Featured Roman Province of Antioch in Syria, Emperor by Emperor (Pile On Thread)

Thanks! That's the big reason I bid on it. I'm a fan of that c/m and have been lucky enough to have captured 4 of them throughout my collection. It's simplicity and graphic nature intrigues me as a designer. I have a similar infatuation with the legionary eagle's head c/m on Roman Hispanic coinage.

 

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Mine is not great quality, and seems to have been both repatinated and smoothed. But it does have an interesting legend variety from the regular RPC 4277 issue. Note on this coin that the "L" in the name Claudius is like a "[", having both the top horizontal stroke of a 'gamma' and the same horizontal stroke again at the bottom. Per Richard McAlee this variation of "L" is described as a squared-off Greek 'sigma', which coupled with the presence of a Greek 'pi' in place of the 'P' (in IMP) suggests that the celators who prepared the dies were Greek-speaking and rendered the unfamiliar Latin letters as Greek letters.


From a Christian interest, this coin, having been struck ca. 41-47 A.D., may very well have been in circulation in the area when Paul kicked off his 1st Missionary Journey from this city's port (Acts 13:4), and still circulating there when just a few years he and Barnabas took up a prolonged residence in the city (Acts 14:26-28).

 

"Nero Claudius of the House Gens Julia and Gens Claudia,
First of His Name (maybe not), Burner of Rome,
Imperial Artist-in-Residence, Breaker of Hearts,
Murderer of His Mother, Kicker of Poppaea,
Father of Claudia, Lyre player extraordinaire"​

-- Nero -------------------------
Yep, it's time to move on to Nero, who ruled from 54 to 68 AD.

In Antioch, there still remained larger denominations and smaller denominations, as well as pseudo-autonomous issues. Some of Nero's Antioch coins also have a couple additions that appear before his bust on the obverse: a lituus and a serpent.

Here is a large denomination with a lituus before:

Nero, 54-68 AD, Antioch, Syria, AE29
Obverse: IM•NER•CLAV• – CAESAR•, laureate head of Nero right, lituus below chin; all within dotted border.
Reverse: Large SC in inner circle within laurel-wreath of eight leaves, four pellets at top; all within dotted border.
References: RPC 4307
Size: 29mm, 13.5g

And here is a smaller denomination with a serpent before:

Nero, Ruled 54-68 AD
AE19, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IM•NER•CLAV – CAESAR, laureate head right, serpent before.
Reverse: Large S-C in inner circle within laurel-wreath of eight leaf-sprigs, large pellet at top; all within dotted border.
References: RPC 4310, BMC 184, McAlee 300(c)
Size: 19mm, 6.1g

And here is a more "rough" one where the serpent is nearly worn away (it really is hard to see, but everything else about it matches this issue):

Nero, Ruled 54-68 AD
AE20, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: [IM•NER•CLAV – CAE]SAR, laureate head right, [serpent before].
Reverse: Large S-C in inner circle within laurel-wreath of eight leaf-sprigs, large pellet at top; all within dotted border.
References: RPC 4310, BMC 184, McAlee 300(c)
Size: 20mm, 6.8g

The above were struck mostly in the early part of Nero's reign. Let's explore the coins that begin to depict an older (chubbier?) Nero.


Nero, Ruled 54-68 AD
AE20, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IM NER CLAV CAESAR, laureate head right.
Reverse: Large S-C within inner solid boarder, laurel wreath of eight leaves surround, fastened with pellet at top.
References: McAlee 289, RPC I 4297
Size: 20mm, 6.47g
Notes: Slightly double struck reverse.


Nero, Ruled 54-68 AD
AE21, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IM NER CLAV CAESAR, laureate head right.
Reverse: Large S-C within inner solid boarder, laurel wreath of eight leaves surround, fastened with pellet at top.
References: McAlee 289, RPC I 4297
Size: 21mm, 7.5g

And as mentioned, there are a handful of varieties of pseudo-autonomous issues during Nero's reign. Here are the two that I have:


Pseudo-autonomous issue, Nero 54-68 AD
AE Dichalkon, Syria, Antioch Mint
Struck 62/63 AD (114 of the Caesarean era)
Obverse: Laureate and draped bust of Apollo (or Artemis) right.
Reverse: ANTIO-XE•ET, lyre; ΔIP (date) above. (P=100, 1=10, Δ=4)
References: McAlee 108; RPC I 4294; Butcher 136
Size: 17mm, 3.0g


Pseudo-autonomous issue, Nero 54-68 AD
AE Dichalkon, Syria, Antioch Mint
Struck 55/56 AD (104 of the Caesarean era)
Obverse: Head of Apollo or Artemis right, bow behind shoulder.
Reverse: ANTIO-XEΩN•ΔP•, Laurel branch with tilted/angled top leaf characteristic of this dated reverse type.
References: Butcher 119, RPC I 4289 var
Size: 18mm, 2,6g

----

Let's see your Antiochene Nero coins! I'd love to broaden the view we have of Antioch during his reign and fill in any gaps.

