Ionia, Kolophon, AE Unit, ΠΥΘΕΟΣ magistrate, 50-30 BC, SNG Copenhagen 186-187; SNG von Aulock 2017

Ionia, Kolophon, AE Unit, ΠΥΘΕΟΣ magistrate, 50-30 BC, SNG Copenhagen 186-187; SNG von Aulock 2017 (6.74 g, 20 mm)

Homer is a legendary ancient Greek epic poet, traditionally said to be the author of the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Obverse: ΠΥΘΕΟΣ, Homer seated left in himation, holding scroll and resting chin upon hand (the thinker pose)

Reverse: KOΛOΦΩNIΩ[N], Apollo standing right, holding kithara and phiale

 

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Very cool coin. Do you know what specifically identifies the obverse figure as Homer?

 

Do these exist with other magistrate names suggesting that this was a magistrate rather than the historical figure?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythius

 

My introduction to the type was through Wayne G. Sayles’ Ancient Coin Collecting.
He does not delve into the specifics of the attribution, but cites Tameanko, M “The importance of Homer’s writing led to his representation on the coinage of Greek city states.” The Celator, May 1991

Here is a (much older) article on the subject I was able to find online: https://zenodo.org/record/2352941/files/article.pdf

 

Yes; also multiple cities (12 or more, if I recall correctly).

 

Nice example, Amit.

These do come with different magistrates. Mine has a very blotchy green patina that successfully resisted my efforts to photograph it. The magistrate on this one is Apollas.

Although I have no proof, my inexpert opinion is that it is Homer. The scroll and thoughtful pose seems to be a poet's attributes (yes, I know Homer was supposed to be blind - but I would read this as attributes of a poet rather than an actual portrait). The pairing with Apollo reinforces to this identification.

Furthermore, we know from an ancient written source that Smyrna produced coins showing Homer:

"...for the Smyrnaeans also lay especial claim to the poet and indeed a bronze coin of theirs is called a Homereum"

(Strabo, Geographica XIV, I.37, trans. by H.C. Jones, The Geography of Strabo, VI [Loeb, 1960], pp. 245-247). ​

The coins from Kolophon have a seated guy very similar to the one shown on the "homereum" from Smyrna.

If not Homer, who? Is there any other Greek/Provincial coin showing a full length portrait, seated or otherwise, of a Magistrate? Is there a divinity shown with a scroll, chin resting on fist? So I will go with Homer, tentatively. D'oh!



Ionia, Kolophon Æ Hemiobol
(c. 50 B.C.)
Apollas magistrate
AΠOΛΛAΣ, Homer seated left on throne, holding scroll, resting chin on hand / [K]OΛOΦΩNIΩN Apollo standing right, holding kithara and phiale.
Milne, Colophon 178; SNG Copenhagen 184
(5.05 grams / 18 mm)

"As the ancient poet Homer was believed to have been from Ionia, he figured quite prominently on the coinage of Smyrna, but is also seen, far less often, on this type from Kolophon.... "...for the Smyrnaeans also lay especial claim to the poet and indeed a bronze coin of theirs is called a Homereum"
(Strabo, Geographica XIV, I.37, trans. by H.C. Jones, The Geography of Strabo, VI [Loeb, 1960], pp. 245-247). CNG e-Auction 253

Here is the type from Smyrna:



Ionia, Smyrna Æ Homereion
(c. 115-105 B.C.)
Laureate head of Apollo right / [ΣM]ΥΡNA[IΩN], poet Homer seated left; monograms left, magistrate AΠOΛΛOΦAN[HΣ] OΡOBEITHN[OΣ].
Milne, Autonomous 272; SNG Copenhagen 1153.
(7.03 grams / 18 mm)

 

Nice coins. I too find such coins difficult to photograph: playing around with certain settings in Lightroom helps sometimes.

Here is the other (more worn) one I have, from Smyrna.

Ionia, Smyrna, Bronze Homerium, c. 75-50 BC, Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey) mint, Milne 359; SNG Copenhagen 1207 (9.21 g, 21 mm)

Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo right; laurel wreath border

Reverse: ΞMYPNAIΩN. The poet Homer seated left in himation, right hand raised to chin, left holding volume on his knees, transverse staff behind

 

I think only two cities, Kolophon and Smyrna, issued coins with Homer portrayed in this seated position (somewhat reminiscent of Auguste Rodin's famous "The Thinker" statue in bronze).

Here is mine, obviously from Smyrna:


Should anyone be interested in Milne's article cited last above:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/42678489

 

Sorry, the Devil made me do it...

 

Dear @Kentucky,