EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 17.72 g, 12h). Dated RY 24 (AD 160/1).

CNG Feature Auction 120
Lot: 685. Estimated: $ 5 000

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 7 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 17.72 g, 12h). Dated RY 24 (AD 160/1). [TI AI A∆PI] ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate and draped bust left / Herakles and the Centaur Pholos: Herakles seated slightly right upon a rock that is covered with his lion’s skin, his club leans against the rock and he is holding a lyre with his left hand; with his right hand, Herakles is grasping the right arm of the Centaur Pholos, who is standing right, forepart only, clad in goat’s skin; to the right, an attendant facing, head left, drawing wine from a crater placed upon a rock; above, a tree branch and ς (date); [L] in exergue. Köln 1854 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 35.826; RPC IV.4 Online 14990 (same dies); Emmett 1564.24 (R5). Brown surfaces, flan crack, minor pitting. VF. Extremely rare, possibly the second known example for year 24. Emmett lists the type as being struck for three of Pius’ regnal years: 5, 6, and 24, and for all three years, he assigns it an R5 rarity rating.

Herakles, on his way to capture the Erymanthian boar, was entertained by the Centaur Pholos, who offered Herakles wine from his wine-skin. This angered the other centaurs and they attacked Herakles while Pholos hid in terror. In Herakles' attempt to defeat the centaurs, an arrow inadvertently struck the Centaur Chiron – Herakles' old friend and tutor. Herakles tried to help Chiron, but to no avail as the wound was incurable. The Alexandrian coin type portrays Herakles, holding a lyre, and clasping the arm of Pholos as the two are conversing; to the right, an attendant is drawing wine from the communal jar.

The final winners of all CNG 120 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 11-12 May 2022. CNG 120 – Session Two – Greek Coinage (Part 2) through Roman Provincial Coinage will be held Wednesday afternoon, 11 May 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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