Two Heads Are Better Than One!

I've been trying to add more women to the FF collection at the request of my daughter. I've found that provincial coins are a good way to do this since imperial coins with portraits of women tend to be cost prohibitive.

A couple of weeks ago I found an absolutely beautiful Nike reverse on a provincial coin of Philip I and Otacilia. I looked through the seller's other coins and they had several other 2 headed provincials. I watched and watched until the auctions were almost over and I threw some bids out. Much to my surprise, I won all of them!

In one fell swoop I managed to add 3 new women to the FF collection as well as a father-son duo! 2 of the women are not at all who I want my daughter to emulate; Julia Maesa and Julia Mamaea. I admittedly don't know much about Otacilia besides the fact that after her husband died and her son was killed, she was allowed to live and died in obscurity some time later.

Below, are our "two-headed" coins. Please feel free to share anything you see fit. Thanks for looking!

Elagabalus and Julia Maesa
218-222 AD
AE 27
Marcianopolis
Obverse: AYT K M AYΡ ANTΩNEINOC AYΓ IOYΛIA MAICA AYΓO, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus right, facing diademed and draped bust of Julia Maesa left.
Reverse: YΠ IOYΛ ANT CEΛEYKOYMAΡKIANOΠOΛITΩN, bust of Serapis right. E in left field



Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea
222-235 AD
AE27
Marcianopolis
Obverse: AVT K M AVΡ CEVH AΛEΞANΔΡOC IOVΛIA MAMAIA, laureate, draped bust of Severus Alexander right, facing draped bust of Julia Mamaea left
Reverse: HΓ OVM TEΡEBENTINOY MAΡKIANOΠOΛEITΩN, Apollo standing right, holding bow, right hand on head, quiver at foot left, serpent-entwined tree stump to right.



Philip I and Otacilia
244-249 AD
AE25
Mesembria, Thrace
Obverse: AVT M IOVΛ ΦIΛIΠΠOC M ΩT CEBHΡA CEB, confronted draped busts of Philip I and Otacilia Severa
Reverse: MECAMBΡIANΩN, Nike standing left holding wreath and palm



And now for a father and son!

Macrinus and Diadumenian
217-218 AD
AE27
Marcianopolis
Obverse: AYT K OΠEΛ CEYH MAKPEINOC K M OΠEΛ ANTΩNEINOC, laureate head of Macrinus right confronted with bare-head of Diadumenian left
Reverse: YΠ ΠONTIANOY MAΡKIANOΠOΛEITΩN, Nemesis-Aequitas standing left with scales and cornucopiae, wheel at side, E in right field

 

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Congrats on your acquisitions and it is wonderful that you and your daughter can share this activity together. Priceless!

 

She followed in her older brother's footsteps. Hopefully the two youngest tadpoles will do the same

 

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Tadpoles are GREAT!!!!

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Here's my best double headed coin:



This one has better color, though, I guess.

 

Congrats on the new coins! What is it like having family members interested in ancients?

Here's a good two header. Jugate busts of Osirus and Isis and a two-headed horse.

Thrace, Perinthos. AE23. Osiris and Isis
Obv: Jugate heads of Osiris and Isis right.
Rev: PERIN-QIWN, bull standing left, two-headed horse below.

 

It's pretty awesome
My oldest, FFIVN, has been collecting with me since I started getting interested in ancients a few years ago. My daughter loves doing whatever her brother does She likes coins with girls and horses on them
My youngest is 2 and just loves coins. Especially when dad and his brother and sister are looking at them

 

Fun thread, @furryfrog02, and nice coins for your daughter. I have a few of these emperor facing empress types.

Caracalla and Julia Domna:

Caracalla, with Julia Domna, AD 198-217.
Roman provincial Æ Pentassarion, 10. 66 g, 27 mm, 1 h.
Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, AD 215 under Quintillianus, legatus consularis.
Obv: ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC ΑVΓΟVCΤΟC ΙΟV-ΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Caracalla and draped bust of Julia Domna facing one another.
Rev: VΠΑ ΚVΝΤΙΛΙΑΝΟV ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Apollo standing facing, head right, raising hand over head and holding bow; to left, Є (mark of value) above covered quiver; serpent-entwined stump to right.
Refs: AMNG I 660 ff; Moushmov 471; H&J, Marcianopolis 6.19.7.1; Varbanov 1001; Mionnet --; BMC --; Sear --; Wiczay --.​

Elagabalus and Julia Maesa:

