Numismata hellenica: a catalogue of Greek coins; with notes, a map ...

Metal Size Weight
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
5+
7-
5-
H
M U
JE
176-6
166-6
182-2
yKG^AN SEA. 19
iVote.-This type is explained by Pliny (H. N. 12, 5) : « Est Gortyna, in insuU Creta juxta fontem
platauus una, nunquam folia dimittens, statimque ei Grajcite fabulositas superfuit, Jovem
sub ea cum Europa concubuisse ;" the bird, therefore, is the eagle of Jupiter, and this seems to be
confirmed by two coins in the Hunter Collection (PI. 29, I. II.), the reverses of which represent
apparently tlie sequel of the mythus. Combe indeed describes them as " Figura muliebris avi
volanti msidens ;•'
but Eckhel more correctly as « Virgo in commercio cum aquila expansis alls."
Another similar, without legend.
Bull to n, with iiead to ^. ; above, R. Same type, bird not apparent.
Bull tor., with head thrown back, as if stung by a fly. R. Female, seated as
before, drawmg down veil with left hand ;
no bird.
Note.—The action of the bull is explained in a specimen of the Hunter Collection, by a fly in the
field under the bull.
101
30-2
rOPTYNION, in two lines; between them, bull to L, with head turned to r.
B. Similar type, left arm extended.
Head of ? Apollo adv. ft. O . . . Eagle, with open wings, on fulmen to I, in a
radiated circle.
75-S
254-6
Head of Jupiter to r., with two countermarks, one of which is bull butting to r.
U. Europa, adv., with veil in both hands, on bull to r. ; head of Apollo, as
countermark ; below, rOPTYNIiiN.
Head of Pallas to r. ; on helmet, gryphon to r. R. rOPTYNIilN, in four lines across
the field. Owl to r., standing on amphora ; on which, B ; in field to r., bull,
61-6
butting to r. ;
all in wreath of olive.
Note.—This coin has the types and weight of an Athenian tetradrachmon ; the legend and symbol
only are Gortynian. Eckhel, ii. p. 221, cites this coin, and two others of Hierapytna and Cydonia, as
"ad exemplar monetse Atheniensis signati." They attest, probably, some alliance between the
cities.
Head of Jupiter to?. R. rOPTYNIiiN. Naked figure, striding to I. ; right hand
resting on shield on the ground; in left, spear ; all in radiated circle.— TMs
and the two preceding are
Electrotypes from the Pembroke Collection (758, 760).
Head of Pallas ? to r. R. I'OP. Bull, butting to r.
HEPHiRSTIA Lerani.
Note.—There were two principal towns in the island of Lemnus,—
Myrina and Hepheestia.
Myrina stood at the western end, as appears by the ancient belief, that the shadow of Mount Athos
fell at certain times upon the Agora of Myrina ; but it must have been at the summer, not the
winter solstice, as Pliny asserts (4, 12), because the nearest, or north-west cape of Myrina, bears about
east-south-east from the summit of Athos. Myrina appears to have been the early capital of the island,
the city Lemnus of Thoas to which Juno proceeds when, descending from Olympus to Athos, she passed
over Pieria and Emathia, and the summit of the Thracian mountains, without touching them : 'E?
'A9ow i' Ivl irovrov ijUftiiTO KV/iaivovra, | Aijfivov S' liaafUave, voXiv 6fioio QoavTOc;, II. S. 230.
But Hephsestia was perhaps the chief town in later times, its coins being not very uncommon, while
the name
those of Myrina are extremely rare, if any exist. The worship of Vulcan, indicated by
and by the torch, and pyragra on the coins of Hephsestia, is well explained by the volcanic nature
of the part of Lemnus where it stood.
Diademate beardless male head to r. B. H*A. Ram, standing to I. ; ia front,
torch, with cup and handle.
Head of Pallas to I. R. HA. Ram, standing to I. ; in front, torch.
Same type to r. R. H*A. Owl, adv. ; to L, pyragra, or forceps
of Vulcan.