Caria, Tabae Bronze - Capricorn and "Flavian Features" Portrait

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Marsyas Mike, Nov 5, 2017.

  1. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    When I first saw this I thought it was an as of Domitian or something like that. Turns out it is a Caria, Tabae Pseudo-autonomous bronze from the time of Domitian (81-96 A.D.) with Capricorn and what is described (Coin Archives auction) as a "Flavian features" portrait.

    I found one pretty much just like it on Coin Archives, but otherwise it seems to be pretty scarce (none on Wildwinds). https://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?search=caria+tabae&s=0&upcoming=0&results=100

    Any others out there?

    Caria Tabae Flavian Portrait (7).JPG

    Caria, Tabae Æ 17
    Pseudo-autonomous
    (time of Domitian, 81-96 A.D.)
    Orthrios, priest (or Orthrios Hieron, magistrate).

    ΔHMOC [TABHNΩ]N, Laureate head of Demos right, with Flavian features / ΔIA OP IЄ Capricorn right. RPC II 1257; SNG Copen. 542-3; BMC 41-3.
    (2.65 grams / 17 mm )
     
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  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Interesting to say the least.

    My only coin from this city:

    Plotina Tabae.jpg
    Plotina, wife of Trajan, Augusta c. AD 105-122
    Roman provincial Æ 20.0 mm, 5.43 g
    Caria, Tabae, AD 105-122
    Obv: ΠΛΩΤЄΙΝ CЄΒΑCΤΗ, diademed and draped bust, right, hair in plait behind
    Rev: ΤΑΒΗΝΩΝ, stag standing right
    Refs: RPC III 2292; BMC Caria p. 170, no. 79; SNG von Aulock 2720; Robert 143.
     
    randygeki, Johndakerftw, Ajax and 4 others like this.
  4. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    purdy neat coin!
     
  5. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    Flavian features portrait? I don't see any of the fat, grumpy faces of Vespasian, Titus, or Domitian in that bust. Nice coin though.
     
    Alegandron, TIF and Marsyas Mike like this.
  6. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Yeah, I wasn't entirely sold on the description either. But I will say at first glance of the seller's photo, I immediately thought "Domitian" (not as fat or grumpy-looking as dad and big brother). But I am pretty new to this stuff and my ancient coin "hunches" tend to be a bit wobbly.

    My attribution follows that Coin Archives example (see above), which was the only other reference to this issue I could find anywhere. Not sure this is anymore "Flavian" than mine is:

    Caria Tabae Flavian Portrait CNG.JPG
     
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