Two new large (35+ mm) provincial bronzes from Cilicia

I recently added two provincial bronzes from Cilicia, which were both struck on very broad (35+ mm) flans. These two coins are now the biggest provincial bronzes in my collection, and I must say they really are fun to have in hand.

The first coin just arrived from the most recent Nomos auction. It is a Themian Games issue, struck under Valerian from the Corycus mint in Cilicia. It has a fun reverse type for the games, which shows Dionysus holding a bunch of grapes and standing with a small panther in front of a huge elevated prize urn. The obverse is slightly double struck, which gives Valerian an interesting double-chin appearance in his portrait.

Here is the seller's photo of the coin:


And a photo in hand next to an Imperial coin of Valerian for scale:

Valerian I, Cilicia, Corycus, (AE 36 mm, 20.02 g). ΑΥ Κ ΠΟ ΛΙΚ ΟΥΑΛΕΡΙΑΝ/ΟC Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerian I to right./ Rev. ΚΟΡΥ/ΚΙΩΤΩΝ ΑΥ ΝΑΥΑΡΧΙC Dionysos standing left, holding bunch of grapes (or kantharos) in right hand and thyrsos in left; at feet to left, panther; before him, prize urn inscribed ΘΕΜΙΑ and containing grain-ear and poppy set on tripod.
From the Vineyard Collection

The coin is from the Vineyard Collection, which is a collection of wine-themed coins that Nomos has been selling over the past few years (it's a great collecting theme, and I'm really impressed by just how many wine-themed coins this person managed to accumulate over the years). Though it doesn't come from the most artistic dies, the huge 36mm flan more than makes up for it for me.

The second coin is a hexassarion of Trajan Decius from Cilicia (Tarsus), which was also struck on a large flan (35mm). Though the surfaces aren't the best, it has a nice portrait of Decius, a big countermark, clear legends, and a good rendering of Athena on the reverse...definitely a lot of interesting elements to this coin.


And next to an Imperial coin of Decius for scale:

Trajan Decius, Cilicia, Tarsus, 249-251 A.D., AE Hexassarion (Bronze, 35.5 mm, 23.29 g). ΑΥ ΚЄ Γ ΜЄϹ ΚΟΥ ΔЄΚΙΟϹ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ЄΥ ЄΥϹЄΒ / Π - Π Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius to right, seen from behind; on neck, countermark: eight-rayed star within circular incuse. Rev. ΤΑΡϹΟΥ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄΩϹ - Α / Μ Κ - Γ / Β Athena standing facing, head to left, holding spear in her right hand and placing her left on shield set on ground. RPC IX 1348.

Though neither of the coins are the prettiest, they really are impressive pieces in hand, and I was very happy to win these. Cilicia is certainly well-known for big bronzes, and I'm sure I'll be adding more of these to my collection.

Would love to see some of your favorite big provincial bronzes--please share your largest provincial bronzes, your coins from Cilicia, your Games issues, any favorites of Valerian or Trajan Decius, or anything else relevant!

 

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Wow, those are glorious!

Nothing quite so large, my largest ever is 33mm.
I need a better pic.


This Valerian is a games issue of Anazarbus, about 28mm. Love how the prize hat is the same as yours.

 

Thanks! Cool reverse on that Valerian from Anazarbus, I want one!

 

I'll show my newest provincials:

PAMPHYLIA. Side. Caracalla, 198-217. Pentassarion (?) (Bronze, 30 mm, 17.51 g, 1 h). AY K M AY CEY ANTΩNЄINOC Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right; above, star; on cheek, countermark: Є within circular incuse. Rev. CIΔH/TΩΝ The river-god Melas reclining left, holding pomegranate tree in his right hand and leaning left on urn from which water flows. SNG Paris -. SNG PFPS 699. SNG von Aulock -. For countermark, Howgego 803. Very rare. Areas of weakness, otherwise, about very fine.



PISIDIA. Termessus Major. Pseudo-autonomous issue. AE (Bronze, 27 mm, 14.74 g, 12 h), struck under Gallienus, circa 260/1. TЄPMHC[CЄΩN] Laureate head of Zeus Solymos to right. Rev. TΩ[N MЄIZ]ONΩN Emperor, in military attire, standing front, head to left, crowning trophy with his right hand and holding eagle-tipped scepter in his left; at feet to left, eagle standing left, head right. SNG Paris 2212. SNG von Aulock 5358. A lovely piece with attractive earthen highlights. Very fine and Very rare.

 

Congrats Shea, impressive and interesting biggies.

Here's my favourite provincial:

 

Shea, Nice pickups, especially the bronze of Valerian . What the big provincial bronze coins lose in quality they make up for in charm . Below are my two heftys of Gordian III.



My coin of Valerian is pretty hefty too, & it has the benefit of being a dated issue.

