of Alani, and appearing in public in the dress of a Scythian warrior, he aroused the contempt and resentment of his Roman troops. A Roman general named Magnus Maximus took advantage of this feeling to raise the standard of revolt in Britain and invaded Gaul with a large army. Gratian, who was then in Paris, being deserted by his troops, fled to Lyon. There, through the treachery of the governor, Gratian was delivered over to one of the rebel generals and assassinated on August 25, 383.

RIC IX Antioch 46b S

DN GRATIA-NVS PF AVG
CONCOR-DIA AVGGG1 commentsecoli

69-79 AD - TITUS (Caesar) AR denarius - struck 1Jan-23June 79 ADobv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS (laureate head right)
rev: TR POT VIII COS VII (captive kneeling right in front of trophy of arms)
ref: RIC II 208(Vespasian) (S), C.334(6 francs)
3.32gms, 18mm
Rare

This reverse probably commemorating another Agricola's victory in Britannia or reminder of the successful Jewish War. I think it's belong to the Judea Capta series, because the captive wearing a typical jewish cap, and in ancient times both jewish men and women are wearing dresses covering most of their body (arms and legs). Celtic warriors had a long hair to scary the enemy (and they wearing pants).4 commentsberserker

AE 21 Bronze AE 21, c. 241 - 50 BCE Panormus (Palermo) mint, (4.595g, maximum diameter 20.9mm, die axis 315o)
magistrate (L. Axius?) Naso
o: laureate head of Zeus left
r: warrior standing left, sword in extended right, spear vertical behind in left, grounded shield behind leaning on spear, NAS/O left
very rare magistrate

per Forum notes: NASO named on this coin could be Lucius Axius L. f. Naso, who was a moneyer in Rome, c. 73 - 70 B.C. Two inscriptions discovered at Cordoba dedicated to a Lucio Axio Luci filio Polia tribu Nasoni, indicate his honors. He was first decemvir stlitibus iudicandis, then tribunus militum pro legato, then quaestor. Or, this NASO could be completely unrelated.
Calciati I p. 351, 125 (one specimen); HGC 2 1071 (C)
PURCHASED FROM FORUM ANCIENT COINSPMah

AEOLIS, TemnusAE14, 14.05mm (2.24 gm).

Athena in crested Corinthian helmet right / A - Θ - T - A, warrior standing, wearing crested helmet and cuirass, javelin in right hand, shield on left arm; A in upper left field, Θ in upper right field, T in lower left field and A in lower right field. Struck 3rd century BC.

SNG Cop 4, 259.socalcoins

Alexander III Tetradrachm Price 2999KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.13 g, 12 h), Tarsos, struck under Balakros or Menes, circa 333-327.
O: Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress.
R: AÎ›EÎžANÎ”POY Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right.
- Price 2999. A rare early and unusual issue from Tarsos, "Officina B", bearing no symbol.

Alexander the Great (356 B.C.–323 B.C.) has been recognized as the greatest stratelates (roughly, ‘general’) in history. His army consisted of 30,000 infantryman and 5,000 cavalrymen. In 334 B.C., when he was 22 years old, he embarked on a campaign starting from the capital of Macedonia, Pella, and he created the Macedonian Empire within 8 years, by 326 B.C. The Macedonian Empire extended from Greece to India and North Africa. Alexander fought in the front lines in every battle, thereby encouraging his fellow warriors to do their best. He was never a spectator in battles, and the rear line was not for him. In each battle, just as any of his soldiers, he faced the risk of not seeing the sunset. He was in danger of “dining in Hades,” as they said about soldiers who died during battle. All his soldiers saw Alexander’s back in every battle.

By comparing these early Tarsos tetradrachms to the staters of Mazaios (Pictured below) it is easy to see the identical forms of the throne, scepter, footstool and other details. The drapery is rendered in a similar manner, the Aramaic inscription of the one and the Greek inscription of the other share the same curve following the dotted border. This evidence indicates the two series of coins were the common product of a single mint.

2 commentsNemonater

Allobroges Tribe, GaulCeltic Gaul. The Allobroges. After 52 B.C. AR unit.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right.
Reverse: Warrior holding couched lance on horse galloping right; below, DONNVS.
CCCBM II 277. 15 mm, 1.90 g, 4′.
Ex ACCG Benefit Auction Lot 1, August 17, 2008.1 commentsb70

Amazon on HorseThe Amazon Queen Omphale?

