David Atherton Posted June 10, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 10, 2022 (edited) I simply love the coins struck at Alexandria during the Flavian era, especially those of Domitian. My latest coin is a good example why! Domitian Æ Obol, 4.49g Alexandria mint, 90-91 AD Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, r. Rev: LΙ; Hippopotamus, r.RPC 2591 (0 spec.). Emmett 320.10. Dattari-Savio 615. Acquired from London Ancient Coins, May 2022. Ex Naville Numismatics 72, 27 March 2022, lot 254. The Alexandrian mint under Domitian around regnal year 10 experienced a 'dramatic improvement in style' and the 'adoption of a wide range of new types' (Milne). One of those new types was this ethnic hippopotamus reverse that had previously been struck under the Julio-Claudians. The hippo in local Egyptian mythology was a potent symbol of prosperity, rebirth, and regeneration. In the days of the pharaohs the killing of a hippo was symbolic of courage and strength. Hippo hunts were necessary due to the animal's habit of grazing and destroying precious crops. Today the Nile hippopotamus is extinct in Egypt. This Domitanic hippo obol is extremely rare, likely due to it being sparingly struck for just a couple of issues. Feel free to show off your hippos, Alexandrian coins, or anything else you think appropriate. Thanks for looking! Edited June 10, 2022 by David Atherton 23 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted June 10, 2022 · Patron Share Posted June 10, 2022 That's cool, @David Atherton! I have the more frequently encountered issues of Otacilia Severa. Otacilia Severa, AD 244-249. Roman AR Antoninianus, 2.90 g, 21.4 mm, 1 h. Rome, AD 248. Obv: OTACIL SEVERA AVG, bare-headed and draped bust, right, on crescent. Rev: SAECVLARES AVGG, hippopotamus standing right; IIII in exergue. Refs: RIC 116b; Cohen 43; RCV 9160; CRE 526; Hunter 8. Otacilia Severa, AD 244-249. Roman Æ sestertius; 11.52 g, 30.4 mm. Rome, AD 248. Obv: MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG, diademed and draped bust, right. Rev: SAECVLARES AVGG SC, Hippopotamus standing right. Refs: RIC 200; Cohen 65; RCV 9170; Hunter 26. 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted June 10, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 10, 2022 ...one cant have too many hippos...i've one like @Roman Collector..and also one from the Alexandrian mint of Claudius..:) 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor rNumis Posted June 10, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 10, 2022 2 hours ago, ominus1 said: ...one cant have too many hippos... Very true. And then, of course, there was Hipponion in Calabria (later Vibo Valentia). However, I'm pretty sure there were no hippos there, back in the day or even now 😄. Always liked the name though. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etcherdude Posted June 10, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 10, 2022 40 minutes ago, rNumis said: Very true. And then, of course, there was Hipponion in Calabria (later Vibo Valentia). However, I'm pretty sure there were no hippos there, back in the day or even now 😄. Always liked the name though. Hippo is Greek for horse. A hippopotamus is a “river horse”. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted June 10, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 10, 2022 (edited) A wonderful coin, @David Atherton! My only hippo, posted here recently, is the toothy variety from Otacilia Severa, issued by Philip I as part of the SAECVLARES AVGG series in AD 248, to commemorate Rome's 1000th anniversary: And then there are my two hippocamps, one from the Gallienus Zoo Series and the other a Mudie medal (No. 39). They should count, right? Edited June 10, 2022 by DonnaML 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabius Posted June 10, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 10, 2022 Love it @David Atherton! This thread is making me want to expand my hippo collection 🦛. I know we've already seen Otacilia multiple times in this thread, but I can't resist sharing mine too. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted June 10, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 10, 2022 (edited) Here is the Uber-Rare nature's own Horned LAND-Hippo... 😄 😄 😄 RI Trajan Egypt AE Dichalkon Laureate hd L HORNED LAND-HIPPO >Rhinoceros< walking L LI-Z yr 17 CE 113-114 12.9mm 1.25g Emmet 719 var. rhino right Kinda the same idea as the: Edited June 10, 2022 by Alegandron 9 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted June 10, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 10, 2022 21 minutes ago, Alegandron said: Here is the Uber-Rare nature's own Horned LAND-Hippo... 😄 😄 😄 RI Trajan Egypt AE Dichalkon Laureate hd L HORNED LAND-HIPPO >Rhinoceros< walking L LI-Z yr 17 CE 113-114 12.9mm 1.25g Emmet 719 var. rhino right Kinda the same idea as the: ..no...possums are kool & inoffensive ....armadilias tear your yard to pieces...i wouldn't mind'em diggin' if they'd just refill the hole 9_9.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted June 10, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 10, 2022 2 minutes ago, ominus1 said: ..no...possums are kool & inoffensive ....armadilias tear your yard to pieces...i wouldn't mind'em diggin' if they'd just refill the hole 9_9.. Remember: Armadillos are ARMORED Possums... they dig up your yard cuz they are preparing for TRENCH WARFARE! 😄 😄 😄 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romancollector Posted June 11, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 11, 2022 My hippo contribution AE Sestertius of Otacilia Severa 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted June 11, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 11, 2022 Being hippoless I can't but applause ! Q 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted June 11, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 11, 2022 Neat coin David. I can throw in this hippo: 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Steve Posted June 11, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 11, 2022 (edited) Sweet!! => Hey David, congrats on snagging that fantastic Hippo coin (great addition) Here is a sweetie from my old collection ... one of my favs Otacilia Severa. Augusta, Æ Sestertius (below) AD 244-249 Secular Games issue., 4th officina. 9th emission of Philip I, AD 248 Rome mint Diameter: 28 mm Weight: 15.99 grams Obverse: Draped bust right, wearing stephane Reverse: Hippopotamus standing right Reference: RIC IV 200a (Philip I); Banti 13 Other:12h … Good VF, dark brown patina, with some red Ex-stevex6 … from the Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection ... big-n-lovely (that's what Philip the Arab called her) Edited June 11, 2022 by Steve 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted June 11, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 11, 2022 I remember that one, it's a fantastic coin Q 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted June 11, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 11, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Steve said: Sweet!! => Hey David, congrats on snagging that fantastic Hippo coin (great addition) Here is a sweetie from my old collection ... one of my favs Otacilia Severa. Augusta, Æ Sestertius (below) AD 244-249 Secular Games issue., 4th officina. 9th emission of Philip I, AD 248 Rome mint Diameter: 28 mm Weight: 15.99 grams Obverse: Draped bust right, wearing stephane Reverse: Hippopotamus standing right Reference: RIC IV 200a (Philip I); Banti 13 Other:12h … Good VF, dark brown patina, with some red Ex-stevex6 … from the Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection ... big-n-lovely (that's what Philip the Arab called her) ..x6?...that's the coin that persuaded meto get one....:D (that and Roman Collector educating me on what i had :P) Edited June 11, 2022 by ominus1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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