Ryro Posted October 21, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2022 (edited) The season of the witch is at hand, so what's better than to celebrate the original three witch sisters? No! Not them. The Gorgons. Three serpent haired, winged, monster sisters with boars tusks for teeth. With one sister, the youngest, Medusa, being the only of the three that was mortal. I don't know that there's a coin with all three sisters, but I have a few featuring one sister, Medusa, meaning beautiful, cursed or both in archaic, classical or Hellenistic: Whoa, who threw in those pentagrams?... hail Satan! Interested in learning more, watch this: Please post all things gorgon, witchy, evil or just plain spooky. Don't freeze up on me now! Edited October 21, 2022 by Ryro 12 1 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted October 21, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2022 My little gorgons, more cute than scary Parion, Mysia Hemidrachm 4th century BC Obv.: Facing gorgoneion surrounded by snakes Rev.: ΠΑ / ΡΙ, Bull standing left, head reverted. Monogram below Ag, 13mm, 2.27g Ref.: SNG France 1390 Parion, Mysia Hemidrachm 4th century BC Obv.: Facing gorgoneion surrounded by snakes Rev.: ΠΑ / ΡΙ, Bull standing left, head reverted. star below Ag, 13mm, 2.41g Ref.: SNG von Aulock 1322 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted October 21, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2022 3 hours ago, Ryro said: The season of the witch is at hand, so what's better than to celebrate the original three witch sisters? No! Not them. The Gorgons. Three serpent haired, winged, monster sisters with boars tusks for teeth. With one sister, the youngest, Medusa, being the only of the three that was mortal. I don't know that there's a coin with all three sisters, but I have a few featuring one sister, Medusa, meaning beautiful, cursed or both in archaic, classical or Hellenistic: Whoa, who threw in those pentagrams?... hail Satan! Interested in learning more, watch this: Please post all things gorgon, witchy, evil or just plain spooky. Don't freeze up on me now! 2 hours ago, shanxi said: My little gorgons, more cute than scary Parion, Mysia Hemidrachm 4th century BC Obv.: Facing gorgoneion surrounded by snakes Rev.: ΠΑ / ΡΙ, Bull standing left, head reverted. Monogram below Ag, 13mm, 2.27g Ref.: SNG France 1390 Parion, Mysia Hemidrachm 4th century BC Obv.: Facing gorgoneion surrounded by snakes Rev.: ΠΑ / ΡΙ, Bull standing left, head reverted. star below Ag, 13mm, 2.41g Ref.: SNG von Aulock 1322 Wonderful selection folks. I don't have one but if there comes a time of feeling a little gorgon deprivation, I only have to open this thread to get my fill. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted October 21, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 21, 2022 Not a bad theme for collecting. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Snible Posted October 21, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 21, 2022 Thracian Tribes, perhaps the Asti?, AKA “Parion” 513-480 BC. 3.86g 13mm. ex Dr. Roland Maly, founder of Bank Leu. For many years I believed these were from Olbia. They aren't found in Mysia. To determine their origin I classified all the ancient Greek gorgons by their characteristics -- style of eyes, ears, hair, etc. By this process, the style was closer to Olbia than other Greek gorgons. I gave a talk last month at the INC where I explained the origin of the attribution to Parion, and presented my other evidence. However, in light of recent hoard evidence I now suspect southeastern Thrace. You must wait until I can write up the full details for publication. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted October 21, 2022 · Patron Share Posted October 21, 2022 (edited) Wow! That's quite a gaggle of Gorgons, @Ryro! I don't have too many such coins. Just this Amisos type. Pontus, Amisos, c. 85-65 BC? Greek Æ 19.6 mm, 8.39 g, 12 h. Obv: Aegis, with Gorgon's head at center. Rev: Nike advancing right, carrying palm branch with filet, ΑΜΙ-ΣΟΥ across field, Monogram ᛦ to right. Refs: cf. Sear 3642; cf. BMC 13.19-20,62-78. I was recently at the Getty Villa, though, and took photos of these Gorgons on ancient Greek stuff! Edited October 21, 2022 by Roman Collector 5 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted October 21, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 21, 2022 (edited) At my last Rome visit... "The Mouth of Truth - La Bocca della Verità, known as the Mouth of Truth, is one of the most interesting sculptures in Rome. It is a huge marble mask by Pavonazzo weighing more than 1,300 kg (2,800 pounds). It is shaped like a disc, with engravings of a male face with its mouth wide open, nostrils and eyes. You can see the Mouth of Truth in the ancient cattle market in the Piazza della Bocca della Verità. More precisely, on the left side wall of the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Although it is one of the most famous sculptures in Rome, the Mouth of Truth is surrounded by many question marks. Apart from the fact that it is a few thousand years old, little is known about it. Myths and legends surround this massive piece of sculpted marble, which is perhaps the reason for its enduring appeal." https://www.romsehenswuerdigkeiten.com/mund-wahrheit/ Edited October 21, 2022 by Prieure de Sion 4 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Posted October 21, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 21, 2022 Let’s go to the Roman side for two minutes. On the shield of Victorinus you can see a Medusa’s face. Isn’t she sister of the Gorgons ??? 