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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;TIF, post: 2146498, member: 56859&quot;]It&#039;s no marvel of ancient artistry but <i>beehive</i>?&nbsp; I didn&#039;t know any were depicted on ancient coins!&nbsp; I&#039;m always happy to add an inexpensive yet interesting coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]411240[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>THRACE, Deultum.&nbsp; Philip I &quot;The Arab&quot;</b></p><p>CE 244-249</p><p>AE16, 3.05 gm</p><p>Obv:&nbsp; PHILIPPVS IMP M I; laureate, draped, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield</p><p>Rev:&nbsp; C-F P-D in two lines across fields, beehive on a base</p><p>Ref:&nbsp;&nbsp; Varbanov 3041 corr. (rev. description; Varbanov describes the beehive as on a temple, similar to the known type of Philip II,&nbsp; but on this coin it appears to be a simple base or stand)</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]411282[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Map of <a href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/Ancient-Maps/displayimage.php?pos=-127" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/Ancient-Maps/displayimage.php?pos=-127" rel="nofollow">ancient Trace</a> courtesy of Forvm (edited)</font></p><p><br /></p><p>Founded by Vespasian and settled with Legio VIII Augusta veterans, this city on the west cost of Lake Mandren began striking coins under Trajan.&nbsp; After the single small denomination Trajan issue there was a gap in minting until Caracalla&#039;s sole reign, with issues produced thereafter from each emperor through Philip I.</p><p><br /></p><p>The beehive (skep) on this coin would have been made of wicker or straw covered with dung or mud; other ancient skeps were made from stone or clay.&nbsp; There would be one small hole near the bottom for bee entrance and egress.&nbsp; Skeps are still used by some apiarists today although modern hive systems are easier to use and healthier for the colony. </p><p><br /></p><p>Examples of skeps:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]411250[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">images from (left to right):&nbsp; <a href="http://www.martinatnewton.com/userimages/Newskep92The%20Royall%20Courtreduced.jpg" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.martinatnewton.com/userimages/Newskep92The%20Royall%20Courtreduced.jpg" rel="nofollow">marthanewton.com</a>,&nbsp; <a href="http://www.cirosloft.com/2048-pair-of-belgian-bee-skeps.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.cirosloft.com/2048-pair-of-belgian-bee-skeps.html" rel="nofollow">Ciro&#039;s loft</a>, <a href="http://www.hudsonantiques.net/wideboard/2010/12/new-hampshire-bee-skep.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.hudsonantiques.net/wideboard/2010/12/new-hampshire-bee-skep.html" rel="nofollow">Hudson Antiques</a></font></p><p><br /></p><p>Apiculture and honey trivia:</p><ul> <li>Mankind has engaged in apiculture since at least ~2600 BCE (Egypt)</li> <li>Ancient Israel, &quot;the land of milk and honey&quot;, imported Turkish bees since their local bees were difficult to domesticate and produced far less honey (side note:&nbsp; the honey of &quot;land of milk and honey&quot; Biblical fame probably refers to fruit nectar, not bee spit.</li> <li>Honey bees must gather nectar from two million flowers to make one pound of honey<br /> </li> <li>Honey has antiseptic properties and historically was often used as a dressing for wounds and a first aid treatment for burns and cuts. <br /> </li> <li>Honey is alluded to in the Sumerian and Babylonian cuneiform writings, the Hittite code, the sacred writings of India, the Vedas and in the ancient writings of Egypt.</li> </ul><p><br /></p><p><i>&quot;Honey is either the exudation of the sky or a sort of sap of stars, or a juice released by the air.&quot;</i> - Pliny</p><p><br /></p><p><i>&quot;The only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey... and the only reason for making honey is so I can eat it.&quot;</i> - Winnie the Pooh</p><p><br /></p><p>...</p><p><br /></p><p>Post your beehives, bees, coins of Deultum, apiculture trivia, or whatever. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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