Faustina II from Antiochia ad Cragum

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Roman Collector, Jul 20, 2019.

  1. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Along the northeastern Mediterranean shore lies Antiochia ad Cragum, an ancient city located in the western area of the Roman province of Rough Cilicia. It is now known as the village of Guney, in southern Turkey. The term "ad Cragum" distinguishes this Antiochia from other cities with the same name and comes from the mountain Cragus (Kragos), on the slopes of which it was built.

    Since 2005, research and excavations in Antiochia ad Cragum have been conducted under the management of the University of Nebraska. In 2012, archaeologists uncovered a huge mosaic dating to the Roman period depicting geometric patterns, as well as one depicting a lewd scene on the floor of a latrine. Another mosaic was discovered only last August! These various mosaics surround the swimming pool which belonged to the bath complex and is a proof of the significant influence of Roman culture in this region of Asia Minor.

    A provincial mint operated in the city in Imperial times (Hadrian to Gallienus) and produced coins bearing an eagle with wings spread, an agonistic urn, Zeus standing or seated, Apollo standing, Dionysius standing, and Tyche seated in a tetrastyle temple. Here is a coin featuring the Tyche in temple reverse type.

    Faustina Jr Antiochia ad Cragum Tyche in temple.jpg
    Faustina II, AD 147-175.
    Roman Provincial Æ 20.2 mm, 6.93 g, 7 h.
    Cilicia Trachea, Antiochia ad Cragum, AD 147-161.
    Obv: ΦΑΥϹΤЄΙ-Ν-ΑN ϹЄΒΑ, bare-headed and draped bust right; early coiffure.
    Rev: AΝΤ-ΙΟ-ΧЄ-ΩΝ Τ-ΗϹ ΠΑΡ, temple with four columns and rounded pediment enclosing statue of turreted Tyche seated, left, holding rudder and cornucopia.
    Refs: RPC IV.3, 9909 (temporary); Levante, Antiocheia 10-12; SNG Cop 67.

    Post anything you feel is relevant!
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2019
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  3. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    The latrine article was fun and funny! What do you make of the Ganymede mosaic? At a glance I'd expect the scene to be Zeus and Ganymede but in that mosaic, "Ganymede" sure looks like he has breasts and female hips. Hmm.

    Here's a well-worn drachm showing Tyche in a temple:

    [​IMG]
    EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius
    AE drachm, regnal year 5 (CE 141/2)
    Obv: laureate bust right
    Rev: Tyche standing left in distyle temple, holding cornucopia and rudder; L-E
    Ref: Dattari-Savio pl. 161 #8509 (this coin); Emmett 1688.5, R5
    Ex Robert L. Grover Collection of Roman-Egyptian Coinage, previously held by the Art Institute of Chicago
    Ex Dattari Collection (Giovanni Dattari, 1853-1923)

     
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  4. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Nice, I like that one a lot.
     
  5. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Interesting post - great coin and hilarious "lewd scene" in the bathroom. That Narcissus sure does like himself!
     
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  6. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    I found another example online -- a double die match -- that allows me to reconstruct the reverse legend in its entirety. I've edited the OP to reflect it.

    Faustina Jr Antiochia ad Cragum Tyche in temple Ritter.jpg
     
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  7. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Beautiful new coin. And nice job finding the double die match!
    I recently purchased, as lil snack, a Faustina II for the cool hair and hefty weight of the coin:
    62FD2C31-BB42-4058-83BA-D1F78690D221.png

    Faustina Junior, Augusta, 147-175. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32 mm, 26.60 g, 11 h), struck under Marcus Aurelius, Rome, 161-164. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA Diademed and draped bust of Faustina II to right. Rev. SALVTI AVGVSTAE / S C Salus seated left, feeding snake rising from an altar to left. Banti104. Cohen 200. RIC 1668 (Aurelius). Ex: Savoca
     
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