[ancients] Like a herd of elephants

The postman brought three elephants this week.

I've been looking for a Caesar denarius and in one auction had bids going on two, hoping to win one. Got them both so I have a spare which I should probably sell.

The third is a poor but affordable Punic quarter shekel, with Herakles/Hannibal obverse (if you squint you can see it). Maybe I'll upgrade someday.

Trumpet your elephants here! (Steve's on vacation this week, someone needed to post a pile-on thread )

 

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Wow, great pickup TIF, nice lookin' heard...i have one but its kind of beat up...fouree'

 

Awesome...just awesome.

I know which one I would keep! I really hope to have one of the Caesar's one day as fine as your first one.

This is one of the few coins for me where a 'budget' coin just wouldn't do.

 

Nice heard.

I think your second one and mine should be matched up to align

 

Very nice coins, TIF and Mat. Super!

 

Alright TIF, you asked for it, so here it is :


ROMAN IMPERATORS, JULIUS CAESAR denarius
Denarius minted in Italy, c.49 BC
CAESAR, elephant walking rigth, trampling on snake
No legend, Simpulum, sprinkler, axe and apex
4.05 gr
Ref : HCRI # 9, RCV #1399, Cohen #49

Q

 

That one deserves a standing ovation, Q! Wonderful!

 

I prefer the top coin. Where can I learn something more about these 4 priestly implements on the reverse? I'd like to know how they were used.

Simpulum/culullus, aspergillum, axe, and apex?

 

Elephant "Steve style" in his absence ?

Indo-Greek, Demetrios I, (Hemi-)Obol 12 mm 0.35 gr.

 

I haven't yet found anything in-depth, but from Forvm's Numiswiki :

 

Seleucid Elephant:

Seleukos II Kallinikos (ca 246-226 BC), 12 mm, 1.8 gr.

 

TITUS 69 - 79 A.D.
AR Denarius (3.31 g.), Rome 80 A.D.
IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM Laureate head of Titus right. Rev. TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P Elephant, wearing cuirass, advancing left.




I suspect that the gouge in the elephant's hindquarters is some sort of countermark.

 

Tantus elephantus! (Such an elephant!)

 

Great coin - this elephant type was minted for the inaugural games of the Colosseum, definitely an appealing historical tie-in.

 

IOM-- fabulous!

 

Huvishka
Kushan Kingdom
152-192 AD
PAO NANO PAO OOHPKE KOPANO
King, diademed and nimbate, riding right on elephant, holding spear and goad
OKPO
Siva standing front, head left, lionskin over shoulder, holding trident in right hand, vase in left; tamgha of Huvishka to left

Our DLF WC's attribution.

 

This little Septimus Severus elephant wants to run with the herd.

 

There are two major variations of the Caesar elephants. You have one of each. Your top coin is the tubby standing model while the bottom one and all the others people posted are the graceful, well drawn walker. I'd keep them both. It will be easier to upgrade the walker and plenty of people will but his trunkless majesty. Mine is a chipped junker but all I'll ever have at the price these things bring today.

 

I too only have one poor specimen of JC's elephant. One day I would like to upgrade when I find one I can afford.

 

Titus AR Denarius
OBV: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head right
REV: TRP IX IMP XV COS VIII PP, elephant walking left
RIC 115

Note to IoM: This coin also has the gouge in the hindquarter as does yours. I have no idea as to why this might be.