Eos–Goddess of the Dawn

360, Lot: 336. Estimate $200. Sold for $920. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ Drachm (31mm, 19.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 163/4). Laureate bust left, slight drapery / Eos walking left, head right, holding torch and reins of horse rearing right, head left. Köln 2153 var. (obv. bust type); Dattari (Savio) 3721; K&G 39.93 corr. (lists Dattari 3719 for this type); Emmett 2391.4. Near VF, dark green to black patina with earthen highlights/deposits, crack/metal flaw running around the edge.

Eos, known as Aurora to the Romans, was the goddess of the dawn. Here she is seen preparing one of the two horses that drew her biga (“Firebright” or “Daybright”) for her morning journey across the skies.