CNG 96, Lot: 686. Estimate $300. Sold for $190. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUDAEA, Neapolis. Volusian. AD 251-253. Æ (24mm, 15.30 g, 6h). Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Athena standing left, with shield and spear at side, sacrificing over altar; to left, female figure advancing right, supporting Mt. Gerizim surmounted by temple complex. Harl – (type unlisted, but obv. die A32); Rosenberger –; Sofaer 244 (same dies); SNG ANS –; BMC –. Near VF, green and reddish–brown patina, roughness. Very rare.

Coinage of Trebonianus Gallus and Volusian was struck with both Greek (as the current coin) and Latin legends (see the following lot). Since a specimen of Hostilian as Caesar is known with Greek legends, the Greek coinage of Trebonianus and Volusian must have predated the Latin (although the unlikely suggestion has been made that they could have been struck simultaneously [see BMC p. xxvi]). It would appear that at some point Neapolis’ legal status changed, so that it was only permitted to strike Greek language coins that did not refer to the city as a “KOΛΩNIAC”, before regaining colonial rank. While the historical circumstances that led to this change at Neapolis are unknown to us, a similar suppression of colonial status occured at Tyre under Elagabalus after the city supported a short–lived revolt against the emperor.