AE20, Lydia, Mostene, ca 100 BC
Laureate head of Zeus right
ΛYΔΩN MOΣTHNΩN, Amazon on horseback right, holding bipennis axe over shoulder; EP (or EB) to left, monogram to right

SNG Copenhagen 284, Waddington 5101 (if EB)

Adrienne Mayor, in "The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women across the Ancient World," records the following:

"In a legend preserved by Plutarch, when Heracles took [Amazon Queen] Hippolyte's golden belt, he also carried away her battle axe, which he presented to another powerful mythical queen, Omphale of Lydia. . . . Queen Hippolyte's axe, says Plutarch, was handed down from Omphale to the kings of Lydia. That is, until King Candaules (d. 718 BC) disrespected the Amazon's axe and carelessly gave it away. Hippolyte's precious axe ultimately ended up in the Temple of Zeus at Labranda in Caria. The original axe shape was not specified in the tale, but by the time it was placed in Zeus's temple it was described as a solid gold labors, the symmetrical double-headed ritual axe traditionally associated with Zeus and Minoan goddesses. . . . (219-220.)"

As Mayor points out, the actual Scythian women horse warriors, who were the original amazons, did not use such and axe in battle, but rather the single-headed sagaris. But the double-headed axe appears on various ancient coins depicting amazons. The coin is historically accurate, however, in portraying the amazon as a horse-mounted warrior.

Given the Lydian origin of the coin, the obverse of Zeus, and reverse of an amazon with an axe shaped like the one at Zeus's temple, it is reasonable to suggest that she is Omphale.
Blindado

Amazon on Horse 2AE 23, Eumeneia in Phrygia, minted MA as Caesar 139-161

Draped and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius, Μ ΑΥΡΗΛΙ ΟΥΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ
Amazon on horseback r, holding labrys over shoulder, ΕΥΜΕΝΕΙΩΝ ΑΧΑΙΩΝ

BMC 59; RPC IV online 1992 (temp.); SNG Copenhagen 396; SNG Tübingen

Phrygia was a territory roamed by Scythian tribes, among whom rode the female horse warriors from whom the notion of amazons arose. Despite its Phrygian origin, the iconography of the amazon is similar to depictions on Roman sarcophagi and other sculptures that depict the warrior women in a thigh-length dress with sandals and often bareheaded. This one has a cape billowing behind her. The image is mythical insofar as the amazons did not use a double-headed axe in combat.Blindado

ANIMALS/PINK FLOYD, Track 3. Pigs (Three Different Ones)Celtic potin, Leuci tribe
80-20 BC
AE17.6, 3.43 gm
Obv: bald warrior head left
Rev: boar standing left, three half-circles below
Ref: BN 9100-9104

Composite picture of the collection:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-104363

Interactive presentation:
http://prezi.com/q7mw1k1zur65/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

TIF

ANTIQUITIES, Greek, Corinthian ArybalosCorinthian Arbalos
5th Century B.C.
Two Warriors Facing Boar
2 5/8" Height
Repaired3 comments

AR Tetradrachm of Antioch, Roman Syria 46/45 BCOBVERSE: Diademed head of Philip Philadelphos right
REVERSE: BASILEUS PHILIPPOY EPIPHOYS PHILADELPHOY, Zeus seated left holding Nike and Sceptre, Antioch monogram to inner left. D (date) in Exergue off flan - year 4 of Caesarian era.
RPC_4128, Prieur 5. McAlee 5(b)/1 same dies
Diameter ~26 mm, wt 14.3 gms, some porosity.
This coin is particularly interesting because it shows the change in style that came about as Roman cultural influence followed conquest of the Hellenic world. The flabby and self-indulgent features of the real Philip as portrayed in his lifetime have become idealized as a warrior-hero which he never was. daverino

Asia Minor, Ionia, Samos, Herennia Etruscilla, WarriorHerennia Etruscilla
Ionia, Samos
AE28
Obv.: ЄΡЄΝ ЄΤΡΟΥϹΚΙΛΛΑ ϹЄB, Draped bust right, wearing stephane and set upon crescent.
Rev.: ϹΑΜΙΩΝ, Warrior advancing right, head left, with foot set upon prow right, extending hand and holding shield.
Ae, 12.41g, 28 mm
Ref.: RPC IX 682; BMC 363shanxi

Asia Minor, Ionia, Samos, Otacilia Severa, WarriorOtacilia Severa
Ionia, Samos
AE30
Obv: M ΩTAKIΛIA CEOVHPA CEB.
Draped bust right, wearing stephane.
Rev: ϹΑΜΙΩΝ, Warrior advancing right, head left, with foot set upon prow right, extending hand and holding shield.
Ae, 10.68g, 30 mm
Ref.: SNG Copenhagen 1769; BMC 325shanxi

Aurelian * Emperor and Mars, 270-275 AD. Ã† Antoninianus.
Aurelian * Emperor and Mars * Bronze Antoninianus.

Obv: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG * radiate, cuirassed bust right facing.
Rev: RESTITVTOR EXERCITI, Mars the aggressor on the left facing right, presents Aurelian the globe (..the world) with his right hand; Aurelian standing opposite on his right, left-facing * Mars holding a spear in left hand, Emperor receiving the globe with his right hand, holding scepter in his left hand.
Officina letter Î“ below globe, between the warriors.

