It’s been a very busy year, not to mention the difficulties and losses that we have all, no doubt, faced. I haven’t had much time to post here, but I have made sure to check in at least every few weeks. I didn’t even get around to participating in Secret Saturnalia this year! In August, I started classes for my Ph.D. in Roman Art History, which has taken up most of my time since then. This was something that I was very fearful to start, seeing as it isn’t the most marketable skill, but it’s also something that has brought me a lot of fulfillment thus far. I achieved some of the goals that I listed in last year’s Top 10 list: I added new Alexandrian coins, coins with images that blend multiple cultural styles, and acquired my first Ptolemaic coin (though not the big drachm I was hoping for). I did not, however, acquire a pre-Roman or Early Medieval British coin; until a good bargain comes along, my Romano British coins will have to suffice. I didn't do a great job of paring down the collection, either... Due to both the general business of the year and the ballooning price of coins, I haven’t made quite as many purchases as in the previous years. A lot of the coins that I acquired this year are cherrypicked from group lots that I picked up for resale, something that I also haven’t had much time for. Despite these challenges, I want to share ten of my favorite acquisitions of the year. As always, take the specific ordering with a grain of salt, since I’m not good at such judgments. #10: Japanese Tora-Sen Obverse: Stylized tiger to left; Reverse: 富国強兵 (Fukoku Ryohei – “Rich country, strong soldiers”); Cast at Hosogaya Mito, ~AD 1868 I enjoy Japanese and other Asian art, but the lack of visuality means that coins from those regions don’t typically capture my imagination in the same way. Although calligraphy can be quite visual, it’s just not the same. I’ve remedied this somewhat this year by acquiring a number of Japanese ‘e-sen’ (literally, ‘picture coins’). In some cases, these were cast as private currency, while others functioned as tokens or religious amulets. I chose to share this one, called a ‘tora-sen’ (literally, ‘tiger coin’) as an example because I find the art quite attractive, and because it is fitting to highlight the tiger as we prepare to enter 2022, the Year of the Tiger. It was apparently struck under local authority and valued at 50 Mon. #9: Marcus Aurelius Tetradrachm Obverse: Μ ΑVΡΗΛΙΟϹ ΑΝΤƱΝΙΝΟϹ ϹƐ, radiate bust right; Reverse: L Ϛ, Harpokrates seated on lotus flower to left, crowned with skhent(?), raising fingers to lips, holding flail; RPC IV.4 14724 (temp.), struck at Alexandria, AD 165 – 166 This is a pretty rare type that I have been on the look out for for a while. They rarely come up, and when they do they are rarely affordable. Although it clearly has some rough surfaces that don't photograph so well, I think I got lucky with this one: the price was fair, and all of the important details are present and immediately recognizable. #8: Maximinus Thrax from Ashkelon Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; Reverse: Bust of Horus left, wearing hem-hem crown, holding scepter and flail [three lion heads in exergue; HLT (date) in legend)]; SNG ANS 742, struck at Ascalon, AD 334 – 335 While the figure on the reverse is sometimes identified as Isis, I believe it depicts Horus instead, based on the hem-hem crown and the presence of crook and flail. What’s interesting is that the style of this depiction is closer to ancient Egyptian art than most Alexandrian coins. Whereas we are more used to seeing Horus’ Greek adaptation, Harpocrates, as a child with his finger to his lips (forming the Egyptian hieroglyph for child), here we are getting a much more traditional, martial depiction of Horus. The style is crude and condition leaves something to be desired, but I had to have it. #7: Faustina the Younger from Neapolis Obverse: ΦΑΥϹΤƐΙΝΑ ϹƐΒ ƐΥϹƐ ϹƐΒ ϹƐΒΑ ΘΥΓΑ, draped bust right; Reverse: ΦΛ ΝƐΑϹ ΠοΛƐ(ⲰϹ) ϹΥΡΙΑϹ ΠΑ ƐΤ ΠΗ, turreted Isis-Tyche-Fortuna facing, head left, wearing headdress, holding rudder and cornucopia; 1 RPC 9054 (temp.), struck at Neapolis, ~AD 130 – 175 I don’t think much explanation is needed for this one. Quite simply, this is a beautiful coin. The reverse depicts Isis-Tyche (identifiable