Lot 3290

AE Festival of Isis Follis (Rome ca. 350-400 AD, 2.07 g.) - ISIS FARIA Draped bust of Isis left with lotus flower crown, holding Sistrum in right hand and dish with snake in the left / VOTA PVBLICA Isis standing left with Sistrum in raised right hand and Situla in the left (Alföldi 335/343 / cf. Vagi 3339 for obverse) - F, small chip - ex. collection Vinkenborg - In the Roman Calendar, march 5th was devoted to Isis Navigium; a religious festival honouring Isis' influence over the sea and naval transport. It featured floats theorized to have been a predecessor to our modern carnival. An enigmatic series of coins or tokens was issued in association, of which the exact function remains unclear. Isis Faria refers to the isle of Pharos and its lighthouse. (ex collection Vinkenborg)