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Top 15 Roman Provincials for 2021
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<p>[QUOTE="DonnaML, post: 8081657, member: 110350"]I'm too indecisive to narrow the list down to 10, so I've decided to post 15, in chronological order to the extent that's possible. Of course the photos won't all fit in one post, but the second one shouldn't take long to finish after I put up the first one. Unfortunately, the poll template appears to allow the listing of only ten choices, so if you want to vote for one of nos. 11-15 as well (or instead), I encourage you to post a "write-in" vote by naming the coin in a comment.</p><p><br /></p><p>I'm omitting or cutting short a lot of the footnotes I wrote for these coins, but will try to find the links to the original threads and post them here for anyone interested. To save space, I will also try to give the full citations to the various catalogs and other reference works I cite only the first time I cite them.</p><p><br /></p><p>There's no way to say this without coming across as being overly defensive, but please don't judge these coins by the same standards of condition and quality that you would Roman Imperial or Roman Republican coins. Full, readable legends? Wishful thinking for the most part! As our resident expert on Roman Provincials, especially Roman Egyptian coins, has said, it's all (or mostly) about finding coins with interesting reverses. Plus, even if the designs are often rather crude compared to a lot of Roman Imperials or Republicans -- never mind many ancient Greek coins -- I find many Provincials to be extremely appealing visually nonetheless. <i>De gustibus non disputandum est</i>, as the Romans used to say. (Or would have said had they ever really existed, now that we know that's in question.)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>1. Claudius I, billon [Sear]/AR [RPC] Tetradrachm, Year 2 [41/42 AD], Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ΤΙ ΚΛΑVΔΙ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙ ΑVΤΟΚΡ around, LΒ [Year 2] under chin / Rev. Draped bust of Antonia [Claudius’s mother] right, ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑ upwards to left, ΣΕΒΑΣΤΗ downwards to right. ); RPC [<i>Roman Provincial Coinage</i>] Vol. I 5117 (1992); RPC I Online at <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5117" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5117" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5117</a>; Emmett 73.2 [Emmett, Keith, <i>Alexandrian Coins</i> (Lodi, WI, 2001)]; Sear RCV I 1868 (ill.); Sear <i>GIC</i> 492 (ill.) [D. Sear, <i>Greek Imperial Coins and their Values</i> (1982)]; BMC 16 Alexandria 65 at p. 9 [Poole, Reginald Stuart, <i>A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 16, Alexandria</i> (London, 1892)]; K&G 12.3 [Kampmann, Ursula & Granschow, Thomas, <i>Die Münzen der römischen Münzstätte Alexandria</i> (2008)]; Milne 61-64 at p. 3 [Milne, J.G., <i>Catalogue of Alexandrian Coins </i>(Oxford 1933, reprint with supplement by Colin M. Kraay, 1971)]; Dattari (Savio) 114 [Savio, A. ed., <i>Catalogo completo della collezione Dattari Numi Augg. Alexandrini</i> (Trieste, 2007)]. 24 mm., 11.25 g.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403324[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>2. Nero and Divus Augustus, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 13 (66/67 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Radiate head of Nero left, ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ AY; in left field, LIE (Year 13) / Rev. Radiate head of Augustus right, ΘΕΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ. 24 mm., 11.6 g. RPC I Online 5294 (see <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5294" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5294" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5294</a>), Emmett 113.13, Milne 251 at p. 7, BMC 16 Alexandria 112 at p. 15, Dattari (Savio) 184, Sear RCV I 2007 (ill. p. 394).</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403326[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>3. Domitian and Domitia, AE 22.7, 93/94 AD, Cilicia, Anazarbus. Obv. Laureate head of Domitian to right, AYTO KAI ΘΕ YI ΔOMITIANOC CE ΓEP around from upper right / Rev. Draped bust of Domitia left, date IB P (= Year 112, = 93/94 AD)* across fields, star behind head, KAICAPEΩN ΔOMETIA CEBACTH around from lower left. RPC [<i>Roman Provincial Coinage</i>] Vol. II 1749; RPC Online at <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749</a> ; SNG Levante 1367 [Levante, E., <i>Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Switzerland I, Levante-Cilicia</i> (Zurich, 1986)] (see <a href="https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=40245);" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=40245);" rel="nofollow">https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=40245);</a> BMC Vol. 21 Lycaonia, Anazarbus 9 p. 32 [Hill, G.F., <i>A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Greek Coins of Lycaonia, Isauria, and Cilicia</i> (London, 1900)]. 