Exergue: XXI

Mint: Cyzicus
Struck: 274-275 AD.

Size: 24 mm.
Weight: 4.64 grams
Die axis: 0°

Condition: Quite superb, although with some effacing of the Legends on both sides.
Letter A effaced from [A]VRELIANVS, on the Obv.
Rev. shows – EX[ERC]ITI
In all, beautiful condition; superb, well-centered strike. Lovely universal bronze-gold patina, and excellent details.

Refs:*
Cohen 206
RIC Vi, 366F (s) Scarce, page 306
(Rated Scarce by RIC).

Tiathena

AUSTRIA -- Ottokar II as KingAUSTRIA -- Ottokar II as King (1261-1276) AR Pfennig, Vienna mint. Obv.: Warrior to right with sword and shield. Rev.: Embossing traces. Reference: Luschin #62.dpaul7

Barbarians: Gallic Hero Vencingetorix as Pavor?Roman Republic. L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius (3.57g, 19mm, 12h), Rome, 48 BCE.
Obv: Bearded bust of captive Gallic warrior with wild, corded hair (Vercingetorix as Pavor?) and chain around neck, facing right; to left, a Gallic shield.
Rev: L•HOSTILIVS / SASERNA. Two naked Gallic warriors in galloping biga right, one driving, holding whip in right hand and reins in left, and the other facing backward, holding shield in left hand and brandishing spear in right.
Ref: Crawford 448/2a; Hostilia 2; Sydenham 952.
Prov: Tauler y Fau 65 (Madrid, 6 Oct 2020), 1276.

Notes: This coin forms a pair with the other Hostilius Saserna Denarius in my Gallery -- and a trio with the Caesar "captives" Denarius. Two years later, Julius Caesar struck his Gallic captives & trophy series denarii, depicting the same two figures on the reverse (full-bodied, rather than just the head).

Reluctant as I am to disagree with Crawford (he does NOT believe it's Vercingetorix!), I do find it quite plausible that Vercingetorix is depicted here (possibly "as Pavor," or Dread). During the Republican & Early Empire the Romans were fond of building up the legends of their enemies, especially once defeated. Gallic warriors seem to hold a special fascination on Roman Republican coinage, so it might be even more surprising if they hadn't used the opportunity to boast of the most magnificent of their "trophy captives."Curtis JJ

Battle of Thapsus - P. Licinius Crassus (47-46 BC)Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio and P. Licinius Crassus, 47-46 BC. AR Denarius. North Africa.

Obv: Q·METEL· PIVS – SCIPIO·IMP Lion-headed Genius Terrae Africae standing facing, holding ankh in her right hand; to left and right of her head, G.T. - A.
Rev: P·CRASSVS·IVN – LEG PRO·PR Victory standing to left, holding caduceus and shield.

This coin has aroused great interest among numismatists, especially the lioness-headed goddess depicted on the obverse, numismatists have two different views about her identiy, one of which believes that she is Sekhmet, the lioness goddess of war in ancient Egyptian mythology, and that in her right hand is 'ankh', the symbol of life in Egyptian culture; while the other view, which arouses in recent years, believes that she was the Carthaginian goddess Tanit, with 'symbol of Tanit' in her right hand. Considering the coin was minted near Thapsus in North Africa, which was the formal land of Carthage Republic, the second view makes more sense. In fact Tanit was still venerated in North Africa after the destruction of Carthage, and was sometimes depicted with a lion's head to express her warrior quality.

Either way, the coinage shows a dramatic break with Roman Republican tradition, no local or city goddess had previously been portrayed on the obverse of Roman coinage other than Roma herself, and certainly never a foreign one, not to mention an enemy one. In this case it was made all the more objectionable by either being or holding the symbol of Tanit - a god whose people had slain hundreds of thousands of Roman soldiers and nearly vanquished Rome entirely. Scipio’s coinage might have been designed to curry favour with the populace of North Africa, Caesar must not have been able to believe his luck, as nothing could better demonstrate to the rank and file the justness of his military actions than the thoroughly un-Roman depths to which Scipio had lowered himself.YuenTsin C

Brettian League: The Bretti, AE Reduced Uncia.Bruttium 211-208 B.C. 7.94g - 22mm, Axis 3h.

Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right.

Rev: BΡETTIΩN - Naked warrior advancing, holding shield and spear; bucranium below shield.

Ref: Scheu, Bronze 45; HNItaly 1988; SNG ANS 107.
Provenance: Chris Scarlioli Collection.Christian Scarlioli

Bruttium, The Brettii. (Circa 211-208 BC.)Æ Unit – Drachm

21.5mm, 7.58 g

Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus right; thunderbolt to left

Reverse: Warrior advancing right, holding shield and spear; race torch to right.

