The Alphabet game, for anything Greek

[shanxi]

Metropolis

Metropolis
Asia Minor, Ionia
AE 15
1st century B.C, roman rule
Obv.: Helmeted head of Ares right
Rev.: Thunderbolt, monogram of Metropolis above, ΔΙΟΓΕΝΗΣ (magistrate) below.
Ref.: SNG Tübingen 2976, SNG Cop. 904

 

Masikytes 

 

Lycia-Pamphylia
Koinon of Lycia, Masikytes
AE 17
Obv.: Head of Artemis with bow, right, [ΛΥ]
Rev.: Artemis, huntress standing, MA
AE, 2.16g, 17 mm
Ref.: RPC I 3326b-3 (this coin), Troxell 216.

[lordmarcovan]

Macedon.  Alexander the Great lifetime drachm.

[expat]

And on we go. The Greek letter N is next. As always, have a bit of fun while you share your examples.

[Deinomenid]

Neapolis (Naples here)

AR Didrachm. Circa 275-250 BC. Head of nymph to left; TAP below neck, EYΞ behind / Man-headed bull walking to right, head facing, crowned by Nike flying to right above; EΠI below, NЄOΠOΛITΩN in exergue. Sambon 485; HN Italy 586; SNG BnF 767; HGC 1, 454 var.

 

 

The unusual  bull of course refers to the now-extinct local subspecies shown  below. Mostly used for  ploughing, and sometimes as pack animal.

 

 

 

[Phil Anthos]

I find the TAP beneath the neck intriguing. Do you know anything about it?

~ Peter 

Edited October 19, 2023 by Phil Anthos

[Deinomenid]

I had hoped for some link/alliance  to Taras, but it is apparently just a  magistrate name.

[Phil Anthos]

I was hoping for something definite too. 

I have always had a problem with the series known as 'Campano-Tarentine'  as I have never found any hard evidence of such an alliance (other than a couple of minor treaties with Samnium). I was hoping this might be evidence of an actual link between Neapolis and Taras.

Taras, Calabria

281-228 BC AR Didrachm (20mm, 6.95g) O: Diademed head of nymph Satyra left, wearing triple-pendant earring. R: Nude youth on horseback right crowning horse and holding reins; star of eight rays above, dolphin below, TA beneath raised foreleg. Vlasto 1036-37, Cote 548; McGill II, 131; SNG ANS 1301; HN Italy 1098; Sear 366v ex Praefectus Coins These so-called Campano-Tarentine (or sometimes Bruttio-Tarentine) types are something of a numismatic enigma. The idea of an alliance was originally put forth in the 19th century due to the apparent similarity of the obverse portraits of this series with the coins of Neapolis and other Campanian cities. However the nymph depicted here is more likely to be the local Satyra rather than Campanian Parthenope, and there is no direct historical evidence of any alliance between Taras and the Campanians during this period. The heavier standard may mean that this series was intended to circulate outside of Taras as a federal issue, or possibly as a trade unit. Further, no coins of this type have been found within the city itself.

~ Peter 

Edit; I apologize for taking the thread off-topic. Carry on.

Edited October 19, 2023 by Phil Anthos

[Prieure de Sion]

52 minutes ago, Phil Anthos said:

I find the TAP beneath the neck intriguing. Do you know anything about it?

 

18 minutes ago, Deinomenid said:

I had hoped for some link/alliance  to Taras, but it is apparently just a  magistrate name.

 

According to my information, there are two theories here.

On the reverse side it is clear:
EΠI NEOΠOΛITΩN
EPI NEOPOLITON
of the Neopolitans

About the obverse legend:
EYΞ TAP
EUX TAR

 

First theory says it is simply the abbreviation of a magistrate's name.

The second theory says that the initials TAP (TAR = TARAS) indicate that the coin was minted in Taras on behalf of Neapolis when a relationship between the two cities had been established. I have not yet found out where the EYΞ comes from. It could stand for ευχή (wish, blessing) ... perhaps made at the request of Taras or a blessing between Taras and Neapolis. But I'm not a Greek expert either.

