Angel came down from heaven yesterday: The end of my search for Fulvia as Nike and other angelic coins

[Ryro]

It sure is interesting to piece together how Christians used motifs and concepts from their predecessors, the Pagans, to transform them into their new religion. 

From lifting pagan burial rites, turning Saturnalia into Christmas to what becomes pretty obvious when you start studying ancient art and coinage; the invention of angels from the image of Nike/ Victory. 

(The Nike of Samothrace is as beautiful as anyone whoes experienced a mere flesh wound)

From Rafael to Reubens, modern greats love the motif of a beautiful winged women:

All this brings me to my latest coin of, Fulvia, wife of Marc Antony. Who, despite being left by him for Cleopatra fought valiantly with Lucius Antony, Marc's brother, against Octavius. Before dying of an unknown disease, our so we're told. 

Here we have her as the Roman goddess Victory with her wings on display:

Phrygia, Eumenea as Fulvia AE (Bronze, 9.11g, 23mm) ca 41-40 BC.
Obv: Draped bust of Fulvia as winged Nike right
Rev: FOULOUIANWN / ZMERTORIGOS FILWNIDOU, Athena advancing left, holding spear in right hand, shield on left arm.
Ref: RPC I 3139; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC Phrygia pg. 213, 20; SNG von Aulock -; Laffaille -.

My other Fulvia is a quinarius, also her as Victory:

Though, Fulvia was no angel herself. Famous for insisting in seeing the head of Cicero, who'd made disparaging remarks about her and Marc, after the second triumvirate's proscription of him:

Other winged goddesses:

 

 

So, if Fulvia isn't the best representation of an angel, before they were made up, please share your Nike, Victory or angels winged beauties!

Edited July 24, 2022 by Ryro

[Phil Davis]

Here are some I don't think I've posted before:

[Furryfrog02]

@Ryro Two issues with this thread...
1) How come you didn't tag me? You know I gots a thing for my Bae, Nike...

2) How are you gonna post coins like that? You know I'm on a fixed budget. Now I'm gonna have to sell a kidney or something. Thanks a lot...

 

My newest "Nike" (ok.. Victory) is this Septimius Severus Denarius:

Septimius Severus
207 AD
Denarius
Obverse: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right
Reverse: P M TR P XV COS III P P, Victory, standing right, foot on globe, inscribing shield set on palm tree

[Roman Collector]

Here's a Fulvia!

L. Mussidius Longus, Moneyer 42 BC.
Roman Republican AR denarius, 3.48 gm, 16.4 mm, 4 h.
Rome, 42 BC.
Obv: Draped bust of Marc Antony's 3rd wife, Fulvia, as Victory, right.
Rev: L·MVSSIDIVS LONGVS, Victory in biga right, holding reins in both hands.
Refs: RRC 494/40; BMCRR 4229; RCV 1517; Sydenham 1095; RSC Mussidia 4; Banti Mussidia 613.

 

 

And a few of my favorite Victorias!

Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253.
Roman AR antoninianus, 3.49 g, 20.3 mm, 7 h.
Antioch, unmarked officina, AD 252-253.
Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust (viewed from back) of Trebonianus Gallus, right.
Rev: VICTORIA AVG, Victory standing right, on globe, holding a wreath and a palm.
Refs: RIC 94; Cohen --; RSC 127b; RCV 9654; Hunter p. cvi.

Julia Domna AD 193-217.
Roman provincial AE triassarion, 8.75 gm, 24.4 mm, 6 h.
Moesia Inferior, Tomis, AD 193-211.
Obv: ΙΟVΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ CE, bare-headed and draped bust, r.
Rev: ΜΗΤ ΠΟΝ ΤΟΜΕΩC, Nike advancing l., holding wreath and palm, retrograde Γ (=3) to left.
Refs: Varbanov 4857; AMNG 2811.

[Octavius]

 Angels we have heard on high...

 

 

 

[Furryfrog02]

15 minutes ago, Octavius said:

 Angels we have heard on high...

 

 

 

OMG, I don't know if I could pick a favorite from those! I'm torn between the Max Thrax and the Medusa. What is the size of the Medusa?

 

[Marsyas Mike]

Lovely coins in this post; now for something slightly different (and very worn):  here's Pax/Nemesis (with angel wings) spitting onto her own chest!  Or, engaging in an "apotropaic gesture" if you want to keep it polite:   

Hadrian                 Æ Sestertius (136 (RIC); c. 134-138 A.D.) Rome Mint [HADRI]ANVS AVG C[OS III P P], laureate head right / S-C, Pax-Nemesis advancing right, holding out fold of dress in apotropaic gesture and branch. RIC II.3 2288 (RIC 779); Cohen 1374; BMC 1549. (21.14 grams / 29 mm) eBay June 2020  

"The main denarius and aes types with VICTORIA AVG slogan (...the aes with the same theme is anepigraphic) feature an unusual winged Victory superstitiously lifting drapery to spit on her own chest to ward off ill-fortune and syncretised with Pax in holding the branch of peace.  This is the type of Nemesis (fate) which along with Justitia can be read as the Roman view of giving Bar Kochba and his rebellion their 'just desserts'...thematically it is clearly linked to the events of 136."  (Richard Abdy, Peter Mittag, Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume II, Part 3, p. 27)

[DonnaML]

A great thread! Here are > 500 years of Victories.  She was still being depicted well after the Empire's adoption of Christianity. Does anyone know what the last depiction was on a Roman coin that was clearly Victory and not a Christian angel?

