Pomegranates on Coins of Side

[Sulla80]

Note: This post is a shorter version of my notes on coins of Side, Pamphylia which can be found here: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/pomegranates, with additional pictures, references, and coins.  Also, I've included a NotebookLM generated podcast on this subject attached at the end of this post (hit play to try it out).

A detail from the  "Virgin and Child with Angels" ('Madonna of the Pomegranate') c. 1487 CE by Sandro Botticelli (Firenze, 1445-1510) at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.

The pomegranate, seeded fruit (Pomum granatum)  or Punic apple (Malum punica) as it was known the the Romans, featured prominently on the coins from Side, in Pamphylia, for more than 400 years. This coin from the early 4th century BCE show Athena with owl on the obverse and Apollo with raven on the reverse and was issued while Pamphylia was still under Persian control.....control shifted to the Greeks when Alexander the Great swept through Anatolia and pushed the Persians out (defeating Darius III in 333 BC).

The pomegranate is one of the oldest domesticated fruits originating near the region that is today Iran and Afghanistan.  The fruit has a rich tradition as a symbol of fertility or life, death, and renewal: some argue that the fruit is the apple of Genesis in the Old Testament, in Greek mythology it is the food that bound Persephone to Hades for 6 months of the year, creating the seasons, a symbol of the passion and resurrection of Christ in Christian religion, and it appears in the Quran as a fruit of paradise.

Pamphylia from pamphylos, literally "of mingled tribes or races", and Side chose this as the symbol of their city, the pomegranate a many seeded fruit in a place of many tribes, perhaps representing the many coming together and the abundance of the Pamphilian plains where Side is located.  Side is thought to mean pomegrnate in the local Anatolian language and this is reflected in ancient Greek

Pamphylia, Side, circa 400-380 BC, AR Stater (22mm, 10.72g, 6 h)

Obv: Athena standing left, holding owl on her right hand and shield with her left; to left, pomegranate; to right, spear.

Rev: Apollo standing left, holding laurel branch over altar in his right hand and bow in his left; to right, raven; behind, ethnic in Sidetic; all within incuse square.

Ref: Atlan, Group V, 72. SNG Paris 637-8 var. (ethnic).

The owl of Athena a symbol of wisdom, thought to speak truth to Athena. The raven associated with Apollo, the god of prophecy, music, and healing. In one story, Apollo sent a white raven to spy on his lover Coronis.

"When Apollo learned of this (her infidelity) from a raven he commanded his sister Artemis slay her. The goddess did so, felling many others besides with her deadly plague arrows. Apollo afterwards felt some remorse and, angered by the tattling bird, turned the raven's snow-white feathers black. He also recovered the child Asklepios (Asclepius) from the womb of Koronis and entrusted him to the care of the kentauros Kheiron (Chiron)."

-Koronis at Theoi.com

Share your pomegranates, coins from Side (Σίδη) or anything else you find interesting or entertaining.

Edited December 22, 2024 by Sulla80

[Qcumbor]

The pomegranate was Anne-Marie Louise d'Orléans (Princess of the dombes Principality and Louis XIV cousin) fetish fruit. It was said it symbolised her wealth trough the almost infinite number of grains contained in one single fruit. Thus many of her jetons feature a pomegranate

Q

[Phil Anthos]

Hidden in a corner of our community garden is this shrine to Persephone, which was designed to look like a pomegranate. 

~ Peter 

[AncientOne]

This is probably from Side but as of now it is uncertain.

Pamphylia Uncertain (BC 200-0) AE 10

Obv: Head of Artemis right.
Rev: Pomegranate.
SNG BN 758
Very rare.

[kirispupis]

For what it's worth, my wife's family is from near Afghanistan and they're crazy about pomegranates. In a weird twist of fate, both of our sons are allergic to only one thing as far as we know - pomegranates.

Here's my Side pomegranate.

Pamphylia. Side
3rd-2nd centuries BCE
AE 12.20mm 1.81g
Obverse: Draped bust of Artemis right, with quiver over shoulder
Reverse: Pomegranate
SNG BN 758

 

It's been debated whether Melos depicts and apple or a pomegranate. Complicating the matter is their name means 'apple' but they were famed for their pomegranates.

Cyclades, Melos
3rd-1st century BCE
Æ 17mm, 4.04 g, 6h
Apple /
Kantharos; grape bunches flanking; all within incuse square.
SNG Copenhagen 683; HGC 6, 835

 

[Sulla80]

13 minutes ago, AncientOne said:

This is probably from Side but as of now it is uncertain.

