Coins of The 7 Ancient Wonders: The Mausoleum of Halikarnassos

[Ryro]

Made to entomb Maussolos and his sister wife (and no, not like the Mormons having multiple wives. His sister was his wife🤮) the near 150 foot tall structure was built around 350 BCE.

Built of primarily marble in the Lycian, Greek and Egyptian styles it was both massive and a high watermark for what ancients could do with architecture.

Learn more here if you'd like:

And here is my new coin of Maussolos:

Maussolos

377/6-353/2 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 11 mm, 1.71 g, 1 h), , CARIA Halikarnassos. Laureate head of Apollo facing slightly to right, drapery below. Rev. MAYΣΣΩΛΛO Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding long scepter in his left hand and double-axe over his right shoulder. BMC -. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG Kayhan 1685. SNG Keckman -. SNG von Aulock -. Extremely rare in this denomination. NVF. Purchased from Savoca July 2022

I do find it interesting that Zeus carries a labyrs and not his customary thunderbolt. Maybe he's just on his way back from a liason with some young beauty on Crete. 

Please share your coins featuring things to do with the 7 ancient wonders or anything related. 

 

[Roman Collector]

Man, that's a tiny little coin! But WAY COOL! The inventor of the mausoleum!

 

The only ancient wonder I have is the Temple of Artemis. I have several coins depicting the cult statue within. Here's one I haven't posted here before.

Pseudo-autonomous issue, Antonine period, AD 138-192.
Roman provincial Æ diassarion, 8.02 g, 26.1 mm, 7 h.
Caria, Antiocheia ad Maeandrum.
Obv: BOY-ΛH, veiled and draped bust of Boule, right.
Rev: ANTIO-XЄΩN, cult statue of Artemis of Ephesus facing, wearing kalathos, having supports, between two stags.
Refs: SNG Cop 35; Martin Antiochia 15; Mionnet III.315,69; cf. RPC VI 10952 (temp).
Notes: Some numismatists date to the Severan period or even the reign of Gallienus.

 

And because I've had a crush on Stevie Nicks for about 45 years ...

 

[Ryro]

1 minute ago, Roman Collector said:

Man, that's a tiny little coin! But WAY COOL! The inventor of the mausoleum!

 

The only ancient wonder I have is the Temple of Artemis. I have several coins depicting the cult statue within. Here's one I haven't posted here before.

Pseudo-autonomous issue, Antonine period, AD 138-192.
Roman provincial Æ diassarion, 8.02 g, 26.1 mm, 7 h.
Caria, Antiocheia ad Maeandrum.
Obv: BOY-ΛH, veiled and draped bust of Boule, right.
Rev: ANTIO-XЄΩN, cult statue of Artemis of Ephesus facing, wearing kalathos, having supports, between two stags.
Refs: SNG Cop 35; Martin Antiochia 15; Mionnet III.315,69; cf. RPC VI 10952 (temp).
Notes: Some numismatists date to the Severan period or even the reign of Gallienus.

 

And because I've had a crush on Stevie Nicks for about 45 years ...

 

Thanks! And nice call with the temple of Artemis, my man. But I'm confused that's NOT a Faustina on the obverse!?!?

Here's my Aurelian Artemis:

 

[Roman Collector]

2 minutes ago, Ryro said:

I'm confused that's NOT a Faustina on the obverse!?!?

Well, if you insist!

Ankyra.


Faustina I, AD 138-140.
Roman provincial Æ 19.1 mm, 4.17 g; 7 h.
Phrygia, Ankyra, AD 138-140.
Obv: ΦΑΥϹΤЄΙΝΑ ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: ΑΝΚΥΡ-ΑΝΩΝ, cult statue of Ephesian Artemis standing facing, wearing kalathos, arms resting on supports and flanked by two stags.
Refs: RPC IV.2, 1732 (temporary); SNG Cop 139.
Notes: The Greek obverse inscription, ΦΑΥϹΤЄΙΝΑ ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ, makes no mention of the empress' deified status and corresponds to FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, used on imperial issues from AD 139-140. Accordingly, RPC dates the coin to "early in the reign of Antoninus Pius," and suggests "c. 138-140."


Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman provincial Æ 19.1 mm, 3.81 g, 7 h.
Phrygia, Ankyra, AD 147-165.
Obv: ΦΑΥϹΤЄΙΝΑ ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: ΑΝΚΥ-ΡΑΝΩΝ, cult statue of Ephesian Artemis standing facing, wearing kalathos, arms resting on supports and flanked by two stags.
Refs: RPC IV.2, 1727 (temporary); BMC 25.64,35-36; RG 5644; Sear 1774; SNG Cop 142-143; SNG von Aulock 3436; SNG Munich 99-100.
Notes: Dating this is difficult. The empress is depicted in a hairstyle used on imperial issues from 147-c. 150, but the obverse inscription corresponds to one used on imperial issues after 158. Accordingly, RPC is uncertain whether it was issued under Antoninus Pius or Marcus Aurelius.

[Etcherdude]

Pictures of remnants of the Mausoleum of Mausolus on display at the British Museum. 

The tall single figure is identified as Mausolus. 

[Etcherdude]

Here are a couple from the harbor at Rhodes. The Colossus supposedly stood here, feet placed where each decorated column is. 

 

I don't have any Rhodian coins. 😞 

 

Edited September 3, 2022 by Etcherdude

[Ryro]

WoWiE!!! I didn't even know that existed. Thanks so much for sharing those pics. I'm in awe @Etcherdude😲

"The tall single figure is identified as Mausolus."

I never would've figured Maussolos  wore glasses

 

But seriously, the detail of the face, hair and even down to the shoes (or shoe rather) is stunning. Looks like he was a handsome fella. Reminds me of myself of course🤪

And to nobodies surprise, an absolutely important piece of Persian culture... is in the BM.

If the Brits had landed on the moon first:

[Ryro]

5 minutes ago, Etcherdude said:

Here are a couple from the harbor at Rhodes. The Colossus supposedly stood here, feet placed where each decorated column is. 

 

I don't have any Rhodian coins. 😞 

 

Excellent call! I've always wanted one of those facing Helios in cherry condition, but for now we'll have to be satisfied with this Rhodian:

Hey hey! We've three of the wonders in the thread already

[kapphnwn]

Ar Tetradrachm of Maussolos  Satrap Of Karia Halikarnassos Mint 377/6-353/2 BC Obv Head of Apollo laureate facing slight to the right. Rv Zeus Labraudos walking right ax over shoulder SNG von Aulock 2358 15.13 grms 23 mm Photo by W. HansenMaussolos minted an extensive series of Chian standard tetradrachms though the coins minted during the period that my coin was struck has to me the most naturalistic style. I am particularly impressed with the head of Apollo. Though these three quarter facing heads are the most difficult to successfully execute I think that who ever did this one did a great job.  

[Etcherdude]

I’m going to see a bit of Egypt in December and will be well equipped for photography. I’ll share one or two pictures here.

Edited September 3, 2022 by Etcherdude

[Ryro]

18 minutes ago, kapphnwn said:

Ar Tetradrachm of Maussolos  Satrap Of Karia Halikarnassos Mint 377/6-353/2 BC Obv Head of Apollo laureate facing slight to the right. Rv Zeus Labraudos walking right ax over shoulder SNG von Aulock 2358 15.13 grms 23 mm Photo by W. HansenMaussolos minted an extensive series of Chian standard tetradrachms though the coins minted during the period that my coin was struck has to me the most naturalistic style. I am particularly impressed with the head of Apollo. Though these three quarter facing heads are the most difficult to successfully execute I think that who ever did this one did a great job.  

