THRACE, Hadrianopolis. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ Tetrassarion (27mm, 10.45 g, 1h). Fourth Labor of Herakles – The Cerynean Hind. Near VF.

Electronic Auction 604
Lot: 423. Estimated: $ 150

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 170. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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THRACE, Hadrianopolis. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ Tetrassarion (27mm, 10.45 g, 1h). Fourth Labor of Herakles – The Cerynean Hind. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield decorated with gorgoneion / Herakles and the Cerynean Hind – Herakles, wearing lion skin, standing right, kneeling upon the lowered hind quarters of the Ceryneian Hind, which stands right, and holding animal by antlers, preparing to strike with a daggar held in his raised left hand. Jurukova 266 (V150/R259); Varbanov 3629. Earthen brown patina, slight roughness. Near VF. Rare.

From the Heather Howard Collection.

Angered to find that Herakles had successfully completed the previous two Labors, Eurystheus ordered him to capture the Cerynean Hind, a creature sacred to Artemis that was renowned for its incredible speed. The king hoped that Herakles, by capturing this animal, would incur the wrath of that goddess. Since it could elude even the swiftest arrow, Herakles devised a cunning plan. He chased it across the earth for a whole year, and when it stopped to drink, Herakles rendered it lame by shooting it with one of his few unpoisoned arrows. Another version of the story relates that he captured the animal when it was unable to run any farther. As he was returning to Mycenae, Herakles encountered Artemis and Apollo. He begged the goddess for forgiveness, explaining that he had to catch it as part of his punishment, but he promised to return it. Artemis forgave him, foiling Eurystheus’ plan. However, Eurystheus was not to be undone. Wishing to include the Hind in his menagerie, he ordered Herakles to release it to him. Since he had promised Artemis to return the Hind to her, Herakles devised a strategem: he agreed to hand the Hind over on the condition that Eurystheus himself came out and took it from him. The King came out, but the moment Herakles let the Hind go, it sprinted away. Herakles answered that Eurystheus had not been quick enough.

Closing Date and Time: 18 February 2026 at 12:20:40 ET.

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