The Astartemobile

Here's another win from Leu 1. I'd been looking for a suitable example of this Provincial Sidonian type for a few years now and was very pleased to win this one. It has that heavy, chunky feel that's just plain pleasing in hand and the earthy colours really evoke the Levantine for me.

The reverse has a relatively good depiction of what's commonly described as the Cart of Astarte, or Car of Astarte. Astarte was a goddess of war, sexuality and motherhood whose worship was widespread throughout the Levant. This covered two-wheeled vehicle would have served as a portable shrine during religious processions to transport the sacred baetyl, the aniconic form in which the goddess was worshipped. Also clearly shown is the base that the baetyl was set upon, as well as various other supports or decorations around the stone itself. These details show up a little differently on coins of the type that were issued about a hundred years later (during the reigns of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander), even though the form of the vehicle itself stayed the same.

As usual, please feel free to post your examples, or any coins featuring Astarte.


PHOENICIA, Sidon
Pseudo-autonomous issue
AE Triassarion. 12.42g, 24.2mm. PHOENICIA, Sidon, CY 227 = AD 116/7. SNG Cop 247. O: Turreted, veiled and draped bust of city-goddess to right; behind, [aplustre]; before, star. R: ΣΙΔΩΝΟΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ, Cart of Astarte : covered two-wheeled vehicle facing slightly right, spherical baetyl set on a base within; ZKΣ (date) below.

Edited to add: Just noticed that this was my 5,000th post on CT... that sure is a lot of coin talk! You guys are a consistently entertaining, enlightening and inspiring bunch... keep on coining!

 

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Wonderful! Would love to own one like it.

 

me also, that cool reverse type is on my list for sure...nice Z!

 

Fantastic coin Z! We often see wheeled vehicles on coins carrying people.. it's a nice change seeing objects being carried. Puts a more everyday feel to the coin. Great pick up.

 

I agree... just picturing this cart with its baetyl being wheeled out of the temple amidst a throng of worshippers is a really amazing window into the past.

 

is that a beer keg cart ? lol jk

 

Thats a neat find!

 

Congrats on your 5000th post! Your verbosity is CoinTalk's gain ... your posts are always interesting, thoughtful, and fun .

Hmm. I hadn't noticed the differences but your coin appears to have handles on the baetyl making it look like a stoppered amphora resting on a base. This motivated me to do a quick survey of Astarte carts in ACsearch. The quick survey has turned in to a longer survey, with image captures, and when I finish I'll post it here. Maybe it will turn up something interesting, maybe not

 

Thanks... I was a little disappointed when I realized that the wildly cheering teenage girls in your gif above were for the baetyl and not me . But baetylmania... heheh, very clever .

 

I chose 2 coins of Astarte. The first was struck in Arados, whereas the second was issued in Tyre. There are 2 reverses here for every coin, depending on better photography. Hope they please you on this shining and hot Sunday here. Cheers..

 

Congrats on 5000 posts!

You picked a highly interesting and attractive coin for it.

Is the city goddess on the obverse Tyche or could it be Astarte?

John

 

That coin is just beyond cool @zumbly !

Congrats on the 5000th post! Your contributions are always great! I always enjoy reading your posts...cool coins and great information. Thank you, I always learn so much from you.

 

I don't have an educated opinion, but I've seen references to a conflated Tyche-Astarte and can't think of a reason why that can't be the case here.

 

Lordmarcovan, you are a punny guy.

 

What a wonderful acquisition @zumbly !!! Naturally, I LOVE that reverse and all it represents. Hmm, It seem you and TIF consistently snag all the cool coins

 

ha!..that's the 1st thing i thought of too^^..not all cart coins are created equal.

 

very nice one zumbly~