Won this Rhodos coin today, the main reason I got this one is because of the butterfly on the reverse, most likely inspired of the "The Valley of the Butterflies" present on the island. As far as I know the butterfly on this coin is quite scarce, any opinions about that? Rhodes AR Drachm. Circa 205-190 BC. 15mm, 2,28g. Obverse: Facing head of Helios with flowing hair Reverse: Magistrate ΑΙΝΗΤΩΡ (Ainetor) above, P-O below, rose in bloom with side branch bud to right & butterfly to left. On Rhodos
A butterfly is as good a reason as any to buy the coin . You're right about their appearance being uncommon on ancient coins. In addition to being seen on various Rhodes denominations, butterflies can be seen as control marks on some Roman Republican bronze and silver coins.
I can't speak on the rarity of the butterfly but that is a gorgeous drachm! Here are mine from Rhodes: Islands off Caria, Rhodes. AR Didrachm, 21mm, 6.6 g, 12h; c. 305-275 BC Obv.: Head of Helios facing slightly right. Rev.: Rose with bud to right; E and grape bunch to left. Rhodes, Caria 333 - 304 BC AE, 1.37g, 10mm; 1h Obv.: Diademed head of mymph Rhodos right Rev.: P-O to sides of rose, with bud/stem to both sides
wow! beautiful indeed. Here is what I call an "Art nouveau" themed Rhodian coin with an eagle that goes with your butterfly. Rhodian Peraia, Carian Islands, AR Drachm. 3rd to 2nd century BC Head of Helios facing, with eagle standing right in front. / Rose with bud. Silver, 15mm, 2.1 grams
I’ve always found the isolated butterfly beautiful, but then I went to a butterfly garden with my daughter and I got a little creeped-out when they were all landing on me. I’ve also seen documentaries that show what seem like thousands moving in huge swarms, and that was a little unsettling too. But a nice coin anyway!
The remarkable transformation from a lowly worm and cocoon into a magnificent often brightly colored bi-symmetrical winged creature had ancient indigenous peoples all over the globe regarding them as signifiers for the transformation of the human soul. Quite in the same way the Egyptians regarded the lowly dung beetle. The clues of sacred geometry, pattern and symmetries and how they are offered in ancient works of art like our coins may deepen the beauty and appreciation of these ancient tomes. But many of you all already know this.
Nice score! I only glanced through that auction very passingly but this jumped out at me. Love that butterfly control mark.
Heres my Butterfly on my republican as Roman Republic: Anonymous. 169-158 BC. Æ As . Rome mint. Laureate head of Janus; I above / Prow right; above, butterfly on vine branch; I to right. Crawford 184/1a; Sydenham 296; RBW 780. 32.3mm 27.67g
Nice butterfly @Pavlos ! @arnoldoe like your butterfly and vine As, your coin is better than mine, even without the color enhancements. Another RR coin with a butterfly is M.VOLTEI.M.F. This one is not mine, but I like the lion biga series.
