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 Replies: 14 / Views: 3,570 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I wanted to show off one of the other coins I acquired last week from a Spanish seller for $7.50. It is a Gallienus Antoninianus RIC 163, struck in Rome during his Sole Reign, 267-268 AD. I found the reverse to be very interesting. OBV: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate bust right REV: APOLLINI CONS AVG, centaur walking right drawing bow. Z in ex.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Nice coin and patina, I have one of these though the reverse isn't as good as yours.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4253 Posts |
I saw another of these for sale yesterday, only it was much much nicer. Of course the price was much much steeper as well. These little coins I got from the seller in Spain last week are pretty good for the price. And they all have nice green patina. Thanks for the comments. I'd like to see your coin as well.
JW
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I got it in an uncleaned lot, as I said not as good as yours. Turns out it's Ric 164 Rome, yours is 163.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Its hard to see your image because of too much glare. The centaur on yours is facing left if I see it correctly. I'll have to check, but I think the left facing is somewhat more rare.
JW
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I just checked RIC and both coins are listed as common (thanks Bobbyhelmet). Another difference is that in my coin the centaur is drawing a bow while on yours he is holding globe and trophy. I think a set of both in a collection might be nice. Whatcha think? I'll have to keep my eye out for the RIC 164.
JW
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
It would be nice to have both. Like to have them in better condition than my current one.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
You have a good eye for patina--very nice!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
This is a nice coin........ and a very deep topic. I really like these type of coins. I had my eye on the one JW mentions that was up for bid, and surely would have bid on it had I not spaced out about the time of the end of auction. I want one to go with my Gallienus griffin(I posted a few weeks ago) and the Gallienus hippocamp( I will post in the future). I'll find another, they are around. Although that one was pretty nice. My question to you is, why did Gallienus put the Centaur on one this coin, hundreds of years after the Greek myths celebrated them. There are many stories associated with the centaurs. I find them very interesting. Most of them are here: http://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/Kent...ssalioi.htmlWas there a power in the centaur that Gallienus wanted to convey? Hercules encountered the centaurs on several occasions. But Centaurs did not have the best reputation in Greek mythology. I just wonder what your thoughts might be as to why Gallienus would use this image? PS... BTW the myth is still around, there were some Centaurs in the Harry Potter stories from England. Regards Edited by Doucet
10/14/2011 9:17 pm
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Valued Member
United States
132 Posts |
Doucet - it is interesting to note that Gallienus is credited with the formation of the first independent calvary, which might be a reason for the Centaur's inclusion.
He was also the first to portray himself with the attributes of a god on his coinage, with the use of the Centaur meshing nicely with the whole "PR" campaign to weaken elevate the office of the Emperor.
Sound plausible?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Very interesting link. I probably know more about centaurs now then I ever have or ever wanted to know.  In answer to your question as to why Gallienus might use a centaur as a symbol, I wonder if he wasn't trying to use the nature of Cheiron, the teacher/intellect, and the strength associated with the centaurs as political propaganda. Since the Romans are known to have used the images and legends of their coins for propaganda purposes, why not the Centaur. Perhaps Gallienus was trying to be portrayed as both strong and intellectual. Although I have to admit this theory has its flaws such as Centaurs did not have a great reputation, especially in ancient Greece, but that's my guess. One other question arises in my mind. Why use a creature from Greek mythology when it is common knowledge that the Romans despised the Greeks? JW |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Some nice pictures on these links for the 'zoo collection' as a whole. http://www.monnaie-romaine.com/arti...estiaire.phphttp://www258.pair.com/denarius/coinage.htmhttp://www.beastcoins.com/RomanImpe...allienus.htmI also read the following (about zoo coins) elsewhere: Quote:
As far as I know, these coins were minted to invoke the help of the gods against Aureolus' revolt (which could be an exaggeration). However, there seems to be some possible matches between the gods chosen and the animals depicted..
For example, the DIANAE CONS AVG type often has a deer or doe. Diana was the goddess of the hunt, and can often be seen with a deer at her feet. Also, Congius mentioned the HERCVLI CONS AVG having a lion and boar, which could be representing the Nemean Lion and the Erymanthian Boar. Is the Centaur associated with one of the goods? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
"The Kentauroi were spawned by the cloud nymph Nephele who was raped by the impious Lapith King Ixion. Her double-formed brood were deposited on Mount Pelion where the daughters of the centaur-god Kheiron nursed and fostered them to adulthood."
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
All very interesting ideas.
Have to go now ..but will return
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Another common theory holds that the idea of centaurs came from the first reaction of a non-riding culture, as in the Minoan Aegean world, to nomads who were mounted on horses (such as the Scythians). To the native Americans, the first Spanish they saw on horseback were also interpreted as a centaur-type animal.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 3,570 |
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Posted 10/14/2011 3:10 pm
