CAPPADOCIA. Tyana. Caracalla, 198-217. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 16 mm, 3.73 g, 11 h), RY 16 = 212/3 (?). M AYPH ANTΩNI Laureate head of Caracalla to right. Rev. [ΚΟΛΩΝΙ]ΑϹ ΤΥΑΝΩΝ [ЄΤ ΙϚ] (?) Bearded head of the philosopher Chrysippos (?) to right. Ganschow -. RPC V.3 online -. Unpublished and unique, a highly interesting discovery with a fascinating reverse type. Very fine.



This previously unknown type from Tyana shows on the reverse the head of a bald, bearded man. The depiction is reminiscent of theatrical masks of Silenos, yet it lacks the characteristic ivy wreath and long hair at the nape; moreover, theatrical masks are normally shown lying down in order to distinguish them from portraits. It is possible that the image represents a portrait of the philosopher Chrysippos of Soli (circa 279–206 BC), the third head of the Stoic school in Athens, since it resembles depictions on coins from Soli-Pompeiopolis (cf. Leu 10 (2021), 2278 and RPC IV.3 online 17500).

Why Tyana should have depicted Chrysippus on its coinage, however, remains unclear, as no connection between the famous philosopher and the Cappadocian city is known. More plausible would be a portrait of by far the city’s most famous citizen, the wandering philosopher Apollonios of Tyana (circa AD 40–120). However, the image on the coin does not correspond to any of the known portrait types of Apollonios, who in ancient art is invariably shown with a full head of hair.