I've heard it postulated--but can't seem to locate a primary source in the numismatic literature--that the coins of Bostra were cast, not struck, because their details are usually so soft. Does anyone have a reliable reference that confirms this? Certainly the flan is cast. A chunk of the flan has been broken from the edge (12:00 obverse, 6:00 reverse) when the sprue was removed. But was it then struck with dies? That's the question. Anyway, please post your coins of Bostra, Mamaea, Tyche, or whatever you feel is relevant! Julia Mamaea, AD 222-235 Roman provincial AE 23 Arabia, Bostra; 4.86 g, 22.45, 5:00 Obv: IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust, right Rev: COLONIA BOSTRA, turreted and draped bust of Tyche left, cornucopia over shoulder Refs: SNG ANS 1231; Kindler 40; Spijkerman 54; Rosenberger 46
I dunno. Maybe the AE coins were cast, but like @Smojo I have aAR Trajan that wasn't cast. TRAJAN AR Drachm OBVERSE: AYT KAIC NEΡ TΡAIANO CEB ΓEΡM, laureate head right REVERSE: ΔHMAΡX EΞ UΠAT Γ, Arabia standing left holding branch and cinnamon sticks, camel to left at feet. Struck at Caesaria, Cappadocia, or Bostra, Arabia, 100 AD 3.45g 18mm Sydenham183 ex Ken Dorney
I also remember reading somewhere that certain coins of Bostra were cast, particularly the issues of Mamaea, but I don't recall where I read it. The consistently soft features certainly corroborate the theory. Here's mine... I do have a copy of Kindler's Coinage of Bostra, which is extensive both as a catalog and commentary, so I'll dig around in it and see what he has to say, but I don't have time to do it until tomorrow.
It's interesting that in the restriking process, the metal flowed in concentric circular waves, like the surface of water after a stone's throw.
you reckon that's what that is..? i always thought maybe it was fingerprints from an ancient.. but that's a plausible explanation RC.. KOOL!
