My Latest Mount Argaeus Gordian III Coin

[LONGINUS]

 

I chose 8/24 which is the traditional anniversary of the Pompeii disaster to post my latest acquisition.

A coin with a reverse featuring Mount Argaeus has been on my “I gotta’ get one of those list” ever since I saw a post by @David Atherton, back in 2017. His featured a Helios type figure standing on the summit of the volcano and a Flavian emperor on the obverse, however.

 

Please post your volcanos and your favorite Gordian III coins.

 

Edited August 24, 2023 by LONGINUS

[Kali]

I have many provincials of Mt. Argaeus, but these are my favorites.

Trajan (98 - 117 A.D.)
AR Didrachm
CAPPADOCIA, Caesarea-Eusebia
O: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙС ΝЄΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝω ΑΡΙСΤω СЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚ Laureate head of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder.
R:ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ ΥΠΑΤΟ Ϛ Mount Argaios with grotto containing cult stone, flanked by two pyramidal objects; at top, second grotto with flames.
6.98g
21mm
RPC III 3046. Sydenham 208-209.



Geta (209 - 211 A.D.)
AR Drachm
Cappadocia, Caesarea-Eusebia
O: AY K Π CEΠTI ΓETAC AVΓ Laureate bust of Geta right.
O: MHTPO KAICAP NEO, Mt. Argaeus surmounted by star.“ET IQ” = year 19 = 210/11
3.04g
16mm
Sydenham/Malloy, p. 153, 498a, Ganschow 649c; Henseler 986; Berlin 18224071

Rare

[expat]

Excellent pictorial and historical presentation, well done and nice new acquisition.

I have only one Gordian III,

 

[Marsyas Mike]

Nice one, @LONGINUS.  Although I don't have any Gordian III silver from Cappadocia, here is my most recent from there, a Gordian III AE with a countermark.  This has a kind of odd portrait, even for a Provincial, with a very spikey radiate crown - the only other ones I could find were the three on RPC Online, and they were all die-matches to this one.  

Gordian III  Æ 24 Caesarea, Cappadocia Δ = Year 4 (243 A.D.) ΑΥ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟ[ΡΔ]ΙΑΝΟϹ, radiate head right / ΜΗΤΡ[ΟΠ ΚΑΙϹ]Α Β Ν | ƐΝΤΙ | ƐΤ Δ, Mount Argaeus set on inscribed (ƐΝΤΙ) altar RPC VII.2 3350 (10.00 grams / 24 mm) eBay July 2023  Note:  All 3 RPC examples are die-matches; all 3 countermarked:

Countermark:  Radiate head of Helios right, in circular punch, 5 mm., in obverse right field. RPC Countermark 129; Howgego GIC 12i (242 pcs.).  "Note: The countermark was most likely applied in 243/244 since there are no countermarked coins from year seven of the  reign of Gordian III." FORVM.

Here's all three die-matches I found on RPC:

 

[ambr0zie]

My only Argaeus coin is from Pius. I like the portrait but the legends are lost in time. 

My favorite Gordian III is, without doubt, this ostrich from Hadrianopolis. 

[Prieure de Sion]

Marcus Antonius Gordianus III; Drachm of the Roman Imperial Period 241/242 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 20.4mm; Weight: 4.39g; Mint: Caesarea, Cappadocia; Reference: RPC VII.2 3372; Rare: Specimens 6 (0 in the core collections); Obverse:; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III, right, seen from rear The Inscription reads: ΑΥ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ ϹƐ for Autokrator Kaisar Marcos Antonios Gordianos Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Augustus); Reverse: View of Mount Argaeus; to left, pellet. The Inscription reads: ΜΗΤΡΟ ΚΑΙϹ(Α) Β Ν(Ɛ), ƐΤ Ɛ for Metropoleon Kaisareia, Beta Neokoroi, Etous Epsilon (Metropolitan Caesarea, honor to have 2 temple for the imperial cult, Year 5 Dec. 241 - Dec. 242 AD)

 

 

 

Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus; Reign: Commodus; Mint: Caesarea Eusebia, Cappadocia; Date: 183/185 AD; Nominal: Drachm; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 4.57g; Reference: RPC IV.3 7130; Reference: Metcalf 155f; RPC Online: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/7130; Rare: Specimens 14 (4 in the core collections); Provenance: Kölner Münzkabinett, Germany; Obverse: Laureate head of Commodus right; Inscription: ΑΥΤ Μ ΑΥΡ ΚΟΜΟ ΑΝΤⲰΝΙΝΟϹ; Translation: Autokrator Marcos Aurelios Komodos Antoninos ; Translation: Imperator Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus; Reverse: Mount Argaeus with trees; above a star; Inscription: ΥΠΑΤΟϹ Δ ΠΑΤ ΠΑΤΡΙ; Translation: Upatos Delta Pateras Patridos; Translation: Consul Quartum [Consul for the fourth time], Pater Patriae [Father of the Country]

 

 

Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus; Reign: Commodus; Mint: Caesarea Eusebia, Cappadocia; Date: 183/185 AD; Nominal: Drachm; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 4.25g; Reference: RPC IV.3 7112 (this coin); Reference: Metcalf 155d; RPC Online: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/7112; Rare: Specimens 14 (2 in the core collections); Provenance: Numismad Numismatics Warsaw, Poland (Auction 7, Lot 652); Special: RPC Online Plate coin; Obverse: Laureate head of Commodus right; Inscription: ΑΥΤ Μ ΑΥΡ ΚΟΜΟ ΑΝΤⲰΝΙΝΟϹ ϹƐ; Translation: Autokrator Marcos Aurelios Komodos Antoninos Sebastos; Translation: Imperator Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus; Reverse: Mount Argaeus with trees; above a star; Inscription: ΥΠΑΤΟϹ Δ ΠΑΤ ΠΑΤΡΙ; Translation: Upatos Delta Pateras Patridos; Translation: Consul Quartum [Consul for the fourth time], Pater Patriae [Father of the Country]

 

[lordmarcovan]

That Gordy 3 just above is sharp!

Mount Argaeus coins are cool.

Edited August 25, 2023 by lordmarcovan

[Roman Collector]

Great acquisition for your collection, @LONGINUS! Coingratulations!

I have only one coin with this reverse type.

Severus Alexander, 222-235 CE.
Roman Provincial AE 25.0 mm, 10.37 g.
Cappadocia, Caesarea, 222/3 CE.
Obv: ΑV Κ Μ ΑVΡ ϹЄΟΥ ΑΛЄΞΑΝΔΡ, laureate head, right; uncertain c/m behind.
Rev: ΜΗΤΡΟΠ ΚΑΙϹΑΡΙ, agalma of Mount Argaeus surmounted by star, atop altar inscribed ЄTA (= year 1).
Refs: RPC VI 6735; Sydenham 537-38; BMC 298; SNG von Aulock 6510.