22.7 mm., 10.09 g. (<i>Purchased from Zuzim Inc, Brooklyn, NY Jan. 2021; exported from Israel 2016 pursuant to IAA [Israel Antiquities Authority] Export License No. 531619, April 17, 2016.</i>) (<i>Double die-match to RPC II 1749, specimen no. 16; see <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749</a>.</i>)</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403329[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>*Year 1 of era was 19 BCE, date of founding of Anazarbus after visit of Augustus.</p><p><br /></p><p>4. Trajan, AE Drachm, Year 15 (111/112 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate bust right, nude and with aegis on left shoulder, ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ϹЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ / Rev. Emperor (Trajan), laureate and togate, standing in elephant quadriga, right. holding eagle-tipped sceptre and branch; first three elephants with trunks turned down at end and fourth elephant with trunk turned up; in exergue, L IƐ (Year 15). RPC [<i>Roman Provincial Coinage</i>] Vol. III 4605.4 (2015); RPC Online at <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/4605.4" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/4605.4" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/4605.4</a> ; Emmett 462.15; Dattari (Savio) 769; BMC 16 Alexandria 512; Milne 669 at p. 19. 33.5 mm., 21.26 g. <i>Purchased from Odysseus- Numismatique, Montpellier, France, June 2021.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403330[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>5. Hadrian, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 3 (118/119 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, drapery on left shoulder, AYT KAIC TPAIANOC -AΔΡΙΑNOC ϹƐΒ (clockwise from 5:00) / Rev. Serpent Agathodaemon standing erect right, crowned with pschent/skhent [the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt] , tongue protruding, with coils enfolding caduceus to left and stalks of corn to right; L - Γ (Year 3) across fields. RPC [<i>Roman Provincial Coinage</i>] Vol. III 5149; RPC III Online at <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5149" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5149" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5149</a>; Emmett 803.3; BMC 16 Alexandria 665 (at p. 79) [ill. as RPC III 5149, specimen 2]; K&G 32.68 (at p. 118); Dattari (Savio) 1541; Milne 918 at p. 25 [ill. as RPC III 5149, specimen 13]. 24 mm., 13.81 g., 12 h. <i>Purchased from </i><a href="http://www.cgb.fr/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.cgb.fr/" rel="nofollow"><i>http://www.cgb.fr</i></a><i> July 2021, ex. Collection of Aymé Cornu (1926-2020) (Engineer. - Head of the mass spectrometry laboratory at the Center for Nuclear Studies in Grenoble, France; see </i><a href="https://data.bnf.fr/fr/12598408/aime_cornu/).*" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://data.bnf.fr/fr/12598408/aime_cornu/).*" rel="nofollow"><i>https://data.bnf.fr/fr/12598408/aime_cornu/)</i>.</a> *</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403331[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p> *The serpent Agathodaemon or Agathos Daimon -- translated variously as good spirit, noble spirit, or good genius -- was sacred to Serapis, and was worshipped in every Egyptian town. “On the coins he is always represented erect, and usually wearing the skhent, in the midst of corn and poppies, generally with a caduceus, also rising from the ground.” BMC 16 Alexandria, p. lxxxvi. The Numiswiki definition of Agathodaemon, at <a href="https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Agathodaemon" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Agathodaemon" rel="nofollow">https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Agathodaemon</a>, states as follows: “Agathodaemon (Greek: ‘good spirit’) was a god of the vineyards and grainfields and of good luck, health and wisdom. It was customary to drink or pour out a glass of unmixed wine to honor him in every meal. He was the spouse or companion of Tyche Agathe (later Agatha). He was represented in art as a serpent or as a young man bearing a cornucopia and a bowl in one hand, and a poppy and an ear of corn [U.S.: grain] in the other. The agathodaemon was later adapted into a general daemon of good luck, particularly of the abundance of a family 's good food and drink.”</p><p><br /></p><p> It should be noted that there is a wide variety of coin types showing the Agathodaemon, under Hadrian and other emperors (and empresses) from Nero to Gallienus. For example, the serpent Agathodaemon frequently appears on tetradrachms, diobols, and drachms, and is shown both with and without the caduceus and corn stalks -- and, sometimes, when they are present, with the corn stalks to the left and the caduceus to the right. The Agathodaemon is also sometimes shown with the head of Serapis, and sometimes appears with the Uraeus snake facing it. It occasionally appears riding a horse. There is also a variety, at least for Hadrian, with a star in the right field of the obverse.