 

Very nice coin Shea 19, I have one of Valerian at that location.
VALERIAN. CILICIA. Mopsuestia-MopsusVALERIAN.
CILICIA. Mopsuestia-Mopsus. Valerian I (253-260). Ae. Dated CY 323 (255/6).
Obv: AVT K OVAΛЄPIANOC CЄB.
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: AΔP MOΨЄ / ЄT ΓKT / Δ - Ω - Ρ - Є - Α / Π PAMOC.
River god Pyramus, holding cornucopia, reclining left on river bridge consisting of five arches; triumphal arch at left and right end.
SNG BN 1998 var. (rev. legend); Price & Trell 639 (fig. 83).
Condition: Very fine.
Weight: 14.43 g.
Diameter: 31 mm.

 

I have a couple though while they still reside with me they are no longer in my collection. I just have not worked out exactly what I want to do with them.
Trebonianus Gallus Ae 32 Tarsus Obv. Bust right radiate draped and cuirassed seen from back. Rv Perseus standing left holding small image of Apollo. Below altar. SNG Levante 1176 This coin illustrated 11.76 grms 32 mm and this coin
Valerian I Ae 30 Tarsus Obv Bust right radiate draped and cuirassed Rv The same the Gallus In fact the two coins share the same reverse die. SNG France 1809 16.34 grms 30 mm Because the two coins share the same reverse die, I feel that they should be kept together as they could be a key element in any attempt to determine the sequence of issues from the mint of Tarsus during this period.

 

Really nice provincials @Al Kowsky !!!

 

Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. Tarsos, Cilicia. Æ38 mm, 23.51 gm. Obv: ANT ...AYP CEV ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟC CEB; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Π-Π on either side. Rev: ΑΛΕΞ CΕ ΑΔ.....ΠΑΤΡOΩC(center of field) TAPCEΩ(Ν) in ex. Perseus standing right, holding harpa and small statue of Apollo Lykeios. Before him, the fisherman Dictys, who saved him and raised him from boyhood, standing left, holding fish and basket on either end of a long rod. Like SNG von Aulock 6046, for Gordian III. Roughly similar to SNG France , Cilicia, 1574, and cross-referenced to Waddington "Inventaire Sommaire" 1347 (same coin). BMC__; SNG Cop__. Possibly unpublished. Quite worn.

 

Another:

Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. Perinthus, Thrace. Æ 36 mm, 17.74 gm. Obv: Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rev: ΠΕΡΙΝΘΙWΝ ΔΙΣ ΝΕΩΚΟΡWΝ, Triptolemos in chariot right, drawn by two winged serpents. Schönert 737 (B/i); SNG Cop.__.Near black patina. Some light smoothing

 

Those Cilician provincials sure are fun, @Shea19! I especially like the Decius, which seems like it was struck on an oversized flan, larger than the dies required. My Maximinus Thrax hexassarion from Anazarbus was struck on a similarly plus sized 38mm flan with lots of space outside the dotted borders.


MAXIMINUS THRAX
AE Hexassarion. 20.44g, 38mm. CILICIA Anazarbus, circa AD 235-238. Ziegler 663 (Vs2/Rs4), SNG Levante 1480 (same obv. Die); RPC VI temp 7446/2 (this coin). O: AY K G IOY OYH MAZIMEINOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: ANAZ END MHTRO B/G, female figure (Synthysia), holding bipennis over shoulder, standing left before bull standing left, CYNQYCIA OI/KOYMENHC, (ME and NH ligate).
Ex Kelly J. Krizan, M.D. Collection; ex Classical Numismatic Group 53 (15 Mar 2000), lot 1130

Another 38mm monster, from Stratonicaea:

CARACALLA [with GETA]
Medallic AE. 28.75g, 38mm. CARIA, STRATONICAEA, circa AD 209-211. Epitynchanontos, prytanis. SNG von Aulock –; SNG Copenhagen –; SNG München –; SNG Tübingen –; cf. CNG 100, lot 1728; for c/m: Howgego 84. O: [AV K M AVP] ANTΩ[NINOC C Λ CЄ ΓЄTA]C K, Confronted busts of [Geta – erased as result of damnatio memoriae] right and Caracalla left, both laureate, draped, and cuirassed; c/m: Bust of Caracalla right within incuse circle. R: ЄΠI ΠPV ЄΠITVNKANONTOC Γ ΦΙΛΩNOC CTPAT[ONIKЄΩN], Hecate standing facing, head left, sacrificing from patera [over altar] and holding torch.

Near 37mm, from Tarsus:

GORDIAN III
AE37. 21.38g, 36.7mm. CILICIA, Tarsus, circa AD 238-244. SNG France 1677. O: AVT K M ANT ΓOΡΔIANOC CEB, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; Π-Π in fields. R: TAPCOV MHTPO ΠOΛEΩC / AM KΓ (or similar), Two Ciliarch crowns, the outer decorated with nine busts, the inner with six.

