EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (32.5mm, 21.11 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 6 (AD 142/3). Good Fine.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 582. Estimated: $ 750

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

Sold For $ 850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (32.5mm, 21.11 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 6 (AD 142/3). AYT K [T AIΛ A∆P] ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / Herakles and the Mares of Diomedes – Herakles standing right, lion’s skin around neck, holding the mane of one of Diomedes’ mares with his left hand and preparing to strike it with his club held with his right hand; a fallen mare behind him to the left; Diomedes laying prostrate to the right before him on the ground; L ϛ (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8505; K&G –; RPC IV.4 627; Emmett 1553.6 (this regnal year not listed in his chart in error, as the reverse of this type is illustrated on p. 74B). Dark brown surfaces, metal flaws, smoothing, details enhanced. Good Fine. Rare.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection.

The four mares of the giant Diomedes, king of the Bistones in Thrace, had a nightmarish taste for human flesh. It was Herakles’ task to steal them, and he set about doing so with a cortege including the Locrian youth Abderus, a beloved of the hero, who in the midst of the story is eaten by the horses. Herakles, according to some renderings, was so distraught he fed Diomedes to his own mares in revenge. The Thracian town of Abdera was founded nearby Abderus’ grave.

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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