Benefactor kirispupis Posted August 31 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted August 31 Recently, I've been quiet here because I was on safari in Kenya and Rwanda. Africa is my favorite place to travel, and so I found it fitting upon returning to see this Denarius for sale. Septimius Severus Struck 207 CE AR Denarius 3.44g, 18mm Lauraete bust of Septimius Severus right "SEVERVS PIVS AVG" Africa standing right, wearing elephant headdress and holding a scepter with snake entwined around it, lion right at her feet "PM TR P XV COS III PP" RSC 493b One thing that immediately struck me about this coin was the personification of Africa as a woman. Today, there are roughly 1.4 billion people in Africa, so the idea of some woman introducing herself as "Africa" does seem strange. Maritz wrote a deal about this personification in an article and concluded: This was a specifically Roman personification and not home grown in Africa itself The depiction of elephant headdresses on 4th century coinage were portraits, and not area personifications Rome did this because they had the need to "demarcate provinces of control, and consequently specific symbols for them". While a few Republican coins may depict a personification of Africa (or may be a family reference), the first definite personification was minted by Hadrian Of course, a primary motivation for the headdress must be Alexander the Great, who was depicted in an elephant headdress on these well-known tetradrachms of Ptolemy I. Ptolemy I 311-305 BCE Alexandria 27.5 mm 14.6g 1h Avers : Buste cornu et diadémé d'Alexandre le Grand sous les traits de Zeus-Ammon à droite, coiffé de la dépouille d'éléphant avec l'égide. Revers : Athéna Promachos ou Alkidemos marchant à droite, brandissant une javeline de la main droite et tenant un bouclier de la gauche ; dans le champ à gauche, un casque corinthien, un monogramme et un aigle sur un foudre tourné à droite. Sv.162 (37 ex) - Cop.29 - GC.7750 var. - BMC.- - MP.6 Ex Robert J. Myers Auction 12, lot 291 (December 4, 1975) It's currently unknown how this image morphed from Alexander the Great wearing a headdress to a female, but my belief/understanding is there was no "transformation". The Romans felt that a woman was a better symbol of an area considered mostly under their control, and so that's what they used. My next question was why Septimius Severus utilized this image on his coins. There are two possible answers. He was the first Roman emperor born in Africa He launched a large campaign in Africa that expanded its southern frontier. This campaign took place from 202-203 CE. Since this coin was minted in 207 CE, neither are great reasons. The African campaign was already finished for several years at this time, and I don't believe it was common for emperors born outside of Italy to so prominently advertise that. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure, though there was a large issue of Denarii depicting Victory, but with no mention over whom. Perhaps there was some large victory in Africa in 207 CE that hasn't been passed down to us in literature? In 208 CE he departed for his British campaign, but I couldn't find mentions of what happened in 207. Maritz, J. A. “THE IMAGE OF AFRICA: THE EVIDENCE OF THE COINAGE.” Acta Classica, vol. 44, 2001, pp. 105–25. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24595359. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024. Moving along, here are some photos from the trip! The full set is here. Feel free to post any coins related to Africa! 14 1 1 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O-Towner Posted August 31 · Member Share Posted August 31 Wow! The photos are far beyond awesome!!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIF Posted August 31 · Supporter Share Posted August 31 Those photos are SO fantastic! Well done!! 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIF Posted September 1 · Supporter Share Posted September 1 Was so excited about the safari pics that I forgot post some coins 🤣 HADRIAN. CE 117-138 AR Denarius. 18 mm, 3.53 gm. struck CE 134-138, Rome Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head right Rev: AFRICA, Africa with elephant skin headdress, reclining on rock, holding scorpion and cornucopia, basket of fruit before her Ref: RIC II 299 Next one needs a reshoot, old photos- EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian Æ Drachm, 35 mm, 24.8 gm; Regnal year 15 (CE 130/1) Obv: AVT KAI TPAI ADPIA CEB; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind Rev: Hadrian standing left, togate, holding sceptre, greeted by Alexandria, clad in elephant's skin headdress, chiton, and peplos, holding two grain ears in her left hand, and kissing Hadrian's extended right hand; L-IE (date) below. Ref: Emmett 964(15), R1 Triskeles auction Dec. 2013 Cleopatra needs a reshoot too, color is way off: EGYPT, Ptolemaic dynasty. Cleopatra VII Thea Neotera 