I am omitting a number of LRB's that show a tiny figure of Victory being presented by Jupiter to the emperor, or the emperor simply holding a small figure of Victory, etc. 

And my apologies for the absence of identifications or write-ups -- I don't have the time right now. Anyone who wants to know what something is can always ask!

This Victory seems to have forgotten to put her top on this morning.

 

[Octavius]

 Several more Victories from Campania -

two Ae's from Teanum...

 

 

 

Ae from Capua with Victory crowning trophy...

 

[kapphnwn]

Octavian Denarius Rome? 32-27 BC Obv Winged bust of Victory right. Rv  Octavian in heroic nudity(I am really happy that politicians have given up on this look) standing left with holding aplustre and scepter and with his foot on globe. RIC 256 CRI 409 3.87 grms 19 mm photo by W. Hansen

This coin is part of a very extensive series that attempts to explain Octavian policies to the wider public. Here we see him celebrating the fruits of his victories. The obverse naturally enough features victory, However this image of victory though very "modern" at least for the time appears to have a very traditional Roman treatment of her hair. However it is the reverse that is the most interesting. Octavian is seen almost godlike, the globe is basically his soccer ball. He is holding a symbol of his victories at sea. The legend is very spare just CAESAR DIVI F. This coin is probably the closest Octavian gets to emphasizing his power. What is interesting is how the rest show that while he is certainly capable of being a tyrant he will live within the bounds set by the Roman political system.

[Etcherdude]

[Spaniard]

@Ryro....That's a nice addition..

Cool coins shown everyone!

Trebonianus Gallus, AR Antoninianus, Antioch, 251-253 AD, 21.6mm; 3.55 gr.
Obverse- IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS PF AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Reverse- VICTORIA AVG, Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm.
RIC IV-3, 93;

MARIUS. Romano-Gallic Emperor, 269 AD.
Obverse..IMP CM AVR MARIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse..VICTORIA AVG, Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm.
RIC#17...Mint Trier?

[NewStyleKing]

Nike Presenting wreath  NewStyle

[NewStyleKing]

Artistically inept,  but Nike presenting earlier than last time  NewStyle Nike presenting wreath!  The Pegasos on the obverse has a lions/ griffins swishy tail!

[Restitutor]

So many incredible coins here, I’m getting Nike envy 😇 I don’t think I have a Nike, so I’ll pivot to my recent pick-up that shows an angelic Victoria. Using auction house image until it arrives… 

Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Denarius (Silver, 16 mm, 3.43 g, 11 h), Rome, 143-144. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P COS III Laureate and draped bust of Antoninus Pius to right, seen from behind. Rev.IMPERATOR II Victoria standing front, head to left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond in her left. BMC 498. Cohen -. RIC 111e.

[NewStyleKing]

Nike hassling a pair of horses. NewStyle.  Famous horses owner  brothers  known to history.

[shanxi]

Some more nice Nikles. Here are a few more.

 

 

 

Seleukeia ad Kalykadnon
Asia Minor, Cilicia
AE24, 150-50 BC
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right, mongram behind
Rev: ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΩΙ ΚΑΛΥΚΑΔΝΩΙ,
Nike advancing left, holding branch; AΘΗ over monogram to left.
AE, 8.32 g, 24mm
Ref.: SNG France 895; SNG Levante 680

 

Faustina II
Alexandria
Billon-Tetradrachm
Obv.: ΦAVCTINA CEBACTH, draped bust right
Rev.: Nike on globe right, holding wreath and palm branch, L - IΓ = year 13 of Antoninus Pius (AD 149/150).
Billon, 13.57g, 22mm
Ref.: Dattari 3251

 

Phoenicia, Arados
Tetradrachm
Dated year 193 (67/66 BC)
Obv.: Turreted, veiled and draped bust of Tyche right
Rev.: Nike standing to right, holding aplustre and palm, Γ P(retrograde)Ρ (= year 193), phoenician letter Gimel and MΣ below, AΡAΔIΩN in right field; all within wreath.
Ref.: BMC 271, Duyrat, Arados 97, 3837

 

 

Edited July 25, 2022 by shanxi

[ambr0zie]

Fulvia is missing in action in my collection, but I can contribute with a type that was not shown on this thread but is probably my favorite Victoria/Nike coin and some other I find interesting

