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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Roman Collector, post: 5370939, member: 75937&quot;]Though often described as &quot;The Three Graces&quot; in auction catalogs, the deities featured on the reverse of this coin are better described as the more generic term, &quot;Three Nymphs,&quot; because the term &quot;Three Graces&quot; refers to a specific statuary group, depicted in the same way on coinage throughout the Roman provincial series. I have discussed this previously in a <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/t-bone-tuesday-three-graces-edition.371636/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/t-bone-tuesday-three-graces-edition.371636/">thread devoted to the Three Graces</a> as well as <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/three-nymphs-not-three-graces.316058/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/three-nymphs-not-three-graces.316058/">one devoted to another three nymphs type</a> (of Julia Domna from Marcianopolis).</p><p><br /></p><blockquote><p><font size="3">[ATTACH=full]1229019[/ATTACH]</font></p><p><font size="3">Lucius Verus, AD 161-169.</font></p><p><font size="3">Roman Provincial Æ assarion, 4.23 g, 18 mm.</font></p><p><font size="3">Thrace, Augusta Trajana, AD 161-169.</font></p><p><font size="3">Obv: ΑV ΚΑΙ Λ ΑV-ΡΗ ΟVΗΡΟϹ, bare head, right.</font></p><p><font size="3">Rev: ΑV-Γ-ΟV-ϹΤΗϹ | ΤΡΑΙΑΝΗϹ, three nymphs, stolate, standing facing, arms draped on each other&#039;s shoulders and holding unknown objects (thymiatera? tripods?) at sides. </font></p><p><font size="3">Refs: <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/10343" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/10343" rel="nofollow">RPC IV 10343 (temporary)</a>; Schonert-Geiss 89; Varbanov II 909; Moushmov (1912) --; Moushmov Online 2987A; Staal, pl. 2, fig. 12.[1]</font></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><b>So who or what are these Three Nymphs, then? </b></p><p><br /></p><p>We don&#039;t know with certainty, but Edith Schönert-Geiss[2] suggests the depiction of the Three Nymphs on coins from Augusta Traiana and Trajanopolis represents the healing springs that flowed through the area. This is because other coins of this city depict the nymphs holding water jugs, which commonly symbolizes rivers in ancient iconography, such as this Æ 20 of Crispina. She also notes there was a cult in the city devoted to the worship of these nymphs. </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/crispina-augusta-traiana-three-nymphs-jpg.773410/" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><blockquote><p><font size="3">Staal, Pl. 3, Fig. 14; Schönert-Geiss, Augusta Traiana 113; Varbanov 945. Photo courtesy of CNG, electronic auction 319, <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3300018" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3300018" rel="nofollow">lot 193</a>, Jan 29, 2014.</font></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><b>But the nymphs on the Lucius Verus coins aren&#039;t holding water jugs. What the heck <i>are</i> they holding?</b></p><p><br /></p><p>There is no clear consensus what the nymphs are holding. Gerhard Hirsch hesitatingly describes the objects as <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=993457" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=993457" rel="nofollow">&quot;Girlande(?)&quot;</a> (garlands); Agora as <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4645479" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4645479" rel="nofollow">&quot;short columns&quot;</a>; CNG (following Staal) as <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=782783" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=782783" rel="nofollow">&quot;tripods or thymiateria&quot;</a>, but in another listing as <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3339814" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3339814" rel="nofollow">&quot;grain ears&quot;</a> and in yet another as a <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=729171" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=729171" rel="nofollow">&quot;wreath(?)&quot;</a>; and Peus as <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=985090" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=985090" rel="nofollow">&quot;Spindeln&quot;</a> (spindles) after Schönert-Geiss (p. 48). Moushmov online clearly errs when it describes the reverse as <a href="http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/moushmov/augusta_traiana.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/moushmov/augusta_traiana.html" rel="nofollow">&quot;center nymph holding a spinning wheel.&quot;</a> <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/10343" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/10343" rel="nofollow">RPC IV</a> misidentifies the figures as the Three Charities, but wisely does not attempt to interpret the objects they are holding.</p><p><br /></p><p>In an attempt to answer this question, I found the highest grade, best preserved example of a coin struck with this reverse die, <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7029345" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7029345" rel="nofollow">a coin depicting Marcus Aurelius on the obverse sold earlier this year</a> by Gorny &amp; Mosch, who describe the objects as &quot;thymiateria.&quot; Here is a close-up of the relevant features on the reverse.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1229037[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thymiaterion" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thymiaterion" rel="nofollow">Thymiateria</a> were used as incense altars both in temples and in homes throughout the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. Given that thymiateria exist in a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk03VRHqTTkqBzgBGuH-DriZ_PSxOiQ:1609717343937&amp;source=univ&amp;tbm=isch&amp;q=thymiaterion" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk03VRHqTTkqBzgBGuH-DriZ_PSxOiQ:1609717343937&amp;source=univ&amp;tbm=isch&amp;q=thymiaterion" rel="nofollow">variety of shapes, designs, and sizes</a>, this seems the most reasonable explanation to me, though other explanations are certainly possible.