The Punic Goddess
On Friday, March 13, 2015, Künker auctions off a Siculo-Punic coin with an enigmatic depiction: on the obverse we see a beautiful woman with a Phrygian cap. Is it Dido? Is it Tanit? Or is it perhaps a completely different goddess?
Tag Archive for: Antiquity
Greek mercenaries in Persian service
In auction 304, the Osnabrück auction house Künker offers a series of early Persian coins showing portraits of kings and satraps, including four of the enigmatic tetradrachms of Athenian type with small portraits or Aramaic lettering. They are likely to have been produced under Persian orders for paying Greek mercenaries.
Human Faces Part 18: A Fine Specimen of an Emperor
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at the reasons why the attempt to establish national economy in ancient Rome failed.
Human Faces Part 19: The Saint of the Heathens
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at why Julian was nicknamed ‘The Apostate’.
Human faces, part 37: Francis I, “Traitor of Christendom”
Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? In this episode, King Francis I makes a politically necessary decision, which earns him the title “Traitor of Christendom”.
Human Faces Part 8: A Body is Kidnapped
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? In this part of the series it is once again about Alexander the Great – at least about his body.
Egypt and Alexandria. A brief numismatic survey: part V
Join us on our trip through the history of Egypt and its capital Alexandria by its coinage. In the final episode you become a witness to the revolt of Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, and Alexandria’s transition into late antique times.
Human Faces Part 12: Augustus, Peacemaking Emperor or Mass Murderer?
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at Augustus and his new image following the Civil War.
Human Faces Part 17: Who Should Pay?
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at the reasons why the attempt to establish national economy in ancient Rome failed.
