The ‘Tree of Life’

Sale: CNG 78, Lot: 1472. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 May 2008.  Sold For $1500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHOENICIA, Aradus. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ 27mm (12.84 g, 1h). Dated CY 476 (AD 217/8). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Cypress tree flanked by zebu and lion with star above head; signa behind each, date in exergue. Rouvier 418; AUB 226 corr. (same date, but attributed to Elagabalus); cf. BMC 383 (same); SNG Copenhagen - . Good VF, dark-green patina.

Many ancient cultures saw the cypress as a symbol of eternal life as the life-span of these trees can range into the thousands of years, far surpassing the life of any human. As such, they gained special status among the ancients and their destruction of any kind demanded severe punishment.