This coin isn't a real looker, to be sure, but it has an interesting reverse type, with which I had not been previously familiar. It depicts the god, Kabeiros, and this god is rarely found in the Roman provincial series outside of Thessalonica in Macedonia. In pre-Roman times, coins depicting this deity are seen in issues of Birtys in Troas from the late 4th century BCE. The god Kabeiros is similar in appearance to Dionysos and the rites of his cult were likely similar to those of the Dionysian mysteries. The attributes of Kabeiros are a rhyton* and hammer. Post anything you feel is relevant--coins of Kabeiros, of Thessalonica, Julia Mamaea provincials, whatever! Julia Mamaea, AD 226-235 Roman provincial Æ 24.7 mm, 10.46 gm Macedonia, Thessalonica, AD 226-235 Obv: ΙΟVΛΙΑ ΜΑΜΑΙΑ ΑVΓ, diademed and draped bust, right Rev: ΘΕCCΑΛΟΝΙΚΕΩΝ, Kabeiros standing facing, head left, holding rhyton and hammer. Refs: Similar to SGI 3409; Varbanov 4484 *A rhyton (plural rhyta) is an ancient Greek drinking horn or libation vessel. Horn shaped, the rhyton was filled by scooping wine or water into the wide mouth at the top with the thumb covering the hole at the bottom. To drink or pour the user removed their thumb to unstopper the hole at the bottom conical end and the fluid run into the mouth (or onto the ground or altar in libation). Red figure kantharos depicting a female bringing an offering to the god Kabeiros, from 420 BC. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.
Interesting coin, RC! @stevex6 has an Iberian Kabieros I've coveted. On that coin, the squatting figure of Kabieros looks like Captain Caveman For such sophisticated civilizations I'm surprised at the awkwardness and poor functionality of ancient Greek and Roman tableware and cookware . I mean really... long stemmed top-heavy vessels? Curved rhyta you have to unstopper? How did they not spill everything everywhere?
I'll post this worn bronze of Thessalonica to start things off... AE23 158-88 BC., Thessalonica, Macedonia (semi-autonomous under Roman rule) - laureate head of Poseidon right / prow of galley right, dolphin front (12.91 grams, 23/22 mm) Thessalonica mint, SNG ANS 798 var. SNG Copenhagen 364, Very fine, reddish-brown patina, possibly unrecorded variant with dolphin in front of prow, rare denomination from this type
I might as well add my sestertius too IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA Diademed draped bust right VENVS VICTRIX S - C Venus standing holding helmet and sceptre, shield at feet. RIC 705
Cool and unusual reverse! I enjoy the obscure cool coins. I do no have a lot from the Greek area... Couple of Thessalonika: RI Commem Urbs Roma AE Follis Thessalonika 330-333 CE She-Wolf Rom-Rem stars Sear 16516R RI Constans 337-350 AE3 19mm Thesalonika mint Reparatio stdg CHI RHO banner (HEY! Appropriate for Easter today!)
Nice find, RC. Never heard of that got to be honest with you. My only Mamaea provincial. Julia Mamaea (222 - 235 A.D.) Æ20 Thrace, Deultum O: IVLIA MAMAEA AVG, diademed and draped bust right. R: CFPD, forepart of bull left. 20mm 3.5g Varbanov (E) 2380; Jurakova 202var.
Roman Collector => congrats on the cool Kabeiros addition!! (very cool) I also have a couple of neat Kabeiros examples ... wanna see 'em? Troas Birytis, AE18 400-200 BC Kabeiros & Club in wreath Islands off Iberia, Ebusus AE Quarter Unit (A17) 200-100 BC Kabeiros with Hammer & Serpent Bull butting left
I read on Wildwinds that the reverse of my coin above shows Vesta holding a scepter and Palladium.I wonder what is Palladium in ancient Roman History. Is it common?
My only Iulia Mamaea... she looks a peaked... white... like something not sitting well with her... RI Julia Mamaea AR denarius Pietas incense altar perfume Seaby 48
That's a cool find @Roman Collector. And I learned something new. I had never heard of the god "Kabeiros". Thanks for posting and thanks for the education.
