As I traveled through many old Roman towns, I observed a common and interesting custom among the local people. When they heard that I was interested in ancient objects, they would bring out the coins they had found over time. These coins were commonly called “heathen money” by the locals, as they were believed to come from pagan Roman times.
In the regions of Serbia and Bosnia, the trade in ancient coins was even more organized. Armenian and Jewish merchants actively collected Roman coins from villages and towns. After gathering them in large numbers, they sent these collections to Ragusa. From there, most of the coins were transported to Italy, where collectors and scholars valued them greatly City Tours Sofia.
A Rare Coin of Emperor Julius Philippus
Among the many coins I encountered, one copper coin stood out as especially notable. This coin of Emperor Julius Philippus was commonly found in these regions but was very rare in other parts of Europe. On the front side of the coin was the head of Philippus, with the inscription:
IMP. C. M. JUL. PHILIPPUS AVG.
On the reverse side appeared the image of a woman standing between a lion and a bull. The inscription read:
P. M. S. COL. VIM. AN. VII
This inscription is believed to mean Provincia Moesia Superioris, Colonia Viminacium, Annona Septimo Data, which refers to the seventh official distribution of grain during the reign of Emperor Philippus.
Viminacium and Its Meaning
Viminacium was a Roman colony located in Moesia Superior, in what is now modern Serbia. Many believe it stood near Singidunum, today known as Belgrade, at the meeting point of the Danube River and the Morava River.
The symbols on the coin are meaningful. The lion and the bull likely represent strength, courage, and fertility of the land. The peaceful way these fierce animals stand together may suggest that under Emperor Philippus, the province enjoyed stability. Agriculture flourished, and people lived without fear of violence or oppression.
The phrase Annona Septimo Data refers to the seventh grain distribution carried out during Philippus’s rule. This task was likely supervised by the Tenth Legion, which was stationed in that region and responsible for transporting and protecting the grain supplies Discovery of a Great Treasure Near Deva.
Clothing and Appearance of the Hungarians
The article would not be complete without mentioning the traditional clothing of the Hungarian people. Their dress is practical and well suited for movement, especially for riding horses and for warfare. Because of this, similar clothing styles are also worn by the Croatians, Slavonians, and other neighboring nations.
Even the Turks who lived near the frontier regions adopted this style, although they usually preferred their own traditional dress. The Hungarian outfit is admired for its comfort, strength, and usefulness in daily life and military service.
Love of Color in Hungarian Dress
Hungarians are especially fond of bright colors. They commonly wear clothing made of blue, yellow, green, or purple cloth. Black clothing is rare among them, and even their priests do not dress in black. Instead, priests often wear long purple garments, which reflect both dignity and tradition.
This preference for color gives Hungarian towns and gatherings a lively and striking appearance, setting them apart from many other European regions of the time.
