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Coin of the Month

August 2017: Hadrianopolis, Geta/Telesphoros

The Coin of this Month is presented by Alexa Küter


In 2017 our Coin of the Month section is dedicated to the individual favorite coins of the CNT-Team members and of the contributors to CNT. By presenting a coin of personal interest we hope to hear interesting stories not only about the coins but also about the people introducing them. So if you want to share with the CNT community some insights on a very special Thracian coin just write us an email!

The „boy with hoodie“ instantly raises interest. He doesn’t seem to fit into our idea of depicting rulers, gods or heroes. In this case, the peculiar image is found on an aes coin from Hadrianopolis, minted AD 198-209 and presenting on the obverse the bare-headed bust of youthful Geta to r., wearing cuirass and paludamentum, combined with the legend Λ ϹΕΠΤ - ΓΕΤΑϹ Κ. The reverse names the minting authority, ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟ-ΠΟΛΕΙΤWΝ, while the strange figure remains unlabeled. Fortunately, from other media such as votive reliefs or statuettes we know that this iconography indicates Telesphoros. Being associated with Asclepius and other healing gods, this deity became popular in the Imperium Romanum only about 100 BC. Typically, he is presented barefooted and standing facing, wearing a hooded mantle. Although there are voices who attest him a Thracian origin, he might rather be a Celtic deity: His hooded mantle connects him to the genii cucullati, dwarf-like hooded spirits with healing powers. In Thrace, Telesphoros is often connected to Asclepius and/or Hygieia. Inscriptions and votives attest his worship e. g. in Pautalia, Anchialos and Deultum.



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