My new archaic Apollo! AKA Pretty boy parade and a plethora of portraits

The ever youthful Greek God Apollo, or as the Romans referred to him...Apollo, was twin brother to Artemis (and the only man she would allow into her life). And God of healing, music, medicine, the sun... and looking like a chic (don't deny it, you totally thought he was a hot goddess when you first saw him on a coin).
I just received, via, DHL, my new archaic Apollo!

IONIA. Kolophon. Obol (Circa 530/25-500 BC).
Obv: Archaic head of Apollo right.
Rev: Quadripartite incuse square.
Cf. SNG Kayhan 352 (tetartemorion); cf. SNG von Aulock 1811 (hemiobol).
Condition: Very fine.
Weight: 0.82 g.
Diameter: 8 mm.
Ex: Numismatik Naumann

"Whoa, whoa!" You may be saying, "What's up with the braids and cornrows?"
Well, as you probably remember, early or archaic (which actually does NOT mean basic or poor in style, as it is used now, simply means the beginning of) Greek art had a very distinct style as can be evidenced in the Apollo of Veii:


(Come on Daphne, look at that smile. How could she resist?)

(Well, at least she tried, due to Eros arrow. NOT Apollo at his best, due to a separate arrow of Eros. Though, the Greeks seemed to revel in the fact that their gods did whatever they wanted)

Don't worry, I'm not going to make any bad jokes about Apollo being the inventor of the pretentious looking man bun.


After all, we are here to celebrate a God. Not make bad jokes...



Apollo seems to have had as many looks as the Greeks have body hair:

(A well plucked Apollo on ancient pottery showing off his skills on the lyre)

As far as I can find my new coin is one of, if not, the first image of Apollo on coin. But certainly not my first Apollo!

Man bun alert!

BRUTTIUM, Rhegion
Circa 415/0-387 BCE. Æ 11mm (1.76 gm). Lion's head facing / PHΓIN[...], laureate head of Apollo right. Cf. SNG ANS 702; HN Italy 2524. Good VF, dark green patina

Who is that foxy momma...I mean

LYDIA, Sardes
133 BC-AD 14. Æ.
Laureate head of Apollo right. / Club within laurel wreath; monogram above.
SNG Copenhagen 470-482. BMC 238
17 mm, 4,62 g

At some point he must've been known as a lover aaand a fighter as a wonderfully rendered caestus on this coins reverse attests:
Ionia, Smyrna
Civic issue. 2nd-1st century BCE 75-50 BCE Metrodoros, son of Menekles, magistrate. laureate head of Apollo right within dotted border / [ΞΜ]ΥΡΝΑΙΩ[Ν] / [ΜΗΤ]ΡΟΔΩΡ[ΟΣ] , ethnic and magistrate's name vertically downwards to right and left of hand in caestus; palm-branch to right. Cf. BMC 56; Cf. Milne 393; Cf. SNG Cop 1172. VF, smooth tan-green patina.
"caestus" is a early version of the boxing glove


Antiochos II
261-246 BCE Æ (18mm, 3.9g, 12h). Tralles. Laureate head of Apollo r. R/ Tripod; monogram to outer l., ? to r., anchor in exergue. SC 599; HGC 9, 253b. Green patina




So please post all your different faces of histories greatest pretty boy, thoughts, stories or whatever gets ahold of your Daphne!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

How FUN!!!

Here's Apollo Sauroktonos, man bun and all!


Macrinus, AD 217-218.
Roman provincial Æ pentassarion, 12.64 g, 27 mm, 1 h.
Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis, Legate Marcus Claudius Agrippa, AD 218.
Obv: ΑV Κ ΟΠΠΕΛ CΕVΗ ΜΑΚΡΙΝΟC, laureate head, right.
Rev: VΠ ΑΓΡΙΠΠΑ ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟC ΙCΤΡΩ, Nude Apollo with crossed legs standing right, his right arm drawn back, his left on a tree trunk, from which a lizard (?) leaps across to him.
Refs: AMNG I 1687; Moushmov 1210; Hristova and Jekov 8.23.7.2; Varbanov 3348; Mionnet Suppl. 2, p. 148, 541.

 

That's an old coin!.....and really enjoyed the write up!
Here's a cool looking Apolloooooo...
Thessalian League. Around 197-150 BC. AE Trichalcon (7.64 gm, 19mm). Hippolo(chos), magistrates.
Obverse: laureate head of Apollo right.
Reverse: ΘEΣΣA ΛΩN (THESSALON) in two lines, Athena Itonia striding right, hurling spear held in her right hand, shield on her left arm; ΙΠΠ-ΟΛΟ (IPOLLO magistrates name) over spear and A-PI across central field.
BCD Thessaly II, 900.3; Rogers 21.SNG Copenhagen 315.