51-30 BCE AE 40 drachmae Obv: Diademed and draped bust right Rev: KΛEOΠATPAΣ BΑΣΙΛΙΣΣHΣ, Diademed and draped bust right / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; double cornucopiae to left, M (mark of value) to right Ref: Svoronos 1872; Weiser 184-5; SNG Copenhagen 422-4 PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT Ptolemy I Soter as satrap, 323-305 BCE AR tetradrachm, 27 mm, 17.0 gm (Attic standard) Alexandreia mint, struck 311 BCE Obv: Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, wearing elephant skin Rev: AΛEΞANΔPOY; Athena Alkidemos advancing right; to right, eagle standing right on thunderbolt above ΔI Ref: Svoronos 33; Zervos series D, issue XIII; SNG Copenhagen 14; BMC 7 13 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted September 1 · Supporter Share Posted September 1 (edited) A LITTLE BIT OF AFRICA 1) Set the MOOD: 2) TOUR of ANCIENT AFRICA RI Commodus 177-192 CE AR Denarius laureate hd and Hercules and Africa ETRURIA, Arretium (?). The Chiana Valley. Circa 208-207 BC. Æ Quartunica . Head of African right; monogram to left / Indian elephant standing right, bell around neck; monogram below. HN Italy 69; SNG ANS 41 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 48 var. (no monogram on obv.). rare This is believed to be a portrait of Scipio in his younger years after he captured Carthago Nova. This is BEFORE he was Africanus, an honor bestowed AFTER he defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 BCE. If this is a true portrait, this would be the first living Roman on a coin. It was minted far from Rome and minted in bronze so that it would not truly violate Roman custom (the Senate controls the silver coins...) Carthago Nova SCIPIO AFRICANUS Roman Occupation 209-206 BCE Sear Vol2 6575 R KYRENAICA Kyrene Æ25 9.6g 250 BCE Diademed Zeus-Ammon r - K-O-I-N-O-N; Silphium plant; monogram SNG Cop 1278 BMC 16-19 Carthage AE Trishekel Tanit Horse 220-215 BCE 2nd Punic War 30mm 17.6g Numidia - Micipsi Left - 148-118 BCE Galloping Horse - thnner face Egypt Ptolemy I Soter Tet Delta bankers marks Numidia - Massinissa Left 203-148 BCE Leaping Horse - thicker face Edited September 1 by Alegandron 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor kirispupis Posted September 1 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted September 1 Btw, I accidentally put this in Roman Republic. Is there any way to move it to Roman Empire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor jdmKY Posted September 1 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted September 1 Q Metellus Scipio, 47-46 BC Cestius and Norbanus, 43 BC 11 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romismatist Posted September 1 · Member Share Posted September 1 Absolutely fantastic photos! You're a very talented photographer! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor jdmKY Posted September 1 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted September 1 (edited) Wish I could take credit for my photos, but they’re the work of Tom Mulvaney of Lexington, KY. Edited September 1 by jdmKY 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted September 1 · Supporter Share Posted September 1 Gorgeous photos @kirispupis! Looks like you had a great time. I particularly like the elephant - an exquisite composition! - and the muddy cape buffalo. Makes me think of what Ruark wrote about "buff". Here's my African menagerie: ANTONINUS PIUS, AD 138-161 AE As (28.12mm, 13.73g, 11h) Struck AD 148/9. Rome mint Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right Reverse: MVNIFICENTIA AVG, African elephant walking left, COS IIII S C in exergue References: RIC III 863, RCV 4308 var. Well-struck on a heavy flan. Masterfully engraved elephant. This type commemorates the public games held in celebration of the 900th anniversary of the founding of Rome. DOMITIAN, AD 81-96 AE Quadrans (17.62mm, 2.58g, 6h) Struck AD 84/5. Rome mint Obverse: African rhinoceros, head down, charging left Reverse: IMP DOMIT AVG GERM around large S C References: RIC II 250, RCV 2835 A choice specimen, perfectly centered and well-struck from artistic dies. This type recalls a rhinoceros which fought in the Colosseum during Domitian's reign; these coins were likely distributed as largesse to the crowds in attendance on that occasion. STAMENES – SELEUKOS as satraps of Babylon, 328/3-311 BC AR Stater (22.76mm, 16.71 g, 12h) Struck 328/3-311 BC. Babylon mint. Obverse: Baal seated left, holding scepter propped on knee Reverse: Lion advancing left; Γ above References: Nicolet-Pierre 7 Lightly toned. THRACE, HADRIANOPOLIS Time of Gordian III AE (16.83mm, 3.35g, 7h) Struck AD 238-244 Obverse: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right, seen from rear Reverse: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ, ostrich standing right References: RPC Online, Vol. VII.2, No. 806 (12th specimen this coin) A rare type, with good detail and a beautiful emerald green patina. 