[Phil Anthos]

6 minutes ago, Prieure de Sion said:

 

According to my information, there are two theories here.

On the reverse side it is clear:
EΠI NEOΠOΛITΩN
EPI NEOPOLITON
of the Neopolitans

About the obverse legend:
EYΞ TAP
EUX TAR

 

First theory says it is simply the abbreviation of a magistrate's name.

The second theory says that the initials TAP (TAR = TARAS) indicate that the coin was minted in Taras on behalf of Neapolis when a relationship between the two cities had been established. I have not yet found out where the EYΞ comes from. It could stand for ευχή (wish, blessing) ... perhaps made at the request of Taras or a blessing between Taras and Neapolis. But I'm not a Greek expert either.

This is the standard theory, but as I said I see no hard evidence, only theory. Rich Beale posited that these were actually minted in alliance with Bruttium and therefore could be called 'Bruttio-Tarentine', but again no evidence other than the weight standard which could simply indicate a federal issue.

This is an aspect of Tarentine coinage that has bothered me for some time and I've been wanting to explore it more in its own thread, but I've been waiting to see what the third volume of D'Andrea has to say (it's on the way and should be here this week).

~ Peter

[kirispupis]

Nikaia, Bithynia
300-100 BCE
AE 12mm 1,8g
Obv: Head of Dionysos with crown of ivy
Rev: bull butting. NIKAIEΩN above. Monogram(s)(?) below, mostly off flan
Waddington: Nikaia 1 var

 

Naxos, Cyclades
4th century BCE
Æ 10.5mm, 1.45 g, 5h
Wreathed head of Dionysos left /
Kantharos with ivy leaves hanging from handles; grape bunch above.
Nicolet-Pierre, Naxos II, Canthare 1a, 1-6; HGC 6, 641
Ex Dr. Charles Schulz Collection
Ex CNG 2014.

 

Troas, Neandreia
350 - 310 BCE
AE 17mm 3.94g
Laureate head of Apollo right /
NEAN; horse grazing right; in exergue, corn grain.
SNG von Aulock 1528

 

Aiolis. Neonteichos
circa 300-100 BCE
Æ 13 mm, 1,30 g
Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with griffin
Owl standing right, head facing; NE monogram below
SNG Copenhagen 244; SNG von Aulock 1670

 

Macedon, Neapolis
Circa 375-350 BCE
AR Hemidrachm 1.75g, 13mm, 10h
Facing gorgoneion, with tongue protruding
Head of nymph to right; [N]-E-O-[Π] around; all within incuse.
SNG Copenhagen 227-8; SNG ANS 453; HGC 3.1, 588.
Ex J. Greiff Collection

[Deinomenid]

1 hour ago, Prieure de Sion said:

The second theory says that the initials TAP (TAR = TARAS) indicate that the coin was minted in Taras on behalf of Neapolis when a relationship between the two cities had been established. 

Thank you - I've seen similar  but can never get anything close to  proof. My Lexicon of Greek Names search came up with  nothing for TAP as a name  though when I looked which makes your view all the stronger, though it's a tempermental site. It would be  excellent of you are right.

1 hour ago, Phil Anthos said:

 I've been waiting to see what the third volume of D'Andrea has to say

I won't spoil it for  you too much,  but I have this book now and it covers it largely as a commercial  currency and with  the viewpoint of Taras  of course. The coins show a Neopolitan-type nymph, though he says  it is the usual nymph with features  altered to  look more like that of Neopolis (ie still Satyra not Parthenope but with features of latter) with a Taras reverse, and  in the heavier weight of the Neapolitans.

I'll write to the author though to see what he thinks.

 

To keep  on track (though  I truly really  appreciate the diversion!) here's another N

 

Nola, Nomos, 400-385, head of Athena right wearing crested helmeted ornamented with owl and laurel wreath, rev. man-headed bull right, NΩΛAIΩN above æ below

 

 

 

[Brennos]

Nakona

Sicily, Nakona, c. 420-4005 BC. Æ Tetras or Trionkion (18mm, 3.23g, 11h). Silenos, holding thyrsos and kantharos, seated on donkey l.; three pellets around. R/ Female head r. CNS I, 1; HGC 2, 956.

