I did not intend to begin a sub collection of Tyche coins, but recently I have obtained some beautiful examples. Here are four of the best. 1. Cilicia Korykos City Coinage AE19 SNG France 1075 struck at Cilicia, First Century BC OBV: Turreted head of Tyche right; A behind. Circle of dots REV: ΚΩΡΥΚΙΩΤΩΝ, Hermes standing left, holding caduceus, ΕΥ/ΕΠΙ/ΕΡ in left field 5.87g, 19.42 mm 2. ROMAN REPUBLIC P. FURIUS CRASSIPES AR Denarius Cr 356/1c struck at Rome, 84 BC OBV: Turreted head of Cybele (Tyche) right, behind, foot pointing upwards, AED.CVR behind head REV: Curule chair inscribed P FOVRIVS; CRASSIPES in exergue 3.88g. 19mm 3. Alexandria Troas Civic Issue AE19 SNG Cop 117, struck at Alexandria, Troas, 3rd Century AD OBV: CO-L TRO, draped and turreted bust of Tyche right; vexillum behind REV: CO-L AVG, TRO in exergue, eagle standing right on the forepart of a bull 5.06g, 19mm 4. Alexandria Troas Civic Issue AE25 BMC 52, struck at Alexandria, Troas, 250-270 AD OBV: COL ALEX TRO, Turreted & draped bust of city goddess or Tyche right; vexillum behind REV: COL AL [EX TRO], Horse feeding right, tree behind; beside the horse, a herdsman wearing chlamys, holding pedum in right hand, standing right 5.6g, 24.9mm
While their attributes are similar, Tyche and Cybele (Magna Mater) are VERY different deities. Anyone who's read Catullus' poem on her shepherd consort Attis would know. Worship of Cybele was quite gruesome. Here is a more traditional depiction of the goddess: ROME PB Tessera (18mm, 4.11 g, 12 h) Cybele riding right on lion, holding transverse scepter Attis standing right, wearing Phrygian cap, holding long scepter and ears of grain Rostowzew 3213, pl. X, 14 var. (no legend); München 631 var. (same)
Since you showed heads, I'll tack on four fuller length women. I'm not always comfortable with the titling of all otherwise unnamed women as Tyche. My Julia Domna (Rome) and Gordian and Serapis (Marcianopolis) above show what I'd say was Magna Mater enthroned. The Gordian and Tranquillina (Singara) might be a city goddess which we could call Tyche. The last from Antioch is labeled Genio Antiochini so could be expected to be the city goddess but is sometimes called Tyche. Tyche is equated with the Roman Fortuna which is more of a personification than a goddess. She is a personification or the city, any city, more like the USA Lady Liberty than a goddess of stature like Cybele or the Great Mother whose position is more universal than localized. Does Tyche mean more than 'woman'? Can anyone show a coin that has a legend using the word Tyche? There were magnificent temples to Tyche but I find it odd that she was not named on coins. Comments?
One other thing: In general Greek/Roman gods who were really big were shown sitting/enthroned while lesser ones stood, walked or did something else. Certainly there are images both ways but these women being shown sitting must have been a sign of great respect.
Beautiful coins, gang ... sadly, I don't seem to have a Tyche or Cybelle coin to add to this thread (yet) :so-sad:
