Sorting through the more interesting coins from a couple bulk lots Lydia, Akrasos Pseudo-autonomous issue Minted ca. Severan era (190-240) AE13 Obv: Head of Herakles right Rev: AKΡACIΩTΩN, Cloaked Telesphoros facing So what the heck is a Telesphoros? Telesphoros was originally a Celtic god, who by way of cultural exchange came to be associated to the Roman pantheon as a son of Asclepius. Usually depicted as a dwarf or child in a cloak and pointed hat, his domain was convalescence; the transition from sickness to well-being. Have any with this obscure minor god? Let's see them!
What a coincidence-- I posted mine less than an hour ago but here it is again: MOESIA INFERIOR. Marcianopolis. Elagabalus (218-222) AE 17, 2.5 gm Obv: AVT K M AVP ANTΩNINOC; laureate head right. Rev: MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN; Telesphorus standing facing. Ref: Varbanov 1422
Interesting one, @Finn235 ! Neat write-up, too, with the contemporary sculptures. I only have this one: Elagabalus, AD 218-222. Roman provincial Æ assarion, 2.36 g, 16.1 mm, 12 h. Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, AD 218-222. Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC, laureate head, right. Rev: ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Telesphoros standing facing, wearing hooded cloak. Refs: AMNG I 910; Varbanov 1421-22; Moushmov 652; SNG Budapest 191.
OMG! They killed Kenny! And then they made him some kind of creepy little god?!? ELAGABALUS AE19. 3.55g, 18.7mm. THRACE, Philippopolis, circa AD 218-222. Varbanov 1795 var. (obv. legend). O: AVT K M AVP ANTΩNINOC, laureate head right. R: ΦΙΛΙΠΠOΠOΛEITΩN NEΩKO-PΩN, Telesphoros standing facing, wearing cucullus.
Very interesting coins @Finn235, @TIF, @Roman Collector, and @zumbly ! I'll have to look for this reverse. Never had heard of Telesphorus until today, as a matter of fact.
