Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 46 5 Jun 2018
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Anonymous Æ Nummus. Festival of Isis coinage. Rome, time of Julian II(?), mid 4th Century AD. DEO SARAPIDI, draped bust of Sol-Serapis right, wearing modius / VOTA PVBLICA, Isis standing left, holding sistrum and situla. Alföldi 211, 221 & 235; Vagi 3370; RIC -. 0.90g, 14mm, 5h.
Near Very Fine. Very Rare.
From a private Canadian collection.
The Festival of Isis took place on March 5th as recorded in the calendar of Philocalus of AD 354. It is also mentioned in literary sources such as in the final book of Apuleius' Metamorphoses (11.7-16) in which he describes the proceedings as full of ritual and exotic Egyptian elements. During the festival good omens were sought for the well-being of sailors and the new season which marked the beginning of sailing after winter. However, it was also a pagan celebration which Andrew Alföldi argued acted as propaganda against the new faith (see A Festival of Isis in Rome under the Christian Emperors of the IVth Century, 1938). These small coins have been connected with this festival due to the images of Isis which often frequent the obverses or reverses, the reverse inscription of VOTA PVBLICA indicating they are celebrating ceremonial vows and the scenes of the Navigium Isidis which often appear on the reverse. Alföldi therefore links these coins with pagan propaganda, arguing that the appearance of many other Egyptian gods (such as Harpocrates and Nilus, see also next lot) highlights the strength of Egyptian gods in Rome during the fourth century.
Near Very Fine. Very Rare.
From a private Canadian collection.
The Festival of Isis took place on March 5th as recorded in the calendar of Philocalus of AD 354. It is also mentioned in literary sources such as in the final book of Apuleius' Metamorphoses (11.7-16) in which he describes the proceedings as full of ritual and exotic Egyptian elements. During the festival good omens were sought for the well-being of sailors and the new season which marked the beginning of sailing after winter. However, it was also a pagan celebration which Andrew Alföldi argued acted as propaganda against the new faith (see A Festival of Isis in Rome under the Christian Emperors of the IVth Century, 1938). These small coins have been connected with this festival due to the images of Isis which often frequent the obverses or reverses, the reverse inscription of VOTA PVBLICA indicating they are celebrating ceremonial vows and the scenes of the Navigium Isidis which often appear on the reverse. Alföldi therefore links these coins with pagan propaganda, arguing that the appearance of many other Egyptian gods (such as Harpocrates and Nilus, see also next lot) highlights the strength of Egyptian gods in Rome during the fourth century.