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Neapolis

Neapolis

Collection by AncientCoinnoisseur • Created 2 weeks ago • 5 items • 13 views

This collection shows some of the Ancient and Medieval coins from Neapolis / Napoli
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Obverse Image
Reverse Image
Obverse Image

Obverse

Head of nymph Parthenope left, wearing fillet, triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; to right, [uncertain control].

Reverse Image

Reverse

Man-headed bull (Achelous or Sebeto) walking to right, being crowned with wreath by Nike flying to right above; IΣ (IS) below, NEOΠOΛΙΤΩΝ (NEOPOLITON = Of the Neapolitans) in exergue.

Description

CAMPANIA, Neapolis AR Drachm (Half Nomos)
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While didrachms from Neapolis are ubiquitous, drachms are much rarer, with just around 20 specimens on ACSearch as of today. This one, despite being a bit worn, is unusually complete and struck on a large flan, preserving all the main features.
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Parthenope (Ancient Greek: Παρθενόπη) was one of the sirens in Greek mythology. Her name means 'maiden-voiced' from parthenos (παρθένος, meaning fig. 'maiden/virgin') and ops (ὄψ, meaning 'appearance').
According to legend, Neapolis was founded by the siren Parthenope, who, according to Hesiod, was the daughter of Phorcus, while other sources indicate that she was sired by Acheloos and Terra or by the muse Melpomene.
According to the tradition collected in the Orphic Argonautics (5th century A.D.), the three sirens, Parthenope, Ligea and Leucosia, are beaten in song by Orpheus and in desperation throw themselves into the sea, where they are turned into rocks. In the better known Argonautics by Apollonius Rhodius (3rd century BC), their death is attributed to Odysseus' insensitivity to the malice of their song.
Originally, the three sirens were three maidens, handmaidens of the goddess Persephone and lived in ancient Hipponion (today Vibo Valentia). After the abduction of the goddess by Hades who took her to his kingdom to marry her, the three maidens were turned into sirens by the goddess Demeter for not preventing the abduction of her daughter Persephone.
The three sirens lost their humanity and began to bewitch sailors passing along the Vibonese coastline and then devour them, until they met Ulysses. On that occasion the sirens failed in their intent and committed suicide by throwing themselves into the sea out of frustration.
Their bodies were transported by the sea, so that Ligea ended up in Terina, Leucosia in Posidonia and Parthenope at the mouth of the river Sebeto, where the Cumanians, with the expulsion of the oligarchs in the climate of stasis (discord between factions) under the tyrant Aristodemus, would later found Neapolis.

Obverse Head of nymph Parthenope left, wearing fillet, triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; to right, [uncertain control].
Reverse Man-headed bull (Achelous or Sebeto) walking to right, being crowned with wreath by Nike flying to right above; IΣ (IS) below, NEOΠOΛΙΤΩΝ (NEOPOLITON = Of the Neapolitans) in exergue.
ID(s) HN Italy 588; HGC 1 456.
Die Axis 3h
Weight 3.31g
Diameter 18.00mm
Grade About Very Fine/aVF
Year(s) Minted Struck: 275 BC - 250 BC
Tags
Greek Silver

Associated Links

No Links Associated.

Obverse Image
Reverse Image
Obverse Image

Obverse

Diademed head of siren Parthenope to right, head in band, wearing triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; X behind.

Reverse Image

Reverse

Man-headed bull (Achelous or Sebeto) walking to right, being crowned with wreath by Nike flying to right above; EYΞ (EUX) below, [NEO]ΠOΛΙΤΩΝ ([NEO]POLITON = Of the Neapolitans) in exergue.

Description

CAMPANIA, Neapolis AR Didrachm (Nomos)
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Parthenope (Ancient Greek: Παρθενόπη) was one of the sirens in Greek mythology. Her name means 'maiden-voiced' from parthenos (παρθένος, meaning fig. 'maiden/virgin') and ops (ὄψ, meaning 'appearance').

