Valentinian Posted June 8 · Member Share Posted June 8 I think most of us like ancient coins with lions. There are many types of them, some Roman Republican, some Roman imperial, some Greek silver and AE, some Roman provincial, and even some Turkoman. The one I have to show here is a rare Turkoman bronze with its lion in an unusual pose: 30-29 mm. 9.00 grams. Turkoman, Danishmendid (a dynasty which occupied north-central Anatolia [Turkey] after the Byzantines lost the Battle of Manzikert). Fakhr al-Din Qasim b. Dhu '1l-Qarnayn (AH 565-567, AD 1170-1172) Lion sitting left, right forepaw raised, tail raised, facing very slightly right. No obverse legend. 4-line legend: Fakhr al-Din Qasim b. Dhi 'l-Qarnayn b. 'Ayn al-Dawla I think the pose on this type may be unique among the many ancient types with lions. But, I'd love to see others. Show us a lion! 23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor kirispupis Posted June 8 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 8 Nice lion! Here are a few of mine. Kings of Paeonia, Leon Æ 13mm 1.91g, 6h 278-250 BCE Wreathed head of Dionysos(?) to right / Head of lion to left; ΛEΩN to left, sword to right. Cf. AMNG III/11, p. 206 Ex Roma 2017 SAMARIA, Samarian-signed Series Circa 375-333 BCE AR Obol 8.5mm, 0.63 g, 7h Forepart of lion crouching right, head facing / Bearded head of male left; ŠMRY[N] (in Aramaic) to right. Meshorer & Qedar 83; Sofaer 59 IONIA. Miletos Circa 350-325 BCE Bronze, 11 mm, 2.38 g Lion standing left, looking back; above, monogram of Miletos. Rev. Stellate pattern. Deppert-Lippitz 297-303. Weber 6041 Ex J. Metzger Collection And of course I can't resist some photos I took of wild lions in visits to Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. 12 1 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted June 8 · Supporter Share Posted June 8 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Anthos Posted June 9 · Member Share Posted June 9 (edited) Oh my! Velia, 6th to 3rd century BC... AR Obol, 6th century BC AR Didrachm, 4th century BC AR Didrachm, 3rd century BC Edited June 9 by Phil Anthos 17 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteB Posted June 9 · Member Share Posted June 9 PERSIA. Alexandrine Empire. Circa 322-312 BC. AR Double Shekel (16.1 gm, 9h, 22mm), "Lion stater.". Babylon mint, struck under Mazaeus. Obv: Baal seated left, holding scepter. Rev: Lion walking left; Γ above. cf. BMC #28 Pl. XXII #3; cf.SNG Cop-264. Ex. Coin Galleries, mid-1960s VideoMazaeus.mp4 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted June 9 · Supporter Share Posted June 9 Caracalla AR Denarius, Rome 19 mm. 2,94 g. RIC 130a, RSC 97, BMC 280 Caracalla 196-198 AD. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right / INDVLGENTIA AVGG, IN CARTH below, Dea Caelestis (Cybele) riding lion springing right over water gushing from rocks on left, holding thunderbolt & sceptre, and wearing ”City Wall” crown. Lysimachos, Kingdom of Thrace, AE 20mm, 5.20 gr. Generous flan. Lysimachia mint. 305-281 BC. Helmeted head of Athena right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, above and beneath lion leaping right, spearhead and M on O monogram below. Mueller 74. Cilician Armenia. Royal. King Hetoum I, with Queen Zabel AD 1226-1270. 1Tram AR Obverse Crowned lion standing right with a long cross in its paw. Lettering: ՀԵԹՈՒՄ ԹԱԳԱՒՈՐ ՀԱՅՈՑ Translation: Hetoum king of the Armenians Reverse Queen Zabel and king Hetoum holding a long cross. Lettering: ԿԱՐՈՂՈՒԹ ԻԻՆՆ ԱՅ Ե Translation: By the will of God 21 mm, 2,97 g Septimius Severus AR Denarius, Rome 207 AD. 20mm, 3.31gr. RIC 207, RSC 493, BMC 531 SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right / P M TR P XV COS III P P, Personification of Africa standing right, holding out folds of drapery containing fruits, lion at feet walking right. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted June 9 · Supporter Share Posted June 9 (edited) 12 hours ago, Valentinian said: The one I have to show here is a rare Turkoman bronze with its lion in an unusual pose Indeed, looking just like he would jump at you !! Syracuse Lion Lion, smaller than an eagle ! Remains of a lion, its skin, hold by Hercules 😄 Q Edited June 9 by Qcumbor 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted June 9 · Patron Share Posted June 9 13 hours ago, Valentinian said: I think most of us like ancient coins with lions. There are many types of them, some Roman Republican, some Roman imperial, some Greek silver and AE, some Roman provincial, and even some Turkoman. The one I have to show here is a rare Turkoman bronze with its lion in an unusual pose: 30-29 mm. 9.00 grams. Turkoman, Danishmendid (a dynasty which occupied north-central Anatolia [Turkey] after the Byzantines lost the Battle of Manzikert). Fakhr al-Din Qasim b. Dhu '1l-Qarnayn (AH 565-567, AD 1170-1172) Lion sitting left, right forepaw raised, tail raised, facing very slightly right. No obverse legend. 4-line legend: Fakhr al-Din Qasim b. Dhi 'l-Qarnayn b. 'Ayn al-Dawla I think the pose on this type may be unique among the many ancient types with lions. But, I'd love to see others. Show us a lion! Cool depiction of a lion, @Valentinian! This is my favorite lion-themed coin. Whether the designer of the coin intended it to represent astrology, I like to think this coin represents the sun in Leo. Greek Ionia, Miletos. AE Hemiobol, 3.35 g, 18.3 mm, 12 h. Aeschylinos, magistrate, ca. 200 BC. Obv: Apollo Didymeus standing right, holding small stag and bow; monogram below. Rev: Lion seated right with head turned to left, star above, monogram right, ΑIΣXΥΛΙΝΟΥ in exergue. Refs: Deppert 941-56 var; Marcellesi 56. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted June 9 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 9 (edited) This one of Herennia Etruscilla fits the bill with bull and lion. From the Roman colony of Viminacium in Moesia Herennia Etruscilla, wife of Trajan Decius (249-251 C.E.) AE 28 of Viminacium, 14.2 grams Obverse: HER ETRVSCILLA AVG, draped bust right in staphane Reverse: PMS COL VIM, female figure (Provincia Moesia) standing, facing left, between bull and lion, AN XII in exergue Reference: BMC 32 Edited June 9 by Ancient Coin Hunter 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted June 9 · Member Share Posted June 9 Here's my current best lion: CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (24mm, 11.00 g, 9h). Baal of Tarsos seated left, head and torso facing, holding eagle and scepter; A (in Aramaic) to left / Lion attacking bull left; SM (in Aramaic) below. Casabonne Series 2, Group A; SNG BN 346. very fine 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor jdmKY Posted June 9 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 9 (edited) Cestius and Norbanus, 43 BC Livineius Regulus, 42 BC Edited June 9 by jdmKY 12 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_v_a_n Posted June 9 · Member Share Posted June 9 Here is mine lion attacking bull. Macedon. Akanthos 470-430 BC. Tetradrachm AR Lion to right, leaping upon and attacking bull crouching to left; in exergue, fish to left / AKANΘI[O]N in shallow incuse around quadripartite square, the quarters raised and granulated. 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted June 9 · Supporter Share Posted June 9 I have almost no lions until the modern era when it's lions all the way down. ‘Curly Lion’ Unit, 50-20BC Cantii Kingdom. Bronze, 2.45g. Head right, curly hair, encircled by rings and pellets. Lion left, pentagram below (ABC 282). Found Southfleet, Kent, 1992. Portable Antiquities Scheme: CCI-920607. Leeuwendaalder Type IIa from the time of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, 1643 Gelderland. Silver, 40mm, 26.61g. Knight with plume on helmet to the right behind coat of arms; MO· ARG· PRO: CON · - FOE · BELG · GEL ·. Lion rampant, above that date; CONFIDENS.DNO.NON.MOVETVR., CONFIDENS DNO NON MOVETUR (Those who trust in God are immovable) (Delmonte 825). George V 1st Type Shilling, 1914 London. Silver, 24mm, 5.63g. Uncrowned George V left; GEORGIVS V DEI GRA:BRITT:OMN:REX; B.M. Crowned lion passant atop crown dividing date within circle; FID: DEF: IND: IMP: 19 11; ONE SHILLING (S 4013). 