Roma auctions have been good to me lately, and last week I was lucky enough to come away with this Roman Provincial gem. Asclepius, son of Apollo, was the Greek god of healing. His serpent entwined staff is still a universally recognized symbol of medical care. Named after Asclepius was the ancient greek equivalent of a hospital and full service wellness sanctuary, an Asclepeion. These places were holistic in nature; in addition to routine medical treatment patients could expect amenities like libraries, fitness centers, entertainment and of course plenty of spritual guidance... sounds nice doesn't it? Along with the priests and medical practitioners, an asclepeion was also home to many dogs and (harmless) snakes who were thought to have healing powers of their own. The Thracian town of Pautalia (modern day Kyustendil, Bulgaria) was founded around the 4th century BC, and is the site of one of the largest and most impressive Asclepeions in the region; apparently the 3rd largest on the Balkan Peninsula. It really is no suprise then to see our friend the healer make an appearance on the local coinage. ..... ... .. But to do so with such panache? Amazing! Description Septimius Severus Æ29 of Pautalia, Thrace. AD 193-211. AY K Λ CЄΠTI CЄVHPOC ΠЄP, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Asclepius seated right on back of winged serpent, holding serpent-entwined staff; serpent-entwined staff; OVΛΠIAC ΠAVTAΛIAC in two lines below. Varbanov 4681-9 var. (obv. legend). 29mm 14.65g, 7h Very Fine. Extremely Rare. Please post your Asclepius, Serpents, or anything else you feel is relevant.
Well now, I can certainly see why that one has your appreciation. I want an ancient "serpent" coin (and one with an octopus, too), but always seemed to get outbid on the few I've taken a stab at. The "cista mystica" types don't appeal to me so much, but that could change, I suppose. That big 'un you have there is very, very impressive. Bet it wasn't cheap.
This will count as my first serpent coin too, and as is often the case with rarities the type just wasn't on my radar until this example came along. It certainly wasnt cheap but not out of sight either. I'm entirely comfortable with the price paid.
Oh that is fantastic! It's the most artist example of that reverse I've seen! Envious Here's the same type issued by his son. THRACE, Pautalia. Caracalla CE 198-217 AE29, 16.4 gm Obv: AYT K M AY CEY ANTΩNEINOC; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev: OYΛΠIAC ΠAYTAΛIAC; Asklepios seated right on back of winged serpent Ref: Varbanov 5007 Caracalla was a supplicant of Asklepios, reportedly beseeching the god to cure his illness. The exact nature of his illness is unknown but sounds mental. Cassius Dio recorded these speculations in Roman History, book LXXVIII, 15.3-7. "For he was sick not only in body, partly from visible partly from secret ailments, but in mind as well, suffering from certain distressing visions, and often he thought he was being pursued by his father and by his brother, armed with swords." Dio opines that the gods were not impressed by his offerings, judging Caracalla by his deeds rather than his gifts. "This showed most clearly that they regarded, not his votive offerings or his sacrifices, but only his purposes and his deeds. He received no help from Apollo Grannus, nor yet from Aesculapius or Serapis, in spite of his many supplications and his unwearying persistence. For even while abroad he sent to them prayers, sacrifices and votive offerings, and many couriers ran hither and thither every day carrying something of this kind; and he also went to them himself, hoping to prevail by appearing in person, and did all that devotees are wont to do; but he obtained nothing that contributed to health."
Absolutely lovely! This reverse type is now on my wanted list! Here's my new favorite Asklepios coin -- because it features his daughter, Hygieia, alongside him! Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman provincial Æ 22.7 mm, 6.54 g, 7 h. Thrace, Hadrianopolis, AD 147-155. Obv: ·I·AVCTEINA CEBACTH, pearl-diademed and draped bust, right. Rev: AΔPIANOΠOΛEITΩN, Hygieia, feeding serpent from patera, and Asklepios, leaning on serpent-entwined staff, standing facing one-another. Refs: RPC (temp) 10453; SNG Cop 560; Jurukova 84-87; Varbanov 3219; Moushmov 2521; Mionnet suppl. 2, 636.
Very cool coin, congratulations. I only got 1 Greek coin featuring Asklepios with a serpent. Mysia, Pergamon. Asklepios bronze coin. (133–27 B.C.) Obverse: Laureate head of Asklepios right Reverse: Serpent entwined around staff of Asklepios. ΑΣΚΛΗΠΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ. Reference: SNG von Aulock 1373, SNG Cop. 370-376. 4.03g; 15mm
kool coin Nvb....who doesn't like a serpent coin?!....i need more in my collection as well..i bought this coin just because it had a snake on it (?) Marcrinus & Diadumenian Serpent Roman/Greek provincial...
That's a fantastic reverse, @Nvb! Congrats on the win. This post reminds me that I have an example of this provincial type under Caracalla afflicted with BD in need of some "healing."
I love these types! Here are some coins I think are relevant: Septimius Severus, 193 - 211 AD Æ 8 Assaria, 32mm, 15.31g, 8h; Thrace, Pautalia Mint. Obv.: AV K A CEΠTI CEVHPOC ΠEP; Laureate head of Septimius right. Rev.: OVΛΠIAC ΠAVTAΛIAC; Fourfold coiled serpent with erect head right. It's little brother: Commodus; Philppopolis, Thrace; AD 180-192 AE, 4.07g, 18mm; 6h Obv.: AY K? M?...-KOMOΔOC; laureate head right Rev.: [Φ]ΙΛΙΠΠΟ[ΠOΛEITΩN]; bearded, coiled serpent with two head fins Ref.: Varbanov 994 - Wildwinds offers no description of the legend. Looking at other coins the obverse description may read AY K AI AYP KOMOΔOC. The K on the obv is hard to read and the AI looks a lot like an M. My understanding is Varbanov is not clear on this coin either. Caracalla, AD 198-217 AE30, 14.9g, 7h; Thrace, Pautalia. Obv.: AVT K MAVP CEV ANTONEINOC, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: OVΛΠIAC ΠAVTAΛIAC, Asklepios standing front, looking left, leaning on serpent-entwined staff. How about a Hygieia? Caracalla, AD 198-217. Æ30, 16.2g, 7h; THRACE, Serdica. Obv.: AVT K M AVP CEVH ANTWNEINOC; Laureate head right. Rev.: OYΛΠIAC CEΡΔIKHC; Hygieia standing right, feeding serpent in arms.
I’ll be lazy and post some photos and a link to my Forvm collection. I have more of these than I realized, hence my laziness in not typing out the descriptions. The first is Julia Domna but the rest are Septimius Severus. If you would like to read about each coin, check out my Forvm collection: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6295
My only Asclepius: One could image that having your own brother murderd, in the arms of your mother, would cause a malfunction in the brain. Or would it have been the other way around; the malfunction was already there?
That's a big sweet provincial @Nvb ! What a cool reverse! I have a Asklepios and serpent from Mysia match with pavlos.
