Roman Collector Posted January 22, 2023 · Patron Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) Demeter (Roman Ceres) is first and foremost a goddess of grain.[1] It is unsurprising, therefore, that grain ears are depicted on almost all coins depicting the goddess. However, Demeter is not infrequently depicted holding poppies along with the ears of grain, and sometimes even holding poppies alone. Why the poppy?The poppy is a flower commonly found growing amongst the grain of the wheat-fields. Red Poppy Flowers in Wheat Field, photo by Chris Sattlberger. It is no surprise, therefore, that the poppy became incorporated in the myths and iconography of Demeter. In Greek mythology, the gods gave Demeter a poppy to help her sleep after her daughter Persephone was abducted. Afterwards, poppies sprang from Demeter's footsteps. She also transformed her mortal lover, Mecon, into the sacred flower.[2] The poppy was regarded as sacred to Demeter, and was worn by her priestesses.[3] See, for example, the following ancient sources: Callimachus, Hymn 6 to Demeter 42 ff (trans. Mair) (Greek poet c. 3rd B.C.): "Nikippe, whom the city had appointed to be her [Demeter's] public priestess, and in her hand she grasped her fillets and her poppy, and from her shoulder hung her key [the temple key of the priestess]." Virgil, Georgics 1. 208 ff (trans. Fairclough) (Roman bucolic c. 1st B.C.): "When the Balance [Libra] makes the hours of daytime and sleep equal [in autumn], and now parts the world in twain . . . then is the time to hide in the ground your crop of flax and the poppy of Ceres [Demeter]." Here are some coins in my collection, including two recent acquisitions, depicting Demeter or Ceres holding poppies along with grain ears. Faustina II, 147-175 CE. Roman provincial Æ 20.1 mm, 4.91 g, 6 h. Lydia, Blaundus, c. 161-175 CE. Obv: ·I·ΑVϹΤЄΙΝΑ ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ, bare-headed and draped bust of Faustina II, right. Rev: ΒΛΑVΝΔЄΩΝ, Demeter, veiled and wearing long chiton and peplos, standing left, holding two ears of corn and poppy in right hand and long torch in left. Refs: RPC IV.2, 1189 (temp); BMC 22.53,78; SNG Cop 93; SNG Munich 92; Lindgren I, 659. Faustina II, 147-175 CE. Roman provincial Æ 21.5 mm, 6.32 g, 6 h. Lydia, Maeonia; Magistrate Diodorus, 147-161 CE. Obv: ·I·ΑYϹΤЄΙΝΑ ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ, bare-headed and draped bust of Faustina II, right. Rev: ЄΠΙ ΔΙOΔΩΡOΥ ΜΑΙOΝΩΝ, Demeter, veiled and wearing long chiton, standing left, holding two ears of corn and poppy in right hand and long torch in left. Refs: RPC IV.2, 10674 (temp); SNG Leypold 1070; GRPCL Maionia 106. Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 28.83 g, 32.5 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 162-164. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust, right, wearing two strands of pearls (Beckmann Type 7 hairstyle). Rev: CERES S C, Ceres seated left on cista, holding corn-ears and poppy in raised right hand and short, transverse torch in left hand. Refs: RIC 1623; BMC 895n.; Cohen 39; MIR 2-6/10b; RCV –. And this interesting provincial doesn't depict Demeter herself, but has every attribute of hers imaginable: grain ears, poppies, a flaming torch, and a serpent. Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman provincial Æ 20.1 mm, 5.09 gm, 12 h. Bithynia, Nicomedia, c. AD 148-150. Obv: ΦΑVСΤΕΙΝΑ ΝΕΑ СΕΒΑ, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: ΝΕΩΚΟΡOV ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔEI, lighted torch entwined by serpent, surmounted by two ears of corn and decorated with two poppies. Refs: RPC IV, 6091,(temporary); RG 107, pl. XCI 24; Lindgren 166 (this coin). Let's see your coins that feature poppies! And here's some Nina Simone to start your day. It's a powerful song about the opioid problem. 1. "DEMETER GODDESS OF AGRICULTURE, GRAIN, AND BREAD." Theoi.com, www.theoi.com/Olympios/DemeterGoddess.html. 2. Chatfield, Stephanie. "Poppies: Sleep, Death, Remembrance." Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood, 22 Apr. 2019, preraphaelitesisterhood.com/poppies-sleep-death-remembrance/. 