That is the first time ever I come across such an amusing and unusual Roman coin. Coincidence occurred on Halloween. The obverse of this tiny coin shows a man, apparently with a musical instrument, watching a dancing woman before him. With open arms, the woman or queen seems practicing belly dancing. Hope you could also assist me to identify the reverse as well. Thanks.. Charles
This is an example of one type of what is called the civic, or pagan coinage struck under Maximian II. The obverse legend is GENIO ANTIOCHENI, and it's Tyche seated with the river god Orontes swimming below. (But you're right - it looks more like dancing than swimming.) The reverse legend is APOLLINI SANCTO - it's Apollo standing, holding a lyre and wreath. All of these types were struck at Antioch. These coins are somewhat scarce, but not terribly so. I need to collect one myself.
While the OP coin is in great shape, these, in fact, are not that scarce and even I own a few of the various types. The history of this type is as follows: PAGAN COINAGE OF THE GREAT PERSECUTION Though formerly attributed to the period of Julian II, these pieces were struck c. 305-313 as part of The Great Persecution of Christians in the east by Diocletian, Galerius and Maximinus II Daia. Though the persecution of Christians had occurred under many previous regimes since the 1st Century, it was pursued assiduously by the Tetrarchs. Indeed, it was only halted (it would seem) when they determined that it was working to the advantage of Constantine the Great, who embraced the religion as a result. Associated with the persecution is a series of 'autonomous' coins struck at the cities of Antioch, Nicomedia and Alexandria. The bulk of these coins were probably struck c. 310-312 under Galerius or Maximinus Daia (though the issues of Nicomedia can perhaps be attributed to Galeria Valeria, the second wife of Galerius). The issues of Alexandria occur in two denominations and celebrate Serapis and Nilus. With the voluminous issues of Antioch we find a variety of mint marks, officinae and control marks, which suggest the output was large and complex. Depicted on the issues of Antioch are some of the city's most famous statues: the Tyche erected by Eutychides (a pupil of Lysippus), the Apollo by Bryaxis of Athens, and possibly the Zeus Nikephoros of the Temple of Apollo at Daphne which Antiochus IV commissioned for his great festival of 167 B.C. MAXIMINUS II DAIA Quarter-Nummus OBVERSE: IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter seated left holding globe & sceptre REVERSE: VICTORIA AVGG, Victory advancing left with wreath & palm, officina letter to right, ANT in ex. Struck at Antioch, 310-313 AD 1.2g, 15mm Vagi 2955 MAXIMINUS II DAIA Quarter-Nummus OBVERSE: GENIO ANTIOCHENI, Tyche of Antioch seated facing on rocks, turreted and veiled, stalks of grain in right, river-god Orontes swimming below REVERSE: APOLLONI SANCTO, Apollo standing left, patera in right, lyre in left. A in right field, mintmark SMA Struck at Antioch, 312 AD 1.2g, 13mm Van Heesch 3, A
I guess what I mean by "somewhat scarce" is that I haven't found one in a condition that I'd want to spend money on. I'll take Charles' coin though.
That is really encouraging JA . Thank you again, and to all who contributed in this thread. I wanted to ask you about the approximate value or price of this coin , at the current grade , for an ordinary interested collector . Charles
its what someone is willing to pay.... this will be more if two people desire the coin and its rare....
I was going to argue about the price of $75, but when I looked at what is for sale, that price does not seem out of line. I believe you can still get these at decent prices. I bought the two I showed in the past two years with the first selling for $37 shipped and the second for $22 shipped. I've seen these on the bay for around the same prices.
That is a fair and good price for me, especially that I'm dealing with a brother like most if not all members of CoinTalk. Now this could be the first time I sell a coin on the Internet. I don't know the rules of the site, nor do I know the recent legislations of my country.Sorry.. Hope I could sell. Charles
Charles, if you're referring to me, I can't buy the coin at the moment. I'm saving up for Christmas and then a coin show in New York, so I'm trying to keep my purchases very small. You can offer coins to people by PM, or use the selling forums - those are the rules of the forum.
