Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 44 3 Mar 2018
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Caracalla Ӕ31 of Ancyra, Galatia. AD 198-217. ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC ΑΥΓ ΟΥCΤΟC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left, seen from rear
ΑCΚΛΗΠΕΙΑC ΩΤΗΡΕΙΑ ΙCΟΠ[YΘΙΑ], three nude athletes standing around ballot-urn; ΑΝΚΥΡΑ and ΜΤΡO in two lines in exergue. Unpublished variant, for reverse type cf. E. Arslan, Coins of Galatian Kingdom and the Roman Coinage of Ancyra, Ankara 2004, pl. 55 = BMC p. 12, 22 (laureate head right). 17.77g, 31mm,2h.
Very Fine.
This coin commemorates the games celebrated in Ancyra in honour of Asklepios, which were founded or raised in rank by Caracalla. The reverse inscription reads: '[in honour] of the Healer-God Asclepius, a Sotereia (festival comprising of music and sport competitions) of equal honour to the Pythian Games [organised] by the city of Ancyra'. The Pythian Games were one of four international games which were considered the most prestigious in the ancient world. It had been running since the sixth century alongside the Olympic, Nemean and Isthmian Games, and was used as a model for the many new contests which sprung up in cities throughout the later Greek and Roman periods.
The term 'equal-to' was first used by Ptolemy II in 279 BC to describe the Ptolemaia games put on to honour his deceased father Ptolemy I. The acknowledgement of these games as 'is-Olympic' by many other city states sparked a trend of promoting provincial city games by recognising them as on par with the most well-known contests. This trend continued into the Roman period and was followed by Caracalla, who granted the status of Isopythia Asklepieia Sotereia.
ΑCΚΛΗΠΕΙΑC ΩΤΗΡΕΙΑ ΙCΟΠ[YΘΙΑ], three nude athletes standing around ballot-urn; ΑΝΚΥΡΑ and ΜΤΡO in two lines in exergue. Unpublished variant, for reverse type cf. E. Arslan, Coins of Galatian Kingdom and the Roman Coinage of Ancyra, Ankara 2004, pl. 55 = BMC p. 12, 22 (laureate head right). 17.77g, 31mm,2h.
Very Fine.
This coin commemorates the games celebrated in Ancyra in honour of Asklepios, which were founded or raised in rank by Caracalla. The reverse inscription reads: '[in honour] of the Healer-God Asclepius, a Sotereia (festival comprising of music and sport competitions) of equal honour to the Pythian Games [organised] by the city of Ancyra'. The Pythian Games were one of four international games which were considered the most prestigious in the ancient world. It had been running since the sixth century alongside the Olympic, Nemean and Isthmian Games, and was used as a model for the many new contests which sprung up in cities throughout the later Greek and Roman periods.
The term 'equal-to' was first used by Ptolemy II in 279 BC to describe the Ptolemaia games put on to honour his deceased father Ptolemy I. The acknowledgement of these games as 'is-Olympic' by many other city states sparked a trend of promoting provincial city games by recognising them as on par with the most well-known contests. This trend continued into the Roman period and was followed by Caracalla, who granted the status of Isopythia Asklepieia Sotereia.