Constantine I the Great AD 306-337. Constantinople
Follis Æ 18 mm, 3,25 g AD 328-329
CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG, bust of Constantine I, rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right / CONSTANTINI-ANA DAFNE, Victory, winged, draped, seated left on cippus, head right, holding palm in left hand and laurel in right; before her, trophy; at foot of trophy, kneeling captive, head turned, being spurned by Victory
MintMark: A/-//CONS dot; OfficinaMark: ∈
RIC VII Constantinople 38 note

Here is my only Caligula coin

 

Ionia. Smyrna. Caligula AD 37-41.
Aviola, proconsul and Menophanes, magistrate .
Bronze Æ
15 mm, 2,74 g
ΓΑΙΟΝ ΚΑΙϹΑΡΑ ƐΠΙ ΑΟΥ(Ι)ΟΛΑ, laureate head of Caligula, r. / ΖΜΥΡΝΑΙWΝ ΜΗΝΟΦΑΝΗϹ. Nike, r., with palm and wreath

 

A RR quinarius:

 
Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus 88 BC. Rome
Quinarius AR
Laureate head of Jupiter r.
Victory r. crowning trophy; in exergue, CN LENT
Crawford 345/2, RSC I Cornelia 51a (ill.), BMCRR 2443-2444, Sear RCV I 255 (ill.), Sydenham 703, RBW Collection 1313
14 mm., 1,65 g.

 

One of many coins issued by Trajan with this motif:

Trajan AD 98-117. Rome Denarius AR 20 mm., 2,96 g.
RIC II Trajan 130                       C
Date Range: AD 103 - AD 111
IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P
Bust of Trajan, laureate, right (sometimes draped on left shoulder)
COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC
Victory, naked to hips, standing right, left foot set on a step, inscribing DACICA on shield

 

2 Cappadocians:

Vespasian AR Hemidrachm of Caesarea, Cappadocia. AD 69-79.
Laureate head right.
ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΟΥƐϹΠΑϹΙΑΝΟϹ ϹƐΒΑ
Rev: Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm.
RPC II, 1659.
1.65 g, 17 mm

(1.56g 14mm Silver) CAPPADOCIA, Caesaraea-Eusebia. Nero, 54-68. Hemidrachm 59-60.
Obv: (NERO CLAVD DIVI) CLAVD F CAESAR AVG (GERMANI), laureate head of Nero to right Rev: Victory seated right on globe, holding wreath in both hands.
BMC 409; RIC I Nero 617; RPC 3645

 

A LRB I couldn't resist because of the detailed reverse:

Maxentius AD 309-312. Ostia
Follis Æ
25 mm, 6,74 g
IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG: Head of Maxentius, laureate, right / VICTOR-IA A-E-TERNA AVG, Victory, winged, draped, advancing left, holding wreath in right hand and palm in left hand //MOSTS
RIC VI Ostia 54

... and ending, why not, with two Victories

Constantine I the Great AD 306-337. Treveri
19 mm, 2,12 g
BI argenteus, AD 310-313. IMP CONSTANTI-NVS AVG, cuirassed bust of Constantine left, wearing helmet with high crest, spear in right hand over shoulder, mappa in left / VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, two Victories standing facing each other, holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar; PTR in exergue. RIC VI -- (cf. RIC VII 208a); RSC 643

Edited July 25, 2022 by ambr0zie

[DonnaML]

My only coin with Nike as the primary figure on the reverse, an Elagabalus tetradrachm from Roman Alexandria:

[JeandAcre]

On 7/24/2022 at 1:49 PM, Ryro said:

It sure is interesting to piece together how Christians used motifs and concepts from their predecessors, the Pagans, to transform them into their new religion. 

From lifting pagan burial rites, turning Saturnalia into Christmas to what becomes pretty obvious when you start studying ancient art and coinage; the invention of angels from the image of Nike/ Victory. 

(The Nike of Samothrace is as beautiful as anyone whoes experienced a mere flesh wound)

From Rafael to Reubens, modern greats love the motif of a beautiful winged women:

All this brings me to my latest coin of, Fulvia, wife of Marc Antony. Who, despite being left by him for Cleopatra fought valiantly with Lucius Antony, Marc's brother, against Octavius. Before dying of an unknown disease, our so we're told. 

Here we have her as the Roman goddess Victory with her wings on display:

Phrygia, Eumenea as Fulvia AE (Bronze, 9.11g, 23mm) ca 41-40 BC.
Obv: Draped bust of Fulvia as winged Nike right
Rev: FOULOUIANWN / ZMERTORIGOS FILWNIDOU, Athena advancing left, holding spear in right hand, shield on left arm.
Ref: RPC I 3139; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC Phrygia pg. 213, 20; SNG von Aulock -; Laffaille -.

My other Fulvia is a quinarius, also her as Victory:

Though, Fulvia was no angel herself. Famous for insisting in seeing the head of Cicero, who'd made disparaging remarks about her and Marc, after the second triumvirate's proscription of him:

Other winged goddesses:

 

Nothing remotely intelligent to contribute to all of this amazing stuff, other than Hendrix's studio version, released on what I think was his last pre-posthumous album.

 

 

 

Edited July 26, 2022 by JeandAcre