Sometimes you have to take what you can get. That is the case with my latest Alexandrian - a decently rare Domitian diobol. Domitian Æ Diobol, 5.96g Alexandria mint, 91-92 AD Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, wreathed with corn, r. Rev: LΙΑ; Serpent on back of horse, r. RPC 2634 (0 spec.). Emmett 276.11. Dattari-Savio 568. Acquired from Satyricoins, March 2022. The Alexandrian mint under Domitian around regnal year 10 or 11 experienced a 'dramatic improvement in style' and the 'adoption of a wide range of new types' (Milne). One of those new types features an Agathodaemon serpent (the 'Good Spirit' of grain fields and vineyards) riding a horse. The 'Good Spirit' was venerated in both Greek and Roman religions, depicted as a serpent on Roman shrines and lararia and honoured as an omen of good luck among the Greeks. The Agathodaemon serpent's most developed form flourished in Roman Egypt where it became an exalted deity, far beyond the status of a mere household god. Emmett says of this unusual type 'The horse represents the changing of the seasons, and the serpent represents rebirth and regeneration of the crops upon which Egyptian life and prosperity depended.' This regnal year 11 diobol is a somewhat scarce variant of the serpent on horseback type with the obverse portrait wreathed with corn. Obverse die match with BMC 334. The coin itself is worn and over cleaned, but waiting for a pristine specimen may be an exercise in futility. Feel free to post your worn or over cleaned rarities.
Congratulations. It's admittedly over-cleaned, but the serpent and horse are extremely clear and well-defined. I was very tempted to bid on this example of an Agathodaemon (with head of Serapis) riding a horse, offered at Sunday's Naville auction as Lot 354. Egypt, Alexandria. Dattari. Antoninus Pius, 138-161 Drachm circa 159-160 (year 23), Æ 29.20 mm., 12.73 g. Laureate bust l., drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. Serpent with head of Sarapis, crowned with kalathos, erect, on back of horse, saddled and bridled, advancing r.; in field, L-K-Γ. RPC IV.4 Temp. 15799. Dattar-Savio 2832. It sold for 150 GBP, and I kind of regret not trying to buy it. If the head of Serapis had been just a little bit clearer, I would definitely have put in a bid.
The coin type pictured below is by no means rare, but they are popular & bring high prices at auction. I bought this coin at auction about 25 years ago for $400.00 with the hope it would tone-up over time. I kept it on my kitchen window for two years & saw no change . Eventually I got the coin slabbed & put it in a Heritage auction 10 years ago where it sold for $805.00 .
Wonderful, @David Atherton! I've always wanted a snake cowboy! I have only one big Alexandrian bronze related to Agathodaemon, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for Faustina Friday! You and I share the same collecting philosophy -- when your goal is completeness and coins are extremely rare, you take what you can get. For example ... This is the only known specimen of this coin. There are only two known specimens of this coin. @Orielensis owns the other one. There are three known specimens of this one. There are four known specimens of this one. @Marsyas Mike has one of them, too. There are five known specimens of this one.
Yes, I can see why that would be a drawback ... fascinating type nonetheless! Regarding the OP coin, If I hadn't found a die match with the BM specimen with wreath of corn I may have skipped it too. Knowing for certain it was the rare variant was a game changer.
Nice snake cowboy! Such a great type. But I don't think this thread can continue to exist without a link to @TIF's beautiful left facing example: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/so-these-exist-snake-cowboys.314032/ This coin is rare even for Galla Placidia... I feel lucky to have it!
