Benefactor KenDorney Posted August 16 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted August 16 I picked this up at one of the lower tier auctions recently (you know, the ones with no description, just a photo). I thought I had recognized it but when I went to attribute it I cant seem to find anything similar. I just dont know. Looks a bit like Hadrian, but could be any of the bearded emperors. I just cant read the reverse letters at all, so I dont know what city to look under. It was sold as 'Vespasian, Aeolis Aigai, 24mm, 6.81 grams'. The reverse seems to show Marsyas with wineskin over shoulder holding his penis and urinating. Or maybe I am seeing things. Often we look too hard at something that others will instantly recognize, even common coins. Any suggestions? 8 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted August 16 · Supporter Share Posted August 16 Difficulty with provincials is that the portraits can be anything from Augustus to one of the many so called soldier emperors.... But I dont think that is Vespasian. Maybe Claudius, or indeed Hadrian. The reverse could be Marsyas, but Ive never seen him without hand and head raised or the flutes. So either the arm is worn off, or its some variety, or it isnt Marsyas. Im thinking of the latter, also because the head of Marsyas seems to be not looking upwards. I also cant find coins from Aeolis Aigai with Marsyas on the reverse on a ACsearch. Sorry, cant help any further with the pee pee mystery unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greekcoin21 Posted August 16 · Member Share Posted August 16 My god this one difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted August 16 · Supporter Share Posted August 16 Opposite the figure on the reverse seems to a mirror image. Could it be 2 Victories facing and holding something between them? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted August 16 · Member Share Posted August 16 (edited) I enjoy attributing worn provincials but this is simply impossible. I recommend you to email the house (I just checked where you got the coin from). The gentleman who owns the house is skilled and friendly. Edited August 16 by ambr0zie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenfool Posted August 16 · Member Share Posted August 16 (edited) I tried really hard but this was the closest reverse I found, Portrait isn't a good match. URI https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/8155 json ttl rdf xml Volume VI Number 8155 (temporary) Province Syria Coele Region Syria City Laodicea ad Mare Reign Elagabalus Person (obv.) Elagabalus (Augustus) Issue Group 1b Obverse inscription [...] M AV ANTONEINVS [...] Obverse design laureate head of Elagabalus, r., with drapery Reverse inscription COL LAOD C METROPOL [...] Δ Ɛ Reverse design Marsyas standing, r., carrying wineskin on shoulder and raising hand in front of statue of goddess standing, l., wearing polos, hoding round shield and spear(?) Edited August 16 by Steppenfool 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted August 17 · Supporter Share Posted August 17 (edited) I don't know what it is, but could it be that the "object" is longer, e.g. like a caduceus? Edited August 17 by shanxi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientOne Posted August 17 · Member Share Posted August 17 Augustus from Mallos like this: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/4016A 9 1 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted August 17 · Supporter Share Posted August 17 3 hours ago, AncientOne said: Augustus from Mallos like this: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/4016A Great find! The description of he reverse leaves much to speculate (and research): figure standing r., holding branch; uncertain object at feet to r. A Note is added: 2 is from a different reverse die from 1, but is perhaps from the same obverse die. Butcher suggests an attribution to Tiberius, but he notes that the style is very different from that of other coins of the Julio-Claudian period. He identifies the figure on the reverse as Amphilochus. Never heard of Amphilochus before! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor KenDorney Posted August 21 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted August 21 I want to thank all who participated in the attribution of this very odd coin. I have been so busy of late I just dont participate as much as I would like. Anyway, as RPC only has 4 of these recorded I have submitted my example to the catalog. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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