Type 52: Mysterious Encounters

On coins of Seleuceia ad Calycadnum in Cilicia: “Finally,” wrote the editors of RPC VII, 2, “a beautiful new reverse appeared only recently (2923): it shows a male figure holding back a female figure in a chiton, with Eros flying over them, and facing, in an unusual composition. They might represent Hades and Persephone, but it is far from certain.” Below the figures is an upturned vase, although it is generally an overturned basket of flowers that is part of that abduction scene, and not a vase. Alternatively, the coin might reference a local legend.

* Seleuceia ad Calycadnum in Cilicia, coins of Gordian III.

 

 

 

Æ 31, 7 h, 9.61 g. Obv. MAP ANTΩNIOC ΓOPΔIANOC. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III, seen from the front, r. Rev. CEΛEYKEΩN. As described above.

 

 

 

 

 

On coins of Nicopolis Seleucidis in Seleuceia & Pieria, a torch-bearing Eros is shown hovering over a mysterious erotic encounter—perhaps an attempt by a river-god to molest one of the attendants of Artemis?

* Nicopolis Seleucidis in Seleuceia & Pieria, Syria, coins of Philip I (with radiate or, rarer, laureate bust) showing two figures in short chitons standing r. and recoiling from a river-god emerging l. from the baseline, who is being “inflamed” by Eros flying r. overhead, carrying a torch. The large H in the field may indicate that the coin was an octassarion.

 

Æ 22, 2 h, 14.54 g. Obv. AYT K M IOYΛIOC ΦIΛIΠΠOC CE. Radiate, draped bust of Philip I r. Rev. NEIKOΠOΛEITΩN CEΛEYKIΔOC, in field to r. a large H. As described above.

Similar, Æ 27, 6 h, 13.08 g (Photos courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., www.cngcoins.com).

CATALOGUE

Seleuceia ad Calycadnum / Gordian III

Reference: RPC VII.2, 2923

Rarity: RR

 

Nicopolis Seleucidis / Philip I (radiate bust)
Reference: RPC VIII, 7884*

Rarity: Scarce

 

Nicopolis Seleucidis / Philip I (laureate bust)
Reference: RPC VIII, 7891*

Rarity: RRR