by her unique headdress), once again capturing my imagination with hybrid iconography. #6: Gordian III from Carrhae Obverse: ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ϹƐΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right (double struck); Reverse: ΜΗΤ ΚΟΛ ƐΔƐϹϹΗΝⲰΝ, draped, veiled and turreted bust of Tyche left; statue on pedestal in front, altar before; RPC VII.2 2829, struck at Carrhae, AD 241 – 243 At first glance, this is a pretty typical provincial coin with the emperor on one side and Tyche on the reverse. What makes it stand out is the little figure in the left field of the reverse, clearly a statue on a pedestal. While some catalogues identify this as Marsyas, the pose isn’t quite right to my eyes. With more research, I hope to solve the mystery of who this mysterious figure might be. For now, the mystery alone is enough to earn it a place in my Top 10 list. #5: A Hoard from Etenna Obverse: Nymph advancing right, entwined with serpent; vase to left OR Nymph entwined with serpent; Reverse: Sickle-shaped knife flanked by ET–EN OR sickle-shaped knife with long handle flanked by E-T; Struck at Etenna in… well, it’s complicated. Okay, so it’s not exactly ‘one’ of my Top 10 coins, but I think it’s fair enough to include these. I love coin hoards, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to buy 17 Hellenistic coins from the Anatolian city of Etenna. As I have discovered, the iconography on these coins is as fascinating as it is obscure. There’s some good German scholarship on it, but little in English. I hope to publish the hoard, along with a summary of prior findings about the coin type (now in English) in the future. Suffice it to say, we see local influences dating back to the time of the Hittites coming out on these coins, which apparently depict Etenna’s founding myth, involving a nymph, a spring, and a serpent. #4: Helios from Rhodes Obverse: Radiate head of Helios facing; Reverse: AΘANOΔΩPOΣ (magistrate), Rose with bud to right; flanked by P and O; in left field, caduceus; SNG Cop. 841, struck at Rhodes, ~170 – 150 BC I have wanted a Rhodes facing Helios coin since I first started collecting. Although I’ve pined after drachms, the price and quality were right for this one, which I got in Frank Robinson’s most recent auction. #3: A Rare Triton Surprise o Obverse: Corn-wreathed head of Kore Soteira to right; Reverse: ΚVΖΙΚΗИΩИ, Triton left, holding fish and rudder; 1 RPC IV.2 791 (temp.), struck at Cyzicus, ~AD 186 – 192 I had no idea exactly what this was when I purchased it in a poorly photographed eBay auction, but I could tell that it was something out of the ordinary. Further research revealed that it was a quite rare Roman provincial coin from Cyzicus during the reign of Commodus, depicting a Triton on the reverse. #2: A Domitian Crocodile Obverse: Laureate bust right; Reverse: L E, crocodile with sun disk right; RPC II 2747, struck at Alexandria, AD 85 – 86 My photo may not quite do it justice (it looks crisp when viewed at a smaller size, as intended), but this coin is a perfect example of the kind of hybrid iconography that draws me to Alexandrian coins. And it’s not just any crocodile: the Solar Disk above the head identifies this as a symbol of Sobek or Sobek-Re, an Egyptian deity associated with warfare and the sun. #1: Goddess of the Crossroads Obverse: AΠAMЄIA, Turreted and draped bust of the city-goddess to right; Reverse: CΩTЄIPA Hekate Triformis: the left and right one holding torches in each hand; the middle one a phiale in her right hand; BMC 110-3. SNG München 131, etc; Struck at Apameia, ~AD 193 – 235 I don’t have this one in hand yet, and perhaps my euphoria over its recent purchase has pushed it into the first spot for me. Still, I’m smitten with the iconography on this one. Hekate’s image is just weird and unique, yet also very well executed here. That’s to say nothing about its subject’s association with magic and dark deeds.
Since I couldn't post any more images in the initial post, here's a quick shot of the Etenna hoard after some organization.
Great selections, @SeptimusT. My favorites are your #1, 3, 6 and 10. 1: Nice portrait, plus cool Hekate Triformis. 3: Nice Triton design on reverse. 6: I like the reverse design. Showing big contrast. 10: Great tiger design.
