Sale: CNG 75, Lot: 820. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2007.  Sold For $275. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHRYGIA, Eumeneia. Agrippina Junior. Augusta, AD 50-59. Æ 15mm (3.52 g, 12h). Bassa, wife of Cleon, archierê. Draped bust right / Cybele enthroned left; BASSA KLEWNOS ARCIERHA in legend. RPC I 3151; SNG Copenhagen -. VF, black-green patina with dusty orange overtones.

Bassa was the wife of Julius Cleon, an individual who, from his nomen, received his citizenship from Julius Caesar. Possibly the same Cleon mentioned on an earlier issue of Livia, Cleon and, more notably his wife Bassa represented the importance of the burgeoning imperial cult in the provinces, where individuals of means were able to benefit by connection to the imperial house.