LYDIA, Sardis. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ (25mm, 7.82 g, 6h). Antonius Rufus, first archon for the third time. Near VF.

Electronic Auction 616
Lot: 513.
Closing Date: Sep 2 2026 10:00 ET

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Estimate: $ 200

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LYDIA, Sardis. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ (25mm, 7.82 g, 6h). Antonius Rufus, first archon for the third time. Radiate head right / Herakles advancing right, leading the Cretan Bull by the horns and holding club. Hochard 2020 (D230–R516); Kurth 528; RPC V.2 Online 90576. Brown surfaces, roughness. Near VF. Extremely rare, only one specimen known to the three reference cited. One more in CoinArchives, in much lower grade (CNG E-534, lot 336).

Compelled to capture the bull as his seventh Labor, Herakles sailed to Crete. Minos, the king of Crete, gave the hero permission to take the bull away, as it had been causing destruction on the island. Herakles subdued the Bull with his bare hands, and shipped it back to Athens. Although Eurystheus wished to sacrifice the Bull to Hera, the goddess refused the sacrifice because it reflected glory on her sworn enemy. The bull was released and wandered into the town of Marathon, where it became known as the Marathonian Bull.

Closing Date and Time: 2 September 2026 at 12:50:40 ET.

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