Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 82 15 Apr 2021
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Karia, Tabae Æ 15mm. Pseudo-autonomous issue, circa 3rd century AD(?). TABHNѠN, nude male standing to right, dipping hand into a large basin, column to right / Hermaic statue in centre, flanked by a large basin to left, amphora to right. 3.09g, 15mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine. Apparently unpublished and possibly unique.
From a private US collection;
Acquired from Boston Towne Coins.
This coin is difficult to attribute for a number of reasons. The lunate version of the omega (Ѡ) is not known to have been used on the coinage of Tabae however it is frequently found on the coinage of other Carian cities, especially at Rhodes, Cos and Stratonicea. It is plausible that the die engraver had previously worked at a neighbouring city or the coin itself was struck at a different mint for circulation in Tabae. The iconography itself is most interesting; the obverse appears to depict a figure dipping his hand in the waters of the basin, perhaps in a purification ritual, while the column might indicate the location as a shrine or temple. A Hermaic statue is prominently displayed in the centre of the reverse, with what appears to be the same basin depicted on the obverse and an amphora, perhaps holding olive oil or wine, both used regularly in purification rites. This therefore might be a depiction of a sacrifice to the god Hermes and local Tabaeans would have presumably recognized this scene and associated it with a local place of worship. Due to the lack of further legends and there being no similar depictions in Tabaean coinage, it is possible that this isn't a coin at all, but perhaps a temple token instead.
Near Very Fine. Apparently unpublished and possibly unique.
From a private US collection;
Acquired from Boston Towne Coins.
This coin is difficult to attribute for a number of reasons. The lunate version of the omega (Ѡ) is not known to have been used on the coinage of Tabae however it is frequently found on the coinage of other Carian cities, especially at Rhodes, Cos and Stratonicea. It is plausible that the die engraver had previously worked at a neighbouring city or the coin itself was struck at a different mint for circulation in Tabae. The iconography itself is most interesting; the obverse appears to depict a figure dipping his hand in the waters of the basin, perhaps in a purification ritual, while the column might indicate the location as a shrine or temple. A Hermaic statue is prominently displayed in the centre of the reverse, with what appears to be the same basin depicted on the obverse and an amphora, perhaps holding olive oil or wine, both used regularly in purification rites. This therefore might be a depiction of a sacrifice to the god Hermes and local Tabaeans would have presumably recognized this scene and associated it with a local place of worship. Due to the lack of further legends and there being no similar depictions in Tabaean coinage, it is possible that this isn't a coin at all, but perhaps a temple token instead.