</p><p><br /></p><p> The article entitled “The Agathos Daimon in Greco-Egyptian religion,” by João Pedro Feliciano, at <a href="https://www.academia.edu/27115429/The_Agathos_Daimon_in_Greco-Egyptian_religion" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.academia.edu/27115429/The_Agathos_Daimon_in_Greco-Egyptian_religion" rel="nofollow">https://www.academia.edu/27115429/The_Agathos_Daimon_in_Greco-Egyptian_religion</a> is quite informative, and it is worth quoting it extensively even though its primary focus is on the Agathodaemon as represented on stelae and statues, rather than on coins. [Remainder of footnote, with lengthy discussion of and quotation from the cited article, is omitted. It can be found at <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/finally-an-agathodaemon.383883/#post-7779971" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/finally-an-agathodaemon.383883/#post-7779971">https://www.cointalk.com/threads/finally-an-agathodaemon.383883/#post-7779971</a>.]</p><p><br /></p><p>6. Hadrian, AE Nome Obol, Year 11 (126/127 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint (for Arsinoite Nome). Obv. Laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder, AΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹΕΒ / Rev. Head of Egyptian Pharaoh right, no beard [identified with Amenemhat III, under Greco-Roman name of Pramarres], wearing nemes [royal striped headdress] with uraeus [sacred cobra, worn by deities and pharaohs] at forehead; APCI (= Arsi[noites]) to left, date L IA (Year 11) to right. RPC [<i>Roman Provincial Coinage</i>] Vol. III 6296 (2015); RPC Online at <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/6296" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/6296" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/6296</a> ; Emmett 1211.11; BMC 16 Alexandria, Nomes 72-73 at p. 357; Sear RCV II 3831 (ill.); Köln 3381/82 [Geissen, A., <i>Katalog alexandrinischer Kaisermünzen</i>, <i>Köln</i>, Band II (Hadrian-Antoninus Pius) (Cologne, 1978, corrected reprint 1987)]; K&G N6.6; Milne 1229 at p. 30 (<i>var</i>. with beard; see p. 139 col. 2 bottom). 19.4 mm., 5.32 g. (<i>Purchased from Zuzim Inc., Brooklyn, NY Jan 2021; ex. Fontanille Coins, Auction 96, July 2017, Lot 7, sold as “the finest example [that dealer] ha[d] seen.”</i>)*</p><p><br /></p><p>[Photo has obv. to right and rev. to left]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403333[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>*The Nomes (from Greek: Νομός, "district") were the 60-70 administrative divisions of Egypt under the Ptolemies and Romans; the Egyptian term for a nome was “sepat.” See <a href="https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Nomes" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Nomes" rel="nofollow">https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Nomes</a>. The Arsinoite Nome (known as “Arsinoites”), the capital of which was the city of Arsinoe, corresponded to the area of the Fayum Oasis or Basin, Lake Moeris, etc., west of the Nile and southwest of Cairo. See <a href="https://www.trismegistos.org/fayum/fayum2/gen_intro.php" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.trismegistos.org/fayum/fayum2/gen_intro.php" rel="nofollow">https://www.trismegistos.org/fayum/fayum2/gen_intro.php</a>. It encompassed, among other things, the pyramid of Amenemhet III near the town of Hawara, north of the lake (the site of the famous necropolis where the Fayum mummy portraits were discovered). See id., see also the discussion, with photos including one of the Hawara pyramid, by “@jochen1” at <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/amenemhet-iii.370249/#post-5138482" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/amenemhet-iii.370249/#post-5138482">https://www.cointalk.com/threads/amenemhet-iii.370249/#post-5138482</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Nomes coins were small bronze issues minted in Alexandria, each with the head of the reigning emperor on the obverse, and the name (in full or abbreviated, as with this coin) of a different Nome written in Greek on the reverse, together with an image ostensibly bearing some relationship to a deity or to cult worship associated with that Nome. They were issued under Domitian, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius Caesar. See Numiswiki, supra. See also Emmett at p. xv for a discussion of the Nomes coinage, noting that Hadrian issued “the most nome coins in terms of numbers of coins issued, numbers of different reverse types and numbers of nomes.” Indeed, Emmett specifically singles out this type from among Hadrian’s extensive series of bronze Nome obols and dichalkons issued in Year 11, as one of “only two interesting reverse types that appear on Hadrian’s obols: that of a bust of an Egyptian King on his Arsinoite nome obol”; it is the only Nomes type bearing such an image. Id. Emmett makes no attempt to