seth77 Posted February 2 · Member Share Posted February 2 (edited) This is one of the more special Glykons, where the serpent god does look like intended - to show anthropomorphic features, like its Paphlagonian and Bithynian peers: Caracalla as Augustus (198-217) AE25mm 7.93g orichalcum multiple assaria (triassaria?), minted at Anchialus, ca. 202-4(?) AV K M [AV] ANTΩNINoc; laureate, cuirassed bust r. seen from rear OVΛΠΙΑNΩN ΑΓXIAΛEΩN; coiled Glykon serpent r, with anthropomorphic visage, long flowing hair and bifurcated tail. Unrecorded? This seems to be a very rare coinage that can be associated with the Severia Nymphaea games and festival thanks to the shared obverse die with this spec and this one from the British Museum. Known celebrations and games tied to the Severia Nymphaea in the 200s start with those in honor of Caracalla's wedding in 202 and proceed with similar games recorded from 204, 205, 206 (with coinage from Caesarea Cappadocia), 209-211 and were meant to show the harmony of the Severan dynasty. Considering the young features of the bust, it is likely that the coinage was minted close to Caracalla's accession as Augustus in 198 rather than at a later date. Septimius Severus (193-211) AE29mm 11.75g orichalcum unit (as?), minted at Caesarea Cappadocia, ca. 205 [AY KA]I Λ CЄΠ CЄOYHPOC; laureate head r.; circular countermark, possibly radiate figure - Helios(?) ΜΗΤΡΟΠ[O ΚΑΙϹ]ΑΡIAC / ƐΤ - IΔ / KOI - NOC; agalma of Mount Argaeus surmounted by star and flanked by two agonistic urns, each containing a palm branch ΦΙΛΑΔЄΛΦΙΟ in exergue. At both Caesarea Cappadocia and Anchialus in Thracia the Severia games seem to have been associated with local celebrations and festivals - the Philadelphia festival in Cappadocia (and Nicaea too) and a celebration of the nymphs at the Aquae Calidae/Nymphaeum resort nearby Anchialus. The Glykon reverse with an obverse used and possibly meant initially for the special issues dedicated to the games and festival at the Nymphaeum could mean one of two things: 1. the Glykon was itself associated in some way with the celebrations, either those in honor of the Imperial family or the local festival and games given for the wedding in 202 or subsequent events, or in more broader therms linking Glykon with the Nymphaeum of Anchialus 2. the pairing is not premeditated but rather the result of using a still valid obverse die for a coinage ulterior to the celebratory issues, this could be strengthened by the pairing of this obverse die with a city gate reverse here. Similar types for Septimius Severus, minted likely in the same issue (or at least closely related chronologically) here and here. Another aspect interesting to note is that at this time ca. 202-4 the Severans went twice through Thracia -- first the whole Imperial family moving towards Rome for Septimius decennalia (Herodian 3.10.1) and then in 204 when Caracalla seems to have been taken office in Byzantium for the Severan 're-Ktisis' of the city following its positioning for Niger in the civil war (D. Boteva 'Emperor Septimius Severus and his family members visiting the province of Thrace: A.D. 193-204') -- so there was an intense Imperial activity in the general vicinity of Anchialus as this coinage was being minted. Edited February 2 by seth77 8 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted February 4 · Patron Share Posted February 4 Those are interesting coins, @seth77, and I've enjoyed your whole Glykon series. Here's a Thracian coin of Caracalla that likely depicts Glykon, albeit with wings. Caracalla, AD 198-217. Roman Provincial tetrassarion, 14.78 g, 29.6 mm, 1 h. Thrace, Pautalia, c. AD 198-205. Obv: AVT K M AVP ANTΩNEINOC, beardless, laureate head of Caracalla, right. Rev: OYΛΠIAC ΠAV | TAΛIAC. Asklepios cradling serpent-entwined staff, reclining left, head right, on winged, coiled, and bearded Glykon flying right. Refs: BMC 3.145,34; Ruzicka 612; Varbanov II 5008; Moushmov 4235, Mionnet Suppl. 2, p. 384, 1084; Vaillant n. Gr. 1074. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth77 Posted February 4 · Member Author Share Posted February 4 4 hours ago, Roman Collector said: Those are interesting coins, @seth77, and I've enjoyed your whole Glykon series. Here's a Thracian coin of Caracalla that likely depicts Glykon, albeit with wings. Caracalla, AD 198-217. Roman Provincial tetrassarion, 14.78 g, 29.6 mm, 1 h. Thrace, Pautalia, c. AD 198-205. Obv: AVT K M AVP ANTΩNEINOC, beardless, laureate head of Caracalla, right. Rev: OYΛΠIAC ΠAV | TAΛIAC. Asklepios cradling serpent-entwined staff, reclining left, head right, on winged, coiled, and bearded Glykon flying right. Refs: BMC 3.145,34; Ruzicka 612; Varbanov II 5008; Moushmov 4235, Mionnet Suppl. 2, p. 384, 1084; Vaillant n. Gr. 1074. This is such a distinct and elegant design. If you only want one special serpent, this type is the most desirable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted February 4 · Supporter Share Posted February 4 (edited) Great coins! Especially on the day of Septimius Severus death. Caracalla Thrace. Pautalia. AD 198-217. Bronze Æ 27mm., 12.39g. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / [ΟVΛΠΙΑC Π]ΑVΤΑΛΙΑC, coiled serpent, head right. nearly very fine Ruzicka 687 var.; SNG Copenhagen 710 var.; Varbanov 5204. Ex Savoca Septimius Severus (193-211 AD). AE Tetrassarion (29 mm, 12.66 g). Thrace, Pautalia. Obv. ΑΥΤ Κ Λ CΕΠ CΕΥΗΡΟC Π, Laureate head to right. Rev. ΟΥΛΠΙΑC ΠΑΥ/ΤΑΛΙΑC, Aesculapius riding winged serpent right, holding serpent-entwined staff. Ruzicka 345; Varbanov 4687. Green patina. Fine to very fine. From the François Righetti Collection. Purchased from Auctiones GmbH Sept 2021 Edited February 4 by Ryro 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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