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted June 10 · Member Author Share Posted June 10 (edited) Caracalla has a radiate lion: 22 mm. PM TRP XVIII COS IIII PP, year 18 is the first year of this antoninianus denomination. Radiate lion walking left with a thunderbolt in his mouth. RIC 273d. BMC 150. Hill 1497 "R3" eastern campaign, 215. About a similar coin in CNG auction 40 they wrote, "The radiate lion symbolizes the Emesan solar deity and religion to which the imperial family had ties through Julia Domna." Edited June 10 by Valentinian 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted June 10 · Member Share Posted June 10 The lion is a very common animal on coins (probably as common as the eagle). But the symbolistics behind this animal allow a lot of designs - and we all know that ancient engravers did not lack imagination. The first lion in my collection 21 mm, 2,38 g. Gallienus 253-268 AD. Billon antoninianus. Mediolanum. GALLIENVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust of Gallienus on the right draped over the left shoulder, seen from three quarters forward / LEG IIII FL VI P VI F, lion leaping to the right. Reverse translation: “Legio quarta Flavia sextum pia, sextum fidelis” (Fourth legion Flavia pious and faithful for the sixth time). RIC V-1, Milan 343 (Joint Reign). 22 mm, 4,86 g. Moesia, Viminacium. Gordian III 238-244 AD. AN IIII = year 4. 242-243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III, r., seen from rear / P M S COL VIM, AN IIII, Moesia standing l.; at l., bull standing r.; at r., lion standing l. RPC VII.2, — (unassigned; ID 2330); AMNG 84. Kyzikos fractions Smallest coin in my collection Why use a horse when you could ride a lion? If a coin is very small, you can pair a lion with an insect without issues If it's a big coin, you can depict brutal scenes Also a popular theme for much newer coins A hero fighting with a lion .... or a lion posing for a fashion magazine A lion is on a reverse of the series of coins celebrating 1000th anniversary of Rome 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajax Posted June 10 · Member Share Posted June 10 (edited) On 6/9/2024 at 5:42 PM, I_v_a_n said: Here is mine lion attacking bull. Macedon. Akanthos 470-430 BC. Tetradrachm AR Lion to right, leaping upon and attacking bull crouching to left; in exergue, fish to left / AKANΘI[O]N in shallow incuse around quadripartite square, the quarters raised and granulated. I am sorry to inform you that this coin is a fake from transfer dies. I attach the mother coin. Several similar fakes circulated mainly in German auctions. Hope you can get a refund from the auction house. P.S. I am not surprised that the usual dealer apologists remain silent in this case Edited June 11 by ajax 4 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cazador Posted June 10 · Member Share Posted June 10 On 6/9/2024 at 1:29 AM, kirispupis said: Nice lion! Here are a few of mine. Kings of Paeonia, Leon Æ 13mm 1.91g, 6h 278-250 BCE Wreathed head of Dionysos(?) to right / Head of lion to left; ΛEΩN to left, sword to right. Cf. AMNG III/11, p. 206 Ex Roma 2017 SAMARIA, Samarian-signed Series Circa 375-333 BCE AR Obol 8.5mm, 0.63 g, 7h Forepart of lion crouching right, head facing / Bearded head of male left; ŠMRY[N] (in Aramaic) to right. Meshorer & Qedar 83; Sofaer 59 IONIA. Miletos Circa 350-325 BCE Bronze, 11 mm, 2.38 g Lion standing left, looking back; above, monogram of Miletos. Rev. Stellate pattern. Deppert-Lippitz 297-303. Weber 6041 Ex J. Metzger Collection And of course I can't resist some photos I took of wild lions in visits to Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Love the shots! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edessa Posted June 11 · Supporter Share Posted June 11 Kings of Thrace, Macedonian. Lysimachos, 305-281 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 4.17g, 1h). In the types of Alexander III of Macedon. Kolophon mint. Struck circa 299/298-297/296 BC. Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin. Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY; Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, forepart of lion left above crescent; pentagram below throne. Ref: Thompson 127; Price L28; Müller 20; HGC 3.2, 1752e. Good Very Fine, toned. Ex CNG e416, Lot 42. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACCLA-Mike Posted June 12 · Member Share Posted June 12 This is one of my favourite Parthian lions. A Phraates IV bronze from Mithradatkart, 1.77 g, 14 mm, Sellwood 51.51. The celator went all out and portrayed him with tongue out. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deinomenid Posted June 12 · Supporter Share Posted June 12 On 6/9/2024 at 11:42 AM, I_v_a_n said: Here is mine lion attacking bull Here is an excellent explanation, & sorry. https://www.numismatikforum.de/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=53721&start=1065 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deinomenid Posted June 12 · Supporter Share Posted June 12 Leontini is lion central not surprisingly. I managed to scoop a nice (scalped) fractional from Noonans who didn’t seem to know which end was up. SICILY, Leontini, Obol, 475-455, facing lion scalp, rev. λε ον divided by ear of barley, 0.42g (Boehringer 19; BMC 19). Nearly very fine, dark tone It should have been 180 degree turned to look more like this if better quality - 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanxi Posted June 12 · Supporter Share Posted June 12 Antandros Asia Minor, Troas Ae10, 350-250 BC Obv.: Laureate head of Apollo right Rev.: ANTAN , Head of a roaring lion right, grapes above A AE, 0.99g, 9.60mm Ref.: SNG Copenhagen 218 var. (no grapes), BMC Troas pg. 34, 8 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_v_a_n Posted June 12 · Member Share Posted June 12 On 6/10/2024 at 7:53 PM, ajax said: I am sorry to inform you that this coin is a fake from transfer dies. I attach the mother coin. Several similar fakes circulated mainly in German auctions. Hope you can get a refund from the auction house. P.S. I am not surprised that the usual dealer apologists remain silent in this case 17 hours ago, Deinomenid said: Here is an excellent explanation, & sorry. https://www.numismatikforum.de/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=53721&start=1065 @ajax, @Deinomenid thank you very much for the information! This is a bad news for me bacause I've bought this coin at numismata exhibition in Munich this year from Italian dealer, I think, I even do not keep his visiting card... The coin was quite expencive... I've found it was sold via SAVOCA in 2020 and it looks very truthfully in hands... 😢 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_v_a_n Posted June 12 · Member Share Posted June 12 Ok. Another try with a lion attacking the bull. In this case I hope this is an authentic heavy weight Lydian trite 😀 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajax Posted June 13 · Member Share Posted June 13 11 hours ago, I_v_a_n said: @ajax, @Deinomenid thank you very much for the information! This is a bad news for me bacause I've bought this coin at numismata exhibition in Munich this year from Italian dealer, I think, I even do not keep his visiting card... The coin was quite expencive... I've found it was sold via SAVOCA in 2020 and it looks very truthfully in hands... 😢 It might be worth checking the list of exhibitors as the country of origin is mentioned and there should be only few Italians... https://www.numismata.de/en/munich/visitorsservice/exhibitorslist/ I would also contact savoca as they know who bought the coin from them and in any case it is them who brought this fake into the market 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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