Scheu, Bronze 43; HN Italy 1988.Nathan P

Bruttium; the BrettiLaureated and bearded head of Zeus right, at left thunderbolt, dotted border

BΡETTIΩN
warrior attacking right holding shield and spear; below bucranium. Dotted border.

211-208 BC

Scheu 42; HNItaly 1988; SNG Copenhagen 1658; SNG ANS 108.

8.05g

Round punch mark on obverse3 commentsJay GT4

Byzantine Lead Seal, #24,Byzantine Lead Seal, #24,
"That's an anonymous seal depicting two warrior saints. Obv. shows Saint George [O GE]-WPGIO' (The accent is an abbreviation mark, peculiarly only for the letter 'C'!). The rev. shows Demetrios [O D]H/[M]H - TPIOC (can't see these last letters clearly from the photo though). He is holding a spear in r. hand and his l. on hilt of sword set on the ground. I'd date this one 12th century." by Gert thank you Gert.quadrans

Byzantine Period, Crusader States, County of Edessa. Baldwin II , Second reign (1108-1118) . Æ FollisCRUSADER STATES . County of Edessa. Baldwin II , Second reign (1108-1118) . Æ Follis
Æ Follis. 8.35 g. Heavy issue .
Obverse : armed warrior standing left holding sword and shield .
Reverse : True Cross on two-stepped base , large pellet in each upper angle , three pellets and sprig in each lower angle .

( Obverse - overstruck on Richard Class 3 reverse , trace of Î” in circular legend and on Baldwin Class 2 reverse long cross , pellets , X and B in first and second angles ;
Reverse - on bust of Christ Baldwin Class 2 obverse ;
CCS 7 ; Slocum 11 ; Porteous, NC 1975 Class 3 ;

Porteous, NC 1975 Plate 16 , 38 (this coin) ; Ex. John Slocum collection , Sothebys London sale 6-7 March 1997 lot 11 ( illustrated Pl.1). Ex Jean Elsen Sale
Vladislav D

C. Poblicius Malleolus - AR denariusRome
²92 BC/ ¹96 BC
helmeted head of Mars right, hammer above
(XVI)
warrior standing half left, foot on cuirass, holding spear; trophy left, grasshopper on prow right
C·M(AL)
¹Crawford 335/3d; Sydenham 615a; Poblicia 6
²Mark Passehl - Roman moneyer & coin type chronology, 150 – 50 BC
3,8g 18mm
ex Aureo & CalicóJ. B.

C. POBLICIUS MALLEOLUS AR DenariusOBVERSE: Helmeted head of Mars right; mallet (malleolus) above
REVERSE: Warrior standing left before trophy, right foot on cuirass, holding spear; behind, C•MAL and grasshopper above prow
Struck at Rome, 96 BC
3.5g, 19mm
Crawford 335/3a; Poblicia 6bLegatus

C. Poblicius Malleolus, Crawford 282/3C. Poblicius Malleolus, gens Poblicia
AR - denarius serratus, 19.5mm, 3.8g
Narbo 118 BC (Crawford)
obv. C.MA - L - L - E.C.F
Head of Roma, with decorated and winged helmet, r.
X behind
rev. Nude Gallic warrior (Bituitus?), driving biga r., hurling spear and holding shield and carnyx.
below L.LIC.CN.DOM.
Crawford 282/3; Sydenham 524; RCV 158; Poblicia 1
about VF

Lucius Licinius Crassus, & Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus
The reverse commemorates the victory of L. Licinius Crassus and Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus over the Allobroges and their ally Bituitus, king of the Averni. It is one of the very few issues of the Roman Republic struck outside of Rome, this issue was struck in the newly founded city of Narbo in Gaul. These coins, minted by a number of moneyers at this time (and bearing their names) were important in establishing the republican chronology.
Jochen

C. Publicus Malleolus, (96 B.C.)AR Denarius
O: Helmeted head of Mars right; mallet (malleolus) above, mark of value below chin.
R: Warrior, holding spear and shield, with right foot on cuirass, standing left before trophy; prow to right; C•M(AL) to right.
Rome Mint
3.67g
19mm
Crawford 335/3b; Sydenham 615; Poblicia 6a; Type as RBW 1203.2 commentsMat

C. Servilius C.f. – Servilia-15ROMAN REPUBLIC C. Servilius C.f. AR Denarius 57 BC (18.57mm 3.86 grams) FLORAL PRIMUS, hd. of Flora r., wearing wreath of flowers, lituus behind; / C•SERVEIL C•F•, two warriors facing each other with short swords upward. Crawford 423/1, Servilia 15, Syd 890, RCV 380Bud Stewart

