Featured The (massive) many faces of Herakles thread&Manliest/Godliest bro to dress likea lady

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Ryro, Mar 23, 2020.

  1. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    Fun thread @Ryro . I never get tired of your shield coins. Here are a few pile on Hercs.

    A Greek Artistic Masterpiece on Roman Coins

    F58E0FE4-1FF7-4898-8B85-3793C98833D0.jpeg
    Roman Empire
    Maximinus Daia (AD 308 - 313)
    AE Follis, Antioch mint, struck ca. AD 313
    Dia.: 20.5 mm
    Wt.: 3.9 g
    Obv.: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG; Laureate bust right
    Rev.: HERCVLI VICTORI; Hercules standing right, leaning on lions skin and club
    Ref.: RIC VI 170b, Scarce
    Ex FSR, lot 370 (Jul. 2018)


    A Greek Artistic Masterpiece on Roman Coins
    EC5B3A6C-4E97-4E3E-A320-963FF83DB5C2.jpeg
    Roman Empire
    Gordian III (238-244)
    AR Antoninianus, Rome mint
    Dia.: 24.5 mm
    Wt.: 3.89g
    Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
    Rev: VIRTVTI AVGVSTI; The Farnese Hercules: statue of Hercules right, with apples of the Hesperides and lion skin, and leaning upon club.
    RIC 95.
    Ex AMCC 1, lot 236 (Dec. 2018)


    A5DAD048-5640-4962-BB70-20B8E6114959.jpeg
    Islands off Thrace
    Thasos AR Tetradracm, struck ca. 140-110 BC
    Dia.: 29 mm
    Wt.: 16.58 g
    Obv.: Wreathed head of Dionysus, right
    Rev.: Hercules standing right holding club; ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ in left field, ΗΡΑΚΛΕΟΥΣ in right field, ΘΑΣΙΟΝ in exergue. Μ to left of figure.
    Ref.: Thasiennes 51
    Ex arnoldoe Collection


    ...aaannnnd a Melqart for good measure!

    B1F58EE0-1A08-45F9-9468-1B77CE724641.jpeg
    Phoenicia, Tyre
    Trajan (AD 98 - 117)
    AR Tetradrachm, Tyre mint
    Dia.: 26 mm
    Wt. 13.67 g
    Obv.: Laureate head of Trajan right, club and eagle below.
    Rev.: Laureate head of Melqart right with lion skin around neck.
    Ref.: Prieur 1495ff
     
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  3. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    WOW fantastic coins Curtis, you are definitely are Hercules collector.
     
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  4. JulesUK

    JulesUK Well-Known Member

    Great thread and some lovely coins. Here is my input.

    Another Gordian III with the "Strike a pose" Hercules. An essential in anyone`s collection it seems.

    21-Gordian III Hercules combo.jpg
    GORDIAN III Antoninianus (241-243 AD) 22mm 5.4g Rome mint RIC 95
    Obv; IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Bust of Gordian III, rad, dr, cuir, right
    Rev; VIRTVTI AVGVSTI. Hercules, nude, standing right, Rt hand on hip, left hand on club set in rock, lionskin next to club.

    I picked up this next one a couple of weeks ago mainly due to the fact that Hercules has an apple in his hand. I, rightly or wrongly, took this as a reference to his Eleventh task/labour whereby he had to steal three golden apples from the garden of Hesperides.

    32-combo.jpg
    GALLIENUS (AD 266-268) Ant 20mm 3.41g RIC V-1 (S), Asian Mint 623 var (dot after mintmark); Goebl 1647a; Sear 10404
    Obv; GALLIENVS AVG. Bust of Gallienus, rad, cuir right.
    Rev; VIRTUS AVG. Hercules, nude except for lionskin draped over left arm, standing right, holding club in rt hand and apple in left. VIIC in ex.

    Finally this grubby and very small Greek coin appealed to me due to the primeval look of Hercules, you can almost feel the "Myth" become real when you hold this.

    5. Herakles Bolt combo.jpg
    Selge, Pisidia, 2nd-1st Century BC. AE 12/13mm. SNG Cop 263. Sear #5491
    Obv; Bust of HERAKLES rt, club at shoulder.
    Rev; Winged thunderbolt, bow to right, E-E across fields.
     
  5. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Artist & Historian Supporter

    I wanted to contribute to your excellent thread, @Ryro , so here are some Judaean versions of the Macedonian shield and helmet.

