This record is provided by CoinArchives, a database of numismatic auction catalogs.
Important copyright information:
The data below is presented by permission of the copyright holder(s). Reproduction is allowed only by authorization from Classical Numismatic Group.
Important copyright information:
The data below is presented by permission of the copyright holder(s). Reproduction is allowed only by authorization from Classical Numismatic Group.
| Classical Numismatic Group > Auction 120 | Auction date: 11 May 2022 |
| Lot number: 685 | |
| Lot description: EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 17.72 g, 12h). Dated RY 24 (AD 160/1). [TI AI A∆PI] ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate and draped bust left / Herakles and the Centaur Pholos: Herakles seated slightly right upon a rock that is covered with his lion's skin, his club leans against the rock and he is holding a lyre with his left hand; with his right hand, Herakles is grasping the right arm of the Centaur Pholos, who is standing right, forepart only, clad in goat's skin; to the right, an attendant facing, head left, drawing wine from a crater placed upon a rock; above, a tree branch and ς (date); [L] in exergue. Köln 1854 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 35.826; RPC IV.4 Online 14990 (same dies); Emmett 1564.24 (R5). Brown surfaces, flan crack, minor pitting. VF. Extremely rare, possibly the second known example for year 24. Emmett lists the type as being struck for three of Pius' regnal years: 5, 6, and 24, and for all three years, he assigns it an R5 rarity rating. Herakles, on his way to capture the Erymanthian boar, was entertained by the Centaur Pholos, who offered Herakles wine from his wine-skin. This angered the other centaurs and they attacked Herakles while Pholos hid in terror. In Herakles' attempt to defeat the centaurs, an arrow inadvertently struck the Centaur Chiron – Herakles' old friend and tutor. Herakles tried to help Chiron, but to no avail as the wound was incurable. The Alexandrian coin type portrays Herakles, holding a lyre, and clasping the arm of Pholos as the two are conversing; to the right, an attendant is drawing wine from the communal jar. Estimate: 5000 USD |  |
