It's A Volcano!

A recent acquisition has one of my absolute favourite provincial reverse types - a Volcano. More specifically, Mt Argaeus (modern Mount Erciyes) depicted on the reverse of a drachm struck under Vespasian in Rome for Cappadocia.

Vespasian
AR Drachm, 3.04g
Rome mint (for Cappadocia), 73-74 AD
RPC 1636 (6 spec.)
Obv: AYTOKPA KAICAP OYЄCΠACIANOC CЄBACTOC; head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: ЄYOYC ЄKTOY; Mt Argaeus; on summit, radiate figure standing l., globe in r. hand, sceptre in l. hand
Ex Bertolami E-Live auction 41, 30 April 2017, lot 259.

The mint at Rome struck silver drachms and didrachms for circulation in Cappadocia. They normally can be distinguished from the local issues by style and their 6 o'clock die axis (local is 12 o'clock). Here we have a Rome mint drachm in good style featuring a reverse that would be appealing to the provincials it is intended for. Oddly, the die axis is 12 o'clock. It's a double die match with Paris 258 (RPC plate coin), I wonder if it too has the incorrect die axis?

Strabo described the mountain as such: It's 'the highest of mountains whose peak is constantly covered with snow ...given good visibility, anyone who climbs this mountain - and not many do- are supposed to see both seas, the Pontus and the Issikos'.

The above reverse perhaps does not relay the grandeur of the actual peak, possibly being a representation of a cult picture, or agalma, of the mountain - but it's a fascinating reverse type produced by Roman engravers who may never have laid eyes on the beautiful volcano.



Post your coins depicting Volcanoes, mountains, or anything you feel is relevant.

 

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Sweet addition David!

Heres mine, also a recent addition. Septimius Severus AR Drachm

 

Hadrian (Augustus)
Region, City: Caesarea , Cappadocia
Coin: Silver Drachma
ADPIANOC CEBACTOC - Laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder
UPATOC G P-ATHR PATR - Mount Argaeus surmounted by a statue of Helios, holding globe and sceptre.
Mint: (128-138 AD)
Wt./Size: 2.70g / 18mm
References: Metcalf, Caesarea 107

 

SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
AR Drachm
OBVERSE: AY Λ CЄΠ CЄOYHPOC, laureate head right
REVERSE: MHTPOΠO KAICAPIAC, Mt. Argaeus surmounted by star, ETЄ in ex
Struck at Cappadocia, Caesarea, Year 5=A.D. 196/7
2.58 g, 17mm
Sydenham 395

GORDIAN III
AR Drachm
OBVERSE: AY K M ANT ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC CE, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: MHTPO KAIC B N, Mt. Argaeus, ETΔ in ex
Struck at Cappadocia, Caesarea, Year 4=A.D. 240-241
2.96g, 18.6mm
Sydenham 603d

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 PIUSAE20
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

 

Fascinating post, David! Check out the link below. GOOGLE Satellite View has some great interactive panorama’s from the mountain and the ski resort there.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Erciyes Ski Center/@38.5429503,35.5260677,715m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x152ba0653629e699:0x1a5201d128a64876!8m2!3d38.542128!4d35.5261267

 

Cool posts everyone!!

You've all seen my sole example (drachm of Sept Sev) numerous time before...but here it is again:

 

that is a nice addition. i've lately bid on a few volcano coins, but have yet to get one.

 

Wow! Thanks for the link!

 

This type for Vespasian is really quite rare, but for later emperors it isn't.

 

Great coins everyone! It's fascinating to see how the depictions of Mt Argaeus changed over the years.

 

Nice volcanoes, David and everyone!

Man, I can't believe I still don't have any coin showing Mt. Argaeus! Must rectify soon

 

I can't wait to see your example when you do!

 

No longer mine.

 

TIBERIUS AR Drachm

 

That is light, but nice portrait & coin.

 

here's mine...




wikipedia mentions volcanic activity at argaeus in historic times and coins that may show it...

does anyone know what coins are mentioned? i know they frequently show jaged edges, but assume that just the mountain itself. are some of these supposed to be steam/gas/fire or something like that?

 

i have bid on coins from the year without a summer(1816) just because they were minted that year. the great schism of Tambora's awakening.

 

Now, that is an interesting question! I wouldn't look to my above example, the Roman engravers who produced it lacked proximity and familiarity with the mountain. Perhaps some later coins show it?

 

Heres a couple Volcanos where I live.

 

That is a great OP coin, a type I hope to add to my collection as well. One of my favorite coins features Mount Argaeus under Tiberius.


Silver drachm, RPC I 3620; Sydenham 42; BMC Cappadocia p. 46, 11, Caesarea mint, weight 3.498g, maximum diameter 18.0mm, die axis 0o, obverse TIBERIOS KAISAR SEBASTOS, laureate head right; reverse QEOU SEBASTOU UIOS, Mount Argaeus, surmounted by radiate and nude statue holding globe in right and scepter in left.
The imperial mint at Caesarea was founded by Tiberius c. 30 AD. This is the only coin of Tiberius issued solely in his name at Caesarea.