...COINS WITH LYRES...(MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS:p)

I have two Roman coins I can think of with musical instruments, one with a lyre and one with a couple of carnyxes:

Gordian III AR Antoninianus, 242 AD [TRP V], Rome Mint. Obv. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG / Rev. Apollo seated left holding branch with right hand & resting left arm on lyre, PM T-R P V COS II PP. RIC IV-3 89, RSC IV 261. 22.65 mm., 4.67 g.



(I'm pretty sure that's part of a strap -- or something of the kind -- for the lyre between Apollo's legs, and not something else!)

Roman Republic, M Fovri L.f. Philus, AR Denarius 119 BCE. Obv. Laureate head of Janus, M•FOVRI•L•F around / Rev. Roma with Corinthian helmet standing left holding scepter, crowning trophy surmounted by helmet and flanked by carnyx and shield on each side, Gallic arms around; star above, ROMA to right, PHLI in exergue. RSC I Furia 18 (ill.), Crawford 281/1, Sydenham 529, Sear RCV I 156 (ill.). 20.13 mm., 3.66 g.



I'm sure that even though I sold the majority of my British coins -- and all the ones that were worth anything much -- a number of years ago, I still have some with harps as part of the coats of arms on the reverse, some of them going back pretty far. But I'll refrain from posting any of them, mostly because I'd have to photograph them first and don't want to take the time.

And I'm expecting another Roman Republican coin to arrive in the mail soon that has a lyre as a control-symbol. But I will take Doug Smith's sage advice and not court bad luck by posting a photo of it before I receive it: I'm still waiting for a Faustina II denarius that I posted a photo of a while back -- it was supposedly shipped from Europe almost three weeks ago, but still hasn't arrived, and I'm getting seriously annoyed. Especially because I decided to save some money by having it shipped first class international mail (because in more than 20 years, not one coin I've ordered has ever been lost) and there's no tracking information. If it doesn't get here soon, I'll see if I can get a refund through Paypal's purchase protection policy.

 

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What a fascinating thread full of endearing coins (like the L. Caesar L. filius denarius showing a biga drawn by flying Cupidos!, a griffin raising its paw like your aunt Jenny's little lapdog, and the jumping griffin of Alexandria Troas, and that dusty old wardrobe full of stuffy old trophies about to be spring-cleaned by the goddess Roma with her feather-duster).

I had never heard of a carnyx. But thanks to modern possibilities, this morning I listened to the eerie beauty of the carnyx, the reproduction of the Scottish Deskford carnyx played by John Kenny.

Imagine being in a dark and silent wood in Moray, Scotland, or in the south of France, or the Celtic East of Europe, and you heard a sound like that! You'd feel rooted to the ground, your back shivering, and all the other living beings would ruffle their bristles and feel fettered. You'd feel united with all the other Celts and be able to start some great resolutions to drive all the bad spirits and mean enemies away.



Carnyx found at the little French village of Tintignac

 

Fantastic sound!

Also: That crown Roma is holding does look a little like a feather duster. Spring cleaning!