Off the Beaten Path: Iconium

[David Atherton]

For my latest entry in the 'Off the Beaten Path' series of provincials, I wish to share a coin from Iconium in Galatia-Cappadocia. The city had both a Greek and Roman side, this coin is from the Greek side.

 

Vespasian
Æ23 9.90g
Iconium (Galatia-Cappadocia) mint, undated
Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΩΡ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΟΥΕϹΠΑϹΙΑΝΟϹ; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: ΚΛΑΥΔΕΙΚΟΝΙΕΩΝ; Cybele* std. l., holding patera in her right hand, her left arm resting on tympanum; at her feet, lions
RPC 1607 (1 spec.).
Acquired from Tom Vossen, September 2024.

Iconium produced coins with Greek legends under the Julio-Claudians for Nero and Claudius. Under the Flavians there are two series, one in Greek and the other in Latin. RPC explains the importance of this: 'The Latin series (1609-11) proves that a Roman colony was created at Iconium under Augustus as the reverse of Vespasian's issue reads Col(onia) Iul(ia) Aug(usta) Iconi(ensium). Before these coins came to light, it was thought that Iconium was created a colony under Hadrian, perhaps in 136/7, according to CIL Suppl. 12136, where a Col(onia) Aelia Hadriana Aug(usta) is mentioned...The old polis of Iconium and the new colony lived side by side and a distinction was drawn between natives and colonists, which explains the two parallel series of coins, struck in two denominations.' This Greek series reverse features the Antolian mother goddess Cybele with two lions, which symbolise her dominion over nature.

*In the printed RPC II volume the seated figure is erroneously identified as Hades.

In hand.

 

Thanks for looking!

[Homer2]

Very cool. Thanks for posting and sharing the history on this coin. 

[CPK]

Neat little coin. The parallel existence of both Latin and Greek legends is an interesting bit of history! Do you have the Latin version of this coin or is that still on the wishlist?

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Very interesting coin and as they say, historically interesting as it proves the colony was established in Vespasian's time at least, if not before. Once again numismatic evidence augments the historical record.

[kirispupis]

Very interesting coin. I believe before it was a Roman colony, it was the Hellenistic city of Eikonion. It was located at the modern day city of Konya, famous for its dervishes. I drove through there a number of years ago but sadly did not have the time to stop.

Lycaonia, Eikonion
circa 100-0 BCE
Æ 15mm, 3,84g
Obv : Laureate head of Zeus right.
Rev : ЄIKONIЄωN. Perseus standing left, holding harpa and head of Medusa
SNG France 2272-2276; Aulock Lykaonien 252; HGC 7, 789

 

[David Atherton]

9 hours ago, CPK said:

Neat little coin. The parallel existence of both Latin and Greek legends is an interesting bit of history! Do you have the Latin version of this coin or is that still on the wishlist?

The two parallel issues have culturally appropriate types that don't overlap. For instance, this foundation type from the Latin series.

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=173647

 

[Sulla80]

Interesting post @David Atherton, I had wondered why this particular coin was listed and "Greek Issue" - your note on the alternative "Latin Issue" now makes sense.  The connection of Iconium to Galatia-Cappadocia also had me questioning which province that this town was part of at various times.   Here's what I dug up: 

Summary of Iconium’s Provincial Associations:

• 100 BC - 25 BC: Lycaonia (sometimes under Cappadocian/Seleucid influence).
• 25 BC - 72 AD: Galatia. incorporated into the Roman province of Galatia following the death of King Amyntas of Galatia
• 72 AD - early 2nd century AD:  under Emperor Vespasian, the provinces of Galatia and Cappadocia were combined temporarily to form a single administrative region
• Early 2nd century AD - late 3rd century AD:  By the time of Emperor Trajan (98–117 AD) or Hadrian (117–138 AD), Galatia and Cappadocia were once again separated into distinct provinces.
• Late 3rd century AD - 300 AD: Lycaonia separated out again in Diocletians reforms

This coin incorrectly or at least incompletely attributed (Titus, Roman Provincial, Lycaonia, Iconium ) like your coin it should be (Titus from Roman Provincial, Galatia or Galatia-Cappadocia, Lycaonia, Iconium )

Κλαυδεικονιέων (Klaudeikonieon) is Claudiconium also needs some explanation - what happened under the reign of Claudius that this town retains the honorific Claud-iconium recognizing the Roman Emperor Claudius (reigned 41–54 AD)?

Roman Provincial, Galatia Galatia-Cappadocia, Lycaonia, Iconium AE (Bronze, 5.26g, 20mm) Titus (Caesar) under Vespasian (69-79) Issue: Greek issues
Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤωΡ ΤΙΤΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ; laureate and cuirassed bust of Titus, right
Rev: ΚΛΑΥΔΕΙΚΟΝΙΕωΝ; bust of Perseus with Phrygian cap, right; harpa behind
Ref: RPC II №: 1608, vA Lyk 286–9

 

Here's a later COL(onia) ICO(niensium) from Antoninus Pius

 

More on both coins can be found here: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/perseus-st-paul-and-antoninus-pius

Edited November 12, 2024 by Sulla80