identify which “King.” However, RPC III 1749 expressly identifies the reverse image as “head of Premarres (Amenemhet III),” who reigned in the 12th Dynasty, from 1842-1797 BC. (The more common spellings seem to be “Pramarres” and “Amenenhat.”). The evidence available online appears to support that identification. [Remainder of footnote, with lengthy discussion of the evidence, is omitted. It can be found at <a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-hadrian-alexandrian-coin-with-traditional-egyptian-theme.373239/#post-5395208" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-hadrian-alexandrian-coin-with-traditional-egyptian-theme.373239/#post-5395208">https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-hadrian-alexandrian-coin-with-traditional-egyptian-theme.373239/#post-5395208</a>.]</p><p><br /></p><p>7. Hadrian, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 12 (127/128 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear, ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹƐΒ / Rev. Mummiform Ptah-Sokar-Osiris* standing right, wearing solar disk as headdress, holding <i>was </i>scepter tipped with jackal head, L ΔWΔƐ-ΚΑΤΟΥ [= Year 12 spelled out]. RPC III Online 5713 at <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5713" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5713" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5713</a>, Emmett 883.12; BMC 16 Alexandria 637 & Pl. XXIII [Poole, Reginald Stuart, <i>A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 16, Alexandria</i> (London, 1892)]; Sear RCV II 3732; Köln 982; Dattari (Savio) 1445; Milne 1262 at p. 31 (scepter with jackal-head top); K&G 32.458. 24 mm., 13.85 g., 11 h.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403335[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>*From the description in the CNG Triton XXI Catalog (Staffieri Collection, Jan 9. 2018) of the example from the Dattari Collection (No. 1445), sold in the Triton XXI auction as Lot 61: “The image of the Ptah-Sokar-Osiris divinity belongs to Egyptian theology, and in particular to funeral worship. It brings together three famous members of the Pharaonic Pantheon through their respective symbols: the headdress and scepter for Ptah, the solar disk for Osiris, and the mummiform wrappings for Sokar – the ‘Lord of the Necropolis.’ These three associated divinities call upon the concepts of ‘mourning’ and ‘life’, evoking at the same time the pain associated with death and the hope of resurrection. The main sanctuaries of Ptah, Sokar, and Osiris were at Memphis and Abydos.”</p><p><br /></p><p>8. Hadrian, AE Diobol, Year 16 (131/132 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear, ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹƐΒ / Rev. Isis as mother, crowned with disk and horns, seated right on throne, offering left breast to infant Harpocrates (Horus-as-child) sitting on her knee crowned with skhent and holding lotus stalk in left hand; on corners of back of throne, two hawks/falcons (representing Horus), facing each other, each wearing skhent, L - IϚ [= Year 16] across fields. Emmett 1138.16; RPC III Online 5813 at <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5813" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5813" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5813</a>; BMC 16 Alexandria 762 at p. 90 & PL. XVI Dattari (Savio) 1749; Köln 1046; K&G 32.530 cf. Milne 1345-1346 at p. 33 [<i>var.</i> Isis seated left*]. <i>Purchased from Shick Coins, Ashdod, Israel, Dec. 2020; Israel Antiquities Authority Export License No. 42927, 02/02/2021. </i>23 mm., 8.6 g.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403336[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>*The description in Milne may be erroneous, since neither Emmett nor BMC 16 lists any diobols for Hadrian with Isis seated left holding Harpocrates, whether in Year 16 or any other year.</p><p><br /></p><p>9. Hadrian, AE Drachm, Year 18 (133/134 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right wearing cloak (paladumentum) and cuirass, seen from behind, AVT KAIC TPAIAN - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹƐΒ / Rev. Sphinx with female human head and body of lioness, seated left, crowned with kalathos, wearing long drop earrings, wings curled upwards, tail erect, right forepaw resting on wheel, LI - H (Year 18) across fields. RPC III Online 5915 (see <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5915" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5915" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5915</a> ), Emmett 1053.18, Milne 1427 at p. 34, BMC 16 Alexandria 848 at p. 99, K&G 32.603 (ill. p. 145), Dattari (Savio) 1996, Köln (Geissen) 1134 (same obverse die). <i>Ex. Economopoulos Numismatics, Holicong PA, Oct. 2021 (Nick Economopoulos, formerly of Pegasi Numismatics); ex. CNG (Classical Numismatic Group), Mail Bid Sale 58, Lot 976, Sep. 19, 2001 (ill. at Catalog p. 108). </i>33 mm., 26.23 g.