Elagabalus and Julia Maesa.
Roman provincial Æ pentassarion, 14.55 g, 28.4 mm, 12:00.
Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, under Legate Julius Antonius Seleucus, AD 220-221.
Obv: ΑVΤ•Κ•Μ•ΑVΡΗ•ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟC•ΙΟVΛΙΑ•ΜΑΙCΑ•ΑVΓ•, Laureate head of Elagabalus, right, facing diademed and draped bust of Julia Maesa, left.
Rev: VΠ•ΙΟV•ΑΝΤ•CΕΛΕVΚΟV ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙ-ΤΩΝ, Dikaiosyne standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae; E (5) in field, right
Refs: Moushmov --; AMNG 962; Varbanov 1620; Mionnet S. 2, 101, 273; similar to BMC 3. 36, 63. ​

Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea:

Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea, AD 222-235.
Roman provincial Æ pentassarion, 10.1 g, 25.7 mm, 5 h.
Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, magistrate Umbrius Tereventinus, AD 226-227.
Obv: ΑVΓ ΚΜ Α[VΡ CΕVΗ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟC ΚΑΙ] ΙΟVΛΙΑ ΜΑΜΑΙΑ, confronted busts.
Rev: ΗΓ Ȣ [ΤΕΡΕΒΕΝΤΙΝΟV ΜΑΡ]ΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤ-ΩΝ, Dikaiosyne standing l., holding scales and cornucopiae, E (5) in field, r.
Refs: AMNG --; Moushmov --; Varbanov --; BMC --; Sear --; SNG Cop --; SNG von Aulock --; Lindgren --.​

Gordian and Tranquillina:

Gordian III, AD 238-244, and Tranquillina.
Roman provincial Æ 4-1/2 assaria, 12.51 g, 26.6 mm, 12 h.
Moesia Inferior, Tomis, AD 241-244.
Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC ΑVΓ·CЄ // ΤΡΑΝΚVΛ / ΛЄΙΝΑ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian, right, facing diademed and draped bust of Tranquillina, left.
Rev: ΜΕΤΡΟ ΠΟΝΤΟV ΤΟΜΕΩC, Homonoia standing facing, head left, wearing polos and holding patera and cornucopiae; Δ< (ligate) in left field.
Refs: AMNG I 3545; Varbanov 5693; Moushmov 2276; SNG Cop --; BMC --; Lindgren --; Sear --.​

Philip and Otacilia Severa:

Philip I and Otacilia Severa, AD 244-249.
Roman Provincial Æ Pentassarion; 12.50 g, 26.1 mm, 7 h.
Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, Legate Prastina Messallinus, AD 244-246.
Obv: ΑVΤ Μ ΙΟVΛ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC ΑVΓ Μ | WΤΑΚ CЄΒ-ΗΡΑ CЄ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Philip I right, vis-à-vis diademed and draped bust of Otacilia left.
Rev: VΠ ΠΡΑCΤ ΜΕCCΑΛΛΕΙΝΟV ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟ | ΛΕΙΤΩΝ, Sarapis wearing kalathos, standing left, extending arm and holding scepter; E (denomination) in left field.
Refs: AMNG I 1194; Moushmov 852; Varbanov 2082 (die match); Hristova & Jekov 6.41.6.1; SNRIS Marcianopolis 75. ​

 

I like that Serapis @Roman Collector !
Looks like we have a few more to add to our collection.

 

I love confronted bust Provincial coins, but only have three of them. One is this Pentassarion from Marcianopolis in Moesia Inferior (now Devnya, Bulgaria) with Diadumenian and Macrinus facing each other, and Hermes on the reverse:


The second, from Anchialus in Thracia (now Pomorie, Bulgaria) has Gordian III and Tranquillina, with Apollo on the reverse:


The third, from Mesembria in Thracia (now Nessebar, Bulgaria) shows Philip I and Otacilia Severa, with Nemesis on the reverse:




I need to buy more. They were certainly popular in what's now Bulgaria, weren't they?

 

I’ve always like the green candy shell on this coin.

Gordian III and Tranquillina AE 26mm of Thrace, Anchialus. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right, facing draped bust of Tranquillina left / OVLPIANWN AGXIALEWN, Eagle standing facing on thunderbolt, head right, with wreath in its beak. Varbanov 691; BMC 21.

 

MN. FONTEIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS FONTEIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Jugate heads of the Dioscuri
REVERSE: Galley under oar
Struck at Rome 108-109 BC
3.9g, 20mm
Cr.307/1, Fonteia 7

MN. CORDIUS RUFUS ROMAN REPUBLIC
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Jugate heads of the Dioscuri right; stars above
REVERSE: Venus Verticordia holding scales and sceptre; on her shoulder, Cupid
Rome 46 BC
18mm, 3.5g
Cr463/1b; Syd 976c; Cordia 1
ex. J. Cardona Collection

 

King Rabbel II of the Nabataeans, Queen Gamilat (71-106 AD)



AE 21mm of Arados (Ruwad, Syria) : A big head of Astarte, a small head of Trajan !


