CILICIA, Tarsus. Gordian III. AD 238-244. Æ (33mm, 17.15 g, 6h). Labors of Herakles series. Good Fine.

Electronic Auction 600
Lot: 389. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 80. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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CILICIA, Tarsus. Gordian III. AD 238-244. Æ (33mm, 17.15 g, 6h). Labors of Herakles series. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Herakles standing left, holding club set on ground, lion’s skin, and Apples of the Hersperides; to left, the serpent Ladon coiled around tree, arrow pierced through its neck. RPC VII Online 3072; SNG BN 1667; SNG Levante –. Rough red-brown patina, minor deposits. Good Fine.

Because he had been assisted in completing some of his earlier tasks, Herakles was compelled to undergo two more labors. The first of these was to steal the Apples of the Hesperides, nymphs who lived in a grove at the far western edge of the world. Herakles asked the Titan Atlas, the father of Hesperides whose task it was to hold up the heavens, to retrieve the apples in return for holding up the heavens while he did so. Having accomplished the task, Atlas was reticent to give up his freedom, and told Herakles that he would take back the apples to Tiryns for him. Herakles thereupon tricked the Titan, requesting that Atlas hold the heavens while Herakles adjusted his cloak to be more comfortable.

Closing Date and Time: 3 December 2025 at 12:09:20 ET.

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