EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35.5mm, 28.72 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). Fine.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 579. Estimated: $ 750

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

Sold For $ 1 100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35.5mm, 28.72 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). [AVTOKPA KAIC AΔP ANTωNINOC], laureate head right / The Abduction of Persephone – Hades standing slightly right, head left, in quadriga right, holding the limp body of Persephone with his right hand and the reins of the quadriga with his left; above, Eros flying right, below, rocks designating the cave entrance to the underworld; L Є (date) above. Köln 1410; Dattari (Savio) 8851; K&G 35.158 (this coin illustrated); RPC IV.4 444.3 (this coin); Emmett 1525.5 (R5). Brown surfaces, roughness, minor metal flaws. Fine. Very rare.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Spink & Son. Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 217.

Hades fell in love with Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, and asked Zeus for permission to marry her. Fearing to offend his eldest brother by a downright refusal, but also knowing that Demeter would not forgive him if Persephone were committed to the underworld, Zeus diplomatically answered that he could neither give nor withhold his consent. This act emboldened Hades to abduct Persephone as she was picking flowers in a meadow and carry her away in his horse-drawn chariot to the underworld.

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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