I just received this monster coin from the mailbox, and reading that they are not exactly sure where in Bithynia the mint was located but at a guess Nicomedia being the Metropolis there in Roman times is a good bet. Diocletian made it the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire in 286 when he introduced the Tetrarchy system. Nicomedia remained as the eastern (and most senior) capital of the Roman Empire until co-emperor Licinius was defeated by Constantine the Great at the Battle of Chrysopolis in 324. Constantine resided mainly in Nicomedia as his interim capital for the next six years, until in 330 when he declared the nearby Byzantium (renamed Constantinople) the new capital. Constantine died in his royal villa in the vicinity of Nicomedia in 337. Due to its position at the convergence of the Asiatic roads leading to the new capital, Nicomedia retained its importance even after the foundation of Constantinople. Bronze AE 33, RPC Online III 1017 (3 spec.); Rec Gen I.2 p. 241, 38; SNG Cop -; SNGvA -; 38; BMC Pontus -, gF, brown patina, some roughness, smoothing on reverse, reverse die breaks, cracks, weight 25.115 g, maximum diameter 33.2 mm, die axis 180o, uncertain (Nicomedia?) mint, 2nd issue; obverse AYT KAIC TPAI A∆PIANOC CEB, laureate head right; reverse octastyle temple (Temple of Rome and Augustus at Nicomedia?), Corinthian columns, on podium of two steps, pellet between middle columns, pediment ornamented with a small figure holding a scepter and sacrificing on an altar, KOI-NON in divided line flanking across center, BEIOYNIANC over prow right in exergue; from the Dr. Sam Mansourati Collection, ex Classical Numismatic Group e-auction 349 (22 Apr 2015), lot 264; Ancient Resource; very rare; POST YOUR HADRIAN COINS AND OR BITHYNIA COINS.
That’s an awesome pick up @Ancient Aussie ! Those big ole heavy provincial bronzes feel great in-hand don’t they! Here’s a few of my Hadrians (that you’ve all already seen) Hadrian: Benefactor of Africa Roman Empire Hadrian (AD 117 – 138) AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 134 – 138 Dia.: 17 mm Wt.: 2.98 g Obv.: HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP; Laureate head right Rev.: AFRICA; Africa with elephant headdress reclining left, holding scorpion and cornucopia, basket of grain at feet Ex L. Rose Collection Roman Empire Emperor Hadrian (AD 117-138) AE Sestertius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 134-138 Dia.: 31 mm Wt.: 22.77 g Obv.: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P; Laureate and draped bust right Rev.: PIETAS AVG; Pietas standing, praying with hands upraised at alter, left, stork to right, S-C across fields Ref.: RIC II 771
Thanks Curtis, yes it makes it seem like your getting your money's worth. Your two both have great portraits, fantastic coins.
Nice bronze monster, AA. Nicomedia sounds like a good bet considering its size and importance in the region. Here's are a Hadrian and a Nicomedia... HADRIAN AR Denarius. 3.38g, 18.8mm. Rome mint, AD 117. RIC 9; RSC 248a. O: IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO AVG DIVI TRA, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right wearing balteus (sword-belt) across chest. R: PARTH F DIVI NER NEP P M TRP COS, Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera, arms rested on figure of Spes; CONCORD below. Ex Michael Kelly Collection PLAUTILLA Rare. AE Assarion. 3.68g, 19.4mm. BITHYNIA, Nicomedia, circa AD 202-205. RG 253 (same obv. die); Lindgren & Kovacs 172 (same obv. die). O: ΦOY ΠΛAYTIΛΛA CEBA-CTH, draped bust right. R: NIKOMHΔEΩN - ΔIC NEΩKO/PΩN (second neocorate), (Female?) Ichthyocentaur, diademed, nude, with forefeet of horse and serpentine-shaped fishtail, riding left over waves, holding rudder over left shoulder and in extended right hand unknown object (dolphin?).
Wonderful coin... you certainly have some great stuff! A few of my rough Hadrians.. the first one I purchased very early.. only a few months into my collecting interest and it has been quite awhile since I have looked back. Kind of nice to relive the joy I felt when this one first arrived. Before this coin it was pretty much LRBs. A special coin for me. As you see my taste (and budget) has stayed on the "well circulated" side of things....
Thanks, but those well circulated types of yours are great coins especially the bottom two the portraits are fantastic.
Hadrian Cistophoros of Bythinia Mint Most likely Nicomedia Rv Facade of the Temple of Rome and Augustus 128 A.D. Metcalf B1.8 RPC 968 10.54 grms 25 mm
It's not Bithynia, but it is Hadrian, and it is a "Koinon" - my first "Koinon" - which I have only the foggiest notions as to what that is (I plan on further research) Hadrian Diassarion Æ 19 Nikomachos, strategos Koinon of Thessaly (117-138 A.D.) [AΔPIAN]ΩN KAICAPA ΘЄCAΛOI, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust r. / ϹΤΡΑ ΟΥΛ ΝΙΚΟΜΑΧΟΥ, Athena Itonia r. with spear and shield. RPC 454; BCD Thessaly II 951.1. (3.53 grams / 19 mm)
Very nice aand hefty AE, @Ancient Aussie . Well done finding that one. BITHYNIA: Bithynia Kios 250 BCE AE11 1.06g Laureate hd Mithra r Kantharos 2 grape bunches hanging K-I below within a wreath SNG Cop 382 HADRIAN: (My only "AE" of Hadrian) RI Hadrian, AD 117-138 Æ Limes Denarius 18mm 3.5mm after AD 125 Genius stndg sacrificing altar cornucopia RIC II 173 And, here is one that is sometimes a little harder to get: RI Hadrian AR Quinarius 1.3g, 14mm Rome, AD 119-122 cuirassed laureate COS III Victory seated wreath palm RIC 108a
Sorry I missed your post, to answer your query on what Koinon means although I am no expert but as far as I know it means it is a group of cities inside the province in your case Thessaly.
