I've since purchased a large number of coins but these were the first of the year. They will make sweet additions to my new and growing Ancient Collection. This coin fascinates me. It reminds mind of a face of the North Wind blowing. Apollonia (modern-day Sozòpol, Bulgaria) was an important Black Sea port and center of maritime trade throughout antiquity. The symbol of the city was an anchor, and archaeologists continue to discover many ancient anchors in the city’s bay. In ancient Greek religion, the Gorgoneion, or representation of a Gorgon’s head, was considered an apotropaic amulet - that is, it warded off evil forces. These ancient drachms of Apollonia combine the aspects of charms and currency. Their whimsical character certainly continues to charm collectors today. 1. Thrace, Apollonia Pontica AR Drachm, 18x13mm, 2.5g, 7h; 4th Century BC. Obv.: Gorgoneion. Rev.: Anchor, A to l., crayfish to r. Reference: SNG BM Black Sea 157; SNG Copenhagen 452 This Seleucid bronze demonstrates the syncretism between ancient Greek and Egyptian religion. Winged Eros is of course the god of love that needs no explanation. The cult of Isis had an enormous following throughout the Greek and Roman worlds, particularly in the Levant. She was the ideal wife and mother, the personification of the sexual and creative feminine energies, and the patroness of nature and magic. The message of this coin is quite clear: it is the expression of man’s longing for the love of the perfect woman! Antiochos VII Euergetes, 138-129 BC Æ19, 6.4g, 12h; Antioch mint, 138-137 BC. Obv.: Winged bust of Eros right. Rev.: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY; Headdress of Isis; EOP below, monogram to right. Reference: SNG Spaer 1941 All pictures and information were used by permission, for which I am grateful, as I have no idea what I just said.
Nice coins. I had both at one time. First was the usual fake of the type. Second, I parted with just because I was bored with it & it wasn't as nice as yours.
nice way to start the year! i'd love to get an appollonia gorgon..it's on the list. i have a seleucid eros/isis "hat", it was one my early coins. kind of wish i had a nicer one.
Love the Gorgon!!!!! APOLLONIA PONTICA AR Drachm OBVERSE: Gorgoneian facing with snakes for hair and a protruding tongue REVERSE: An anchor flanked by letter A and a crayfish, which represents the minting city of Apollonia, the major fifth century BC Greek colony on the west coast of the Black Sea, modern Sozopol in Bulgaria Struck at Apollonia 450-400 BC 3.13g, 14-15mm BMC IX, Black Sea 150-151
Great first-of-the-year snare @Collecting Nut ! I love the Gorgon, and am glad you mentioned that it was to ward off evil... I read the same that the Etruians used their Gorgon, Metus to ward off evil. PONTICA: (No Gorgon) Apollonia Pontica Thrace AR Diobol 1.3g 410-323 BCE Apollo ----- HEY! WHERE IS THE GORGON??? Anchor crab A Tupalov 56 ETRURIA: (GORGON) Etruria, Populonia 3rd Century BC Silver 20-Asses 8.1g, ovoid 16.6mm x 20mm Obv: Facing head of Metus, hair bound with a diadem, X:X below Rev blank Sambon 47; HN Italy 152 KAMARINA, SICILY: (GORGON) SICILY Kamarina Æ Onkia 13mm 1.5g 420-405 BC Gorgoneion tongue KAMA owl r lizard in claw pellet in ex SNG München 411