C. Servilius Vatia FoureeFouree; 2.84g; 22-23.5mm

head of Roma right; lituus behind, six pointed star below chin
ROMA

Helmeted warrior on horseback charging left, holding spear and shield inscribed M;
horseman on left, defending with sword and shield
C, SERVEIL

imitates crawford 264/1arizonarobin

Calabria Italy Taras on DolphinTaras, Calabria, Italy, c. 272 - 240 B.C., Silver nomos, Unpublished(?); Vlasto 932 var. (different controls), SNG ANS 1239 var. (same), HN Italy 1044 var. (same), SNG Cop -, BMC Italy -, VF, 6.520g, 19.7mm, die axis 180°,
OBV: Nude warrior wearing crested helmet on horse standing left, holding shield on left arm, horse raising right foreleg, ET (control) before horse, API-Î£Tâ„¦N below divided by horse's left foreleg;
REV: Taras on dolphin left, kantharos in extended right hand, trident nearly vertical in left, Î“Y (control) behind upper right, TAPAÎ£ below;

Very Rare variant. EX: Forum Ancient Coins

Taras, the only Spartan colony, was founded in 706 B.C. The founders were Partheniae ("sons of virgins"), sons of unmarried Spartan women and Perioeci (free men, but not citizens of Sparta).
These out-of-wedlock unions were permitted to increase the prospective number of soldiers (only the citizens could be soldiers) during the bloody Messenian wars. Later, however, when they were no longer
needed, their citizenship was retroactively nullified and the sons were obliged to leave Greece forever. Their leader, Phalanthus, consulted the oracle at Delphi and was told to make the harbor of Taranto
their home. They named the city Taras after the son of Poseidon, and of a local nymph, Satyrion. The reverse depicts Taras being saved from a shipwreck by a dolphin sent to him by Poseidon.
This symbol of the ancient Greek city is still the symbol of modern Taranto today.

1 commentsSRukke

Calabria NomosAR Nomos
Helmeted warrior on horse left, holding shield ornamented with eight-rayed star & two spears behind him

Dionysiac Taras astride dolphin left, holding distaff & grape-bunch

Calabria, Tarentum
ca 281-272 BC

5.58g

Vlasto 789 (SNG ANS 1133)
Ex-Calgary coins

SOLD!4 commentsJay GT4

Calabria Tarentum AR didrachmTarentum, Calabria, AR Nomos. 272-235 BC, period of Roman Occupation
Obv: Nude warrior on horseback right, holding large
round shield on left arm and wielding spear downwards in right hand, two reserve spears to his left. ΔI to l. APIΣTO/KΛHΣ in two lines below.
Rev: Phalanthos or Taras seated on dolphin left, holding kantharos in extended right hand and trident in left, in field to right, head of nymph (Astyra ?).
TAPAΣ below.
19mm, 6.56g, 3h.
Vlasto 924T.MooT

Calabria Tarentum AR didrachmCalabria, Tarentum AR didrachm (c. 250-235 BC)
21mm, 6.33g, 9h.
O/ Warrior, holding shield and two spears, preparing to cast a third, on horse rearing right; ΔI to left; API ΣTO/KΛHΣ in two lines below.
R/ Taras or Phalanthos, holding kantharos and trident, on dolphin left; to right, head of nymph left. The Inscription reads: TAPAΣ for Taras.
V.880 - Côte506 - ANS.1197 - MIAMG.1570 - SNG. France 6./2032 - HN. Italy1033 - BMC.124 - GC.375T.MooT

Calabria, Taras Nomos circa 415-390, AR22 mm, 7.36 g
Warrior, wearing helmet and holding shield and lance, dismounting from horse l. Rev. TAPAΣ Oecist, holding helmet, spear and large oval shield, on dolphin l.
Fischer-Bossert 321. Vlasto 297. Historia Numorum Italy 849.
Extremely rare. Old cabinet tone, surface slightly porous and minor marks, otherwise good very fine.Leo

Calabria, Taras AR Nomos. Circa 390-385 BC.Nude warrior on horseback left, holding reins in right hand, small round shield on left arm; A below / Taras astride dolphin left; P and ΤΑΡΑΣ below. Vlasto 379ff; HN Italy 869; SNG ANS 900. 6.98g, 23mm, 8h.

Good Fine.4 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras, Circa 315-302 BC. AR Nomos21mm, 8.04 g, 11h
Warrior, preparing to cast spear held aloft in right hand, holding two spears and shield with left hand, on horse rearing right; Îž to left, API below / Phalanthos, nude, holding kantharos in extended right hand and cradling oar in left arm, riding dolphin left; KÎ› to left, TAPAÎ£ to right. Fischer-Bossert Group 74a, 914 (V357/R709); Vlasto 638; HN Italy 939; SNG ANS 1016 (same obv. die); SNG Lloyd –; BMC 208 (same dies); Pozzi 123 (same obv. die). Very rare in this quality. Excellent style. Beautiful patina. Extremely fine.
Ex Hess-Divo 329 (17 November 2015), lot 6; Leu 91 (10 May 2004), lot 15.