Edited October 19, 2023 by Brennos

[DonnaML]

N is for Nicopolis ad Istrum in Moesia Inferior, now Nikyup, Bulgaria. (I already posted one of my Nicopolis coins, issued by Septimius Severus, under "I" -- for the river god Istros -- so I won't repeat it here.)

Macrinus Æ26, Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior [Nikyup, Bulgaria], AD 217-218. Under Marcus Claudius Agrippa, consular legate. Obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from front,  with aegis on left shoulder (snake protruding, representing Medusa’s hair) and head of Medusa on breastplate of cuirass, AV K OΠΠEΛ CEV - H MAKΡINOC / Rev. the emperor driving triumphal quadriga (decorated with image of Victory) to right, holding reins and transverse sceptre in left hand, raising right hand in salute; Virtus or soldier preceding, stepping right before the horses with head reverted to left and holding vexillum over shoulder; above, trophy of arms between two seated captives; VΠ AΓΡIΠΠA NIKOΠOΛ around from 8:00; in exergue in two lines, ITΩN ΠΡ OC | ICTΡΩ. 10.38g, 26mm, 6h. Pick, AMNG I/I 1712 (at p. 440) & Pl. XIX nr. 16 [rev. die match] [Pick, Behrendt, Die antiken Münzen von Dacien und Moesien, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands Vol. I/I (Berlin, 1898) (6 specimens)]; Corpus Nummorum Online 26655 [see https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/CN_26655]; Varbanov I 3405 (var. obv. legend) [Ivan Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values, Volume I: Dacia, Moesia Superior & Moesia Inferior (English Edition) (Bourgas, Bulgaria, 2005)];   Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov 8.23.34.2 [Hristova, H., H.-J. Hoeft, & G. Jekov, The Coins of Moesia Inferior 1st - 3rd c. AD: Nicopolis ad Istrum (Blagoevgrad, 2015)]. “Near Extremely Fine; beautiful olive green patina. Very Rare.” [39 examples on ACSearch, inclusive of duplicates.] Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 220th Buy or Bid Sale, June 2022, Lot 334; ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 29 Oct. 2020, Lot 384 (acquired from Leu Numismatik AG); ex Helios Numismatik, Auction 8, 13 October 2012, lot 337 (ex European collection, formed before 2005). [Video of coin at https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/inventory/item-detail/ancient-coins/100313?fromBbs=220th Buy Or Bid Sale.] 

Diadumenian Caesar, AE Tetrassarion (4 Assaria), 217-218 AD, Nicopolis ad Istrum [Nikyup, Bulgaria] Mint, Moesia Inferior, Statius Longinus, Consular Legate. Obv. Bareheaded bust of Diadumenian right, draped and armored, seen from behind, M OPEL DIADOV-MENIANOC K (OV ligate) [ = Marcus Opellius Diadumenianus, Caesar] / Rev. Artemis, wearing short chiton, walking right, holding bow in left hand and drawing arrow from quiver in right hand, hound jumping behind her left foot, VΠ CTA ΛONΓINOV NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠPOC I / CTPΩ in exergue [ =  Consular legate Longinus, (Governor) of the residents of Nikopolis on the (river) Istros].  AMNG I/I 1843 [Pick, Behrendt, Die antiken Münzen von Dacien und Moesien, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands Vol. I/I  (Berlin, 1898) at p. 467]; Varbanov I 3743 [Varbanov, Ivan, Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values, Volume I: Dacia, Moesia Superior & Moesia Inferior (English Edition) (Bourgas, Bulgaria, 2005) at p. 308]; Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov 8.25.13.3 [Hristova, H., H.-J. Hoeft, & G. Jekov. The Coins of Moesia Inferior 1st - 3rd c. AD: Nicopolis ad Istrum (Blagoevgrad, 2015)].