    JUDAEA_POST_IT.jpg
     
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  6. Alwin

    Alwin Well-Known Member

    [​IMG]
    TRAJAN - Tridrachm
    TYRE, 100
    10.92 g - 24.5 mm
    Laureate head right of Trajan AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM
    Laureate head right of Melqart/Herakles ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠAT Γ
    Prieur 1483
     
  7. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Beautiful portrait of Herakles. Much better than Trajan. Very lifelike.
     
    Roman Collector likes this.
  8. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

  9. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    MAKEDON HERAKLES (yeah, NON-Alexander III's)

    upload_2020-3-24_9-42-3.png
    Makedon Antigonos I Monopthalmus 319-305 BC AR Drachm Magnesia and Maeandrum Mint 3-9g 16-5mm Herakles lion-Zeus


    Makedon - Kassander 305-297 BCE AE 20 Herakles  - Youth on Horse prancing SG 6754.JPG
    Makedon - Kassander 305-297 BCE AE 20 Herakles - Youth on Horse prancing SG 6754


    Makedon Amyntas III 393-369 BC Herakles lion skin Eagle Serpent SNG ANS 100ff.jpg
    Makedon Amyntas III 393-369 BC Herakles lion skin Eagle Serpent SNG ANS 100ff


    Makedon AE 20 Kassander 319-297 BC Herakles Horse prancing S 6754 var SNG Cop 1142.JPG
    Makedon AE 20 Kassander 319-297 BC Herakles Horse prancing S 6754 var SNG Cop 1142


    Makedon Kassander 316-297 BCE AE15 Herakles Lion reclining SNG Cop 1140.JPG
    Makedon Kassander 316-297 BCE AE15 Herakles Lion reclining SNG Cop 1140
     
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  10. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Y'all know I am NOT a fan of the Imperial Period of Roman History. I only have coins from this period as I am collecting them for the Grandkids (I have around 150 of the various Rulers).

    I watch the progression of Roman History from an amazing Etrurian (?) Cow-Town who shrugged off Kings and established a successful Republic at the same time as Athens dabbled with Democracy. Then, through a great Republic Period until the Grachii Era - the Republic became fat on their Empire, which corrupted them...This was for approx 400 years. The Roman Republic Empire later resulted in a Horrible Imperatorial Period, then on to a Corrupt Principate Empire....

    Yeah, the Principate had their Golden Ages, but I like the Farming-style Period of the Republic. Once they began demoting the Agrarian approach, the Elite / Senatorial / Equestrian groups started exploiting the backbone (farming) of the Republic. All kinds of personal corruption crept in. Huge Estates, Latifundii, dominated farming, and closed down the small farms... they were replaced by huge estates controlled by the ultra wealthy and staffed with slaves (many small farmers were trapped onto these estates, not able to compete nor satisfy unjust debt enforced on them.)

    Review the Era after the Gracchii which started the Imperatorial Period. Huge changes in farming ownership became the foundation for corruption and enslavement. Farms and Estates were gobbled up by ultra-rich peoples, such as Crassus (Triumvir with Caesar and Pompey). This Oligarchy flourished, and Human corruptian became rampant.

    C'mon, it were these Farmers that took on one of the greatest Empires (Carthage), and defeated them in THREE massive Punic World Wars! This Era MADE the Romans!

    Here are some REAL Republic Hercules:

    upload_2020-3-24_10-4-11.png
    RR C Curiatius f Trigeminus 135 BCE Æ quadrans 18 mm 4.8g Rome Hd Hercules lionskin 3 plts - CCVR F ROMA prow Victory wreath 3 plts Cr 240-4a; Syd460b


    upload_2020-3-24_10-6-8.png
    RR AE Quadrans 18mm 3.6g Rome 206-195 BC Hercules R wearing lions skin pellet behind - ROMA Prow of galley right 3 pellets Cr339-4a; Syd679c


    upload_2020-3-24_10-6-40.png
    RR AE Double Litra 235 BCE 19.5mm 6.54g Rome mint Hercules r club - Pegasus r club ROMA Cr 27-3 HN Italy 316 S 591


    upload_2020-3-24_10-7-34.png
    RR Anon AE 28mm 19.2g Quadrans - Sicily mint 214-212 BCE Hercules-Erymanthian boar headress - Bull ex RBW Craw 72-7 Scarce
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2020
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  11. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    So many nice Herakles coins here, and @Ryro your shield coins never bore me! I look forward seeing more additions.