According to legend, Neapolis was founded by the siren Parthenope, who, according to Hesiod, was the daughter of Phorcus, while other sources indicate that she was sired by Acheloos and Terra or by the muse Melpomene.

According to the tradition collected in the Orphic Argonautics (5th century A.D.), the three sirens, Parthenope, Ligea and Leucosia, are beaten in song by Orpheus and in desperation throw themselves into the sea, where they are turned into rocks. In the better known Argonautics by Apollonius Rhodius (3rd century BC), their death is attributed to Odysseus' insensitivity to the malice of their song.

Originally, the three sirens were three maidens, handmaidens of the goddess Persephone and lived in ancient Hipponion (today Vibo Valentia). After the abduction of the goddess by Hades who took her to his kingdom to marry her, the three maidens were turned into sirens by the goddess Demeter for not preventing the abduction of her daughter Persephone.

The three sirens lost their humanity and began to bewitch sailors passing along the Vibonese coastline and then devour them, until they met Ulysses. On that occasion the sirens failed in their intent and committed suicide by throwing themselves into the sea out of frustration.

Their bodies were transported by the sea, so that Ligea ended up in Terina, Leucosia in Posidonia and Parthenope at the mouth of the river Sebeto, where the Cumanians, with the expulsion of the oligarchs in the climate of stasis (discord between factions) under the tyrant Aristodemus, would later found Neapolis.

Obverse Diademed head of siren Parthenope to right, head in band, wearing triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; X behind.
Reverse Man-headed bull (Achelous or Sebeto) walking to right, being crowned with wreath by Nike flying to right above; EYΞ (EUX) below, [NEO]ΠOΛΙΤΩΝ ([NEO]POLITON = Of the Neapolitans) in exergue.
ID(s) Sambon 477, BMC Italy 67, HNItaly 577 (579? 576?), HGC 1, 453, SNG ANS 370 (371? 372?), Rutter, Historia Numorum 579
Die Axis 5h
Weight 6.96g
Diameter 18.00mm
Grade About Very Fine/aVF
Year(s) Minted Struck: 300 BC - 275 BC
Tags
Greek Silver
Obverse Image
Reverse Image
Obverse Image

Obverse

BAΣIΛIΣΣA KAPOΛINH (Queen Caroline) Bust of Caroline Bonaparte with the features of Parthenope facing right, wearing tiara, triple pendant earring and pearl necklace. In the right field, a rose. On the left, a myrtle twig. At the bottom, monogram BP.

Reverse Image

Reverse

Man-headed bull (Acheloo or Sebeto), crowned by Nike in flight. Above, AΠΗ (1-80-8 in Greek date), below the bull DEN (ΔΕΝ) for Dominique Vivant, Baron Denon, mintmaster. In the exergue ΝΕΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ (Neopoliton = of the Neapolitans).

Description

ITALY. Medals of the Kingdom of Naples
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In honour of Queen Caroline Annunziata Bonaparte wife of Joachim Murat, 1808, Paris op. Brenet.

On the rim, Cornucopia, ARGENT. (1880-1903 restrike).
Iridescent toning.

This commemorative medal takes inspiration from the design of the Neapolis didrachms: https://numisvault.com/share/coin/lSmq

Obverse BAΣIΛIΣΣA KAPOΛINH (Queen Caroline) Bust of Caroline Bonaparte with the features of Parthenope facing right, wearing tiara, triple pendant earring and pearl necklace. In the right field, a rose. On the left, a myrtle twig. At the bottom, monogram BP.
Reverse Man-headed bull (Acheloo or Sebeto), crowned by Nike in flight. Above, AΠΗ (1-80-8 in Greek date), below the bull DEN (ΔΕΝ) for Dominique Vivant, Baron Denon, mintmaster. In the exergue ΝΕΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ (Neopoliton = of the Neapolitans).
ID(s) D'Auria 81; Ricciardi 82; Siciliano 11; Bramsen 772; Julius 1980; Essling 2543; TNE 28.3; Turricchia 663.
Die Axis 12h
Weight 6.98g
Diameter 22.88mm
Grade Fleur de Coin/FDC
Year(s) Minted Struck: 1880 AD - 1903 AD
Tags
Silver
Obverse Image
Reverse Image
Obverse Image

