A rough little beauty from the Greek mainland. Achaea. Corinthia, Corinth. Caracalla Æ24. Obv: Laureate, draped bust of Caracalla left. Melikertes-Palaimon. Rev: CLI COR / Melikertes-Palaimon reclining right on the back of a dolphin, pine tree in background. 24mm., 8.1 g. BCD Corinth 930.
That is a striking coin. The portrait bears a remarkable resemblance to Commodus (provincial anyway).
The reverse is very interesting. When I see a coin with a reverse of this nature, I have to wonder that the symbolism meant at the time of minting.
I do not remember where this came from: "A fragmentary Isthmian ode of Pindar portrays the founding of the Isthmian Games as a funerary celebration for Melikertes. Examination of the language in which Pindar speaks of the cults of other heroes at places where athletic contests were celebrated in their honour leads to the conclusion that Melikertes was worshipped as a hero at the Isthmian Sanctuary, at least by the time of Pindar, although no remains of a shrine to him before the Roman period have been found." Another super rough one. Achaea. Corinthia, Corinth. Lucius Verus AE26 Melikertes-Palaimon Peloponnesus. Corinthia, Corinth. Obv. bare-headed bust of Lucius Verus wearing cuirass, r. [IMP L AVR VERVS AVG] Rev. Melikertes-Palaimon riding on dolphin, l.; in pine wreath C L I COR.
Nice! Put me down as another who is attracted to these types. Corinth had some interesting provincial bronzes, but for some reason they're more often than not in pretty rough shape.
How about this one? Caracalla, AD 198-217 AE30, 15.2g, 6h; Rabbathmoba, Palestine, dated CY 105 = AD 210-211. Obv.: AVT K M AV ANTUNINOC, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: PABBAΘ-MUBUN, Ares standing facing on square base decorated with pilasters, and holding sword, spear and round shield. Lighted torch to left and right. Date P-E across fields. Well, it's not really rough. I've sort of become a Caracalla provincial guy...I have 5 now so you can say things are getting pretty serious.