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403338[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>10. Hadrian, AR Didrachm, 128-138 AD, Caesarea. Cappadocia Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ - ϹΕΒΑϹΤΟϹ/ Rev. Club, handle at top, ΥΠΑΤΟϹ Γ ΠΑ-ΤΗΡ ΠΑΤΡΙΔΟϹ [ΥΠΑΤΟϹ Γ = COS III, 128-138 AD; ΠΑΤΗΡ ΠΑΤΡΙΔΟϹ = Pater Patriae]. RPC III Online 3109 at <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/3109" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/3109" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/3109</a> ; Sydenham 280 [E. Sydenham, <i>The Coinage of Caesarea in Cappadocia </i>(1933)]; Metcalf, Caesarea 280 [Metcalf, W.E., <i>The Silver Coinage of Cappadocia, Vespasian-Commodus</i>. ANSNNM (American Numismatic Society, Numismatic Notes & Monographs) No. 166 (New York 1996)]; SNG Von Aulock 6422 [<a href="https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Sylloge%20Nummorum%20Graecorum" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Sylloge%20Nummorum%20Graecorum" rel="nofollow"><i>Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum</i></a><i>, Deutschland, Sammlung Hans Von Aulock</i>, <i>Vol. 3: Pisidia, Lycaonia, Cilicia, Galatia, Cappadocia, Cyprus, Imperial Cistophori, Posthumous Lysimachus, Alexander tetradrachms</i> (Berlin, 1964)]; Ganschow 178d [Ganschow, T., <i>Münzen von Kappadokien, Band 1 Konigreich und Kaisareia bis 192 n. Chr.</i> (Istanbul 2018). 21 mm., 6.02 g. <i>Double die match to CNG E-Auction 110, 16 Mar 2005, Lot 134. See <a href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/70825" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/70825" rel="nofollow">https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/70825</a>.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1403340[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[Nos. 11-15 in next post, to follow shortly. As stated above, if you want to vote for one of those coins instead of or in addition to selecting from nos. 1-10, it appears that you'll have to post a "write-in" vote by naming the coin in a comment.][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="DonnaML, post: 8081657, member: 110350"]I'm too indecisive to narrow the list down to 10, so I've decided to post 15, in chronological order to the extent that's possible. Of course the photos won't all fit in one post, but the second one shouldn't take long to finish after I put up the first one. Unfortunately, the poll template appears to allow the listing of only ten choices, so if you want to vote for one of nos. 11-15 as well (or instead), I encourage you to post a "write-in" vote by naming the coin in a comment. I'm omitting or cutting short a lot of the footnotes I wrote for these coins, but will try to find the links to the original threads and post them here for anyone interested. To save space, I will also try to give the full citations to the various catalogs and other reference works I cite only the first time I cite them. There's no way to say this without coming across as being overly defensive, but please don't judge these coins by the same standards of condition and quality that you would Roman Imperial or Roman Republican coins. Full, readable legends? Wishful thinking for the most part! As our resident expert on Roman Provincials, especially Roman Egyptian coins, has said, it's all (or mostly) about finding coins with interesting reverses. Plus, even if the designs are often rather crude compared to a lot of Roman Imperials or Republicans -- never mind many ancient Greek coins -- I find many Provincials to be extremely appealing visually nonetheless. [I]De gustibus non disputandum est[/I], as the Romans used to say. (Or would have said had they ever really existed, now that we know that's in question.) 1. Claudius I, billon [Sear]/AR [RPC] Tetradrachm, Year 2 [41/42 AD], Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ΤΙ ΚΛΑVΔΙ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙ ΑVΤΟΚΡ around, LΒ [Year 2] under chin / Rev. Draped bust of Antonia [Claudius’s mother] right, ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑ upwards to left, ΣΕΒΑΣΤΗ downwards to right. ); RPC [[I]Roman Provincial Coinage[/I]] Vol. I 5117 (1992); RPC I Online at [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5117[/URL]; Emmett 73.2 [Emmett, Keith, [I]Alexandrian Coins[/I] (Lodi, WI, 2001)]; Sear RCV I 1868 (ill.); Sear [I]GIC[/I] 492 (ill.) [D. Sear, [I]Greek Imperial Coins and their Values[/I] (1982)]; BMC 16 Alexandria 65 at p. 9 [Poole, Reginald Stuart, [I]A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 16, Alexandria[/I] (London, 1892)]; K&G 12.3 [Kampmann, Ursula & Granschow, Thomas, [I]Die Münzen der römischen Münzstätte Alexandria[/I] (2008)]; Milne 61-64 at p. 3 [Milne, J.G., [I]Catalogue of Alexandrian Coins [/I](Oxford 1933, reprint with supplement by Colin M. Kraay, 1971)]; Dattari (Savio) 114 [Savio, A. ed., [I]Catalogo completo della collezione Dattari Numi Augg. Alexandrini[/I] (Trieste, 2007)]. 