A quartet arrived in the mail today, starting with Gordian III. Apollo with his lyre. Dude, do you know Bohemian Rhapsody? Philip I, Ludi Saeculares, or Secular Games celebrated to honor the anniversary of Rome in AD 248. I suppose these could be considered a bit of grizzly ancient Christian history. Although there are no records of specific Christians being thrown to the lions, the Romans did use beasts to stage dramatic executions, and Christians during this era were surely among the victims. This is a pretty scarce coin in such a pleasing grade... Here are two ants of Valerian, the first with his son Gallienus, both sacrificing over a small altar. Not a rare coin per se, but exceedingly scarce in this condition, and the metal is quite good for the time. They are typically much baser than this, PIETAS AVGG, a Samosata issue... And a gorgeous Salus, what a strike!
Those all look to be be in high grade JA, especially that last coin. But my favorite is the Philip I. Gotta love dem lions (and of course I am a Detroit Lions Fan to boot).
I'm starting to think it was maybe you who sniped that Gordian III from me. Nice. Love the Philip I. But seriously, it's probably not the same coin but last week was in on a bid for the Gordian got sniped last second.
So now I notice that much of that song ("Bohemian Rhapsody") applies to coin collecting. Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide No escape from reality... ...Because I'm easy come, easy go A little high, little low...
Nope, not me. I was the only bidder on that coin and with good reason - the photo was pretty bad. It was a bit of a gamble.
OH I was just BS'n. Yours looks a little better than the one I lost out on. I sure hate when that happens though. I was thinking I caught a nice looking Gordian III. Still looking though, maybe I'll luck out & find one as nice as yours.
JA, I know you are trying to drum up interest in your Philip I coin, but I doubt Philip ever threw a Christian to the Lions. He was very tolerant of Christians, and so much so that there were rumors that he was secretly a Christian They are all lovely coins, but If I had to chose one or two it would be that last Valerian (what a perfect strike) and the Gordian III. I love the Philip lion-themed coins, but I've always been sentimental about Gordian III. You know me, I love all the weirdo, maniacal, or ineffective rulers no one else cares for.
Not really drumming - just opining. I wasn't aware of Philip's inclinations toward Christianity, one way or another, so I guess I shouldn't have assumed.
