Since I saw TIF's post :- http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=162357 I have been on the lookout for one of these coins. No luck, until now. This is the only other one I have come across. I just purchased this rather (sorry) example. Not as nice as TIF's beautiful piece, but in the absence of any other, it will have to do me, for now. This (I believe) is more Varbanov 5008, whereas TIF's coin is Varbanov 5007, but near enough for me. Caracalla AE28 of Pautalia, Thrace. Obv: AV K M AVP CEV ANTWNINOC, laureate bust right Rev: OVLPIAC PAVTALIAC, Aesklepios flying right on a winged serpent. (Seller's pictures. I am hoping that it will look better, in hand.)
The snakes are awesome. @stevex6 , your second snake looks like the symbol of Mexico! The story behind their emblem is really cool...
Wow! Steve! I keep being blown away by your collection. Man that is so cool! Thanks for sharing. Bing and Co. Thanks for letting me see yours, too. I hope that TIF will show us hers, (again).
Thanks T-cat ... Yah, I'm sure that the Coin Princess will be here shortly ... She rocks ... yup, she is pretty good at the classic ol' game ... => show me yours and I'll show you mine!!
I only have this cup of coffee with snakes on the other side... Mysia, Pergamum (Pergamon) 85-76 BC Cista Mystica or Cistophoric Tetradrachm AR Tetradrachm 12.46 x 26 mm Obverse: Cista mystica with serpent; all within oak / ivy wreath Reverse: bow-case with serpents, PRE monogram to left, KP / PRY monogram above, serpent-staff right. Ref: Kleiner 36 Ex: @Ancientnoob
Aww-- thanks, guys! I'm very behind in all aspects of my coinlife (the non-coinlife has been annoyingly intrusive) and sometimes miss posts and details. Topcat-- congrats on getting this fun coin! As requested, here is mine THRACE, Pautalia. Caracalla CE 198-217 AE29, 16.4 gm Obv: AYT K M AY CEY ANTΩNEINOC; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev: OYΛΠIAC ΠAYTAΛIAC; Asklepios seated right on back of winged serpent Ref: Varbanov 5007 Caracalla's coins include many depictions of Asklepios. Reportedly, Caracalla suffered some type of illness which caused him great concern. I wish I could remember the details from a book I read about medicine depicted on ancient coins, but at the moment I can't find the book. Asklepios appears on a good number of Caracalla's coins. Perhaps he trying to curry the favor of Asklepios in order to be healed?
Thank-you, TIF. Such a great coin (of many). Now everyone (that hadn't seen it) can see why I wanted to get one.
An Alexandrian with Triptolemos in his biga of snakes, unfortunately not as sweet as @stevex6's obverse: EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius year 14, CE 150/1 AE drachm, 28.82 Obv: AVTKTAIΛAΔPANTωNINOCCEBEVC; laureate head of Antoninus Pius left Rev: Triptolemos standing right in serpent biga; LIΔ in top field Ref: Emmett 1683.14 Another Alexandrian, not a particularly unusual snake but still a nice coin, although it would be nicer without the obverse flan flaw (corrosion pit?): EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian year 11, 126/7 AD diobol Obv: AVTKAITPAIAΔPIACEB; Laureate head right Rev: Uraeus standing erect left; LENΔEKATOV Ref: Emmett 1145.11, Milne 1220a This next coin shows an unusually looooooooooong snake, or maybe it's just very skinny : PHOENICIA, Tyre. Trebonianus Gallus CE 251-253 Æ dichalkon, 25 mm, 13.39 gm, 6h Obv: IMP C C VIBIVS TREBO GALLVS AVG; laureate and draped bust right Rev: COL TYRO METR[O?]; serpent-entwined baetyl; murex shell to left, palm tree to right Ref: RPC IX online 1961; Rouvier 2476; Babelon 2296; AUB –; BMC –. Obligatory Pergamon cistophorus, from a large mixed lot (LOL at @Alegandron's description of the type) MYSIA, Pergamon 76 BCE 12.4 gm Obv: cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath Rev: bow-case with serpents; snake-entwined staff to the right; monogram left; AΠ above; monogram & star above Ref: Kleiner, Pergamum 25; Pinder 122
