Sale: CNG 78, Lot: 817. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 May 2008.  Sold For $275. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LYDIA, Maionia. Autonomous issues. 2nd century BC. Æ 19mm (2.96 g, 6h). Philopatros, magistrate. Bearded head of Herakles right / Omphale advancing right, lion skin draped over shoulder, holding club; [Є]ΠI ΦIΛOΠAT-POC around. LS 1; SNG Copenhagen 214; SNG München -; SNG von Aulock -. VF, green patina, hairline flan crack, light earthen encrustation.

In expiation for his murder of Iphitos at Tiryns, Herakles was compelled by the Delphic oracle to serve Omphale, the queen of Lydia, for one year. During this time, he performed a number of labors, similar to those which he undertook while serving Eurystheus, including the capture of the Kerkopes, the killing of the Syleus, and the conquest of the city of the Itones. At the same time, he was forced to wear women’s clothing and spin wool and, according to the poet Ovid (Fasti 2.305), at one point during this time, Omphale even wore Herakles’ lion skin and carried his club while ordering him about. However, these actions seemed to have little ill-effect on the hero; after his year’s service was completed, Herakles married Omphale.