292, Lot: 120. Estimate $300. Sold for $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 16.17 g, 7h). Ainos mint. Struck circa 283-282 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; to inner left,lion’s head left above enthroned cult image of Hermes Perpheraios; monogram on throne. Thompson 257; Müller 119. VF, toned, some deposits and light porosity.

According to myth, the famous cult image of Hermes Perpheraios was carved by Epeios, the maker of the Trojan Horse. Lost at sea, the statue was caught by local fishermen of Ainos. Quite displeased with their catch, they attempted to cut it up for firewood but could not split it. They then tried to burn the image as a whole, but the flames would not catch. Finally, the frustrated fishermen threw the statue back to sea. It was only when it was caught in their nets a second time that the sacredness of the object was realized.