IONIA, Phocaea. Circa early to mid-3rd century AD. Æ (19mm, 2.93 g, 6h). Near VF.

Electronic Auction 613
Lot: 554. Estimated: $ 150

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 120. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

IONIA, Phocaea. Circa early to mid-3rd century AD. Æ (19mm, 2.93 g, 6h). Turreted and draped bust of Tyche right / Dog standing right, attacking dolphin swimming left. RPC VIII Online 20329; SNG Copenhagen 1060. Earthen green patina, slight roughness. Near VF.

The enigmatic reverse type of this coin has defied any substantially conclusive explanation. Phocaea’s extant foundation mythology does not include this topos, and the civic badge was the seal, rather than the dolphin. To date, Head’s suggestion (HN, p. 590) seems the only explanatory attempt: the dog is a personification of the local river, the Smardos, rushing down to the sea, personified by the dolphin. Otherwise, the meaning of this scene is unknown.

This theme is known on coins of Faustina II, Julia Domna, Caracalla, Severus Alexander, and Philip I, all of them are quite rare.

Closing Date and Time: 15 July 2026 at 13:04:20 ET.

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