22mm - I was able to do some research and discover that the reverse shows Cybele seated feeding a patera to a lion. There's clear Greek lettering, but I am really bad at matching it to letters. I don't know if they're upper case or lowercase, and that's only the beginning of my confusion lol. I posted a photo below of a similar reverse type, but I've also seen some from Ionia. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
The reverse legend runs counterclockwise... how unusual! I did a quick ACsearch but came up empty. Best guess based on a somewhat similar coin, style-wise and such, is from Lydia (maybe Philadelphia), with obverse of Demos or Senate and as you noted, Kybele reverse. The legible part of the reverse legend may be an abbreviated and run-together name and title, such as a magistrate or archon. I did not find a match but it wasn't a thorough search.
The obverse could be the draped bust of the senate. RPC 2453A. Magnesia ad Sipylum. The legend matches the description: ΕΠΙ ΦΛΑΒΙΟΥ ΔΙΟΝΥϹΙ. Here’s the note : The readings on 2543A-B are uncertain. The readings for the Mu coins in Mionnet IV, pp. 70-71, nos. 382-3 ('Cabinet de M. Cousinéry') are ΘƐΟΝ ϹΥΝΚΛΗΤΟΝ ΜΑΓΝΗΤΩΝ [ ]ΠΙ ΜΑΝΔΑΛΟΥ / ΕΠΙ ΦΛΑΒΙΟΥ ΝΟΥΜΗΝΙΟΥ and [ ]ΜΑΓΝΗ[ ]ΘΕΟΔΟΤΟΥ / ΕΠΙ ΦΛΑΒΙΟΥ ΔΙΟΝΥϹΙ. There is a strategos called Aur. Theodotus under Gordian III, but these coins look much earlier, perhaps of the first century.
You guys are absolutely amazing at this. @TIF @Roman Collector @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix - a huge thank you to you all. Per Roman Collector Magnesia ad Sipylum, Lydia. AE23, semi-autonomous issue. 3.18 g. AD 138-268. Magistrates Fl. Numenios and Fl. Dionysios QEON CYNKLHTON MAGNHTWN EPI FLABIOC NOYMHNIOC, draped bust of the Senate right. EPI FLABIOY DIONYCIOY MA..TOY, Kybele seated left, holding patera, resting left arm on drum, lion at her side. Emeį coll. 865; GRPC Lydia 60a (supplement, forthcoming). Legends var of SNG Munich 245; Mionnet IV, 382.
As a general rule, assume the letters of an ancient coin inscription are upper case. I'm sure there's an exception somewhere, but I've never seen one.
If you want to feed a lion, you should first make him starve for a week then introduce him to somebody you don't like. A patera full of whiskas is for your cat, not lion. Cybele is one of the oldest deities we know, she is seated on a throne flanked by two lions. This goddess, enthroned between two lions, was known in the middle east with different names (Cybele, Atargatis, etc.) since at least 6000 BC !
https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/2453A The above link shows that there are 4 specimens submitted to the RPC. Does that mean that this is a rare type, or do most people not submit their coins to the RPC? I guess I'm looking for a rule of thumb on scarcity.