[Edessa]

Kings of Numidia. Massinissa or Micipsa, 203-148 BC or 148-118 BC. Æ Unit (26mm, 12.72g, 12h). Obv: Laureate head left. Rev: Horse galloping left; pellet below. Ref: MAA 18a; Mazard 50; SNG Copenhagen 505. 

[Di Nomos]

N for Nike on the reverse of this stater from Terina in Bruttium, c. 380 BC.

(Photo courtesy of AncientJoe  - ex his collection).

[shanxi]

Not so many cities with N 

 

Here is Nysa

Lydia, Nysa
Obv.: Laureate head of Hades and wreathed head of Kore right
Rev.: ΝΥΣΑΕΩΝ ΦIΛOKRATHΣ, young Dionysos in short chiton standing left, holding thyrsos in left hand, kantharos in right hand
AE, 15 mm, 3.64 g
Ref.: IMHOOF LS page 107 #6

 

and Nakrasaionia

Lydia, Nakrasaionia
Obv.: EΠΙ CΤΡΑ - ΜΑΡ ΙΟΥΝΙΑΝΟΥ, bearded head of Herakles right
Rev.: NAKRA-CITΩN; snake encircling omphalos
AE, 16 mm, 2.8 g
Ref.: SNG München 335, SNG Copenhagen 295, Lindgren III 496

[AncientOne]

I forgot to submit my M list so here is a double dose of Provincials.

Achaea. Cyclades, Melos. Demos / Palladium AE24

Obv: DHMOC / Bearded bust of Demos r.
Rev: ΜΗΛΙΩΝ / Statue of Pallas Athena(Palladium) standing facing head r., holding spear aloft in right hand, preparing to strike, circular shield on left arm.
24mm., 12.2g.
Time of Nerva.
RPC Volume: III №: 404A

 

Cilicia, Mopsos. Domitian Æ18.

Obv: ΔΟΜƐΤΙΑΝΟ ϹƐΒΑϹΤΟϹ / laureate head of Domitian, r.
Rev: ΜΟΨƐΑΤWΝ ΑΞΡ / Artemis standing facing, head r., drawing arrow from quiver at shoulder, holding bow.
RPC II, 1742

 

Gaul, Massalia, Marseille. Æ12.

Obv: MAC / Laureate head of Apollo r.
Rev: NM / Dolphin on trident.
After 49BC.

 

Ionia, Metropolis. Salonina AE22. Tyche holding Ares

Obv: CAΛΩN XPVCOΓONH CЄBA. Draped bust right, wearing stephane and set upon crescent.
Rev: ЄΠI CTP AVP ЄVΠOPOV B MHTPOΠOΛЄITΩN. Tyche standing l., holding cornucopia and Ares.
Aur. Euporos II, strategos.

 

Lesbos, Mytilene. Antoninus Pius AE18

Obv: ΑVΤ ΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ΑΝΤΩΝƐΙΝ[ΟС?] / Laureate head of Antoninus Pius, r.
Rev: ΜVΤΙΛΗΝΑΙΩΝ / Hera standing, facing, head, l., holding patera and transverse sceptre.
RPC IV, 2627

 

Lydia, Maeonia. Pseudo-autonomous Æ24

Obv: ΖƐΥϹ οΛΥΜΠΙοϹ / Diademed head of Zeus Olympios with traces of drapery, r.
Rev: ƐΠΙ ΑΙΛ ΝƐΩΝοϹ ΜΑΙοΝΩΝ / Helmeted Roma seated on cuirass and shield, l., holding Nike and sword.
Magistrate Ail. Neon Ioul.
c. 147-161
RPC IV.2, 1310

 

Moesia Inferior, Markianopolis. Commodus AE20. Nemean Lion.

Obv: AVT KAI L AVP KOMODOC, laureate head right
Rev: MAPKIANOPOLEITWN, Hercules wrestling Nemean lion left.

[ambr0zie]

I forgot this interesting Mopsus provincial, my only coin with a crab.

