Marsyas Mike Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 This came in an unattributed (unattributable?) lot from eBay and I am really stumped. I can't even figure out the reverse figure - a goddess in a long, nipped-at-the-waist dress holding what looks like a snake (or a long bow?). She appears to be standing on some kind of plinth flanked by two blobby things (dolphins?). The emperor looks like one of the Military Crisis guys, Philip/Trajan Decius/Trebonianus Gallus. The closest I came is this one from Ephesus, showing Artemis-Hecate for Gordian. https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/7.1/368.1 Other Artemis renditions usually show her in a shorter skirt. Most Hecates are three-figured. Here is the RPC Ephesus Gordian (31 mm) - that's a stag at her feet - similar dress though: Here is mine - clearly not the Gordian, but as close as I could get. Mine is smaller at 23 mm and 10.33 grams: Here is my crude effort to enhance the reverse - part of the reverse inscription is visible, looking like ...MATKO...or something like that: Usually I can blunder my way to an attribution on these, but this one baffles me. Any help much appreciated! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamnaskires Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 (edited) The very coin, I believe: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/7.1/368.1 Edit: Oops...didn't read your whole post...I see you uploaded the RPC image. Sorry! Edited January 4, 2023 by Kamnaskires 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted January 4, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted January 4, 2023 Your coin (assuming it is the 2nd example) looks like a die match if you carefully study the details of the laureate wreath's tie in the back and the chin. So yeah, Gordian III 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamnaskires Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 4, 2023 (edited) If this link works, this is an RPC search limited to Damascus with Ambrosia and vines for the reverse: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/search/browse?volume_id=&number=&city_id=445®ion_id=&province_id=&subprovince_id=&reign_id=&obverse_inscription_simplified=&reverse_inscription_simplified=&obverse_design=&reverse_design=Ambrosia+vines&metal_id=&weight_min=&weight_max=&diameter_min=&diameter_max=&format= Edited January 4, 2023 by Kamnaskires 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsyas Mike Posted January 4, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted January 4, 2023 @Kamnaskires and @Ancient Coin Hunter - thank you so much for those swift responses! Ambrosia? I learn something new every day - and that is not a tight, sheath dress - she's naked! And those are vines, not snakes. No wonder I was coming up with nothing. @Kamnaskires, I think you nailed it. I'm going to look these over when I'm feeling a little fresher, but I'm pretty sure this is RPC 1965A, Damascus for Volusian, bust seen from front (there is enough of the obverse legend I can see a "V" over the head). There might even be a die-match here. The reverse legend visible on mine is METRO, which makes sense (that the legends are in Latin also clarifies the IMP I thought I saw obverse). Nice work - it is such a nice feeling when these things start to make sense - I couldn't've done it without you. Again, thanks to both of you for sleuthing for me. I appreciate it! P.S. Kevin Butcher wrote a paper on Ambrosia in Damascus - just found it, haven't read it yet: https://www.academia.edu/433288/Ambrosia_in_Damascus 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.