Pamphylia Uncertain (BC 200-0) AE 10

Obv: Head of Artemis right.
Rev: Pomegranate.
SNG BN 758
Very rare.

Here's where this coin lands in SNG France 3 Pamphylia : Plate 39

 

[AncientOne]

 

1 hour ago, Sulla80 said:

Here's where this coin lands in SNG France 3 Pamphylia : Plate 39

Thank you @Sulla80. I was going by what Asiaminorcoins.com had for this issue.

https://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=268&pid=9237#top_display_media

[Sulla80]

10 minutes ago, AncientOne said:

 

Thank you @Sulla80. I was going by what Asiaminorcoins.com had for this issue.

https://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=268&pid=9237#top_display_media

interesting - as they reference the SNG France coin - it seems unlikely the ambiguity is accidental.

[Alegandron]

Great coin @Sulla80.  Cool subject.

I have nary a one.

All I have is a blank stare…

[Sulla80]

29 minutes ago, Alegandron said:

Great coin @Sulla80.  Cool subject.

I have nary a one.

All I have is a blank stare…

Thanks for stopping by @Alegandron, you could always show your Marsic denarii - I am sure they are in some way relevant e.g. The Marsic people, like other Italic tribes, were deeply tied to the land and its produce. The pomegranate, a fruit cultivated in central Italy, might have been part of their agricultural life and symbolized prosperity and survival OR the allied Italic tribes came together in a concerted effort against Roman domination, much like the pomegranate's seeds forming a cohesive whole.

[Alegandron]

3 hours ago, Sulla80 said:

Thanks for stopping by @Alegandron, you could always show your Marsic denarii - I am sure they are in some way relevant e.g. The Marsic people, like other Italic tribes, were deeply tied to the land and its produce. The pomegranate, a fruit cultivated in central Italy, might have been part of their agricultural life and symbolized prosperity and survival OR the allied Italic tribes came together in a concerted effort against Roman domination, much like the pomegranate's seeds forming a cohesive whole.

LOL, ok!  I agree with you, Ancient Coins, not matter when, where, how, etc. ALWAYS are relevant!!!  😄

Ok, Marsic Denarii...

According to @Sulla80, these are the Coins of the Marsic Confederation, who believed that the Romans were eating their pomegranates RIGHT off their tables.  Ergo, the Marsic Confederation was born from several Italic Tribes to fight the nasty pomegranate eaters in Rome.  THE END...  History rewritten.  😄

The Social War,

Marsic Confederation

AR Denarius.

Corfinium, 89 BC.

Laureate head of Italia right, wearing pearl necklace; ITALIA behind, X (mark of value) below chin /

Italia, seated left on shields, holding sceptre in right hand and sword in left, being crowned with wreath by Victory who stands behind; retrograde B(?) in exergue.

Campana 105, Series 7a (same obverse die); Sear 228 w/ control mark inverted B; HN Italy 412a. 3.60g, 20mm, 8h.

Seller Comments: Near Very Fine. Cleaning marks to rev.

18 known Rare

 

The Social War,

Marsic Confederation

AR Denarius.

Bovianum(?)-(Capital of the Samnite Confederation since 9th C. BCE), 89 BC.

Laureate head of Italia left, VITELIV = ITALIA in Oscan script /

Soldier standing facing, head right, foot on uncertain object (LOL, I postulate it is a Wolf cub), holding inverted spear and sword, recumbent bull to right facing; retrograde B in exergue.

Campana 122 (same dies); Sear 230 HN Italy 407.

3.93g, 20mm, 3h. 

Seller Comment: Near Very Fine. 

From the Eucharius Collection.  

 

Social War,

Marsic Confed.,

90-88 BC,

Sy.621,

Italia hd l./

Youth & sacrificial pig, 8 soldiers around;

Seller Comments:  VF, centered, some lt surface imperfections mainly on rev, some uneven darkish toning, full clear details. Very rare. 

My Comments:  The oath taking scene presumably refers to the oaths between the Marsic confederation: Marsi, Peligni, Piceni, Vestini, Samnites, Frentani, Marrucini, and Lucani.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Alegandron

[Sulla80]

13 minutes ago, Alegandron said:

LOL, ok!  I agree with you, Ancient Coins, not matter when, where, how, etc. ALWAYS are relevant!!!  😄

Ok, Marsic Denarii...