Caracalla and Julia Domna (Marcianopolis)


Heraclius and his son as consuls. Obv. legend: dmN ERACLIO CONSuLII. Alexandretta, 610 AD.

 

I have just one coin with confronted bust, but seeing it made me want it.
This is one of my favorite coins. It was a case of "oh boy I want this coin and I want it now!".



Moesia Inferior. Marcianopolis. Septimius Severus, with Julia Domna AD 193-211.

Pentassarion Æ

28 mm, 11,42 g

Septimius Severus, with Julia Domna. AD 193-211. Moesia, Marcianopolis.
Flavius Ulpianus, legatus consularis. Struck AD 210-211. Æ Pentassarion .
AV K Λ CEΠ CEYHΡOC IOYΛIA ΔOMNA CEB; Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus and draped bust of Julia Domna facing one another / ΥΦΛ ΟΥΛΠΙΑΝΟΥ ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ; Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia; Є (mark of value) to left. H&J, Marcianopolis 6.15.35.4; AMNG I 601; Varbanov 868; Moushmov 411.


An interesting coin with jugate busts



3.46 g 17.69 mm

Sicily, Katane, late 3rd century BC. Æ . Jugate busts of Serapis and Isis; grain-ear behind. R/ Apollo standing slightly l., leaning on column, holding laurel branch and bow; quiver and omphalos at feet. CNS III, 22; SNG ANS -; HGC 2, 609.

 

If you hold it right you can cover Valerian II with your thumb and make this Valerian - Gallienus AE25 of Nicomedia, Bithynia, into a two portrait coin. The city name is off flan at reverse top.

 

I've noticed that the Bulgarian coins, Markaniopolis in particular since that's what I have experience with, tend to have a beautiful green patina. I wonder what is in the soil there that does it.

 

3 heads are better than 2!

 

@GinoLR I hadn't even thought of Byzantine coins when I started this! They have plenty of designs with multiple portraits. I really like your follis Heraclius. That is one of the nicer strikes I've seen from his issues. How large is that flan btw?

 

Since we've expanded into jugate portraits, here are a few:

Roman Republic, C. Sulpicius C.f. Galba, AR Serrate Denarius, 106 BCE, Rome Mint. Obv. Jugate heads of Dei Penates left, D•P•P [Dei Penates Publici] beneath heads / Rev. Two soldiers facing each other, holding spears and pointing at sow lying down between them; S above; in exergue: C•SVL•ICI•C•F. [Indication of undertype on right of reverse, causing loss of detail.] RSC I Sulpicia 1, Crawford 312/1, Sydenham 572, BMCRR Rome 1324, Sear RCV I 189 (ill.) 18.12 mm., 3.83 g. [See Sear RCV I at p. 108: “Crawford’s interpretation of this interesting type seems the most convincing: it refers to Aeneas’ [landing at and founding of] Lavinium (home of the Sulpicia gens) with the Penates, and the subsequent miracle of the great white sow [giving birth to 30 piglets], which foretold the founding of Alba Longa,” where the soil was more fertile, 30 years later.] (Ex. Madroosi Collection [Joe Blazick]).



Roman Republic, C. Marcius Censorinus, AR Denarius, Rome 88 BCE. Obv. Jugate diademed heads, right, of kings Numa Pompilius, bearded [legendary second king of Rome], and Ancus Marcius, beardless [his grandson, the legendary fourth king of Rome], no control-mark / Rev. Desultor on horseback galloping right, wearing pileus [conical cap], with second horse at his side, holding whip with right hand and holding reins for both horses with left hand; in exergue, C•CENSO; no control-mark. Crawford 346/1i [no control-marks], RSC I Marcia 18a [no control marks], BMCR 2367 [no control-marks], see also id. 2368-2393 [various control-marks], Sydenham 713, Sear RCV I 256 [illustration has control-mark]. 17 mm., 3.72 g. [Purchased from Munthandel G. Henzen, Netherlands, Feb. 2021; ex. Dutch private collection.]*



*The moneyer, as was traditional for the gens Marcia, belonged to the populares faction, and was “one of the leading men of the Marian party; he was the accuser of Sulla for malversation upon his return from Asia in BC 91. He entered Rome with Marius and Cinna in BC 87, and took a leading part in the massacres which ensued.” BMCRR p. 301 n. 1. In 87, as a military tribune or prefect for Marius, he famously commanded the cavalry that attacked and killed the consul Gnaeius Octavius, and then brought his head to Marius’s ally Cinna (who then controlled Rome) before nailing it to the Rostra -- according to the historian Appian, the first time the head of a consul was displayed on the Rostra, but unfortunately not the last. Censorinus died in 82 BCE in the course of the final struggle against Sulla, when he was taken prisoner in the defeat at the Battle of the Colline Gate and was put to death. See id.; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcius_Censorinus; Crawford p. 361.

