BITHYNIA, Prusias ad Hypium. Geta. As Caesar, AD 198-209. Æ Tetrassarion (27mm, 10.53 g, 7h). Labor of Herakles issue. VF.

Electronic Auction 587
Lot: 462. Estimated: $ 500

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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BITHYNIA, Prusias ad Hypium. Geta. As Caesar, AD 198-209. Æ Tetrassarion (27mm, 10.53 g, 7h). Labor of Herakles issue. Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust left, seen from behind; c/m: AN, head of Elagabalus right within incuse circle / Herakles, nude but for lion’s skin hanging from shoulders, standing facing, head right, holding bow and shooting arrow right; in field right, a Stymphalian bird falling from the sky. RG –; RPC V.2 Online 74829.1 (this coin). For c/m: Howgego 41. Brown surfaces, short flan crack. VF. Extremely rare, presently unique.

From the Hesiod Collection. Ex Leu 7 (24 October 2020), lot 1430 (hammer 900 CHF).

The Stymphalian Birds were man-eating birds that had claws of brass, sharp metallic feathers they could launch at their victims, and highly toxic dung. Driven to the heavily wooded area around Lake Stymphalia by a pack of wolves, they bred quickly and took over the countryside, destroying local crops and fruit trees. They were also favorites of Ares. To complete this Labor, Athena and Hephaestos assisted Herakles by forging crotala, or large bronze clappers, by which the birds could be frightened into flight; then, Herakles shot them down with his arrows, as depicted on the coin type.

Closing Date and Time: 21 May 2025 at 12:33:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.