 

Nice job, @Ryro ! Really like your coins and thanks for the write-up!

I have Beau-Coup APOLLO's:

But, I will only bore folks with just a few

STAR TREK




ROME


Roman Republic 234-231 BCE AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm Apollo-Horse prancing Crawford 26-1 Sear 28


KEBREN


Kebren AR Obol Archaic hd Apollo Left - Hd Ram in Incuse sq 5th C BCE 7.65mm 0.64g SNG Ash 1086


TROAS - Neandria

TROAS Neandria AR Obol 4thC BCE 0.56g 8mm Laur hd Apollo r - NEA N Ram stdng right within incuse sq SNG Cop 446


BRUTTIUM - Rhegion


Bruttium Rhegion 415-387 BCE AE 11mm 2.46g Facing lion hd - Laureate hd of Apollo Left SNG ANS 697 var

IONA Kolophon


Iona Kolophon AR Tetartemorion 530-520 BCE Archaic Apollo Incuse Punch 0.15g 4.5mm- SNG Kayhan 343 Left old


THRACE


Thrace Lysimachus AE 14 306 BC Apollo forepart of Lion


CAMPANIA


Campania AE Apollo-Achelous -275-250BCE PLATE COIN 3 KNOWN RARE SNG ANS 474 - Listed Potamikon pg 232 Plate 343


MAKEDON


Makedon Philip III Arrhidaeus-Alex IV Drm Amphipolis mint 259g 13mm Apollo-Youth horse R SNG ANS 621 Le Rider123


WEeeellll, Looky-der... My QUINCUNX is an APOLLO

QUINCUNX (The Land of FIVE in Italia!)


Roman Republic Anon 210 BCE AE 23 Quincunx 6.96g Apollo P behind Dioscuri Luceria 5 pellets Cr 99-4 Syd 309 S 910 Very Rare

 

MOON


Apollo 11


One of my GRANDSONs is named APOLLO


4yo


ROMAN REPUBLIC


RR Anon AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm 275-270 BCE ROMANO Apollo Left-Galloping Horse Sear23

 

This one's my favorite!

Here are a few of mine. Apollo Lykeios, the original Dances with Wolves...

HERENNIA ETRUSCILLA
AE29. 13.29g, 29.4mm. CILICIA, Tarsus, AD 249-251. RPC 1368. O: ΑΝΝΙΑΝ (sic) ΑΙΤΡΟΥϹΚΙΛΛΑΝ ϹƐ, draped bust right, wearing stephane, crescent behind shoulders. R: Τ - ΑΡϹΟV ΜΗ – ΤΡΟΠΟΛƐΩϹ around, Α /Μ / Κ - Γ / Β in field, Cult statue of Apollo Lykeios standing left on omphalos, head right, holding wolf by forelegs in each hand.
Ex Bill Behnen Collection (purchased from Fred Shore, 30 Oct 1989)

Apollo Didymeus, the only Apollo boss enough to have two Nemeseis serve as his executive assistants...


ANTONINUS PIUS
AE Drachm. 24.25g, 33.5mm. EGYPT, Alexandria, RY 10 = AD 146/7. RPC Online temp 13590; Emmett 1457; Dattari Savio 8311-12. O: ΑVΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤωΝƐΙΝΟС СƐΒ ƐVС, laureate head right. R: Apollo Didymeus (of Miletus) standing, facing, holding stag and bow, tripod at feet; between the Nemeseis of Smyrna, one on right holding cubit-rule; L ΔƐΚΑΤΟV in exergue.
Ex Dr Walter Neussel Collection

And finally, Apollo, who taught Madonna how to strike a pose.

SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS with JULIA DOMNA
AE Pentassarion. 11.8g, 27.1mm. MOESIA INFERIOR, Marcianopolis, circa AD 210-211. Flavius Ulpianus, legatus consularis. Varbanov 850 var. (Э on reverse). O: AV K Λ CЄΠ CЄVHPOC IOVΛIA ΔOMNA CЄ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus right, facing draped bust of Julia Domna left. R: [V+Λ OV]ΛΠIANOV MAPKIANOΠ[OΛ], Apollo standing facing, head right, with hand on head and holding bow; quiver at feet to left, serpent coiled round tree stump to right, Є in left field.

 

@Ryro, I would never call Apollo a pretty-boy (a pejorative term). He's pretty, that's all, although I admit that in the third image below he could do with a rhinoplasty . Frankly, I think you're jealous!

