IONIA, Ephesus. Circa 1st-3rd centuries AD. Æ Tessera (17mm, 3.16 g, 12h). Choice EF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 466. Estimated: $ 750

Roman Provincial, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 1 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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IONIA, Ephesus. Circa 1st-3rd centuries AD. Æ Tessera (17mm, 3.16 g, 12h). KHPIΛICωAЄΠPOCΠAΛYPIN, bee / Stag kneeling left, head right; Є Φ flanking, CKOΠI in exergue. Cf. SNG Copenhagen 355; cf. BMC 186; cf. SNG von Aulock 1875 (all with legend variations). Dark brown patina, minor marks. Choice EF. A superb example of the type, with exceptionally detailed engraving.

A number of bronze tesserae of the bee/stag type were struck at the cult center of Ephesus, likely during the 1st-3rd centuries AD, and are distinct from the widely varied lead issues from the same city. The legends on these bronzes cannot be translated and are, for the most part, meaningless mystical formulae, but are most likely related to the apotropaic and healing properties attributed to Artemis of Ephesus. (J. Obermajer, “The Tesserae of Ephesos in the History of Medicine,” in Medical History Vol. 12, No. 3 [1966], pp. 292–4).

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 Two – Lot 338–647 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 9 January 2024 beginning at 2:00 PM 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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