PHRYGIA. Docimeium. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Diassarion (Bronze, 25 mm, 8.08 g, 1 h), time of Macrinus, 217-218. IEPA BOYΛH Laureate, veiled and draped bust of Boule to right. Rev. ΔOKI-MEΩN Hexastyle temple seen in three-quarters perspective. Mionnet IV, p. 283, 510. Münzen & Medaillen GmbH 11 (2002) 93 (same dies). Cf. Price, Studies Trell, 205, fig. 410 (similar reverse, but for Macrinus). Extremely rare with an interesting reverse type. Very fine.


Docimeium, near modern Afyonkarahissar, was a Macedonian colony on the Dureios, a tributary of the Kaistros. The name of the city suggests it was founded by Dokimos, the general Antigonos Monophthalmos had entrusted with the liberation of the cities of southern Asia Minor in 313 BC. Docimeium was celebrated in Roman times for its alabaster-like marble (Synnadic stone), which was quarried on sacred Mount Persis. The red colors which streaked the white marble were attributed to the drops of blood from the dying god Attis, to whom this temple was perhaps dedicated.