Valentinian Posted February 9, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 9, 2023 (edited) We have all hard of the recent catastrophic earthquakes in Turkey. That part of Turkey is well-known for powerful earthquakes and was devastated by earthquakes in antiquity. Some ancient coins are relevant. Ancient Antioch is on the same earthquake fault that ruptured a few days ago. Trajan was in Antioch in 115 when a massive earthquake hit and he was almost killed, but (supposedly) protected by Jupiter. I don't have the coin to show, but here is a link to one. Jupiter protects the emperor. https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6709481 In the next reign Hadrian proclaimed TELLVS STABIL. Denarius. 17 mm. 3.36 grams. Hill says it refers to the 400th anniversary of the temple of Tellus in Rome. (Tellus was the goddess of the Earth.) Foss gives it to the 20th anniversary of the reign "with an image symbolizing the continuity and stability of the age". Stevenson says it is an allusion to earthquakes. It could be a thankful statement that now the earth has stabilized after the terrible quakes. Byzantine coins almost never has reference to current events other than changes in the ruling family, but some events are visible in the fabric of the coins. In 526 there was an earthquake at Antioch that killed a reported 250,000 people. Then in 528 there was a second massive earthquake that killed 5,000 of he already reduced population. After this the remaining hopeful and fearful population renamed it "Theopolis" (less frequently spelled "Theoupolis"), the "City of God." Thereafter, coin mintmarks referenced the new name. I wrote a page on the coins of Justinian and those events:http://augustuscoins.com/ed/interesting/Justinian.html#tragic The two earthquakes were not the only calamities which Antioch suffered. Take a look at that page. One effect of the first earthquake was a drastic decline in the quality of engraving. A second was the mint marks changed to give the new name. The first coin is a pre-earthquake follis of Antioch. Before the earthquakes the city name was Antioch, visible in exergue. (X is a Greek "chi", our CH). 29 mm. 14.42 grams. Sear 213. Compare its quality to this one: 35-32 mm, 14.98 grams. Sear 213, imitation or simply a poorly engraved obverse. Maybe the most skilled mint engraver was killed in the earthquake? The name changed to "City of God" and the coinage recovered and its mintmarks changed to give he new name of the city: Mintmark for "Theopolis" 31-28 mm. 13.52 grams. Sear 216. Again, the website is:http://augustuscoins.com/ed/interesting/Justinian.html Show us anything related, including coins that in any way can be connected to natural disasters. Edited February 9, 2023 by Valentinian typo 19 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Posted February 9, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 9, 2023 This coin was issued to commemorate the assistance of Tiberius to the city of Magnesia ad Sipylum fallowing its destruction in the great earthquake of 17 AD in Lydia. Up to 15 towns and cities were destroyed or badly damaged. He agreed to waive all taxes due for a period of 5 years. He further sent 10 millions sesterces to assess their needs. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted February 9, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 9, 2023 ...kool coins and info Warren 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapphnwn Posted February 9, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 9, 2023 At one time I owned this coin Tiberius Ae Sestertius 22-23 AD Obv Emperor seated left holding patera and scepter. Rv Inscription around large S C RIC 48 22.94 grms 34 mm Photo by W. Hansen THIS IS NO LONGER MY COIN This sestertius is a reference to the great earthquake of 17 AD which occurred in Lydia and the efforts by the Roman Emperor Tiberius to 'Restore" the cities damaged by that quake. This earthquake was written about by Pliny the Elder and was described as one of the worst known. The quake apparently destroyed the city of Sardies. Poor Pliny he dies as a result of leading a relief effort after the eruption of MtVesuvius 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsyas Mike Posted February 10, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 10, 2023 Here's another coin referencing the terrible earthquake of 17 A.D., issued by Sardes in thanks for the assistance rendered by Tiberius and Livia. Wish the condition was a bit nicer: Tiberius & Livia Æ 18 Sardes, Lydia (c. 17-37 A.D.) ΣEBAΣTOΣ KAIΣAΡEΩN ΣAΡΔIANΩN, Tiberius, togate, standing left, Tyche kneeling r. / ΣEBAΣTH IOYΛIOΣ KΛEΩN KAI MEMNΩN, Livia as Ceres seated right, with sceptre & grain. RPC 2991; SNG Cop. 515. (4.61 grams / 18 x 16 mm) eBay Oct. 2018 Note: Commemorating the financial assistance to Sardes after the earthquake of 17 A.D. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValiantKnight Posted February 10, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 10, 2023 Justinian I, Byzantine EmpireAE follisObv: D N IVSTINI-ANVS P P AVG, diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield, cross to rightRev. Large M, cross above, officina letter Δ below, ANNO to left, XX to right, mintmark QHЧΠ in exMint: Theopolis (Antioch)Date: 546/7 (year 20)Ref: SB 220Size: 19.9 gr., 39 mm 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted February 10, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 10, 2023 15 hours ago, Valentinian said: We have all hard of the recent catastrophic earthquakes in Turkey. That part of Turkey is well-known for powerful earthquakes and was devastated by earthquakes in antiquity. Some ancient coins are relevant. Ancient Antioch is on the same earthquake fault that ruptured a few days ago. Trajan was in Antioch in 115 when a massive earthquake hit and he was almost killed, but (supposedly) protected by Jupiter. I don't have the coin to show, but here is a link to one. Jupiter protects the emperor. https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6709481 In the next reign Hadrian proclaimed TELLVS STABIL. Denarius. 17 mm. 3.36 grams. Hill says it refers to the 400th anniversary of the temple of Tellus in Rome. (Tellus was the goddess of the Earth.) Foss gives it to the 20th anniversary of the reign "with an image symbolizing the continuity and stability of the age". Stevenson says it is an allusion to earthquakes. It could be a thankful statement that now the earth has stabilized after the terrible quakes. Byzantine coins almost never has reference to current events other than changes in the ruling family, but some events are visible in the fabric of the coins. In 526 there was an earthquake at Antioch that killed a reported 250,000 people. Then in 528 there was a second massive earthquake that killed 5,000 of he already reduced population. After this the remaining hopeful and fearful population renamed it "Theopolis" (less frequently spelled "Theoupolis"), the "City of God." Thereafter, coin mintmarks referenced the new name. I wrote a page on the coins of Justinian and those events:http://augustuscoins.com/ed/interesting/Justinian.html#tragic The two earthquakes were not the only calamities which Antioch suffered. Take a look at that page. One effect of the first earthquake was a drastic decline in the quality of engraving. A second was the mint marks changed to give the new name. The first coin is a pre-earthquake follis of Antioch. Before the earthquakes the city name was Antioch, visible in exergue. (X is a Greek "chi", our CH). 29 mm. 14.42 grams. Sear 213. Compare its quality to this one: 35-32 mm, 14.98 grams. Sear 213, imitation or simply a poorly engraved obverse. Maybe the most skilled mint engraver was killed in the earthquake? The name changed to "City of God" and the coinage recovered and its mintmarks changed to give he new name of the city: Mintmark for "Theopolis" 31-28 mm. 13.52 grams. Sear 216. Again, the website is:http://augustuscoins.com/ed/interesting/Justinian.html Show us anything related, including coins that in any way can be connected to natural disasters. Excellent article ☺️! The two recent earthquakes have devastated the city of Antakya (ancient Antioch) again, where many Syrian immigrants fled to, trying to escape the continuous warfare in their home country. I sold the coin pictured below about 10 years ago. Antioch-Syria, Justinian I, AD 527-565 (dated Year 16, 542/3). Mintmark "CHEUPO", 1st Officina. AE 40 Nummi: 22.71 gm, 40 mm, 6 h. SB 219. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted February 10, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 10, 2023 When I started this thread on earthquakes the cities being mentioned in the news were over 150 kilometers from ancient Antioch, the city I wrote about that had famous earthquakes in antiquity. Now the New York Times has an article on the devastation at Antioch, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/world/middleeast/earthquake-antakya-turkey.htmlAntioch (Antakya) may not be he hardest hit city, but it is very bad there, too, again. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O-Towner Posted February 10, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 10, 2023 Here's a coin similar to the Justinian follis you showed in your earlier post. A Theoupolis mint follis which is clearly post-quake, but in the name of Anastasius. I can't say for certain it's an official issue but the style and design is correct. The somewhat mottled obverse inscription reads D N ANASTA - SIVS P F AVG. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted February 11, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 11, 2023 Absolutely devastating news. I cannot fathom the destruction and terror over there. My heart goes out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted February 11, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 11, 2023 (edited) The city of Hieracome changed its name to Hierocaesarea in honour of the support of Emperor Tiberius after the earthquake in 17. Unfortunately, there is no special earthquake coin, but the name remained. Lydia. Hierocaesaraea Agrippina Junior (Augusta, 50-59) Bronze, AE 18 Obv.: AΓPIΠΠINAN ΘЄAN CЄBACTHN, draped bust right, hair in long plait down back of neck and looped at end Rev: IЄPOKAICAPЄωN ЄΠI KAΠITωNOC, Artemis standing right, holding bow, stag standing right. Æ, 18.1mm, 4.43g Ref.: RPC I 2388, SNG von Aulock 2959 Edited February 11, 2023 by shanxi 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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