This coin from Valerian I is from Heliopolis (City of the Sun) in Coele-Syria and references a "Capitolia Games" that were modeled on the Ludi Capitolia in Rome. The Roman games were established by Domitian, and the Heliopolis games likely began near the time of Septimius Severus' grant of ius Italicum to Heliopolis. I like the large format of coins from Coele-Syria, which often seem to come from dies that are well designed and executed (although the coins also often well worn). For more on these games and this coin see: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/capitolia-heliopolitana. Post your coins with Prize Urns (see reverse of coin above), coins of Coele-Syria, or anything else that you find interesting or entertaining.
Great coin Sulla, with origin's of an exceptional slice of history. Septimius Severus Heliopolis, Syria, Temple of Jupiter, 15.56gm, 24.1mm, BMC 290, 2. Otacilia Severa (Augusta, 244-249). Coele-Syria, Heliopolis. Æ (31mm, 13.53g, 6h). Diademed and draped bust r., Set on crescent. R / Propylaeum of temple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus. BMC 20, 23; Price-Trell 162, fig. 284. Rare
Following the Prize Crown theme - here's a giant prize from the Olympia Sebasmia Games in Damascus issued in the name of VOlusian son of Trebonianus Gallus.
The propylaeum of Baalbek was built under Philip the Arab, that's why it is represented on his wife Otacilia's coins. Today we can still see the two flanking square towers and the colonnade. The monumental stairs have been dismantled and are now replaced with a modern narrower stairway.
