It's Perge-ing time

[wuntbedruv]

 

'Next is the river Cestrus; on sailing up its stream 60 stadia we find the city Perge, and near it upon an elevated place, the temple of the Pergaean Artemis, where a general festival is celebrated every year.' - so says the 1st century BC Greek geographer Strabo.

The Pamphylian city of Perge or Perga, near Anatalya in what is today Turkey, was old even in Roman times.  From a mythological perspective, it was supposedly founded by wandering Trojans moving across Asia Minor in the aftermath of the Trojan War. Archaeological evidence suggests Perge's acropolis has been occupied since the Bronze Age, with a Hittite bronze tablet of around 1200 BC indicating its contemporary name as 'Perha'. 

Despite becoming a colony of Rhodes in the 7th century BC and taking on the identity of a Pamphylian Greek city, control of Perge see-sawed back and forth between Achaemenid Persia and Greeks for several centuries. Under Darius I it was part of the satrapy of Ionia, with Pamphylia later supposedly providing 30 ships to Xerxes' invasion of Greece if Herodotus is to be believed (see book VII, chapter 91). In 360 BC the city was part of the great satrapal revolt against Artaxerxes II, later welcoming Alexander the Great in 334 BC after his invasion of Asia Minor. Passing into Seleucid control after Alexander's death, Perge was ruled under their auspices till their defeat by the Romans in 188 BC - whereupon it passed into the holdings of the Attalids. After the death of Attalus III in 133 BC and his territorial 'bequest', both the city and wider Pamphylia was fully integrated into the Roman provincial system. Substantial remains of the city survive to this day, most of which date to the Roman era (see below, image courtesy wikipedia):

Although Perge had issued coins in its own right since the 3rd century BC, many of which acknowledge its patron-goddess Artemis, I'd like to focus today on some of its Roman provincial issues of the mid 3rd century AD. I recently had good luck at auction in acquiring four rare Roman Provincial bronzes of Perge, all of which are ex Elvira Clain-Stefanelli. One was acquired in the spring of this year, the other three last week. Of these four coins, three are the current RPC digital 'plate' coins (which means unless they are superceded by better pieces, they may well become the physical in-print plate coins). All come with nice, handwritten envelopes covered in copious annotations. 

 

Here then, are the four coins now in my collection. None are in stellar condition, but all are pieces of academic significance - one being totally unique and the other three rare. All bear the reverse inscription 'ΠΕΡΓΑΙΩΝ' - Pergaion - 'of the Pergeans'.

 

1. Philip II as Caesar, AE25. Reverse: Hermes advancing left, head right, holding purse and caduceus. Watson 875, RPC unassigned ID 21076. Four known including this coin. 

 

2. Philip II as Caesar, AE23. Reverse: Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia. Watson 891, RPC unassigned ID 21085. Four known including this coin, current RPC plate coin. 

 

 

3. Philip II as Caesar, AE23. Reverse: Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm. Watson 893, RPC unassigned ID 93504. Three known including this coin, current RPC plate coin.

 

 

4. Otacilia Severa as Augusta under Philip I, AE27. Reverse: Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia. Unpublished in Watson, RPC unassigned ID 93436. Unique, current RPC plate coin.

 

 

Please show your Pergean issues, or photos of the city if you have been lucky enough to visit its remains!

Edited December 16, 2024 by wuntbedruv

[JAZ Numismatics]

Those are important coins, congratulations! I currently have a small bronze of the 1st century BC...

PAMPHYLIA. Perge.

AE15, 3.7g; c. 50-30 BC.

Obv.: Cult statue of Artemis Pergaia facing, within distyle temple.

Rev.: APTEMIΛOΣ ΠEPΓAIAΣ to either side of bow and quiver.

Ref.: SNG BnF 373-8 

[Roman Collector]

As @JAZ Numismatics noted, those coins are important. I appreciate rarity and historical/numismatic significance. Alas, I have no coins of this city in my collection. 

[kirispupis]

Very rare issues.

Here's my oldest coin from Perge.

Pamphylia, Perge
260 - 230 BCE
AE 17mm 4.26g
Sphinx seated right /
ИANAΨAΣ ΠΡEIIAΣ; Artemis standing left, holding wreath and scepter.
Colin series 2.1; SNG France 355-61

 

I also have this provincial, which is one of the first ancient coins I bought and before I knew anything about them.