13 mm, 2,4 g.
Cilicia, Mopsus. Ӕ. Pseudo-autonomous. Time of Antonines 138-193.
ΜΟΨƐ, crab surmounted by star (Zodiac sign of Cancer) / Ɛ[Τ?] ΛϹ, altar on stand.
RPC IV.3, 17186 (temporary).

N:

Nakrasa

19 mm, 3,22 g.
Lydia, Nakrasa. Hadrian 117-138. Ӕ.
ΑΥΤΟ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ, laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian, r. / ΝΑΚΡΑϹΙΤΩΝ, Tyche standing l., wearing kalathos, holding rudder in r. hand, cornucopia in l.
RPC III, 1805; BMC 17–18.

Nikopolis ad Istrum

17 mm, 2,46 g.
Moesia Inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum. Septimius Severus AD 193-211. Ӕ.
A K CE - [CEVHROC], laureate head r. / NIKo - PROC IC, bearded head of Herakles r.
Ref. a) not in AMNG b) not in Varbanov c) Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2020) 8.14.14.44 corr. (same dies, writes NIK - PROC IC in error, but the depicted coin is very worn).
Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2021) under No. 8.14.14.46 (this coin)

16 mm, 3,14 g.
Moesia Inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum. Septimius Severus 193-211. Ӕ.
AV KAI CE CEVHPO, laureate head right / NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠΡOC ICTPO, coiled snake, head erect facing right. AMNG I 1418; Varbanov 1961.

Nagidos 

11 mm, 0,56 g.
Cilicia, Nagidos. AR obol. Circa 400-380 BC. Head of Aphrodite facing slightly right; [N] to left / Wreathed head of young Dionysos facing slightly left; [N] to left. Göktürk 2; SNG France –; SNG Levante 6.

Neapolis

13 mm, 1,68 g.
Macedon, Neapolis. AR hemidrachm. Circa 425-350 BC.
Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue / N-E-O-Π, head of the nymph of Neapolis to right, her hair coiled around her head and with a bun at the back.
SNG ANS 430-454.

[AncientOne]

N

Achaea. Epirus, Nikopolis, AE18. Augustus Divus (under Hadrian) / Boar’s head prow

Obv: AVGOVCTO CKTICTHC, Head of Augustus r., bare.
Rev: NΕIΚΟΠΟ(Λ) ΕW(C), Boar’s head prow, r.
Oikonomidou Augustus 56-57

Nikopolis in Epirus was founded in 28 BC by Octavian in memory of his victory over Antony and Cleopatra at Actium.

 

Bithynia, Nicomedia. Severus Alexander AE16. Galley

Obv: Laureate bust right.
Rev: ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔƐΩΝ ΔΙϹ ΝƐΩΚΟΡΩΝ, Galley with oarsmen above waves r.

https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/30422

 

Cilicia, Ninica-Claudiopolis. Geta Æ24

Obv: POP SEPTIMIUM GETAM CAESAREM / laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right, seen from behind.
Rev: COL NINICA CLAVΔIOPO within wreath.

 

Lydia, Nacrasa. Domitia Æ18

Obv: ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑ ϹƐΒΑϹΤΗ; draped bust of Domitia, r.
Rev: ΝΑΚΡΑϹƐΙΤΩΝ; tripod.
RPC II, 933.

 

Phrygia, Nacolea. Domitian AE18

Obv: ΑΥΤ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒ ΓΕ, laureate head of Domitian, r.
Rev: ΝΑΚΟΛΕΩΝ, winged caduceus.

 

Pontus, Neocaesarea. Gordian III Æ30.

Obv: ΑΥ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III, r., seen from rear.
Rev: ΚΟΙ ΠΟΝΤ ΜΗ ΝƐΟΚΑΙϹΑΡΙΑϹ, ƐΤ ΡΟΗ, ΑΚΤΙΑ, prize table holding agonistic crown with palm; on either side, palm.
Year POH, AD 241/2.
RPC VII.2, 2833.

