Type 09: Eros with Down-turned Torch and a Bow

Despite the down-turned torch, this reverse type cannot—because of the bow—possibly represent Thanatos. 

These attractive little coins were issued only in Nicopolis ad Istrum in Moesia and in Aphrodisias in Caria (on the coins of the latter city there is also a tiny figure, probably a winged butterfly, at Eros’s feet).

* Nicopolis ad Istrum in Moesia, coins of Septimius Severus (the three specimens that we know of are illustrated below), Caracalla (sometimes mistaken for Elagabalus, the three specimens known to us are illustrated) and Geta Caesar.

Æ 16, 2 h, 2.71 g. Obv. ΑΥ K Λ CΕΥΗΡOC. Laureate head of Septimius Severus r. Rev. ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛIT… Eros standing facing, head l., holding a down-turned but flaming torch in his r. and a bow in his l. 

Æ 16, 1.30 h, 2.76 g. Similar (Private collection, photos by permission). 

Æ 18, 2.54 g. Similar (Photos courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., www.cngcoins.com).

Æ 18, 2 h, 2.26 g. Obv. ΑΥ K M ΑΥ ANTΩ[NIN]. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla r. Rev. [Ν]ΙΚΟΠΟΛITΩN ΠΡΟC Ι. Similar reverse type. 

Æ 18, 2 h, 2.60 g. Similar.





 



Æ 19, 2 h, 3.22 g. Similar.

Æ 18, 3 h, 3.2 g. Obv. [Λ ΑΥΡ KAI ΓETAC?]. Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta Caesar r. Rev. ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛI[TΩN ΠΡΟC Ι]. Similar reverse type (Private collection, photos by permission).

Æ 18, 8 h, 2.42 g. Similar.
 

Æ 18, 8 h, 2.53 g. Similar.

* Aphrodisias in Caria, half-assarion coins struck c.209-220, with obverse type of bust of Boulé r., veiled and draped, and a tiny figure (?) at the feet of Eros on the reverse (this has been interpreted as a butterfly, reflecting the legend of Eros and Psyche, though on the few specimens that I have seen it looks more like a second tiny Eros).

Æ 21, 6 h, 4.94 g. Obv. EIEPA BOYΛH. Veiled, draped bust of Boulé r. Rev. [A]ΦP[OΔ]EICIEΩN. Eros standing facing, head l., holding bow and burning downturned torch, with a small figure (probably a butterfly) at his feet. 

CATALOGUE

Nicopolis ad Istrum / Septimius Severus
References: Hristova/Jekov 8.14.16.1; Varbanov 2481 (incorrectly described, and estimated as “R3” = “From 500 to 1000 exemplars”, which is not plausible)
Rarity: RR

Nicopolis ad Istrum / Caracalla 
Previously unpublished?
Rarity: RR

Nicopolis ad Istrum / Geta
Reference: Hristova/Jekov 8.22.16.4 
Rarity: Scarce

Aphrodisias / Boulé
Reference: RPC IV, 2, 2156*
Rarity: Common