And now...more holding head coins...

I started the year with some holding head coins "Genius holding Serapis" and "Genius holding Sol" types and have just added another one of each to my collection. They were going cheap because the dealer didn't value them because of their evident flaws. I was happy to give them both a new home and given that each coin was about the cost of a meal for one at one of the popular burger bars I was very happy.

I will start with my Sol....

My new coin :-

Maximinus II Daia - Follis
Obv:– IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– GENIO AVGVSTI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys at waist, left hand holding cornucopiae and right hand holding head of Sol
Minted in Antioch (* | E/D / ANT). A.D. 312
Reference(s) – RIC VI Antioch 164b

Flan flaw on eye of bust on obverse otherwise a pleasing example with a lovely "head of Sol".

E/D used rather than using the supposedly unlucky Theta, which was the first letter of Thanatos.

So how is a flaw like this created? It it a break in the die or a flaw in the flan?



and just for comparison my previous Sol type whose mottled silvering makes it difficult to take an appealing photo..

As above by * | AI / ANT

 

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And on to Serapis with my newest example first ....

Maximinus II Daia - Follis
Obv:– IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– GENIO AVGVSTI, Genius, naked but for chlamys fastened at his right shoulder and hanging from his left shoulder, standing facing, head left, wearing modius, holding head of Serapis, which faces him, in right hand and ornate cornucopia in left arm behind
Minted in Alexandria (* / N / Branch | G // ALE).
Reference(s) – RIC VI Alexandria 160b

A flaw on the eye of the emperor and a somewhat worn reverse die but I couldn't walk away and leave it there...



Previous examples...

* / N / Branch | B / ALE



* / N / Branch | S // ALE



* / N / Branch | Z / Wreath // ALE
RIC VI Alexandria 162b

 

It's good you gave these new coins a home. Nice examples all.

 

Wow Martin, I love that coin-type ... but sadly, I get side-tracked and I haven't yet bagged one of those cool examples (oh, but if you happen to have a storage problem and need to house a few of those babies, then I have a bit of room in my vault, my coin-friend)

... I'm just sayin'

 

What is that supposed to symbolize?

 

VERY COOL!!

 

They are political propoganda. We see the Genius of the Roman people holding and overflowing cornucopia and the east/Orient, represented by Sol or Alexandria. represented by Serapis in the other.

 

Great examples, Marten, I still dont own any holding heads.

 

Thank you. Those are really beautiful, I can't believe the condition they're in.

 

very nice! ok so theres another type to add to my list...

 

nice examples indeed!

i think on the first coin, instead of a die break, it shows a brief period of time when maximinus ii went through a goth phase..



i don't have a genius holding head follis.

i have a alexandria holding serapis head potin tet....

 

Hmm...I do have another...but can't seem to locate the photo...

 

Martin, very nice!
Doug H.

 

I have finally found a placeholder for the Sol-Robed head in hand type...It will suffice until I can track down a better example.

Maximinus II Daia - Follis

Obv:– IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS P F AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– SOLI IN-VICTO, Sol standing left in long robe, right hand raised, left hand holding head of Serapis
Minted in Antioch (A | * // ANT).
Reference(s) – RIC VI Antioch 167b

An uneven strike but the head of Serapis is quite nice.

 

Congrats Martin => apparently you found yourself a cool version with the head in the left-hand (congrats)

 

Nice examples maridvnvm! I didn't realize there were several variations on this theme. I thought that there were only two basic types, the radiate bust and the non-radiate bust ones. I'll have to keep an eye out for the left-handed one. I only have one of these:

Roman Imperial: Maximinus II Daia (310-313) BI Follis, Antioch (RIC-164b)

Obv: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS PF AVG; Laureate head right
Rev: GENIO AVGVSTI; Genius standing facing, holding head of Sol in right, cornucopia in left. ✶ / S in fields, ANT in exergue

 

Awesome coins, everyone!

Man, I need one of these.

Erin

 

Nice examples! I am amazed by the art work on Roman coins. My favorite holding head coin -


Roman Republican Denarius
Mint - Rome; Moneyer - M.SERGI.SILVS.Q; 116 BC
Obverse Roma
Reverse Horseman w head
Cr 286/1
BMCRR 512
CRR 534
The reverse is a bit off center, but you can see all 3 heads well (counting the horse).

 

Now that is totally SICK! I don't have any republic coins and now I want THIS. Damn...