 

My collection's best Nero of Antioch is below. See also this related Coin Talk thread:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/nero-tetra.318302/#post-3109712

 

I had Heritage auction the tet below in January of 2018. McAlee #264, Year 10 (AD 63-64), 27 mm, 14.94 gm. Much to my delight the coin sold for $1,920.00 .

 

Head of Nero with the face of Apollo right. Laurel branch on reverse. Year 65/66 AD. Antioch mint. RPC 4301.

 

Very nice, Charles!

 

And now we enter a very troubling time for the empire in the middle of 68 AD that continues until the end of 69 AD... Civil war.

-- Galba -------------------------
Spurred on by the rebelling governor Vindex (northern Gual), Galba (governor in Hispania) join Vindex standing against Nero. Vindex was confronted in the Battle of Vesontio, was defeated, and thus committed suicide. Galba continued marching onto Rome gaining more allegiance, while Nero languished and scurried trying to deal with this uprising. Eventually, Nero was forced with choosing death, though he couldn’t do it himself and instead had his secretary do it.

Galba was a longtime and well-respected military mind and figure having held military and governorships for over 50 years. At this time, 68 AD, Galba was 71 years old... this didn’t work in his favor. With dwindling support in the Senate and with soldiers, he was killed by the Praetorians in favor of the next emperor (with a little help or nudging from him).

Though his reign was roughly 7 months, he did issue coinage in the various Roman provinces, such as Antioch and Alexandria. In my searching, it appears that Galba’s Antiochene bronze coinage is slightly more scarce than is the Tetradrachms from he area.

I had been searching for a reasonably priced AE coin of his for the past year and was just successful in early May in adding this one to my collection, but it might be cooler than I expected!


Galba, Ruled Jun 8 68 AD-Jan 15, 69 AD
AE23, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: [IMP SER GALBA] CAE AVG, laureate head right.
Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened at top with pellet, between inner circle and outer dotted border.
References: RPC I 4315 var (obverse legend), McAlee 314 (same dies)
Size: 23mm, 8.99g
Ex: Savoca Coin Auction, 2nd Blue, Lot #887 (5-3-2019)

In my search for attributing this coin, another that I found that matched it mentioned in it's notes that it is a very rare variety of obverse legend and McAlee knew of only two.

The usual obverse legend should be: IMP SER SVL GALBA CAE
This coin’s obverse legend is: IMP SER GALBA CAE AVG

In the photo above you can slightly see the right downward angle of the A and the downward pointy part of the V, all as part of the AVG on the left. Also in hand you can see the faint remnants of the CAE below the neck of the bust.

Could this be a 3rd? Or is this one of the two?

Compare the cited coin from the McAlee Collection below with my coin above... it appears to be an exact double die match with his (https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=573121).




-- Otho -------------------------
As Galba became consul on January 1, 69 AD, there was uprising by legions refusing to swear loyalty. Otho, who felt slighted by not being chosen by Galba as his successor and with growing discourse against Galba, he bribed the Praetorians to kill him.

Though his reign was half as long as Galba, a mere 3 months, he struck more coinage in Antioch than his predecessor. Interestingly, Otho was Poppaea Sabina’s initial husband, but she had an affair with Nero and eventually left him for Nero while Nero was Emperor.


Otho, Ruled Jan 15-Apr 16, 69 AD
AE26, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: CAE AVG IMP M OTHO, laureate head right; c/m- Athena standing right within rectangular incuse.
Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened at top with pellet, between inner circle and outer dotted border.
References: RPC 4318; c/m-Howgego 245
Size: 26mm, 11.1g
Ex: Savoca Coin Auction, 4th Blue, Lot #930 (12-27-2017)


Otho, Ruled Jan 15-Apr 16, 69 AD
AE28, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: CAE AVG IMP M OTHO, laureate head right.
Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened at top with pellet.
References: RPC 4318
Size: 28mm, g
Ex: FSR Auction, Lot #212 (01-15-2019)




-- Vitellius ---------------------
When Galba took office on the 1st of the year, the legions who refused to swear allegiance to him, those in Germania Inferior and Superior, instead proclaimed their governor, Vitellius, as emperor and began marching to Rome, gaining additional support from others along the way. Vitellius’ army met Otho’s in battle, with Vitellius eventually victorious. The day after the defeat, Otho stabbed himself in the heart, and Vitellius was uncontested emperor.

Vitellius, though his reign was about as long as Galba, he issued no coinage in Antioch.

