Off the Beaten Path: Flavia Philadelphia

[David Atherton]

Here is the latest addition in my 'Off the Beaten Path' series of provincial coins - a not so common Titus Caesar bronze from Flavia Philadelphia, Lydia. The reverse is a bit of a mystery ...

 

Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]
Æ18, 3.22g
Flavia Philadelphia (Lydia) mint, undated
Obv: ΤΙΤΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: ΦΛΑΒΙΩΝ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΕΩΝ; Female cult statue with supports stg. facing between two lions
RPC 1330 (3 spec.).

Under Vespasian, Flavia Philadelphia struck a small issue of undated bronze coins in the name of Vespasian and Titus and Domitian as Caesars. This Titus Caesar Æ18 features an unidentified cult statue of a goddess on the reverse. Imhoof-Blumer  identifies her as possibly Hekate or alternately Mother Anaïtis, principal goddess of Philadelphia.

In hand.

 

Thank you for looking!

Edited November 4, 2024 by David Atherton

[CPK]

Interesting little 'mystery' coin!