When Henry Gorringe excavated Cleopatra’s Needle in 1880, he reportedly found this bronze coin of Cleopatra under the pedestal. Its whereabouts and significance were forgotten for 140 years. Until now.
Category: Historical Articles
New Additions: Roman Bronze Coins with Distinguished Provenances Depicting “Barbarians, Captives, and Enemies”
In addition to the interesting imagery of captives on their reverses, each coin has a notable provenance and backstory related to the modern history of classical numismatics.
The “Play Bow” on Bronze Dog Coins of Epidauros
The Argolid city of Epidauros is familiar to numismatists for its coins portraying Asclepius, a god of medicine and healing. Some of the bronze coins also depict his companion animal – a dog. There are two bronze coin types with dog reverses from Epidauros in the third century BCE. The only difference is the dog’s pose.
Showcase: Gordian plate coin, Giovanni Dattari (1858-1923) Collection, important die variant
Pedigreed to 1901, from the Giovanni Dattari Collection & plate coin from Savio-Dattari & RPC. Gordian III Tetradrachm of Egypt, Alexandria with very rare obverse die & legend arrangement.
The Irony of Valerian’s Captive: AR Antoninianus Celebrating “Victory over Parthia”
In the year 257, Valerian I struck a rare silver Antoninianus depicting the Roman deity Victory looming over a seated Parthian captive. Three years later, in 260, Valerian would make history as only Roman Emperor to himself be taken captive. It was by Shapur I, Sasanian King in Persia, whose empire had succeeded the Parthian.
Two Captives & Trophy: Prisoners of War on Roman Coins from Julius Caesar to Constantine “The Great”
Prisoners of war are among the most consistent and versatile tropes spanning the history of Roman coins, from the Republican period through the late Imperial. Frequently described only as “captive” or “bound captive” in the major references, the figures depicted are presumably destined for slavery or, occasionally, awaiting execution. They often represent members of specific tribal groups, indicated by the minute cultural details of hairstyle, clothing, or headwear.
“A New Morning in Rome”: Aurelian’s Eastern Captives Coinage, c. 274 CE.
Depicting Eastern captives with the legend ORIENS AVG, the double-meaning is that the Romans are rising supreme over the East, and that the sun is rising, heralding “a new day” after recent eastern conflicts.
Historic Classic: Julius Caesar Elephant Denarius 49 BCE
A historically significant, iconic classic. The coins of Julius Caesar are of special interest to numismatists because they not only reflected important historical moments, but actually played a role in shaping them.
Historic “Justinian Plague Follis,” Constantinople 541 CE
[Updated 15 July 2022.] In the Spring of 541, the devastating Bubonic Plague reached Byzantine N. Africa. By Fall, it struck Constantinople. Justinian himself was famously infected, miraculously survived, and bore the facial scars for life. The city was decimated by the “Justinian Plague,” with incalculable consequences for the Empire and for Western History.