 

Tetradrachm of Otho Antioch mint

 

My only item from Antioch, but maybe the best portrait of Otho on any AE coin:



IMP M OTH]O CAE AVG - Laureate head of Otho right
S C within laurel wreath
Bronze As, Antioch 69 aD
24,74 mm / 9,28 grams
RPC 4319 and pl. 164 (6 specimens cited); McAlee 323; BMCG p. 177, 213

 

Nice Othos. I'm still waiting for Domitian to come up.

 

Me too, need to get to Domitian!

 

Have you forgotten Vespasian and Titus before awaiting Domitian ?. LOL..

 

No, but the thread fell down to page 4 and needed a good bumping.

 

I think Vespasian is not uncommon.

 

Indeed! There may be more Vespy's of Antioch than even those of ol' Domitianus.

 

I let this Vespasian bronze go at a Heritage auction. AD 69-79, 30 mm, 16.81 gm. Ex Richard McAlee collection, pictured in his book The Coins of Roman Antioch. page 171, #364(c).

 

Hey, I know! Let's have a Flavian Party: Antioch Style!!

-- Vespasian ---------------------
In my searching and hunting, Vespasian bronze coins of Antioch aren't as readily available as Domitian.


Vespasian, Ruled 69-79 AD
AE26, Syria, Antioch Mint
Struck 75-78 AD
Obverse: IMP CAESAR – VESPASIAN AVG, laureate head left.
Reverse: Large SC surrounded by laurel wreath of eight leaves.
References: RPC 2009, McAlee 362c
Size: 26mm, 11.1g


Pseudo-autonomous
During reign of Vespasian 69-79 AD
AE Trichalkon, Syria, Antioch Mint
Struck 77/78 AD (126 of the Caesarean era)
Obverse: ANTIOXЄΩN, veiled and draped bust of Tyche right, wearing mural crown with three turrets.
Reverse: Lighted and garlanded altar on stand; date: ЄT ςKP (Caesarean Era yr. 126 = 77/8 AD), in exergue; all within dotted border.
References: RPC I 2020, McAlee 118


-- Titus ----------------------
Similarly, from my experience, Titus Antioch AE coinage is not as available as Domitian or Vespasian.


Titus (as Caesar), Ruled 79-81 AD
AE19, Struck 76-77 AD, Syria, Antioch mint
Denomination thought to be Hexachalkon. Minted in Rome for use in Syria/Antioch.
Obverse: T•CAES•IMP•TR•POT•, Laureate head of Titus right.
Reverse: ANTI-OCHIA, Turreted, veiled, and draped bust of Tyche right.
References: RPC II 1997; McAlee 392
Size: 19mm, 3.68g
Ex: Savoca 15th Blue Auction (1-19-2019), lot #1353


And, due to popular demand, without further ado...
-- Domitian -----------------


Domitian, Ruled 81-96 AD
AE26, Antioch, Syria
Obverse: IMP DOMITIA-NVS CAES AVG, laureate head right.
Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened with pellet at top.
References: RPC 2021
Size: 26mm, 12.7g


Domitian, Ruled 81-96 AD
AE30, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IMP DOMITIANVS CAES AVG, laureate head left.
Reverse: Large SC surrounded by laurel wreath of eight leaves.
References: McAlee 410, RPC 2023
Size: 30mm, 16.3g


Domitian (as Caesar), Ruled 81-96 AD
AE22, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: DOMITIANVS CAESAR, laureate head to left.
Reverse: Large SC surrounded by laurel wreath of eight leaves.
References: RPC 2017, McAlee 403(b)
Size: 22mm, 7.5g


Domitian, Ruled 81-96 AD
AE22, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IMP DOMITIANVS CAES AVG, laureate head to left; countermark of Athena/Minerva standing right, holding spear and shield, in rectangular punch (Howgego 245).
Reverse: Large SC surrounded by laurel wreath of eight leaves.
References: McAlee 409, RPC 2023
Size: 22mm, 6.3g


Domitian, Ruled 81-96 AD
AE22, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IMP DOMITIANVS CAES AVG, laureate head to left; countermark of Athena/Minerva standing right, holding spear and shield, in rectangular punch (Howgego 245).
Reverse: Large SC surrounded by laurel wreath of eight leaves.
References: McAlee 409, RPC 2023
Size: 20mm, 6.1g

--------

LET'S SEE YOUR ANTIOCHENE FLAVIANS!
("Release the Domitians!") ​

 

Domitian Head-Left. SC on reverse (Antioch ).

 

At last I can post one!


Domitian as Caesar, AD 69-81
Roman provincial Æ semis; 6.93 g, 21.1 mm, 1 h
Syria, Seleukis and Pieria, Antiochia ad Orontem, AD 69-81
Obv: DOMITIA-NVS CAESAR, laureate head left
Rev: SC within laurel wreath
Refs: SGI 872; BMC 20.181, 251; Cohen 746; RPC II 2017; McAlee 403a.