Extremely Rare Issue of Euhesperides

329, Lot: 198. Estimate $150. Sold for $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KYRENAICA, Euhesperides. temp. Ophellas. Ptolemaic governor, first reign, circa 322-313 BC. Æ Unit (23mm, 10.55 g, 15h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Inverted trident; [E]-Y between prongs. Asolati 124; Buttrey, Coins –; BMC 5 bis. Near VF, green patina, obverse double struck, cleaning scratches. Overstruck on an uncertain issue (possibly from Barke? See Asolati 115). Extremely rare.

The appearance of Herakles is due to Euhesperides’ association with the Garden of the Hesperides (the Hesperides were nymphs and daughters of Hesperos, the Evening Star). In the myth, Herakles temporarily relieved Atlas of his punishment of holding up the celestial spheres while Atlas went to fetch the apples from the Garden. When Atlas returned, he did not wish to again take up his burden and offered to deliver the apples himself. Herakles, suspicious of Atlas, agreed to the offer but asked him to carry the weight for just a moment while the hero adjusted the cloak on his shoulders. When Atlas agreed, Herakles seized the apples and fled.