I've always been intrigued by imperial era coins with personifications on the obverse instead of an imperial portrait. Also, I have a soft spot for architectural types. This little bronze from Sardis satisfies both interests. Time of Vespasian Æ17, 2.86g Sardis mint, 69-79 AD Obv: ΙƐΡΑ ϹΥΝΚΛΗΤ(ΟϹ); Draped bust of Senate, r. Rev: ϹΑΡΔΙΑΝΩΝ; Temple with four columns RPC 1309 (1 spec.). Acquired from David Connors, August 2021. The mint of Sardis in Asia minor had previously struck coins for the Julio-Claudians. This undated small bronze most likely was struck sometime during Vespasian's reign (although a Second Century date cannot be ruled out). The obverse features a draped bust of the Holy Senate with the reverse showing an anonymous temple. The weight indicates this piece's likely value as 1/2-assarion. Does anyone else have a coin from Sardis or featuring a personification of the Senate? If so, I'd love to see it!
I think Sardis was semi-autonomous at the time. I have this from Vespasian's time, featuring the Anatolian god Mên, struck over an imperial issue: Sardis Hemiassarion, 70-73 Bronze, 12.5mm, 2.48g. EΠI TI KΛAY ΦIΛEINOY CTΡA (Ti. Cl. Phileinos magistrate), Mên wearing Phrygian cap with crescent on shoulders. CAΡ/ΔIA/NΩN (of Sardis) in laurel wreath (RPC II 1307). The overstruck coin was probably a Sardis hemiassarion of Nero - see "KAIC" on the reverse, from NEPΩN KAICAP (Nero Caesar), and "CAPΔ" below the bust, from CAPΔIANΩN (of Sardis). At this time, the Phrygian cap symbolised the Anatolians (or barbarians if you were Roman), not revolution as it does now.
Although depicting the bust of the Senate, the portrait reminds me of Trajan. If minted during his reign, this resemblance may have been deliberate.
Interesting type, @David Atherton! Here's a recent acquisition that was minted there. Faustina I, AD 138-140. Roman provincial Æ 20.6 mm, 4.46 g, 6 h. Lydia, Sardis, AD 138-140. Obv: ΦΑVϹΤΙΝΑ ϹΕΒΑϹΗ, bare-headed and draped bust of Faustina I, right. Rev: ϹΑΡΔ-Ι-ΑΝΩΝ, Aphrodite standing left, holding apple and scepter. Refs: RPC IV.2, 1427 (temporary); BMC 22.258, 140; SNG von Aulock 3153; SNG France 1240.
Here's my Sardis. Sort of mediocre, but I love the honest wear and natural sand highlights. I also have a soft spot for radiate provincials.
Here is Nero, from the times he was in perfect shape RPC I, 3002, BMC 120, Cop 522 corr. 17 mm 4.51 g ΝΕΡΩΝ ΚΑΙⳞΑΡ, laureate head of Nero r / ΕΠΙ ΜΙΝΔΙΟΥ ⳞΑΡΔΙΑΝΩΝ, laureate head of Heracles, r., with lion skin tied round neck
Nice coin David! Here are a few Senate personifications. Aeolis, Temnos. Pseudo-autonomous Ae25. Senate/Nemeses Ionia, Smyrna. Æ24 Pseudo-autonomous. Mysia, Germe, Conventus of Cyzicus. Pseudo-autonomous AE20
Two other issues are known from Vespasian's reign, both are signed by either the proconsul T. Clodius Eprius Marcellus (rarely) or the strategos T. Fl. Eisigonos.
Antoninus Pius denarius and sestertius featuring GENIO SENATVS: And a Commodus sestertius - PATER SENATVS:
An interesting architectural reverse on a great coin. Congrats David! There are also some other very interesting coins in this thread.
Here are some earlier coins from Sardis - sigloi from the Achaemenid Empire. The city was conquered by Cyrus the Great during the Persian era. Persia. Achaemenid Empire. Time of Darius I to Xerxes II. AR Siglos. Sardis mint. Circa 485-420 BC. Persian king in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear and bow / Rectangular incuse punch. The second coin has three banker's marks on the obverse.
Smyrna 1970 - Bronze coin (AE 22) minted at Smyrna during the reign of TIBERIUS between 14 - 37 A.D. Quasi-Autonomous Greek Coinage (IONIAN) Obv. Draped bust of the Roman Senate. Rev. Hexastyle Temple. GIC #4952 pg.487.
Smyrna 1970 - Bronze coin (AE 22) minted at Smyrna during the reign of TIBERIUS between 14 - 37 A.D. Quasi-Autonomous Greek Coinage (IONIAN) Obv. Draped bust of the Roman Senate. Rev. Hexastyle Temple. GIC #4952 pg.487. View attachment 1355522 View attachment 1355523 View attachment 1355522 View attachment 1355523
Smyrna 1970 - Bronze coin (AE 22) minted at Smyrna during the reign of TIBERIUS between 14 - 37 A.D. Quasi-Autonomous Greek Coinage (IONIAN) Obv. Draped bust of the Roman Senate. Rev. Hexastyle Temple. GIC #4952 pg.487. View attachment 1355522 View attachment 1355523 View attachment 1355522 View attachment 1355523