Julia Domna, Augusta
Perge, Pamphylia 194-217 CE
AE 4.6g, 18.2mm
SNG Cop 323 var (CEB), Lindgren A1108A var (same)

[shanxi]

Nice write up and pictues

Marcus Aurelius
Pamphylia, Perge
AE19
Obv: AVT KAI M AVP ANTΩNINOC CЄ, Laureate head right.
Rev: ΠЄΡΓΑΙΩΝ, Artemis standing right, holding bow and arrow, with quiver over shoulder.
AE, 4.58g, 19 mm
RPC IV online 10659

 

Philippus II
Pamphylia, Perge
AE24
Obv.: … K M IOY CEOY ΦIΛIΠΠOC CE, Laureate and draped bust right, set on globe
Rev.: ΠEP - ΓAI – ΩN, Money Chest surmounted by three purses
AE, 8.10g, 23.85mm
Ref.: SNG France 511-4; SNG von Aulock 4708, BMC 60, SNG Cop. 350
Ex collection of Dr. Robert Friedinger-Pranter
with the original old collectors label

 

PAMPHYLIA. Perge. (3rd century BCE). AR Drachm.
Obv: Laureate head of Artemis right, with bow and quiver over shoulder.
Rev: [APT]EMIΔ[OΣ] / ΠEPΓAIAΣ.
Artemis standing left, holding wreath and scepter; to inner right, forepart of stag left, head right.
Colin group 1.3, series 1 (dies V1.1/R1.1); SNG France 332.
AR, 4.02 g, 17.60 mm

 

[AncientOne]

The pictures of the the city are impressive as well are your coins. 

 

Pamphylia, Perge. Otacilia Severa Æ26

Obv: ΜΑΡ ⲰΤΑ ϹƐΟΥΗΡΑΝ ϹƐΒ / diademed and draped bust of Otacilia Severa, r., crescent at shoulders.
Rev: ΠƐΡΓΑΙΑϹ ΑΡΤƐΜΙΔΟϹ, ΑϹΥΛΟΥ / temple with two columns enclosing cult statue of Artemis Pergaia between star and crescent; in pediment, eagle.
RPC VIII, — (unassigned; ID 21051)

Edited December 17, 2024 by AncientOne

[wuntbedruv]

3 minutes ago, AncientOne said:

The pictures of the the city are impressive as well are your coins. 

 

Pamphylia, Perge. Otacilia Severa Æ26

Obv: ΜΑΡ ⲰΤΑ ϹƐΟΥΗΡΑΝ ϹƐΒ / diademed and draped bust of Otacilia Severa, r., crescent at shoulders.
Rev: ΠƐΡΓΑΙΑϹ ΑΡΤƐΜΙΔΟϹ, ΑϹΥΛΟΥ / temple with two columns enclosing cult statue of Artemis Pergaia between star and crescent; in pediment, eagle.
RPC VIII, — (unassigned; ID 21051)

Cool coin! I wonder if our two Otacilias share an obverse die? Looks very similar.

[kirispupis]

Funny, while working on my web site, I realized I've actually been to the ruins at Perge. It was 15 years ago and was included on a day trip. Here are some photos I took.

[Sulla80]

Great thread & coins @wuntbedruv, here's my favorite from Perge, illustrating and Arca Ferrata - more on this topic and coin here:  https://www.sullacoins.com/post/arca-ferrata

Edited December 17, 2024 by Sulla80

[-monolith-]

18 hours ago, wuntbedruv said:

 

'Next is the river Cestrus; on sailing up its stream 60 stadia we find the city Perge, and near it upon an elevated place, the temple of the Pergaean Artemis, where a general festival is celebrated every year.' - so says the 1st century BC Greek geographer Strabo.

The Pamphylian city of Perge or Perga, near Anatalya in what is today Turkey, was old even in Roman times.  From a mythological perspective, it was supposedly founded by wandering Trojans moving across Asia Minor in the aftermath of the Trojan War. Archaeological evidence suggests Perge's acropolis has been occupied since the Bronze Age, with a Hittite bronze tablet of around 1200 BC indicating its contemporary name as 'Perha'. 

Despite becoming a colony of Rhodes in the 7th century BC and taking on the identity of a Pamphylian Greek city, control of Perge see-sawed back and forth between Achaemenid Persia and Greeks for several centuries. Under Darius I it was part of the satrapy of Ionia, with Pamphylia later supposedly providing 30 ships to Xerxes' invasion of Greece if Herodotus is to be believed (see book VII, chapter 91). In 360 BC the city was part of the great satrapal revolt against Artaxerxes II, later welcoming Alexander the Great in 334 BC after his invasion of Asia Minor. Passing into Seleucid control after Alexander's death, Perge was ruled under their auspices till their defeat by the Romans in 188 BC - whereupon it passed into the holdings of the Attalids. After the death of Attalus III in 133 BC and his territorial 'bequest', both the city and wider Pamphylia was fully integrated into the Roman provincial system. Substantial remains of the city survive to this day, most of which date to the Roman era (see below, image courtesy wikipedia):

