Featured Follow the coin theme GAME - ancient edition - post ‘em if you got ‘em

The problem, I think, is Mithraic initiates were required to swear an oath of secrecy and dedication. So much of the cult was and is unknown and is still debated. Even a secret handshake I believe.

 

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Agreed about the secrecy. It was a bit of a search for me to find a relatively decent Mithras coin (it was the competing religion against Christianity.) However, I thought Mithras as a subject on Eastern Coins was a bit more common. Interesting.

 

Gordian III, AE29
Obv:– ANTWNIOC GORDIANOC, AVT K M below, Confronted draped busts of Gordian & Serapis
Rev:– ODECCEITWN, Emperor in military attire, standing left, holding Victory on globe in right hand, inverted spear in left, right foot resting on prow; E in left field
Minted in Odessos.
References:- Varbanov (Engl.) 4493. AMNG 2362

29.02mm x 27.74mm. 13.44gms.

Pick writes: This type possibly refers to a visit of the emperor to Odessos.



Next:- Confronted Portraits

 

Confronted portraits? We got 'em!


Gordian III and Tranquillina
Roman provincial AE 25.8 mm, 11.44 g
Thrace, Mesembria, AD 241
Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC ΑVΓ CΕΒ-ΤΡΑΝΚVΛΛΙΝ[Α],
laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian and draped bust of Tranquillina, wearing stephane, confronted
Rev: ΜΕCΑΜΒΡΙΑΝΩΝ, Apollo in long robe, standing left, holding plectrum in outstretched right hand and resting left on lyre set on column
Refs: Moushmov 3998; Varbanov 4175-4176

Next up: LYRE.

 

L SCRIBONIUS LIBO ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS SCRIBONIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: BON EVENT LIBO, diademed head of Bonus Eventus right
REVERSE: PVTEAL above, SCRIBON below, well-head ornamented with garland and two lyres, hammer at base
Rome 62 BC
3.2g, 18mm
Cr416/1a., Scribonia 8a

Next: Hammer

 

Sure looks like a hammer on the obverse:

BABALONIA, Babylon
AR Stater (or Dishekel)
328-321 B.C.
16.08 grams, 22 mm x 5.5 mm thick
Obv: Ba’al seated left holding scepter
Rev: Lion walking left, control mark Г above.

Next theme is coin minted sometime between 328-321 B.C.

 

I'm not familiar with any Mithra-type roman coins. Seems weird because as Alegandron pointed out, it was a popular deity amongst the soldiery. Instead we have Soli Invicto, Mars, Jovi Conservatori, and so forth. However, I believe there are some representations of Mithra associated with soldiers' tombstones/stelae.

 

Battle scar, tatoo, or war paint... that bankers mark is GREAT!

 

Alexander III the Great AR Drachm, Magnesia mint, posthumous, c. 323 - 319 B.C.
4.225g, 17.3mm, 45o
Obverse: head of Herakles right, clad in Nemean Lion scalp headdress tied at neck; Reverse: ALEXANDROU, Zeus seated left on throne, right leg drawn back, eagle in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, bee right, spear head outer right.
Price 1936

Up next: Magnesia mint

 

Magnesia mint


Makedon Antigonos I Monopthalmus 319-305 BC AR Drachm Magnesia and Maeandrum Mint 3-9g 16-5mm Herakles lion-Zeus

Up NEXT: DIADOCHI

 

Diadochi (Lysimachus)

Next: Athena AND Nike

 

PAMPHYLIA SIDE
Æ16
OBVERSE: Head of Athena right, in crested Corinthian helmet, winged thunder bolt countermark
REVERSE: SIDHTWN, Nike advancing left, holding wreath; pomegranate to left
Struck at Side, 2d-1st Century BC
2.72g, 16mm
SNG Cop 408, BMC 66

Next: COUNTERMARK

 

@Ancientnoob traded this coin to me some time ago. I never removed it from the slab. Of course it is an Athena/Owl Tetradrachm with a bunch of marks and test cuts. I like the little bucranium on Athena's cheek.


Next theme is ancient in a slab (ouch). I'll bet that's about the only theme that our friend Alegandron can't follow.

 

...and on that note I'll be in the closet waiting out the storm


Neat tet btw @Collect89

 

It shouldn't be too difficult to follow this theme. Somebody at CT is bound to have a BC ancient coin photo (BC=Before Cracking). I've got plenty before & after photos myself.

 

That might've just put an end to this thread.
I honestly hope not though

 

Ok. My one and only ancient in a tomb. And an old crappy picture to boot.

Next up
Helmets

 

Edit: @Smojo beat me to it. No need to jump on the grenade today

 

I actually liked yours better

 

Helmet:


Here is my favorite flying pig (Pigasus):

Next theme is winged animal other than Pegasos or a bird