Some great provincials there. As far as your course of study goes - follow your heart. I majored in Egyptian Archaeology and Languages (minor in Classics) at Berkeley. Lots of folks told me I would never find a job. Well I did find a job and then the company paid for my MBA and Doctorate in Finance. When I was done with my doctorate (about 29 at the time) I went off to Silicon Valley and got involved in starting a web software company, and then venture capital. So don't listen to the folks who say things are impossible. Good luck!
Could that sickle-shaped knife actually be a strigil? a tool used to scrap oil and sweat from the body!
I love everything on your list, @SeptimusT. The Cyzicus provincial with the triton is my favorite. And the Hekate triformis is a really great example of the type. I really like the Etenna bronzes and that hoard was a nice catch. This year I managed to acquire a little crocodile dichalkon as well, but of Claudius. This Harpokrates on a Lotus flower type is really cool and on my want list as well. It's a diobol rather than a tetradrachm, I believe. Another interesting type. I do believe the statue is of Marsyas. The pose may be a little different from other depictions of him, but as I can see the wineskin he's carrying over his shoulder and even his little tail, I can't imagine who else it might be. Have a good Tiger Year ahead!
WOW, what an envy-inducing assortment to another provincial collector! Trying to be happy for you but it's hard not to feel sorry for myself because some of those aren't mine . For instance... the Marcus Aurelius Harpokrates on lotus... I underbid on the RPC example back in 2017 . (typo in your attribution-- it's a diobol, not a tet) The Ascalon Max Thrax is very interesting. Will be on the lookout for one . The Cyzicus Triton reverse... ! I underbid on a similar coin this year . Looking forward to seeing the writeup of your Etenna hoard. ... A couple of related coins from my collection: PISIDIA, Etenna 1st century BCE AE chalkous, 14 mm, 2.1 gm Obv: Nymph advancing right, head left, holding coiled serpent in both hands; to left, amphora Rev: ET-EN Curved knife Ref: SNG Copenhagen 147. SNG Paris 1334 = SNG von Aulock 466. Debating whether to try cleaning Hadrian's face...
I wondered the same thing, but I found an article titled "Anatolian War Sickles and the Coinage of Etenna" by Victor Sekunda. It suggests that this is a very distinctive local weapon that is also depicted in some other media. If anyone is interested, I will be happy to email you a copy of said article, just send me a private message! And yes, @zumbly and @TIF are both correct in attributing the Harpokrates on Lotus as a diobol rather than a tetradrachm. Thanks for pointing that out! I've had success and failures with carefully chemically cleaning similar green deposits. Since the important part (the reverse) is clear, I'd say just leave it as is, personally!
First, congratulations on beginning your Art History PhD program. I have an idea of how demanding it is, because my son is also in an Art History PhD program, up in Toronto, although he's a couple of years into it. (Nothing Roman or otherwise ancient, so you'll never be competing for a job!) What a wonderful group of coins! If I had to pick some favorites, I might choose #'s 1 (amazing), 3, 6 & 8. But I really like 4, 5 & 7 as well! I kind of think that the little figure on #6 probably is Marsyas. To be sure, it's not exactly like the Marsyas on this denarius of L. Censorinus, but for two coins more than 300 years apart, I think the figures are similar enough for an identification. Looking closely, I believe I see a tail on yours, which would be dispositive.
