The Temple of Venus at Eryx

196, Lot: 239. Estimate $200. Sold for $550. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

C. Considius Nonianus. 56 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.77 g, 9h). Rome mint. Laureate bust of Venus Erycina right, wearing stephane / Tetrastyle temple of Venus Erycina on summit of mount, entrance and surrounding ramparts below. Crawford 424/1; Sydenham 888; Considia 1b. VF, toned, banker’s mark on obverse.

Describing Mt. Eryx and its temple complex, the Greek historian Polybius of Megalopolis writes: On its summit, which is flat, stands the temple of Venus Erycina, which is indisputably the first in wealth and general magnificence of all the Sicilian holy places. The city extends along the hill under the actual summit, the ascent to it being very long and steep on all sides. (World History, 1.55)