The Nymphaeum at Pella

Triton XVI, Lot: 738. Estimate $2000. Sold for $4250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Decapolis. Pella. Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Æ (31mm, 18.48 g, 12h). Dated CY 282 (AD 218/9). ΛVT • KΛI MA • ΛV • ΛNTΩN[ЄINOC], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / ΠЄΛ • T • Π NV • Φ • K ЄΛ, Nymphaeum: male figure, holding globe and scepter standing left within central distyle structure flanked by arched alcoves in space between; below, semicircular retaining wall with spouts for upper pool; all within distyle façade set on retaining wall with spouts for lower pool; [Є]TO • BΠ[C] (date) in exergue. Cf. Meshorer, City-Coins 251; Spijkerman 12 (same obv. die); SNG ANS -; CNG E-189, 113 (attributed to Caracalla; same dies). VF, black-green patina with earthen deposits. Exceptional condition for this rare and important architectural type. Possibly the finest known.