Mystery Gordian III of Anchialus

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by John Anthony, Jun 2, 2019.

  1. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    Anchialus issued coins for Gordian III with reverses depicting an athlete holding a wreath and palm branch. These types are very rare, and every example I've come across shows the athlete facing front, head turned left, wreath in right hand, palm in left, E in left field. See this example at vcoins.

    I came across this coin (from a recently purchased collection) with a different orientation: athlete facing, head right, wreath in left hand, palm in left hand draped over shoulder, E in right field...

    gordian anchialus.jpg

    I cannot for the life of me find another example of this variant. All of my print and internet resources come up empty. Has anyone seen this coin before?
    29mm, 13.3g, 6h.
     
    ominus1, randygeki, chrsmat71 and 6 others like this.
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  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Moushmov 2920 is close: "Fighter naked standing right, holding long palm and wreath; urn below, E in field." I just don't see an urn below on your coin.
     
    ominus1, John Anthony and 7Calbrey like this.
  4. shanxi

    shanxi Well-Known Member

  5. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

  6. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Very interesting coin @John Anthony ! Looks like the mystery is unraveled.
     
  7. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Look at what I found in Mionnet Suppl. 2 (Paris, 1822)!

    Gordian III Anchialus athlete with palm and wreath Mionnet listing.JPG
     
  8. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    Can you translate that for those of us who speak American. :p:rolleyes:
     
  9. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    The description of the reverse is:

    Nude figure standing, holding in the right hand a palm, and in the left a wreath; in the field, E.
     
    Sallent likes this.
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