The obverse of this nomos depicts an example of the mercenary cavalrymen for which Taras became famous in the Hellenistic period. The Tarentine cavalryman is believed to have been the first mounted warrior of the Greek world to carry a shield. This novelty made him popular in the armies of Hellenistic kings and led to the training of cavalrymen in the Tarentine style.3 commentsLeo

Calabria, Taras, Nomos, Vlasto 696 Silver Nomos

Obv:– Warrior on horseback right thrusting spear downward with right hand, holding two spears and shield in his left hand ; Î£Î™ behind , Î”AKINMOÎ£ below.
Rev:– [TARAS] , Phalanthos astride dolphin left, holding dolphinin right hand , cradling cornucopiae in left arm. [Î”Î‘ below]
Minted in Calabria, Taras from .c. 302 - 280 B.C. Magistrate Dakinmos
Reference:– Vlasto 696 ; SNG ANS 10713 commentsmaridvnvm

Calabria, Taras, Nomos, Vlasto 877Silver Nomos
Obv:- Nude warrior on horseback right, holding shield and two lances in left hand, spear pointed downwards in right; API-STO/KL-NS below, DI behind.
Rev- Taras astride dolphin left, holding kantharos in right hand and trident in left; head of a nymph behind.
Minted in Calabria, Taras from .c. 272 - 235 B.C.
Reference:– Vlasto 8771 commentsmaridvnvm

Calabria, Taras, Nomos, Vlasto 891Silver Nomos
Obv:– Helmeted, nude warrior riding on horse right, transverse spear in right hand, large round shield behind, [Î¦I before], Î¦HRAE / Î›HTWÎ£ below.
Rev:– [T_A_RAS], Taras astride dolphin left, holding flower & cornucopiae; EI monogram & thymiaterion behind
Minted in Calabria, Taras from .c. 272 - 235 B.C. Pheraeletos as magistrate
Reference:– Vlasto 891 ???, SNG ANS 1209???. HN Italy 10374 commentsmaridvnvm

CALABRIA, Taras. c. 240-228 BC. AR NomosAR. 6.52 g. 21.50 mm.
Olympis magistrate.
Obv. Nude warrior, brandishing javelin, on horse galloping right; wreath to left, [OΛ]YMΠIΣ below.
Rev. Phalanthos, nude, holding kantharos and trident, riding dolphin left; tripod to right; T-APAΣ below.
HN Italy 1055; Vlasto -; cf. 942-3 (Taras holding cornucopiae).
RR. Extremely rare variety, very seldom offered. Choice specimen, darkly toned. About EF.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. c. 400-390 BC. AR Nomos21mm, 7.67g, 6h
Warrior, wearing helmet, holding shield and lance, dismounting from horse cantering l. R/ Phalanthos, holding helmet and large oval shield, on dolphin l.; Σ below. Vlasto 297; HNItaly 849. VF1 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. c. Time of Kleonymos. Circa 302 BC. AV Tetrobol-Third Stater.AV. 2.84 g. 12.00 mm.
Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with a coiled serpent.
Rev. Naked Taras driving biga right, holding trident in left hand, reins in right; above, star; below, dolphin downwards.
HN Italy 956; Vlasto 20 ; SNG ANS -; SNG Cop. 838 var. (no dolphin).
Very rare issue. VF/Good VF.
Ex Vinchon, November 1994, lot 8 (Coll. James et Sneja Velkov).

