| Classical Numismatic Group > Triton XXVII | Auction date: 9 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 178 Price realized: 4,000 USD (Approx. 3,664 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: BOEOTIA, Thebes. Circa 425-395 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 12.19 g). Later style. Boeotian shield / Bearded head of Dionysos right, wearing wreath of ivy with berries at the crown; Θ-E across lower field; all within incuse square. BCD Boiotia 442–4; Myron Hoard pl. B, 5; HGC 4, 1326. Old cabinet tone, porosity on obverse. Good VF. Though Dionysos was widely worshipped as god of the grape harvest and wine, according to the most widely quoted origin myth, he was only half-divine, being the product of Zeus' dalliance with Semele, a mortal princess of Thebes. Semele was the daughter of Cadmus, founder of Thebes and one of the first Greek heroes. Semele was also a priestess of Zeus with whom the king of the gods became smitten. As was his wont with mortal women, Zeus began visiting her regularly in various guises until she conceived. Hera, getting wind of the affair, tricked Semele into demanding that Zeus reveal himself to her in all his godly glory, causing her to burst into flame. Zeus, however, rescued the fetal Dionysos and sewed him into his thigh. He was "born" a few months later, leading to one of Dionysos' epithets as "twice born." Estimate: 2000 USD |  |
