Medusa and other monsters

Ooops, I forgot one of my sweetest gorgon examples ...

Cilicia, Soloi
100-30 BC
Aegis/Gorgon & Aphrodite riding Bull




... another coin from Cilicia, Tarsos which has Sandan and the horned lion



ummm, which for the record => always looks like a goat (but hey, I'm no high-brow historian)

 

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Oooooo I'm threatened !!!



Castulo, Spain, AE As - 2nd century BC
Virile head right, a hand before
Sphinx walking right. Iberian for KASTILO at exergue
15.9 gr
Ref : Sear GIC #15, Catalogue 38 and 39 CNH (CORPVS NVMMUM HISPANIAE, L. Villaronga)



Amisos, AE23
Head of Perseus right wearing phrygian helmet
AMISOS, Pegasus left, drinking
12.12 gr, 23 mm
Ref : Sear #3639

Q

 

Two mythological monsters are depicted on Athena's helmet. On the bowl of her helmet is Skylla, the sea monster Odysseus’ ship encountered on his journey back from the Trojan War, where she devoured six of his sailors. She raises her left arm to scan for ships. Her lower body is of a sea serpent, with spikes atop the curve and a fish tail. She has two dog heads protruding from her waist, with which to devour sailors. On the neck guard of the helmet is a griffin.

 

That's not a coin I'm going to get tired of seeing anytime soon!

 

You guys have already posted the few mythical monsters in my collection. Nice coins everyone.

How about this guy. He was a monster on the Roman throne right?
Elagabalus:

 

You guys play rough. When I think of a monster, I think of someone like Medusa not just having a few misplaced body parts or alternative personality traits. After all, we can't call a Cyclops a monster just because that vandal Odysseus didn't like him. Trivia: Name the actor who played the cyclops in the second Percy Jackson movie (Sea of Monsters). Make up can do wonders (not so much when used on coins).

 

MONSTER: (But, @TIF adores him... somebody needs to look into her, something is just not right with her...)


RI MONSTER 218-222 CE AR Antoninianus Radiate Roma seated

 

I didn't watch the second Percy Jackson movie, having not enjoyed the first. It had its moments, I guess... like Uma Thurman as Medusa.

No, no, no... that's not how to take a selfie, Medusa. Oh, and watch out behind you!

 

That is some disturbing imagery!

 

Probably do you see "things" @Deacon Ray, it's nothing more than that



Q

 

Hey, that's not a mythological monster!!!

 

Many folks have gorgon/cow hemidrachms from Parion. Here is a large bronze of the type, 22mm in diameter and weighing in at 10.7g.

 

Here is a new acquisition I rather like. It's tiny, just 8mm, about the size of an aspirin. The inscription MAP is probably short for ΜΑΡΛΟΤΑΝ, a name of Mallos. A rare Ammon/gorgon of Mallos in the collection of the American Numismatic Society has the same inscription and depicts a gorgon in the same style. Incredibly, the reverse looks exactly like the coinage of Athens. The only difference is the inscription, ΜΑΡ instead of ΑΘΕ.

 

When you upload a file choose "Full Image"

Edit: Looks like you figured it out.

 

My first thought was a "bad" Athenian owl type. Very cool addition. Looking forward to seeing more of your collection.

 

Fun thread, Doug!

The elephant is not a monster in the supernatural sense but if he were enraged and charging at you he would certainly seem like one.

Seleucid bronze of Antiochus VI (145-141 BCE)

 

I think the reverse of this Macedonian Tet has possibly Pegasus on the lower part of left field.

 

..and the reverse being mirror image. What do you consider to be the four dots in the center of the mouth? Medusa had straight teeth? I never would have guessed.

My only Mallos is less monsterous with a swan and no larger at 0.7g. The legend is pretty well left to imagination.

 

There are about six styles of teeth on Greek depictions of gorgons. One style is a few straight upper teeth, like you might see on a baby, in addition to the tusks. Here http://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=269196 is an electrum example (not from my collection) with straight teeth in addition to fangs.

 

Probably I should show some other monsters. This Sasanian drachm imitation depicts a Sogdian-style winged camel. (For a better picture of one see the second image on this page http://gerodot.ru/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=16288&start=30 ).