A couple of TROAS. Alexandria

I have gone away from my collecting and knowledge base AGAIN!!

This time as the title suggests I have bought a couple of coins from Troas, Alexandria. They are the first Troas coins I have ever bought. I have seen a few Troas coins posted here before so I know some of you must know something about them.

My first coin is an AE24 of Caracalla

Obv: M AVREL ANTONINVS IOV, Laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind.
Rev: COL ALEXAND AVG, Eagle flying right, holding forepart of bull in talons right
This coin matches Bellinger A302, but there are different bust types and legend varities. Another close match would be Lindgren I 334, same bust type and legends, but different legend arrangement on the reverse.

The COL ALEXAND AVG places the coin to 214-217 AD since the name Alexandria was most likely given to the city upon Caracalla's visit in 214 AD and is connected to his imitatio Alexandri.

Am I misreading the obverse legend? It is based on readinf several other die matched obverses but none of the others make note of the IOV. What does the IOV stand for?



My second coin is and AE27 of Maximinus Thrax

Obv:- IMP MAXIMIMVS (S is retrograde), PIA, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:- A in upper left, V in upper right, TROAS in exe, Horse facing right, grazing, tree behind
Closest reference being Bellinger A364, the reverse is type 40



Any thoughts on my reading of this one?

Oh and post any Troas examples you want too. I know you guys can hardly ever resist the tempation.

Martin

 

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Sweet new additions, Martin ... wow, recently you are really straying from your Sep-Sev and Gryphon wheel-houses, eh? (I like seeing you venturing-out into the Troas animal kingdom!!) ... gutsy!!

Oh, and I have several Troas examples (as I'm sure everybody already knows!!)



... but hey, I don't buy my coins to have them sit hidden in the vault (I like to show 'em off and let them strut their stuff!!) ... so thanks for the invite, my awesome coin-friend ...





=> TROAS coins rock!!

 

I have a few Troas coins and I DO like the designs, especially the horse reverse. I think your attribution of the Maximinus is correct.

The first two are civic issues, while the last is Valerian

 

I have a Troas which is either Elagabalus or Caracalla, I keep changing my mind (but currently leaning towards Caracalla) . My
problem with it is that I have described it as "horse grazing" but really it looks more like a moose/elk.

Thoughts anyone?

 

Nice! I saw these and was quite drawn to them, but the seller's pics were so odd and green that I was put off. Your pictures are much better and the coins look great.

I wouldn't have thought there was enough space on the obverse of the Caracalla to fit ANTONINVS, but as you say you've based it off die matches you've found. The IOV is mysterious... I've no idea what it means either.

 

Those are great, as is all the others posted so far.

I own none.

 

Nice Troas coins. I find the designs on the coins from Troas very attractive.

 

hello martin,

every now and then an impuls, is not bad.
here is mine.

 

icerain => I always love seeing that sweet coin (coingrats!!)

 

These are the sellers pics right? the seller always uses a ruler and that croc skin briefcase as background......

 

That is correct. I did take my own photos, but don't know where I put them!

 

well, this is embarrassing....i don't have a troas coin.

cool new coins martin...i particularly like the caracalla with eagle reverse, great color and cool style.

 

Your Maximinus may be reverse Type 41 rather than Type 40, I think. I believe "tree behind" refers to the tree being in the background, or at least that's my take based on Bellinger's A379 plate coin. In Type 44, where the shepherd is in the background and the horse in the foreground, Bellinger describes the shepherd as being "behind".

I haven't seen the legends with just AV though, and to me it looks more like TROAG or TROAC in the exergue, as it sometimes is on these issues.

 

Many thanks. More digging required I think.

 

Hey Steve....I have a coin that shares an obverse die with your Troas, horse coin you posted above.

I bought this one because it clearly shows that the blank was filed before being struck. The result isn't the most pleasing coin in the world but is an insight into the manufacturing of coins at this mint at this time.

Reigns of Valerian and Gallienus. AE23, Alexandria, Troas, AE23

Obv:– CO-L TROA, turreted bust of Tyche right, vexillum behind;
Rev:– CO AVG TRO, eagle, with open wings, standing right on forepart of a bull
Minted in Alexandria, Troas, c. 253 - 268 A.D. reigns of Valerian and Gallienus

22.38 mm. 5.22 gms



Martin

 

And I love it, great addition

 

I have my work cut out for me, Awesome coins folks!!!!

 

WOW!!! The posts are fantastic!!!

I just won on bid a couple examples ...Gallienus and Tyche with a horse and suckling wolf reverse, respectively. Since you all are obviously well conversed in this area, what is the significance of the 'horse'---Is a remnant of the Macedonian heritage , a horse-breeding area (Troas,Alexandria) or do they simply love horses as I do??

 

very nice indeed excellent patina

 

Sweet new scores, Mikey Zee (congrats)

Oh, and sorry Martin => I didn't notice this post until just now ...

=> yes, your coin has that same zoned-out look as my Tyche (ancient window-pane-acid, perhaps?)



... man, that Tyche, eh? => always up to no good!! (I betcha PAN was involved!!)