Ancient and Medieval Coins Canada

Auction 2  –  9 November 2019

Ancient and Medieval Coins Canada, Auction 2

Ancient and Medieval Coins

Sa, 09.11.2019, from 6:00 PM CET
The auction is closed.

Description

CAPPADOCIA, Caesarea: Septimius Severus (193-211), AR drachm, issued 194. 3.06g, 18mm.
Obv: AY Λ CЄΠ CЄOYHPOC; Laureate head right.
Rev: MHTPO KAICAPI; Mt. Argaeus surmounted by star; ЄT B (year 2 = 194) in exergue.
Sydenham 387; SNG Copenhagen 256.

This coin was issued in a tumultuous year, in which Severus faced off against Pescennius Niger, who had control over the east, including Cappadocia. This coin would have been issued around the time of Niger’s ultimate defeat at the Battle of Issus (also the site of Alexander’s monumental defeat of Darius III in 332 BC). It is said that Severus was able to twist the Eastern governors into cooperation because he held their family members hostage in Rome. No doubt this included the governor of Cappadocia. (Caesarea initially issued coins for Niger.)
The massive stratovolcano Mt. Argaeus/Argaios (now Erciyes) was sacred since at least the time of the Hittites (second millennium BC); it dominates the view south of Caesarea (now Kayseri, in Turkey). Caesarea was one of the few provincial cities having the right to mint silver, and the mountain is a standard feature on its coins. Depictions show a sacred cave or grotto, still found near the summit, as well as a strange object surrounded by dots - possibly a sacred stone. There is much still be learned about the Argaeus cult, with coins being an important source of information.

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Bidding

Price realized 40 CAD 2 bids
Starting price 30 CAD
The auction is closed.
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