Heraclitus the Philosopher

168, Lot: 112. Estimate $200. Sold for $265. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Ephesus. Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ 22mm (5.28 g). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / The philosopher Heraclitus standing left, raising right hand and holding torch in left. BMC Ionia -; SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; Mabbott 1507. Good Fine, brown and tan patina, light roughness.

From the J.S. Wagner Collection.

Heraclitus “the Obscure” is one of the earliest Greek philosophers whose writings have come down to us reasonably complete. Born in Ephesus in the 6th century BC, he retired to the countryside after the aristocratic party he supported was ejected from power, but nonetheless became a revered figure in the city’s history. Heraclitus held that fire was the basic building block of existence, hence he is depicted holding a torch.

”This world-order, the same of all, no god nor man did create, but it ever was and is and will be: everliving fire, kindling in measures and being quenched in measures.