Struck c. 303-302 BC, when Tarentine invited Kleonymos, as son of Kleomenes II, to defend them against the Lucanians. The Spartan raised such a large mercenary army (it is said to have been made up of about 5,000 warriors) that the Italic enemy immediately asked for a peace terms.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 240-228 BC. AR Nomos18mm, 5.94 g, 6h
Kallikrates, magistrate. Warrior riding right, head facing, extending right hand to receive crowning Nike, flying right; monogram to left, magistrate’s name in two lines below
Phalanthos riding dolphin left, holding trident and Nike; NE monogram to right.
Vlasto 964; HN Italy 1059. VF, darkly toned, some marks under tone.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 240-228 BC. AR Nomos6.42g, 21mm, 5h.
Olympis, magistrate. Reduced standard. Warrior on horseback to right, brandishing spear in right hand and holding reins with left; wreath behind, OΛYMΠIΣ below。
Taras astride dolphin to left, holding kantharos and cornucopiae; tripod to right, TAPAΣ below.
Vlasto 942; SNG ANS 1249; SNG Copenhagen 942; HN Italy 1055.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 272-240 BC. AR Nomos20mm, 6.23g, 7h
Helmeted warrior on horseback r., holding lance and shield; I-HPAK/ΛHTOΣ in two lines below. R.
Phalanthos astride dolphin l., holding flower and cornucopia; monogram and thymiaterion to r.
Vlasto 890-2; HNItaly 1037.
Toned, Good VFLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 272-240 BC. AR Nomos20 mm. 6,43 g.
Obv：Nude warrior on horseback to right, Magistratsname Nikokrates. below.
Rev:Taras astride dolphin to left, TAPAΣ below.
HN Italy 1045; Slg. Vlasto 934.
Very rare, no result in CoinArchive.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos21mm, 7.82 g, 2h.
Warrior on horse galloping left, holding shield; ΦIΛΩ (retrograde) below / Phalanthos riding dolphin left, holding small Nike; waves below. Vlasto 684 (same obv. die); HN Italy 964. VF, toned.2 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 280-272 BC. AR Nomos20mm, 6.11g, 7h.
Time of Pyrrhos of Epiros.
Warrior on horseback r., holding shield and spears, preparing to cast spear downward; EΥ behind, ΣΩΣΤΡΑΤΟΣ below.
Phalanthos on dolphin l., holding Nike and cornucopia; thunderbolt behind, ΠΟΛΥ before.
Vlasto 713-9; HNItaly 1001. Porous, VFLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 281-272 BC. AR Nomos23 mm, 6.50 g, 7 h
ΞΩ - AΠOΛΛΩ Warrior on horse galloping to left, holding shield decorated with star and two spears.
Rev. TAPAΣ Youthful oikist, nude, riding dolphin to left, holding grape in his right hand and distaff in his left; above to right, ANΘ and grain ear.
HN Italy 1013. Vlasto 800. Very fine.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 302-280 BC. AR NomosAR. 7.86 g. 22.00 mm.
Nikodamos, Eu-, and Aga-, magistrates.
Obv. Nude warrior, wearing crested helmet and shield on left arm, holding rein in right hand, on horse advancing left; retrograde EY to left; NIKO/ΔAM/OΣ in three lines below. Rev. Phalanthos, holding grape bunch by branch in extended right hand and cradling distaff in left arm, riding dolphin left; TAPAΣ to left; to right, cock standing left; AΓA below. HN Italy 970; Vlasto 707; SNG ANS -.
Great metal and full weight. An outstanding example.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 302-290 BC. AR Nomos20.5mm, 7.93 g, 10h.
Warrior, nude but for crested helmet, holding shield and two spears, preparing to cast a third, on horse rearing right; ΣA below.
Nude, holding trident and shield decorated with hippocamp, riding dolphin left; ΦI to left, conch shell below.
Fischer-Bossert Group 76, 985 (V382/R756); Vlasto 598 (same dies); HN Italy 935; McClean 605 (same dies); Pozzi 120 (same dies).
Old collection tone, off center on obverse, die break on reverse. Good VF.
Ex English Queen’s Counsel Collection; Spink Numismatic Circular XCV.7 (September 1987), no. 4952.
Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 325/0-315 BC. AR Nomos22mm, 7.16 g, 6h.
Warrior, wearing shield adorned with hippocamp and holding two javelins, on horse prancing left; to left, Nike standing facing, head right, restraining horse; below, M above leg, KAΛ below.
Phalanthos, preparing to throw javelin and holding two others, cloak draped over his arm and billowing behind, riding dolphin right; KAΛ and waves below.
Fischer-Bossert Group 63, 793g (V310/R615) = Vlasto 534 (this coin; cast of coin damaged in photo); HN Italy 893.
Old cabinet tone, flatly struck, numerous scratches, test cut and marks on edge. Near VF.

From the Mesogeios Collection. Ex Edgar L. Owen inventory 5481 (ND); Michel Pandely Vlasto Collection; Carlo Strozzi Collection (not in Sangiorgi sale).1 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 332-302 BC. AR Nomos7.93 g. 22.50 mm.
Obv. Warrior, holding shield and two spears, preparing to cast a third, on horseback right; Ξ to left; API below.
Rev. Phalanthos, holding kantharos and rudder, riding dolphin left; K[Λ] to lower right; behind, TAPAΣ.
HN Italy 939; Vlasto 636-7; SNG ANS 1016.
Brilliant and lightly toned; minor cleaning marks. About EF.1 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 333-331/0 BC. AR Nomos 20mm, 7.86 g, 11h
Warrior, holding shield and two spears, preparing to cast a third, on horseback right; Λ to left, N to right, KAΛ and N below.
Phalanthos, extending hand and holding shield and two spears, riding dolphin left; above, Nike flying right, crowning him with wreath; K to left; below, fish left above waves.
Fischer-Bossert Group 57, 743 (V284/R577); Vlasto –; HN Italy 897; de Luynes 320 (same dies).
Compact flan, traces of horn silver, a few light cleaning scratches.
VF. Well centered. Very rare, only one die pair and four examples noted by Fischer-Bossert for this issue.2 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 340-335 BC. AR Nomos7.91 g, 2h
Warrior, wearing helmet and holding shield and rein, on horseback left; |- below.
Phalanthos, holding helmet, on dolphin left; retrograde K below.
Fischer-Bossert group 46, 659a (V252/R511 – this coin); Vlasto 437-8 var. (letter on rev.; same obv. die); HN Italy 876; Côte 153 (same dies).
Good VF, toned, flan flaw on reverse.
Extemely rare die combination, one of three known coins.
ex: The New York sales (2001).1 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 340-335 BC. AR NomosPhi-, D-, Iph-, magistrates. Nude, helmeted warrior on horseback to right, holding spear, cloak flowing out behind; ΦI in left field, small Pegasos between horse's legs / Taras astride dolphin to left, holding kantharos, being crowned by Nike; Δ below star in left field, IΦ below, TAPAΣ downwards to right, waves below. Fischer-Bossert 724 (V271/ R566); Vlasto - cf. 520 (without Pegasos on obv.) ; SNG ANS -; HN Italy -. 7.84g, 21mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; lustrous. Extremely Rare; not listed in Vlasto.

