[ancients] The Building of Carthage

Since we're talking about Carthage I should take the opportunity to show (again) one of my most prized coins


ZEUGITANA, Carthage
early 2nd century BCE
AE 15 shekel, 45 mm, 95 gm
Obv: wreathed head of Tanit left
Rev: horse standing right, left foreleg up; solar disk with uraei above
Ref: Alexandropoulos J (2000) Les monnaies de l'Afrique Antique, 103; Müller L (1861) Numismatique de L'Ancienne Afrique, 131; Luynes 3782; Jenkins GK and Lewis RB (1963) Carthaginian Gold and Electrum Coins. Royal Numismatic Society, London, pl.28 12
Graded Fine by NGC Ancients (strike 5/5, surfaces 2/5); not encapsulated (reason: size); certification number 3598288-002.
Extremely rare.

 

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Wow TIF, awesome coin and awesome write up, between you and Steve, we get to see some great coins.

 

I like the reverse type so much that I picked up another one



PHOENICIA, Tyre. Valerian I (CE 253-260)
Æ28.5 mm, 12.2 gm
Obv: IMP CP LIC VALERIANVS AVG; radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: COL TVRO METRO; the building of Carthage: Dido standing left, holding cubit ruler and scepter, surveying construction; mason above gate, worker with pick-axe digging before gate, murex shell to lower right
Ref: Rouvier 2501; BMC 470; cf Price & Trell 748

Emperor Valerian I had the great misfortune to be captured by Shapur I. Depending on who you read, he may have then been:

• Publicly humiliated by being used as Shapur's footstool, then flayed alive, stuffed, and mounted; or
• Allowed to live out his days in the comfort befitting his position, dying of old age at a much later date.

Since it's Halloween, I'll go with version #1 today .

 

great additions ... ummm, I bet that ya can't buy just one more of these babies (I double dog dare ya to buy just one more!!)



they are very cool (I'd never even seen the type until you posted it ... and now you have "2" of 'em!!) ... well played, Princess ... well played

 

Well of course I intend to buy more of them. There are a few other emperors/empresses who issued this reverse. I want them all.

 

You have great taste in coin TIF. Awesome!

 

Lovely! I think your photo brings the details out very nicely!

 

I picked up another provincial from Tyre. This one is thought to depict Dido on a galley, although that identification is not certain.



PHOENICIA, Tyre.
Julia Maesa, Augusta
CE 218-224/5
AE 27, 12.71g (11h)
Obv: IVLIA MAE - SA AV[G] Draped bust right, wearing stephane
Rev: TVRIORVM Dido (?) standing left on deck of galley sailing right, extending right hand and holding cornucopia in left; to left, helmsman bending left over rudder (?); to right, sailor extending right hand and holding curved staff in left; stern decorated with a shield and aphlaston, [two murex shells] in exergue
Ref: CNG e320, 12 Feb. 2014, lot 323 (same dies). Rouvier 2408

 

Hey, you're not cornering the market on Dido coins, are you, TIF?

... I guess even of you are, there's not much we can do except *LIKE* . This one is really lovely. Nice pickup!

 

I'm trying to...

 

wow => another beauty! ... man, all four of your coins in this thread are wonderful (congrats)

 

Nice coins and story

 

love the galley reverses, this coin is awesome TIF. if you want to trade, i'll trade you for one of my kids, maybe two..

 

The cost of upkeep of kids is much too high. Thanks though!

 

Yes, actually I am trying to hog every example out there . For some reason I love these coins and the story they tell... and the rarity.

Picked up another one, this time Gordian III. It's a sizable chunk of bronze and much nicer in hand-- although maybe the "better in hand" thing is a reflection of aging eyes . It's much smoother than the pictures suggest and has higher relief than portrayed. The patina is definitely not rubbed-on wax or makeup. It's hard as a rock.



PHOENICIA, Tyre. Gordian III
CE 238-244
Æ trichalkon; 29mm, 18.10 g, 12h
Obv: laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Dido standing left, holding transverse rule; to left, arched gate of Carthage on which mason sits and constructs; murex shell above; in exergue, man digging right with pick
Ref: Rouvier 2430; AUB –; BMC –. Fine, earthen patina. Very rare.

I'm not sure how many more emperors/empresses issued this reverse. I now have Elagabalus, Gordian III, and Valerian I. Others known to exist are Julia Maesa, Otacilia Severa, Trebonianus Gallus, and Gallienus. There may be more. I hope to someday have at least one of each.

 

Wow, TIF. Another great looking coin with a very interesting reverse.

 

what an interesting reverse, i remembered your last coin of the type.

 

Very cool new score => another PHOENICIA, Tyre, Dido (what are the odds?)



sweet => fantastic score (get 'em all, my Princess!!)

 

Fun to watch TIF building her Dido building Carthage collection. Nice score!

 

very nice TIF, specialy its reverse and the story...