EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian Drachm 136-37 AD Monumental Altar

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Okidoki, Mar 19, 2017.

  1. Okidoki

    Okidoki Well-Known Member

    Reference.
    RPC III, 6145; Dattari 1892; Emmett 910.21; Milne 1554

    Issue L KA = year 21

    Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙС ΤΡΑΙΑΝ - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СƐΒ
    laureate draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian, r., seen from rear

    Rev, L ΚΑ
    Monumental altar (of Caesareum) with six columns, surmounted with pyre, enclosing Eusebeia (?) in centre

    gr
    33 mm
    h

    Note RPC.
    Often described as altar of Agathodaemon (K; Bakhoum; Vogt, pp. 106-9; S. Handler, AJA 75 (1971), pp. 68-9); BMC said ‘enclosing statue of goddess facing; on her head, disc. (Altar of Caesareum).’ D just said: ‘Altare. Peristylium con sei colonne d’ordine Corintio, tra quelle di centro un personaggio in piede a s.; versa incense sopra altare. Sulla sommità una pyra e su ciascuna cantonata un aplustrum; le cantonate alle base hanno un ordine indecifrabile.’ Only clue is the aplustres. Some varieties have little altars between the columns (D1894). There are some round objects hanging up among the columns (e.g. D1894, Boston). The bases of the structure at l. and r. are in the form of the upper part of a human body. The same structure, with and without the central figure, also occurs on Antonine coins, which are often much better preserved than the Hadrianic pieces: see RPC IV online. J. McKenzie, The Architecture of Alexandria and Egypt (Yale, 2007), p. 187 describes it as a ‘distinctive but unidentified structure’, rejecting as unsatisfactory the identifications as the monumental altars in the Caesareum, the altar of Agathos Daimon or the altar of Alexander.

    POST your pyre 814 P Hadrian Emmett910.21.jpg
     
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  3. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Pretty cool, Oki

    Hmmm, this may be my only pyre example ...


    Cilicia, Tarsos AE22
    Circa 100 BC
    Diameter: 22 mm
    Weight: 9.78 grams
    Obverse: Turreted head of Tyche right, Countermark: Radiate head of Helios right (CM: Howgego 11? Hierapolis Phrygia circa 50AD)
    Reverse: "TAPSEWN" Pyre of Sandan in the form of a pyramid, Sandan on a horned lion within (yup, a "horned" lion)
    Reference: SNG Levante 951ff

    Cilicia Tarsos countermark.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2017
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  4. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Nice
     
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  5. Okidoki

    Okidoki Well-Known Member

    nice burner my coin friend
     
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  6. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Nice find, Eric. Cool reverse on it.
     
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  7. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Nice coin @Okidoki ! I like that Alter of Alexander...

    I have one of Sassanian King Shapur I - the only King to capture a Roman Emperor - Valerian

    upload_2017-3-19_16-3-25.png
    Sassanian
    Shapur I 240-272 CE
    AE Tetradrachm 10.78g 27mm
    Ctesiphon mint
    phase 1a mural crown korymbos -
    fire altar
    type 2 SNS IIa1-1a
     
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  8. Okidoki

    Okidoki Well-Known Member

    WOW very special coin never seen thx for sharing
     
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  9. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Thank you. I see so many SILVER Sassanians. When I was out searching for a Shapur I as a historical figure, I literally tripped over this Bronze version... I had never really seen any bronze Sassanians... CAPTURED!
     
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  10. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    I have a portable one
    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Ionia, Smyrna
    Coin: Bronze AE12
    None - Tyche head right
    - Portable fire altar
    Mint: Smyrna (190-74 BC)
    Wt./Size/Axis: 1.40g / 12mm / -
    References:
    • SNG Copenhagen 1201 var
    Notes: May 26, 15 - Magistrate's name below.
     
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  11. Odomax

    Odomax Member

    What a cool obverse almost like a modern privy. I'm real impresses with that coin.
     
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  12. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    funeral pyre of Hadrians successor : Antoninus Pius 138-161

    P1180199.JPG
     
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  13. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Lovely coin with an interesting reverse @Okidoki
     
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  14. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    I love coins showing religious scenes or altars. These are great!
     
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  15. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    I have a couple other Fire Alters... India

    India Gujarat Chalukyas Gadhaiya Paisa BI Drachm 11th C CE  Sun Moon Fire Alter Crescent.jpg
    India Gujarat Chalukyas Gadhaiya Paisa BI Drachm 11th C CE Sun Moon Fire Alter Crescent


    India Gujarat Chalukyas Gadhaiya Paisa BI Drachm 9th C CE  Sun Moon Fire Alter Crescent O-tile.jpg
    India Gujarat Chalukyas Gadhaiya Paisa BI Drachm 9th C CE Sun Moon Fire Alter Crescent
     
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  16. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    And a couple Romans:

    Roman Republic:
    upload_2017-3-19_21-3-1.png
    RR AR Denarius 3.88g L Pomponius Molo 97 BCE Rome Apollo Numa Pompilius stdng Lituus alter sacrifice goat Cr 334-1 Syd 607


    Roman Empire:
    upload_2017-3-19_21-3-51.png
    RI Carus 282-283 CE AE 18mm Consecratio Flaming Alter
     
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  17. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    That's a really well-detailed reverse, Oki. My A-Pi example here seems to have only four columns.

    Antoninus Pius Drachm Altar400.jpg

    Thanks for that RPC note, btw. I have my reverse recorded as : "Facade of the Caesareum with four garlanded columns enclosing statue of a veiled goddess standing facing and dropping incense on an altar; on top, a stony burning pyre between two aplustres."
     
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  18. Okidoki

    Okidoki Well-Known Member

    cOOL :D

    http://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/search/a...e=&yx=&mt=&t=&person=&corr=&add=&addc=&page=2

    Can't see the date here you find the all.
     
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