From a private German collection, formed c.1980-2020.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 344-340 BC. AR Nomos19.5mm, 7.89 g, 9h
Nude warrior, holding spear, shield on left arm, on horse advancing left; Î” below / Phalanthos, nude, holding trident, riding dolphin left; below, K above waves.
Fischer-Bossert Group 47, 669c (V255/R519 – this coin); Vlasto 445 (same dies); HN Italy 870; SNG Lockett 137 (same dies); SNG München 627 (same dies). Lightly toned, clashed dies (also visible on Lockett specimen). EF. Well centered.1 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 350-345 BC. AR Nomos22mm, 7.85 g, 5h
Warrior, nude but for crested helmet, holding shield, on horse galloping left / Phalanthos, nude, holding dart and trident, riding dolphin right; Î¦I below. Fischer-Bossert Group 44, 639 var. (V248/R– [unlisted rev. die]); Vlasto 394 (same obv. die); HN Italy 870. Deep old iridescent tone, struck with worn obverse die. EF.

From the Matthew Curtis Collection.2 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 380-340 BC. AR Nomos21mm, 7.75g, 9h.
Nude warrior on horseback l., holding spear, shield on l. arm; Δ below. R.
Phalanthos riding dolphin l., holding trident; below, K above waves.
Vlasto 444; HNItaly 877.
Rare die combination.
Minor roughness, Good VFLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 400-390 BC. AR Nomos21mm, 7.04g, 8h.
Warrior, wearing helmet, holding shield and lance, dismounting from horse cantering l.; Σ to lower l.
Phalanthos, holding helmet and large oval shield, on dolphin l.; Σ to l.
Vlasto 301; HNItaly 849.
Rare combination. Near VF.Leo

Calabria, Taras; c. 302-281 BC, Stater7.82g, 20mm, 3h.
Si... and Deinokrates, magistrates. Warrior, preparing to cast spear held in right hand, holding two spears and shield in left, on horse rearing right; [ΣI] to left, [ΔEINOKPATHΣ] below / Taras, holding small dolphin, astride dolphin left; TAPAΣ behind.
Vlasto 692-3; HN Italy 967. 1 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, TarentumAR didrachm or nomos, 20mm, 8.0g, 6h; c. 302-290 BC.
Obv.: Nude, helmeted warrior on horseback right, holding shield and two spears, thrusting spear downward; ΔAI below.
Rev.: Taras riding dolphin left, holding shield decorated with hippocamp and trident; ΦI to right, murex shell below, [TAPAΣ] to right.
Reference: Vlasto 594, SNG ANS 990, HN Italy 935 / 16-410-3752 commentsJohn Anthony

Calabria, Tarentum, AR NomosCALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 272-240 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 6.24 g, 11h). Reduced standard. Warrior, holding shield and two spears, preparing to cast a third, on horseback right; Î”I to left, API-Î£T[O]/K[Î›-HÎ£] in two lines below / Phalanthos, holding kantharos and trident, on dolphin left; to right, head of nymph left. Vlasto 877–81; HN Italy 1033. Lightly toned, a little off center on obverse. VF.
Ex CNG Auction 467 Lot 20
Photograph by CNG
2 commentssimmurray

CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 272-240 BC.CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 272-240 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 6.48 g, 9h). Warrior on horseback right, holding shield and spear; DI above; APO[LL/WNIOS] in two lines below / Phalanthos riding dolphin left, head facing with flowing chlamys around left arm, holding trident in right hand; crowning Nike to left; waves below. Vlasto 894-898; HN Italy 1038. Lustrous4 commentsMark R1

CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 344-340 BC. AR Nomos21mm, 7.77g, 3h
Warrior, wearing helmet and holding shield, on horseback r.; |- below. R/ Phalanthos, holding kantharos, on dolphin l.; below, Π above waves. Vlasto 448; HNItaly 890. Graffiti and small metal-flaw on rev., VFLeo

303 files on 4 page(s)