 

Thank you! He is a happy, great little guy!

Unfortunately, at the age of 6 months, he, and his two sisters lost their Father in an automobile accident as he was driving home from work.

Apollo and I are ORANGE Buddies, as his favorite color and my favorite color is orange. Every other day or so, I ask him “where’s your orange?” Meaning are you wearing any orange color on his clothes or something orange on him. Sometimes he has some. I always do, because my phone is orange, or my orange case iPad is. And, I have a few shirts with orange.

Sometimes I pronounce Apollo as Apple-O

APOLLO


RR Anon AE Double-Litra 275-270 BC Apollo Lion S 590 Cr 16-1a

 

I'm so sorry, @Alegandron. How sad. I lost my mother the same way when I was 20 and we were in a car accident while she was driving me home from college. It's hard.

 

Thank you for your thoughts. Yes, it is sad. I am very sorry for your loss. How tough that must had been on you.

He pulled a nite shift, and was clearly exhausted from the Police and Coroner’s reports. Head on collision into a Semi. Left an 8 year old, 2 year old, and Apollo when he was 6 months.

 

So sorry that happened, Brian. It must have been very rough on your family.

So nice for you both to have a close relationship!

 

Thank you, @zumbly . It is past, now.

Apollo is a good little guy. Happy, and inquisitive.

 

Aeolis Myrina Tetradrachm c 155BC
Obs- head of Apollo facing right
3 tight braids Severe early style
16.8g 33.19mm
A Stephanophoric tetradrachm
Simplified severe 3 tight braided hair style similar to Sacks 13
Rev- Apollo Grynios standing right in himetion, RH holding phiale, LH holding branch and filaments
Right field Ompholos and trophy at feet, ΜΥΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ monogram TKAN
All surrounded by wreath

 

Another fun post, Ryro! Love the puns .

Like most of us I have many coins of the lovely and often effeminate (by today's standards) Apollo.

Full body:


KINGS of MACEDON. Antigonos III Doson, 229-221 BCE
struck 227-225 BCE, Amphipolis mint?
AR tetradrachm, 32 mm, 17.1 gm
Obv: wreathed head of Poseidon right
Rev: Apollo seated left on prow left, holding bow; monogram below.
Ref: Panagopoulou 50–3 var. (unlisted dies); EHC 436; Touratsoglou 52–3; SNG Saroglos 933; SNG Alpha Bank 1046; SNG Ashmolean 3266


TROAS, Alexandria. Trebonianus Gallus
CE 251-253
AE 21 mm, 4.76 gm
Obv: IMP VIB TREB GALVS AV; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: COL AV / TROA; Apollo, head right and holding kithara, seated facing on griffin springing right, head left
Ref: RPC IX 407; Bellinger A403


EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius
regnal year 11 (147/8 CE)
billon tetradrachm, 23 mm, 14 gm
Obv: ANTωNEINOCCEB EVCEB; laureate draped bust right, seen from behind
Rev: Apollo Didymeus standing facing, holding quiver and stag; LENΔEKATOV around
Ref: Emmett 1358.11; RPC Online 14267; Dattari-Savio Pl. 108, 8084.
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/alexandrian-tetradrachm-with-an-unusual-deity.335154/


MOESIA INFERIOR, Nikopolis ad Istrum. Caracalla
Ovinius Tertullus, legatus consularis.
AE 28, 13.05 gm
Obv: AV K M AVP ANTΩNINOC; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: VΠA OOVI TEPTOVΛΛOV ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟC Ι; Apollo Sauroktonos standing right, holding laurel branch and leaning hand upon a tree stump with a lizard climbing up it.
Ref: H&J 8.18.7.1; Varbanov -.

Head or bust only:


AEOLIS, Grynion (alt. spellings: Gryneion, Gyrnion, Grynium, others)
4th century BC
Æ 17 mm, 3.7 gm
Obi: laureate head of Apollo facing slightly left
Rev: ΓΥΡΝΗΙΩΝ; mussel shell
Ref: SNG Ashmolean 1445-6; SNG Copenhagen 202-4


ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi
90 BCE, Rome
AR quinarius, 13 mm, 1.9 gm
Obv: laureate head of Apollo right; R behind head
Rev: L PI - SO / FRVGI; Victory standing right, holding palm frond and wreath
Ref: Crawford 340/2e


EGYPT, Alexandria. Nero
year 13, CE 66/7
tetradrachm
Obv: NEPΩKΛAYKAIΣΣEBΓEP; radiate head right
Rev: Laureate bust of Apollo right; AYTOKPA; LIΓ
Ref: Emmett 110(13) R1, Milne 248


