I received my first coin of 2018 a couple of weeks ago, but just finally got around to photographing it. I thought it would be interesting to post the seller's image of the coin below my own image for comparison. I was pleasantly surprised when I received the coin to discover that it isn't actually fluorescent. It really wouldn't go well with the others. Also, my image isn't out of focus; the surface of the coin really looks like that. The seller's image is extremely over-sharpened. There's a little pit on the reverse below the patera with some green stuff in it. Lately there have been several threads about bronze disease. Inspired by these, I tried to scrape off some of the green with the end of a Q-Tip, but despite several tries I did not see any powdery residue on the cotton. I'm thinking that it's stable. Elagabalus. Æ as, Rome mint, struck 221 CE. 10.52g, 24mm, 11h. BMCRE 449 var. (bust without horn), C 203 var. (bull behind altar), RIC 330 var. (S) (same), Thirion 179 var (R3) (star right). Obv: IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG; laureate bust, draped, seen from the front, with “horn” over forehead, bearded. Rx: PM TR P IIII COS III P P / S | C in field; Elagabalus, standing half-left, sacrificing out of patera over lighted altar, holding branch (cypress?) upwards in left hand; star in field left. Very rare. VF. From the Prof. Dr. Hildebrecht Hommel Collection
Glad to hear the coin is not radioactive. I suppose I should know something about this, but could you comment on the “horn” over the forehead. What is its significance?
The significance of the horn has to do with Elagabalus's role as both Emperor and as high priest of his religion, which was the worship of the Syrian Sun god named El-gabal. The meaning of the horn has been addressed in several books and articles. It is thought to be a symbol of fertility and strength. There is a scholarly article written by Elke Krengel that argues quite convincingly (to me) that the horn is actually the dried tip of a bull's penis. It's in German, but well illustrated. It's available for download as a PDF: https://www.academia.edu/1006502/Da...is_fachübergreifender_Forschung?auto=download
The Semitic words illah-gabal or God's mountain is a rough translation in Syriac, not too different in Arabic.
Like your AE Elagabalus (well, not the twerp Emperor - just the coin!) @benhur767 . I understand if the green blemish is hard and no flaking/dust coming off, it is stable. Personally, as bizarre as this Emperor was, I believe that the "horn" is incorrect. I believe it is a MEXICAN CHILI. Yes, he traded a crap-load of gold and purple ink with the Mayan Empire and got himself a basket of Chilis and some Potatos. THAT is why a Chili is on his head, and a Potato was triumphed down the streets (see scholarly pic below...) FACT: Chili's and Potatos are indigenous to the Americas... Stolen from the Research Labs of @TIF Yeah, TIF, "This is a TRUE story". Here is MY AE fruitbasket of an Emperor: RProv Elagabalus CE 218-222 AE 18mm 4.3g Thrace Philippolis Serpent entwined tripod Pythia Festival Moushmov 5423
Thank you! This is my understanding as well. I have a few other coins with green. Dark green is malachite, which is a harmless mineral. Light green can be patina or bronze disease. Why is the light green in a little pit on my coin? Did it form the pit before it was stabilized, or did it settle in a pit that was already there? I don't know, but as long as it's inactive, I'm happy with that. Yes, I think you're right! That's a great photo. Very funny. Beautiful coin. I love the imagery on the reverse and the connection to an ancient festival. Very cool!