Alexandrian drachms are regularly in the 34-35mm range. My largest is this one at 36mm:

ANTONINUS PIUS
AE Drachm. 28.01g, 36.4mm. EGYPT, Alexandria, RY 8 (AD 144/5). Menelaites Nome. RPC Online Temp 13971/78 (this coin). O: AVT K T AIΛ AΔP ANTωNЄINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right. R: MЄNЄΛAЄITHC, Harpokrates of Canopus (part human, part crocodile) left, holding finger on right hand before mouth, cornucopia on left arm; altar before, L H (date) in exergue.
Ex Phil Peck (“Morris”) Collection

Honorable mention, this egg-shaped 36x30mm Sep Sev from Decapolis:


SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
Medallic AE. 22.95g, 36.4mm x 30.5mm. SYRIA, Decapolis, Gadara, CY 262 (AD 198/9). Spijkerman 69; Rosenberger 69; Sofaer 70. O: AYT K Λ CEΠΤ CEB, Laureate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery. R: Galley sailing left, with nine rowers, navigator at stern and a lookout on prow; above, ΠΟΜΠ / HIEWN ΓΑ / ∆ΑΡEWN / ET ΒΞC (of the Pompiean Gadarenes, year 262).
Ex Shlomo Moussaieff Collection (1925-2015)

 

Great examples @zumbly.

 

35mm is quite an impressive flan - I will share one that is a bit smaller from Cilicia at ~27mm (3mm thick).

Here's a Cilician coin that is from the same time period. These towns in Cilicia seemed to enjoy sparring with one another for supremacy. Anazarbus declaring itself "A M K" or "#1 greatest and most beautiful" (μεγίστης, καλλίστης) on the version of this coin shown by @hotwheelsearl.

Worth noting that Cilicia was on the verge of a big change as these coins were issued. The accomplishments of Sassanian King, Shapur I, in ~260AD are described as:

"the land of Syria, the land of Cilicia, and the land of Cappadocia were burned, laid waste, and plundered"
-Res Gestae Divi Saporis, “The Things Accomplished by the Divine Shapur.”, translation by Jake Nabel, 23-25

The cities of Corycus, Anazarbos and about 34 others are explicitly mentioned as "taken from the land of the Romans" along with the surrounding regions.

Cilicia, Anazarbus, Valerian I, AD 253-260, Æ Hexassarion (27mm, 16.32 g, 6h), dated CY 272 (AD 253/4)
Obv: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Six prize crowns
Ref: Ziegler 836.1

 

Great coins everyone, thanks for sharing!

@ancient coin hunter , I really like that Caracalla from Side, and I was actually the underbidder on that Pisidia bronze at the Leu auction (happy to see that end up in a good home )

@Al Kowsky , wonderful coins as usual. Both of those Gordies are great, and I especially like that Valerian/Gallienus reverse from Anazarbus.

@Andres2 , that's a very nice Romulus/Remus reverse.

If you just sell off your Pacatian, you should be able to buy plenty of these.

Very interesting to see those two share the same reverse die. Considering the amount of "turnover" at the time with a new emperor every couple of years, I guess it's not surprising that the same reverse die might be used across multiple rulers, but still very cool to see those. I agree that those two coins should definitely stay together.

Thanks, what a great reverse type with that bridge! You certainly are able to find some great examples for your collecting theme, always enjoy those.

Wow, that is some reverse! I always enjoy seeing some of the lesser-known mythological types, what a great coin.

Great coin and thanks for sharing some additional info about the region at the time. I admittedly don't know nearly enough about the region (other than that I love their big bronzes), so it's nice to learn some more background info about the history there at the time.

 

Thanks @zumbly, I was hoping you’d post in this thread, you always have the most interesting provincials. All of these are great, but your Caracalla/Geta damnatio bronze from Caria is just spectacular, what a special coin.

 

Provincial, Tarsus, Cilicia, AE37, ΑΔΡ CεΥΗΡΙΑΝΗC ΤΑΡCΟΥ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛεωC
AE37
Roman Provincial: Tarsus, Cilicia
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: ?
37.3mm 20.70gr 0h
O: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ Λ CεΠΤ CεΥΗΡΟC ΠεΡ CεΒ; Radiate, cuirassed bust, right, slight drapery on shoulder; beaded border.
R: ΑΔΡ CεΥΗΡΙΑΝΗC ΤΑΡCΟΥ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛεωC; Zeus Nicophorus enthroned left; at feet, eagle facing; beaded border.
Exergue: Obverse: Π, left field; Π, right field; Reverse: Γ, left field; Β, right field.
Tarsus, Cilicia Mint
Ziegler Kilikien 687; SNG France -; SNG Levante -.