The Katanean Brothers Rescuing their Parents

290, Lot: 152. Estimate $100. Sold for $850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Katane. 2nd-1st centuries BC. Æ (21mm, 7.62 g, 12h). Head of Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath / The Katanean brothers, Amphinomos and Anapias, carrying their parents. CNS 10; SNG ANS 1285; SNG Copenhagen 196. Good VF, green patina. Scarce type.

This coin shows the Katanean brothers rescuing their aged parents following an eruption of Mt. Etna. The brothers served as embodiments of the Roman virtue of pietas.