BOEOTIA, Thebes. Circa 425-395 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 12.19 g). Later style. Good VF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 178. Estimated: $ 2 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 4 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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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.”

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session One – Lot 1-337 will be held Tuesday morning, 9 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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