321, Lot: 396. Estimate $150. Sold for $525. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CILICIA, Isaura. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Late 2nd century AD. Æ (17mm, 2.39 g, 6h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Young male, holding sword, riding lion right. SNG France –; SNG Levante 258 (same dies). Good VF, earthen green patina.

Isaura was the chief city of the region of Isauria, which became part of the province of Cilicia in Severan times. Isaura gained the honorific of Metropolis at some point in this period, and all its Severan coinage has this title. This coin must pre-date the union of the provinces and the elevation of Isaura. The Hercules head is a precise rendition of the type used by Alexander the great, while the identity of the lion rider has remained a mystery since this issue was first published.