Maybe Apollo, depending on who you ask:


Roman Republic, L. Caesius
112-111 BCE
AR denarius, 3.92 gm
Obv: bust of Vejovis (some references say Apollo?) from behind, head turned left, holding a thunderbolt, legend AP; dotted border.
Rev: Lares praestites seated with heads left, dog between, bust of Vulcan above, with tongs behind; legend LA-RE; dotted border.
Ref: Crawford 298/1. Sydenham 564. RSC Caesia 1


GAUL, Massalia
c. 350-150 BCE
AR obol; 0.59 gm, 10mm
Obv: youthful male head left (Apollo?)
Rev: wheel with four spokes; M A within two quarters
Ref: Depeyrot, Hellénistiques, Type 18; SNG Leipzig 13.
AMCC Auction 1, lot 1, 1 December 2018
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/1-1-1-1-1-won.327885/


Magnesia ad Maeandrum under Themistocles, 465-459 BCE
AR hemiobol, 0.35g 7.5mm
Obv: Barley grain with Θ to left, E to right
Rev: Male head right (Apollo?), (flanked by M A?)
Reference: Nollé and Wenninger Th 5c
(Sev's images; I still haven't taken decent pictures of this teensie coin)

 

Ionia. Kolophon. Circa 530-500 BC. AR Hemiobol (6mm, 0.33g). Obv: Archaic head of Apollo left. Rev: Rough incuse square. Ref: Kim & Kroll 192b (O132/R131); SNG Kayhan 342; SNG von Aulock 1810.

 

I believe my earliest Apollo is this AR stater of Kaulonia from the 5th century.
I wish I had one to show but the same city issued the incuse reverse style stater a century earlier. Thanks to CNG for this photo of a coin I will never afford. For what these bring you can get a rather nice car that will lose a lot of value when you drive it off the lot. Walking is starting to look better.
https://cngcoins.com/Lot.aspx?LOT_I...1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_4=1&VIEW_TYPE=0

 

Some AMAZING coins here... so far!
Thanks RC! LOVE that Sauroktonos. Been on my list for a while. Excellent patina
Same for you @Spaniard! And excellent portrait.
Very interesting type @Clavdivs and @TIF. Though, you both have the attribution wrong.
It's clearly from the great city of (g)Ryronion
I knew if anyone was going to correct my flagrant Apollo foul of not showing off my Phillip II Apollos, @Alegandron would be up for the job

Philip II
Rider Bronze 359-336 BC. Mint in Macedonia. Obv: head of Apollo right, hair bound in a taenia. Rev: FILIPPOY legend above youthful rider on horseback prancing right; trident head and AR monogram beneath the horse. SNG ANS 908. 6.48 grams. (").
Good very fine.

But don't think that archaic Kebren alluded my all seeing gaze *no comment in regards to your geeky/sexy Star trek Apollo (I guess that was a comment... dang it!)
And what a adorable grandson
My oldest son is 5 and just started kindergarten today!

(On his birthday we'd come up with a series of rhyming clues, leading us all over the place, for him to figure out to get to find his birthday "treasure chest" up at the homestead resort in Heber Ut)
Sorry to read of your and @DonnaML's family losses. My poppa lost his only sister a couple weeks ago.

It's Apollo... of course I'm JEALOUS Dudes the God of ever being a young, smart, musician who looks like Jim Morrison and Mic Jagger's love child:



And @zumbly, I believe you've entirely miss identified the reverse of your Apollo Lykeios
I've seen this before... cat juggling!

Seriously some show stoppers and a hilarious post ta boot!

Fantastic apollo on Apollo there @NewStyleKing!


Hooowiee TIFy! Some straight up masterpieces right thar
That Doson is surreal
Though, you know if a coins reverse is described as Apollo riding a Griffin while playing his kithara, you should be excited... but yours just has such a wonderful style
And gat dang don't even get me started about your Themistocles After I finish a book or study on ATG I just keep finding myself going back to reading on the Peloponnesian war
And I'd never heard Vejovis could be our huckleberry!
But I've got a half decent one


Excellent archaic bro-ring on your Apollo @Edessa!

Amazing archaic @dougsmit
And I wish you and I both had one of those coins my man! I would gladly trade in my car and use my chevro-legs for a piece like that

 

LOL, yeah, I was amazed! That is why I slipped that in there... subtle...

And thank you for the family comments. However, been a bit tough lately. Just lost my Father-in-Law, knew for over 40 years, like a father to me. Covid. Passed a few weeks ago.

 

Rest assured my brother from another mother it was literally the coin I pulled when the system reminded me that there was no more than ten pics allowed.
More for retribution: