Halikarnassos (AD 193-211) AE 30 - Septimius Severus

Septimius Severus, 193-211 AD. AE30 (14.72g, 12h). Stratokles, archon. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Cult statue of Zeus Ascraeus facing between two trees, each surmounted by an oracular crow; name in two lines in exergue. Good VF, dark green patina with traces of orange earthen overtones. From Group CEM.

The epithet Asrcaeus (Gr. á¼ˆÏƒÎºÏÎ±Î¯Î¿Ï‚) refers to a species of oak tree (Hesychius s.v. á¼„ÏƒÎºÏÎ±). While the oak was an associated attribute of Zeus, the reference here may refer to a Prehellenic Carian nature deity, similar to the later mythological Dryads, or nymphs who inhabited the trees (Î´ÏÏÎµÏ‚). Apollonius Dyscolus (Historia mirabilium 13) states that a goat was sacrificed to him.

File information
Filename:	90001027.jpg
City/Mint name:	Halikarnassos
Keywords:	roman / bronze
References:	Karl -; SNG MÃ¼nchen -; SNG von Aulock 2534 (same obv. die); BMC 88
Valuation:	CNG Auc. 90 (5/2012), lot 1027 ($2,500 + comm)
Photo courtesy of:	Classical Numismatic Group - www.cngcoins.com
Filesize:	89 KiB
Date added:	Jun 23, 2012
Dimensions:	800 x 376 pixels
Displayed:	424 times
URL:	http://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=9099
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