3. "DEMETER ESTATE & ATTRIBUTES." Theoi.com, www.theoi.com/Olympios/DemeterTreasures.html. Edited February 4, 2023 by Roman Collector Clarity; new photo 16 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted January 22, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 22, 2023 Nice topic. Here is one of mine: Gordianus III Moesia Inferior, Odessos Æ Pentassarion Obv.: AYT K M ANTΩNIOC ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian left and draped bust of Darzalas with cornucopia right, vis-à-vis. Rev: OΔΗCCEITΩN, Demeter, standing l., holding poppy and corn-ear in extended r. hand and leaning with l. hand on torch. Inverted E in r. field AE, 12.57g, 27x27.5mm Ref.: Varbanov 4481 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted January 22, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 22, 2023 I have only one coin with poppy... Publius Aelius Hadrianus as Imperator Caesar Traianus Hadrianus AugustusSestertius of the Roman Imperial Period 119/120 AD; Material: AE; Diameter: 34mm; Weight: 26.90g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 233; Obverse: Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right. The Inscription reads: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus; Reverse: Annona standing left, holding corn ears and cornucopia; at feet to left, modius, corn ears, and poppy; behind right, prow of ship. The Inscription reads: PONT MAX TR POT COS III / ANNONA AVG (in exergue) / S C (in field) for Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Consul Tertium. Annona Augusti. Senatus Consultum (High priest, holder of tribunician power, consul for the third time. Imperial grain supply. Decree of the senate). 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted January 22, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 22, 2023 Great. I have only 1 coin with a generic poppy reverse. Antoninus Pius ( 138-161) AR denarius Rome, 141-143 ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TR P COS III - laureate head right Rev: ANNONA AVG, modius with four grain ears and a poppy. RIC 62 2,56 g, 18 mm 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted January 22, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 22, 2023 @Roman Collector....Nice coins! I see you picked up that Lydia, Blaundus from Tom..I had that one on my want list and was gonna pick that one up if you were my Saturnalia🤣....Glad it went to the right home!... Sorry no poppies here 🥺 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deinomenid Posted January 22, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 22, 2023 Given how important Demeter was in Sicily, the then grain heartland of much of the region, she rarely appears. Arethusa outcompeted her! However, here is an unusual Demeter for a Syracuse coin, wearing a poppyhead in her wreath. SICILY, Syracuse, ~405BC). Tetradrachm (17.45 g) Tudeer 47g, this coin, signed by the master engravers Euth... and Phrygillos, about 405.AR 17.38 g. Nude Eros, with spread wings, driving fast quadriga r.; he holds reins with both hands and is crowned by Nike flying l.;in the exergue, signature EU and Scylla r., trident over l. shoulder, trying to catch with her outstretched r. hand a fish in front ofher. Rev. Head of Demeter l., hair rolled up in a wreath composed by corn ears, oak leaves and poppyhead; shewears a double-hook earring and a plain necklace with a pendant in form of a small vase; below signature.four dolphins around.Tudeer, 36, 47g (this specimen). Giesecke, SN pl. 13, 10 (this specimen). Kraay-Hirmer pl. 37, 100 (these dies). Rizzo pl. 43, 12 (these dies). 10 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted January 22, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 22, 2023 Nice and interesting topic. I'm as poppiless as one can be, sorry 😞 Q 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted January 23, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 23, 2023 Great coins my man! No Fausty poppies here. But this gnarly looking Brute of a coin (which details looks 1000x better in hand) features Chrysoroas chilaxing with his poppy: Phrygia Hierapolis 'Pseudo-autonomous': Second or early third century AD (Bronze, 5.61g 19mm). laureateheaded and draped bust of the Demos (bearded), left. ΔΗΜΟϹ ΙƐΡΑΠΟΛƐΙΤΩΝ ΧΡVϹΟΡΟΑϹ river-god Chrysoroas reclining, left, holding poppy and two ears of corn, resting on water-urn L. Weber, NC 1913, 18, VIII, no. 3, RPC IV.2, 9989 (temporary) 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted January 23, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 23, 2023 ...i have a Hadrian denarius that, after scrolling down and seeing Ambr0zie's Ant. Pious with the same reverse of the modius that does indeed have a poopy(i thought so^^)..you will pardon the rest of the coins in the shot for they aren't the subject matter herein... 