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Inventory and die studies</b></p><p><br /></p><p>The coin is scarce. Mark Staal, in a survey of major auctions from 1970-2004, was only able to find 2 examples for sale.[3] Since two of the coins on the following list are ex-Mark Staal, I presume these early auction listings are included and are not counted separately. All of the examples viewable online appear to have been struck with a single obverse die and a single reverse die. This is the inventory of known specimens:</p><ol> <li>My coin, <a href="https://www.biddr.com/auctions/numismatiknaumann/browse?a=1468&amp;l=1571235" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.biddr.com/auctions/numismatiknaumann/browse?a=1468&amp;l=1571235" rel="nofollow">Numismatik Naumann, Auction 98, lot 486, 3 Jan 2021</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/moushmov/augusta_traiana.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/moushmov/augusta_traiana.html" rel="nofollow">Moushmov online 2987A</a>=Wildwinds specimen, ancientcoinart.com, lot 3129, May 2003</li> <li><a href="https://www.academia.edu/39952000/Edith_Sch%C3%B6nert_Gei%C3%9F_Bearb_Die_M%C3%BCnzpr%C3%A4gung_von_Augusta_Traiana_und_Traianopolis_Griechisches_M%C3%BCnzwerk_Zentralinstitut_f%C3%BCr_Alte_Geschichte_und_Arch%C3%A4ologie" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.academia.edu/39952000/Edith_Sch%C3%B6nert_Gei%C3%9F_Bearb_Die_M%C3%BCnzpr%C3%A4gung_von_Augusta_Traiana_und_Traianopolis_Griechisches_M%C3%BCnzwerk_Zentralinstitut_f%C3%BCr_Alte_Geschichte_und_Arch%C3%A4ologie" rel="nofollow">Schönert-Geiss 89, pl 6</a>=<a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/183866" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/183866" rel="nofollow">RPC IV.1 10343(1)</a> (resolution not high enough to do die study)</li> <li><a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/355637" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/355637" rel="nofollow">RPC IV.1 10343(2)</a>=<a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=782783" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=782783" rel="nofollow">CNG Mailbid sale 84, lot 840, 5 May 2010</a> (ex-Staal)</li> <li><a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=993457" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=993457" rel="nofollow">Hirsch Auction 272, lot 606, 4 May 2011</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4645479" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4645479" rel="nofollow">Agora sale 71, lot 115, 26 Dec 2017</a></li> <li>Varbanov 909 plate coin=Staal plate coin, sold at <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3339814" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3339814" rel="nofollow">CNG Electronic Auction 372, lot 255, 6 Apr 2016</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=985090" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=985090" rel="nofollow">Busso Peus, Auction 403, lot 395, 27 Apr 2011</a></li> <li>One from a group lot, <a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3286791" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3286791" rel="nofollow">CNG Electronic Auction 297, lot 613, 27 Feb 2013</a> (obverse not illustrated)<br /> </li> <li>Another from the same group lot (obverse not illustrated).</li> </ol><p>In addition, there are two examples of a coin of Marcus Aurelius struck with the same obverse die as well as the same reverse die as the Lucius Verus examples.</p><ol> <li><a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7029345" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7029345" rel="nofollow">Gorny &amp; Mosch, online auction 271, lot 214, 29 May 2020</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=729171" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=729171" rel="nofollow">CNG Electronic Auction 225, lot 244, 13 Jan 2010</a> (misidentified as Lucius Verus); also ex-Staal.</li> </ol><p><i>Please post comments, coins from Augusta Traiana, three nymphs coins, or anything you feel is relevant! </i></p><p><br /></p><p>~~~</p><p><br /></p><p>Notes</p><p><br /></p><p>1. Staal, Mark A. <i>The Three Graces and Their Numismatic Mythology</i>. Mark A. Staal, 2004, pp. 88, 156. The coin is <a href="http://www.ancientcoinage.org/three-graces-coins.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.ancientcoinage.org/three-graces-coins.html" rel="nofollow">illustrated at Staal&#039;s website</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>2. Schönert-Geiss, Edith. <i>Griechisches münzwerk: Die münzpragung von Augusta Traiana und Traianopolis</i>. Akademie-Verlag, 1991, p. 48. Available <a href="https://www.academia.edu/39952000/Edith_Sch%C3%B6nert_Gei%C3%9F_Bearb_Die_M%C3%BCnzpr%C3%A4gung_von_Augusta_Traiana_und_Traianopolis_Griechisches_M%C3%BCnzwerk_Zentralinstitut_f%C3%BCr_Alte_Geschichte_und_Arch%C3%A4ologie" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.academia.edu/39952000/Edith_Sch%C3%B6nert_Gei%C3%9F_Bearb_Die_M%C3%BCnzpr%C3%A4gung_von_Augusta_Traiana_und_Traianopolis_Griechisches_M%C3%BCnzwerk_Zentralinstitut_f%C3%BCr_Alte_Geschichte_und_Arch%C3%A4ologie" rel="nofollow">online</a>. The relevant passage reads:</p><blockquote><p><br /></p><p>Die drei Nymphen spielten folglich in Augusta Traiana die Rolle der heilspendenden Quellnymphen. Ihr Kult war -- wie weitere zahlreiche Widmungen zeigen -- hochangesehen, und auch die Münzbilder liefern dafür entsprechende Beweise, indem wir auch auf ihnen den drei Nymphen begegnen. In ihrer Darstellungsweise variieren sie, indem die Göttinnen entweder nackt (Nr. 70, 263) oder in langen Gewändern (Nr. 89, 110-111, 113) wiedergegeben werden und entweder aus Krügen das heilspendende Wasser fließen lassen (Nr. 113, 263) oder in ihren Händen Spindeln (Nr. 89) bzw. Binden (Nr. 70) halten.</p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>3. Staal, <i>op. cit.</i>, table 12, p. 79.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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