24 mm., 11.25 g. [ATTACH=full]1403324[/ATTACH] 2. Nero and Divus Augustus, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 13 (66/67 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Radiate head of Nero left, ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ AY; in left field, LIE (Year 13) / Rev. Radiate head of Augustus right, ΘΕΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ. 24 mm., 11.6 g. RPC I Online 5294 (see [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5294[/URL]), Emmett 113.13, Milne 251 at p. 7, BMC 16 Alexandria 112 at p. 15, Dattari (Savio) 184, Sear RCV I 2007 (ill. p. 394). [ATTACH=full]1403326[/ATTACH] 3. Domitian and Domitia, AE 22.7, 93/94 AD, Cilicia, Anazarbus. Obv. Laureate head of Domitian to right, AYTO KAI ΘΕ YI ΔOMITIANOC CE ΓEP around from upper right / Rev. Draped bust of Domitia left, date IB P (= Year 112, = 93/94 AD)* across fields, star behind head, KAICAPEΩN ΔOMETIA CEBACTH around from lower left. RPC [[I]Roman Provincial Coinage[/I]] Vol. II 1749; RPC Online at [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749[/URL] ; SNG Levante 1367 [Levante, E., [I]Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Switzerland I, Levante-Cilicia[/I] (Zurich, 1986)] (see [URL]https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=40245);[/URL] BMC Vol. 21 Lycaonia, Anazarbus 9 p. 32 [Hill, G.F., [I]A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Greek Coins of Lycaonia, Isauria, and Cilicia[/I] (London, 1900)]. 22.7 mm., 10.09 g. ([I]Purchased from Zuzim Inc, Brooklyn, NY Jan. 2021; exported from Israel 2016 pursuant to IAA [Israel Antiquities Authority] Export License No. 531619, April 17, 2016.[/I]) ([I]Double die-match to RPC II 1749, specimen no. 16; see [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/2/1749[/URL].[/I]) [ATTACH=full]1403329[/ATTACH] *Year 1 of era was 19 BCE, date of founding of Anazarbus after visit of Augustus. 4. Trajan, AE Drachm, Year 15 (111/112 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate bust right, nude and with aegis on left shoulder, ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ϹЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ / Rev. Emperor (Trajan), laureate and togate, standing in elephant quadriga, right. holding eagle-tipped sceptre and branch; first three elephants with trunks turned down at end and fourth elephant with trunk turned up; in exergue, L IƐ (Year 15). RPC [[I]Roman Provincial Coinage[/I]] Vol. III 4605.4 (2015); RPC Online at [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/4605.4[/URL] ; Emmett 462.15; Dattari (Savio) 769; BMC 16 Alexandria 512; Milne 669 at p. 19. 33.5 mm., 21.26 g. [I]Purchased from Odysseus- Numismatique, Montpellier, France, June 2021.[/I] [ATTACH=full]1403330[/ATTACH] 5. Hadrian, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 3 (118/119 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, drapery on left shoulder, AYT KAIC TPAIANOC -AΔΡΙΑNOC ϹƐΒ (clockwise from 5:00) / Rev. Serpent Agathodaemon standing erect right, crowned with pschent/skhent [the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt] , tongue protruding, with coils enfolding caduceus to left and stalks of corn to right; L - Γ (Year 3) across fields. RPC [[I]Roman Provincial Coinage[/I]] Vol. III 5149; RPC III Online at [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5149[/URL]; Emmett 803.3; BMC 16 Alexandria 665 (at p. 79) [ill. as RPC III 5149, specimen 2]; K&G 32.68 (at p. 118); Dattari (Savio) 1541; Milne 918 at p. 25 [ill. as RPC III 5149, specimen 13]. 24 mm., 13.81 g., 12 h. [I]Purchased from [/I][URL='http://www.cgb.fr/'][I]http://www.cgb.fr[/I][/URL][I] July 2021, ex. Collection of Aymé Cornu (1926-2020) (Engineer. - Head of the mass spectrometry laboratory at the Center for Nuclear Studies in Grenoble, France; see [/I][URL='https://data.bnf.fr/fr/12598408/aime_cornu/).*'][I]https://data.bnf.fr/fr/12598408/aime_cornu/)[/I].[/URL] * [ATTACH=full]1403331[/ATTACH] *The serpent Agathodaemon or Agathos Daimon -- translated variously as good spirit, noble spirit, or good genius -- was sacred to Serapis, and was worshipped in every Egyptian town. “On the coins he is always represented erect, and usually wearing the skhent, in the midst of corn and poppies, generally with a caduceus, also rising from the ground.” BMC 16 Alexandria, p. lxxxvi. The Numiswiki definition of Agathodaemon, at [URL]https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Agathodaemon[/URL], states as follows: “Agathodaemon (Greek: ‘good spirit’) was a god of the vineyards and grainfields and of good luck, health and wisdom. It was customary to drink or pour out a glass of unmixed wine to honor him in every meal. He was the spouse or companion of Tyche Agathe (later Agatha). He was represented in art as a serpent or as a young man bearing a cornucopia and a bowl in one hand, and a poppy and an ear of corn [U.S.: grain] in the other. The agathodaemon was later adapted into a general daemon of good luck, particularly of the abundance of a family 's good food and drink.” It should be noted that there is a wide variety of coin types showing the Agathodaemon, under Hadrian and other