According to @Sulla80, these are the Coins of the Marsic Confederation, who believed that the Romans were eating their pomegranates RIGHT off their tables.  Ergo, the Marsic Confederation was born from several Italic Tribes to fight the nasty pomegranate eaters in Rome.  THE END...  History rewritten.  😄

🙂

[akeady]

I bought this coin for the pomegranate 🙂

State, City:	Pamphylia, Side
Coin:	Silver Stater - Athena standing left, holding Nike, shield and spear; pomegranate to left Ethnic in local letters - Apollo standing left, quiver over shoulder, holding patera and laurel sceptre; altar to left
Mint:	Side (ca 360-333 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis:	10.78g / 21mm / 10h
References:	Atlan 129 var. SNG Cop. 376 SNG Von Aulock 4772
Acquisition:	Roma Numismatics Online auction E-Sale 9 #212 28-Jun-2014

Thanks for the write-up!

ATB,

Aidan.

[Alegandron]

1 hour ago, akeady said:

I bought this coin for the pomegranate 🙂

State, City:	Pamphylia, Side
Coin:	Silver Stater - Athena standing left, holding Nike, shield and spear; pomegranate to left Ethnic in local letters - Apollo standing left, quiver over shoulder, holding patera and laurel sceptre; altar to left
Mint:	Side (ca 360-333 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis:	10.78g / 21mm / 10h
References:	Atlan 129 var. SNG Cop. 376 SNG Von Aulock 4772
Acquisition:	Roma Numismatics Online auction E-Sale 9 #212 28-Jun-2014

Thanks for the write-up!

ATB,

Aidan.

Wow, great coin, Aidan!

[DANTE]

 Great coins everyone!☺️

Side produced some lovely types. As it happens I'm waiting for one to arrive. (Quite a coincidence since it's only the fifth coin purchase this year!) Mine is a slightly earlier issue (late 5th century), without the legend or the Apollo reverse. To compensate for this it has an oversized pomegranate, a complementary testcut, and two countermarks. If this makes for a deconstructed reverse, then so be it. For me it's part of the charm. Also, I've always been a sucker for an incuse reverse. I hope it gets to me the year is over. And I hope I don't jinx the coin by posting it here before I have it in hand (insert nail-biting emoji😬). The variety with the Apollo reverse is on my wishlist.

Seller's pic for now:

 

And here is a really nice artistic example:

CNG: Feature Auction Triton XXI. PAMPHYLIA, Side. Circa 430-400 BC. AR Stater (24.5mm, 10.81 g, 6h).

Edited December 23, 2024 by DANTE

[Sulla80]

12 hours ago, akeady said:

I bought this coin for the pomegranate 🙂

State, City:	Pamphylia, Side
Coin:	Silver Stater - Athena standing left, holding Nike, shield and spear; pomegranate to left Ethnic in local letters - Apollo standing left, quiver over shoulder, holding patera and laurel sceptre; altar to left
Mint:	Side (ca 360-333 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis:	10.78g / 21mm / 10h
References:	Atlan 129 var. SNG Cop. 376 SNG Von Aulock 4772
Acquisition:	Roma Numismatics Online auction E-Sale 9 #212 28-Jun-2014

Thanks for the write-up!

ATB,

Aidan.

Great coin, @akeady, the nike is also very nice on this coin.

10 hours ago, DANTE said:

 Great coins everyone!☺️

Side produced some lovely types. As it happens I'm waiting for one to arrive. (Quite a coincidence since it's only the fifth coin purchase this year!) Mine is a slightly earlier issue (late 5th century), without the legend or the Apollo reverse. To compensate for this it has an oversized pomegranate, a complementary testcut, and two countermarks. If this makes for a deconstructed reverse, then so be it. For me it's part of the charm. Also, I've always been a sucker for an incuse reverse. I hope it gets to me the year is over. And I hope I don't jinx the coin by posting it here before I have it in hand (insert nail-biting emoji😬). The variety with the Apollo reverse is on my wishlist.

Seller's pic for now:

 

And here is a really nice artistic example:

CNG: Feature Auction Triton XXI. PAMPHYLIA, Side. Circa 430-400 BC. AR Stater (24.5mm, 10.81 g, 6h).

A good pomegranate and interesting countermarks, @DANTE.