Here's my second A-Pi Alexandria drachm... much more worn than my first, but I believe this is more typical. I liked the reverse, and am enjoying trying to confirm the description of it given by the seller. Not owning the references, I had a merry time going through all the different descriptions I came across online. For example, some referred to the structure as a temple, others as an altar. Most called it the Altar of Caesareum, others the Altar of Agathodaimon. Some referred to the figure as a statue of Agathodaimon, others simply "veiled goddess". As for what was on top of the structure... I had to take my pick of aplustres, coiled serpents and winged serpents flanking either burning offerings, a pyre, or even a figure of Mt. Argaeus (!). I finally settled on a mix that seemed the most suitable to me. I would really appreciate it though if any of you who own the references - Emmett (1449), Milne (2162), Dattari(2999 bis) - could let me know the descriptions given in the actual references. Thanks! Please feel free to post any Alexandria drachms or coins featuring temples. ANTONINUS PIUS Drachm. 23.1g, 31.9mm. Alexandria mint, 151 - 152 AD. Dattari 2999 bis var; Emmett 1449; Milne 2162 var; BMC Alexandria 1201 var. O: ΑΥΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟΣ ΣΕΒ ΕΥΣ, laureate head left. R: Facade of the Caesareum with four garlanded columns enclosing statue of a veiled goddess standing facing and dropping incense on an altar; on top, a stony burning pyre between two aplustres, L-IE (year 15) in field. From Wikipedia: "The Caesareum in Alexandria was a temple conceived by Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, to honour her dead lover Julius Caesar. It was finished by Augustus, after he defeated Antony and Cleopatra. He destroyed all traces of Antony in Alexandria, and apparently dedicated the temple to his own cult" I'm not entirely sure the bit about Cleopatra building it for Julius Caesar is correct, as I've also read that she had intended it for the cult of Mark Antony.
Nice big bronze, Z. The description of #1449 in Emmett's book is (reverse) "Altar of Agathodaemon with Statue". For year 15, the obverse legend should be AVTKTAIΛAΔPANTωNINOC or AVTKTAIΛAΔPANTωNINOCCEBEVC Obverse abbreviations: AVT(OKPATΩP) = Imperator K(AICAP) = Caesar T(ITOC) = Titus AIΛ(IOC) = Aelius AΔP(IANOC) = Hadrianus ANTωNINOC = Antoninus CEB(ACTOC) = Augustus EVC(EBHC) = Pius Good thing they abbreviated the legends, huh?
Interesting! Thanks for that and the legends too. I believe Milne and Sear have it as Altar of Caesareum, but there's definitely something snakey going on with this type. I've seen varieties with definite serpents surmounting the structure, and others with Agathodaemon and Uraeus flanking it.
I believe this is Emmett 1668 year 12 but I don't have the skill or nerve to clean it enough to be certain. I liked the portrait and Serapis in temple but usually regret the purchase of uncertainly identifiable coins.
awesome => what a fantastic coin (very cool, Z-bro ... I think that you have great coin-taste, brother) Ummm, I do have a few Temple-examples to toss into your thread ... Carolingians Cilicia, Tarsos (Tyche & Sandan) Maxentius Volusian
Thanks, all. Nice temples, Steve... that Volusian guy struck at least one great coin, eh (and you bought it).
My coins with temples: Louis the Pious, Frankish (Carolingian) Empire AR Denier Obv: + HLVDOVVICVS IMP, legend around cross in circle Rev: + XPISTIANA RELIGIO, legend around temple, cross in temple Mint: Unknown (struck 822-840 AD) Ref: MEC 794 Trajan, Roman Empire AE As Obv: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust right Rev: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Pax standing in octastyle temple, SC in ex Mint: Rome (struck 98-117 AD) Ref: RIC 575