emperors (and empresses) from Nero to Gallienus. For example, the serpent Agathodaemon frequently appears on tetradrachms, diobols, and drachms, and is shown both with and without the caduceus and corn stalks -- and, sometimes, when they are present, with the corn stalks to the left and the caduceus to the right. The Agathodaemon is also sometimes shown with the head of Serapis, and sometimes appears with the Uraeus snake facing it. It occasionally appears riding a horse. There is also a variety, at least for Hadrian, with a star in the right field of the obverse. The article entitled “The Agathos Daimon in Greco-Egyptian religion,” by João Pedro Feliciano, at [URL]https://www.academia.edu/27115429/The_Agathos_Daimon_in_Greco-Egyptian_religion[/URL] is quite informative, and it is worth quoting it extensively even though its primary focus is on the Agathodaemon as represented on stelae and statues, rather than on coins. [Remainder of footnote, with lengthy discussion of and quotation from the cited article, is omitted. It can be found at [URL]https://www.cointalk.com/threads/finally-an-agathodaemon.383883/#post-7779971[/URL].] 6. Hadrian, AE Nome Obol, Year 11 (126/127 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint (for Arsinoite Nome). Obv. Laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder, AΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹΕΒ / Rev. Head of Egyptian Pharaoh right, no beard [identified with Amenemhat III, under Greco-Roman name of Pramarres], wearing nemes [royal striped headdress] with uraeus [sacred cobra, worn by deities and pharaohs] at forehead; APCI (= Arsi[noites]) to left, date L IA (Year 11) to right. RPC [[I]Roman Provincial Coinage[/I]] Vol. III 6296 (2015); RPC Online at [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/6296[/URL] ; Emmett 1211.11; BMC 16 Alexandria, Nomes 72-73 at p. 357; Sear RCV II 3831 (ill.); Köln 3381/82 [Geissen, A., [I]Katalog alexandrinischer Kaisermünzen[/I], [I]Köln[/I], Band II (Hadrian-Antoninus Pius) (Cologne, 1978, corrected reprint 1987)]; K&G N6.6; Milne 1229 at p. 30 ([I]var[/I]. with beard; see p. 139 col. 2 bottom). 19.4 mm., 5.32 g. ([I]Purchased from Zuzim Inc., Brooklyn, NY Jan 2021; ex. Fontanille Coins, Auction 96, July 2017, Lot 7, sold as “the finest example [that dealer] ha[d] seen.”[/I])* [Photo has obv. to right and rev. to left] [ATTACH=full]1403333[/ATTACH] *The Nomes (from Greek: Νομός, "district") were the 60-70 administrative divisions of Egypt under the Ptolemies and Romans; the Egyptian term for a nome was “sepat.” See [URL]https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Nomes[/URL]. The Arsinoite Nome (known as “Arsinoites”), the capital of which was the city of Arsinoe, corresponded to the area of the Fayum Oasis or Basin, Lake Moeris, etc., west of the Nile and southwest of Cairo. See [URL]https://www.trismegistos.org/fayum/fayum2/gen_intro.php[/URL]. It encompassed, among other things, the pyramid of Amenemhet III near the town of Hawara, north of the lake (the site of the famous necropolis where the Fayum mummy portraits were discovered). See id., see also the discussion, with photos including one of the Hawara pyramid, by “@jochen1” at [URL]https://www.cointalk.com/threads/amenemhet-iii.370249/#post-5138482[/URL]. The Nomes coins were small bronze issues minted in Alexandria, each with the head of the reigning emperor on the obverse, and the name (in full or abbreviated, as with this coin) of a different Nome written in Greek on the reverse, together with an image ostensibly bearing some relationship to a deity or to cult worship associated with that Nome. They were issued under Domitian, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius Caesar. See Numiswiki, supra. See also Emmett at p. xv for a discussion of the Nomes coinage, noting that Hadrian issued “the most nome coins in terms of numbers of coins issued, numbers of different reverse types and numbers of nomes.” Indeed, Emmett specifically singles out this type from among Hadrian’s extensive series of bronze Nome obols and dichalkons issued in Year 11, as one of “only two interesting reverse types that appear on Hadrian’s obols: that of a bust of an Egyptian King on his Arsinoite nome obol”; it is the only Nomes type bearing such an image. Id. Emmett makes no attempt to identify which “King.” However, RPC III 1749 expressly identifies the reverse image as “head of Premarres (Amenemhet III),” who reigned in the 12th Dynasty, from 1842-1797 BC. (The more common spellings seem to be “Pramarres” and “Amenenhat.”). The evidence available online appears to support that identification. [Remainder of footnote, with lengthy discussion of the evidence, is omitted. It can be found at [URL]https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-hadrian-alexandrian-coin-with-traditional-egyptian-theme.373239/#post-5395208[/URL].] 