Sale: Triton V, Lot: 1717. Estimate $400.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2002.  Sold For $525. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

TROAS, Alexandria Troas. Trebonianus Gallus. 251-253 AD. Æ 22mm (7.23 gm). IMP VIB TREB GALLVS [P F AV]G, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / CO-L AV-G, TROAD in exergue, two beardless male figures facing each other, the one to the right holding out three arrows in his right hand and and bow in left; the other rests his right hand on his seat; between the two, upper part of bearded herdsman facing, holding pedum. Bellinger A402; A.R. Bellinger, "The Late Bronze of Alexandria Troas," ANSMN 8 (1958), Type 20, pl. VII, 20 (same die as second reverse); SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -; Hunterian pg. 296, 50, pl. XLIX, 10 (same reverse die). VF, thick earthen encrustation of green and brown patina. Very rare - just four specimens recorded by Bellinger. ($400)

From the David Simpson Collection.

The reverse represents the reconcilliation between Apollo Smintheus and his priest, both enjoying the hospitality of the herdsman Orodes. According to the local legend (Iliad I. 39), Apollo, angered at his priest, sent a plague of mice to devistate the crops, but later repenting he appeared to Orodes the herdsman who hospitably received him, and Apollo promised to kill the mice with his arrows.