Marsyas Mike Posted February 2, 2023 · Member Posted February 2, 2023 I recently got a large Roman Provincial Æ from Apollonia, Illyria issued for Caracalla, Hermes on the reverse. The AΠOΛΛωNIATAN legend establishes location. It is a big coin, sestertius size, 21.71 grams, 30 mm. Here it is: This is one of the prettiest Provincials in my mostly ugly collection - the portrait of a young Caracalla is very well done, and the flan preparation is so good I suspect it was modified for jewelry - it looks like it was struck in a collar. It is possible it is a modern fake. There is no edge seam, but it is very round for an ancient. There are other Severan AEs from Apollonia, including this one with a Hermes reverse for Septimius Severus: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=975674. Wildwinds has a big Geta, different god, but the portrait is in a similar fine style. But in general, not a lot of coins were issued in Apollonia during the Imperial era. Here it is: My problem is that I cannot find another example anywhere, except in a book from 1893. Provincials from Apollonia were apparently issued rather infrequently (see Wildwinds). RPC online does not include Caracalla yet, so that was no help to me. I enjoy it when forum members use very old references (see recent 18th C. reference Faustina posts by @Roman Collector). In this case, an old reference is the only clue I have about this coin. The book is on Google, fully scanned: Julius von Schlosser, Beschreibung der Altgreichischen Münzen I: Thessalien, Illyrien, Dalmatien und die Inseln des Adriatischen Meeres, Epeiros. (Vienna, 1893). https://books.google.com/books?id=9jfDOSHqnzYC&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝ+IATAN+caracalla&source=bl&ots=tKQhIWHhqg&sig=ACfU…#v=onepage&q=ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝ IATAN caracalla&f=false As I don't read German, or understand old coin references, I put together these notes: Julius von Schlosser book - title page and the full page on which I think mine is described: Close-up of my my coin (Nummer 138 - I left in Nummer 137 for the obverse legend), with a column header on top: Description, Apollonia, Caracalla/Hermes (page 38, nummer 138; Englished via Google Translate): 1st column: Nummer (number): 138 2nd column: Metall u. Grösse (metal and size): K30 3rd column: Gewicht (weight) blank Description obverse: AKMAYPH ANTωNEINOC Dgl. Legende verwischt ("legend blurred"), Berlobeerte Büste des jugendlichen Caracalla, n. r. ("bust of the youthful Caracalla with berries, n. r."). Description reverse: AΠOΛΛωN IATAN, Hermes, nackt, mit Beutel, Korykain u. Chlamys, n. l. stehend. ("Hermes, naked, with pouch, Korykain and Chlamys, l. standing.") I am not sure I am interpreting this - for one thing, there is no weight, and I am not entirely sure what size "K30" means - I hope it means 30mm. Tafel III plates do not have this coin shown, unfortunately. The legend does not quite match, but von Schlosser notes Legende verwischt ("legend blurred"), so that doesn't worry me too much: von Schlosser's legend: AKMAYPH ANTωNEINOC My coin's legend (mostly there, but hard to see in places): AKMAYP(no H) ANTωNE(INOC?) I was wondering if anybody out there has seen another example of this coin, or if my von Schlosser interpretation holds water. I'd love to fine a more recently-described example. Also, any opinions about authenticity welcome too - if it's a fake, I'd rather know than not. As always, any help greatly appreciated. Feel free to share Apollonia provincials - I'd like to see others. 14 2 1 Quote
shanxi Posted February 2, 2023 · Supporter Posted February 2, 2023 (edited) "Korykain" should be "kerykeion" 27 minutes ago, Marsyas Mike said: Also, any opinions about authenticity welcome too - if it's a fake, I'd rather know than not. looks good Edited February 2, 2023 by shanxi 2 1 Quote
Roman Collector Posted February 2, 2023 · Patron Posted February 2, 2023 Very cool!! I'll look through some references when I get home from work. In the meantime, K 30 means Kupfer (copper) 30 mm. 3 1 Quote
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted February 3, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Posted February 3, 2023 Great coin. Appears to be authentic. Under Caracalla large provincial bronzes seem to be common - perhaps because of the relatively limited production of sestertii during his reign. I have several. However production by individual cities is still limited. Many rare types out there with only a handful of examples, but quite pleasing types with more interesting reverse motifs than standard Imperial issues. Nice find. 1 1 Quote
Roman Collector Posted February 3, 2023 · Patron Posted February 3, 2023 Well, I've looked in Mionnet Suppl. III, BMC 7, Wiczay, Lindgren II and III, and Sear GIC, and it's not in any of these. 2 2 Quote
Marsyas Mike Posted February 3, 2023 · Member Author Posted February 3, 2023 10 hours ago, Roman Collector said: Well, I've looked in Mionnet Suppl. III, BMC 7, Wiczay, Lindgren II and III, and Sear GIC, and it's not in any of these. Thank you @Roman Collector for ransacking these sources for me - I do appreciate it. Thank you too @shanxiand @Ancient Coin Hunterfor providing your insights. I feel much more secure about this coin now. 2 Quote
hotwheelsearl Posted February 4, 2023 · Member Posted February 4, 2023 I don't think it's a fake. Provincials were often somewhat rounder than their imperial counterparts. Not sure why, though. Many provincials also have that eponymous centration dimple, presumed to assist in making a more round flan. I have a couple provincials (smaller than yours) of Commodus which are amazingly round. Gotta fish out some pictures next week. 1 Quote
Edessa Posted February 4, 2023 · Supporter Posted February 4, 2023 Back in the long ago days when we had only printed references, I would often be able to attribute provincials by finding the same reverse on the coins of different family members, rather than the exact combination of obverse and reverse. You might be able to find a Geta with the exact same reverse die. 1 Quote
Marsyas Mike Posted February 4, 2023 · Member Author Posted February 4, 2023 3 hours ago, Edessa said: Back in the long ago days when we had only printed references, I would often be able to attribute provincials by finding the same reverse on the coins of different family members, rather than the exact combination of obverse and reverse. You might be able to find a Geta with the exact same reverse die. That's a good idea @Edessa - I did some digging and found the same reverse on a Septimius Severus from Apollonia. These seem to be the same coin, not a reverse die-match to mine, but still reassuring to see Hermes did make an appearance elsewhere in Apollonia: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=136032 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=975674 2 Quote
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