CYRRHESTICA, Hierapolis. Caracalla. AD 198-217. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.16 g, 12h). Struck AD 215-217. EF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 482. Estimated: $ 1 000

Roman Provincial, Billon, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 3 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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CYRRHESTICA, Hierapolis. Caracalla. AD 198-217. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.16 g, 12h). Struck AD 215-217. AVT • K • M A AN TΩNЄINOC •, laureate and cuirassed bust left, with gorgoneion on breastplate, holding scepter over shoulder in right hand, large shield suspended by baldric over left shoulder; shield is decorated with a half-length figure of the bearded Apollo of Hierapolis, wearing calathus, holding serpent-entwined spear in right hand and flower in left, set on a pedestal decorated with two eagles / ΔHMAPX • ЄΞ V ΠATOC TO • Δ •, eagle standing facing, head and tail right, with wings displayed, holding wreath in beak; between legs, lion advancing right. Prieur 935. Lustrous, light porosity. EF. Extremely rare, only six cited by Prieur, one in CoinArchives. Much finer than Prieur’s specimen.

A fascinating bust type, the shield Caracalla carries is decorated with a cult image of a local deity, whom Henri Seyrig (“Sur une idole hiérapolitane,” Syria 26 [1949], pp. 17-41) identified as the bearded Apollo of Hierapolis contained within the temple complex of Atargatis and Haddad. The statue is only briefly discussed by Lucian of Samosata (De Dea Syria 35), but Macrobius (Saturnalia I.17.66-67) describes it in much greater detail, informing us that Apollo wore a calathus, pointy beard, and cuirass, and held a lance and flower.

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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