191, Lot: 111. Estimate $100. Sold for $115. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Coele-Syria. Heliopolis. Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. Æ 25mm (11.39 g, 6h). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Aerial perspective of the Temple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus. SNG Copenhagen 429; BMC 2; Price & Trell 702. Near VF, green patina with earthen deposits.

From the J. S. Wagner Collection.

Located in the Beqaa Valley of modern-day Lebanon, the site of Heliopolis has been occupied since circa 2000 BC when Phoenicians settled in the area. Refounded as Heliopolis in 15 BC, the city was renowned for its complex of ornate temples. Constructed over the course of two centuries, the temples were dedicated in the time of Septimius Severus to Jupiter Baal (also known as Zeus Heliopolitanus), Venus Ashtart, and Bacchus-Dionysus. The popularity of this complex was further celebrated in the issues struck by the city under subsequent emperors (see lots 114 and 115).