Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 538 10 May 2023
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CILICIA, Mallus. Nero(?). AD 54-68. Æ (25mm, 9.67 g, 12h). Dated CY 135 (AD 67/8). Laureate head right / Facing cult statue of Athena Magarsis, holding spear. RPC I 4024A. Rough dark green patina with traces of red, some cleaning scratches, reverse edge flaw. Near VF. Very rare.
In the initial publication of this interesting coin, Jyrki Muona argued that the portrait is of Otho and shows the influence of the Antioch mint, while the latest RPC supplement leans toward an attribution to Galba, based primarily on the hooked nose (see also RPC I 4024 for another coin tentatively assigned to Galba). The note in the RPC supplement suggesting that the "M" in the obverse legend could be read as "AΛ" of "ΓAΛ(BA)," however, should be discounted. At present the identification is uncertain – while the hooked nose certainly recalls Galba, the youthful portrait is more appropriate for Otho. The current online version of RPC places the coin under Nero(?).
In the initial publication of this interesting coin, Jyrki Muona argued that the portrait is of Otho and shows the influence of the Antioch mint, while the latest RPC supplement leans toward an attribution to Galba, based primarily on the hooked nose (see also RPC I 4024 for another coin tentatively assigned to Galba). The note in the RPC supplement suggesting that the "M" in the obverse legend could be read as "AΛ" of "ΓAΛ(BA)," however, should be discounted. At present the identification is uncertain – while the hooked nose certainly recalls Galba, the youthful portrait is more appropriate for Otho. The current online version of RPC places the coin under Nero(?).