Best of luck to your son, @DonnaML! It is indeed a lot of work, but so far I have (mostly) preferred it to the work I was doing before... As for the figure on the Carrhae coin, maybe that's worthy of a thread of its own. There are many examples of this issue and similar ones in the RPC database, and some of the more distinct ones lead me to suspect that the 'tail' may in fact be some sort of garment; it also looks like the object he is holding isn't over his shoulder, but held aloft by his arm, almost like some sort of projectile. Most Marsyas depictions seem more stooped. But I am not too certain, which is what makes it so interesting! The primary cult at Carrhae appears to have been devoted to Sin, a Mesopotamian lunar god. Some Roman accounts say that 'Deus Lunus' was worshipped there. From RPC:
Really cool coins, @SeptimusT! You had a great year! My favorites are the Isis-Tyche of Faustina with the misengraved obverse legend (more about this, below), the Triton from Cyzicus, and the Hecate Triformis of Apameia. Your Faustina provincial is VERY interesting. It was struck with the same obverse die as RPC 9054. You'll see the obverse inscription on the RPC specimen (BnF, Paris) clearly ends in CЄ CЄΒ CЄΒΑ ΘVΓA. The whole thing reads -- as you and the editors of RPC IV note -- ΦΑΥϹΤЄΙΝΑ ϹЄΒ ЄΥ-CЄ CЄΒ CЄΒΑ ΘVΓA. This is translated into Latin as FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG AVGA FIL -- Faustina, daughter of Pius Augustus Augustus, Augusta. The CЄΒ (the second Augustus) shouldn't be there; it's superfluous. Contrast the inscription on my specimen, issued the same year (ΠΗ=88) as yours. Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman provincial Æ 26.85 mm, 13.64 g, 12 h. Samaria, Neapolis, city year 88, AD 159/160. Obv: ΦΑVCΤЄΙΝΑ CЄΒ ЄVCЄ CЄΒΑ ΘVΓ, diademed and draped bust, right. Rev: ΦΛ ΝЄΑCΠΟΛЄѠ CVΡΙΑC ΠΑΛΑΙCΤΙ, Isis-Tyche, wearing hem-hem crown, standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; ЄΤ-ΠΗ (=year 88). Refs: RPC IV.3, 6340 (temporary); Lindgren A2431B; SNG ANS 973; Hendin 880; Rosenberger 20. Notes: The obverse titulature, ΦΑVCΤЄΙΝΑ CЄΒ ЄVCЄ CЄΒΑ ΘVΓ, is translated as "Faustina Augusta, daughter of Pius Augustus" and corresponds to the Latin FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL found on imperial issues for her. Ex George Fisher Collection. These coins demonstrate that dating provincial coins with the same criteria as imperial ones is fraught with difficulty. The empress on these coins is wearing a hairstyle most consistent with Beckmann's type 2 hairstyle, in use from November 149 - Autumn, 154 on her imperial coins. The Greek inscription on these provincials corresponds to the Latin FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL found used on imperial issues in use for about four or five months beginning about May AD 151, followed by the FAVSTINA AVG ANTONINI AVG PII FIL legend, which was in use for about seven or eight months, from the end of summer AD 151 to about June AD 152, after which it reverted to the FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL legend, which was in use through the end of AD 155. See, for example, this denarius which uses the combination of the FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL inscription and the type 2 coiffure and which dates to mid 152- autumn 154: Refs: RIC 502a(3); BMCRE 1086-87; Cohen 54; RCV 4704; Strack 506; CRE 167. So, were we to apply imperial dating criteria to the provincial, we'd date it to sometime between 151-154. But the coin itself IS dated, to the Neapolis city year 88. The city was founded by the Roman Emperor Vespasian after the Jewish War; the era of the city dates back to the year 72 AD. The year ЄΤ-ΠΗ (=year 88) is thus 159/160 (See Sear Greek Imperial Coins no. 1681, p. 155). The mint in Neapolis was some five to eight years out of date compared to the mint at Rome when it came to its portraiture and titulature for the empress!!! I don't mean to hijack your thread but I hope you find this information interesting. May 2022 bring you as much collecting success and joy as 2021!
@Roman Collector, wow! No, certainly not hijacking the thread. I'm impressed by your sleuthing, as I hadn't looked that deeply into the coin or its inscription. Maybe you should consider turning that into a short write-up for the next issue of Koinon . It's pretty darn interesting and it sounds like you've already done your homework. The only thing I have to add is that I don't think Isis is wearing the hem-hem crown here, nor simply a lotus as RPC describes. I think it's the typical Isis headdress, like the one seen on the Isis-Fortuna bronze below (note the curvature of the outer horns on the Neapolis coin). I see it in catalogues from time to time, but Isis only wears the hem-hem crown in, maybe, some exceptional syncretic images.
Nice selection Septimus T I would pick 1/3/6 as my favs. Thanks for sharing. Wish You a Beautifull 2022 John
