Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 7 24-25 Oct 2020
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
PHRYGIA. Appia. Julia Domna, Augusta, 193-217. Assarion (Bronze, 20 mm, 7.24 g, 6 h), Aur. Apollinarios, asiarch. IOYΛIA ΔOMNA CЄ Draped bust of Julia Domna to right. Rev. EΠ AYP AΠΟΛΛINAPIOY ACIAP AΠΠIANΩN Hero standing front, head to right, holding spear in his right hand and parazonium in his left; at feet to left, shield; to right, crested Corinthian helmet set on cippus (?). BMC -. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG Leypold -. SNG München -. SNG Turkey -. SNG von Aulock -. Von Aulock, Phrygien I, -, cf. 196 (same obverse die, but differing reverse type). Apparently unpublished and unique. Very minor corrosion, otherwise, very fine.
The emergence of this coin confirms von Aulock's reading of the magistrate name on the sole recorded Domna issue from Appia as Au. Apollinarios. The identity of the male figure on the reverse on our coin, on the other hand, is unclear: it cannot be Caracalla or Geta, as the crested Corinthian helmet would not be an appropriate attribute of an imperial prince. Perhaps it is a local hero, whose identity would be apparent to the local audience, but whose name was subsequently lost in time.
The emergence of this coin confirms von Aulock's reading of the magistrate name on the sole recorded Domna issue from Appia as Au. Apollinarios. The identity of the male figure on the reverse on our coin, on the other hand, is unclear: it cannot be Caracalla or Geta, as the crested Corinthian helmet would not be an appropriate attribute of an imperial prince. Perhaps it is a local hero, whose identity would be apparent to the local audience, but whose name was subsequently lost in time.