Wolf and twins (again)

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WOW!! Incredible OP !!

And so many lovely posts!!

 

beautyfull coins all

 

G'Day gang,

I just obtained one of these myself (still on its way down here to Oz).

What exactly do the two stars above the she-wolf represent?

Cheers,

Rob

 

@Buffo Marinus The discouri brothers Castor and Pollux...an old legend dating back to Greek times.

The discouri representation in Roman coinage goes back a long way. The first denarii had Castor and Pollux on horseback, and it was a popular theme repeated throughout Republican times.


The star above Pollux in my denarius here represents Zeus (Jupiter) and marks Pollux as the one who possessed immortality, while his half brother Castor was mortal (being the son of a human). Eventually both brothers would be awarded immortality for their deeds as argonauts, and also for saving Helen of Troy, and were worshiped by Romans and Greek alike, and were a popular theme in Greek and Roman coinage.

And Castor and Pollux continued to be represented as either stars or caps in Roman imperial and provincial coinage all the way to the 4rth Century.



Speaking of the discouri in Greek coinage, here is a drachm of Istros from the 4rth century BCE with Castor and Pollux. Note also that the Gemini constellation is also supposed to be them.



And if you are a space buff, the Gemini project also gets its name from the gemini twins (the discouri). Note the two stars in the project's logo. This was America's first capsule to carry more than one astronaut (it carried two crew members).

 

If there's a chance to post a Gallienus, I take it!


Gallienus, AD 253-268.
Roman Billon Antoninianus, 2.84 g, 21.2 mm, 11 h.
Antioch, AD 265-266.
Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: AETERNITAS AVG, Lupa Romana (she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus), right; branch in exergue.
Refs: RIC 628; Göbl 1628e; Cohen 46; RCV 10171 var.

 

G'Day Sallent,

Thank you for that excellent, detailed explanation.

Much appreciated,

Rob

 

small, but very stylish coin..

 

Siscia

Nicpmedia - with three dots between two stars

Anotninus Pius - denarius