Although Perge had issued coins in its own right since the 3rd century BC, many of which acknowledge its patron-goddess Artemis, I'd like to focus today on some of its Roman provincial issues of the mid 3rd century AD. I recently had good luck at auction in acquiring four rare Roman Provincial bronzes of Perge, all of which are ex Elvira Clain-Stefanelli. One was acquired in the spring of this year, the other three last week. Of these four coins, three are the current RPC digital 'plate' coins (which means unless they are superceded by better pieces, they may well become the physical in-print plate coins). All come with nice, handwritten envelopes covered in copious annotations. 

 

Here then, are the four coins now in my collection. None are in stellar condition, but all are pieces of academic significance - one being totally unique and the other three rare. All bear the reverse inscription 'ΠΕΡΓΑΙΩΝ' - Pergaion - 'of the Pergeans'.

 

1. Philip II as Caesar, AE25. Reverse: Hermes advancing left, head right, holding purse and caduceus. Watson 875, RPC unassigned ID 21076. Four known including this coin. 

 

2. Philip II as Caesar, AE23. Reverse: Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia. Watson 891, RPC unassigned ID 21085. Four known including this coin, current RPC plate coin. 

 

 

3. Philip II as Caesar, AE23. Reverse: Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm. Watson 893, RPC unassigned ID 93504. Three known including this coin, current RPC plate coin.

 

 

4. Otacilia Severa as Augusta under Philip I, AE27. Reverse: Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia. Unpublished in Watson, RPC unassigned ID 93436. Unique, current RPC plate coin.

 

 

Please show your Pergean issues, or photos of the city if you have been lucky enough to visit its remains!

Priapus Numismatics has been selling quite a few coins from the collection of Vladimir and Elvira Eliza Clain-Stefanelli over the past year or so. I recently purchased this one which is currently not listed in RPC Online and I still need to photograph it. 

Province, City - Reign:  Pamphylia, Perge - Antoninus Pius

Denomination:  AE 15

Mint:  Perge (138 – 161 AD)

Size:  15.00 mm

Weight:  2.13 g

Obverse: KAIC (ΑΝΤΩΝEΙ), Laureate head of Antoninus Pius, right

 Reverse: ΠEPΓAIΩN, Artemis standing, facing, holding bow and arrow

 References: Unpublished

[JAZ Numismatics]

21 minutes ago, -monolith- said:

Priapus Numismatics has been selling quite a few coins from the collection of Vladimir and Elvira Eliza Clain-Stefanelli over the past year or so. I recently purchased this one which is currently not listed in RPC Online and I still need to photograph it. 

Province, City - Reign:  Pamphylia, Perge - Antoninus Pius

Denomination:  AE 15

Mint:  Perge (138 – 161 AD)

Size:  15.00 mm

Weight:  2.13 g

Obverse: KAIC (ΑΝΤΩΝEΙ), Laureate head of Antoninus Pius, right

 Reverse: ΠEPΓAIΩN, Artemis standing, facing, holding bow and arrow

 References: Unpublished

Priapus Numismatics? Hahaha! First I've heard of them. Damn, I wish I had thought of that name. Did you get a good deal, or did they stiff you? 

Edited December 17, 2024 by JAZ Numismatics

[wuntbedruv]

1 hour ago, -monolith- said:

Priapus Numismatics has been selling quite a few coins from the collection of Vladimir and Elvira Eliza Clain-Stefanelli over the past year or so. I recently purchased this one which is currently not listed in RPC Online and I still need to photograph it. 

Province, City - Reign:  Pamphylia, Perge - Antoninus Pius

Denomination:  AE 15

Mint:  Perge (138 – 161 AD)

Size:  15.00 mm

Weight:  2.13 g

Obverse: KAIC (ΑΝΤΩΝEΙ), Laureate head of Antoninus Pius, right

 Reverse: ΠEPΓAIΩN, Artemis standing, facing, holding bow and arrow

 References: Unpublished

This is a nice coin. I actually planned to go after it, but the sale coincided while I was on holiday in Italy and I forgot to bid. In fact, I remember checking my phone and going 'oh damn' when walking round Pompeii. Good buy.

[Curtisimo]

Great coins all.

