Some tragic news; and some solace in coins

This is a very moving post, @Severus Alexander , yours and the comments of the forum members have impacted me greatly.

I decided that I needed a handsome and heroic Severus Alexander in my collection.



Classical music has always fueled and inspired my creative drive over the years and this is one of my favorites.

Beethoven’s heroic 3rd movement from his:
Third Symphony — “Eroica”

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That was a fantastic rendition of Eroica! Everyone looked like were having so much fun playing it. Thanks for posting .

 

Agreed!

 

I just saw this because I just haven’t been on the ancients side for a little while but wanted to add my best wishes for you. We’re in a similar place in life so I can really empathize with you. Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your family.

 

Hello everyone,

I have some good news to report: my immunotherapy is working! The chances of it doing so weren't great, and my pain hadn't really improved (just shifted)... so I was feeling quite negative heading to the appointment in which my oncologist was going to tell me the results of my latest PET scan. I expected to have to switch to a difficult and less promising (prognosis-wise) chemotherapy. Instead, grinning from ear to ear (I could tell even through his mask), he gave me the good news!

This is the treatment that gives me the longest survival potential, so it was an incredible relief to hear my tumours were shrinking. Now we are working on the pain caused by a side-effect of my cancer. ("Oncogenic osteomalacia" - docs here, please let me know if you have suggestions regarding this!)

The support I've had on CoinTalk has helped enormously. Thank you!!

Seven of you, in particular, did something really amazing. Just a few days before I received the good news, a magical surprise package came in the mail. It contained this coin:



It is an AE tetras from Akragas, Sicily, c. 425-406 BCE, countermarked with the head of Herakles facing right. In the note accompanying the coin, my lovely coin-friends explained the symbolism: Herakles, the hero, crushes the crab, which obviously represents cancer. I confess I burst into tears - a complex mix of happy-sad tears - upon reading the note. What an extraordinary, kind, and generous gesture, and a perfect expression of their hopes for me. Again, thank you so very, very much, @TIF, @zumbly, @Curtisimo, @dougsmit, @Ryro, @Cucumbor, and @Alegandron. You are wonderful coin-friends, and wonderful friends tout court.

Not only is it an extraordinary gift in terms of its symbolism, it's an extraordinary coin apart from that. I don't think I've ever seen an example where both the countermark and the undertype's details are preserved so amazingly well. I love the crab, and the shrimp, and the poor leveret too. I needed an early bronze coin from Sicily, where token bronze began. Plus the countermark may well be among the earliest numismatic products of Carthage (though there is some uncertainty about this). Overall, the coin fits spectacularly well into my collection.

For those who are interested, here's the historical note I entered into my database:

Populated by Dorian Greeks, Akragas was one of the pre-eminent cities in Sicily until its defeat by Syracuse in 450 BCE.

The second Sicilian war between the Greeks of Sicily and Carthage was instigated by the renegade Syracusan general Hermocrates, who attacked a number of Punic trading settlements from his base in Selinus. In retaliation, the Carthagineans (under Hannibal Mago, “The Greek Hater”) beseiged Akragas in 406-405 BCE. The siege lasted 8 months, ending in the city’s sack. Much of the population, including the army, had left under cover of darkness the night before. The Carthagineans remained for a few months, thoroughly looting what remained, then destroyed the city upon leaving in the spring of 405, moving on to Gela.

Refugees from Akragas largely went to Syracuse, and instigated the political events that led to the tyranny of Dionysius I. Akragas was repopulated, but never achieved its former greatness.​

Without question my #1 coin for 2022!

Meanwhile, the battle against my cancer continues, but with renewed vigour. I'll try to give periodic updates here. Probably not for a while, we'll just plug away with the immunotherapy, and check again how things are going with a PET scan in a couple of months.

 

What a kind gesture!
Severus Alexander, your strength is inspiring. My very best wishes and prayers for you and your family!

-Connor

 

...ah, that is GREAT news SA... i'm really glad to hear that! :..i'll post my Nero with the goddess Salus seated reverse ...

 

I was just thinking of you yesterday when I posted my Augustus and Livia provincial coin in @Ryro's thread. You helped me identify it when I was completely stuck. For that help, I will be forever grateful
I'm glad to hear your good news and I hope it continues for you!

 

That is wonderfull news/ so nice to hear something positive We are all praying for a complete recovery,

John

 

That's wonderful news! Praise God! Definitely sending continued prayers for you!

 

Excellent news, so happy to hear it!

And that is just a perfect coin for you with that Herakles countermark on the top of the crab!

So happy to hear the positive news for you, wishing you all the best as you continue the fight.

 

What great news! And a fine gesture from coin-friends. We're all pulling for you as you keep up the fight.

 

This is the best of news for all of us!

Thank you so much for sharing it as well as the magical gift package you received.

The magic of that wonderful coin that @TIF, @zumbly, @Curtisimo, @dougsmit, @Ryro, @Cucumbor, and @Alegandron sent you, will be always with you until you win the battle, which will be very soon.

 

I’ve been away for a bit, and somehow managed to miss this entire thread even in my casual browsing. You can imagine my reaction when I read the first post, but I am so pleased to hear your good news. I truly enjoy everything you do here, and I am sure you know how loved you are here. Wishing you all the best.

 

I'm so very happy to hear your good news, @Severus Alexander! My fervent wish is that things continue to get better, and the doctors figure out very soon how to ease the bone pain.

And congratulations on the wonderful gift. A tip of the hat to our Magnificent Seven (Seven Samurai? Seven Against Thebes? Whatever!)

 

That is awesome news. What a great gift. My thoughts and prayers continue for you.

 

@Severus Alexander I am gratified to hear that things are better. That is good news, something that is needed during these stressful times. It is an odd coincidence that one of the few coins that I managed to successfully bid on during the Triton XXV was this one.
Severus Alexander Ae Sestertius 230 AD 11th emission. Obv, Head right laureate. Rv, Justitia seated left holding patera and scepter. RIC 563 22.42 grms 28 mm Photo by W. Hansen As noted before this coin appeared to buck the trend of coins gaining ridiculous prices at auction. I really like the portrait on this coin. It gives him something of the confident maturity that he needed to project during his reign. Again congrats and hope to see you at a regional show.

 

This is the best but if news I have heard for a long time. You continue to be in our prayers.

 

So happy to hear of the improvement in your condition and prognosis. You know, buying a few ancient coins to celebrate, while not alleviating your pain, may help distract you from it for a little while.