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted October 21, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 21, 2022 Marcus Iulius Philippus I ArabsTetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 248 ADMaterial: Billon SilverDiameter: 27mmWeight: 12.48gMint: Antiochia ad Orontem, SyriaReference: Prieur 357 Obverse: Radiate, cuirassed bust of Philip I left, seen from front, Gorgoneion on breastplate. The Inscription reads: ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CEB for Autokratoros Kaisaros Marcos Ioulios Philippos Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus).Reverse: Eagle standing left, head right, wreath in beak, tail right, wings spread; ANTIOXIA S C in exergue. The Inscription reads: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCIAC YΠΑ ΤΟ Γ for Demarchos exousia Hypatos to Gamma, Antiochia, Senatus Consulto (Invested with the Tribunician Power, Consul of the 3rd time, Antiochia, by decree of the Senate). Marcus Iulius Philippus I ArabsTetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 249 ADMaterial: Billon SilverDiameter: 26mmWeight: 11,12gMint: Antiochia ad Orontem, SyriaReference: Prieur 451, McAlee 959 (this coin illustrated!)Provenance: Ex Michel Prieur Collection, Ex CNG Numismatics (Electronic Auction 439, Lot 357)Obverse: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust left with shield to lower left ornamented with gorgoneion. The Inscription reads: ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CEB for Autokratoros Kaisaros Marcos Ioulios Philippos Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus).Reverse: Eagle standing right, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; ANTIOXIA S C in exergue. The Inscription reads: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCIAC YΠΑ ΤΟ Δ for Demarchos exousia Hypatos to Delta, Antiochia, Senatus Consulto (Invested with the Tribunician Power, Consul of the 4th time, Antiochia, by decree of the Senate). 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted October 22, 2022 · Member Share Posted October 22, 2022 Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus DeciusTetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 250 ADMaterial: Billon SilverDiameter: 28mmWeight: 13.15gMint: Antiochia ad Orontem, SyriaReference: Prieur 512 (8 ex.)Obverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust left, gorgoneion on breastplate; one dot below. The Inscription reads: AYT K Γ MЄ KY ΔЄKIOC TPAIANOC CЄB for Autokratos Kaisaros Gaios Messios Quintos Decios Traianos Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Decius Traianus Augustus).Reverse: Eagle standing left on palm frond, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; S C in exergue. The Inscription reads: ΔHMAPX ЄΞOYCIAC for Demarchos exousia, Senatus Consulto (Invested with the Tribunician Power, by decree of the Senate). 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted October 23, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 23, 2022 (edited) Great thread! I don't have much to show, I'm afraid. Apollonia Pontika: L. Plautius Plancus (photo of obverse only). I think the bankers' marks around Medusa's mouth make her look more horrifying than she otherwise would. A Provincial Macrinus with a rather unusual aegis: Macrinus Æ26, Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior, AD 217-218. Under Marcus Claudius Agrippa, consular legate. Obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from front, with aegis on left shoulder (snake protruding, representing Medusa’s hair) and head of Medusa on breastplate of cuirass, AV K OΠΠEΛ CEV - H MAKΡINOC / Rev. the emperor driving triumphal quadriga (decorated with image of Victory) to right, holding reins and transverse sceptre in left hand, raising right hand in salute; Virtus or soldier preceding, stepping right before the horses with head reverted to left and holding vexillum over shoulder; above, trophy of arms between two seated captives; VΠ AΓΡIΠΠA NIKOΠOΛ around from 8:00; in exergue in two lines, ITΩN ΠΡ OC | ICTΡΩ. 10.38g, 26mm, 6h. Pick, AMNG I/I 1712 (at p. 440) & Pl. XIX nr. 16 [rev. die match] [Pick, Behrendt, Die antiken Münzen von Dacien und Moesien, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands Vol. I/I (Berlin, 1898) (6 specimens)]; Corpus Nummorum Online 26655 [see https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/CN_26655]. Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 220th Buy or Bid Sale, June 2022, Lot 334; ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 29 Oct. 2020, Lot 384 (acquired from Leu Numismatik AG); ex Helios Numismatik, Auction 8, 13 October 2012, lot 337 (ex European collection, formed before 2005). [Video of coin at https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/inventory/item-detail/ancient-coins/100313?fromBbs=220th Buy Or Bid Sale.] Edited October 23, 2022 by DonnaML 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted October 23, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted October 23, 2022 The only gorgon that isn't a coin from Amisos in the FF collection: Alexander III AE15 Obverse: Facing gorgon at center of ornamented Macedonian shield Reverse: B-A to left and right of Macedonian helmet, caduceus below Notes: Gift from @Theodosius 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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