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Perseus Slays Medusa

860710. Sold For $395

LYCAONIA, Iconium. Gallienus. AD 253-268. Æ 23mm (5.34 g, 1h). Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Perseus standing facing, head left, holding severed head of Medusa and harpa. SNG France 2304; von Aulock, Lycaoniens, 428; SNG Copenhagen 9; SNG von Aulock 8649 (all same dies). Near EF, wonderful pale blue-green patina, a few light earthen deposits. Excellent detail for issue.


Alluding to Perseus’s mythical slaying of Medusa, this coin depicts the two figures from that legend. Medusa, once a beautiful young maiden, dared to challenge Athena’s beauty. As punishment for her impiety, Medusa’s hair was turned into hissing serpents and she was condemned with a gaze which turned every living being to stone. Perseus, son of Zeus and the mortal Danae, was given the task of slaying this monster and was aided, in part, by Athena who provided him with her shield for the task.