I was the successful bidder on this tiny coin of Apameia in Phrygia. The reverse features Hecate triformis, and bears one of her titles, Soteira (savior). I'm quite intrigued by the coin. Severan period, AD 193-235. Semi-autonomous Æ 14. mm, 1.46 g, 6 h. Phrygia, Apameia. Obv: ΑΠΑ-ΜЄΙΑ, draped bust of Tyche of Apameia, right. Rev: CΩ-TЄI-PA, triple-bodied Hecate-Soteira standing facing, each wearing kalathos and holding torches. Refs: BMC 25.88,110-13; SNG von Aulock 3475; SNG München 131; Sear Gr. Imp. 5065. Hecate or Hekate is a goddess in ancient Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding a pair of torches or a key and in later periods depicted in triple form. She is variously associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, night, light, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, ghosts, necromancy, and sorcery. Let's see your coins depicting this liminal goddess! Black chalk drawing of a statue of Hecate, unknown artist, The British Museum. Relief of triplicate Hekate. Three female figures framed in aedicula, with high poloi on their heads, dressed in chiton and peplos, holding torches in their hands. Marble (small), Hadrian classicism. NG Prague, Kinský Palace, NM-H10 4742. Hecate statuette in triple form, S 2173, Roman, 1st century AD, gilt bronze - Musei Capitolini - Rome, Italy.
Fascinating coin type, sadly not yet present in my hoard. I can offer a triple cult statue of Diana Nemorensis. CNG picture. One of my better purchases in terms of interest/price, despite the scratches on observe.
Very nice reverse design, RC. Thanks for your additional info as well. This type of deity reminds me of some Indian or Tibetan 4-headed deities, which oversee all 4 directions.
Man! I want one of those! An extremely interesting provincial. Congrats! I have only a bust of Hecate from Stratoniceia. Stratoniceia, Caria. AR Hemidrachm. Hekate/Nike Obv: ANTIOXOC, Laureate head of Hekate right, crescent above. Rev: STPA around Nike advancing right; all in incuse square. Antiochos, magistrate. 14mm., 1.5g. Rusopulos n. 3924 Tf. XLIV
Very cool, RC. I've always wanted one of these types showing Hecate triformis. Here she is on this provincial of Stratonicaea. CARACALLA [with Geta erased] Medallic AE. 28.75g, 38mm. CARIA, STRATONICAEA, circa AD 209-211. Epitynchanontos, prytanis. SNG von Aulock –; SNG Copenhagen –; SNG München –; SNG Tübingen –; cf. CNG 100, lot 1728; for c/m: Howgego 84. O: [AV K M AVP] ANTΩ[NINOC C Λ CЄ ΓЄTA]C K, Confronted busts of [Geta – erased as result of damnatio memoriae] right and Caracalla left, both laureate, draped, and cuirassed; c/m: Bust of Caracalla right within incuse circle. R: ЄΠI ΠPV ЄΠITVNKANONTOC Γ ΦΙΛΩNOC CTPAT[ONIKЄΩN], Hecate standing facing, head left, sacrificing from patera [over altar] and holding torch. In Thessaly, the goddess Ennodia was identified with Hecate. She too was a goddess of crossroads, magic, and ghosts. Her main place of worship was the city of Pherai. THESSALY, Pherai AE Trichalkon. 8.81g, 21.2mm. THESSALY, Pherai, circa 404-369 BC. Rogers 511, fig. 277; BCD Thessaly II 687.2; HGC 4, 564. O: Head of Ennodia (or nymph Hypereia) facing slightly left. R: [ΦΕΡ]Α[Ι]-Ο[Ν], Lion's head fountain to right, with water pouring from mouth. Ex BCD Collection