Some coins have astrological or astronomical themes. This one is a so-called "Turkoman bronze." Most Arabic coins do not have figural types, but around 1200 AD there are close to 100 types that do. This collecting category of "figural bronze" was struck by various groups who were foes of the crusaders and enemies of the Byzantine empire. The coin below was stuck while the Ayyubids were involved in civil wars between the successors of Saladin. The legends identify the date and the issuer and whom he was vassal to and who he regarded as Caliph, so they can be used to help plot the changing power structures in various cities. Only a few years later the crusaders of the Fourth Crusade would conquer Constantinople. 29-27 mm. 8.50 grams. Artuqids of Mardin (Mardin is a city in eastern Turkey very close to the border with Syria) Nasir al-din Artuq-Arslan, as vassal of the Ayyubid al-'Abil Abu Bakr AH 592-615 with Caliph al-Nasir AH 575-622, struck year 599 = 1201 AD. Centaur-archer running right, human trunk turned 3/4 to rear stretching bow with arrow aimed at the wide-open jaws of a dragon(?) emerging from the centaur's tail. This represents the zodiac "day house" of Sagittarius. The reverse has a 5-line legend with four short lines in the quadrants. Spengler/Sayles 38 (scarcer variety mentioned with 5-line legend instead of 4). Wilkes 1212v (his has centaur left). Sayles thinks many Turkoman coin types have astrological references. He illustrates artifacts with the whole zodiac which have precisely this representation (including the dragon tail) of Sagittarius, so this one is certainly Sagittarius. Show us anything related!
Tranquillina, wife of Gordian III, AE 26 of Singara, 10.7 grams, 12h MESOPOTAMIA, Singara Obverse: SAB TRANQVILLINA AVG, diademed and draped bust right Reverse: AVP CEP KOA CINT APA; veiled bust of Tyche right; centaur Sagittarius leaping right and discharging bow above. Reference: BMC Arabia p. 136, 14; SNG Copenhagen 258
A centaur with a bow and arrow is a sign of Sagittarius, as wikipedia notes: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_(astrology) There is one in the Gallienus "zoo series": I don't recall reading that this is intended astrologically. Gallienus, 253-268. Sole reign 26-268. GALLIENVS AVG APOLLINI CONS AVG RIC sole reign 163Z. Sear III, 10177, Foss 56a "267/8"
