Hi everybody I'm new to the hobby of ancient coins. About 6 months or so, but I have to say I'm really enjoying the beautiful and intriguing journey so far. The artwork designed long ago still so clear inspires a sense of wonder in me. I have focused somewhat on wine themed ancient coins because I work in a winery and vineyard. Just wanted to show this coin I recently purchased and hear some of your thoughts on its rarity and potential value: ~Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea AE 27mm (10.03 g) of Markianopolis. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus right, facing diademed and draped bust of Mamaea left / Dionysos standing left, holding kantharos and thyrsos, panther at foot left. E (Mark of value) in field to right Any comments welcome, Thanks
I think you will get more responses if you ask a Moderator to move this post to the Ancients sub-forum. I know you have inquired about value, but the Ancients will have the knowledge. Welcome to CT.
The popularity of wine is questionable in times when the possibility of drought and famine compelled societies to focus tremendous amounts of energy on sustaining the simplest resources we now take for granted. It seems a luxury such as wine should not have been so popular when it was a daily undertaking to simply collect potable water. Food must have been fresh and gathered regularly, for there was no refrigeration. I believe it the was the necessity of regularly consuming spoiled or "fermented" food products that gave rise to the reliable, long lasting drink. The tradition has carried on through the centuries and even in modern times. When shelf life is of little concern we still consume the fermented juice regularly for its toxic side effects, because wine not.
I In ancient societies wine was often safer to drink than the local water supply and wine with herbal additions was also used for medicine. Wine really does have a rich and culture influencing history. It certainly came a long way from its humble beginnings. Thank you for your interesting comments
