Cuddly Roman snake (featuring Gordian III and Salus in denarius form)

I pounced on one of @Ken Dorney 's cool coins.

My second Gordian III, this one in denarius form, featuring Salus and the cutest ancient snake you'll ever see. Isn't she adorable?


Gordian III, 238 - 244 AD
Silver Denarius, Rome Mint, 20mm, 2.76 grams
Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right.
Reverse: SALVS AVGVSTI, Salus standing right feeding snake held in arms.
RIC129a


I really didn't need another Gordian III, but I suppose it's hard not to have them attract your attention when they are so widely available and feature interesting reverses, strong strikes, and excellent preservation.

Now I need to think of a nickname for my cute little ancient snake before I get her. Just look at her eating from Salus' bowl, with those little beady round eyes. Almost melts your heart

PS: Here is my Antoninianus of Gordian III



And here is my other example of a Roman snake, in the form of an Antoninus Pius denarius, also with Salus. You have to admit the Gordian III is more artistic.

 

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Gordy had nice denarii made. This is mine. Bought it mainly for the weight.


Gordian III (238 - 244 A.D.)
AR Denarius
O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
R: SECVRITAS PVBLICA Securitas seated left on throne, holding scepter and resting head upon hand.
3.81g
18mm
Rome, 240 A.D.
RIC IV 130; RSC 340

 

Holy cow, that is one fat denarius at 3.81g, and the toning in the obverse is nice.

 

And Salus herself.

Man. Acilius Glabrio ( 49 B.C.)
AR Denarius
O: SALVTIS behind, laureate head of Salus right, wearing earring and necklace; hair in knot, falling down neck.
R: MN. ACILIVS III. VIR. VALETV, Valetudo (Salus) standing left, holding serpent, resting elbow on column.
Rome
18mm
3.9g
Sear 412; Crawford 442/1a; CRI 16; Sydenham 922

 

Nice detail and cute snake. Master Viper:

 

A different sort of snake:

 

Very nice!

 

RR
Acilius Glabrio 49 BCE
AR Denarius
Salus
Valetudo holding snake
Sear 412 Crawford 442-1


RI
Hadrian 117-138
AR Denarius
Salus stdg feeding Snake

 

SNAKES EVERYWHERE!
Mysia Pergamon
Tetradrachm 85-76 BCE

 

Nice coins, everyone!

Sallent, your new Salus has a particularly clear snake. Very nice

 

What's the reference for that coin? Is that Marc Anthony and Cleopatra?

 

MARCUS ANTONIUS (Marc Antony) & OCTAVIA AR Cistophorus (cistophoric tetradrachm). Struck at Ephesus mint, 39 BC. M ANTONIVS IMP COS DESIG ITER ET TERT, laureate bust of Antony right, lituus below, in wreath of ivy & flowers. Reverse - III VIR R P C, draped bust of Octavia right above cista, flanked by twisting snakes. RPC I 2201, Syd 1197.

 

TY Mat

 

Octavia was Octavian's(Augustus's) sister who he married off to Antony to cement his military alliance with him(2nd Triumvirate).
She did not bear Antony any children, as he had run off with Cleopatra VII. Though she did take care of Antony's children and cleopatra's after their deaths. The sources at the time say that she was a kind and simple woman.

 

Actually her and Anthony had a daughter, Antonia, who was the mother of Emperor Claudius.

 

@Sallent
You are correct! I can't believe I forgot about her!!! Thanks for the correction.
Yes, they had a daughter named Antonia. Who was quite mean to her son Claudius, I'm surprised that he would deify her after what she put the poor boy through.

 

In my opinion you can't get enough Salus. Great coins everyone.

 

Provincials can be a good place to look for snakes.
Septimius Severus - Nikopolis


Septimius Severus - Philippopolis


Caracalla - Serdica (with Athena)


Elagabalus - Marcianopolis


Maximus - Tomis with Hygaeia


Gordian III - Hadrianopolis with Aesclepius

 

Well, I caught a goat virus and now I'm snake-bitten

Wonderful posts and some of the sharpest details of 'snakes' I've seen:


My more modest example of Antoninus.....