| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 243 | Silver | Auction date: 24 November 2024 |
| Lot number: 62 Price realized: 85 EUR (Approx. 89 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ionia. Ephesos circa 180-67 BC. Dated year 21 (of the formation of Provincia Asiae)=138/9 BC Cistophoric Tetradrachm AR 29 mm, 12,70 g Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath / A - K/ EΦΕ, bowcase between two serpents; double cornucopia to right. Good Very Fine Kleiner & Noe series 34a; SNG von Aulock 1857. The "cista mystica" is a symbolic motif from ancient Greek art and religious iconography. It refers to a mystical or sacred chest or basket often depicted in various artistic contexts, particularly on coins and in the visual representations of the mystery cults of ancient Greece. In its visual representation, the cista mystica typically features a cylindrical or rectangular container with a lid, from which a serpent or snake emerges. The snake is often depicted coiling around the lid or coming out of the container. The cista mystica is sometimes shown with handles on the sides, resembling a real-life chest or basket. The symbolism of the cista mystica is associated with various themes, including initiation, transformation, and the mysteries of the cults of Dionysus and other deities. The emergence of the snake from the cista mystica is often interpreted as a symbol of rebirth and spiritual awakening, as snakes were often linked with renewal and transformation in ancient Greek beliefs. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 1:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 261 | Silver | Auction date: 30 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 90 Price realized: 240 EUR (Approx. 259 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ionia. Ephesos circa 187-67 BC. Dated year 21 (of the formation of Provincia Asiae)=138/9 BC Cistophoric Tetradrachm AR 29 mm, 12,69 g Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath / A - K/ EΦΕ, bowcase between two serpents; double cornucopia to right. Good Very Fine Kleiner & Noe series 34a; SNG von Aulock 1857. The "cista mystica" is a symbolic motif from ancient Greek art and religious iconography. It refers to a mystical or sacred chest or basket often depicted in various artistic contexts, particularly on coins and in the visual representations of the mystery cults of ancient Greece. In its visual representation, the cista mystica typically features a cylindrical or rectangular container with a lid, from which a serpent or snake emerges. The snake is often depicted coiling around the lid or coming out of the container. The cista mystica is sometimes shown with handles on the sides, resembling a real-life chest or basket. The symbolism of the cista mystica is associated with various themes, including initiation, transformation, and the mysteries of the cults of Dionysus and other deities. The emergence of the snake from the cista mystica is often interpreted as a symbol of rebirth and spiritual awakening, as snakes were often linked with renewal and transformation in ancient Greek beliefs. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 2:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 582 | Auction date: 5 March 2025 |
| Lot number: 132 Price realized: 190 USD (Approx. 181 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: MYSIA, Pergamon. Circa 166-67 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28.5mm, 11.53 g, 1h). Cistophoric standard. Me(no)-, prytaneis. Struck circa 85-76 BC. Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath / Two serpents entwined around bow and bowcase; above, MH above monogram (=prytaneis), civic monogram to left, serpent-entwined staff to right. Kleiner, Hoard 41; SNG BN 1745–6. Toned, remnants of find patina, double-struck on obverse. VF. From the Dennis E. McAvoy Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 105 (5 January 2005), lot 65. Estimate: 100 USD |  |
Match 3:
| Heritage Auctions Europe / MPO Auctions > Auction 84 | Auction date: 11 November 2024 |
| Lot number: 3187 Price realized: 85 EUR (Approx. 91 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Asia Minor - Lydia - Tralleis - AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (189-133 BC, 12.41g) - Cista mystica with serpent, all within ivy wreath / TPAΛ to left, bowcase with serpents, ΠPYT (magistrate) above, cornucopia to right (SNG von Aulock -- / SNG Cop. -- / BMC --, unpublished magistrate/cornucopia) - VF, a rare specimen Starting price: 75 EUR |  |
Match 4:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 252 | Silver | Auction date: 26 January 2025 |
| Lot number: 72 Price realized: 140 EUR (Approx. 146 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ionia. Ephesos circa 180-67 BC. Dated CY 16 (119/8 BC) Cistophoric Tetradrachm AR 31 mm, 12,36 g Cista mystica, from which serpent emerges, within ivy wreath / Two serpents entwined around bow and bowcase; cornucopia above, Iς (date) to upper left, torch to right. Very Fine Kleiner, Dated 22; DCA 325. Starting price: 50 EUR |  |
Match 5:
| Nomos AG > Auction 35 | Auction date: 15 June 2025 |
| Lot number: 634 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | |
| Lot description: The Triumvirs. Mark Antony and Octavia, 39 BC. Cistophoric Tetradrachm (Silver, 29 mm, 11.88 g, 1 h), possibly Ephesus. M·ANTONIVS·IMP·COS·DESIG·ITER·ET·TERT Conjoined head of Mark Antony, wearing ivy wreath, and bust of Octavia, draped, to right. Rev. III·VIR·R·P·C Bacchus standing to left on Cista, holding cantharus and thyrsus; flanked by entwined serpents. Cohen 3. CRI 263. Hiltmann, Type 2. MAST 3.25 (this coin). RPC I 2202. Sydenham 1198. Attractively toned. Minor porosity and marks, otherwise, good very fine. From a European Collection, ex Millon & Associés, 8 June, 2007, 68. Estimate: 1500 CHF |  |