12 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parthicus Posted September 1 · Member Share Posted September 1 Awesome coins and wildlife photography in this thread, here's my own little contribution. First, two coins of the North African kingdom of Numidia. An AR drachm of Juba I (60-46 BCE): And an AE 25 of either Micipsa (148-118 BCE) or Massinissa (202-148 BCE): And a few photos from my trip to Tanzania in 2015: 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted September 1 · Supporter Share Posted September 1 Glorious fotos of your trip @kirispupis and an interesting point about the personification of Africa. I always assumed he had it minted because of his African heritage. I have a coin with a different personification of Africa. 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. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted September 1 · Member Share Posted September 1 11 hours ago, kirispupis said: Recently, I've been quiet here because I was on safari in Kenya and Rwanda. Africa is my favorite place to travel, and so I found it fitting upon returning to see this Denarius for sale. Septimius Severus Struck 207 CE AR Denarius 3.44g, 18mm Lauraete bust of Septimius Severus right "SEVERVS PIVS AVG" Africa standing right, wearing elephant headdress and holding a scepter with snake entwined around it, lion right at her feet "PM TR P XV COS III PP" RSC 493b One thing that immediately struck me about this coin was the personification of Africa as a woman. Today, there are roughly 1.4 billion people in Africa, so the idea of some woman introducing herself as "Africa" does seem strange. Maritz wrote a deal about this personification in an article and concluded: This was a specifically Roman personification and not home grown in Africa itself The depiction of elephant headdresses on 4th century coinage were portraits, and not area personifications Rome did this because they had the need to "demarcate provinces of control, and consequently specific symbols for them". While a few Republican coins may depict a personification of Africa (or may be a family reference), the first definite personification was minted by Hadrian Of course, a primary motivation for the headdress must be Alexander the Great, who was depicted in an elephant headdress on these well-known tetradrachms of Ptolemy I. Ptolemy I 311-305 BCE Alexandria 27.5 mm 14.6g 1h Avers : Buste cornu et diadémé d'Alexandre le Grand sous les traits de Zeus-Ammon à droite, coiffé de la dépouille d'éléphant avec l'égide. Revers : Athéna Promachos ou Alkidemos marchant à droite, brandissant une javeline de la main droite et tenant un bouclier de la gauche ; dans le champ à gauche, un casque corinthien, un monogramme et un aigle sur un foudre tourné à droite. Sv.162 (37 ex) - Cop.29 - GC.7750 var. - BMC.- - MP.6 Ex Robert J. Myers Auction 12, lot 291 (December 4, 1975) It's currently unknown how this image morphed from Alexander the Great wearing a headdress to a female, but my belief/understanding is there was no "transformation". The Romans felt that a woman was a better symbol of an area considered mostly under their control, and so that's what they used. My next question was why Septimius Severus utilized this image on his coins. There are two possible answers. He was the first Roman emperor born in Africa He launched a large campaign in Africa that expanded its southern frontier. This campaign took place from 202-203 CE. Since this coin was minted in 207 CE, neither are great reasons. The African campaign was already finished for several years at this time, and I don't believe it was common for emperors born outside of Italy to so prominently advertise that. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure, though there was a large issue of Denarii depicting Victory, but with no mention over whom. Perhaps there was some large victory in Africa in 207 CE that hasn't been passed down to us in literature? In 208 CE he departed for his British campaign, but I couldn't find mentions of what happened in 207. Maritz, J. A. “THE IMAGE OF AFRICA: THE EVIDENCE OF THE COINAGE.” Acta Classica, vol. 44, 2001, pp. 105–25. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24595359. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024. Moving along, here are some photos from the trip! The full set is here. Feel free to post any coins related to Africa! Thanks for sharing your wonderful collection of photos, & nice score on the denarius 🤩. 