The Cattle of Geryon
Varbanov Plate Coin

442, Lot: 643. Estimate $300. Sold for $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THRACE, Perinthus. Gallienus. AD 253-268. Æ (32mm, 20.72 g, 6h). AYT Γ-AΛΛ-HNOC CEB, laureate and cuirassed bust right, holding spear over left shoulder / ΠEPINΘIΩN ΔIC NEΩKOPΩ, Herakles walking left, holding raised club, driving the cattle of Geryon. Cf. Schönert, Perinthos 900 (for rev.); Varbanov 602 (this coin cited and illustrated, R7). VF, green patina, cut on reverse. Extremely rare with this bust type.

Ex Gorny & Mosch 118 (14 October 2002), lot 1664 (hammer of €1000).

This reverse type illustrates the tenth of the Labours of Herakles, in which he was charged with capturing a herd of red cattle owned by Geryon, a monster with three heads and three sets of legs, and guarded by Orthus, a two-headed watchdog, and the herdsman Eurytion.