The Rescue of Andromeda

194, Lot: 92. Estimate $300. Sold for $525. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THRACE, Deultum. Diadumenian. As Caesar, AD 217-218. Æ 24mm (7.08 g, 1h). Bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Perseus standing left, holding head of Medusa, wearing winged sandals, drapery over leg, rescuing Andromeda from rocky slope; dead sea-moster at Perseus’ feet; harpa to right. Jurokova -; SNG Bulgaria -; SNG Copenhagen -; Varbanov 2205 (this coin). Fine, dark green and brown patina. Extremely rare. Possibly unpublished except for this coin.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 54 (14 June 2000), lot 1081.

This reverse type reflects an established tradition of depicting Perseus and Andromeda. Similar conceptions of the rescue of the princess following the slaying of the Cetus Aethiopicus (“Ethiopian sea-monster”) are found on Italian frescoes and Eastern mosaics.