EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35.5mm, 23.17 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). Near VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 576. Estimated: $ 1 000

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 4 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35.5mm, 23.17 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). AYT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄVCЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Herakles and the Apples of the Hesperides – Herakles standing right, lion’s skin over left shoulder, cradling club with his left hand and reaching with his right hand for the Apples of the Hesperides hanging from branch of tree to right; the serpent Ladon coiled around the tree’s trunk, arrow pierced through its neck; L/Є (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; RPC IV.4 466.3 (this coin); Emmett 1554.5 (R5). Dark green surfaces, some roughness. Near VF. Extremely rare, only three recorded in RPC.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Triton VIII (11 January 2005), lot 804; Triton VI (14 January 2003), lot 593.

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.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session Two – Lot 302-613 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 13 January 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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