11 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted September 1 · Supporter Share Posted September 1 (edited) Your photography skills never fail to dazzle @kirispupis! To see those sights is something special, but the way you capture them. Just WOW. It's been about 160,000 years since I've been back to Africa. Someday, perhaps. Here's a mystery coin of mine that I believe is from Carthage: And a coin that I've been putting off doing a write up on for almost half a year: Numidia, Massinissa or Micipsa (203-148 BC or 148-118 BC). Æ(32,3mm, 11,8g). Laureate head l. R/ Horse galloping l.; pellet below. MAA 18a; Mazard 50; SNG Copenhagen 505. Edited September 1 by Ryro 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted September 2 · Supporter Share Posted September 2 (edited) 11 hours ago, Ryro said: It's been about 160,000 years since I've been back to Africa. Someday, perhaps. 🙂 I am going to Morocco this coming March. Visiting during Ramadan to experience the full culture. Would love to also see some of the recently discovered earliest Homo Sapiens sites, ca. 300,000 years ago! Agreed, your AR horse looks Carthage. But that is a brutalized TANIT! Similar mine: Carthage Zeugitana AR Shekel / Didrachm 300-264 BCE, 7.42g, 21.0mm Head of Tanit left, wearing wreath of grain, earrings and necklace; dotted border Horse standing right on exergual line with head turned left, palm tree in background, star in right field Edited September 2 by Alegandron 8 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisimo Posted September 2 · Supporter Share Posted September 2 Really great photos @kirispupis and @Parthicus and really great coins all. Here are a few of mine that are relevant. 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted September 2 · Member Share Posted September 2 6 hours ago, Curtisimo said: Really great photos @kirispupis and @Parthicus and really great coins all. Here are a few of mine that are relevant. Is goddess Africa holding a lobster or giant scorpion 🤔? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_v_a_n Posted September 2 · Member Share Posted September 2 My favorite coin from Africa is this stater from Kyrene, obverse is quite hot with the Libyan sun 😀 Also this AV unit from Axum is charming by his own way. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted September 2 · Supporter Share Posted September 2 14 hours ago, Curtisimo said: Really great photos @kirispupis and @Parthicus and really great coins all. Here are a few of mine that are relevant. Wow, @Curtisimo, the die cutter's Delta REALLY pops off Ptolemy's mastoid. Nice coin! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted September 3 · Member Share Posted September 3 The photos you took are breathtaking. My favorite is the elephant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMonkeySwag96 Posted September 3 · Member Share Posted September 3 (edited) PTOLEMY I SOTER AR silver tetradrachm. 294-285 BC. Diademed head right, wearing aegis around neck; small Δ behind ear, banker's marks in right field. Reverse - BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, eagle standing left on thunderbolt; to left, P above Φ in left field. Svoronos 263; SNG Copenhagen 70; BMC p. 15, 16. 26mm, 13.5g. Roman Republic, M. Porcius Cato, 47 - 46 BC Silver Quinarius African Mint, 14mm, 1.75 grams Obverse: Head of Liber right wearing ivy wreath. Reverse: Victory seated right holding patera and palm branch. Porcia 11 // Crawford 462/2 Julius Caesar AR denarius 48-47 BC 3.16g, 17mm Diademed head of Venus right Aeneas advancing left, holding plladium and carrying Anchises on his shoulder. "CAESAR" RSC 12 Edited September 3 by MrMonkeySwag96 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentinian Posted September 3 · Member Share Posted September 3 (edited) This thread began with Septimius Severus and Africa. Here are his two types of denarii that emphasize that theme: 20-19 mm. 2.96 grams. AFRICA, standing, small lion to right RIC 253 "undated 2020-210". BMC 309, plate 34.17. Philip V. Hill The Coinage of Septimius Severus and his family of the mint of Rome, A.D. 193-217, 914 "R2" struck 207 for his visit to Africa. (Not everyone agree with Hill's precise dating of many issues.) 19 mm. 2.87 grams. AFRICA, reclining left, holding scorpion and cornucopia, with basket of wheat to left RIC 254. BMC 310. Hill 875. Hill says it was struck 207 for his visit to Africa. Edited September 4 by Valentinian typo fixed 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted September 3 · Supporter Share Posted September 3 3 hours ago, Valentinian said: This tread began with Septimius Severus and Africa. Here are his two types of denarii that emphasize that theme: 20-19 mm. 2.96 grams. AFRICA, standing, small lion to right RIC 253 "undated 2020-210". BMC 309, plate 34.17. Philip V. Hill The Coinage of Septimius Severus and his family of the mint of Rome, A.D. 193-217, 914 "R2" struck 207 for his visit to Africa. (Not everyone agree with Hill's precise dating of many issues.) 19 mm. 2.87 grams. AFRICA, reclining left, holding scorpion and cornucopia, with basket of wheat to left RIC 254. BMC 310. Hill 875. Hill says it was struck 207 for his visit to Africa. Beautiful denarii! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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