I bought an interesting cast coin today. I will post that coin when it arrives. This coin was an adder. I saw it in the Roman Imperial section and thought it looked interesting. Roman Empire; Gallienus; 253-268 AD; AE antoninianus. Rome mint, struck A.D. 267-268. Obverse – Radiate head R, GAL[LIENV]S AVG Rev - Hippocamp swimming right, NEPT [VNO CONS AVG], below N Weight 2.63 grams Diameter 19 mm Green patina with some silvering, some of legend missing, otherwise SPL RIC 245 RSC 668 Cohen 667 I found about 50 examples on line. Most sold for modest prices ($10 - $100), but a few high grade, well struck and centered examples sold for over $200. Mine hammered for 7 Euros, or $10 - $15 with vig, but no postage. I noted only letter, N, below the Hippocamp. A similar coin has either S or H below a Capricorn, right. I did not notice any exergue lines. Capricorns and Hippocamps are similar animals. The Capricorn has horns like a goat and the Hippocamp does not. Some interesting comments from descriptions on acsearch: One of the rare secondary reverse types in Gallienus' animal series: a hippocamp not a capricorn is usually associated with the legend naming Neptune. - Gemini, LLC; Auction XI; Lot 499; 1/12/14 Reverse translation: 'Neptuno Conservatori Augusti', (To Neptune the protector of the august). - http://www.cgbfr.com/ The engraving of the officina mark, 'N', is so poorly done that it appears to be a 'III'-- a common occurrence at Rome during this time period. - CNG web shop This is my second Hippocamp this year: Post your hippocamps, capricorns, and other neat animals.
Cool! That's one of the more sought-after of the Gallienus zoo series, which you can read about here and here. Other mythical creatures in the series include centaurs: And griffins: And the winged horses that pull Sol's chariot across the sky:
Nice coins, everyone. I've got a Capricorn from Caria: Caria, Tabae Æ 17 Pseudo-autonomous (time of Domitian, 81-96 A.D.) Orthrios, priest (or Orthrios Hieron, magistrate). ΔHMOC [TABHNΩ]N, Laureate head of Demos right, with Flavian features / ΔIA OP IЄ. Capricorn right. RPC II 1257; SNG Copen. 542-3; BMC 41-3. (2.65 grams / 17 mm )
I had to read these sentences several times to understand the meaning (too little sleep and not enough coffee) I thought meant your new cast coin depicted a snake Excellent score, RR! A surprising one since it is a tad removed from your niche I have a thing for hippocamps ROMAN REPUBLIC, Moneyer Q. Crepereius M.f. Rocus. 69 BCE. AR serrate denarius. SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysius I. 400-335 BCE. Athena/hippocamp. A pristine hippocamp PHOENICIA, Byblos. Uzibaal. 350-335 BCE. AR dishekel PHOENICIA, Berytos. 1st century BCE. Æ19.5, 5.9 gm. Hippocamp quadriga! Sicily, Syracuse. AE 13, c. 425 BCE. Arethusa(?)/hippocamp & octopus THESSALY, Larissa Kremaste. AE trichakon; Achilles/Thetis seated on hippocamp
That's a nice example for a great price, @rrdenarius. The Hippocamp is especially clear. Mine, courtesy of last year's awesome Secret Saturn. The officina mark N looking like a III as per the note you quote. Harder to come by is the one dedicated to Mercury with the half-ram Criocamp. It look me a couple of years to find this one.
GALLIENUS Antoninianus OBVERSE: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right REVERSE: NEPTVNO CONS AVG, hippocamp or Capricorn right, N below Struck at Rome, Sole Reign, 267-268 AD 2.2g, 17mm RIC 245 GALLIENUS Antoninianus OBVERSE: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right REVERSE: NEPTVNO CONS AVG, hippocamp or Capricorn right, N below Struck at Rome, Sole Reign, 267-268 AD 3.9g, 20mm RIC 245
Great job on those Hippocamps @rrdenarius ! They look super. Fun animules. I only have a couple Hippocamps: Sicily Syracuse ca 410 BC AE 19 Athena Wreath Hippocamp Ex: @Blake Davis (Mortown) Tyre, 1/16 shekel. 10 mm. 0.47 grams. hippocamp left over waves/owl with crook and flail behind Sear Greek 5916. BMC Tyre 43, page 233 SNG Danish 302 Ex: @Valentinian (augustuscoins.com) This is a tough little coin to find, and I really liked the Horse on it. Carthage Zeugitania Libyan Revolt AR Shekel 24mm 7.34g 241-238 BCE Wreathed Tanit Horse stndg control mark and Punic M SNG Cop 236