    Some Herakles coins:

    [​IMG]
    Alexander III the Great. AR Tetradrachm. Civic issue, Mesembria mint 100-72/1 B.C. Struck in the time of Mithridates VI.
    Obverse:
    Head of Herakles wearing lion's skin right, with the features of Mithradates VI.
    Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / MEΣAM, Zeus seated left, holding spear and eagle; to left, ΔIO.
    Reference: Price 1128; Karayotov I 316; HGC 3, 1570.
    16.10g; 33mm

    [​IMG]
    Mithridates VI Amisos, Pontos. Bronze Chalkous. Circa 95-90 or 80-70 B.C.
    Obverse:
    Laureate head of Herakles to right.
    Reverse: AMI-ΣO[Y] Club and quiver crossed; to lower right, monogram.
    Reference: HGC 7, 257.
    1.25g; 11mm

    [​IMG]
    Islands off Thrace, Thasos. Æ bronze coin. Circa 168/7-90/80 B.C.
    Obverse:
    Head of bearded Herakles right, wearing lion’s skin headdress
    Reverse: ΘΑΣION. Strung bow within which an amphora above club; monogram below.
    Reference: Le Rider, Thasiennes 56; SNG Copenhagen 1054; HGC 6, 368.
    5.98g; 15mm
     
  12. Roerbakmix

    Roerbakmix Well-Known Member

    @Ryro, your post is as usual very fun to read :)

    Strangely enough, Hercules is very underrepresented in my collection, this being the only one:
    upload_2020-3-25_11-34-47.png
    MACEDON, Alexander III of Macedon (non-lifetime, minted under Philip III Arrhidaeus). Denomination: AR drachm, minted: Colophon; 323-319 BC
    Obv: Head of beardless Heracles right wearing lion skin headdress
    Rev: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated on stool-throne left, eagle on outstretched right hand, sceptre in left hand. Two symbols: lyre (Left Field), A (Beneath Throne)
    Weight: 4.06g; Ø:1.8mm. Catalogue: Price 1769. Provenance: Ex private collection; acq.: 04-2019
     
  13. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

  14. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    LATER ROMAN REPUBLIC

    upload_2020-3-25_8-42-15.png
    RR M Volteius Mf AR Denarius 78 BCE 18mm 3.96g Hd Hercules R lion skin headdress - Erymanthian boar Cr 385-2 ex SteveX6


    I go this one for the STANNARD SCOOP on the reverse
    upload_2020-3-25_8-42-55.png
    RR C POBLICIUS Q f 80 BCE AR Denarius serratus 3.94g Rome Flan wgt control gouge Hercules strnglng Nemean lion club quiver Cr 380-1 Syd 768
     
  15. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    OH, and GAG me with a SPOON! Nasty emperors all!

    ROMAN EMPIRE HERCULES

    RI Gallienus Silvered Æ Ant CE 263-264 AVG rad cuiras R  Hercules R lion skin club star RIC 673.jpg
    RI Gallienus Silvered Æ Ant CE 263-264 AVG rad cuiras R Hercules R lion skin club star RIC 673


    RI Gordian III 238-244 CE AE As 25mm Hercules S-C.jpg
    RI Gordian III 238-244 CE AE As 25mm Hercules S-C


    RI Commodus 177-192 CE AR Denarius laureate hd and Hercules and Africa.jpg
    RI Commodus 177-192 CE AR Denarius laureate hd and Hercules and Africa

    PERFECT! Great post. LOL, true spirit of the real Romans after Cannae!
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2020
  16. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Man O man, are there some beauties in this thread. There are a grip of Herks that I haven't even seen before. Time to update the "Must own" list:snaphappy:! I hope it keeps up:)
    Good point, Gandy! I better get some Roman (the good Roman's) Hercules coins of my own on here:
    9006885A-1138-48B7-BCD1-FAB173EE02F1.jpeg
    Ti. Quinctius. 112-111 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.59 g, 7h). Rome mint. Laureate but of Hercules left, seen from behind, wearing lion skin draped across back and with club over shoulder / Two horses galloping left, with rider (desultor) on the nearer horse; rat to lower left. Crawford 297/1a; Sydenham 563; Quinctia 6.

