Valentinian Posted June 5, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 5, 2022 (edited) Antioch on the Maeander river in Caria was a minor town. It is famous primarily for having had a bridge which is no longer extant. But, it did strike a few impressive Roman provincial coins. This one is larger than a Roman sestertius at 36 mm and 24.03 grams. Gallienus (253-268) Helmeted bust left, holding spear forward and shield. Bridge with 6 arches, rivers flowing below, river god reclining on it with reed and cornucopia, and three-arch arch (with a bird on top) at the left end. Similar coins come as small as 31 mm. Obviously, the larger 36 mm version is more impressive. Sear Greek Imperial 4568. SNG von Aulock II 2430 and IV 8059 variety (with the arch on the right instead of the left). Price and Trell, page 50, figure 82 (reverse only). A second feature of interest is the helmeted bust of the emperor. In the late third century and fourth centuries emperors are often depicted helmeted on coins. I don't know of imperial or provincial coins which have the emperor helmeted earlier than than Gallienus. If anyone has one to show, I'd love to see it. Show us a bridge or an early helmeted Roman emperor! Edited June 5, 2022 by Valentinian 19 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth77 Posted June 5, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 5, 2022 I saw these at auction but they were already far more than I was willing to bid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientOne Posted June 5, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 5, 2022 RPC has a helmeted Hadrian standing for Amphipolis. https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/648 It also states this type as helmeted but I have not seen an example that looks definitive. Macedonia, Amphipolis. Hadrian AE20 Obv: AΔPIANOC KAICAP. Emperor helmeted standing front, head l., r. hand raised, holding parazonium in l. Rev: AMΦIΠOΛEITΩN. Artemis Tauropolos standing left with torch and branch, wearing kalathos and crescent. SNG ANS -; BMC 102. That is an amazing architectural provincial! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted June 6, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted June 6, 2022 So far no one has come up with a helmeted portrait bust of an emperor earlier than Gallienus, either imperial or provincial. Maybe Gallienus really was the first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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