Vespasian Isis on an Icey Day

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Jan 6, 2022.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    On this cold wintry evening, I unboxed this Vespasian Alexandrian diobol featuring the Egyptian goddess Isis. A good night to stay inside coining.


    RPC2442.jpg Vespasian
    Æ Diobol, 10.50g
    Alexandria mint, 73-74 AD
    Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
    Rev: LϚ; Bust of Isis, r.
    RPC 2442 (31 spec.). Emmett 217.6. Dattari-Savio 385.
    Acquired from Aegean Numismatics, December 2021.

    This very common diobol struck in Vespasian's sixth regnal year features a bust of the goddess Isis wearing a headdress of cow horns enclosing a sun disk. The cult of Isis was very popular during the First Century and was given a particular boost by the Flavians, likely owing to Vespasian's lengthy sojourn in Alexandria prior to his arrival in Rome. Tellingly, Vespasian and Titus's joint triumphal procession of 71 at Rome started at the Temple of Isis where they had spent the night, a good indication of how important the Isis cult was to the Flavians. I think it's no accident this ethnic type was chosen as a standard reverse design for Vespasian's Alexandrian bronzes.

    Please share you coins featuring Isis! Thanks for looking!
     
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  3. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Nice one, David! Good flan shape, clear portraits.

    Here's one on an unusually thin and light flan:
    [​IMG]
    EGYPT, Alexandria. Vespasian
    year 4, CE 71/2
    diobol?, 25.4 mm, 5.45 gm
    Obv: AVTOKKAIΣΣEBAOVEΣΠAΣIANOV; laureate head right
    Rev: bust of Isis left; LΔ in right field
    Ref: Emmett 217.4 (diobol)

    A more typical diobol weight and thickness:
    [​IMG]
    EGYPT, Alexandria. Domitian
    Year 9, CE 89/90
    AE diobol, 25 mm, 9.13 gm
    Obv: laureate bust right
    Rev: bust of Isis right
    Ref: Dattari-Savio Pl 19, 6747 (this coin); Geissen 329; Emmett 296.9, R5
    ex Dattari collection (Giovanni Dattari, 1858-1923)
     
  4. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..it is that ain't it!?...:)
     
  5. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Nice Vespasian:wideyed:
    Ptolemaic Isis and her hat:

    2112865_1628875428.l-removebg-preview.png
    Screenshot_20210812-121927_PicCollage-removebg-preview.png
     
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  6. Gam3rBlake

    Gam3rBlake Well-Known Member

    Nice one!
    This is my only Vespasian coin of any kind.

    vesp1ct.jpg
    vesp2ct.jpg
     
  7. Broucheion

    Broucheion Well-Known Member

    Hi All,

    Isis Lactans.

    upload_2022-1-7_1-50-42.png

    Dattari ex-Naville Auction 50, Lot #271.

    - Broucheion
     
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  8. GinoLR

    GinoLR Well-Known Member

    normal_Ptolémée V Epiphane Sear 7880.jpg
    isis lagide.jpg (looks better in hand)

    My best Isis is Ptolemaic
    Ptolemy V Epiphanes AE 29 mm, 19.80 g (205-180 BC)
    Obv.: head of Isis right
    Rev.: ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ , eagle standing left on thunderbolt

    there is also Isis' headdress (but it's Seleucid) :

    eros antiochus evergete.jpg
    Seleucid, Antiochus VII (138-129 BC), AE 18 mm, 5.80 g. Antioch, 137 BC.
    Obv: Winged bust of Eros right.
    Rev: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY, Isis headdress, monogram to outer left, below, crescent above EoP (175 sel. = 137 BC)
     
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  9. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Nice one, David. Mine is an Otho.

    Otho - AE Diobol Bust of Isis 4273.JPG
    OTHO
    AE Diobol. 7.87g, 25.3mm. EGYPT, Alexandria, RY 1 (AD 69). Dattari (Savio) 334; Emmett 190.1; K&G 18.14; RPC I 5368. O: [ΑΥΤΟΚ Μ]ΑΡΚ ΟΘΩΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ [ΣΕΒ], laureate head right. R: [L A], draped bust of Isis to right, wearing headdress.
    Ex Rhakotis Collection
     
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  10. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Cool coin, @David Atherton! Looks chunky!

    Here are some coins depicting Mighty Isis.

    [​IMG]
    Claudius II Gothicus, AD 268-270.
    Roman billon antoninianus, 4.07 g, 22.4 mm, 5 h.
    Antioch, officina 5, issue 1, end 268-end 269.
    Obv: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
    Rev: SALVS AVG, Isis standing left, holding sistrum and situla; Є in exergue.
    Refs: RIC 217A; MER/RIC temp 1024; Cohen 256; RCV 11370; Huvelin 1990, 10; Normanby 1109.

    [​IMG]
    Julia Domna, AD 193-217.
    Roman AR denarius, 3.61 g, 17.7 mm, 12 h.
    Rome, AD 196-202.
    Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
    Rev: SAECVLI FELICITAS, Isis, wearing polos, standing right, foot on prow(?) (stool?), holding wreath and infant Horus; behind them, a ship’s rudder leans against an altar.
    Refs: RIC 577; BMCRE 75-82; Hill 504; Cohen 174; RCV 6606.

    [​IMG]
    Ptolemy V Epiphanes, 205 BC-180 BC
    AE hemidrachm, 18.84 g; 28.4 mm
    Alexandria, ca. 197-183/2 BC
    Obv: Corn-wreathed head of Isis, right
    Rev: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, eagle standing on winged thunderbolt, left
    Refs: Svoronos 1235; Sear Greek 7880; BMCG 6.94,72; SNG VIII (Hart) 1175; Forrer 80.

    [​IMG]
    Annia Faustina, 3rd wife of Elagabalus, Augusta, 221 CE.
    Isinda, Pisidia; AE 25.0 mm, 8.55 gm
    Obv: ANNIAN FAVCTEINAN, Dr. bust of Faustina r.
    Rev: Confronted heads of Serapis and Isis, in field, E-Delta (yr. 4 ).
    Refs: Ex Lindgren I A1322A, ex von Aulock, Pisidia I 833 (Plate coin for both references).
     
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  11. beluga

    beluga Member

    just picked this up at the fun show yesterday from @Brian Bucklan Vespasian Tet Isis.jpg
     
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