Always wanted an ancient Mount Argaeus so I got this. Seems like this type is a tad scarce for him? Was in a ngc holder, 4/5, 4/5. I dont agree with the grading. So I tossed the ngc ticket. Hadrian (117-138 A.D.) AR Didrachm CAPPADOCIA, Caesarea O: ADPIANOC CEBACTOC, laureate head right. R: YPATOC G.PATHPPA, Helios standing on Mount Argaeus, holding globe and sceptre. 20mm 6.35g Sydenham, Caesarea 263; Metcalf, Caesarea 92a
To me 4/5, 4/5 is not so bad as long as the grade was VG or aF. With a coin this worn, it is hard to read the quality of the strike.
Does anyone happen to know why this peak was special to Romans, Hadrian or why it's featured on this coin? Mt. Argaeus [I found it interesting also that a Lunar peak was named after it, Mons Argaeus]
I have a couple APs with Mt Argaeus: ANTONIUS PIUS AR Didrachm OBVERSE: ANTWNEI-NOC CEBACTOC, laureate head right REVERSE: YPAT B PAT PATR, Helios, holding globe and sceptre, standing atop Mt. Argaeus; * in exergue Struck at Caesaria, Cappadocia, 139 AD 6.2g, 21mm Syd 301c ANTONIUS PIUS AE20 OBVERSE: AYTOC ANTWNEUNOC CEBACTOC, laureate, draped bust right REVERSE: KAICAREW N T P ARGAI, Mt. Argaeus culminating in tall pyramidal top (baetyl?), ET Q in ex. Struck at Caesaria, Cappadocia, AD 145-146 7.4g, 20mm Syd 310 var
Another cool addition. One of the first ancients I ever got is from Cappadocia. of Sev. Alexander. Not so pretty though.
Fantastic new addition, Mat (very cool => congrats) ... great coins, fellas Cheers ... *sigh* ... I don't have one of those babies
I found this explanation suggested on another forum [here]: "Part of the success and relative stability that Ancient Rome achieved over a vast and diverse empire could be attributed to the Empire's willingness to tolerate and even foster local traditions and beliefs (provided one showed proper deference and respect to the Empire and Emperor, of course). This is an interesting coin with the image of Mount Argaeus on the reverse that reflects that concept. [...] On the reverse of the coin is an image of Mount Argaeus, which was held in special esteem and mythology by the local population." I suppose this means it was a sort of way (through subtle propaganda?) of aligning with the locals, gaining their trust and confidence in Rome's reach and legitimacy, identifying with the local beliefs to quell any distrust or resentment or to include those who identified with Roman authority and presence in the region. A kind of soft control where such distant places would be hard to assert authority at times. Is that more or less fair to say?