7. Hadrian, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 12 (127/128 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear, ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹƐΒ / Rev. Mummiform Ptah-Sokar-Osiris* standing right, wearing solar disk as headdress, holding [I]was [/I]scepter tipped with jackal head, L ΔWΔƐ-ΚΑΤΟΥ [= Year 12 spelled out]. RPC III Online 5713 at [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5713[/URL], Emmett 883.12; BMC 16 Alexandria 637 & Pl. XXIII [Poole, Reginald Stuart, [I]A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 16, Alexandria[/I] (London, 1892)]; Sear RCV II 3732; Köln 982; Dattari (Savio) 1445; Milne 1262 at p. 31 (scepter with jackal-head top); K&G 32.458. 24 mm., 13.85 g., 11 h. [ATTACH=full]1403335[/ATTACH] *From the description in the CNG Triton XXI Catalog (Staffieri Collection, Jan 9. 2018) of the example from the Dattari Collection (No. 1445), sold in the Triton XXI auction as Lot 61: “The image of the Ptah-Sokar-Osiris divinity belongs to Egyptian theology, and in particular to funeral worship. It brings together three famous members of the Pharaonic Pantheon through their respective symbols: the headdress and scepter for Ptah, the solar disk for Osiris, and the mummiform wrappings for Sokar – the ‘Lord of the Necropolis.’ These three associated divinities call upon the concepts of ‘mourning’ and ‘life’, evoking at the same time the pain associated with death and the hope of resurrection. The main sanctuaries of Ptah, Sokar, and Osiris were at Memphis and Abydos.” 8. Hadrian, AE Diobol, Year 16 (131/132 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear, ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹƐΒ / Rev. Isis as mother, crowned with disk and horns, seated right on throne, offering left breast to infant Harpocrates (Horus-as-child) sitting on her knee crowned with skhent and holding lotus stalk in left hand; on corners of back of throne, two hawks/falcons (representing Horus), facing each other, each wearing skhent, L - IϚ [= Year 16] across fields. Emmett 1138.16; RPC III Online 5813 at [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5813[/URL]; BMC 16 Alexandria 762 at p. 90 & PL. XVI Dattari (Savio) 1749; Köln 1046; K&G 32.530 cf. Milne 1345-1346 at p. 33 [[I]var.[/I] Isis seated left*]. [I]Purchased from Shick Coins, Ashdod, Israel, Dec. 2020; Israel Antiquities Authority Export License No. 42927, 02/02/2021. [/I]23 mm., 8.6 g. [ATTACH=full]1403336[/ATTACH] *The description in Milne may be erroneous, since neither Emmett nor BMC 16 lists any diobols for Hadrian with Isis seated left holding Harpocrates, whether in Year 16 or any other year. 9. Hadrian, AE Drachm, Year 18 (133/134 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right wearing cloak (paladumentum) and cuirass, seen from behind, AVT KAIC TPAIAN - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹƐΒ / Rev. Sphinx with female human head and body of lioness, seated left, crowned with kalathos, wearing long drop earrings, wings curled upwards, tail erect, right forepaw resting on wheel, LI - H (Year 18) across fields. RPC III Online 5915 (see [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5915[/URL] ), Emmett 1053.18, Milne 1427 at p. 34, BMC 16 Alexandria 848 at p. 99, K&G 32.603 (ill. p. 145), Dattari (Savio) 1996, Köln (Geissen) 1134 (same obverse die). [I]Ex. Economopoulos Numismatics, Holicong PA, Oct. 2021 (Nick Economopoulos, formerly of Pegasi Numismatics); ex. CNG (Classical Numismatic Group), Mail Bid Sale 58, Lot 976, Sep. 19, 2001 (ill. at Catalog p. 108). [/I]33 mm., 26.23 g. [ATTACH=full]1403338[/ATTACH] 10. Hadrian, AR Didrachm, 128-138 AD, Caesarea. Cappadocia Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ - ϹΕΒΑϹΤΟϹ/ Rev. Club, handle at top, ΥΠΑΤΟϹ Γ ΠΑ-ΤΗΡ ΠΑΤΡΙΔΟϹ [ΥΠΑΤΟϹ Γ = COS III, 128-138 AD; ΠΑΤΗΡ ΠΑΤΡΙΔΟϹ = Pater Patriae]. RPC III Online 3109 at [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/3109[/URL] ; Sydenham 280 [E. Sydenham, [I]The Coinage of Caesarea in Cappadocia [/I](1933)]; Metcalf, Caesarea 280 [Metcalf, W.E., [I]The Silver Coinage of Cappadocia, Vespasian-Commodus[/I]. ANSNNM (American Numismatic Society, Numismatic Notes & Monographs) No. 166 (New York 1996)]; SNG Von Aulock 6422 [[URL='https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Sylloge%20Nummorum%20Graecorum'][I]Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum[/I][/URL][I], Deutschland, Sammlung Hans Von Aulock[/I], [I]Vol. 3: Pisidia, Lycaonia, Cilicia, Galatia, Cappadocia, Cyprus, Imperial Cistophori, Posthumous Lysimachus, Alexander tetradrachms[/I] (Berlin, 1964)]; Ganschow 178d [Ganschow, T., [I]Münzen von Kappadokien, Band 1 Konigreich und Kaisareia bis 192 n. Chr.[/I] (Istanbul 2018). 21 mm., 6.02 g. [I]Double die match to CNG E-Auction 110, 16 Mar 2005, Lot 134. See [URL]https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/70825[/URL].[/I] [ATTACH=full]1403340[/ATTACH] [Nos. 11-15 in next post, to follow shortly. As stated above, if you want to vote for one of those coins instead of or in addition to selecting from nos. 1-10, it appears that you'll have to post a "write-in" vote by naming the coin in a comment.][/QUOTE]
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