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted January 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 23, 2023 When I think of poppies this coin comes readily to mind. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.48g Ephesus (?) mint, 76 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., a small 'o' mint mark below neck Rev: FIDES PVBL; Hands clasped over caduceus, two poppies and two corn ears RIC 1475 (R). BMC 490. RSC 163a. RPC 1452 (6 spec.). BNC -. Acquired from Malter Galleries, December 2010. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted January 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 23, 2023 Domitian Ae quadrans Obv:- IMP DOMIT AVG GERM, Bust of Ceres left Rev:- S-C, Bundle of three poppies and four corn ears Reference:- RIC II new 243 (R). Cohen 17 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted January 23, 2023 · Patron Author Share Posted January 23, 2023 These coins demonstrate the importance of opium in the Roman pharmacopoeia. There were people in antiquity with opium addiction, the most famous being Marcus Aurelius. See here and here. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted January 23, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 23, 2023 Similar to the Balundus coin: Lydia, Maeonia Faustina II Diodoros, magistrate AE 22 Obv.: ΦΑΥϹΤƐΙΝΑ ϹƐΒΑϹΤΗ, draped bust of Faustina II, r. Rev: ƐΠΙ ΔΙοΔΩΡοΥ ΜΑΙοΝΩΝ, veiled Demeter standing, l., holding two ears of corn and poppy in right and, long torch in left hand. Assarion (Orichalcum, 22 mm, 5.35 g, 6 h) Ref.: RPC IV.2 online 10674, SNG Leypold 1070 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Snible Posted January 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 23, 2023 (edited) If you like ancient poppies you might enjoy this 55-year-old article from the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime: "The history of the poppy and of opium and their expansion in antiquity in the eastern Mediterranean area" by P. G. KRITIKOS and S. P. PAPADAKI. Part 2, the coin part, is here. Here is another coin. This one was tough to attribute for me. Moesia Inferior, Tomi. Nerva (96-98 AD), AE16, 2.91g; RPC vol. 3 #778 Obv: [ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤωΡ Ν]ΕΡΟΥΑ; laureate head of Nerva, r. Rev: [ΤΟ/Μ//ƐΙΤ/]ωΝ; bunch of 3 ears of corn and 2 poppy heads ex Pegasi Numismatics, WESPNEX coin show, 2005 (misattributed as an unpublished coin of Elaeia in Aeolis.) Edited January 23, 2023 by Ed Snible 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientOne Posted January 23, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 23, 2023 Phrygia, Amorium. Apollo/Demeter Æ26 Obv: ΑΜΟΡΙΑΝΩΝ, head of Apollo, r.; to r., lyre. Rev: ƐΠΙ ϹƐΡΤΟΡΟϹ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΟV, veiled Demeter standing, l., holding poppy, ears of corn and long torch. Reign Antoninus Pius. Magistrate Sertor. Antonios (without title). RPC 1706 (temporary) 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alwin Posted January 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted January 25, 2023 VESPASIAN, denarius Ephesus, AD 71 3.50 g - 18 mm S 2269 - C 67 - RIC 329 IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS III TR P PP, Laureate head right CONCORDIA AVG, Concordia seated left, holding grain ears, poppy, and cornucopia; in exergue EPHE 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arizonarobin Posted January 26, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted January 26, 2023 I have two that have Poppies. 🙂 Julia Domna, Sardes in LydiaIOYΛΙA CЄBACTH, Draped bust right CAPΔΙΑΝΩΝ B NЄΩKOPΩN, cult image of Kore facing, wearing polos and veil, between a corn-ear on the left and poppy on the right Julia Domna IVLIA DO-MNA AVG, Draped bust rightFELICITAS TEMPOR, Vase shaped basket containing corn ears and poppies 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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