Obverse

✠ KAROL : SCD' : REX: (KAROL SeCunDus REX = "Charles the second, King [...]". It then continues on the reverse). Crowned bust facing, in beaded or cordoned circle

Reverse Image

Reverse

✠ IЄRL • ЄT • SICIL (hIERusaLem ET SICILiae. "[...] (of) Jerusalem and Sicily"; and thus, combining the obverse and reverse legends, we read "Charles II , King of Jerusalem and Sicily"). Cross fleurée in beaded or cordoned circle

Description

ITALY, Kingdom of Naples
Charles II of Anjou (1285–1309 AD) BI Denaro Regale
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Obverse ✠ KAROL : SCD' : REX: (KAROL SeCunDus REX = "Charles the second, King [...]". It then continues on the reverse). Crowned bust facing, in beaded or cordoned circle
Reverse ✠ IЄRL • ЄT • SICIL (hIERusaLem ET SICILiae. "[...] (of) Jerusalem and Sicily"; and thus, combining the obverse and reverse legends, we read "Charles II , King of Jerusalem and Sicily"). Cross fleurée in beaded or cordoned circle
ID(s) P/R 4 MI; MIR (Napoli) 25 NC; Cagiati 1
Die Axis 9h
Weight 0.71g
Diameter 18.00mm
Grade Good Very Fine/gVF
Year(s) Minted Struck: 1285 AD - 1309 AD
Tags
Billion Medieval

Associated Links

No Links Associated.

Obverse Image
Reverse Image
Obverse Image

Obverse

✠ ROBЄRT • DЄI • GRA • IЄRL • ЄT • SICIL • RЄX (ROBERTus DEI GRAtia hIERusaLem ET SICILiae REX = "Robert, by the grace of God, King of Sicily and Jerusalem"). King seated facing on lions' heads throne, holding transverse sceptre and globus cruciger

Reverse Image

Reverse

✠ ҺONOR • RЄGIS • IUDICIU • DILIGIT Floreate cross with lis in each quadrant. The phrase is taken from Psalm 99 (98) 3-4 of the Old Testament which reads: ‘Confiteantur nomini tuo magno, quoniam terribile et sanctum est; et honor regis iudicium diligit’ (May they praise your great and terrible name, for it is holy. Mighty king who loves justice, thou hast established what is righteous")

Description

ITALY. Kingdom of Naples
Robert of Anjou (1309–1343 AD) AR Gigliato
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The Gigliato, also Gillat or Carlino, was a pure silver coinage established in 1303 by Charles II of Anjou in Naples, and then also in Provence from 1330. Its name derives from the lilies ('gigli' in Italian) depicted on the reverse entwined around a cross. The coin weighed 4 grams. This type of coin was widely copied in the eastern Mediterranean, especially by the Turks, such as the Emir of Saruhan.

Obverse ✠ ROBЄRT • DЄI • GRA • IЄRL • ЄT • SICIL • RЄX (ROBERTus DEI GRAtia hIERusaLem ET SICILiae REX = "Robert, by the grace of God, King of Sicily and Jerusalem"). King seated facing on lions' heads throne, holding transverse sceptre and globus cruciger
Reverse ✠ ҺONOR • RЄGIS • IUDICIU • DILIGIT Floreate cross with lis in each quadrant. The phrase is taken from Psalm 99 (98) 3-4 of the Old Testament which reads: ‘Confiteantur nomini tuo magno, quoniam terribile et sanctum est; et honor regis iudicium diligit’ (May they praise your great and terrible name, for it is holy. Mighty king who loves justice, thou hast established what is righteous")
ID(s) P/R 1/2; MIR (Napoli) 28
Die Axis 1h
Weight 3.98g
Diameter 26.50mm
Grade Extremely Fine/EF
Year(s) Minted Struck: 1309 AD - 1343 AD
Tags
Medieval Silver

Associated Links

No Links Associated.