The coin illustrated was apparently issued in Alexandria during the 4th. century AD on the occasion of an Isis festival. This celebration of Serapis (obverse) and the Nile deified (reverse) seems to be a late Pagan tradition in a world evolving towards Christian monotheism. It would be interesting to find how late paganism (Egyptian, Greek, Latin gods) were celebrated on coins.
Nice coin. Almost every time I see one of these it is attributed to the Festival of Isis, but is an anonymous issue of Maximinus II. @Valentinian Did a post about these. I have yet to photograph mine, same as the OP but with shorter inscription.
Very interesting coins. Before long we witness the complete extinguishing of the pagan traditions. Similarly, heiroglyphics in Egpytian temples were abandoned, with the last examples being in the temples of Phylae in Aswan at the extreme southern end of Egypt dating to the 4th century. At almost the same time the Gnostic sects of Egypt were railed against by Athanasius and others, leading to the deposition of the Nag Hammadi scriptures in an amphora in that Middle Egyptian town. One of the scriptures was actually dedicated to Hermes Trimegistus, or thrice holy Hermes and technically pagan.
Ditto what David said. It's a very attractive example, in any case. I'd love to pick up a DEO SANCTO issue at some point. FESTIVAL OF ISIS Anonymous (temp. Julian II). Rome mint, mid 4th Century. AE. 0.79g, 12mm. Alföldi, Festival pl. VIII, 11; Vagi 3393. O: [ISIS F-A]RIA, draped bust of Isis right, wearing hem-hem crown and necklace. R: [VOTA P-]VBLICA, Hermanubis standing left, holding sistrum and caduceus.
Cool Isis Festival coins! Here are some sistra from the Naples Archeological Museum, found, I think, at the Temple of Isis there. I don't know how late the Cult of Isis was, but it's certainly flourishing in Italy by 79.
Very nice posts guys!!! My most recent purchase and the latest I have of Imperial Rome with Serapis is this example: Silvered Follis of Maximinus II Daia Heraclea mint 313 AD; 22mm, 4.25 grams IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINUS P F AVG Laureate head right SOLI IN-VICTO; Delta left, SMHT in exergue Sol standing facing, head left holding bust of Serapis, and raising hand. RIC 78
