Sale: CNG 76, Lot: 1811. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 12 September 2007.  Sold For $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Casale. Guglielmo II Paleologo. 1494-1518. AR Cornuto (5.46 g, 6h). Draped coat of arms surmounted by crowned helmet, antlers, and arm holding sword / Saint Theodore on horseback left, trampling dragon. Cf. CNI II 46/47 (obv./rev.). VF, lightly toned. Rare.

From Collection C.G. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 63 (21 May 2003), lot 1858.

The saint depicted on the reverse of this coin is Theodore of Amasea. According to one version of his legend, Theodore served in the Roman army. When he refused to carry out an imperial edict against the Christians, he was tried by a court in Amasea (modern-day Turkey). The court was lenient in its judgment, offering Theodore some time to reconsider his position. In response, he burned down the Temple of Cybele, prompting his immediate arrest and execution on 17 February 306. In addition to the story of his martyrdom, Theodore is also remembered for rescuing a town in Anatolia from a dangerous monster that lurked in the forest. Interestingly, on this coin Theodore is depicted as a knight on horseback slaying a dragon -- very similar to the imagery used for the better-known St. George.