ARABIA, Decapolis. Petra. Hadrian Æ 28 Tyche Reference. RPC III, 4099; Spijkerman 2; Sofaer pl. 155,3; BMC 1 Issue Petra metropolis Obv. ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΩΡ ΚΑΙСΑΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ СƐΒΑϹΤΟС Laureate and cuirassed bust (with gorgoneion) of Hadrian, r. Rev. ΠƐΤΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙС Turreted and veiled Tyche seated l. on rock, l., her r. hand extended, holding trophy in l. 12.56 gr 28 mm Note. The Decapolis ("Ten Cities"; Greek: deka, ten; polis, city) was a group of ten cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire in Jordan, Israel and Syria. The ten cities were not an official league or political unit, but they were grouped together because of their language, culture, location, and political status, with each possessing a certain degree of autonomy and self-rule. The Decapolis cities were centers of Greek and Roman culture in a region that was otherwise Semitic (Nabatean, Aramean, and Jewish). With the exception of Damascus, Hippos and Scythopolis, the "Region of the Decapolis" was located in modern-day Jordan. Petra (GreekΠέτρα, Petra, meaning "stone";
Lycaonia, Iconium, 41-138 AD (time of Claudius-Hadrian), AE 14. 2.24g Obv: Winged gorgoneion, snake ties below chin, within border of large beads. Rev: ΚΛΑΥΔΕΙΚΟΝΙΕΩΝ; Seated figure (Cybele, Tyche, or Hades?) left, holding patera, left arm resting on (?), wearing mural crown (or kalathos?), animal at feet, within beaded boarder. VA Lykaon 252 Münzen & Medaillen Gmbh (DE), auction 19, May 2006, lot 443 If you are looking for coins depicting the wearing of an aegis, the Baktrians did it first and they did it best: Indo-Greek, Menander I (165-135 BC) The obverse shows Menander with an aegis over his shoulder. The reverse shows Athena with an aegis over her arm.
Crispus A.D. 322- 323 18x19mm 2.7gm IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate and cuirassed bust left, spear across right shoulder, shield engraved with Medusa on left arm. BEATA TRAN-QVILLITAS, Globe set on altar insc. VO/TIS/XX; above three stars. In ex. • PTR• RIC VII Trier 372
@Ed Snible - I'm wondering where the 'aegis' is on that coin. I don't see it. I'm looking for a breastplate or shield or something like that with Medusa's or a gorgon's head on it. Am I looking for the right thing? Thanks
Here's a Menander on which the gorgon bears a striking resemblance to Batman or a cat (from CNG archives-- not my coin). ... Gorgons currently living at my house: Roman Imperatorial, moneyer L. Plautius Plancus 47 BCE AR Denarius, 3.79 gm Obv: L. PLAVTIVS; facing mask of Medusa, serpents at either side of face; banker's mark on cheek Rev: PLANCVS; Aurora flying right and conducting the four horses of the sun. Banker's mark in left field. Ref: Plautia 15b Sear 429, Cr453/1b; Syd 959a. formerly slabbed by NGC PONTOS, Amisos 85-65 BCE, time of Mithradates VI Eupator AE, all are ~27-29 mm Obv: helmeted head of Athena right; helmet decorated with griffin Rev: AMIΣOY; Perseus standing facing, holding harpa and head of Medusa, Medusa's body at his feet, blood gushing from the neck THRACE, Apollonia Pontika Mid-late 4th century BCE AR drachm, 10 mm, 3.2 gm Obv: Facing gorgoneion Rev: Upright anchor; A to left, crayfish to right Ref: Topalov, Apollonia p. 348, 11
@TIF - Thank you. I would have never found that in a gazillion years! Now I can see it on @Ed Snible's example.
@Okidoki - I forgot to say what a nice coin that is! Another rare Hadrian provincial? Sweet . Ooh, I forgot my Black Sea aegis bronzes. (@stevex6 has a complete set and the rarest is his nicest. I'm trying not to be jealous.) PONTOS, Amisos 85-65 BCE, time of Mithradates VI Eupator AE 22 mm, 7 gm Obv: Aegis facing Rev: AMI-ΣOY; Nike advancing right with shouldered palm branch; monograms flanking Ref: SNG BM Black Sea 1177-1191; HGC 7, 242 PAPHLAGONIA, Amastris 85-65 BCE AE, 23 mm Obv: facing gorgoneion in Aegis Rev: AMAΣ-TPEΩN; Nike advancing right, holding palm frond Ref: Lindgren 78; BMC 85, 10 I bought this one because I was at a coin show and it is hard to refrain from purchasing stuff, and it was very cheap
Pontos Amisos Gorgon Aegis-Nike AE21 Ionia Klazomenai 480-400 BC AR Drachm Pentobol 3.5g 13mm Forepart winged boar r gorgoneion incuse sq Cf SNG Copenhagen 12 Rare
Great coins everyone - I really like the coins where the gorgoneion is part of the armour decoration. Here is a hemidrachm from Parion. Parion, Mysia, c.400 - 350 BCE 2.44g 14mm Gorgoneion facing / bull standing left head turned back; star below, ΠΑ PI above and beneath bull SGCV 3922
how about a rough decapolis coin istead? Gordian III (238-244 AD), Nysa-Scythopolis, Decapolis Draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right, seen from rear, laureate / Tyche-Nysa seated on throne right, holding infant Dionysus in her arms. Delta T across fields (Dated Pompeian Era 304, AD 240/1). 24 mm, 10.7 g
here's a rare example that sold a few years ago. seller's description-- "Constantine I "The Great". A.D. 307-337. AE follis (2.87 g, 17.6 mm). Trier mint, struck A.D. 319. IMP CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, laureate, helmeted, and cuirassed bust right. Cuirass decorated with an aegis / VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, two Victories standing facing one another, setting shield inscribed VOT/PR on altar. Altar decorated with a star, dot STR in exergue. RIC 221 var (the aegis is not a listed bust type). EF and extremely rare, slight mark on cheek."
This thread is old but one devoted to Gorgon types, so the most relevant thread for this coin. AE16. 4.47 grams. Macedonian shield with Gorgoneion in center, Crested Macedonian helmet with cheekpieces, between B (upper) and H (lower) left and E-like monogram to right. Sear Greek II 6781. SNG Copenhagen 1122. Anonymous bronze possibly from the interregnum of 288-277 "Following Demetrios' overthrow by Lymachos and Pyrrhos, Macedon underwent a decade during which no ruler was able to control the country for any length of time." [Sear page 629.]