I'm suffering from a winter cold. Fortunately I just got this to comfort me. Not only Asclepius, god of medicine, but also his little helper Telesphorus. I love the unusual front-facing portrait. Feeling better already. CARACALLA (198-217). Denarius. Rome. RIC 253 corr. (Asclepius head left). Weight: 2.83 g. Diameter: 19 mm.
Get well soon! Here are a couple more Severan Dynasty coins to help with healing. One from Caracalla's dad: Septimius Severus, AD 193-211. Roman Provincial Æ 20.5 mm, 5.63 gm. Bithynia, Nicaea AD 193-211. Obv: ΑΥ ΚΛ CΕΠ CΕΥΗΡΟC CEB, laureate head, right. Rev: ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ, Asklepios standing facing, head left, holding serpent-staff. Ref: Waddington/Babelon/Reinach, Recueil général des monnaies grecques d'Asie mineure, no. 333, citing a retouched specimen in Milan, AE 21 with illegible obverse legend. And one from Caracalla's creepy first cousin once removed: Elagabalus, AD 218-222. Roman provincial Æ assarion, 2.36 g, 16.1 mm, 12 h. Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, AD 218-222. Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC, laureate head, right. Rev: ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Telesphoros standing facing, wearing hooded cloak. Refs: AMNG I 910; Varbanov 1421-22; Moushmov 652; SNG Budapest 191.
Sharp Caracalla! That front-facing Asclepius is indeed cool. I don't have Asclepius, so how about Salus? (Wretched image from my flatbed scanner days) And in honor of your username, a handshake with Nerva.
Here's an as of Rubrius Dossenus. You can just make out the snake wrapped around the column between the heads of Janus, and its head poking out above. It was supposed to help cure Rome of its plague, though considering how it turned out for the side that produced the coin maybe it's best you don't rely on its help... L. Rubrius Dossenus, 87 BC, AE As. Obv: Laureate head of Janus, altar with serpent coiled around it between Rev: Prow of galley right, RVBRI DOSSEN above Crawford 348/5
Great Caracalla @Nerva . The reverse is especially interesting and, as you say, very appropriate to your situation. Get well soon! Here are a couple of recent Severan purchases for the thread. Caracalla's father, Septimius Severus ...and his brother, Geta
May Asklepios and his flying serpent cure your ills 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 And his creepy little sidekick: MOESIA INFERIOR. Marcianopolis. Elagabalus (218-222) AE 17, 2.5 gm Obv: AVT K M AVP ANTΩNINOC; laureate head right. Rev: MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN; Telesphorus standing facing. Ref: Varbanov 1422. I hope you feel better soon . Fantastic denarius-- I love that facing version of Asklepios!