 

 

[Roman Collector]

What did I miss while I was in the hospital? Looks like we're on NU. Let's see what I have ...

N is for Nemesis on a coin of Nicopolis ad Istrum.

Gordian III, 238-44 CE.
Roman provincial Æ 27.3 mm, 12.57 g, 1 h.
Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis ad Istrum, Sab(inius?) Modestus (legatus Augusti pro praetore), c. 241-242/243 CE.
Obv: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ(W) ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟⳞ ΑΥΓ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right, seen from rear.
Rev: ΥΠ ϹΑΒ ΜΟΔƐϹΤΟΥ ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛƐΙΤΩΝ ΠΡΟϹ ΙϹ, Nemesis holding cubit rule and cornucopiae; wheel at her feet.
Refs: RPC VII.2, 1289; ANMG I 2080; Varbanov 4127; Moushmov 1498.

[kirispupis]

Nikokles of Cyprus
AR silver tetradrachm
Struck at Paphos, Cyprus, 325-317 BCE
Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress; on lion's mane, faint letters NIKOKΛEOYΣ at the highest points (and as such worn nearly illegible).
Reverse - BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY Zeus seated left; holding eagle in right hand and sceptre in left; ΠΑΦ monogram for Paphos in left field, and below the throne, a laurel spring.
Price 3123. May, Paphos 7, pl. 1, 9. Tziambazis 11. Very rare. 26mm, 17.0g

 

Kings of Macedon, Philip III Arrhidaios (323-317 BC)
AE Half Unit 16mm, 3.25g, 2h
Salamis, under Nikokreon
Macedonian shield, facing gorgoneion on boss. R/ Helmet; kerykeion to lower l.
Price 3158

 

Kings of Bithynia. Nikomedes I
circa 280-250 BCE
AE Bronze, 23 mm, 8.75 g, 6 h
Diademed head of Nikomedes I to right.
Rev. BAΣIΛE - NIKOMH Horse prancing right; above, wreath; below foreleg, spearhead.
RG 7. SNG von Aulock 242

[expat]

Time for the 14th letter (Xi) of the Greek alphabet Ξ

[AncientOne]

The Greek pronunciation of Xi is the "ks" sound as in box. I am not aware of any cities beginning with this.

[DonnaML]

9 minutes ago, AncientOne said:

The Greek pronunciation of Xi is the "ks" sound as in box. I am not aware of any cities beginning with this.

Perhaps there are city names that contain that letter, at least?

[Phil Anthos]

How 'bout a magistrate?

Taras, Calabria

235-212 BC (Period IX - The Roman Alliance II) AR Didrachm (20mm, 6.21g) Xenokrathes magistrate. O: Bearded strategos on horse parading left, wearing short tunic and chlamys, raising right hand, short sword in scabbard under left arm; monogram and pileus above, Ξ / ENO - KP ATHC in two lines below. R: Taras wearing leafy crown, astride dolphin left, naked but for chlamys raised in left hand and draping over right thigh, trident over right shoulder; waves and cuttlefish below, [Τ]ΑΡΑΣ to left, monogram to right. Vlasto 958; Evans IX, G1; Cote 579; HN Italy 1058 ex Roma Numismatics An interesting piece from the last days of Tarentine independence. Evans divides the Horsemen of the post-Pyrrhic era into Period VIII (272-235 BC) and Period IX, which he terminates at 228 BC with the alleged closing of the mint, but which hoard evidence suggests should be extended to the Punic occupation of 212. The coins of the former category are of a decidedly inferior style compared to those of the previous century, but Period IX reveals something of a renaissance, and many of these coins are of fine style. Surely this is befitting the final truly Tarentine issues. The Vlasto catalog describes the obverse figure as “Single Dioskuros…”. likely due to the pileus in the field above (almost off-flan here). However this mounted nobleman must certainly be the model for the less impressive Punic issues of Period X. The obverse die is peculiar for its use of the ‘lunar E’ in the magistrate’s name, which was not at all typical at Taras. ~ Peter

Edited October 21, 2023 by Phil Anthos