The third of the Roman Provincial coins I bought lately with an eye on the reverse. It is from Ephesus, issued by Philip II as caesar. It is hard to understand what the reverse is about. But it mentions the Third Neokoria, the temple - sanctioned by the Emperor - that Ephesus built for the Emperor's cult. Philippus II as caesar, 244-247. AE22, Ephesus. Obv. Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Μ ΙΟΥ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ. Rev. Two children playing with astragali; between them, cult statue of Artemis Ephesia. Γ ΝЄΩΚΟΡΩΝ / ЄΦЄϹΙΩΝ. The third neokorion was dedicated by Elagabal. 22 mm, 4.54 gr. RPC VIII online unassigned; ID 20472. Seller's picture. This reverse shows two little children throwing astragali (= play knuckle-bones) between them before the cult statue of Artemis. Above them the word ΝЄΩΚΟΡΩΝ and left the number Γ. or 3. So the Third Neokoria was celebrated, but what have the children and their knuckle play to do with it? I don't know. I always think with coins like this, that a special sculptural scene might have been copied here, maybe a sculpture of two playing children in that particular temple. This type of reverse exists for Ephesus only, and only for the emperors Gordian III, Philip I the father, Philip II the son, and Trajan Decius (who was a distinguished general under Philip I, but later rebelled against him and won). We have seen knuckles on CoinTalk before, mainly from the Roman Republic. We have @rrdenarius , a member with a special interest in knucklebones / astragali. But this curious Provincial type, as far as I see, has not been mentioned here. So - I'm curious about your posts: throw your knuckles! Play your astragali!
Historical coin, let alone the statue of Artemis in Ephesia. Now for the 2 children playing knuckles or astragali ! Well.. I could imagine the expression " Knuckle Down" that is to discipline oneself before beginning to work. Say it's sort of respect to the great deity Artemis. The only possible idea I could conceive. Hope to read better comments.
Interesting coin! I have not seen the a girl / two girls playing on a Roman Provincial or other Roman coin. There are a few statues with this image. Terracotta group of 'knucklebone' (astragalos) players, Hellenistic Greek, c330-c300 BC. Terracotta group of 'knucklebone' (astragalos) players, Hellenistic Greek, c330-c300 BC. The two figures play a game similar to the modern game of 'jacks'. It involved throwing the 'knucklebones' up in the air and catching as many as possible on one hand as they fell. The 'knucklebones' were the anklebones of sheep or goats, or models made of ivory, bronze or terracotta. From the British Museum's collection. (Photo by CM Dixon/Print Collector/Getty Images) Exploring in the nearby Greco-Roman collection I found, instead of the cold faces of despots, the statue of a young girl playing knucklebones. Hellenism and its Enemies – Roger Sandall I have posted astragalos here often. One of my favorites is similar to yours, only much smaller. Cilicia, TARSOS (389-375 a.C.) AR Obol Obv - Female kneeling left, tossing astralagoi. Rev - Male head right. 0.63 gr 9.4 mm
I would interpret the reverse inscription as "of the Ephesians, those thrice acclaimed neokoros (temple-keepers)". Ephesus' third neocorate was originally intended for a temple dedicated to Caracalla but following that emperor's disgrace, the title was transferred to the city's famous temple of Artemis, giving Ephesus the unusual distinction of a neocorate for a civic temple. Divination seems to have been a component of worship at the temple. The British Museum holds an ivory astragalus excavated there c. 1907. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1907-1201-449 Interestingly, the biblical book of Acts (19:35), composed in the 80s CE, uses the word νεωκόρον in its general sense to describe the Ephesians as keepers of the temple of Artemis.
Wonderful coin of a unique type that I don't recall. Thanks so much for sharing Here's my astragalos and an Ephesos: Astragalus, Roman Lead Game "Knucklebones", Condition: Very Fine Weight: 20,95 gr Diameter: 22,60 mm
I saw an article on Academia.edu casting some doubts on this interpretation. However, I can't really weigh the worth of this, it's just something I found on the internet by accident.
