Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Marsyas Mike, post: 5411342, member: 85693&quot;]Nice example, Amit. </p><p><br /></p><p>These do come with different magistrates. Mine has a very blotchy green patina that successfully resisted my efforts to photograph it.&nbsp; The magistrate on this one is Apollas.</p><p><br /></p><p>Although I have no proof, my inexpert opinion is that it is Homer.&nbsp; The scroll and thoughtful pose seems to be a poet&#039;s attributes (yes, I know Homer was supposed to be blind - but I would read this as attributes of a poet rather than an actual portrait).&nbsp; The pairing with Apollo reinforces to this identification. </p><p><br /></p><p>Furthermore, we know from an ancient written source that Smyrna produced coins showing Homer:</p><p><br /></p><blockquote><p>&quot;...for the Smyrnaeans&nbsp; also lay especial claim to the poet and indeed a bronze coin of theirs is called a Homereum&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>(Strabo, <i>Geographica XIV</i>, I.37, trans. by H.C. Jones, <i>The Geography <i>of Strabo, VI</i> [Loeb, 1960], pp. 245-247). </i></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>The coins from Kolophon have a seated guy very similar to the one shown on the &quot;homereum&quot; from Smyrna. </p><p><br /></p><p>If not Homer, who?&nbsp; Is there any other Greek/Provincial coin showing a full length portrait, seated or otherwise, of a Magistrate?&nbsp; Is there a divinity shown with a scroll, chin resting on fist?&nbsp; So I will go with Homer, tentatively.&nbsp; D&#039;oh! </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1234421[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Ionia, Kolophon&nbsp; &nbsp; Æ Hemiobol</b></p><p><b>(c. 50 B.C.)</b></p><p><b>Apollas magistrate</b></p><p>AΠOΛΛAΣ, Homer seated left on throne, holding scroll, resting chin on hand / [K]OΛOΦΩNIΩN Apollo standing right, holding kithara and phiale.</p><p>Milne, Colophon 178; SNG Copenhagen 184</p><p>(5.05 grams / 18 mm)</p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;As the ancient poet Homer was believed to have been from Ionia, he figured quite prominently on the coinage of Smyrna, but is also seen, far less often, on this type from Kolophon.... &quot;...for the Smyrnaeans&nbsp; also lay especial claim to the poet and indeed a bronze coin of theirs is called a Homereum&quot;</p><p>(Strabo, <i>Geographica XIV</i>, I.37, trans. by H.C. Jones, <i>The Geography <i>of Strabo, VI</i> [Loeb, 1960], pp. 245-247).&nbsp; CNG e-Auction 253</i></p><p><br /></p><p>Here is the type from Smyrna:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1234424[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Ionia, Smyrna&nbsp; Æ Homereion</b></p><p><b>(c. 115-105 B.C.)</b></p><p>Laureate head of Apollo right / [ΣM]ΥΡNA[IΩN], poet Homer seated left; monograms left, magistrate AΠOΛΛOΦAN[HΣ] OΡOBEITHN[OΣ].</p><p>Milne, Autonomous 272; SNG Copenhagen 1153.</p><p>(7.03 grams / 18 mm)[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in