Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 341 17 December 2014
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SYRIA, Coele-Syria. Damascus. Volusian. AD 251-253. Æ (25mm, 12.18 g, 11h). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Female figure (Ambrosia?) facing, head right, metamorphosing into grape vine. De Saulcy 8; Rosenberger –; BMC –; SNG München –; SNG Hunterian –; SNG Copenhagen –. Fine, green patina under a thick layer of earthen encrustation. Very rare.
From the J.S. Wagner Collection.
The figure on the reverse has often been described as Dionysus holding vines, but as the type represents a female this identification can be discounted. For recent interpretations of this very interesting type, see G. Bijowski, "The myth of Daphne on a coin minted at Damascus," AJN 15 (2003), pp. 53-9 and K. Butcher, "Ambrosia in Damascus?," NC 170 (2010), pp. 85-91.
From the J.S. Wagner Collection.
The figure on the reverse has often been described as Dionysus holding vines, but as the type represents a female this identification can be discounted. For recent interpretations of this very interesting type, see G. Bijowski, "The myth of Daphne on a coin minted at Damascus," AJN 15 (2003), pp. 53-9 and K. Butcher, "Ambrosia in Damascus?," NC 170 (2010), pp. 85-91.