    75D7F25F-A7A1-44C7-B5F7-DD52AE173332.jpeg
    Anonymous issue
    Quadrans

    91 BCE, Æ
    Head of Hercules r., wearing lion’s skin; behind, three pellets. Rev. Prow r.; to r., three pellets and below, ROMA. Sydenham –. Crawford 339/4d (?) Good very fine Ex CNG sale 47, 1998, 1155.


    9864A033-7DEB-4594-B10B-41F73F58087C.png
    Faustus Cornelius L.f. L.n. Sulla
    56 B.C.E. AR fourrée denarius (18.5 mm, 3.15 g, 7 h). Rome mint. Bust of Hercules right, in lions skin; SC behind / Globe between jeweled wreath and three triumphal wreaths. Cf. Crawford 426/4b; Cf. Sydenham 884; Cf. RSC Cornelia 62. aVF. Rare. Former LANZ coin

    PS, great jam @Roman Collector! A good pick me up for hump day. I had forgotten Elton's middle name:woot:
     
  17. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    LOL, I believe that I just inspired you to deprive your family of some of that extra cash! :D
     
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  18. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    Aren't there any Emperors you do like or admire? Not even the so-called Five Good Emperors? I do understand, by the way, your negative view of the Empire itself, and I'm sure there will always be a debate about whether its overall effect on the European and Near Eastern worlds, and the history of civilization in general, was a net positive or negative.

    Of course, a lot of the flaws you mention had their origin in the military successes of the Republic and its increasing dependence on the spoils of conquest. Not to mention that a lot of ancient Roman rhetoric about lost Republican virtues and sturdy farmers was probably based on "good old days" nostalgia and romanticization as much as historical fact. And, after all, the early history of the Republic, and the overthrow of the kings, is shrouded in mystery and myth, and largely devoid of archaeological evidence. Nobody even really knows if any of the listed kings of Rome were actual historical figures. There's far more extra-biblical evidence for the historical existence of most of the "Kings" named in the Hebrew Bible (at least from Omri going forward) than there is independent evidence for the kings of Rome. Or for the earliest Republican consuls, given that most of the early Republican history we read is based on accounts and inscriptions written long after the fact. (For a good overall history from the 35,000-foot level, I really liked Mary Beard's book from a few years ago. I wish it had gone into more detail in a lot of places, but I understand that if the author had done so, the book would have been a couple of thousand pages long!)
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2020
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  19. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    I have only two ancient coins depicting Herakles/Hercules, although this thread makes me want to buy more!

    Macedon, Alexander III (under Philip III Arrhidaeus), AR Drachm, Miletos mint, 323-319 BCE. Obv. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress/ Rev. Zeus seated left on throne, holding long scepter in left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right hand; in right field, ALEXANDROU [in Greek alphabet]. Price 2121, Mueller 847 (KH monogram in left field). 16 mm., 4.21 g. (Purchased from Harmer Rooke Numismatists, Ltd., 21 Feb. 1986. As I've mentioned elsewhere, this was the first ancient coin I ever purchased as an adult.)

    Alexander drachm O2.jpg

    Alexander drachm R1.jpg

    Roman Republic. C. Poblicius Q.f. AR Serrate Denarius, 80 BCE. Obv. Head of Roma right, wearing helmet decorated with grain ears; ROMA behind, V above / Rev. C•POBLICI•Q•F; Hercules standing left, strangling the Nemean Lion; bow and quiver to left, club below, V above lion. Crawford 380/1; RSC I Poblicia 9; Sydenham 768. 20.13 mm., 3.84 g.

    Poblicius (Hercules & Nemean Lion).jpg
     
  20. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Agreed to all. Aren’t deep-shrouded beliefs from the mists of ancient history what point to today’s ideals? Into what we believe in today?

    And, I would have really enjoyed sitting by the fires, well BEFORE recorded History to hear the Ancient stories, myths, beliefs, and truths. I am sure the kernels of many of which live today in our beliefs and religions.

    I do not believe Humans acquired “intelligence” when they figgerred out how to write it all down. In fact, perhaps, since it was WRITTEN, especially before universal literacy, maybe a lot of “truths” turn out to be false or exaggerations... :)

    Agreed about Beard. Enjoy her books.

    I enjoy you, Ms Donna. You make me think! :)
     
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