Pamphylia, Perge
AE16, Perge mint, struck ca. 50-30 BC
Dia.: 16.6 mm
Wt.: 3.9 g
Obv.: Cult statue of Artemis Pergaea facing within distyle temple, facing eagle in pediment
Rev.: ΑΡΤΕΜΙΔΟΣ ΠΕΡΓΑΙΑΣ, Bow and quiver
Ref.: SNG France 373-8
Ex Savoca Coins 111th Blue Auction (August 2021)

[PeteB]

Alexander III, the Great; 336-323 B.C. AR tetradrachm (32x28mm;16.45 gm; 1 h). Perge mint, dated year 29; struck c. 193/2 BC. Obv: Hd. of Herakles r. wearing lion’s skin headdress. Rev: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ to r.,  Zeus std. l. on throne holding eagle in r. hand & scepter in his l. To left, date "KΘ."  SNG Saroglos 492; SNG Ashmoleon 2876.  Price 2943

 

[PeteB]

Pamphylia, Perge AR Hemidrachm (1.58 gm, 12h, 13mm). Circa 150 BC. Obv: Head of Artemis to right, quiver over shoulder. Rev: APTEMIΔOΣ ΠEPΓAIA, Artemis standing left, holding wreath and scepter, deer at her feet, looking up; SNG Cop 300, SNG BN 333-334

 

Edited December 17, 2024 by PeteB

[hotwheelsearl]

Here is my best Perga issue. The obverse is incredible and shows almost no wear.

The reverse is a little busted, but still cool.

Perga is one of the only ways to get LARGE Salonina and Gallienus bronzes in an affordable manner. The style is a little "primitive" but I find them endearing.

 

[Grudissius Minimus]

Greetings all,

 The topic of this thread has made me cross the threshold of casual observer to contributor. 🙂

 My submission was recently won at auction, from Numismad, on biddr. Ive yet to receive the coin and its companion lots, as the Canadian postal service went on strike about 5 days after the package was shipped..

 I’m staying patient and optimistic though - and hope to be able to handle and study the coin soon!

Here is the coin:

Pamphylia, Perge AE Commodus (Caesar (175-177) under Marcus Aurelius 
Obv: ΚΑΙ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ ΓΕΡ; bare head of Commodus (youthful), right
Rev: ΠΕΡΓΑΙΩΝ; Tyche standing, left, holding rudder and cornucopia
Ref: RPC IV.3 №: 3275 (temporary), Weisser 1142 corr.
 

Some thoughts on this peice.

Not the most precise strike but shows lots of detail on the Commodus bust. A quick study on the ol’ RPC birthed the theory that this may be a different variant (?) than the 2 listed examples which describe the Commodus bust as “bare-headed”. Reason being, I’m fairly certain Commodus is sporting the wreath/headband combo in this example. This particular Roman provincial was a bit of an impulse buy and off-brand… but since these AEs were going for very modest prices I decided to take the plunge.  

 I’ve only discovered the possibility of ancient coin collecting in January of this year (2024) and have started a modest Roman imperial denarii collection, as well as 2 opportunistic pieces of Greek silver - and of course this Pergaean piece (If/when I receive it). 😅

Oh, and any observations, comments or thoughts about this coin or its origins are welcomed. Love to learn something new and become a better informed collector and enthusiast.

Cheers,

Z

[-monolith-]

22 hours ago, JAZ Numismatics said:

Priapus Numismatics? Hahaha! First I've heard of them. Damn, I wish I had thought of that name. Did you get a good deal, or did they stiff you? 

13 GBP, about $23 total cost.

[-monolith-]

21 hours ago, wuntbedruv said:

This is a nice coin. I actually planned to go after it, but the sale coincided while I was on holiday in Italy and I forgot to bid. In fact, I remember checking my phone and going 'oh damn' when walking round Pompeii. Good buy.

Yea, I would have bid on more but I'm really picky regarding condition and level of detail, even for rare types.  

[Sulla80]

Here's another Price 2943 193/2 BC from Perge: some relevant notes are here: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/between-the-seleucid-and-attalid-kingdom

[AncientOne]

 

A few more...

Pamphylia, Perga. Elagabalus AE24. Artemis Pergaia

 

Pamphylia, Perga. Hadrian, AE14. Artemis Pergaia

 

Pamphylia, Perga. Marcus Aurelius AE14

 

Pamphylia, Perge. Caracalla Æ 17

 

Pamphylia, Perge. Domitian AE15

[Sulla80]

Greek, Pamphylia, Perge (ca 50-30 BC) AE (Bronze, 16mm,4.33g)
Obv: Cult statue of Artemis Pergaia facing within distyle temple
Rev: ΑΡΤΕΜΙΔΟΣ ΠΕΡΓΑΙΑΣ, unstrung bow & quiver.
Ref: SNG BnF 373-8.