★ Apparently unpublished and of great interest ★

PHRYGIA. Hierapolis. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. 'Medallion' (Bronze, 35 mm, 30.37 g, 12 h), circa 138-140/1. IЄPAΠOΛЄΙΤΩΝ [...] Draped bust of Apollo Archegetes to right, his hair knotted in two separate tails. Rev. AY KAIC TPA AΔPIANOC ANTONЄINOC Front view of tetrastyle temple containing cult statue of a Roman emperor standing front in military attire, head to right, holding scepter in his right hand and Nike in his left; in pediment, draped facing bust of Mên with crescent on shoulders; acroteria on roof. Burrell, Neokoroi -. Franke-Nollé -. Johnston, Hierapolis -. RPC IV -. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG von Aulock -. Von Aulock, Phrygien -. Apparently unpublished and of great interest. Corroded and mounted, otherwise, very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

The obverse of this highly interesting issue is very similar to a unique coin from Hierapolis attributed in RPC III to the reign of Trajan (RPC III 2352) and to the 2nd to early 3rd century in RPC IV online (2061), showing a similar bust of Apollo Archegetes with the same hairstyle that was likely crafted by the same artist. The reverse, on the other hand, carries an early form of Antoninus Pius' name and titulature, thus dating the series to the late 130s AD or early 140s. It is extremely rare to find a pseudo-autonomous obverse combined with an imperial reverse legend on Roman Provincial coins, most notably in Tripolis under Trajan.

Adding to the mystery of the coin is the appearance of an imperial cult statue within a tetrastyle temple on the reverse. This is surprising, since the first mentioning of a neocorate in Hierapolis only occurs on coins of Elagabalus, and one wonders what temple is represented on the present coin, all the more as there is a facing bust of Mên in the pediment. Perhaps the coin attests the erection of an imperial cult statue in a pre-existing local temple, much like Augustus and Julius Caesar shared their temples in Asia and Bithynia, respectively, with Roma. It could be the statue of either Trajan of Hadrian, Pius' predecessors, both of whom are included in his name, or even of Augustus, but it seems equally likely that Hierapolis was granted the right to set up a statue of the new emperor. In any case, it is an extraordinary coin, and the appearance of Apollo as an obverse type and the imperial temple as a reverse type strongly suggests it was issued on a special occasion, perhaps during local festivities connected to the inauguration of the temple. This might also explain both its rarity - being unique to date - and that it was carefully mounted to be worn as a commemorative pendant around the neck.