The obverse design “records the descent of the gens Marcia from Ancus Marcius [citing Plutarch, Suetonius, and Ovid] and hence also from his grandfather Numa Pompilius, a piece of genealogical fiction.” Crawford p. 361; accord BMCRR p. 301 n. 2. The reverse types on all of the denarii issued by this moneyer “commemorate the foundation of the Ludi Apollinares, which were instituted in BC 212 in virtue of a prophecy of the soothsayer Marcius.” Id; accord Crawford p. 361. This particular type “represents the race in which a rider (desultor) was provided with two horses, from one to the other of which he sprang during the race.” BMCRR p. 301 n. 2. See also Jones, John Melville, A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins (Seaby, London, 1990), entry for “Desultor,” at p. 94, defining the term as follows:

“One who leaps down or dismounts, the name given to a competitor in games at Rome who, in a manner not now clearly understood, took part in a horse race using more than one horse. It may be assumed that he had to change horses at least once during the race. In a collection of myths by the Roman writer Hyginus the statement occurs that a desultor wore a pileus because his actions symbolized the alternate immortality of Castor and Pollux [i.e., as he switched from one horse to the other]. This may be true but when a rider with two horses appears on Republican coins, the type should be regarded as agonistic rather than religious.”

At p. 361, Crawford describes 9 different subtypes of this issue, differing in whether and where control-letters, numerals, symbols, and “fractional signs” appear, i.e., on the obverse and/or the reverse. This type, with no control-mark of any kind on either side of the coin -- and it seems unlikely that any such mark would have worn off completely but left all the other major features of the design, including the whip in the rider’s hand, still clearly visible -- is the ninth subtype, denominated Crawford 345/1i. Taking all subtypes together, there are a total of 102 obverse dies and 113 reverse dies. Id. Thus, the number of dies with no control-marks is quite scarce when compared to the total number of dies with one or more control-marks of any kind, but is no more scarce, when compared on a one-to-one basis, than the number of dies with any given individual control mark or marks.


Rhoemetalces and Augustus, AE 22 mm., 11 BCE-12 AD, Thrace. Obv. Jugate heads of King Rhoemetalces and his queen Pythodoris right, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΡΟΙΜΗΤΑΛΚΟΥ / Rev. bare head of Augustus right, ΚΑΙΣΑΡΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ. ); RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. I 1711 (1992); RPC I Online at https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/1711 ; Sear GIC Thrace 5396 [D. Sear, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values (Seaby 1982)]; BMC 3 Thrace 4-6 [Poole, R.S., ed. A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, The Tauric Chersonese, Sarmatia, Dacia, Moesia, Thrace, etc., Vol. 3 (London, 1877)]. 22 mm., 8.93 g., 7 h. Ex. London Ancient Coins.

 

Plus I couldn't resist adding this one. I don't have it yet, but I will post a photo already since the thread is active now, and it's a U.S. dealer so I'm not too worried:



Elagabalus and Julia Maesa [his grandmother], AE Pentassarion [5 Assaria], 218-222 AD, Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior [now Devnya, Bulgaria] (Iulius Antonius Seleucus, Consular Legate). Obv. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus right, facing draped bust of Julia Maesa left, wearing stephane, AVT K M AYΡ ANTΩNEINOC AVΓ IOYΛIA MAICA AVΓ / Rev. Hera standing, head left, holding patera downwards in right hand and scepter in left hand, VΠ IOYΛ ANT CEΛEVKOV MAΡKIANOΠOΛITΩ, E [mark of value for “5”] in right field. Moushmov 688 [see http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/moushmov/markianopolis.html for English translation of H. Moushmov, Ancient Coins of the Balkan Peninsula (1912)], Varbanov I 1651 [[Ivan Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values, Volume I: Dacia, Moesia Superior & Moesia Inferior (English Edition) (Bourgas, Bulgaria, 2005)], AMNG I/I 944 [Pick, Behrendt, Die antiken Münzen von Dacien und Moesien, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands Vol. I/I (Berlin, 1898) at p. 272] [available at https://archive.org/details/p1dieantikenmn01akaduoft/page/271/mode/1up ]. __ mm., 9.45 g.