It certainly is a masterpiece. Thanks for sharing. With the facing types, only in great condition, I can get them to animate on this app. This one animated greatly:

 

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

That was one of my previous photography attempts.  The rose is upside down in my picture.

 

[kapphnwn]

Yikes @Ryro what you did to my Massaulos is absolutely hilarious. Great stuff. It is so good to have a good laugh these days. Terence😁

Edited September 3, 2022 by kapphnwn

[Severus Alexander]

Wow, @Ryro! A Maussolos hemidrachm isn't something you see every day!

Here's my drachm, ex @Justin Lee:

And my Rhodian didrachm c. 250 BCE:

[Edessa]

Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161. Billon Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.81g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 153/154). Obv: ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄVCЄB; Laureate head right. Rev: Isis Pharia standing right, holding sistrum and billowing sail; L I Z (date) across field. Ref: Köln 1693 var. (placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 2261; K&G 35.577; Emmett 1403.17. Very Fine. Dark reddish-brown patina with touches of green. From the Stein A. Evensen Collection. Ex Lawrence Feinberg Collection (CNG Inventory 872663, June 2010). Ex CNG eAuction 477 (23 Sept 2020), Lot 345. Note from seller: The protector of sailors, Pharia was just one of the various appellations given to Isis. This association with sailors emanated from the Pharos–or Lighthouse–of Alexandria, indicted on this issue by holding a billowing sail.

[Roman Collector]

This dude actually kinda looks like @Ryro!

[DonnaML]

A great post, @Ryro!

My Isis Pharia:

Hadrian, AE Drachm, Year 17 (AD 132/133), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear, ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ -  ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹƐΒ / Rev. Isis Pharia, holding billowing sail and sistrum above, sailing right in galley towards the Pharos of Alexandria, which has doorway in front and is surmounted by a statue as well as two tritons blowing seashell trumpets; [L]I – Z (Year 17) across lower fields behind and in front of Isis. 33 mm., 22.64 g., 12 h. Emmett 1002.17, K&G 32.547, RPC III Online 5838 (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/5838), Milne 1373 at p. 33. Purchased Feb. 2022; ex. Classical Numismatic Group, eAuction 384, Oct. 12, 2016, Lot 482.

Great Britain, English Army in Egypt, 1801 (Struck 1820). Obv. Bust facing, uniformed, LIEUT: GENL.: SIR R: ABERCROMBY. Rev. Horse standing, r.; beyond, three pyramids. ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH ARMY IN EGYPT. In exergue: 8 March 1801. AE 41 mm. By T. Webb. Mudie 8, Eimer 929, BHM 504. (Photo of reverse only)

A couple of Rhodian coins for good measure:

[Curtis JJ]

Lighthouse (also about as close as I'll get to the Great Pyramid at Giza):

 

The original Rhodos coins were probably based on the Colossus of Rhodes, but all mine so far are Pseudo Rhodian... (so a second-order depiction of an ancient wonder!)

 

For the Temple of Artemis, I've got silver coins of Ephesos depicting some of her spirit animals, bees and stags. A couple of my Ephesian Diobols:

 

Babylon... I highly doubt there are any coins directly relevant to the Hanging Gardens, but here's an Alexander from the Babylonian mint:

 

For Zeus at Olympia (Leochares' statue of Zeus Brontaios), I have this coin of Elis, Olympia (a closer approximation may be the Arkadian League Stater below, as these are sometimes thought to be based on the statue):

I don't have a Maussolos but I have his brother Hidrieus, with whom he shared a wife, who happened to be the sister of both (and married a third brother). (EDIT: Actually, Hidrieus married their other sister, Ada, not Artemisia.)

 

20 hours ago, Ryro said:

With the facing types, only in great condition, I can get them to animate on this app. This one animated greatly:

That was a funny animation! I happen to have a distinctly un-funny one for my Hidrieus:

Edited September 4, 2022 by Curtis JJ
Wrong Hekatomnid sister/brother marriage combo...